NY
 

http://news.bloodhorse.com/viewstory.asp?id=38388

Some highlights

Wynn stating that cameras on jockeys helmets will attract big crowds

A "towering" hotel built at Aqueduct (I guess forgetting about the planes that fly over the track on a regular basis)

Capital Play said that they will expand the races from 8 horses to 12 (I guess they think short fields in NY are due to limits)

They will also "simplify" betting ( maybe you wont have to handicap anymore)

And this article does not even talk about the "beautiful fence" that Capital Play wants to put up around Saratoga. (Like it's Berlin??)

Hey Cannon - help me out here. What is the history of Aqueduct? I mean, why was it ever built when there was Belmont?

You want the cliffnotes version?

Yes please.

There were other tracks in NY earlier in the century that were all competitors. Jamiaca, Empire, Belmont and a few others that I dont recall. Nyra was formed in the 50's to have all the NY tracks under one organization. Aqueduct was a very popular track in the 60's and I believe that the Belmont was even held there while Belmont was being renovated. Aqu is located in Queens not too far from Brooklyn and is on the subway lines from Manhattan and as such was easier for people in these area to reach. Dont forget there was no simulcasting or OTb's and Belmont was a long ways away from the city.

Belmont and Aqueduct are pretty darn close to eachother.

Gotcha. I often forget how big New York is. But in todays world is it silly to have both of the tracks? Or is Belmont not suited for winter racing?

There are a lot of politics in play. Aqu is a NYC track but Belmont is not and I'm sure that NYC would lose a lot of revenue were Aqu be shut down and turned into another parking lot for JFK. But it (NYC) will rake in money if the slots are put there.

Not if you dont own a car like many of the residents of NYC

The short write-up about NYRA & Empire's speeches:

http://news.bloodhorse.com/viewstory.asp?id=38373

Makes sense to me. Cannon if you were in charge what would you do with the 2 tracks?

Belmont is actually half in the five boroughs and half in Nassau County.

There are so many factors that are beyond my comprehension of the situation that I really dont know what can be done. I suppose if I could have a free rein and the political types would do what I wanted I would continue to operate both tracks with slots. A northern winter track is never going to draw much and you can use most of AQUeducts grandstand for a slots parlor. However I would signifigantly upgrade the area that is used by the horse players. Pretty much the same plan for Belmont which only gets large crowds for the Belmont when a TC is on the line.

true

So basically take the grandstands and make create a slots parlor. I like this idea. But are slots the cure all for racing?

Who asked them to be a cure? If we are getting a piece of the action and it is put toward making our sport better aren't we better off than if we get nothing but unfair competition?

I agree with you. Let me rephrase the question...other than slots, what else can be done to help make horse racing better?

I'd love to know Capital Play's plan to draw women to Aqueduct and in turn drawing men..have they actually been there?! I love horses and racing and only a day like the Wood Memorial is going to get me to step foot in the place. I don't see slots being that big of a draw for most woman either and if you were going to go shopping you'd do so in the City where the best stores in the world are. There is just way too much competion with the City to put anythign there that would be remotely appealing to the woman who is not interested in racing in the first place.

OK, no clue how this might work but what do people think about requiring people to buy a betting voucher for the track in order to enter the slots area? Not sure what amount would be appropriate ($20-$100) but it would have to be set to not discourage people from playing the slots but to encourage them to play the races in addition to the slots. Anyone think something along those lines could ever work?

Even that's questionable at this point.

I had a great time this weekend because I was with friends but honestly... I wouldn't have gone by myself. Aqueduct sucks.

It is hard to imagine that if NYRA does not get an extension, that racing in NY will not be thrown into worse chaos and confusion that it already is...time is running very short for a new entity to take over and operate effectively in the short term

I also like how Empire says that they will be able to effectively promote the Triple Crown because they would then own all the tracks....hell-o, it's not the Triple Crown series that needs help, it's the rest of the year and I don't see a whole lot of growth at those tracks they already own.

