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Quote:

Originally Posted by Cardus

After settling the question of whom will run the New York tracks, you know that the OTB dilemna is the next mountain, not that I expect a change in the relationship between NYRA and the state OTB branches.

I would expect a change. Not as part of this deal, but it will be accounted for in some respect, or many perhaps. I think the OTB issue gets resolved as part of the changes in the VLT legislation.

Eric

Good Luck negotiating the political cesspool that is NYCOTB. The patronage and incompetence is so ingrown that I don't know how you can fix the problem. It has always escaped me why NYRA and OTB were set up as competitors. There would be more than enough pie to go around if it was one entity.

I think they might do it differently!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kasept

That's nonsense and a misrepresentation of the truth. It was in fact the State of NY that regularly 'defaulted' on agreements made to NYRA that placed the Association in an impossible position.

It was the Pataki administration that purposefully delayed VLT construction at Aqueduct in the hopes of destroying the Association to the point where it could decide the franchise question in favor of its' cronies. NYRA had been waiting since 1985 for the State of NY to address the franchise situation, a scenario which had been festering as each passing Governor failed to tackle the issue(s). And how exactly are the taxpayers screwed in a deal where the state nets $870 million worth of assets?

And accountability? NYRA has had the ultimate accountability the last 3 years having to clean out the viruses introduced by the vile Kenny Noe during his corrupt tenure in the '90's. I'm just back from the track and the press conference with Steve Duncker, Jim Heffernan and Charlie Hayward which was deservedly celebratory. Hayward broke down during his opportunity to comment on things as he spoke about the Association being the object of ridicule during the franchise process. His stewardship during this period has been remarkable, and NYRA's repeated refusal to stoop to the level of the colluded smear campaign engaged in by the likes of the NY Daily News, Times-Union, Jerry Bailey and Jeff Perle is something for which he'll long be remembered.

NYRA and its' non-profit model was the ONLY choice for racing in New York, and today's announcement goes a long way towards ensuring that the quality of racing in the state is maintained and kept at the highest level possible. There are still questions regarding the OTB problem(s) to be addressed, but the 'good guys' won today, and we as racing fans are winners along with them.

Very well said. Mr. Hayward deserves our heartfelt thanks for enduring relentless pressure, financial and otherwise. I thank Gov. Spitzer for setting NY racing on a course where we all can rise with this tide. Better days are ahead.

I know people at some non-profits - that rent the track in Saratoga for events - are dancing little jigs of relief, too.

I was glad to see NYRA stay in charge.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cannon Shell

I was glad to see NYRA stay in charge.

So are most people involved in the business. Although the NYTHA initially endorsed Empire -- albeit prematurely, absent of a great deal of facts and due diligence, etc. -- the majority of the horsemen were not behind the endorsement (as I am sure you well know). The endorsement was given without even informing the membership. Of course the endorsement was later withdrawn.

Many people tend to forget or don't know that the NYTHA consists not only of trainers, but every owner in NY who races a horse at a NYRA track just one time throughout the year.

I also believe that NYRA was also the only bidder that stated raising the takeout was not part of their proposal.

Eric

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cannon Shell

I was glad to see NYRA stay in charge.

Okay, now that everyone is so excited about NYRA remaining in charge can they hire someone that knows what will make the fans of the sport happy? They can start with moving the Spinaway back to the last Friday of the meet and the Hopeful to the last Saturday of the meet. Who's bright idea was it to run the Hopeful on Labor day Monday at 530pm?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cardus

Where does that one rank on your list of suggestions of NYRA to handle aspects of racing to make fans happy?

Certainly not at the top but it is an example of something that gives one the impression that they really do not know what would benefit racing and the enjoyment of it, from a fan's perspective.

How do you feel about the absurd ticket and admission pricing on Belmont Day and their "policy" that does not allow one to bring their own alcohol to the Belmont. But they sure allow you to buy as much as you want from the concession stand at $7.00 a beer.

Quote:

Originally Posted by NoLuvForPletch

How do you feel about the absurd ticket and admission pricing on Belmont Day and their "policy" that does not allow one to bring their own alcohol to the Belmont. But they sure allow you to buy as much as you want from the concession stand at $7.00 a beer.

Wow. You'd really flip at a CDI track.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pillow Pants

Wow. You'd really flip at a CDI track.

ha, you beat me to it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by NoLuvForPletch

I don't get it, how would adding the Hopeful to an already very nice day on Saturday where there was the Forego and the Woodward help anything? Didn't Monday draw over 20,000? Would that have still happened if the Hopeful was on Saturday? Maybe, but I doubt the positive impact on Saturday would outweigh the negative impact on Monday.

Quote:

Originally Posted by NoLuvForPletch

You might want to take an entry level Economics course before you continue your criticism of the business practices of the NYRA.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pillow Pants

Wow. You'd really flip at a CDI track.

You mean for the Derby? It's THE Derby! The Belmont and Belmont Day, without someone going for the Triple Crown is slightly more appealing than the Day when the JCGC and the other 3 Grade 1's are run. How many people attend on that day?

Do they employ tellers that have absolutely NO idea how to operate the betting machines on Derby Day?

Quote:

Originally Posted by NoLuvForPletch

You mean for the Derby? It's THE Derby! The Bemont and Bemont Day, without someone going for the Trople Crown is slightly more appealing than the Day when the JCGC and the other 3 Grade 1's are run. How many people attend on that day?

Do they employ tellers that have absolutely NO idea how to operate the betting machines on Derby Day?

Actually they do. It looked like they sent buses to every nursing home in town picking up temp tellers on BC day.