The KY Derby is in the category with the Superbowl, World Series, NBA Championship. People pay for the best of the best. The Travers is like AA baseball. The only big race NYRA has all year depends on if the KY Derby winner shows up going for a triple crown. Lets see, 150,000 people in KY or 60,000 people in NY (where the population is 8 million). NYRA is a crooked non-profit. I bet you are a Republican who goes around saying how business should run everything, except when there is an opportunity for corrupt non-profits.

I am watching whatever I want because I own a dish.

You cant compare the Travers to the Derby--lol. That is ridiculous. Travers they get about 40 thousand people there. Derby day they have 150 thousand.

Fair statement. But the tracks in Kentucky have a lowes payout on 3 and 4 horse bets. I dont know much Gulfstream as I dont wager that track. I am not a big Frank fan. I honestly think Churchill gets the contract.

Look at the tv ratings too. Millions watch the derby, a couple hundred thousand the Travers.

The concessions at churchill are contracted out by a thrid party vendor. Churchill has nothing to do with that. But again, it is Derby.

Let's keep the money in NYS. I favor the NYRA with a better business model.

It is far from clear that Churchill is an interested party.

Understand, unless the statute is changed to a " for-profit " entity there will be no bidders.

What money? NYRA loses money and pays zero taxes.

We don't want NYS racing money siphoned off to Churchill or Stronach or any other outsider.

The statute is nothing. That can be changed easily and will be changed. And I know for a fact that CDSI is interested. In fact, I know exactly when they are going to bid.

Now, keep a close eye on Delaware North Group. They are sneaky and have a shot at winning the bid.

What NYS racing money? Is there any?

NY racing wants to keep NY racing money in NY for NY racing.

Exactly. Money will always trump some ridiculous statute. Someone is going to win a bidding war. Way too much money involved with slots for the state to not take the quick payment rather than wait years for the money.

NY does not want to subsidize Churchill, Delaware, Stronach or anybody else. Let's keep the money in NY for the good of our horse industry. And no outsider will take over NY racing.

What makes you think it wont stay in NY?

Everybody knows that. That's why an outside group cannot take over NY racing. They are wasting their time. The bid goes to a NY group under the watchful eyes of the NY government.

Yeah right...on all counts.

Elvis has left the building.

The bid is going to the group that puts up the most cash. It is that simple.

That archaic way of thinking is what got the NYRA is such a financial problem. I would be SHOCKED if a New York Company won the bid. CDSI runs racetracks--that it what they do and they are good at it. They prob are the top 2 frontrunners right now. CDSI has been planning this for years.

Nothing is that simple in NY my friend. The bid winner will be a NY group and stays in NY for NY racing, not out of state.

Again, I would be surprised after the debacle of the NYRA.

I know it isn't simple in NY because of the corruption, but your next governor was the guy who went after NYRA and said the bid is going to go to the highest bidder.

I would love to see some new blood in NY but here is an interesting question just asked to Kiaran McLauglin

Saratoga Springs, NY
You've been a member of the NY Racing fraternity for several years. As the NYRA franchise goes out to bid, what one recommendation would you have for the new franchise holder even if it turns out to be the current NYRA group?

McLaughlin
Getting Polytrack is an absolute MUST.


I don't see them going to poly at Saratoga or Belmont but they should.

The NYRA gives everyone in attendance t-shirts etc. on their giveaway days. and ebayers like that too. coolers are brought in by happy, happy fans and families. it's a community atmosphere at the NY tracks not a rip off and NYRA can be thanked for that. NYRA is regulated, as any group will be.

Sumitas--every track does that. Everytime you go to Churchill you get a t-shirt, poster, glass, hat etc etc.

the NY tracks are fan friendly up and down the board. they are fun for families or high rollers or the most avid pure horse racing fans. Saratoga is the world's greatest meet.

i doubt any group of outside sharks like Churchill or Stronach or Delaware stand a chance to rip off NY racing. the money will stay in NY so a NY group, or a combination thereof, will win. and i think there are 2 or 3 interested, including the NYRA.

I love Saratoga but Del Mar is better than Saratoga. A NY group would be fine but NYRA can't get the bid. They just have too many black marks on their record.

they do. but there are other NY groups in the hunt. God forbid we get a group that encourages a carnival atmosphere of debauchery and mahem on the infield during races. it would be shocking to see a race in NY with a ferris wheel or blitzed out freaks in the infield. NY racing is fun, fan friendly, family friendly and is conducted with the decorum that the sport deserves.

yeah Del Mar looks real cool. i see alice in chains is playing there in aug. nice.

E/B,

You're out of your element here 'bounce. Levy Restaurants is the CDI foodservice operator. Larry Levy was brought in when Dick Duchesois became an integral part of the "CDI family"... Levy runs EVERY SINGLE ELEMENT of the foodservice operation at CD, and brings in several concessionaires like my Carolina Barbecue on the big days to supplement the existing F&B options. CDI has plenty to do with the decisions involving the foodservice. THey have something to do with absolutely everything that goes on around 4th and Central. They are exceedingly corporate.

