Delaware Park upgrades

[ShadowRoll]

Of course I'm biased, since it's my "home" park, but I have to say that Delaware Park seems to be getting good things accomplished either without or in spite of the internecine squabbles (among the jocks, horsemen and management) that seem to bedevil so many other plants.

Some of the plusses: a new $2 million dollar insurance policy (with the riders contributing), a new $1.1 million infield video board, 11 new bunkhouses for workers living on the backstretch, great riders like Dominguez and (new this year) Rosie Napravnik, a slew of cagey trainers, and it's a real pretty place with a classy walking ring.

The biggest drawback (from the gambler's viewpoint) is small fields, which puzzles me since the purses seem decent. Maybe it's because of all the competition from the Philly and Maryland (and New York) venues.

http://news.bloodhorse.com/viewstory.asp?id=38479
http://www.delawareonline.com/apps/p...09/1002/SPORTS

[Thoroughbred Fan]

You get small fields because the racing is a bit tougher. Clemente, Motion, etc...tough trainers with class stock. They use this as a good spot to start many well-bred European runners being moved to the states. Proximity to Fair Hill Training Center and Tapeta Farm also means you'll probably face some Barclay Tagg, Mike Matz, and Michael Dickinson stock as well. Bottom line is that it is usually just tougher racing or races with at least one horse you're pretty sure you can't beat. So, many just stay away.

[saucon17]

Originally Posted by Thoroughbred Fan

You get small fields because the racing is a bit tougher. Clemente, Motion, etc...tough trainers with class stock. They use this as a good spot to start many well-bred European runners being moved to the states. Proximity to Fair Hill Training Center and Tapeta Farm also means you'll probably face some Barclay Tagg, Mike Matz, and Michael Dickinson stock as well. Bottom line is that it is usually just tougher racing or races with at least one horse you're pretty sure you can't beat. So, many just stay away.

Absolutely Right, field size might be small in those allowance races, but they are not lacking quality. Every year Clement and Motion starts a nice import for the first time at Del Park. Clement started one last year that went on to win a couple of stakes.

[ELA]

Maybe I am wrong -- and some of the locals can give more qualified and experienced opinions -- I haven't been to Delaware Park since last year, and being that I didn't race there a lot last year I didn't follow the racing as closely, read the book, etc. however, Delaware seems to be accomplishing a great deal.

I can't speak directly to field size, however, the racing did seem very competitive. There was no easy walk in the park, LOL. Good purse structure -- not any of the crazy #'s that the industry hears about when trying to get slots, but that may not be reality. Is this a case of slot revenue being re-invested back into the racing side of the game? Very unlike Finger Lakes. Pouring slot revenue back into the frontside of the facility, and the backside, is crucial to the future of our sport and our industry.

I'd like to see what happens to purse structure moving forward, but maybe this is moving in the right direction.

Eric

[saucon17]

Originally Posted by ELA

Maybe I am wrong -- and some of the locals can give more qualified and experienced opinions -- I haven't been to Delaware Park since last year, and being that I didn't race there a lot last year I didn't follow the racing as closely, read the book, etc. however, Delaware seems to be accomplishing a great deal.

I can't speak directly to field size, however, the racing did seem very competitive. There was no easy walk in the park, LOL. Good purse structure -- not any of the crazy #'s that the industry hears about when trying to get slots, but that may not be reality. Is this a case of slot revenue being re-invested back into the racing side of the game? Very unlike Finger Lakes. Pouring slot revenue back into the frontside of the facility, and the backside, is crucial to the future of our sport and our industry.

I'd like to see what happens to purse structure moving forward, but maybe this is moving in the right direction.

Eric

I was on the backside a couple week ago. They added another 11 bunkhouses (i think eight rooms in each bunkhouse) for the backside workers. Each have central air/heat, own shower/bathroom and direct tv. These are the same bunkhouses they built the last couple of years. All pretty new ones. They also have two new recreation halls for the workers and nice health clinic. They also have BBall courts, volleyball courts, soccer fields and nice picnic area also

[ShadowRoll]

Got to opening day at DEL today. Man, the place looks absolutely fantastic! Really knocked me off my feet, what they've done with the place. Interior completely re-done, new carpeting, fixed up the outside, million dollar infield video board was awesome, and just a beautiful, clean, well-lanscaped park. Beautiful day. Even the rain held off until a half-hour after the last race was run (and even then, was only a drizzle).

And the squirrels gave me some good tips.

Jeezus I love this sport.

[-BT-]

I don't doubt the place looks 80X better than what it did years ago, but there already back to their 6-8 horse fields with 2-3 scratches per race


-bt-

[ALostTexan]

I like the fact that they are opening to sports betting in Delaware. They are truly getting their sheet together there.

Here's to increasing those field sizes...

ALostTexan

[saucon17]

Originally Posted by ShadowRoll

Got to opening day at DEL today. Man, the place looks absolutely fantastic! Really knocked me off my feet, what they've done with the place. Interior completely re-done, new carpeting, fixed up the outside, million dollar infield video board was awesome, and just a beautiful, clean, well-lanscaped park. Beautiful day. Even the rain held off until a half-hour after the last race was run (and even then, was only a drizzle).

And the squirrels gave me some good tips.

Jeezus I love this sport.

Couldn't agree with you more. Was there today, the racebook is fabulous, the paddock is second to none and collected a nice exacta on Sumwon's race. A great place to bring a family for a day at the races. Usually try to get there every weekend.