well said

Based on what's going on here in Albany, I think it's fair to say that the regulatory world in which NY racing is going to operate is not going to change anytime soon - which means that a broken model in which the state grabs too much $$ and the OTBs are essentially preferred (no production cost) competitors of the tracks will remain unfixed. I'm surprised that you recognize the importance of the racing model but seemingly put blinders on when it comes to recognizing that the broken model is why NYRA has been losing money over the past few years.

Well why is NYRA fighting so hard for a business and that is impossible to make work? Give it up. This is all about money and people at NYRA and in the government love the status quo. They are all making money and taking care of their friends at the taxpayers expense.

NYRA is broke isn't getting slot money anytime soon and should be put down

[quote=DaHoss9698]It's quite a meeting of the minds when Freddy and Benevolous get together.

Ror








Thud

I guess our friends :confused: both "Freddy Mo" & "Benevolus" can't answer this! :rolleyes:
I said it once and I'll say it again; The on-track race product that NYRA puts forth is the best anywhere. All others interested in the franchise are ONLY interested in the slots side...our friends above must not be true fans of thoroughbred racing or they would see this. What do the others know about running thoroughbred racing.....PLEASE ANSWER ME THIS, NYRA DETRACTORS!

That's the problem. Without the Saratoga meet included, the product has been mediocre at best.

But, other than Churchill or Keeneland....where's it been better?
The day to - day meets in California & Florida suck, it's only good on weekends and stake days there.

i just have to try to remember in future that what cannon does is 'trainering'.

I think Kirkorian's group would have been a good choice. And in addition to running the slots, the racing side (NYRA or whomever) would have benefited from having a successful gaming executive from outside the NYRA 'family' running racing, or at least having a significant presence on the financial oversight side.

These top gaming firms (Kirkorian/MGM and Wynn, etc) are arguably far more astute and vigorous at financial management than anyone NYRA has ever had in place.

That's the difference between a non-profit and firms like Wynn/MGM. They know how to make money and are VERY good at watching the store.

The kind of thing that happened a few years ago when NYRA non-bid a 900k contract (against their own regs) for services provided by a relative of a key NYRA exec simply would not happen with more qualified management.

Does that help?

The product is too diluted. Too many tracks and too many unbettable races just to fill the standard 9 or 10 race card.

I'd like to see a 3 or 4 day race week with 6 races on the weekdays and maybe 8 races at most on the weekend for each track. There simply aren't enough quality horses to warrant 9 or 10 races a day. Because of this ridiculous industry standard we have practically been assaulted with turf sprint after turf sprint after turf sprint. ENOUGH!! It's madness!!

I actually believe that there's some merit to a lot of what is in your post about the value of some outside "fresh" minds getting involved in the business side of things, but let's not kid ourselves, "sweetheart deals" occur in the private sector as well.

This conservative chest thumping is all politics and no reality. In reality, the for profit tracks put as little as possible into the racing side of the business. Track conditions are inferior unless mandated by a state like Cali, for example. A for profit would damage horse racing in NY State by taking profits at the expense of the horse racing industry. Now the casino side I can see a for profit model I suppose. But definately not horse racing and the Albany Republicans should be ashamed of themselves for their unbridled greed.

Right about now,I sure wish we elected a President every 3 years.....It will soon be announced that Turkey owns NYRA,and any mouthing off about it will not be tolerated by these hardballers.What was the Met Mile is now to be called The Ataturk Mile.The Belmont is now going to be called the Ankara Derby.

Keeneland puts on a better product than NYRA

Keeneland doesnt have to deal with 6.5 months of something called The Big A.

Belmont is a ghost town and with the exception of a triple crown contender and the year it has the BC (or has a good giveaway) it has nobody but a handul of regulars(5-6K) who attend.

NYRA cant run the races at a profit have shown corruption and bankruptcy in its past. NYRA hasn't improved in the past few years, Saratoga has improved by use of good promotions and top quality racing and it being a destination vacation attraction.

I have never seen so many people in fear that if someone else takes over the NY tracks that Saratoga will be ruined.

I would also take Santa Anita for its 4 month meet over anything NYRA offers except Saratoga. However, since it doesnt have to run against Saratoga, It makes it much more appealing for 4 months of good racing vs 6 weeks.

Because nobody would want the NY tracks without slots is a true reflection that NY racing is not a profitable investment and is "not the best racing product anywhere" and it would be nuts to bid on it unless the slots were there. That doesnt mean NYRA should get it by default.

We are all true fans of T-Bred racing, but some of us are realistic in seeing that ineptitude, corruption, neglect of facilities, corporate nepotism, and bankruptcy should not be rewarded and definetly not for 30 years.

I love Keeneland but what they do there can never be compared to racing in "the real world"....they run about 32 dates per calendar year....they are heavily supported by the local horse industry....they are awash in money from the sales which, if added up take more days than the racing...not to mention they are profiting from polytrack sales...if they had to run races every day of the year the picture would no doubt be different....and if you GO to the races you can easily see that all is NOT well in the way that they take care of some things there.

Keeneland, while it runs for 32 days per year, does not put on a better product than Saratoga. Not in any way, shape or form. Saratoga's allowance races are much stronger. Saratoga has a more expanded stakes schedule.

I was on top of every card at the spring Keeneland meet, then Saratoga, and now the fall at Keeneland. There's really no way you can say Keeneland's racing product is better. I know the NY-bred argument will come up, but remember that California has the same issue and sometimes the state breds can offer full, competitive fields that are great in terms of betting.

NT

Keeneland is run by a nonprofit organization of local breedes that spends what would be its profit on facilities for fans and horsemen as well as charitable donations.