Originally Posted by ScottJ

Let's say that consolidation does take place - and that as many have suggested, Belmont takes the entire downstate season over Aqueduct which is then sold.

Think about it - ten months of racing at Belmont. The facility and location will get more and more tired resulting in even further deterioration of the downstate game. No more "opening" of the new season - just a continuous grind over the 1.5 mile dirt track that is unlike anything else in the United States - fun for two months in the Spring and Fall - but not for a steady diet of racing. Think of the mindless grind at Woodbine, Penn National, or Parx where nothing is special - no notion of a "boutique meeting".

But it gets worse - if you think you are going to continue to see two turf courses at Belmont, you would be wrong. How long before the Inner Turf gets torn out to support some type of winter surface to support $8,000 claimers in the dead of December?

You want progressive leadership - here are some ideas :

[1] Once and for all, recognize that the current 12 month season has run its course. Discontinue racing from mid-December through mid-February. The NYC/OTB excuse is now gone - change the business to go back to a nine month season.

[2] Discontinue racing in September after the Saratoga meeting - focus on a boutique Belmont meeting for October through mid-December. This would force bigger fields in the final week at Saratoga after the Travers and create better racing at Belmont. Now, does it make sense to give up September weather? No. Maybe only racing on weekends in September for example.

[3] Allow NYRA, if desired, to invest/buy something south of New York and operate a meet at a racetrack out of state. Can you imagine NYRA running a Colonial Downs meeting ... or something in Maryland in general? What about if NYRA were to buy Monmouth?

At the heart of things, you have to actually introduce a season again - eliminate racing for several winter months and perhaps more.