Cuomo: Aqueduct for giant convention/casino complex..
 

As speculated as content in the State of the State address Wednesday, Cuomo and Genting appear ready to make Aqueduct into a giant convention center/casino complex to replace the Javits.

Horseman have been speculating themselves.. that racing is going to get pushed out ultimately to a re-made, winterized Belmont Park.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/45873451

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) - Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced a plan Wednesday by a private gambling enterprise to build the world's largest convention center and hotel complex at New York City's Aqueduct racetrack as part of his push to expand gambling for more state tax revenue and jobs. The proposed $4 billion, nearly 4 million-square foot convention center with 3,000 hotel rooms located in Queens between New York City's major airports would replace the Jacob Javits Center on Manhattan. The Javits Center was considered too small almost from the outset and poorly suited for the kind of bold, glitzy convention center that would be appropriate for Manhattan as a world destination.

Yeah, but wouldn't this Convention Center lose some appeal being based in Queens? Granted they would have the hotel/casino, but for those patrons looking for the City life/expierence will be sorely dissapointed. Let's face it, it's not exactly down the street from NYC.

Not a real surprise, now I can see why the State was so intent on transfering the title of the land from NYRA to the State.

I had high hopes for Cuomo but he has turned out to be a major disappointment and proven that his word means nothing and he can't be trusted.

http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/nat...ct-racing.aspx
It looks like the beginning of the end for Aqueduct racing.

I love Aqueduct. But If this eventually happens, I really hope NYRA is able to get the rights or partner on a parimutuel race book on site.

I don't think a big part of the crowd in the Man O War room, etc, see a live race outside of the monitors in winter. The races could be run on Mars and they would probably wouldn't notice much difference if the product and surface were consistent. A top notch NYRA race book with subway access as part of a casino complex could actually be pretty nice and generate handle.

The Belmont logistics, I imagine would be quite an undertaking...

bye bye Big A
 

I have predicted this maneuver to friends and have seen it personally at several race tracks. Word is that the Big A might be knocked down so that a convention center can be built.

These a-hole MBA's come into the business promising to be partners and at venue after venue, they sell out the racing.

Wake up!!

Maybe Genting is willing to refurbish Belmont and address winterizing the surface at there expense. Maybe Genting is willing to redo the training track with poly so that when its 3 degrees horses can train? Maybe this isnt the worst idea in the world. Look if Genting is willing to pay for the transformation of Belmont how could that be bad for NYRA? Aqueduct is a great surface but I remember reading the thoughts of John Nerud and he was all in favor of the shift to Belmont permanently. It could work!

what is required to winterize the track? what does aqu contain that belmont would need?

The Inner has some chemicals blended in it that keeps the surface available in the winter.

The track isn't the only problem. The facility itself needs to be addressed. Not sure what the heating situation is there, plus the majority (if not all) of the seating is outside. I would also think that the paddock could be an issue, due to it's location, not to mention that it just pretty much a shelter from the sun/rain. I have no idea about the barn area.

They need Genting to commit money and the rest is BS. Sure there are logistical issues none as complicated as what was just built in jiffy(Casino). I say bleed Genting for every buck you can, trust me thay are doing the same to Slot players 24/7. they are wiping out people daily might as well get some construction jobs and work from them, to do some good at Belmont.

I think Pat hit the nail on the head here. NYRA should be able to operate some sort top class race book, somewhere in the venue. It would be criminal to have a casino at Aqueduct and not have any sort of outlet where gamblers could wager on horses.

I saw the word "racing" used once in that entire letter.

Life without Aqueduct

By Bill Finley
Special to ESPN.com

http://espn.go.com/horse-racing/stor.../life-aqueduct

:(

With Finley's article being posted and written, shouldnt you post Neruds piece that deals with all of these issues years ago.

This one?

http://www.derbytrail.com/wp/?p=142

So greed grants racing at Aqueduct a temporary stay of execution. You can always count on greed to win.