NY

[Cannon Shell]

There were other tracks in NY earlier in the century that were all competitors. Jamiaca, Empire, Belmont and a few others that I dont recall. Nyra was formed in the 50's to have all the NY tracks under one organization. Aqueduct was a very popular track in the 60's and I believe that the Belmont was even held there while Belmont was being renovated. Aqu is located in Queens not too far from Brooklyn and is on the subway lines from Manhattan and as such was easier for people in these area to reach. Dont forget there was no simulcasting or OTb's and Belmont was a long ways away from the city.

[slotdirt]

Belmont and Aqueduct are pretty darn close to eachother.

[Cannon Shell]

Originally Posted by slotdirt

Belmont and Aqueduct are pretty darn close to eachother.

Not if you dont own a car like many of the residents of NYC

[Sightseek]

The short write-up about NYRA & Empire's speeches:

http://news.bloodhorse.com/viewstory.asp?id=38373

[Holland Hacker]

Sorry this will probably be a longer post than most will care to read. For you I will provide an "Executive Summary" at the end.


Here are some of Mr. Wynns ideas:

High Rise Parking Garage at Belmont beacuse it is a long walk from the parking lot.

Fact - The current shuttle bus systmes seems to work OK for me. Even on big days at Belmont I don't mind waiting for the bus or taking the walk, I don't mind the exercise.

What Wynn is really saying: After we destroy the parking lots to build a "High-End" hotel we will need to provide a high rise parking garage for the rich Manhattanites that will be attracted to the Hotel / Casino, and oh yea the degenerates that will be going to the track will also need somewhere to park their cars.

Get VLTs & Slots at Aqueduct & Belmont.

What a novel concept, it's not like NYRA hasn't been trying to do this for oh say two - three years.

Lets get 12 horse fields. How do you propose doing this? Assuming the horse population remains constant horse will either have to race more frequently or have fewer races and racing days. Maybe he will talk the Jockey Club into allowing cloning of horses that way there will be an unending supply of horses to fill each race with 12 horses. He could also card more NYB MSW races (Not that I have a problem with NYBs in fact I own a small percentage of 2 of them)

"The racing industry here is no different than what it is in Australia. The key will be attracting younger bettors and especially women."

Really Steve we need to attract younger bettors. How do you propose doing that? Oh I get you'll get young women to come to the track. Problem is that NY Law prohibits give aways (ie free admission passes, free drinks etc. There goes "ladies day at the races")

Convert Aqueduct to an upscale lounge for JFK.

This will certainly attract new people to the game. I'm sorry ladies & gentelmen your flight to Paris has been cancelled but feel free to check into the High Rise Hotel & Casino at the "Big A" we have a free shuttle bus. Oh and while you're there why not bet on some live night racing (We will have full 12 horse fields.) This will be a great idea. Can't wait to book a room there so I can wave to the pilots as they pass by on their final approach to JFK.

My Favorite is the Helmut Cam. It worked so long and well for ESPN that he is going to bring it back and put it up on the TV in the infield. I know that alone will entice me to go to the track.

Enough has already been said about Mr. Bailey and his input about the squalor on the back side.


EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:

For those of you who don't have time to read my entire diatribe just read the paragraph below:

If NY awards the franchise to Excelsior than all of the horseplayers from the NY metropolitan area better get used to traveling out of state to go to the track. Philly Park and Monmouth aren't really that bad are they?

[saratoga guy]

Hear some actual audio from Wynn and Excelsior's presentation [including the helmet-cam idea]:

http://www.equidaily.com/

[whodey17]

Originally Posted by Cannon Shell

There were other tracks in NY earlier in the century that were all competitors. Jamiaca, Empire, Belmont and a few others that I dont recall. Nyra was formed in the 50's to have all the NY tracks under one organization. Aqueduct was a very popular track in the 60's and I believe that the Belmont was even held there while Belmont was being renovated. Aqu is located in Queens not too far from Brooklyn and is on the subway lines from Manhattan and as such was easier for people in these area to reach. Dont forget there was no simulcasting or OTb's and Belmont was a long ways away from the city.

Gotcha. I often forget how big New York is. But in todays world is it silly to have both of the tracks? Or is Belmont not suited for winter racing?

[Cannon Shell]

Originally Posted by whodey17

Gotcha. I often forget how big New York is. But in todays world is it silly to have both of the tracks? Or is Belmont not suited for winter racing?

There are a lot of politics in play. Aqu is a NYC track but Belmont is not and I'm sure that NYC would lose a lot of revenue were Aqu be shut down and turned into another parking lot for JFK. But it (NYC) will rake in money if the slots are put there.

[whodey17]

Originally Posted by Cannon Shell

There are a lot of politics in play. Aqu is a NYC track but Belmont is not and I'm sure that NYC would lose a lot of revenue were Aqu be shut down and turned into another parking lot for JFK. But it (NYC) will rake in money if the slots are put there.

Makes sense to me. Cannon if you were in charge what would you do with the 2 tracks?

[slotdirt]

Belmont is actually half in the five boroughs and half in Nassau County.

[Cannon Shell]

Originally Posted by slotdirt

Belmont is actually half in the five boroughs and half in Nassau County.

true

[Cannon Shell]

Originally Posted by whodey17

Makes sense to me. Cannon if you were in charge what would you do with the 2 tracks?

There are so many factors that are beyond my comprehension of the situation that I really dont know what can be done. I suppose if I could have a free rein and the political types would do what I wanted I would continue to operate both tracks with slots. A northern winter track is never going to draw much and you can use most of AQUeducts grandstand for a slots parlor. However I would signifigantly upgrade the area that is used by the horse players. Pretty much the same plan for Belmont which only gets large crowds for the Belmont when a TC is on the line.

[whodey17]

Originally Posted by Cannon Shell

There are so many factors that are beyond my comprehension of the situation that I really dont know what can be done. I suppose if I could have a free rein and the political types would do what I wanted I would continue to operate both tracks with slots. A northern winter track is never going to draw much and you can use most of AQUeducts grandstand for a slots parlor. However I would signifigantly upgrade the area that is used by the horse players. Pretty much the same plan for Belmont which only gets large crowds for the Belmont when a TC is on the line.

So basically take the grandstands and make create a slots parlor. I like this idea. But are slots the cure all for racing?

[Cannon Shell]

Originally Posted by whodey17

So basically take the grandstands and make create a slots parlor. I like this idea. But are slots the cure all for racing?

Who asked them to be a cure? If we are getting a piece of the action and it is put toward making our sport better aren't we better off than if we get nothing but unfair competition?

[Byebyemermaid]

Originally Posted by Cannon Shell

There were other tracks in NY earlier in the century that were all competitors. Jamiaca, Empire, Belmont and a few others that I dont recall. Nyra was formed in the 50's to have all the NY tracks under one organization. Aqueduct was a very popular track in the 60's and I believe that the Belmont was even held there while Belmont was being renovated. Aqu is located in Queens not too far from Brooklyn and is on the subway lines from Manhattan and as such was easier for people in these area to reach. Dont forget there was no simulcasting or OTb's and Belmont was a long ways away from the city.

Lets not forget Sheepshead Bay and Jerome.