NY
 

http://news.bloodhorse.com/viewstory.asp?id=38388

Some highlights

Wynn stating that cameras on jockeys helmets will attract big crowds

A "towering" hotel built at Aqueduct (I guess forgetting about the planes that fly over the track on a regular basis)

Capital Play said that they will expand the races from 8 horses to 12 (I guess they think short fields in NY are due to limits)

They will also "simplify" betting ( maybe you wont have to handicap anymore)

And this article does not even talk about the "beautiful fence" that Capital Play wants to put up around Saratoga. (Like it's Berlin??)

Hey Cannon - help me out here. What is the history of Aqueduct? I mean, why was it ever built when there was Belmont?

You want the cliffnotes version?

Yes please.

There were other tracks in NY earlier in the century that were all competitors. Jamiaca, Empire, Belmont and a few others that I dont recall. Nyra was formed in the 50's to have all the NY tracks under one organization. Aqueduct was a very popular track in the 60's and I believe that the Belmont was even held there while Belmont was being renovated. Aqu is located in Queens not too far from Brooklyn and is on the subway lines from Manhattan and as such was easier for people in these area to reach. Dont forget there was no simulcasting or OTb's and Belmont was a long ways away from the city.

Belmont and Aqueduct are pretty darn close to eachother.

Gotcha. I often forget how big New York is. But in todays world is it silly to have both of the tracks? Or is Belmont not suited for winter racing?

There are a lot of politics in play. Aqu is a NYC track but Belmont is not and I'm sure that NYC would lose a lot of revenue were Aqu be shut down and turned into another parking lot for JFK. But it (NYC) will rake in money if the slots are put there.

Not if you dont own a car like many of the residents of NYC

The short write-up about NYRA & Empire's speeches:

http://news.bloodhorse.com/viewstory.asp?id=38373

Makes sense to me. Cannon if you were in charge what would you do with the 2 tracks?

Belmont is actually half in the five boroughs and half in Nassau County.

There are so many factors that are beyond my comprehension of the situation that I really dont know what can be done. I suppose if I could have a free rein and the political types would do what I wanted I would continue to operate both tracks with slots. A northern winter track is never going to draw much and you can use most of AQUeducts grandstand for a slots parlor. However I would signifigantly upgrade the area that is used by the horse players. Pretty much the same plan for Belmont which only gets large crowds for the Belmont when a TC is on the line.

true

So basically take the grandstands and make create a slots parlor. I like this idea. But are slots the cure all for racing?

Who asked them to be a cure? If we are getting a piece of the action and it is put toward making our sport better aren't we better off than if we get nothing but unfair competition?

I agree with you. Let me rephrase the question...other than slots, what else can be done to help make horse racing better?

I'd love to know Capital Play's plan to draw women to Aqueduct and in turn drawing men..have they actually been there?! I love horses and racing and only a day like the Wood Memorial is going to get me to step foot in the place. I don't see slots being that big of a draw for most woman either and if you were going to go shopping you'd do so in the City where the best stores in the world are. There is just way too much competion with the City to put anythign there that would be remotely appealing to the woman who is not interested in racing in the first place.

OK, no clue how this might work but what do people think about requiring people to buy a betting voucher for the track in order to enter the slots area? Not sure what amount would be appropriate ($20-$100) but it would have to be set to not discourage people from playing the slots but to encourage them to play the races in addition to the slots. Anyone think something along those lines could ever work?

Even that's questionable at this point.

I had a great time this weekend because I was with friends but honestly... I wouldn't have gone by myself. Aqueduct sucks.