2026 Jug Week
Quote from Bgtolex25 on September 25, 2026, 6:49 AMQuote from Purple Aura on September 24, 2026, 8:48 AM
It's a basic structure of a race card. …. Sunday-Tuesday lots of tracks don't even take their signal because the cards draw such little interest. The Wednesday and Thursday cards are much stronger. Before that, not so much. And while we’re being fair the best 3YO's don't even come here any more for various reasons. That is really sad this race used to stand for something. The saying if you stand for nothing you fall for anything comes to mind. The place is in decline. It's sad.
I have been called “Eeyore” in another life, because I was perceived as pessimistic…I thought that I was being realistic! But here I will take the opposite tack.
Gambling is not in my DNA, so I will defer to Ed’s expertise. Treat that as one component, and I would think it can be improved by including folks like Ed in the discussion and planning. As for Jug Day. It isn’t about the types of bets. It is a social gathering with nostalgia, celebration and opportunity. The opportunity portion is about introducing the sport to new and casual fans. The corporate social tents were full. I was in the non-corporate Top of the Stretch tent where I could get a good sense of that 1500 person area along with the neighboring corporate sections, each with 100-200 people. Very few would know a pick 4 from a ham and cheese sandwich. The 1/2 mile track, often cited as a detriment to wagering handle, demonstrated its strength. It puts the spectators close to the horses. The track was ringed with people having a good time with friends. In that sense it definitely isn’t dying. It is an extremely different experience vs. being in the grandstand wagering. The sport needs both, plus more such as jurisdictional cooperation to better attract the strongest fields possible.
By the way, when you are engaged with friends and family consuming a catered extended lunch with ample drink tickets, the drag between races is not as noticeable.
Quote from Purple Aura on September 24, 2026, 8:48 AM
It's a basic structure of a race card. …. Sunday-Tuesday lots of tracks don't even take their signal because the cards draw such little interest. The Wednesday and Thursday cards are much stronger. Before that, not so much. And while we’re being fair the best 3YO's don't even come here any more for various reasons. That is really sad this race used to stand for something. The saying if you stand for nothing you fall for anything comes to mind. The place is in decline. It's sad.
I have been called “Eeyore” in another life, because I was perceived as pessimistic…I thought that I was being realistic! But here I will take the opposite tack.
Gambling is not in my DNA, so I will defer to Ed’s expertise. Treat that as one component, and I would think it can be improved by including folks like Ed in the discussion and planning. As for Jug Day. It isn’t about the types of bets. It is a social gathering with nostalgia, celebration and opportunity. The opportunity portion is about introducing the sport to new and casual fans. The corporate social tents were full. I was in the non-corporate Top of the Stretch tent where I could get a good sense of that 1500 person area along with the neighboring corporate sections, each with 100-200 people. Very few would know a pick 4 from a ham and cheese sandwich. The 1/2 mile track, often cited as a detriment to wagering handle, demonstrated its strength. It puts the spectators close to the horses. The track was ringed with people having a good time with friends. In that sense it definitely isn’t dying. It is an extremely different experience vs. being in the grandstand wagering. The sport needs both, plus more such as jurisdictional cooperation to better attract the strongest fields possible.
By the way, when you are engaged with friends and family consuming a catered extended lunch with ample drink tickets, the drag between races is not as noticeable.