And then there was six...

[Linny]

Last week Excelsior execs met w/ NY horsemen in NY and Florida. Almost all of the NY based trainers are in their camp, despite the NYTHA partnering with Empire.
The fact is that by re-opening the bid process, after millions were spent on the original bids is unfair to those who participated already. It was a sealed, secret process. Now that bids are open anyone who feels that they can match the Excelsior bid can feel free to leap into the process, bootlegging all of their research and expertise.
Empire launched a million dollar ad campaign as soon as the process started. All the ads say upstate is "We won't change Saratoga into a theme park." and the local fans hop on board. OK, no ferris wheels but what are they really planning on doing? Raising takeout. What else? They talk a good game about horsemen but most of the horsemen back Excelsior, there must be a reason. What will they ad for fans? Free admission to the slots but higher prices for the racing side? I don't know but that seems to be the Magna way.
If you have time head over to Equidaily and check out the archived info on the bids. REALLY read (for comprehension) what the bids say.