Fairplex to replace HP??????????

[2Hot4TV]

Originally Posted by Indian Charlie

Po-rock (as called by my friends in West Covina) is a shidhole. High heat, smog, traffic and all concrete. Inglewood really wasn't a bad place in comparision. At least there you could eat at Mr. Jim's ribs, back in the day.

Try walking to your car at Hollywood after the races. Inglewood is not the place to be if you dont have insurance.

[TheSpyder]

That's not really the point, the land is geared for development. I was lucky enough to contact Vic Stauffer last week and he allowed me to come up and meet him and watch him call a race. According to him, all contracts at HP are over at year's end and the situation is currently in limbo, may continue there another year or so, maybe not.

The biggest issue is stalls where SA has no where near enough spaces to support itself and neither does HP. So, with the price of land, where do you put thousands of horses?

By the way, Vic was super to allow me up to meet him and a really nice guy. It was also a thrill to watch him call a race and get to meet him

Spyder

Spyder

Originally Posted by docicu3

Is HP that much of an antiquated facility?

[TalkToTheHoof]

Originally Posted by TheSpyder

That's not really the point, the land is geared for development. I was lucky enough to contact Vic Stauffer last week and he allowed me to come up and meet him and watch him call a race. According to him, all contracts at HP are over at year's end and the situation is currently in limbo, may continue there another year or so, maybe not.

The biggest issue is stalls where SA has no where near enough spaces to support itself and neither does HP. So, with the price of land, where do you put thousands of horses?

By the way, Vic was super to allow me up to meet him and a really nice guy. It was also a thrill to watch him call a race and get to meet him

Spyder

Spyder

Got a chance to go "roofside" to watch Vic call a race too! I agree, he's really a great guy and a good sport for allowing folks to go up there.

You are right about the barn space issue, which is why Fairplex appears to be a logical choice, regardless of the summer temperatures.

I remember reading that Mike Pegram and a few others were considering expansion of Los Alamitos (had put a business plan together and were working on financing), but as the years have passed, that option has become less feasible for a number of reasons.

[theiman]

Why not go back to the old El Toro Air Force Base option that was floated around years ago.
Plenty of room to stable three breeds, T-Bred--Qtrs--Harness.
You could make four tracks, Dirt, Poly, Harness and turf.

It is in an easy to get to location in OC and the weather doesnt get as hot as Pomona. You could go night racing in the summer months if needed, even cross breeds on different tracks.

Probably could check through the old history books and find an Indian tribe who once lived there and can open a casino too.

That and the fact its about a 10 minute drive from my place would make it perfect.

If some one wants to spend money, at least spend it on something worth it.

[Indian Charlie]

Originally Posted by 2Hot4TV

Try walking to your car at Hollywood after the races. Inglewood is not the place to be if you dont have insurance.

I used to go to HP nearly every day my senior year of high school and during the summer meet in college, once I got home.

I never had a problem with the locals. I used to eat at a great rib place on Florence (I think it was Florence) called Mr. Jim's. I'd usually go with a couple of friends of mine and then eat outside on the street corner. I was the only white person for miles! People walking by would look at us in surprise but they often would stop and shoot the breeze with us.

Po-Rock though? ICK.

[TalkToTheHoof]

Originally Posted by theiman

Why not go back to the old El Toro Air Force Base option that was floated around years ago.
Plenty of room to stable three breeds, T-Bred--Qtrs--Harness.
You could make four tracks, Dirt, Poly, Harness and turf.

It is in an easy to get to location in OC and the weather doesnt get as hot as Pomona. You could go night racing in the summer months if needed, even cross breeds on different tracks.

Probably could check through the old history books and find an Indian tribe who once lived there and can open a casino too.

That and the fact its about a 10 minute drive from my place would make it perfect.

If some one wants to spend money, at least spend it on something worth it.

Do you know why the El Toro option was abandoned?

[2Hot4TV]

Originally Posted by Indian Charlie

I used to go to HP nearly every day my senior year of high school and during the summer meet in college, once I got home.

I never had a problem with the locals. I used to eat at a great rib place on Florence (I think it was Florence) called Mr. Jim's. I'd usually go with a couple of friends of mine and then eat outside on the street corner. I was the only white person for miles! People walking by would look at us in surprise but they often would stop and shoot the breeze with us.

Po-Rock though? ICK.

Pomona has its problems, but Fairplex is located above the freeway and that is better than below. Both places are not where I want to have my car break down. The last time I went to Hollywood park was when John Henry won the Sunset handicap. Inglewood is not the place to be a night anymore. Southern California has so many areas that go from upper middle class to the Hood in afew miles. Bradbury is one of the highest incomes per household in America and just down the freeway we have Baldwin Park, one of the lowest per household.

[theiman]

Originally Posted by TalkToTheHoof

Do you know why the El Toro option was abandoned?

I believe it was more speculation coming from CD management when they ran and owned HP. Last I heard anything about it was in 2004.

I have been to Los Al many times and top T-Bred racing moving from HP to Los Al would be the same as moving it from the Big A to Yonkers.

Los Al is an old track and will almost need to be torn down and rebuilt, IMO.
I just dont see who will be willing to finance the costs considering the potential returns. However, regarding the El Toro Base area, if the Indians could ever find a way to claim something about the property I could see a mega resort/casino facility financed by them and a hotel group as the potential in that area is unlimited.

Still it probably is more of a dream than a reality.

[letswastemoney]

hollywood scares me. they might as well call it compton downs.

[2Hot4TV]

Originally Posted by letswastemoney

hollywood scares me. they might as well call it compton downs.

Its way too close to South Central Los Angles, the "Riot capital of America". I dont care how good the chicken and ribs.

[TheSpyder]

You got to be kidding...you can drive for 10 minutes and be in ALOT worse places. I use to sell in LA for years and that is not one of the bad places at all. In fact I was surprised how much it was cleaned up on my recent visit.

Spyder

Originally Posted by letswastemoney

hollywood scares me. they might as well call it compton downs.

[SentToStud]

People who think L.A. is tough should go spend a few days in Detroit.

L.A. is a resort next to Detroit.

[jballscalls]

Originally Posted by SentToStud

People who think L.A. is tough should go spend a few days in Detroit.

L.A. is a resort next to Detroit.

couldnt agree more, i drove by Hollywood Park one day during their off season and it was fine as far as the neighborhood. I remember thinking we had tough neighborhoods here, then i went to the midwest and visited Motown, south chicago, over the rhine, all gems of america.