What I find interesting is Rick Violette's comments in a related DRF story.
Full article:
http://www.drf.com/news/article/92098.html
Violette, who has 39 horses in New York and 30 more in Florida, said NYRA’s letter is “putting pressure on the legislature” to make a deal.
“We hope it’s a good deal and not some rush to get something done because they’re tired of talking about it,” Violette said.
Violette reiterated the horsemen’s position that the portrayal of Bruno as the person holding up an agreement “is irresponsible.” Violette said Bruno has been the only one fighting for the horsemen’s rights, including a proper cut of projected revenue from slot machines at Aqueduct as well as a change to law that currently doesn’t require horsemen’s approval of NYRA’s simulcasting contracts.
Irresponsible? The NYTHA and NYRA had more than their fair share of opportunity to negotiate for "horsemen's rights" -- including the % of VLT revenue; and only part of that was during the time in which the NYTHA threw their support behind, sided with, and endorsed Empire. Marketing dollars, backstretch improvements, and more, was part of the deal from the very beginning.
This also took place well prior to the bankruptcy filing. During this time, NYRA made numerous efforts and asked to work with the NYTHA on a regular basis and NYRA was summarily shunned.
So now Bruno is the only one fighting for horsemen's rights? Seems to be a very myopic and slanted view to me.
Eric