THE VIEW FROM BELTERRA PARK: BRIGHT FUTURE AHEAD?
Jul 21, 2014 21:26:06 GMT -5
Post by Evelyn on Jul 21, 2014 21:26:06 GMT -5
Has anyone been to River Park and/or the new Belterra?
The view from the gate at Cincinnati's Belterra Park
THE VIEW FROM BELTERRA PARK: BRIGHT FUTURE AHEAD?
by Scott Jagow
Paulick Report
It’s been two and a half months since Cincinnati’s old River Downs reopened as Belterra Park, a shiny new racing and gaming venue that shares its name with the Belterra casino in Indiana. Both properties are owned by Pinnacle Entertainment.
Living in Cincinnati the past few years, I frequented River Downs and while the racing product was a far cry from our industry’s best tracks, the experience was usually an enjoyable one, whether I sat in the shade of the old grandstand or got a window seat in the racebook overlooking the oval. With that in mind, I recently made the trek to Belterra to see how it stacked up, now that it has joined the growing racino ranks.
The first thing that jumped out was the size of the grandstand. There are probably local high school football stadiums (perhaps even junior high) with more seating, but such contraction makes perfect sense in racing’s current era, and the place filled up nicely, giving the impression of robust attendance and a lively crowd. The same number of people scattered across the River Downs seating area would probably have had my guests asking, “why is it you work in this dying industry again?”
I made my way to the information booth to investigate our options for getting a meal while watching and betting the races. I discovered several choices, all of which seemed appealing after doing the rounds. There’s a spot to grab a gourmet burger (Burger Brothers), a glorious-looking buffet (you can’t build a casino without a buffet, can you?), a place for coffee and snacks (Nosh), as well as Favorites, a high-end steak and pasta restaurant with a great view of the track. Unfortunately, Favorites is the only one of those eateries with such a view, and it wasn’t scheduled to open until the races were almost over.
We settled on the Stadium, a bar and grill off the slots floor that could compete with just about any stand-alone sports bar you can think of. With dozens of TVs, a varied menu, and a deep selection of draft beer, I could see myself spending many a contented sports-filled afternoon there. At this moment, however, I wanted to watch the first race, and it wasn’t on. Anywhere. Finally, after nudging the server a couple times, the feed appeared on a couple of TVs, well after the runners had crossed the finish line. I was getting a sinking feeling about the priorities here, and both the low quality of the race feed and the lack of race sound throughout the afternoon didn’t help matters.
Nor did the fact that every time I wanted to make a bet, I had to wind my way through the slot machines to the other side of the facility. There was no option for betting at the sports bar, and of course, I couldn’t see the races from there either, save for the low-res TV signal.
The new grandstand is smaller but with good views of the action
Betting within the race book was fairly easy, although the lines at the few outside teller windows were consistently deep. When we emerged from the sports bar to catch a couple of races live, the crowd was large enough to create excitement but manageable enough to find a spot with a good view. As for the racing itself, it seemed like the fields might be a little bigger but there was no turf racing, and most of the races that day felt like the same six-furlong event over and over.
I had mixed feelings about the experience, but I figured I might not have the whole picture quite yet, so I called Belterra’s general manager, Kevin Kaufman, and I have to say I was impressed with what he told me.
For one thing, Belterra is installing MBet, Amtote’s mobile wagering platform. With wireless connectivity throughout the facility, I’ll be able to bet from the sports bar or anywhere else I happen to be on the grounds. MBet should also help alleviate those lines at the windows. Check!
Kaufman also said customers missed the old Tiki Bar in the grandstand area, so the racetrack created a new one, giving patrons another spot to hang out that wasn’t there when I attended. He said he’s gotten positive feedback about that and other aspects of the race-viewing experience.
“One thing I’ve heard over and over again, what a wonderful place to watch Thoroughbred racing,” Kaufman said. “And how they feel like they’re a part of the action.”
I’d agree with that. The grandstand canopy and picnicky feel offers a tinge of Arlington Park, one of my favorite tracks.
Kaufman also noted that the Favorites restaurant has expanded its hours on the weekends, so the best indoor racetrack view will be available during most of the week’s races now. The race card menu is also more varied than I thought – for example, the track was reconfigured to allow for 6 1/2-furlong events, something the horsemen wanted.
There’s more. While Ohio’s only turf course is off limits for use this season, it’ll be back in action next year with a state-of-the art flexible, moveable rail called Mawsafe. Last week, Del Mar became the first North American track to install the Mawsafe rail, which is made in Australia and used at many tracks there (check out this remarkable incident to see how it works: .
“Wow, is that technology? said Kaufman. “In 2015, we’ll be the next U.S. track to install it.”
Belterra also wants to add a graded stakes stakes race on the turf as part of effort to create at least one “big day” during the season.
“I’m going to push hard on this, get a sponsor,” Kaufman said. “I think it could be very exciting, to have a graded stakes race on the turf.”
This October, Belterra will host the Best of Ohio day, highlighting the state’s growing Thoroughbred industry and featuring a card worth $750,000 in purses. Kaufman said so far, purses have already doubled from the River Downs days, and while field sizes haven’t increased much, he expects they will as the slots revenue builds up.
“We’re at around 7.4 or 7.5, but I’d like nine horses per race or 10. The more money that’s out there, the bigger our field size will be. A lot of good things to come.”
While Kaufman has spent his career working for casino companies, he grew up with horse racing and owns a farm with several horses in Northern Kentucky.
