Campaign for Better Dress-Codes at Saratoga

[Sightseek]

Originally Posted by ArlJim78

you're right, but these are just isolated cases. there are only a few niche areas that could cater to this type of crowd. Keeneland and Sarotaga are high end marquee meets that are really events to themselves. Hollywood and Arlington to an extent have drawn in the youth crowd with some success. but to revive our sport and make it grow these are just drops in the bucket.

Unfortunately what more can be done if racing continues to not cater to the fan by early retirements, the wagering mess and the preceived dishonesty of trainers among other things?

I wish I lived near Hollywood because from what I was watching on TV it looks like they were really trying their best to bring a good product to their customers.

[Cannon Shell]

Originally Posted by ArlJim78

I can just see some of the US southern tracks, trying to enforce a paddock dress code. you'd have a bunch of guys dressed up looking like Jethro Bodine in his Sunday best suit, three sizes too small, clip on bowtie.

Ken Ramsey?

[Cannon Shell]

Originally Posted by Sightseek

"Being Seen" appeals to the younger generation...why do you think Martini bars and lounges have taken off so well in most major cities?

Strip clubs are also doing well on the opposite end of the spectrum

[Cannon Shell]

Originally Posted by Sightseek

I wish I lived near Hollywood

You would not want to live too close...

[Indian Charlie]

Originally Posted by The Indomitable DrugS

I had a guy with a British accent shouting at me on the phone earlier today, it was quite an amusing event.

i hear that that guy though is a real 'dick'!!

get it?

[brianwspencer]

Originally Posted by Sightseek

"Being Seen" appeals to the younger generation...why do you think Martini bars and lounges have taken off so well in most major cities?

How else would I have ever discovered that I actually like martinis?

[The Indomitable DrugS]

Originally Posted by Cannon Shell

Ken Ramsey?

There's a sharp dresser!

[Indian Charlie]

Originally Posted by Sightseek

I wish I lived near Hollywood because from what I was watching on TV it looks like they were really trying their best to bring a good product to their customers.

no you don't, trust me on that one.

flying into LA is like watching a scene from a nightmarish borg planet. concrete everywhere extending in all directions for much further than the eye can see, even from an airplane.

hours of traffic to get anywhere. pollution, stupid people, and constant noise.

though, inglewood, the town HP is in, is a lovely place. it's amazing what iron bars over every window and door can do to pretty up a place!

you can get really good ribs at least down at mr. jims. you need no teeth to eat our beef!

best bbq i've ever been to.

[Danzig]

Originally Posted by Sightseek

I think the opposite, the world is growing more and more casual. I do get your general sentiment and agree with what you mean but unfortunately people rarely look past the surface.

We are both too young to know, but I was just speaking with someone who recalls a time when people came to the track dressed like they were going to church.

Knowing Saratogabrit, I think you take his post in a harsher word than his intention. I don't think it's too much to ask that Saratoga enforces the tradition of paddock dress code but that is just me because I enjoy dressing nice, but can understand that others don't.

As for Saratogabrit, he is extremely down to earth and I think everyone else here who knows him would say the same.

lol
so how do those of us who don't go to church figure out how to dress?!

j/k..

i enjoy casual wear, but there are times that call for something more.

[theiman]

Originally Posted by LARHAGE

Sounds like someone could make a killing opening up a singles bar.

I was at Randwick in Sydney last October. They had something like 4 Grade1 races and two Grade 3's on the Saturday afternoon card. I guess they had about 40k in attendance that day. The younger crowd was there and all dressed up. The ladies were in their finest low cut dresses and heels. 95% of the crowd was there for one thing, to get drunk. There were bars set up the entire grandstand apron, which is very long at Randwick. There were party tents all over the place too. I went in a golf shirt and shorts which I wear most of the time to Del Mar. I sat in a half empty grandstand and had a great view of the track and finish line and had a wonderful time. I did take a walk through the grandstand apron and I can tell you seeing drunk women falling all over the place in their heels, that didnt help their balance was funny. I just dont see what getting dressed up and sh_t faced has to do with racing, but the Aussies love it. I can tell you there was over $1M in each win pool, but I think most of it came in off track.

Luckily the bus ride back to my hotel in Sydney wasnt bumpy.

[trifecta124]

I would like to wear the Dee Tee Silks every time I go to the track.

