CRIST: Sets the NY facts straight

[fpsoxfan]

Originally Posted by Hickory Hill Hoff

Back in the 70's the Grand Union chain in the northeast ran a simliar promotion. The races were from Hialeah I believe, my Dad won $50 from the game and somewhere I still have the "play at home" game that they made from the show.

That's funny Hoffy...I remember that too. They used to play the races on a Saturday night. You could tell the races they used were old because you'd see these ladies in 60's style mini skirts.
I may play today. I'm not sure. I'm very frustrated with Keeneland. Tough to get a good read .

[golfer]

I vaguely remember that as well. In fact, that's was probably what led me to being the degenerate horse player I am today!!! Sonofableep Damn you Grand Union!!

[fpsoxfan]

Originally Posted by golfer

I vaguely remember that as well. In fact, that's was probably what led me to being the degenerate horse player I am today!!! Sonofableep Damn you Grand Union!!

lol

[Danzig]

thanks for posting that steve. but there is still a possibility of nyra retaining control, correct?

i remember reading a few years ago about the whole slots deal....when the first few tracks got them, of course their bottom line got huge. but like that article said, once everyone gets them, the playing field is level again, and it still comes down to who does their job the best.

i don't understand why horse racing doesn't market itself like the casinos. it's as tho too many in racing don't want that side of it let out--but why?? people like to gamble, let them know how much more fun it is to make an educated guess, win some money, rather then sitting and mind-numbingly feeding a coin slot.
i went to a casino once, and i hated it. i have never touched the instant racing machines at oaklawn.

[blackthroatedwind]

Originally Posted by Danzig

thanks for posting that steve. but there is still a possibility of nyra retaining control, correct?

i remember reading a few years ago about the whole slots deal....when the first few tracks got them, of course their bottom line got huge. but like that article said, once everyone gets them, the playing field is level again, and it still comes down to who does their job the best.

i don't understand why horse racing doesn't market itself like the casinos. it's as tho too many in racing don't want that side of it let out--but why?? people like to gamble, let them know how much more fun it is to make an educated guess, win some money, rather then sitting and mind-numbingly feeding a coin slot.
i went to a casino once, and i hated it. i have never touched the instant racing machines at oaklawn.

NYRA has more than a " chance " to remain in control of the franchise. They are a substantial favorite, in fact, to do so. However, I agree with everyone here that says this article should be in all the above mentioned papers, and it is my sincere hope that NYRA takes out full page ads, reprinting this article, in at least some of these publications.

There is, I think unfortunately, a gap between public perception about this franchise battle and its realities. In some ways I fault NYRA for this, though in other ways I can understand their thinking, as it seems obvious that they have chosen not to roll around in the dirt with the other bidders who are intentionally skewing the facts. What I would like to see them do is a better job of presenting their case to the public without getting into a battle with the other bidders.

[Hickory Hill Hoff]

Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind

NYRA has more than a " chance " to remain in control of the franchise. They are a substantial favorite, in fact, to do so. However, I agree with everyone here that says this article should be in all the above mentioned papers, and it is my sincere hope that NYRA takes out full page ads, reprinting this article, in at least some of these publications.

There is, I think unfortunately, a gap between public perception about this franchise battle and its realities. In some ways I fault NYRA for this, though in other ways I can understand their thinking, as it seems obvious that they have chosen not to roll around in the dirt with the other bidders who are intentionally skewing the facts. What I would like to see them do is a better job of presenting their case to the public without getting into a battle with the other bidders.

I totally agree, it seems they are their own worst emeny...a lot of people out there just believe everything they hear from the pols and NYRA bashers out there.

[SniperSB23]

I think if Steve or Andy or someone sent a well written piece into Tim Wilkin at the Times Union that it would likely make the paper. It may not have wide circulation but it does have wide circulation in Albany which is where these decisions are being made. The story would also be available on their website for mass circulation.

[Linny]

While I agree that the 3 other entities may be looking to grab VLT money, don't forget that NYRA has taken loan after loan, bailouts and even bankruptsy all while waiting for the VLT MONEY. No matter what happens, the VLT money will be heavily regulated and subject to NYS Lottery regulation.

I do agree that VLT's don't create racing fans, but I agree also with horsemen who claim the no effort is made to do so by "racino operators. Offering sumptuous facilities for slot players while racing fans watch from squalor, offering free admission to slotters while race fans are charged to death with admissions, expensive food and beverage and high cost information does nothing to promote racing. Geez, the NY horsemen are begging to have the in house signal piped into gaming rooms and VLT operations oppose the idea!