“I love Thoroughbred racing. I like to go back to the backside and talk to the owners, trainers, and jocks. We have a vision for the racing community to continue the purse increases, the field sizes, the better quality of Thoroughbred.”
The view from the gate at Cincinnati's Belterra Park
THE VIEW FROM BELTERRA PARK: BRIGHT FUTURE AHEAD?
by Scott Jagow
Paulick Report
It’s been two and a half months since Cincinnati’s old River Downs reopened as Belterra Park, a shiny new racing and gaming venue that shares its name with the Belterra casino in Indiana. Both properties are owned by Pinnacle Entertainment.
Living in Cincinnati the past few years, I frequented River Downs and while the racing product was a far cry from our industry’s best tracks, the experience was usually an enjoyable one, whether I sat in the shade of the old grandstand or got a window seat in the racebook overlooking the oval. With that in mind, I recently made the trek to Belterra to see how it stacked up, now that it has joined the growing racino ranks.
The first thing that jumped out was the size of the grandstand. There are probably local high school football stadiums (perhaps even junior high) with more seating, but such contraction makes perfect sense in racing’s current era, and the place filled up nicely, giving the impression of robust attendance and a lively crowd. The same number of people scattered across the River Downs seating area would probably have had my guests asking, “why is it you work in this dying industry again?”
I made my way to the information booth to investigate our options for getting a meal while watching and betting the races. I discovered several choices, all of which seemed appealing after doing the rounds. There’s a spot to grab a gourmet burger (Burger Brothers), a glorious-looking buffet (you can’t build a casino without a buffet, can you?), a place for coffee and snacks (Nosh), as well as Favorites, a high-end steak and pasta restaurant with a great view of the track. Unfortunately, Favorites is the only one of those eateries with such a view, and it wasn’t scheduled to open until the races were almost over.
We settled on the Stadium, a bar and grill off the slots floor that could compete with just about any stand-alone sports bar you can think of. With dozens of TVs, a varied menu, and a deep selection of draft beer, I could see myself spending many a contented sports-filled afternoon there. At this moment, however, I wanted to watch the first race, and it wasn’t on. Anywhere. Finally, after nudging the server a couple times, the feed appeared on a couple of TVs, well after the runners had crossed the finish line. I was getting a sinking feeling about the priorities here, and both the low quality of the race feed and the lack of race sound throughout the afternoon didn’t help matters.
Nor did the fact that every time I wanted to make a bet, I had to wind my way through the slot machines to the other side of the facility. There was no option for betting at the sports bar, and of course, I couldn’t see the races from there either, save for the low-res TV signal.
The new grandstand is smaller but with good views of the action
Betting within the race book was fairly easy, although the lines at the few outside teller windows were consistently deep. When we emerged from the sports bar to catch a couple of races live, the crowd was large enough to create excitement but manageable enough to find a spot with a good view. As for the racing itself, it seemed like the fields might be a little bigger but there was no turf racing, and most of the races that day felt like the same six-furlong event over and over.
I had mixed feelings about the experience, but I figured I might not have the whole picture quite yet, so I called Belterra’s general manager, Kevin Kaufman, and I have to say I was impressed with what he told me.
For one thing, Belterra is installing MBet, Amtote’s mobile wagering platform. With wireless connectivity throughout the facility, I’ll be able to bet from the sports bar or anywhere else I happen to be on the grounds. MBet should also help alleviate those lines at the windows. Check!
Kaufman also said customers missed the old Tiki Bar in the grandstand area, so the racetrack created a new one, giving patrons another spot to hang out that wasn’t there when I attended. He said he’s gotten positive feedback about that and other aspects of the race-viewing experience.
“One thing I’ve heard over and over again, what a wonderful place to watch Thoroughbred racing,” Kaufman said. “And how they feel like they’re a part of the action.”
I’d agree with that. The grandstand canopy and picnicky feel offers a tinge of Arlington Park, one of my favorite tracks.
Kaufman also noted that the Favorites restaurant has expanded its hours on the weekends, so the best indoor racetrack view will be available during most of the week’s races now. The race card menu is also more varied than I thought – for example, the track was reconfigured to allow for 6 1/2-furlong events, something the horsemen wanted.
There’s more. While Ohio’s only turf course is off limits for use this season, it’ll be back in action next year with a state-of-the art flexible, moveable rail called Mawsafe. Last week, Del Mar became the first North American track to install the Mawsafe rail, which is made in Australia and used at many tracks there (check out this remarkable incident to see how it works: .
“Wow, is that technology? said Kaufman. “In 2015, we’ll be the next U.S. track to install it.”
Belterra also wants to add a graded stakes stakes race on the turf as part of effort to create at least one “big day” during the season.
“I’m going to push hard on this, get a sponsor,” Kaufman said. “I think it could be very exciting, to have a graded stakes race on the turf.”
This October, Belterra will host the Best of Ohio day, highlighting the state’s growing Thoroughbred industry and featuring a card worth $750,000 in purses. Kaufman said so far, purses have already doubled from the River Downs days, and while field sizes haven’t increased much, he expects they will as the slots revenue builds up.
“We’re at around 7.4 or 7.5, but I’d like nine horses per race or 10. The more money that’s out there, the bigger our field size will be. A lot of good things to come.”
While Kaufman has spent his career working for casino companies, he grew up with horse racing and owns a farm with several horses in Northern Kentucky.
“I love Thoroughbred racing. I like to go back to the backside and talk to the owners, trainers, and jocks. We have a vision for the racing community to continue the purse increases, the field sizes, the better quality of Thoroughbred.”
