Goodbye KY Cup
 

“We are especially disappointed to have to drop the Kentucky Cup Day of Champions,” Elliston continued in a statement. “Great horses came from all over for those races, and they’ve had a significant impact on the Breeders’ Cup. If the state legislature allows us to level the playing field with surrounding states that enhance their purses with gaming revenue, the Kentucky Cup would be high on the list of races we would restore.”

In other words, there aren't enough drug addicts, alcoholics or just flat out POOR PEOPLE in Kentucky so why not give them something else to spend their money on?

I read there are no poor people in WV, no drug addicts in OH and no alcholics in IN. Is that true?

Do slots really make people start hitting the meth pipe or is it the comp drinks you are opposed to?

There are addicts and poor everywhere. It's just about what the greedy are willing to do to get their money. We're here trying to beat a clearly cerebral game -- one of the most challenging around. I find it ironic that we need to rely on those fascinated with pulling slot arms to keep this game going. Maybe an alternative, since there appears to be no real demand for racing in Kentucky the way it's currently structured, is to restructure rather than trying to prey on the weak and the poor. Of course the latter is much easier.

It's naive to think Kentuckians aren't already playing slots. There are bridges here.

Yes indeedy.

So it is against your social principles when we are talking about KY but those poor, downtrodden Canadians that fuel those races and "advances" in the game at Woodbine are OK?

I love the people who blame tracks who dont have slots for their demise in the face of expanded gambling across the street. As though the unlevel playing field just doesn't exist? Why do you think that those bidders in NY weren't willing to play ball with NYS if they didn't give them some protection? No one is saying that the tracks have done a great job in adjusting to the new landscape over the last 20 years. But the fact is that they are part of the game now, like it or not and instead of crying crocodile tears for the addicts (you know the ones that you personally dont benefit from, not the other ones) maybe you should support the money staying in the game as opposed to going straight to our illustrious politicians to spend.

Less racing at all costs. NYRA could survive with out slots and thrive IF they had less racing and some supplements from the State. With 30 mil in funding from the state you could develop a model for racing to thrive 160 days a year at Belmont and SPA. Instead you want more death and destruction from people destroying there lives further.. I never thought handing out free hypo needles made any sense in keeping people healthy. In instead of free needles how about free rehab? Racing needs rehab not a few mg's of andrenaline..

How exactly does racing leeching on slots (and those who really can't afford to lose their money on them) do this?

so...it's ok to leech money from those who can't afford it when it comes to racing, but it's not ok if you leech it thru a slot machine?? yeah, that makes sense.

'supplement'? that's politician-speak.

LOL

How much sentiment will there be in NYS to 'supplement' NYRA?
The media went crazy about giving money to NYRA that they owed them, let alone just handing them money.

And if you believe that politicians are going to take less in the shortterm to possibly make more in the longterm, you simply havent been paying attention.

Are you kidding?

Do you bet on Woodbine or not? You brag about that place yet they are the poster child of good that came from slots.

If they put a casino in Northern KY that isnt associated with Horseracing, the money will go to the company that runs the casino and the state. If you put it at the track then the money will go to the casino operator, the track, the horseman and state. You make the call.

"According to published reports, Rayburn is going to earn a monthly salary of $125,000, significantly more than Casey was making."

Apparently the state is willing to invest they atre paying this guy 1.5 a year.. What's the big deal about an additional 28.5 mil to support an industry that employees folks and yields tax dollars both directly and indirectly? 30 mil isnt a lot of money for an industry!

I always wondered what became of my cat.

Have you slept through the last 9 years? Show me one sign that a politician (not a lame duck like Patterson) will be willing to commit to a longterm deal to 'give' NYRA money? It isnt as though NYRA would want to do this on a year to year basis. I'm sure a $150 million 'giveaway' with the state billions in the hole will go over well.

People will have to blame something else for the drinking problem, no comp drinks in WV or PA.

Something even more tragic in KY is that David Williams is entertaining thoughts of running for governor. He might even win with who they are currently saying his running mate will be........none other than former UK basketball player Richie Farmer.

While KY and MD continue to cancel graded stakes and cut out dates, Charles Town can offer a million dollar race in the spring and have enough purse money to run 235 days a year. I wonder what would cause such a dramatic turn around at a track that nearly closed down 15 years ago?

In other news, I plan on checking out the 85 new table games and 27 table poker room at CT this weekend. I am sure that the 5000 slot machines and the turnaround in racing, purses and jobs at CT are just a coincidence.

It's a shame they weren't looking out for what people couldn't afford during the subprime mortgage crisis. Oops. :o

If we're protecting poor people from themselves, I believe our next order of business is a nationwide ban on the Double Down sandwich at KFC, or perhaps a moritorium on Chinese beer (that last one won't help poor people, but it IS disgusting so I figured I'd throw it in).

The argument about protecting the poor is ridiculous. How are slots not okay, but allowing the oil companies to hike up their prices in pursuit of record margins is? Cuz that sure doesn't affect anybody below the poverty line. Rich people not only get to enjoy greater benefits, they get to enjoy the supposed vices too, I guess, meaning that they don't need to be protected from slots according to the logic of some. Ironic that being a degenerate requires a platinum card. The day the wealthy are immune to gambling addictions is the day PG1985 is elected President of the DAR. Some people have little money, but they know when to stop, and they know how to have a good time with what they've got. Financial weakness isn't automatically an indicator of poor self-control and low IQ. I believe I've seen that somewhere amongst those not impoverished, oh yeah, Jersey Shore...Congress... We who have no access to wagering appreciate the patronizing when the Protectors tell us why. Today my state cracked down even more on internet gambling in a way that I'm pretty sure wasn't legal (shocking). I'm gonna make a shot in the dark and guess there won't be horse racing and slots (or the demon rum before 2pm on Sundays) here any time soon, but I'm sure I'm a better person for it. :rolleyes: