Cost of doing business

[trotter1]

It really is shocking how the Illinois purse structure has collapsed.  Monday night at Maywood, total purses are $45K for the ENTIRE card.  My last cheap claimer can only get
in every 10-14 days since there are so many horses vying for races dates.

With the typical cost to owners at $52/day (for EVERYTHING) per horse, this is just
embarrassing.

Dan, what was an owners typical monthly bill from you in 1980 (for everything) and
what were the typical TOTAL purses on a Monday night at Maywood 25 years ago?

I'll bet it was a lot less for the former and a lot more for the latter......

[BIG FAN]

#1 the purses were likely double and the cost around half us much as today.Nothing less than a 10claimer on a Friday night either!

[Dan Nance]

trotter 1

     Here is a program from 1985. Total purses were 51,800 on a Wed. night.

     I charged $30 a day and 5% back then, off course that included feed and groom. Vet bills, shoeing, tack shop, ect were half the price as they are today. And the Johnston's weren't stealing
money from recapture.

[Dan Nance]

trotter 1

     Here is a program from 1985. Total purses were 51,800 on a Wed. night.

     I charged $30 a day and 5% back then, off course that included feed and groom. Vet bills, shoeing, tack shop, ect were half the price as they are today. And the Johnston's weren't stealing
money from recapture.

Trotter 1, remember there was only 10 races back then.

[Chitown Stan]

Thats cool Dan, do you have any charts from Saturday nights with the some of the old invitational horses from the mid or early 80's? Some of them horses brought back memories, in particuler By Popular Demand and My Kiemosabe.

[Chitown Stan]

BTW, bring back dual simulcasting, I thought that was awesome!

[off stride]

NOTICE HOW MANY FAVORITES WON THAT NIGHT

[Dan Nance]

Trotter 1

        I'm sorry my mistake. That chart was from 1987 at Maywood. Check out the new topic.

[edwardwilliam]

Trotter 1

        I'm sorry my mistake. That chart was from 1987 at Maywood. Check out the new topic.

Look at those miles -- three 2:00 miles on the SLOW track in 1987.  That's pretty impressive.  Not much different from when the track goes South at Maywood now.

Best,
EW

[John Doe]

Thats cool Dan, do you have any charts from Saturday nights with the some of the old invitational horses from the mid or early 80's? Some of them horses brought back memories, in particuler By Popular Demand and My Kiemosabe.

Stan:

      Your post made me dig up some old programs from the 60's, 70's, and 80's. When I tell you that I have one of the most extensive and complete collections of programs, it is no lie. I love some of the old Hawthorne and Washington Park programs I have. I don't have time to scan the program but since you wanted an Invitational race of horses from the 80's, I found this one from Hawthorne dated Saturday, January 9, 1982. The field is listed as follows:

1) Baron Lancer Driver/Trainer Doug Hamilton
2) Country Preacher Dave Magee/Roger Davino
3) Timely's Best Man Driver/Trainer Mark O'Mara
4) Mostly Melvin Driver/Trainer Sam Noble III
5) Great Expectation Stanley Banks/Doug Hamilton
6) Ione's Folly Daryl Busse/Russ Dzurick

     If you ever want to read or have a look at old programs, just let me know. These horses sure bring back great memories of Chicago harness racing. If you remember right, Hawthorne and Sportsman's Park were both melting pots for many different stables, trainers, and drivers. The purse for this race was $18k and the on track attendance was 5,994 whom wagered $992,816. Not too shabby for 1982. Sadly, I don't think we will ever see days of harness racing like this in Chicago as long as the Johnston’s are in control. Just my opinion and if you have a request for a specific horse during that era, just holler at me and I'll see if I can find a program, chart or something that shows the horse raced at that time. Take care and enjoy.

Best Regards,
Joseph M. Dakuras
(A UNLV Runnin Rebel For Life)