I'm Thinking We Now Need Drastic Measures

[Dana666]

Look, I know there are way bigger problems in the world today, so don\'t think I\'m too shallow or anything, but to all of you in the Mid-Atlantic states who have followed the simulcasting blackout, I\'m putting out a call to action. We need to do something here because the tracks are not paying any attention to us. This message is copied from the New Jersey on-line wagering site (Notice the date of the last update December 30, 2009!):

\"Posted On : 2009-12-30
At this time, we are unable to simulcast TrackNet-owned signals, including Santa Anita and Gulfstream, because of a contractual dispute.

MidAtlantic Cooperative, which represents NJAW, the Meadowlands, Monmouth Park and 15 other member racetracks, could not accept TrackNet’s significantly higher price demands for its simulcast signals.  TrackNet’s demands would have meant passing on unacceptable price increases on all items to our customers.

The signals currently affected by the dispute are: Calder (after January 3), Fair Grounds, Golden Gate, Gulfstream, Laurel, Meadows, Oaklawn, Portland Meadows and Santa Anita.

MidAtlantic Cooperative remains committed to reaching an acceptable contract with TrackNet and minimizing the interruption of simulcasts.  We appreciate your understanding in this matter.\"

This is complete crap, and they are not paying any attention to us. I\'m thinking we need some type of organization and action. Imagine if we could get people to stay away from all NJ tracks for one day as a means of protest? Show them what it\'s like when they have no patrons. I don\'t even know if this is possible, but we need to send them a message. I stopped into the OTB in Woodbridge this afternoon for a few minutes, and I was really surprised at how many people were actually there. Taking a look at the typical cards offered at Gulfstream, Oaklawn, Santa Anita, Fairgrounds compared with the choices they were actually betting on today Tampa Bay and Aqueduct in this case, and I\'m wondering what the hell is wrong with all these people???

There\'s got to be something we can do. I think a one-day boycott would send a message. Not sure how to organize such a thing if it\'s even possible. Any ideas???

[TGJB]

Not offering an opinion, because I don\'t know enough. But are you sure the target should be the guys on that side of the table?

[Dana666]

No, I\'m not sure of anything except that this whole situation is freaking me out, and I\'m seriously about to lose my mind. The absurdity of it all is the worst part.
Perhaps, I should get more information! Let me make some calls and see what else I can find out. In the mean time, I\'ll write a letter to the DRF and Thoroughbred Times.

[richiebee]

Dana666 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
>
>
> This is complete crap, and they are not paying any
> attention to us. I\'m thinking we need some type of
> organization and action. Imagine if we could get
> people to stay away from all NJ tracks for one day
> as a means of protest? Show them what it\'s like
> when they have no patrons. I don\'t even know if
> this is possible, but we need to send them a
> message. I stopped into the OTB in Woodbridge this
> afternoon for a few minutes, and I was really
> surprised at how many people were actually there.
> Taking a look at the typical cards offered at
> Gulfstream, Oaklawn, Santa Anita, Fairgrounds
> compared with the choices they were actually
> betting on today Tampa Bay and Aqueduct in this
> case, and I\'m wondering what the hell is wrong
> with all these people???
>
> There\'s got to be something we can do. I think a
> one-day boycott would send a message. Not sure how
> to organize such a thing if it\'s even possible.
> Any ideas???


Dana:

I hate to be mildly unsympathetic to your Advance Deposit Waaagering problems,
but these problems have been around for years. You can vote with your
feet...simply walk away from the game. On the way out the door, send a letter to
racing officials voicing your displeasure.

If DRF sales decrease drastically, maybe Steve Crist will stop obsessing over the
Pick 6 and tackle some of racing\'s problems.

If you are really desperate, you have an open invitation to visit Living Room
Downs in the beautiful Todt Hill neighborhood of Staten Island, this week
featuring NFL action on the TV and racing from all venues via HRTV.com on the
small screen. The featured films at Living Room Downs Cinema are \"The Hurt
Locker\" and the disturbing \"Big Fan\".

As to the Woodbridge facility, expect increased attendance as 2 of the 3 remaining
OTB branches on Staten Island will be closing within a couple of weeks, and the
denizens of those depressing facilities will be making their way across the Kill
Van Kull.

[Wrongly]

Richiebee

Loved the \"Big Fan\"!  http://www.traileraddict.com/trailer/big-fan/trailer

I understand Dana\'s frustration a couple of years ago I was only able to wager on NY racing through TVG but thankfully Twinspires now carries the signal.  I\'ll say this about Twinspires, the Hi-Def signal from Churchill this past season was outstanding!  Living room Downs takes on a whole new atmosphere when the computer is hooked directly to a large flat screen tv.  That\'s the future of racing, not the troubled,filthy, OTBs.

[Dana666]

OK, at least you made me laugh! Good post!

[trackjohn]

Richie:

 As an Ex-native Staten Islander (lived on Westcott Blvd. until I got married and moved to LI 15 years ago), I always pay extra attention to your posts...What OTB\'s are closing on SI?? (I\'m sure that I\'ve spent plenty of time in all of them prior to moving)...Also, couldn\'t agree with you more...Living room downs (with HRTV, TVG, and NYRA.com on the laptop) is the ONLY way to play anymore...you have far better info, better coverage, track odds, etc... than at the track.  And this coming from a prior owner who lives less than 15 minutes from Belmont (In fact, bought my house from a trainer/buddy of mine!)

John

[richiebee]

John:

Recent word from a good source says that Forest Avenue and Amboy Road branches
will be closed by the end of February if not sooner.

New Dorp and Stapleton long gone.

That leaves Richmond Avenue, behind the Mall and in the shadow of the landfill
as the last outpost

[trackjohn]

Richie:

  Thanks for the update...Was on \'the island\' last Friday to visit a couple of college buddies, had a few minutes to kill and stopped in the Forest Ave. location to catch the last race @ Gulfstream...hadn\'t been there in > 10 years...what a absolute culture shock!!!  I\'ll never bitch about ANY of the Nassau OTB\'s again!

John

[Dana666]

Richmond Ave is open??? I used to go there as a teenager. I didn\'t know they were still open. Do they take the whole SA card with live video??? Do they also take an extra percentage?

[richiebee]

Sounds like the Staten Island neighborhood known as \"New Springville\" is closer
to you than Suffern is.

The answers to your questions are yes, yes and yes.

Alot of the people who were in there when you were a teenager will be there today.

[Hoopla]

Do you believe that if this was the first Saturday in May people in New Jersey could not bet on the Derby?  These people should be made to negotiate in public so we could see what the issues are.  No offense to Tampa Bay or Hawthorne, but I refuse to bet on them at this time.  I\'m thinking of taking my money out of my on line account as a form of protest.  If anyone knows anything specific about the negotiations please post it.

[nyc1347]

isnt atlantic city covering all the racetracks with no disruption of signal with this mess?