Can NY racing survive this? All of Albany seems out to get them.

Cuomo is nothing more than a crook in a suit. As a teacher I continue to laugh at my Union (NYSUT) who supported this jackass. After elected, he stuck it to the teachers union. It's bad enough I pay dues to these idiots, but I laugh when they send out the VOTE COPE campaign contributions form.

The man is no good!

I think the only hope is what they are doing is so transparent that it will never hold up.

They were looking for someone like Hazel Dukes

yet another example of shooting racing in the foot..congrats to albany..you have done it again.

:tro:

Has there ever been anyone with better qualifications for the position?

Thank you for the informative post, and thus the true crux of the matter comes, it is always a money grab by one source or the other isn't it? It is too bad that the actually horseman, the fans, the and racing product itself will be the only who suffer in the situation. I remember back to my early days following racing and New York was the place.. now well unfortunately its just kinda like everywhere else.

It sure seems that there is just WAY too much politics withing racing, and that goes for just about every state who allows racing. California is a mess, Kentucky seems to becoming a mess, NY is a mess.. sad.

I'm holding my breath in wait for you to enlighten the rest of us as to where the racing is better than New York?

Keep holding you breath, maybe you will drop dead. While you are at it, try to improve your comprehension skills. I never said anything was better(regardless of my personal opinion), I said it has simply become the same as everywhere else.

When I say the same, I mean short fields, tough to fill races, a lot of scratches, and political issues that are hard to overcome.

Genius! At least you got one of four things right.

The NYRA Edition of 2012 Greatest Hits of Horse Racing
 

A non-binding deal between the state and Genting, letter says Posted on January 6, 2012 at 12:46 pm by James M. Odato, Albany Times Union
Cuomo administration officials say they are privately negotiating details under a non-binding agreement that would allow Genting Group to build a extremely large convention center at New York’s Aqueduct Race Track. The state has not indicated any plans to allow other companies to bid for the rights to develop the Queens track site, despite racing law that requires an open process.
----------------------------------------------------------
From the PETA blog: Horses and people who care about them can rest a little easier tonight. HBO has announced that it is canceling Luck and ceasing all production on the series! March 14, 2012
http://www.peta.org/b/thepetafiles/a...uck-horse.aspx
----------------------------------------------------------

Breakdown Death And Disarray At America's Racetracks, Mangled Horses, Maimed Jockeys
By WALT BOGDANICH, JOE DRAPE, DARA L. MILES and GRIFFIN PALMER
Published: March 24, 2012, New York Times
The new economics of horse racing are making an always-dangerous game even more so, as lax oversight puts animal and rider at risk.
----------------------------------------------------------
Officials are pessimistic about the future of racing Posted on April 17, 2012 at 7:15 pm by James M. Odato, Albany Times Union
New York State Franchise Oversight Board member John Crotty said he doesn’t think enough people are interested in horse racing to sustain the sport and other members said NYRA isn’t taking enough bold moves to rev up its operation.
----------------------------------------------------------
Report says NYRA president misled the public on overcharges Posted on April 30, 2012 at 9:48 am by James M. Odato, Albany Times Union
The Racing and Wagering Board investigators lay out a timeline that suggests Hayward and his former associate, Steve Crist, were in correspondence about the problem and in agreement in keeping it quiet.
----------------------------------------------------------
Big Purses, Sore Horses, and Death By JOE DRAPE, WALT BOGDANICH, REBECCA R. RUIZ and GRIFFIN PALMER Published: April 30, 2012, New York Times
Large payouts to owners make it profitable for owners to field thoroughbreds that are past their prime, sometimes with fatal results.
¬----------------------------------------------------------
PETA files new complaints against HBO’s ‘Luck’
By JERRY BOSSERT, NY Daily News Thursday, May 03, 2012
LOUISVILLE - The animal rights group PETA has filed new complaints with the Los Angeles district attorney's office and with the California Veterinary Medical Board alleging severe mistreatment of horses on the set of HBO's race track series Luck, which was canceled in March following the death of a third horse.
----------------------------------------------------------

NYRA scolded for filling executive slots Posted on May 15, 2012 at 5:07 pm by James M. Odato, Albany Times Union
State watchdogs blasted the New York Racing Association on Tuesday…As punishment, the Division of Lottery is instructing Genting, the operators of the racino at Aqueduct, to withhold NYRA’s share of video lottery terminal betting and instead send those payments to a dedicated Lottery account.

Bossert, Drape, Odato.. No biased reportage out of that trifecta.