Belmont can not hold winter racing as it's facility has NO HEAT. They said in a study a few years back that it would be exorbitant to heat the facility and enclose major portions of the grandstand.

It's racing surface is not suitable for winter racing.

AQU USED to have 2 turf courses, just like SAR and BEL. But they ripped out the outer turf course and made it a winter inner track.

Steve Wynn is a Visionary!! NOT
 

Sorry this will probably be a longer post than most will care to read. For you I will provide an "Executive Summary" at the end.


Here are some of Mr. Wynns ideas:

High Rise Parking Garage at Belmont beacuse it is a long walk from the parking lot.

Fact - The current shuttle bus systmes seems to work OK for me. Even on big days at Belmont I don't mind waiting for the bus or taking the walk, I don't mind the exercise.

What Wynn is really saying: After we destroy the parking lots to build a "High-End" hotel we will need to provide a high rise parking garage for the rich Manhattanites that will be attracted to the Hotel / Casino, and oh yea the degenerates that will be going to the track will also need somewhere to park their cars.

Get VLTs & Slots at Aqueduct & Belmont.

What a novel concept, it's not like NYRA hasn't been trying to do this for oh say two - three years.

Lets get 12 horse fields. How do you propose doing this? Assuming the horse population remains constant horse will either have to race more frequently or have fewer races and racing days. Maybe he will talk the Jockey Club into allowing cloning of horses that way there will be an unending supply of horses to fill each race with 12 horses. He could also card more NYB MSW races (Not that I have a problem with NYBs in fact I own a small percentage of 2 of them)

"The racing industry here is no different than what it is in Australia. The key will be attracting younger bettors and especially women."

Really Steve we need to attract younger bettors. How do you propose doing that? Oh I get you'll get young women to come to the track. Problem is that NY Law prohibits give aways (ie free admission passes, free drinks etc. There goes "ladies day at the races")

Convert Aqueduct to an upscale lounge for JFK.

This will certainly attract new people to the game. I'm sorry ladies & gentelmen your flight to Paris has been cancelled but feel free to check into the High Rise Hotel & Casino at the "Big A" we have a free shuttle bus. Oh and while you're there why not bet on some live night racing (We will have full 12 horse fields.) This will be a great idea. Can't wait to book a room there so I can wave to the pilots as they pass by on their final approach to JFK.

My Favorite is the Helmut Cam. It worked so long and well for ESPN that he is going to bring it back and put it up on the TV in the infield. I know that alone will entice me to go to the track.

Enough has already been said about Mr. Bailey and his input about the squalor on the back side.


EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:

For those of you who don't have time to read my entire diatribe just read the paragraph below:

If NY awards the franchise to Excelsior than all of the horseplayers from the NY metropolitan area better get used to traveling out of state to go to the track. Philly Park and Monmouth aren't really that bad are they?

Really? I had a completely different impression. I recently went to AQ for the first time, not Wood-day, and I thought it was great. I've been to a lot of different tracks, yet I came away feeling that Aqueduct really gets a bad rep. I felt 100% comfortable, safe, went all over the facility, and I'd go back in a second.

Hear some actual audio from Wynn and Excelsior's presentation [including the helmet-cam idea]:

http://www.equidaily.com/

Were you in the dining area or the general admission area? The dining area is nice, but I don't see the rest of the track being any better than Suffolk Downs as a comfortable place where a woman would want to hang out.

I'm certainly not an Authority, but sure seems like the structure of simulcast revenues is the real elephant in the room. To me, the tracks get stuck with all the heavy lifting (facilities maintenance, production of racing product) and off track outlets get big cut of handle for doing very little.

I don't understand why NYRA has not taken a seriously aggressive approach to internet wagering. I was disturbed to see them advertising Internet wagering on the starting gate with a PHONE NUMBER and no web address. Are they that clueless?

