tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8560898823512627114.post7546019209887516109..comments2024-02-01T00:37:24.768-05:00Comments on PTP: Reader Thoughts on Purses and StakesPull the Pockethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05082676049275768769noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8560898823512627114.post-39136226316591525352009-09-10T17:18:49.188-04:002009-09-10T17:18:49.188-04:00holiday Monday meetings used to be big in Australi...holiday Monday meetings used to be big in Australia, now they have died right off. People want to set off early from long weekends to avoid the traffic, they've had their big days on the Saturday or Sunday, whatever the reason, they are dead in the water and it's a similar sitation in the UK, although I don't know if they ever had big Monday meetings.<br /><br />I'd rather bet on two quality $150k races on a balanced schedule than a $325k race with a weak undercard. Betting on one race seems a waste for me, and the tracks need to be thinking about reinvestment from patrons to build the total handle for the day up, not just one race.Scotthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15580349973739747085noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8560898823512627114.post-46315754756762395422009-09-10T17:05:48.786-04:002009-09-10T17:05:48.786-04:00Actually, there is one problem with Dave's the...Actually, there is one problem with Dave's thesis. Other than nominating and substaining payments, the rest of the money from these stake races comes from the purse account; meaning the money is already the horsemens'. Earlier this year Freehold cancelled some stake races due to an overpayment in the purse account. <br /><br />You want the horsemen to give up some of their purse money for to reduce the takeout? It will be a cold day in hell before that happens. I've been to meetings where a representative of a horsemens group indicated that racetracks should pay to market harness racing, not the horsemen, so the day they give some of their purse account to reduce the takeout, there will be peace in the Middle East.That Blog Guyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15487597769210721585noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8560898823512627114.post-28342932378235707652009-09-10T15:55:35.081-04:002009-09-10T15:55:35.081-04:00Well, Dave brings some good points but Freehold al...Well, Dave brings some good points but Freehold also hobbles themself as well. First of all the Cane Pace should not be held on Labor Day weekend; besides most people being otherwise occupied, in New Jersey asking someone to travel on the Garden State Parkway on the end of a three-day summer weekend is absurd (poking your own eyes out is probably less torture) so anyone inclined to go see a big race is going to stay home. <br /><br />The over all card was very weak. With the exception of the two divisions of the Shady Daisy (the female companion race to the Cane Pace) what else did you have on the card? NW 1, NW2, nw1500l6, nw2500l6 and NJSS Green Acres (horses that could not compete in the regular NJSS and may have had a problem with nw2 fields). I realize Freehold has a problem attracting good horses, but instead of these races, could they have not at least scheduled the the state restricted stake races like the Charles Smith Trot and Helen Dancer Memorial? The point being if you are going to have a race like the Cane Pace, surround it with a card of the best races you could put on. Then, you may have attracted more people to take on the traffic and bettors on the internet who were not at BBQs may have taken a look at the Freehold card. <br /><br />I would dispute the claim that the Cane Pace field was particularly weak. Sure, Well Said was not in the race, but a race with Vintage Master, Arctic Warrior, Mr Wiggles, If I Can Dream is not weak. Yes, only six betting interests does not make a great betting race.That Blog Guyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15487597769210721585noreply@blogger.com