Any listening to Bruno on Mark & Mike?

[Stall Mucker]

Originally Posted by Hickory Hill Hoff

Yes, racing does go on...at least for 23 more days, I take it from your post that you are not a supporter of NYRA (and I'm being nice) I have the upmost respect for Charlie Hayward by taking the "wall of crap" that N.Y. state goverment has thrown in front of him. Anybody that knows this man, knows that he is looking out for the good of racing and it's bettors in this state. As for an apology, I think your making a bold statement that Mark & Mike were maniputlated by NYRA...let's see the proof of that. They only smoke that blown on Saturday's show was from "blame game" that Joe Bruno was ranting on. I live in this state for over 40 years, when politics gets involved.....WATCH OUT!

I support Charlie's efforts but it's not Charlie making the call. Doesn't matter who NYRA is or who runs it. Yes he's taken alot of crap and mostly inherited a lot of crap caused by a previous Pres. who many have said should be in jail.
The racing model needs a big fix. ALL of it including the OTBs. Charlie may be looking out for the bettors but when you are controlled by politics it's never for the bettor. The bettor is the last to be considered. Yes, it's time for the Senetor to retire. I don't like what has happened and don't like what I see. I've made a living in an industry that has changed and needs to be re-worked.

[pick4]

The sad thing about this whole franchise fiasco is that the major issue which hinders NY racing was not addressed. The antiquated structure of the on track/ off track model was left fully intact. We all know this serious issue was a sacred cow for the politicians. Government of, by and for the people does not exist in New York.

I have a pretty good grasp of this issue and it's astounding the way our elected leaders went about addressing the situation. It's scary to think about the chicanery and corruption that goes on with vital operations the state of New York is involved with.

[blackthroatedwind]

I don't think it's a secret that NYRA's biggest concern about accepting the temporary extension was that they needed to be 100% certain it would not compromise their land claim in the future.....and for that reason they were going to be extremely careful going forward.

Regardless of what anybody wants to say, NYRA wants racing to go forward, for the fans and the horsemen. They have the absolute ability to dig their heels in and hold out for everything they feel entitled to and take the land claim to court if this does not come to fruition. However, even if they are over 50% to win the claim, which they are ( albeit barely ), in an expected value equation this is not in everyone's benefit, perhaps including their own.

I think it is patently unfair to suggest that Charlie Hayward was in any way disingenous on the OTB show. He is trying to fight the good fight, against a very difficult force, in an attempt to appease a great many players in this game. He was pretty simply saying we want to race but we won't do it if it is in any major way against or basic interests. Nobody can blame him for that and he didn't present it in any other manner.