NYRA Web Chats; Andy kicks it off (1/29: Hal Handel)
 

http://www.nyra.com/belmont/stories/...WebChats.shtml

Beginning on Friday, October 23, The New York Racing Association, Inc., (NYRA) will host hour-long live, online chat sessions with key industry figures.

Building on the success of Andy Serling’s Twitter website (Twitter.com/andyserling), the popular race analyst will host the first chat in the series this Friday. In the future, other individuals, from NYRA executives to New York trainers and jockeys, are expected to host sessions.

Fans and handicappers interested in carrying on a live dialogue with Serling may log on to http://www.nyra.com/livechat beginning this Friday at 8 p.m. No pre-registratation is necessary and users may simply type questions and comments in the chat field at the bottom of the page for Serling to address. At the conclusion of the chat, an “instant replay” is created for future reference.

Serling, a co-host of Talking Horses and NYRA Live, is known for his bold predictions and confident demeanor. His Twitter page, which counts more than 1,500 followers, features a combination of race analysis and wagering suggestions, along with observations that he makes throughout the raceday at each NYRA track.

“The internet has entirely reshaped the way society communicates, and, accordingly, it’s changed the way racing fans communicate,” Serling said. “NYRA is committed to broadening the conversation about the sport and we hope these Live Chats will offer another opportunity to correspond with our fans.”

This week’s chat topics include Saturday’s New York Showcase Day card and $350,000 guaranteed Late Pick 4, as well as the opening of Aqueduct Racetrack on Wednesday, October 28. The Live Chat will be conducted from 8 – 9 p.m. EST. Further information about the event is available at the Live Chat Website.

Live Chats are just the newest addition to NYRA’s expanding presence on the Web, including a YouTube channel with the latest videos focused on New York racing, blogs that take fans behind the scenes and more.

Who? Is he a new guy?

Reminder... Andy about to kick off chat... http://www.nyra.com/livechat/index.shtml

There was just a video! Was cool... Silvercup Baby.

Beyer is always a terrific listen..Congrats to NYRA for securing Beyer to do the Webcast...

A Stonegossard sighting!!

At least one!

NYRA VP Hal Handel this Friday... FYI...

http://www.nyra.com/aqueduct/stories/Jan232010.shtml

Handel has an interesting executive background starting in the racing industry as an attorney involved in State Oversight.

Just wanted to remind people to take advantage of tonight's chat with Hal.

I read through it.

You might have a slim edge on Maylan Studart in the looks department ... but I doubt you can analyze a race as skillfully as her.

Here's praying that Contessa will be a bit more compelling next week.
Save yourself the scroll, here is the hour in Cliff Notes:

1. All the good things = NYRA responsible
2. All the bad things = State Racing and Wagering Board responsible
3. Why don't you get with the 21st century? = That's a great question, thanks for your input

They've made great progress with #3.

Yes, apparently they are going to reroute the Belt Parkway, move JFK, and pave Jamaica Bay in order to put Foxwoods under.

I was hoping for more of a pragmatic approach to attracting younger folks to the track in the interim. Social networking sites, live, relevant bands after the late Friday card at Belmont (ala Hollywood Park), perhaps even get crazy and hire a world class chef and install a martini bar to make it a destination.

But they're broke and we'll have all that at Aqueduct in 20 years so no need to get proactive now.

Reminder