Presque Isle Downs (PA)

[CA Michael]

http://news.bloodhorse.com/viewstory.asp?id=38476

Any locals able to comment on the track, its purses and the expected level of competition??

[wilf]

Pronounced "PRESSKEEL" the new facility seems in a good spot for visitors from nearby Ohio and should do well. I am excited as it's only an hour or so from Fort Erie, straight along hwy 90. Erie is an awful place in winter as it is prone to heavy lake-effect snowfall but by the same token the summers are cooled by the breezes off Lake Erie itself. A short meet the first year seems sensible to iron out any shortcomings and I would guess that the book will offer a broad range of races and a decent slots boosted purse structure. Thistledown will struggle to stay afloat being only an hour away and without any help to maintain purses.

[CA Michael]

thanks, wilf (BTW I haven't found that pic of your big Aussie horse yet, but when I run across it, I will get ahold of you).

What are the estimated purse levels for this track? Do you know if they will offer turf racing in year one? Where will the majority of trainers and owners be coming from?

[ageecee]

200K purse average is what there saying at drf.com

[Linda_d]

Pronounced "PRESSKEEL" the new facility seems in a good spot for visitors from nearby Ohio and should do well. I am excited as it's only an hour or so from Fort Erie, straight along hwy 90. Erie is an awful place in winter as it is prone to heavy lake-effect snowfall but by the same token the summers are cooled by the breezes off Lake Erie itself. A short meet the first year seems sensible to iron out any shortcomings and I would guess that the book will offer a broad range of races and a decent slots boosted purse structure. Thistledown will struggle to stay afloat being only an hour away and without any help to maintain purses.

"PRESSKEEL"??? I live only 50 miles away, and have always heard it called "PRESSKILE" which rhymes with MILE. Maybe that's because I live on the other side of the border? Pennsyltuckians always talk funny!

If you're coming from Fort Erie, it's an hour plus from the Lackawana toll booths on I-90 (about 85 miles) to the exit at the Downs. It probably another 20-45 minutes to cross the Peace Bridge, go through customs, and then get from Buffalo to the Lackawana toll booths.

[wilf]

Oh well I tried, I should have known better since they call Versailles in Kentucky VER SALES. Still whatever works is fine wherever you go in the world. Actually if you leave Fort Erie with a race and return slip then you don't need the vet or customs. Most of those folks manning the immigration booths have no idea how to process you anyway. I like the idea that cheap horses can try the new surface if it be Tapeta, Polytrack or any other. I've had a few that ran down behind badly on the dirt but not on turf and given the dwindling turf opportunities for cheaper horses then there still maay be an avenue to explore. Roll on September.

[KBEquine]

Linda_d, I almost posted it was press-kile [like mile], too. Us Pennsyltuckians say it that way . . .

I suspect since the Penn Nat'l horseman's association is representing the horsemen, they're expecting some horses from the Harrisburg area [about a 6-hour drive] and since it is owned by Mountaineer, they're expecting those horsemen to support it [I'd guess it's about a 3 hour drive from there, but that's a guess]. Also, trainers from the Ohio tracks [I think Cleveland is only an hour or so away] may come try their luck on polytrack.

Erie is an incredibly friendly town & a lovely lakeside setting -- May to October. But in lake-effect snow season, all bets are off . . . business takes me there on occasion [perhaps I'll plan a trip next September, for example] but I have a "not before May, not after October" rule.

[madelyn]

I've always used the "PRESSKEEL" pronunciation, but that is the way we would say it in French.

It seems there are quite a few new tracks opening.. one in Tennessee very soon?

It is very encouraging. There is serious talk of a Quarter Horse track in Kentucky.

[Linda_d]

Oh well I tried, I should have known better since they call Versailles in Kentucky VER SALES. Still whatever works is fine wherever you go in the world. Actually if you leave Fort Erie with a race and return slip then you don't need the vet or customs. Most of those folks manning the immigration booths have no idea how to process you anyway. I like the idea that cheap horses can try the new surface if it be Tapeta, Polytrack or any other. I've had a few that ran down behind badly on the dirt but not on turf and given the dwindling turf opportunities for cheaper horses then there still maay be an avenue to explore. Roll on September.

Americans and French pronunciations don't always get along well. The little town in sw NYS called Versailles is also pronounced VER SALES! Pierre, the capitol of South Dakota, is pronounced PIER.

[DLM]

How does one go about finding a trainer for the track?

[pembroke]

I live very near the new track. Sorry y'all but the way you say it is Presk-isle!! As in island. It makes no difference though, as long as the horses and people show up. Every report I read gives different ideas on purse sizes. I guess we can just all wait and be surprised! All the trainers I have spoke with at Mountaineer and Thistledown are all planning on running there. I am sure there will be those from Canada as well. There are some stake races scheduled for this fall. Grass racing next year if the grass grows right! They have had so much bad luck with the weather messing up everything already! That's life on the shores of Lake Erie!

DLM... do you mean for this track in particular? Email me if so and I can give you some names!

[DLM]

thanks pembroke .. you have mail

[Sir Barton]

I was about to post Presk-aisle as a way to say it. I stopped there sunday on my way home from Keeneland to Buffalo to place a wager on the Shakertown. To my suprise you can not even place a bet there yet, even worse than that the first floor wagering area is the buffet seating area. I had to go to the The Downs "the Erie OTB" to get a wager in. I was elated yesterday to hear that they are going synthetic. While at the casino/track sunday no one could even direct me to anyone with any racing information at all. Any postings here will be greatly appreciated.

[CA Michael]

Posted: Thursday, April 19, 2007 6:07 PM

Presque Isle to offer unique purse structure


by Frank Angst

It is a rare day that the actual purse payout is better than the listed purse, but Pennsylvania-based horsemen will discover that to be the case at this year’s 25-day Presque Isle Downs meeting.

Listed purses will be the amount horsemen anticipate will be offered in 2008, when track offers a full 100-day meeting, giving horsemen some idea of what will be offered in ’08, said Pennsylvania Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association President Joe Santanna.

With purse funding available for the full 100 days this year, the purses actually will pay out approximately 175% to horsemen on a structure of 75% to the winner, 40% to second, 20% to third, 15%, 10%, 5%, 4%, and 2% at the meet expected to begin on September 1. Santanna said he expects maiden special purses to be about $40,000.

“We think this structure will make it attractive for horsemen to give Presque Isle a try and see what they think of the track, the surface, and the racing,” Santanna said.

Expected this year is a Pennsylvania-bred day that will offer six stakes worth $90,000 to $100,000 each. He thinks the 25-day schedule also will include about eight $125,000 open stakes and one major stakes with a purse around $350,000.

Also, the Pennsylvania Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association has agreed to help the new Erie, Pennsylvania, track install a synthetic racing surface. Santanna said he expects his group to contribute more than $1-million toward installation of the surface.

Officials from track owner Mountaineer Racing are considering Polytrack and Tapeta Footings for the surface.

“We wanted to show the tracks that our commitment to working together is more than just words,” Santanna said.

He said the funds would come from the group’s administrative fund.

[CA Michael]

Magic words: $40,000 maiden races. That's better than So Cal. And I suspect training is less than $100 a day, too.

Pennsylvania, here I come.