Is Economic Downturn Hurting The Spa?
At Saratoga Race Course, attendance is off 17.8 percent, on-track handle down 9.7 percent, and total all-sources handle declined 9.6 percent compared to 2007 figures through Sunday, the New York Racing Association said today.
So even the great Saratoga monthlong meet can’t seem to shake the weakened economy.
NYRA says they were hit with bad weather the first few days of the meet last month, and the numbers have improved since.
But attendance for the first 11 days of the 2008 meet was 251,395, down from 305,917 in 2007, for a daily average of 22,854 compared to 27,811 in 2007.
On-track handle at Saratoga was $33 million, down from $37 million in 2007.
Or is it the no-bobblehead giveaway effect? This is the first year in many years that NYRA isn’t giving having a bobblehead giveaway day, one of the more popular promotions at the track.
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Been the first time in 10 years I’m not going up from NJ.
Who can afford to lose money in these times.
It’s Bushes fault, Dang War!!
Lots of people Feeling The Pain Now!!
You missed the first week, Wood. Bush’s Fault paid $9.00; Dang War, at 17-1 paid off handsomely.
wood: right on! Yes, everything, including any of our ingrown toenails, is Bush’s fault.
;>
He’s a convenient scapegoat for problems large and small, eh?
Next year, who will the denizens blame?
As for important stuff, though: I am worried about the Spa, too.
Looks like a lot of chalk coming in, and apathy on the part of many players.
My guys in The Post are at break-even after two weeks. Usually, one of them has a good lead on his compatriots.
I miss Finley and Ray Kerrison. They’d be winning.
My hunch: the good Albany election lawyers who can usually sneak away for a couple of days at the Spa are too busy defending nuisance suits brought by Democrat incumbents in the 9th Judicial District.
What do you think?
;>
Wood….it takes roughly about a full tank of gas to get to the SPA and back to NJ. Figure the average tank holds about 18 gallons. Gas prices are up about $1.50 from last year. So you’re telling me that you’re not going to the Spa for the first time in 10 years because of a lousy $27 bucks? Why am I not surprised you lose when you go to the track?