KEE Handle

[pmacdaddy]

Looking at DRF this evening. Saw article about KEE handle down 17% so far - http://www.drf.com/news/article/93744.html.

I know why I have not been playing, and it's not just because I stink.

Seems like a significant decrease. Just normalizing off a big meet in 2007?

[The Indomitable DrugS]

Even with the big fields and good competitive racing - I want no part of playing against a horse racing takeout in those synthetic races.

Originally Posted by pmacdaddy

Looking at DRF this evening. Saw article about KEE handle down 17% so far - http://www.drf.com/news/article/93744.html.

I know why I have not been playing, and it's not just because I stink.

Seems like a significant decrease. Just normalizing off a big meet in 2007?

There is the outside possibility the economy
as a whole has something to do with it. A snapshot
of the simulcasting facility I visit... very vacant.

Or it could be Hooves taking everyone's money.

[Riot]

Originally Posted by pmacdaddy

Looking at DRF this evening. Saw article about KEE handle down 17% so far - http://www.drf.com/news/article/93744.html.

I know why I have not been playing, and it's not just because I stink.

Seems like a significant decrease. Just normalizing off a big meet in 2007?

I do think most of it's normalizing. People perceived alot of chaos (= $$ opportunity) last year, I think, so many paid more attention and may have played when they normally didn't. This year they are not, perhaps?

I think many perceive boutique meets as difficult to hit hard from day one, with horses coming in from everywhere.

[the_fat_man]

I'm playing right along and enjoying myself as I cash. I'm ecstatic at finally having some competitive turf races again. What a HUGE step up from the action at GP, TAM, AQU inner, etc.

I'm also playing SA regularly. And, later this year, going to add TP.

If you're selective, and enjoy 'charts' that make sense and are predictive, you're probably wondering why we can't get this more than 2 abbreviated meets a year.

[tiggerv]

They need to stop signing these stupid exclusive wagering deals with the TVGs of the world. There are 12 states that can't wager online at Keenland through Twinspires and Xpressbet. I don't really want to fund another account so I decided to pass on Keeneland because it's such a short meet knowing I will have to suck it up for Del Mar which has the same problem.

[cassie]

i like the fact that they have fairly decent size fields good grass racing and nice betting format with .50cent tris and pick 4 its just the economy thats affecting handle

[sumitas]

Originally Posted by pgardn

There is the outside possibility the economy
as a whole has something to do with it. A snapshot
of the simulcasting facility I visit... very vacant.

It's the economy.

[MisterB]

Originally Posted by The Indomitable DrugS

Even with the big fields and good competitive racing - I want no part of playing against a horse racing takeout in those synthetic races.

4 favs and a second fav in the pick 6, I guess some people have it down

[The Bid]

Too many variables

[Crown@club]

Its the economy!!!

Can't stop laughing on that one.

If they allowed their signal to go to Indiana Downs, then maybe they would get more players from those OTB's. I know I will still never be one as I've only bet one Astro Turf race there this year.

[Cannon Shell]

Originally Posted by DaHoss9698

No it's not. If it was the economy, handle would be down everywhere and that just not the case. Here's a little hint for the powers that be at Keeneland......it's the surface.

Actually it is. I know Tampa is down and Oaklawn was down slightly as was Fair Grounds.

[The Indomitable DrugS]

Cannon just likes to blame Bush for everything.

[Cannon Shell]

Originally Posted by DaHoss9698

So in your opinion the surface has nothing to do with it?

Not really. It is only 8 days worth of data anyway. Handle is down everywhere. Oaklawn almost handled as much on instant racing machines based on races already run as they did on live races. Tampa and Keeneland are really just being measured against record breaking seasons so slight handle downturns are not really signifigant.

[Cannon Shell]

Originally Posted by The Indomitable DrugS

Cannon just likes to blame Bush for everything.