Sure, it will always be that way as long as takeout is collected first, at an arbitrary percentage. The respective states get paid first, at a constant percentage, and need not have any concern about the day to day operations. The state governments are not forward thinking enough to grow the business or help it to thrive. They don't care - and they never will. The only performance oriented people are the others you allude to - the horsemen, the jockeys, the track operations people.

It's another classic leech situation, just like high taxes. When the government gets paid first - like the witholding in your weekly paycheck - they are insulated from the other worries that other earners - like you who earned the check - may have.

Steve, I gave a statement over the phone to Odato regarding a story he wrote related to the NYRA mess, the one about there being no state examiners at the tracks any more. Thought it was a well done, accurate story.

Does he have a track record of bias, in your opinion? Seemed pretty professional to me, but maybe I shouldn't give him any more statements.

Odato has been a NYRA-bashing, blunt instrument puppet of politicos on an unending basis.

The tax-examining issue that you've been stumping is a great question and note how little attention it's received.

Steve, I have been in contact with the NY State Inspector General's Office regarding the Tax Dept.'s role in this. Don't know if anything will come of it.

Also, the monthly union publication for PEF members, The Communicator, will have a story in it next month for which I was interviewed and gave input.

Wow I'm impressed. I work at a NY state agency right next to the Tax building 8 and am surrounded by PEF union workers. Well maybe I shouldn't use the word workers because probably 80% of them do maybe 3 hours of real work that us taxpayers pay the 37.5 hours of pay for. Maybe that's why they have to hire us contractors for.
So you think having another do nothing PEF worker overseeing this for 3 hours a week would be a good solution. No wonder why this state is a joke. Go back to sleep.

Well said. I hope that since this action by NY State is so transparent it will come back to bite the Governor, his jackass budget director, the Racing and Wagering Board and the Franchise Oversight board in thne a$$.

NY Government, where incompetence is at its pinnacle.

True words about Cuomo Administration.. “We operate at two speeds here: Get along and kill.”.

http://articles.nydailynews.com/2012...-eliot-spitzer

Little question which approach they have taken with NYRA.

This is question that just popped into my mind (sorry if it sounds foolish):

Obviously now that there is a TC at stake and huge amounts of money on the line as far as handle/attendance an so on, plus national (even world wide) exposure, is there any chance of seeing a power play made by either side? We all know that Albany is trying to turn the screws on NYRA, could they try to use the Belmont as some sort of leverage? Also with all media attention that the Belmont is going to get, wouldn't this be a good time for NYRA to launch a counter attack?

Does Cuomo show up for the trophy presentation?

Damn i was going to post the exact same thing. Will he show up with his girlfriend

I can guarantee that I won't be the only person in the crowd booing him as soon as they show him on any in-house feed.

I posted this at another site:


"Given the political turmoil, does he (Gov. Cuomo) make an appearance at the Belmont as other Govs. have in the past? Does he use the opportunity to slam NYRA some more publically?

Also, it'll be interesting to see how much of the "drama" is covered by the national media, if any, in the days leading up to what figures to be a huge day for NY racing."

Cuomo wasn"t there last year so I would expect the same.

I would be shocked if a man with Cuomo's ambitions would pass up the opportunity to be on NBC in front of a huge audience with a Triple Crown on the line.

Overhaul announcement looming...

http://www.timesunion.com/local/arti...al-3576481.php

Nothing good can come out of government control. This looks scary for NY racing. Nothing like jumping to conclusions before the investigation is completed.

Press Release
 

CUOMO, LEGISLATIVE LEADERS, NYRA ANNOUNCE AGREEMENT TO ESTABLISH NYRA REORGANIZATION BOARD

Public Control for 3 Year Period to Improve Horse Racing in New York State; New Board to Conduct National Search for Executive Leadership

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo, Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos, Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, and the New York Racing Association (NYRA) today announced an agreement to establish the NYRA Reorganization Board that will place NYRA under temporary public control in order to reform the association and transform oversight and management of horse racing in New York State.

"As the upcoming Belmont Stakes shows, the racing industry is a vital part of New York State's culture and economy, attracting millions of dollars in tourism revenue from across the nation and supporting thousands of jobs," Governor Cuomo said. "With the structure of the gaming industry changing here in New York, the state also needs to take a new approach to how it manages and governs racing. New Yorkers can be assured that the NYRA Reorganization Board will act in the interests of the members of the public who enjoy horse racing, the taxpayers who support it, and the horses themselves, to make racing in our state the strongest, safest and most enjoyable in the country."

Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos said, "The NYRA Reorganization Board will put in place new leadership to ensure that bettors and taxpayers are treated fairly and honestly. We will continue working together with the Governor and NYRA so New York State remains a leading home for horse racing."

Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver said, "New York's horse racing industry supports jobs and local economies all across the state. It is important to maintain the integrity of the sport so that those who come out to enjoy these events are not shortchanged or treated unfairly. By working together with the NYRA leadership and the Governor, we will make sure that racing in New York State continues to be a leading economic driver and tourist attraction that is enjoyed by people from across the nation each year."

NYRA Board Chair Steven Duncker said, "I want to express my appreciation to the Governor for his commitment to a world class horse racing industry in New York. The NYRA Reorganization Board will help ensure that racing in New York has a strong and stable future as the gaming and racing industry evolves. I thank the members of the current NYRA Board for supporting the changes announced today and together we will work to ensure a smooth transition and bright future for New York racing."

NYRA Board Member John Hendrickson said, "The bettors, fans, public, and government deserve trust in their racing. This resolution is a necessary first step. I am encouraged that racing will now receive enthusiastic commitments from Albany. Governor Cuomo is to be commended for his vocal support of racing, and for bringing all parties together for a positive resolution."

Barry Ostrager, President of the New York Thoroughbred Breeders, said "It is a great comfort to the New York thoroughbred breeders to know that Governor Cuomo has reaffirmed the State's commitment to support the New York breeding program and to protect and expand the number of jobs that have recently been created by our revivified industry."

NYRA Board Member and NY Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association President Rick Violette Jr. said,"The New York Racing Association today announced the reconfiguration of their Board of Directors. We are excited we have a Governor who has announced he will champion our industry. New York's Thoroughbred horsemen are willing to work hand in hand with the new Board and the Governor's office to ensure we have a robust industry that continues to provide the very best racing in the country."

The NYRA Reorganization Board will be comprised of a majority of publicly appointed directors, with a Chair nominated by the Governor. The Board will be in effect for 3 years to restructure and reorganize NYRA, following which NYRA will revert back to majority private control. The current NYRA Board will be dissolved. The NYRA Reorganization Board will go into effect when a majority of the new public directors are appointed. Once appointed, the new board will conduct a national search for a new CEO and General Counsel for NYRA.

The NYRA Reorganization Board will consist of 17 directors. Seven will be appointed by the Governor. The Senate and Assembly will appoint two directors each and five directors will be selected by the current NYRA Board. Breeders and Horsemen will each have an ex officio member. Additionally, a chairperson will be nominated by the Governor subject to Board approval. The current board is 25 directors, with 14 elected by NYRA and 11 appointed by public officials.

The agreement will require legislation to implement which both leaders have agreed to support.

NYRA is a not-for-profit corporation that is responsible for the operation of the three largest horse-racing tracks in New York: Aqueduct Racetrack in South Ozone Park, Queens; Belmont Park in Elmont, Long Island; and Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs.

Sheldon Silver involved in transparency and reform? Seriously? This is the guy who refuses to disclose the relationships he has with business that the State does business with.

I was thinking the same thing. Nothing that comes out of that rat's mouth is the truth. Sooner or later the feds have to lock up that criminal.

The bad part is that now they are willingly allowing the State to alter the franchise agreement. Why that matters is that the franchise agreement allowed State development at Aqueduct and Belmont, but not in the racing areas. Guess what goes out the door next. State had already violated 2 provisions of the agreement, possibly 3.

It is like the State is playing Russian Roulette with NYRA and handing NYRA a gun with all chambers filled with live bullets.

And then pulling out another gun and shooting them.

This will mean an end to racing at Aqueduct. It will be interesting once the governor gets the slots and table games approved and no more need for VLT's what will happen to NY racing then?

I agree, and with Aqueduct would go winter racing. I don't see the state shelling out the money to winterize Belmont.

That will also have a huge impact on the NY Breeding program.

DiNapoli
 

"NYRA desperately needs a major overhaul," said state Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli, whose auditors uncovered the takeout overcharges. "Reorganizing the board is a step in the right direction."

I thought it was a horse player, not the auditors, who uncovered the failure to cut back the 1%. If so, just another example of the state pols trying to mislead and take credit for something they didn't do - or am I wrong on this?

Read more: http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-raci...#ixzz1veoOoUSG

Semantics. The horseplayer who uncovered it did not have any way of taking corrective action. He thought "pointing it out" to NYRA would be enough. The NYS Dept. of Audit and Control was the REGULATORY governmental agency that actually brought the error to light, and caused the snowball to start rolling downhill.

I don't think the state deserves any "credit" for this at all. The NY State Racing and Wagering Board, the Franchise Oversight Board, and the NY State Dept. of Taxation and Finance all failed miserably in protecting the wagering public's interest in what went on here (not to mention NYRA's own auditors). Audit and Control at least saved their face somewhat.