Does NY need a new track if AQU goes?

[SniperSB23]

Originally Posted by scanman

Does NY need a new track if A is sold? No.

I can't possibly think of where to put another track in NY. NYRA should take the money and put it into Belmont and Saratoga. I'm sure the windfall would be best spent sprucing up both of those facilities. At a minimum, it sounds like they could both make life a lot better by renovating (or rebuilding) the quarters for the stable staff at both tracks.

As far as dates, run Belmont April-Jun and Sep-Nov; Saratoga Jul-Aug. No need for winter racing because once PA start pumping the slot revenue into purses at Penn National and Philly Park they will be on par with (if not exceed) NY. The horses that don't head south to Miami or New Orleans can race there.

I'd open Belmont in mid-February for two preps into the Wood Memorial. Run it until Saratoga starts 4th of July. Saratoga runs through Labor Day and then Belmont runs from there until Thanksgiving culminating with the Cigar Mile. No racing in December or January.

[philcski]

Originally Posted by SniperSB23

I'd open Belmont in mid-February for two preps into the Wood Memorial. Run it until Saratoga starts 4th of July. Saratoga runs through Labor Day and the Belmont runs from there until Thanksgiving culminating with the Cigar Mile. No racing in December or January.

That would be... completely logical!

[fpsoxfan]

Originally Posted by philcski

That would be... completely logical!

I'd like to see that. Maybe a tad early on the start of the Spa meet, but overall it looks like a good plan.

[SniperSB23]

Originally Posted by philcski

That would be... completely logical!

Oh, and you also need to boost the purse of that February Wood prep to get it graded status for it to make any sense to open that early.

[gamblin4ever]

Originally Posted by SniperSB23

I'd open Belmont in mid-February for two preps into the Wood Memorial. Run it until Saratoga starts 4th of July. Saratoga runs through Labor Day and then Belmont runs from there until Thanksgiving culminating with the Cigar Mile. No racing in December or January.

Great idea

Tear down the Belmont grandstands and build something similar to Churchill with skyboxes and hold concerts, weddings, etc. at Belmont like they do at Churchill.

[Downthestretch55]

This might sound crazy, but if Monticello could be had, and switched over to t-breds, and an all season surface put in, it would be a good location for the NY bettors.

[sumitas]

That's why we don't want magna and churchill around with that kind of mall concept.