Race book growth benefits horseplayers

The local race book scene is changing rapidly, and horseplayers might need a scorecard to keep up.

My early read: More betting options, creating increased competition for customers, can only be good for horseplayers.

The Eastside Cannery recently opened on Boulder Highway, south of Sam's Town. If it has the same success as sister operations at the original Cannery in North Las Vegas and the Rampart in Summerlin, business will be good. Kevin Klein will manage the new Eastside book, while Joe Porrello will take over at the Cannery.

Coming soon will be two new race books at Aliante Station in North Las Vegas and the M Casino on Las Vegas Boulevard South, farther down from the South Point.

Bert Cirincione will move from Palace Station to manage Aliante, while Zack Goldberg will replace Cirincione at Palace. Also, sources have told me that veteran Lou D'Amico will be named to manage the M Casino book.

I don't take for granted anymore that a new Las Vegas casino will build a nice race and sports book for its clients. Both the Encore and Palazzo disappointingly opted not to offer that simple amenity.

Elsewhere, Lucky's Race and Sports book is expanding with the acquisition of the Terrible's race and sports book network. Joining the Lucky's chain will be Terrible's on East Flamingo Road, the three Primm casinos, Buffalo Bill's, Primm Valley and Whiskey Pete's, plus two Pahrump casinos at Terrible's Lakeside and Terrible's Town.

Business has been stagnant in the Terrible's books, so there is ample opportunity for Lucky's to grow the brand. The more outlets Lucky's has and the more customers it can attract, the more aggressive it can be in marketing new betting products.

A longtime friend of the local horseplayer, Brad Bryant, has moved his tack to the Stratosphere, where he will oversee that operation and the two Arizona Charlie's books on South Decatur Boulevard and on Boulder Highway. Moving over to manage three good-sized operations might give Bryant the business scale to showcase his acute creativity.

Finally in the better-late-than-never category, congratulations to Jay Rood, who this summer took over for the retired Robert Walker as the MGM Mirage race and sports book director. That immediately makes Rood one of the most powerful voices for the race book industry in Nevada.

• SUNSET -- There will be a subqualifier for the National Handicapping Championship on Thursday in the newly renovated Sunset Station race and sports book. If you haven't been to Sunset Station in a couple of months, get ready for a culture shock over the terrific new improvements.

Richard Eng's horse racing column is published Fridays. He can be reached at rich_eng@hotmail.com.