[Danzig]

Originally Posted by trifecta124

I would like to wear the Dee Tee Silks every time I go to the track.

i want dee tee silks jammies.

[The Indomitable DrugS]

Originally Posted by theiman

I just dont see what getting dressed up and sh_t faced has to do with racing

It has nothing to do with racing.

Getting dressed up has nothing to do with racings popularity either.

Everyone loves getting drunk in a fun atmosphere --- be it all dressed up or in a high school keg party/spring break type atmosphere like the Preakness infield.

How many of those people get converted into competent bettors or serious racing fans? The tracks need to find a way to figure out how to do that.

[ArlJim78]

Great Britain "I say luv, you look smashing"





USA "Git-r-done!"

[Sightseek]

HA HA!

That is funny Jim!

[philcski]

Originally Posted by ArlJim78

are trendy types that want to be seen going to head over to Ozone Park in the afternoon?

which tracks in the US do you envision people flocking to at night as an alternative to a Martini bar or a lounge? Mountaineer? Lone Star? LosAl? Balmoral?

Actually, at Lone Star, people DO go instead of a Martini bar or lounge on a Friday night.

About the only place I can say that about.

[Siena 16]

If you have time to worry about what people are wearing in the paddock. How the heck are you making any money at this meet. I'm so focused on the job at hand. that i don't even notice the people. i look at the horses!

[Linny]

I don't think Saratogabrit meant that all of racing's ills would be cured by a lack of baggy nylon basketball pants in the paddock.

Maybe I'm old but I DO get dressed up for racing. I have no problem with a PADDOCK dress code, as 'Brit mentioned. If you are walking around inside the saddling paddock, is it too hard to but on khakis rather than jeans? I think also that some of the "enforcement" of dress codes are subjective. I was one denied admission to the paddock because my (then) 4 year old son was in shorts. He was in khaki shorts with an oxford shirt and tie! He was 4!! It was 100 degrees!! I was fine with it until I realized that a certain trainer, who's son is the same age as mine was in the paddock, holding his kid, dressed exactly the same as mine! My credentials are as "legal" as his are. I spoke to the head of paddock security who admitted me, as usual.

I agree about the clubhouse vs grandstand dress code as well. Why call one area a "clubhouse" if the rules are the same as the other side of the fence?

For "special" meets like Saratoga, Keeneland and Del Mar it seems like dressing up is part of the tradition. I don't "judge a book by it's cover" and assume that jeans/Tshirt = lowlife, yet it is nice to adhere to certain traditions in certain places.

As for Aqueduct, well I LOVE the place. I may stroll the paddock at the Spa in August but I'll also visit the below ground, frozen, rubber paved paddock of the Big A in winter. Aqueduct isn't Saratoga, it's not trying to be. But when I get to the paddock there, I'll be wearing nice dress pants, boots and the warmest coat I can find. It's nice to walk into Equestris for the price of admission to the Spa Grandstand, get a great table overlooking the track (and Runway 7 west) with a betting machine and access to 20 simulcasts at the table.

[The Indomitable DrugS]

Originally Posted by Linny

I don't "judge a book by it's cover" and assume that jeans/Tshirt = lowlife

I do.

[ELA]

Originally Posted by ArlJim78

are trendy types that want to be seen going to head over to Ozone Park in the afternoon?

which tracks in the US do you envision people flocking to at night as an alternative to a Martini bar or a lounge? Mountaineer? Lone Star? LosAl? Balmoral?

I agree. Of course any dress code -- paddock, clubhouse, etc. -- is not going to solve the very global problems we have. However, the global problems require global solutions and those solutions have many ingredients. I don't think sitting in judgement of people, how they dress, and those types of attitudes are part of the solution. The solution is about the masses, not the few.

Be that as it may, years ago, The Meadowlands underwent a strategic planning process and implemented several initiatives. In short, it worked, albeit for a short time, and due to larger industry issues in NJ, the results and benefits were short-lived and not followed up on. But it did work. Today, on the "average" night -- the place is pathetic I am sorry to say.

Anyway, on a related note, see the below quote, and article.

“This isn't the gambling business. It isn't the restaurant business. This is the entertainment business,” Harper said. “Whenever you put 40,000 people into a facility, you better make them happy, and the only way to do that is to entertain them.

“Whether it's with ring or beautiful people or $11 margaritas, you have to have them feeling good about being here.”

Full article -- http://www.signonsandiego.com/sports...b15harper.html


Eric