NYRA: Spitzer nod on 30 yr renewal

[Antitrust32]

Originally Posted by NoLuvForPletch

Actually my seats went from $20.00 a ticket in the Clubhouse to $65.00 a ticket in the Clubhouse. That's not exactly "a little extra". They don't let you bring your own beer in on Travers Day anymore either?

that is the least true statement ive hear in my life.

people were bringing boatloads of their own beer travers day.

[Antitrust32]

Originally Posted by ELA

Admission pricing, concessions and pricing, and all of these things are issues that certainly need to be addressed. However, first, I think it is something that will be done over time. Second, I think any changes will be limited. To some extent, it's like the $20 Tylenol you get at the hospital.

I also think that if you lowered concession stand prices, you would see a neglible impact on attendence and handle. There are much bigger issues and more global issues that have more priority in the industry and sport.

As much as the die-hard, hard-core, etc. gamblers will be up in arms -- today's racetrack and the product they put forth, or lack thereof, is in competition with many other things.

Eric

go to calder, parking is $2 and admission is $2. You can park at saratoga for free and enter for $3. Still cheaper than parking and going into freaking Calder!!

the concessions are not bad, compared to any sporting event you go to (ok I will admit, beer prices are unreal, BUT, you can bring your own beer, water, sandwiches, soda, pizza, homemade meatloaf, pie, salad, penne, lasagna, etc. ANY Day, as long as the beer isnt in bottles).



By the way, I agree with your post besides the first sentence.

[fpsoxfan]

Originally Posted by SniperSB23

Compared to how poorly she performs her job the hats are the least of my worry. Let's either get someone hot or competent and I don't give a crap what they want to wear on their head.

I vote for the Bealah Twins.

[Hickory Hill Hoff]

Originally Posted by fpsoxfan

I vote for the Bealah Twins.

Wayne Cramer & "T"

[Antitrust32]

Originally Posted by Cardus

I knew at the time that we -- meaning the people who attend Belmont regularly, and always attend Belmont Stakes Day -- were in trouble when it was announced that 30,000 people were coming in from Philadelphia.

Freakin' Eagles fans ruined it for everyone!

The day before, I saw Tom Hammond rehearsing for the next day on his broadcast stand, and I referenced the Philadelphia pilgrimmage by saying, "I hope they're not Eagles fans!" He agreed.

haha... give em a break, how would you feel if your team had never won a super bowl!

[SniperSB23]

Originally Posted by DaHoss9698

Yeah but didn't he say hot and competent, that rules them out.

I said hot or competent but I still think that rules them out.

[NoLuvForPletch]

Originally Posted by Antitrust32

that is the least true statement ive hear in my life.

people were bringing boatloads of their own beer travers day.

I was asking a question. The guy was comparing Travers Day to Belmont Day saying he didn't mind paying for beer on Travers Day. So I asked the question about being able to bring in your own.

Weren't the Beulah Twins in a Wrong Side of Town vid?

[fpsoxfan]

Actually Jan at one time was pretty good. The problem is I think she's been on this job too long and isn't very friendly anymore. She's gotten kind of monotone over the years, but I still think she does a good job adding insight into the races.

[fpsoxfan]

Originally Posted by DaHoss9698

Really???? What kind of insight does she offer?

Not so much for me or you probably, but there is this older man in our local OTB that has very poor vision. At one time he was one of the best turf handicappers I know. Anyway, he now has to rely on a lot of information that she supplies. I don't "hang out" in our OTB as much as I might of at one time, but when I'm there I try to help him out as much as I can.

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 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.

Spoken like someone who depends on NYRA for his access to people. Please explain to me where the $130 million loan that the government gave to NYRA came from. Did the money grow on trees or was it make believe? LOL

Nice website and radioshow (which seems to have a heavy bias on NY racing, probably because you work on a NYRA facility with your radioshow and your bbq), but you are a NYRA bootlicker.

The taxpayer got stuck with a $130 million dollar loan. It is that simple.

Also, can you please let us know how a group just gave up rights to $1 billion worth of land. I know NYRA is a joke and has already proven they are inept when it comes to dealing with money, but just giving away $1 billion is pretty funny.

[Ronnie]

Originally Posted by Benevolus

Spoken like someone who depends on NYRA for his access to people. Please explain to me where the $130 million loan that the government gave to NYRA came from. Did the money grow on trees or was it make believe? LOL

Nice website and radioshow (which seems to have a heavy bias on NY racing, probably because you work on a NYRA facility with your radioshow and your bbq), but you are a NYRA bootlicker.

The taxpayer got stuck with a $130 million dollar loan. It is that simple.

Also, can you please let us know how a group just gave up rights to $1 billion worth of land. I know NYRA is a joke and has already proven they are inept when it comes to dealing with money, but just giving away $1 billion is pretty funny.

They didn't give anything away..they just agreed that they did not own the land.

Originally Posted by Ronnie

They didn't give anything away..they just agreed that they did not own the land.

The state should have netted $1billion for the land, and $130 for the loan they gave to NYRA. Instead the state is basically bailing out NYRA.

What happens though is NYRA is supposed to give all their profits to the state, so making them repay a loan is pointless.

The real joke about a non-profit horse racing business is that the profits go to the state, therefore everyone that works in the business has an incentive to spend every nickel so there is nothing for the state. Unfortunately that money is usually spent on things like shuttling horses for free for NYRA board members. lol

[parsixfarms]

Originally Posted by Benevolus

Unfortunately that money is usually spent on things like shuttling horses for free for NYRA board members. lol

It's comments like these that illustrate your ignorance of how the racing industry works.

[DJK]

Regarding some of those remarks about Jan Rushton, may I gently wag my librarian's finger and remind the gentlemen that there are ladies present? Sigh. Tsk, tsk.

(1) I never listen to her as I can't hear her while I'm leaning on the paddock fence.

(2) I spent 10 minutes explaining to a guy a couple of weeks ago who she was and why she was wearing that hat/construction/sculpture. (He quite liked my understated, classic hat.)

[hoovesupsideyourhead]

not to mention carolina bbq will be around for a very long time...

congrats steve and crabs...

[sumitas]

The highly investigated Joe Bruno lines up his buddies over the best interests of horse racing in NY. Figures. I wonder how the FBI investigation of this fellow is progressing ?

http://news.bloodhorse.com/viewstory.asp?id=40636

[parsixfarms]

Senator Joe, holding a very precarious majority in the State Senate, will drag this out as long as he can, so he can get campaign contributions in 2008 for his caucus from all the potential bidders. Why else would he make a statement that everyone should get a piece of the pie?

[ELA]

I think most of Bruno's supporters were alligned with Empire. I am not sure if early on they were serving many masters, playing both sides of the fence, etc. Of course that would certainly change now.

Eric

[reese]

Originally Posted by parsixfarms

It's comments like these that illustrate your ignorance of how the racing industry works.

So true. Benevolous haunts several racing forums spewing bs and fallacious comments masquerading as "facts".

I wouldn't waste time "trying to teach a pig to sing"