I usually blame Ed Whitfield and Roger Clemens

[Travis Stone]

Originally Posted by Cannon Shell

Actually it is. I know Tampa is down and Oaklawn was down slightly as was Fair Grounds.

Oaklawn handle rises slightly
By MARY RAMPELLINI
Oaklawn Park's business during its 53-day meet that closed last Saturday was on a par with the corresponding 52-day season a year ago. The track reported a 1.2 percent increase in average daily handle on its races from all sources, and slight declines in average daily attendance and ontrack handle during a winter in which storms plagued much of Arkansas.

Betting on Oaklawn's races averaged $3,419,235 a day from all sources, up from the average of $3,377,956 a day during the same meet a year ago. Of the total handle, an average of $2,535,101 a day was wagered on Oaklawn's races offtrack, which was up 3.3 percent from last year's average of $2,453,618.

Ontrack, handle on Oaklawn's races averaged $884,135 a day, a 4.3 percent drop from $924,339 in 2007. Attendance, meanwhile, averaged 11,479 patrons a day, a 3.5 percent decline from 11,890 in 2007. Electronic gaming at Oaklawn, including Instant Racing, handled $110,980,288 during the meet.

"Overall, we've got to be pleased," said David Longinotti, assistant general manager of racing for Oaklawn. "The last 45 days of the meeting, we had several counties in our state that were hit hard by flooding and tornadoes. The weather didn't help us, but we held our own, all things considered."

Gayego won the Grade 2, $1 million Arkansas Derby last Saturday before a closing-day crowd of 56,326. He is being pointed for the Kentucky Derby, while Eight Belles, who won the Grade 2 Fantasy at Oaklawn, will run next in either the Derby, or the Kentucky Oaks.

"We may have a colt and filly representing us in the Kentucky Derby," said Longinotti.

Steve Asmussen won his second consecutive training title with 33 wins from 165 starters for stable earnings of $1,334,645. Eddie Razo Jr. led all riders in wins with 49 from 257 starts, for his first Oaklawn title. His mounts earned $1,222,060. The leading owner was Jan Haynes, who went 17 for 80.

http://www.drf.com/news/article/93755.html

[Cannon Shell]

Originally Posted by DaHoss9698

We'll agree to disagree. I know more than a few people who played very heavy during Keeneland pre-Poly and now won't even go near it now. I'm sure they're not alone.

As the Bid said there are way too many factors to say that handle drop at Keeneland is due to the surface. Believe what you want but the fact is that Del Mar and Keeneland both had record setting years with poly. The way that tracks measure handle is ridicolous anyway as they only usually compare it to the previous year when there are so many outside factors such as weather that can vary from year to year. Maybe field size is down which naturally would lead to a decrease in handle?

[Cannon Shell]

Originally Posted by tiggerv

They need to stop signing these stupid exclusive wagering deals with the TVGs of the world. There are 12 states that can't wager online at Keenland through Twinspires and Xpressbet. I don't really want to fund another account so I decided to pass on Keeneland because it's such a short meet knowing I will have to suck it up for Del Mar which has the same problem.

Interesting that this wasnt mentioned as a reason especially for the out of state losses

[Cannon Shell]

Originally Posted by DaHoss9698

Either way Chuck, 17% is pretty significant. If it was a small amount, I could see it being something like economy. But 17% is huge, no matter how you look at it.

That is true. But there are so many other factors that can contribute to that number that it is hard for me to assume that the majority is based on people not playing polytrack which is very hard to measure. I have yet to make a bet at Keeneland and that may be a factor also. Once the horseplayers of America know that the bad money is back handle will be up 50%.

[the_fat_man]

Originally Posted by DaHoss9698

We'll agree to disagree. I know more than a few people who played very heavy during Keeneland pre-Poly and now won't even go near it now. I'm sure they're not alone.

This is an incredible statement to me as the source is a knowledgable player and the sentiment is shared by so many other knowledgable and successful players.

I just can't understand why POLY presents such problems (ditto for turf sprints).