[Sightseek]

Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind

NYRA has more than a " chance " to remain in control of the franchise. They are a substantial favorite, in fact, to do so. However, I agree with everyone here that says this article should be in all the above mentioned papers, and it is my sincere hope that NYRA takes out full page ads, reprinting this article, in at least some of these publications.

There is, I think unfortunately, a gap between public perception about this franchise battle and its realities. In some ways I fault NYRA for this, though in other ways I can understand their thinking, as it seems obvious that they have chosen not to roll around in the dirt with the other bidders who are intentionally skewing the facts. What I would like to see them do is a better job of presenting their case to the public without getting into a battle with the other bidders.

NPR did a somewhat lengthy segment on the bidders the other day during the drive home from work..of course it too, labeled the NYRA as the corrupt plaque franchise that has been controlling NY Racing for years. I think you may be correct in that they need to form a stronger explaination for their position, the media is focusing on the negative like the bankruptcy and using terms that do not flatter their name.

[Hickory Hill Hoff]

Originally Posted by Sightseek

NPR did a somewhat lengthy segment on the bidders the other day during the drive home from work..of course it too, labeled the NYRA as the corrupt plaque franchise that has been controlling NY Racing for years. I think you may be correct in that they need to form a stronger explaination for their position, the media is focusing on the negative like the bankruptcy and using terms that do not flatter their name.

It doesn't surprise me that NPR would label NYRA that way, after all their "champions" for the "little" guy
and not the wealthly, greedy "right wingers" in this country.

[Danzig]

Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind

NYRA has more than a " chance " to remain in control of the franchise. They are a substantial favorite, in fact, to do so. However, I agree with everyone here that says this article should be in all the above mentioned papers, and it is my sincere hope that NYRA takes out full page ads, reprinting this article, in at least some of these publications.

There is, I think unfortunately, a gap between public perception about this franchise battle and its realities. In some ways I fault NYRA for this, though in other ways I can understand their thinking, as it seems obvious that they have chosen not to roll around in the dirt with the other bidders who are intentionally skewing the facts. What I would like to see them do is a better job of presenting their case to the public without getting into a battle with the other bidders.

good to know.
they weren't the ones chosen by the panel set up by the previous gov, correct? so, with spitzer throwing it back into the process, did their chances improve by much?
is this a case of going with what you know, rather than what you don't? and wasn't the group that swindal was a part of, along with the steinbrenners, the one who got the nod first time out?

[blackthroatedwind]

Originally Posted by Danzig

good to know.
they weren't the ones chosen by the panel set up by the previous gov, correct? so, with spitzer throwing it back into the process, did their chances improve by much?
is this a case of going with what you know, rather than what you don't? and wasn't the group that swindal was a part of, along with the steinbrenners, the one who got the nod first time out?

The panel makes recommendations....they don't choose the franchise holder. The first panel selected a group that has now pretty much dropped out of the bidding. Pretty sad to think their recommendation didn't even make the second go-round.

[Payson Dave]

It seems to me that the delay in getting the slots up and running at Aqu has been an intentional attempt to undermine NYRA....I think it is fair to explore which politians benefit from the undermining of NYRA and how do they benefit...ie some connection to Excelsior or Empire???

[AeWingnut]

Do slots add to the money for purses ? Which in turn gets better horses or more money for bad horses.

I agree slots don't add anything to racing and their ideas of promotion sound weak. I was listening to the Herd on ESPN and he was talking about how stuff like women's basketball was popular in the industry but it doesn't have an audience. Maybe we are just so into racing we can't see what everyone else sees. I am really into and can't see what the problem is.

I can imagine that it is because (we believe) it takes a certain amount of thought to have success at horseracing. as opposed to slots that takes no skill at all. When I ask people that play slots, what strategy they use I usually get "I knew it was going to hit" ???????

as for big lies.. two words

Global Warming

it may be fact but it's only a means to an end for the watermelons

[Hickory Hill Hoff]

Originally Posted by golfer

I vaguely remember that as well. In fact, that's was probably what led me to being the degenerate horse player I am today!!! Sonofableep Damn you Grand Union!!

That chain is not around anymore...they went "belly up"!

[golfer]

I know it, Hickory, they were the local supermarket in my neighborhood until the late 90's, I guess. But they got what they deserved!!!