NYRA in trouble again?

[ELA]

In actuality, I am not sure this claim is 100% accurate. I would have to go back and check some of the documentation I have, and some of the reports that have been issued, however; I think that this time -- when Getnick & Getnick was hired, the State Oversight Board, as well as the NYSR&WB and/or possibly the Govenor's office was not only made aware, but also had direct input on the decision -- and approved same.

Perhaps Steve, or someone else may remember or know the details. In addition, I am not sure the State Investigations Committee originally was involved or had input on this. At the same time, this could be similar to the findings -- albeit incorrect and inaccurate -- of "NYRA paying for shipping between Aqueduct and Belmont" and vice versa. If you remember, this was made a big deal of and subsequently found out to not be an issue at all.

Again, I am not sure of the sequence, chronology or otherwise, however, this may have been out in the open at least to the parties involved. Also, while Getnick & Getnick is in fact a law firm, they were not retained for legal work. This was a continuation of the monitoring and oversight previously done, and continued as such, also addressing corporate governance, infrastructure, fiscal, etc. -- which had always been done by and at NYRA. At one point, I think Saffir Rossetti was on the job, from both a security, procedural, etc. perspective. Getnick & Getnick's role was much more comprehensive and the results produced spoke volumes for itself.

While NYRA certainly has been guilty of things in the past, and has made mistakes in the past -- and for those aspects I was a harsh critic -- in my opinion and the opinion of the majority of the NY horsemen, they are a different and much improved organization and were the only choice to retain and continue the franchise. Since this work has been done, I am unaware of any malfescense or problematic issues that NY horsemen have with NYRA. The NYRA we see today is a byproduct of everything that went into this entire saga and process.

Eric

[pgiaco]

Originally Posted by ELA

In actuality, I am not sure this claim is 100% accurate. I would have to go back and check some of the documentation I have, and some of the reports that have been issued, however; I think that this time -- when Getnick & Getnick was hired, the State Oversight Board, as well as the NYSR&WB and/or possibly the Govenor's office was not only made aware, but also had direct input on the decision -- and approved same.

Perhaps Steve, or someone else may remember or know the details. In addition, I am not sure the State Investigations Committee originally was involved or had input on this. At the same time, this could be similar to the findings -- albeit incorrect and inaccurate -- of "NYRA paying for shipping between Aqueduct and Belmont" and vice versa. If you remember, this was made a big deal of and subsequently found out to not be an issue at all.

Again, I am not sure of the sequence, chronology or otherwise, however, this may have been out in the open at least to the parties involved. Also, while Getnick & Getnick is in fact a law firm, they were not retained for legal work. This was a continuation of the monitoring and oversight previously done, and continued as such, also addressing corporate governance, infrastructure, fiscal, etc. -- which had always been done by and at NYRA. At one point, I think Saffir Rossetti was on the job, from both a security, procedural, etc. perspective. Getnick & Getnick's role was much more comprehensive and the results produced spoke volumes for itself.

While NYRA certainly has been guilty of things in the past, and has made mistakes in the past -- and for those aspects I was a harsh critic -- in my opinion and the opinion of the majority of the NY horsemen, they are a different and much improved organization and were the only choice to retain and continue the franchise. Since this work has been done, I am unaware of any malfescense or problematic issues that NY horsemen have with NYRA. The NYRA we see today is a byproduct of everything that went into this entire saga and process.

Eric

Well said. This "issue" was addressed before, but with Ex Gov #9, his aides, Joe Bruno, the Albany DA and other assorted politicos being investigated by SIC, NYRA becomes a very convenient distraction.

[ELA]

Originally Posted by pgiaco

Well said. This "issue" was addressed before, but with Ex Gov #9, his aides, Joe Bruno, the Albany DA and other assorted politicos being investigated by SIC, NYRA becomes a very convenient distraction.

Thank you, for the kind words and the clarification. I would agree. However, as I mentioned in part -- as a fan and bettor, and being in this business for my entire adult life and racing horses all over the country, I was in the past a critic of NYRA. I raced there, went to the track often, spent the meet up at the Spa, etc. However, I wasn't a full-fledged supporter and advocate. Not because of who they were or weren't, but more because of "how" they were. I, like many others, wanted more and complete transparency. I wanted -- and we got -- reduced take-outs. I wanted the NYTHA to have a place at the table. I wanted more benefits for the backstretch workers, jockeys, trainers, fans, bettors and owners. I also didn't like some of the decisions made -- for example the entire horsemen's purse account issue. I wanted what many others wanted.

However, that's changed. It's improved. It's much, much better and in certain aspects ideal. I have moved from critic to supporter. I supported NYRA to retain the franchise. I attended every open meeting, got invoted to some that weren't open, and made sure I was aware of the environment that effected my business and my sport. Do I like everything? No, nobody does. But it's the best it can be and getting better -- and today, everyone is working together to make it better.

NY Racing today and the turmoil we have is not a result of NYRA. It's not a NYRA issue. It's a racing industry issue and more specifically, as it relates to NYRA, a byproduct of arcane, antiquated, and a broken system, set of laws, legislation, tax rates, etc. -- that once worked; 50 years ago, pre-OTB growth and expansion, pre-simulcasting and rights, pre-rebate shops, etc.

I have said it numerable times -- before the VLT legislation, how many parties were interested in the NY racing franchise? Where were they all? Anyway, I think in the future we will see the best racing model and the best racing in NY. Of course not everyone will be happy. But it's not about the one -- it's about the many, the industry, the sport as a whole.

Eric