Great news for the NYRA. More importantly, great news for racing in general. It appears that most meets throughout the country are up with a few exceptions. The fact I like is the number of starters was up 5.3%. This is huge. The number of starters per race has also increased from track to track meet per meet. This is good news for the industry as well.

New York has the best racing in the world throughout the year. But I think Spitzer is gung ho on getting rid of them (NYRA). They know how to put a good product on the track but there is no denying the corruption inside the NYRA by some people. I am also confused as to why they are always losing money. Apparently, they have a bad business model. Imagine how GREAT New York racing COULD be in they had someone in there that not only knew how to put a great product on the track but also knew how not to lose money. Maybe the NYRA can figure that out.

Hooves Atleast i thought that was quiet funny.:D

Because I know nothing about the subject at hand. But Im enjoying reading this thread.

Bababooey, Ill take the bet. Message me with the particulars

Fa Fa fooooo hi is a fool. He knows nothing, it already been posted they are down and I highly doubt he would pay up.

It is well known that I worked for NYRA in the past. If you know it you can rest assured everyone does. I have never hidden that or my friendships with people at NYRA...duh, I have even alluded to it in this thread.

None of that changes the FACT that I have had to correct a number of you posts where the supposed " facts " that you were delivering were in " fact" lies.

The State claimed, inaccurately, that MGM had not made a commitment ( actually it was the State Lottery head that made these inaccurate recent claims ). MGM sent a letter clarifying this. This supposed " approval " you mention has been sitting on Pataki's desk, so to speak, for a number of months and despite urging from anyone with the interests of racing in mind the soon to be unemployed Mr. pataki refuses to sign the deal. My guess? He's out of crayons.

WHO are these corrupt individuals that you claim there is " no denying " exist???

WHO are they? We need to know, since apparently they exist in this absurd internet world, and nobody can actually find them in the flesh.

They are down. Please show me where this has been posted, and not by some internet poster.

I dont know the names of the people. Now dont be splitting hairs here, you know as well as I do that there was corruption in NYRA. Not saying it was something to get all ruffled up over--but it was there. I am just curious as to why they are always losing money and are always wanting the State to bail them out.

Yes, there WAS corruption there, and the individuals responsible are now gone and the situation has been cleaned up to the absolute satisfaction of Eliot Spitzer and Alan Hevesi.

However, you said there is " no denying the corruption inside the NYRA by some people " which implies there continues to be corruption there. If you are going to make these slanders be prepared to back them up. If this isn't what you meant then you should be careful how you word such accusations.

Well perhaps you shouldnt be so sensitive while reading posts. I dont think I ever said that "currently there is corruption" or "right now, there are corrupt people"......I just said corruption, which exsisted so therefor my statement was accurate.

Whether or not I am being sensitive doesn't change a certain responsibility in making comments. Your comments would suggest that you believe that corruption currently exists at NYRA and that this was basically obvious. These are two beliefs that I do not agree with and feel strongly should only be made if one can specifically back them up. Frankly, I expect idiocy from that other poster here, as she probably has trouble with Velcro, but you do know better. You have every right to not like NYRA, or any organization you so choose, but by the same token you have a certain responsibility in your claims, especially those kinds, and vagueness is not a reasonable defense.

I like the NYRA and I feel that my post no way implied that there was still on-going corruption inside the NYRA. I also believe that statements made should be able to be backup as well. I have been on both sides of the fence. But, in my opionin, no way did my statement imply or infer that there is ongoing corruption inside the NYRA. Again, I like the NYRA and I think they do a good job. I just think there is a better group out there that can do an even better job.

I get my facts the same place you do. I make them up in my head.

There may always be a better group. However, who are they in this case?

I wish I knew the answer to that question. I should of said this...I like the NYRA, but I think they need a better business model. I don't think a non-profit should be losing money like they are. A better business model is basically what they need.

I don't have the answer, or really anything close to it, but I would guess that at least some of NYRA's problems stem from mismanagement in the past. However, I have a lot of confidence in those in charge now, and less than none in at least one of the current supposed " bidders ". I know little to nothing about Excelsior, on the other hand, but as of now there is no information available on what, if any, plans these groups have for running racing in NY.

Truthfully, the main thing the current management at NYRA have going against them is the name NYRA, as they differ substantially, if not completely, from the leadership of the past.

What are you going against here foo hi. Up 8-10% from what when where lets get a little more specific

I should take this bet but I want the handle to be up so I dont want to jinx anything. Keenelands handle has been declining over the past 12 years. Some years are up and some are down, but it has been on the decline for quite some time. So far, from what I have heard, it is about even from last year. However, Keeneland did benefit by the BC being in Nov this year. Gave trainers and owners 1 more week of rest. It is interesting to see the dauly handle chart for Keeneland. Most meets make their money at the middle or end. Keeneland makes theirs in the first week and then it is down from there. But I have a feeling it will be up this meet---they were hoping for 15% but that is not going to happen. I am guess 1% or maybe 2.4%.