You got to change with the times.
The Meadows at one time was on the cusp of new innovations in the sport of harness racing. The artificial racing surface (just like Astro-Turf) was placed over the Meadows oval. They also were one of the first to introduce the phone wagering system known back then as Call-A-Bet which later became XpressBet when it was spun off when Magna Entertainment owned the racetrack. They also were one of the first to use the inside passing lane which Roger called the “lightening lane”. The Meadows Racing Network was also one of the first satellite signals dedicated to displaying live races at the track.
In more recent years, the track management has not been looking forward as they had their eyes on Slots and Table Games of chance. They just got into the 90’s by offering a less than a dollar wager on the Superfecta. They had the chance to make it a dime like most of the tracks in North America but the powers that be at the Meadows decided on a $0.50 minimum wager denomination.
With the added money added to the purse structure at Pennsylvania tracks, the time might be right to cut back on the number of days that the track races. Invitational and Preferred races at Chester provide $35,000 in purse money. Pocono Downs offers $30,000 while the Meadows can only muster $22,500 for the top classification of horse races. We do not need year round racing any more. With the simulcast signals available at home on our cable or Internet connections we can watch/play any race that we care to. The days of going to the races for each card is yesterday’s news. By cutting back on racing days, they can up the purses like other tracks in Pa who only race part of the year.
I would rather be competitive with other tracks in Pa during the summer months than to offer year round racing. To see the best in Pa in overnight races, one has to travel out of South Western Pa to Chester or Pocono. Get with the program Meadows Management and do the right thing. Bring the best horses to our area by having the highest purses possible. You cannot do that by racing year-round.
In more recent years, the track management has not been looking forward as they had their eyes on Slots and Table Games of chance. They just got into the 90’s by offering a less than a dollar wager on the Superfecta. They had the chance to make it a dime like most of the tracks in North America but the powers that be at the Meadows decided on a $0.50 minimum wager denomination.
With the added money added to the purse structure at Pennsylvania tracks, the time might be right to cut back on the number of days that the track races. Invitational and Preferred races at Chester provide $35,000 in purse money. Pocono Downs offers $30,000 while the Meadows can only muster $22,500 for the top classification of horse races. We do not need year round racing any more. With the simulcast signals available at home on our cable or Internet connections we can watch/play any race that we care to. The days of going to the races for each card is yesterday’s news. By cutting back on racing days, they can up the purses like other tracks in Pa who only race part of the year.
I would rather be competitive with other tracks in Pa during the summer months than to offer year round racing. To see the best in Pa in overnight races, one has to travel out of South Western Pa to Chester or Pocono. Get with the program Meadows Management and do the right thing. Bring the best horses to our area by having the highest purses possible. You cannot do that by racing year-round.
posted by Z's Picks Blog at 6:16 PM
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