As usual, Alan Mann's Left at the Gate take on the situation, and the TVG segment, offers great perspective: http://leftatthegate.blogspot.com/20...na-please.html

So the horseman have all the power in this game? They make the takeouts happen?

The horsemen were NOT the driving force nor even a voice in the takeout increase which came at the time of the legislation renewing the franchise agreement.

How about in California or in Ky takeouts?

From the blog:::::::::::I can well be willing to be price flexible if the product is worth the cost. No, I'm not interested in betting on Tioga Downs, thank you, and, though I'm aware that the takeout on certain bets in New York is certainly too high, I'll pay that price to play NYRA races over Evangeline Downs given the choice.

Yes you will, the person that on a good day might bet a few hundred dollars but that is NOT what the person who bets 5-10k a day will do and you can take that to the bank. The only reason they MAY still play there is due to the size of the pools. This is why Ky did so well for so long with big bettors, lowish takeout yet pool size to handle larger bets. As handle rises these guys take their money to places that can handle both their concerns.