Tapeta - Presque Isle

MidwestTrainer · Postby **MidwestTrainer** » Sun Sep 02, 2007 7:46 pm

Two days of racing, two breakdowns.

I heard the track is a disaster, from the descriptions sounds a little like when Great Lakes Downs opened up(the facilities). The on track handle is horrible.

bdw0617 · Postby **bdw0617** » Sun Sep 02, 2007 7:57 pm

wait... isn't this the same stuff going in golden gate?

Rokeby Forever · Postby **Rokeby Forever** » Sun Sep 02, 2007 8:20 pm

No, this is Michael Dickenson's brainstorm - chopped up Nike sneakers and toilet paper.

bdw0617 · Postby **bdw0617** » Sun Sep 02, 2007 8:42 pm

naw i was right... GG is using hte same thing if they are using tapeta

http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f ... R4QSK1.DTL

Gerry · Postby **Gerry** » Mon Sep 03, 2007 5:39 am

the on track handle is low because you get shut out before you can get to the window. we went for opening day and there were alot of peeved people leaving after the first couple of races since you couldnt see most of the race, couldnt get to bet, there are no replay monitors..and if there are they are well hidden. There is no upper level viewing area except the clubhouse which was booked well in advance. The lines to bet were 25+ minutes long and when you finally got lucky enough to get up there the parimutual clerks were acting more like cashiers at a casino and waiving their hands around and taking their time with everything. As you were waiting in line to bet people were pushing past you to get to the casino from the track and vice versa and the buffet is immediately to your right with tables everywhere...a real mess
The track surface itself didnt seem to have much give to it, after the 1st breakdown I am not surprised to see there was one yesterday. Overall I wasnt nearly as impressed as I thought I was going to be with a new facility. It was obvious that all the planning went into the casino and the track patrons are an afterthought.

tbrace · Postby **tbrace** » Mon Sep 03, 2007 6:49 am

GG is almost done with, yes, you are right, TAPETA.

madelyn · Postby **madelyn** » Mon Sep 03, 2007 6:57 am

Like any brand new venue, I imagine it will take time to shake out the bugs. I'm sure the track management was horrified that bettors couldn't get to the windows in time.

Gerry · Postby **Gerry** » Mon Sep 03, 2007 7:09 am

Has anyone else been there yet? I am 3hrs away so someone must be closer..I would love to hear other opinions. I am still amazed at the lack of grandstand and betting windows.
Sadly, Madelyn I dont see where they could improve much without taking out a parking lot and adding on but then you would be overlooking the turn and not the stretch.

pembroke · Postby **pembroke** » Mon Sep 03, 2007 8:06 am

I live only 20 minutes away and refused to go on opening week-end. I went for a job interview with the state awhile back and from what the the guy told me it was bound to be a disaster. The clerks were most likely casino people. The track would not hire anyone and gaurantee that you would have a job next year. No one I talked to wanted to quit their current job and go to the track for 21 days only to become jobless. Even the guy from the state who interviewed me said his job wasn't certain.

What depressed me was ,when I went up to the track while it was still under construction ,was how small the area was for track patrons. Even the paddock and saddling area seemed compressed. The local newspaper reported that the racing office didn't open until 1 hour before first post and if you needed a license you had to stand in line. So much for background checks. They also reported that the jockeys are complaining that the jocks room is to small and devoid of ammenities they are used to. (?)

I agree that there are bound to be problems. They could have used a another month to get ready from the looks of things!

Gerry · Postby **Gerry** » Mon Sep 03, 2007 8:35 am

Pembroke..everything is very compressed. I also heard trainers complaining about the stalls...guess they have crushed gravel in them that isnt even packed down so horses are picking up stones and pawing thru their straw, making mucking a nightmare. We went for opening day because after being at Saratoga I didnt think the crowds could be that bad. And the crowds werent, it seems more like a lack of planning for the race patrons which doesnt make sense since their are many tracks to get ideas from..its not like reinventing the wheel :-)

We had thought about going one more time during this meet but I think will skip it until next spring for now.

pembroke · Postby **pembroke** » Mon Sep 03, 2007 11:27 am

Agreed, AND, it isn't as though management doesn't know anything about running a race track! I love going to Mountaineer. It has an atmosphere! Part of the problem with me and Presque Isle was, I believe, the fact that I had just come back from Evangeline. Talk about atmosphere!!! I looked at Erie and went HUH?!LOL!!!

Gerry · Postby **Gerry** » Mon Sep 03, 2007 11:37 am

Had to laugh when we first pulled into the parking lot. The first thing Mom noticed was the large dump next door. Is that what it is? I noticed that there was absolutely no landscaping down around the track. It has possibilities but you can really tell that the management doesnt care about the races its all about the casino. I am hoping that they can make it work since we are STILL looking for a farm in PA..this is going to be an endless process.

Where is Evangaline? I just started noticing horses running there.

wilf · Postby **wilf** » Mon Sep 03, 2007 12:11 pm

You guys are brutal, did you not think that they have built for the long haul and not for an opening day fanfare?? Where will you be next week when there are half as many onlookers and the crowd size has normalised.? Surely a one month stretch is good enough for now to help iron out the kinks of which there will be many and help set up for next years full length meet. My guess is that on-track handle is not a great priority while there is so much in the kitty for owners and trainers pursewise and I guarantee that the latter are beaming right now. Some of you will never have a good word to say about artificial surfaces and will jump all over breakdowns but I have already spoken to some that have run there and have nothing but good to say about it. These new surfaces are obviously going to go through assimilation periods like Woodbine until a correct mix is found.The other day at Woodbine I spoke with the horse-ambulance driver and he said that the last month has been incredible with only two vanned off, one bowed in a race and a two year old in the morning. Dickinson has taken a great amount of time to arrive at the Tapeta mix and reading an interview lately it seems that he is happy that his final equation has factored in all climactic swings that the North American weather throws at you. All you need is someone who can work it properly. I will drive down this week to Erie and check it out, I would have gone today but the holiday traffic across the Peace Bridge into Buffalo will ruin any day out. If I observe anything interesting I shall not hesitate to give an opinion. Now where's my drink?

Gerry · Postby **Gerry** » Mon Sep 03, 2007 12:15 pm

Wilf--if you could have made it across the Peace Bridge today I would have bought you drinks all day! I look forward to your thoughts about the track and layout/design.
Not trying to get on your badside since I have a colt for you to train next year if you are back at FE.
I really dont have anything to say one way or the other about the track surface its the lack of grandstand and betting windows and replay monitors that got to me :-)

wilf · Postby **wilf** » Mon Sep 03, 2007 6:58 pm

Gerry, thanks but Fort Erie's future is up in the air right now as far as racing dates, purses and if the owners wish to carry on.For a struggling track they certainly have not tightened up operations nor have a plan for the future other than to ask the Govt for a handout.............strange goings on.!