They also have no shot getting involved in NY. No single entity is going to "win" the NY bid. And the existing NY entity WILL be heavily involved in the final re-design of NYRA...

They call it 4 Oclock fridays. Jimmy Eat World is there this summer too. I guess you can always head over to the ballet up in Saratoga. ;)

Kasept I am well aware of your BBQ stand and it is very very good by the way. However, when it comes to the pricing of the product the final say is determined by Dick. I know CDSI is very corporate and they decided who gets the contract. But the pricing is not soley determined by CDSI.

I guess the atomosphere the NYRA encourages is the reason why they cant get a $20mm loan to continue to operate. Look, you have to combine making money with good racing. Sometimes the two have to meet in the middle.

There is plenty of money generated by the ny tracks. with a correct business model the tracks will all be solvent. no need for carnies and all sorts of gimmicks foisted on horse racing by incompetent managers. if you want a theme park, go there. i really think frankie missed his calling. malls, theme parks, stuff like that suits him. not race tracks. the outsiders will have to look elsewhere to siphon off horse race money for their failed ventures.

I live in NY and the tracks need to do something. Friday night concerts at Belmont with real bands or something. You are better off just watching races on tv than going to the track right now.

i'm sure the new group will entertain the fans with music...although the ballerinas have that certain something :D

This is how a racetrack operation should be handled.

As the search for his successor continues, Churchill Downs Inc. president and chief executive officer Tom Meeker presided over his 22nd and final shareholders' meeting Thursday, painting a positive picture of the racetrack operating company's future while also accepting plaudits from fellow directors and company employees.
"Over the next several months there will be dramatic changes in this company under the leadership of a new person," Meeker said as he opened the meeting.

As the CDI executive search committee continues its work in choosing his successor, Meeker said he would like to see a new president and CEO who is a "proven leader with a sense of risk-taking who also understands technology and new products it will create."

Meeker reiterated observations he has made in recent months that the horse industry needs to change the business model under which it operates by obtaining more revenues from simulcasting ventures. He also cited CDI's expansion into European wagering markets, in conjunction with Magna Entertainment, as a positive move that will fuel industry growth.

Richard Duchossois, CDI's largest shareholder, would not provide specifics of the search for Meeker's successor because he is not on the search committee. But he said he believed the company is on the right course to position itself for future growth.

As part of the Meeker sendoff, a video tribute recounting progress the company has made under Meeker and accolades from employees was played.

Following the video, an emotional CDI board chairman Carl Pollard said that Meeker credited his employees when things went well, but that "when things went south, there was only one man standing. He takes no credit for success but full responsibility" when it is negative.

Judging by the positive financial condition of the company as indicated by the 2005 financial results, Meeker could be taking a lot of credit.

"2005 was a remarkable year," Meeker said. "We have gotten ourselves into a position in which we are as strong financially as we have ever been. We are well-positioned to execute on various strategies both in the short-term and long-term."

Recounting the two hurricanes, one tornado, and an outbreak of equine herpesvirus at CDI-owned tracks during 2005 that impacted the company's business, Meeker said those negative developments were more than offset by the benefit from the sale of Hollywood Park in California and other corporate decisions that led to an overall good year financially.

(CDI previously reported 2005 earnings totaled $78.9 million, compared to net earnings of $8.9 million during 2004. Net earnings per diluted share for 2005 totaled $5.86, which included net earnings per diluted share from continuing operations of $0.96 and net earnings per diluted share from discontinued operations of $4.90. In 2004, net earnings per diluted share equaled $0.67, which was comprised of net earnings per diluted share from continuing operations of $0.73 and a net loss per diluted share from discontinued operations of $0.06.

Net revenues from continuing operations, which included a full-year of revenues from the company's Louisiana operations, totaled $408.8 million in 2005, a 13.2% increase over net revenues from continuing operations of $361.2 million generated during 2004. Net revenues from continuing operations during the fourth quarter of 2005 totaled $81.7 million, a 4.9% decrease from the net revenues of $85.9 million generated by the company's continuing operations during the fourth quarter of 2004.)

During the business part of the meeting, shareholders re-elected Meeker, Leonard Coleman, G. Watts Humphrey, and Craig Duchossois to three-year terms as Class I directors.

Give me a break will you? They sold Hollywood!!!!!!!! What are the numbers without selling Hollywood? Its a loss without that.

Maybe once they own NY racing they can sell aqueduct and race at Belmont on the poly all year long. :eek:

I mean only an idiot would accept a puff piece from teh company itslef and try to pass it off as proof that they are a-ok.
Wanna know what really happened? They bought a bad business(Hollywood) bled out a lot of red ink, then dumped it. gee, thats a great plan huh? What a hit, you sell a bad property that bled red ink. Then try to represent it as a banner year with flowers blooming and sunshine shining.