pimlico ..all you can drink @ preakness

[reenci]

http://www.drf.com/news/article/111608.html .... maryland racing hits another all time low .....some poor bastard will end up getting killed in a car accident because of one of the many thousands that will leave drunk...better yet they better fence off the track or we might get another drunk taking a swing at one of the horses on the track....its happened before.

[Bohemia]

Agree with you 100 percent, reenci. A disaster waiting to happen. Bet Mothers Against Drunk Driving loved this decision.

[zinn21]

$20 dollar all you can drink. I can't believe in this day in age any racetrack would make such an offer. Did you see what else is part of the $40/50 infield package? A women's beach volley ball game and a Bikini contest. That will draw a monster young male crowd plastered to the max.

[griff]

Return with us now to those thrilling days of yesteryear ------

griff

[doublete]

I hate to say it but Preakness used to allow you to bring your own beer... Do you know how drunk people got then? this requires standing in line.. It will actually limit drunkenness.

I have lived here for three years, and have never been to Preakness. I can't bring myself to do it. I've heard the horror stories. It can't get worse.. And heck if it brings just ONE new owner in by getting some young drunk kid excited by the races, GREAT.

[dublino]

And heck if it brings just ONE new owner in by getting some young drunk kid excited by the races, GREAT.

Classy.

How about introducing a dress code?
Making it a formal affair putting on some decent live music and entertainment and serving up a decent meal, not something supersized?

You really think all you can drink $20 merchants are going to afford to pay for a horse's training fee's let alone buy a horse?

[zinn21]

You really think all you can drink $20 merchants are going to afford to pay for a horse's training fee's let alone buy a horse?

You don't think an infield crowd of 50,000 drunks doesn't have one or two future multi-national conglomerate types?

[Shammy Davis]

Looks like a desperation move by the middle jewel of TC.

I know from attending steeplechase events in VA and MD that under-aged drinking has taken a toll on attendance. The party atmosphere at some of the more publicized steeplechase events has really gotten out of hand because college kids and other use it as an excuse to drink to get high.

This is definitely something to be concerned about. Maybe the DRF/TT/BH will take this opportunity to editorialize on the subject of dwindling attendance at America's tracks and maybe the industry leaders will start looking at track attendance as the most important part of the For-Profit equation.

Attendance should be for the love and enjoyment of the sport, nothing else.

[dublino]

You don't think an infield crowd of 50,000 drunks doesn't have one or two future multi-national conglomerate types?

Only in America.
Nobody in any country in the world apart from your own would want to surround themselves or encourage 50,000 drunks to a horse racing or any other event, no matter what their future earning potential.

Why have the horse racing?
Just set up a bit beer tent in a field sell beer and use the profit for horse racing so the people who want to attend the races can do in peace, quiet and dignity.

[ruaff]

Because the Irish are generally known as a sober lot.......

[IcouldbeU]

You really think all you can drink $20 merchants are going to afford to pay for a horse's training fee's let alone buy a horse?

You don't think an infield crowd of 50,000 drunks doesn't have one or two future multi-national conglomerate types?

1) I don't think the merchants were who Doublete was talking about as potential new owners.
2) I am guessing most of you have never been to the Infield during Preakness or realize what schools are in the area. Back in the 80's I attended every Preakness via the infield and yes we were VERY drunk, brought in too much to drink. Some friends had to go to the hospital and have their stomachs pumped, others made fools of themselves flashing everyone who walked by. Where are these delinquents now? One is a college professor, 2 others are attorneys, a few others are CEO's or own their own companies. Do any of them currently own a racehorse? No, did they in the 90's yes but after being burned too many times they have given up on the horses and bought 3rd or 4th vacation homes. Painting the infield crowds with a broadbrush is stupid but treating owners as idiots with open wallets which many trainers do is downright certifiable.
If they track wants people to drink and have a good time at the Preakness, I say go for it.

[wilf]

Well Icouldbeu the only flaw inyour argument "go for it" is the plain fact that while you were all throwing up over each other and being young and foolish at the races you and your pals were spoiling the afternoon for the thousands of others who came to watch an historic spectacle take place and soak up the day with their family. I am no saint but at least when I got wasted at many Melbourne Cup days out I remained out in the car park tailgating away from the horses and folks who were there for the races.

[IcouldbeU]

Wilf: I find it incredibly sad that all you could take out of my little story was that we were drunk and falling all over each other. 1st there were what 50,000 people in the infield all doing what we were doing. Having a good time, making friends, listening to great bands and playing frisbee and volleyball. We didnt ruin it for anyone.
The more important and telling part was that here we were a bunch a young adults who knew nothing about horses and went to the Preakness and learned to love Horse Racing only to get burned in the years that followed by liars and cheats. Of the 10 of us who spent the 80's going to the Preakness I was the only one to still have a horse at the track until recently, when he was claimed. After the experiences we all have had with inflated bills and dishonesty at the track, I think we will all be betting online with only an occassional trip to the track and I find that sad and telling.
If the tracks want to attract newbies in with a little beer there is nothing wrong with that. But the trainers need to stop whining when they are cheats.

[wilf]

I get your point but mostly I feel bad that you have all been drained by the sport to the point of indifference. I hear about it quite a lot actually and yes some owners are a pain, especially those successful in another walk of life however there is an equation out there that works for all in racing but it's so hard to come by. As an owner/trainer I have found that small partnerships can work alongside reasonable expectations. Overseas owners never expect to break even ,nevermind show any profit in the sport,over here things are different. Pity because on a good day it's a great feeling. Nowadays whenever I win a race my next thought is what outstanding bill needs to be payed off first.

[dublino]

Overseas owners never expect to break even ,nevermind show any profit in the sport,over here things are different.

Stop it Wilf, next you will be telling these yanks that life isn't all about the accumulation of wealth and hollering loudly