NYRA Franchise: "Backwards, not forwards"

[Travis Stone]

Posted it on The Racing Dispatch (www.racingdispatch.com) and available on the Left at the Gate blog.

[Kasept]

STATEMENT FROM NYRA CHAIRMAN, C. STEVEN DUNCKER
Feb 11, 2008

Over the weekend, NYRA met with representatives of the State government and reviewed drafts of a proposed new franchise bill in a bid to resolve the franchise stalemate. Unfortunately, this review process indicated that the franchise discussions are going backward, not forward. The areas of concern continue to be the economic model for the future of racing in New York And governance.

It is essential that this legislation provides a proper framework to ensure that New York thoroughbred racing maintains its leadership position for the life of the new franchise. The bill does not provide the proper business model and economic terms that permits NYRA to emerge from bankruptcy nor does it correct the broken business model of thoroughbred racing in New York, a broken model that can only worsen and further imperil this industry under the legislation currently proposed.

While we agree that the NYRA Board should be streamlined, as we earlier resolved with the Governor in a Memorandum of Understanding last September, the newly proposed structure would politicize the Board and endanger the very reforms that have been accomplished to date. Such a significant step backwards would serve neither the best interests of the racing industry nor the people of New York State.

We find the current state of negotiation to be pointing irrevocably towards a cessation of racing this week.

[hoovesupsideyourhead]

unreal.. any one got stock in sallee horse vans...

[pgiaco]

Un b f'ing lievable. I find it hard to fathom that this process has gone on for the better part of a year to establish a working model for racing in this state and this is the point we are at 72 hours before a shutdown of racing. I don't know how the politicians involved in this can look at themselves in the mirror let alone face the public. As a horseman in NY I am just disgusted with the whole process. I hope my NY breds can compete out of town because I don't see this coming to a good conclusion any time soon.

[blackthroatedwind]

Bruno has repeatedly " bargained " in bad faith against the interests of racing. And, even at this late date, he continues to do so.

[kenny p]

Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind

Bruno has repeatedly " bargained " in bad faith against the interests of racing. And, even at this late date, he continues to do so.

Agreed. But where have all our other state senators been? That includes mine, Sen. Owen Johnson who I have not heard a peep from. Nor has he answered my letters to him about nyra. Are they all scared of Bruno or are they just waiting to see what their cut will be? Albany, what a joke.

[blackthroatedwind]

Originally Posted by kenny p

Agreed. But where have all our other state senators been? That includes mine, Sen. Owen Johnson who I have not heard a peep from. Nor has he answered my letters to him about nyra. Are they all scared of Bruno or are they just waiting to see what their cut will be? Albany, what a joke.

You're far from the only one asking that exact question.

[parsixfarms]

Originally Posted by kenny p

Agreed. But where have all our other state senators been? That includes mine, Sen. Owen Johnson who I have not heard a peep from. Nor has he answered my letters to him about nyra. Are they all scared of Bruno or are they just waiting to see what their cut will be? Albany, what a joke.

It's the culture of Albany. They won't take him on, especially with the Republicans only holding a two-seat majority in the State Senate. Furthermore, they don't know much on the subject; anyone who heard Senator Larkin, the head of the Senate Racing Committee, on the "Down the Stretch" show on the OTB channel in late December can attest to their general lack of knowledge on racing matters.

Perhaps the scariest thing is that I attended a party this past summer at which a highly-ranked member of the Senate majority was present. When I started to talk to him about the franchise issue, his response was that I shouldn't worry because Saratoga is in Bruno's district. The other implication from the conversation was that, because Bruno's district includes Saratoga, the other senators will defer to his "expertise" on the subject.

[outofthebox]

Originally Posted by pgiaco

Un b f'ing lievable. I find it hard to fathom that this process has gone on for the better part of a year to establish a working model for racing in this state and this is the point we are at 72 hours before a shutdown of racing. I don't know how the politicians involved in this can look at themselves in the mirror let alone face the public. As a horseman in NY I am just disgusted with the whole process. I hope my NY breds can compete out of town because I don't see this coming to a good conclusion any time soon.

this is horrible for the horseman in Ny this winter who rely heavily on the purses during the winter months. If there is stoppage of racing then i would have to think that most of the Ny breds are going to be hurt the most, especially the mdn claimers. I would doubt that they can compete anywhere else. Im sorry you have to through this aggrivation. Hope things turn the corner soon!

[the_fat_man]

While it sucks for the horsemen, and I feel for them, my point of view is from the gambling end, and as I hardly ever go to the track, and having recently branched out to other tracks, rather than having POLITICAL hands in the pot, just shut the damn thing down. Plenty of other action out there.

If the NY politicians won't allow the game to operate without their intervention then tear down AQU and put up condos. I'd certainly want to live in the HIGHLY DESIRABLE Ozone Park area of Queens, directly UNDER the JFK Apt's flight path. I'd move in tomorrow.

Last thing we need is NYRA run as if it were OTB.

Screw 'em.