I would give the Slots crowd what they want, take our share and leave them be. They are generally not horse players. IMO a Sportsbook Atmosphere for horse players with video poker and a few slots are about as good as you are going to get as far as integrating the two.

I really love NY racing and hope things improve...

ha, ha! I pointed that out the other day.

Lets not forget Sheepshead Bay and Jerome.

I was sitting in Equestris, but I went all over. I thought the outside near the paddock was particularly nice, and there were families all around the place.

Then again I've spent many many solo hours at Suffolk, hung out during the race card and for simo before Boston got TVG, even been there relatively early morning to watch races from Dubai a few years ago. I've always felt safe, too, but I guess I really do feel safe at any track because it's where I want to be.

Aqueduct is A LOT nicer than Suffolk IMO.

Downstairs at Aqueduct is just plain disgusting, and I'm not one that is easily disgusted. The upstairs is fine but that first floor could use a good flooding.

See I think that is the key...the track is where you want to be to begin with. I'm interested in seeing how they plan to draw the person who isn't following racing day to day. From the little I've read of their proposals I don't see any of my non-racing friends calling me up and asking me if I'd take them to the track.

I've only gone to Suffolk on MassCap day which had perfect weather and a big crowd that probably wouldn't have been there had Funny Cide not...so I might be a little forgiving of Suffolk.

I think Aqueduct gets a bad rap as well, it is not that bad, especially in the dining room. Wynn's ideas are ridiculous and are all suited to the casino portion, not racing. Clearly he wants a parking garage at Belmont to build on the existing parking lots, not because it is a long walk. Heck, the parking lot is empty most days anyway. I have no problem with parking at Belmont, usually I park on the opposite side of Hempstead Turnpike and get in and out very quickly. To me OTB has had a huge hand in creating small crowds, why go to the track when you can go locally to bet? Getting on-track attendance is not the most important issue, it is attracting more people to the game. I can't understand why NYRA or OTB has not had internet wagering, and if it has been added, than their advertising sucks. Also, Belmont is accesible from Manhattan by the LIRR, so one does not need to have a car. Shopping facilities have and will work anywhere in the Queens area, in fact, the big problem would be the traffic on the Belt parkway as JFK already makes that area bad enough.

Let me try to understand this.Aqueduct where Linden and Rockaway boulevard meet,a place where they sold off half the parking lot where Home Depot stands,and 3 blocks away you have Liberty avenue and the elevated train and most of the business around there are bodegas,hub cap and body and fender shops,annndd then on the other side you have a residential area not too mention the already stated JFK airport,this is where they want to do this.I think they should look elsewhere.

Hard to imagine they actually held a Breeders Cup there.

I do see your point.
I've always felt that where track publicity falls short, it's up to me as a fan of live racing to drag non-racing friends with me. I think I have a 90% success rate converting them into at least part-time fans.

But that is probably just my winning personality. Or a couple of winning tickets.

I was at that Masscap- warm day, big crowd, and the magic of Dutrow.

I'm female and go to AQU a few times a year. I live in Albany so it's a hike but if I lived in the greater NYC area, I'd go alot. It is not Saratoga but it is not nearly as horrible a place as it's portrayed. I have never even considered going to a slot room (never been to the Spa slots) nor would shopping (which I do love!) draw me to the track. If I wanna shop I shop, I prefer going tot he races to play the horses and socialize.

impressive statistics...much better than mine...the last time I got a non-racing friend to watch with me Barbaro broke down...not such a crowd pleaser.

I can't understand why it sticks with some and doesn't with others.

I do an office pool for the Derby each year complete with a large poster of the 'contenders' with little bits of information and photos of each horse. In the end, the only thing people care about is who won the money and no one actually watches the race. So maybe you're right..winning tickets speak more than any high-rise hotel or clean restroom.

magic of Dutrow...lol Hopefully Suffolk can get together another card like that, it was a good day.