New bill would give more money to NYTHA
 

http://news.bloodhorse.com/viewstory.asp?id=39452

From The BH, on the heels of a potentially new VLT deal, now this . . . and on another note . . .

http://news.bloodhorse.com/viewstory.asp?id=39448

Jim Gallagher has taken the position of Executive Director of the NYTHA.


Eric

You would hope that this is a temporary deal. It costs owners a lot of money to race in NY

Lovely, just lovely . . .

From The BH

"One racing-related bill did pass both houses prior to the Senate adjourning. The bill, which was pushed by the New York Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association, would double the amount of money the association retained from purses for a one-year period from 1 percent to 2 percent.

In lobbying for the bill, the horsemen's association claimed it needed the additional money in order to pay its legal bills as it represents its claims related to NYRA's bankruptcy filing. NYRA filed for bankruptcy late last year."

Need the money for legal bills? That is the biggest crock of $h1t I've ever heard. This is not representation of the horsemen community at large. I don't mind paying the extra 1%, nor do I mind the cost being doubled. What I do very much mind is the inefficient and ineffective use of these dollars, and the money that has been wasted.

Eric

You just cannot keep milking the owners at every step. The horsemen need a place at the table, just like Zito said, as equals with the track operator and the casino guy.

Eric, can you do a breakdown of all the money that is taken out of a win check in NY, please?

Let's assume winner's share is $20,000.

I know:

10% to trainer commission - $2,000
10% to jock commission - $2,000

What else do they take? What's your $20k worth by the time they get done?

Agree, it's killing us with all the peoples hands out for share of owners purse!

Eric, I'm a owner here in NY also,when is the LAST NYTHA newsletter that we've gotten? And the web site is down again! And we are NOT allowed as NYRA horsemen to attend the NYTHA meetings NOR are we allowed to get a written transcript of the meetings. What the hell is going on here in NY? The ONLY time we actually hear from these guys is when we get the letter asking for our voting support when they run for the NYTHA board of directors.

And they wonder why small time owners are looking to go elsewhere or leave racing.

Screw them, they chose to break ranks with NYRA and align themselves with other groups, let the damn board members cough up the cash! That decision was never put up for a NYTHA vote!

Heres what they deduct from my/our owners share of purse here in NY-NYRA:

Fighting Speedy won at Saratoga 8/14/05- we won $28,200 purse>

Deductions:

Trainers 10% 2820.00
Groom 3% 846.00
Jockey Fee-John Velazquez 10% 2820.00
Jockey Club 2.50
Backstretch Insurance fee 12.50
Pony handler 20.00
NYTHA 282.00:confused:
Backstretch Pension Fund 282.00
NYJICF Jockey Insurance 211.50
Trainers racing Fee 80.00:confused:
Lasix vet fee 20.00
Retired horse fund fee 282.00
Win pictures 750.00

Thats what was deducted from my/our owners check...UNBELIEVABLE!:mad:

On top of that my Aug Trainers bill was 2475.00
Farrier bill was 230.00
Vet bill 810.00
Shipping fees to SAR 320.00

Almost 15 grand!!! and that does not include my expenses to drive and stay in Saratoga!


Next thing will be charging NYRA owners/trainers a separate WORKOUT FEE to breeze over the main and a separate one for the Oklahoma TT and another fee for the clockers...just like NY bridge and tunnel tolls to raise money! I better buy a EZ Pass for my horses so I get one monthly bill rather than wait in line at the track entrance for each morning workout and pay the clockers.
__________________

Just to clarify a few things, and I am not questioning anything regarding your bill, trainer, etc. First, the 3% for the groom -- doesn't that appear on your trainer's bill (as a barn stake)? Second, I was only referring to the NYTHA portion -- in this case, it would double, going from 1% to 2%. I don't have a problem with the Pension fund, NYJICF Jockey fund, or the retired horse fund fee (which is optional, and thank you for contributing).

However, I have never seen any of the details or specifics on this Backstretch Insurance Fee. I did not think this was the fee for backstretch workers getting health insurance -- if it is, and they have coverage, etc., then I am fine with that. I was told there was some sort of welfare benefit plan, but I never saw the details.

Also, I do not know what a trainers racing fee is, and for $750 -- you must have had a ton of friends you were buying pictures for, LOL.

Eric

I agree with you. Communication, unity, good feelings -- there hasn't been much of this. I have always said -- the fish stinks from the head down. I've attended every single one of the open meetings. I haven't been impressed and that's nothing personal against any board member. I just don't think the board has a collective, unified vision, nor do they have a good handle on how to go about addressing and working with those neccessary on the crucial issues today.

I think the board should undergo a comprehensive strategic planning process. Being in an outisde consultant, go through the process -- and get to work.

Eric

What open meetings? When we owners ask about meetings and our going, they tell us ONLY BOARD members can attend. These guys are more secretive than CIA:eek:

There have been open meetings the past several years. I can't remember any not at Belmont. One of them, I think it was in 05 (when Bob Fox was still on the board) was in the Trustees Room at Belmont. It was right around the time of the annual election, so that used part of the meeting to introduce the candidates, incumbents, etc.

I don't know if any are planned for 2007, but I will ask. Don't get me wrong, they haven't been fantastic meetings, but it's better than not having them at all.

Eric

$750 for winners pictures ? that is robbery. how can owners make any money unless purses go up and these demands remain level?

That has to be a mistake, or they bought about 30 pictures, LOL.

Eric

The manging partner purchased that many...:mad:

The 30 or more pictures had to be for the partners -- or else he was using them as wallpaper in his office, LOL.

Eric

$810 a month for a vet bill?
That is about 5 times more than I pay to keep a nine year old running.

Vet bills are like people's medical bills -- some are healther than others, require less care, etc.

I'd have to check my records about shipping to the Spa, but when horses ship from Belmont to Aqueduct and vice versa, there is no charge. NYRA provides shipping. I thought they also provided it for shipping to the Spa from Belmont/Aqueduct.

The other charge I think it out of line is the blacksmith -- $230 is very high. I'd have to check my NYRA statements/records, but all the race charges (NYRA/NYTHA, and related charges -- pension, NYTHA, jock insurance fund, etc.) all in, I thought were no more than 3%, actually less.

I've had vet bills anywhere between $150 to $1800 a month. Obviously the $1800 figure was when a horse had a serious problem. Those #'s didn't repeat or last for very long -- we moved those horses very quickly.

Eric