nyra

[blackthroatedwind]

Originally Posted by parsixfarms

2008 was the first year that NYRA did not run the Sunday after the Belmont. For two years prior, divisions of the NY Stallion Series were the "feature" races that day, so MaTH716 is probably correct that, if NYRA were running on Sunday with a big carryover and those races as the "featured" attractions, many on here likely would have been complaining about the quality of the card.

For many of the reasons stated elsewhere in here (the 13-race cards on Belmont Day are only a recent phenomenom), I totally understand why they did not run on Sunday. If I had to criticize the recent racing schedule, in the face of what NYRA officials have acknowledged as a dwindling horse population, it was a mistake to run the Wednesday between Memorial Day and Belmont Stakes Day.

As I think I mentioned, we had originally planned on being closed Wednesday ( see the Calendar ), but due to the Belmont Draw and general activities it was decided we needed to run that day. It was basically a somewhat problematic situation that we made the best of.

Obviously the original point of this thread is misguided....but you know that.

[blackthroatedwind]

Suggesting we should have closed on Thursday and run on Sunday suggests a complete disconnect. It is, quite frankly, nonsensical.

[parsixfarms]

Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind

As I think I mentioned, we had originally planned on being closed Wednesday ( see the Calendar ), but due to the Belmont Draw and general activities it was decided we needed to run that day. It was basically a somewhat problematic situation that we made the best of.

Obviously the original point of this thread is misguided....but you know that.

In the context of your explanation about Belmont Stakes festivities, I can understand why NYRA chose to run on that Wednesday.

That being said, this was the third time this year that NYRA strayed from the past "policy," if one can call it that, of having two dark days after a six-day holiday week (see January 20 [after MLK holiday] and February 20 [after Presidents' Day]) and ran on a Wednesday, creating the situation of having eleven racing days in a 12-day period. It's also scheduled to run on July 7, under the same circumstances. This puts an awful lot of pressure on the horse population if you are going to run 10-race cards on weekends and holidays.

[Linny]

Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind

This was not the first year there was no racing the day after the Belmont.

I had forgotten if they were dark last year. It is a pretty recent change, no?
Assuming that any year could produce a TC try, it is a smart decision. A day off is a refresher for all involved coming off a busy time, holiday, Belmont etc.

[blackthroatedwind]

Originally Posted by parsixfarms

In the context of your explanation about Belmont Stakes festivities, I can understand why NYRA chose to run on that Wednesday.

That being said, this was the third time this year that NYRA strayed from the past "policy," if one can call it that, of having two dark days after a six-day holiday week (see January 20 [after MLK holiday] and February 20 [after Presidents' Day]) and ran on a Wednesday, creating the situation of having eleven racing days in a 12-day period. It's also scheduled to run on July 7, under the same circumstances. This puts an awful lot of pressure on the horse population if you are going to run 10-race cards on weekends and holidays.

We did that in order to have a four day break at the end of January ( since we are legislated to run a certain number of days during the winter period ).

[blackthroatedwind]

Originally Posted by Linny

I had forgotten if they were dark last year. It is a pretty recent change, no?
Assuming that any year could produce a TC try, it is a smart decision. A day off is a refresher for all involved coming off a busy time, holiday, Belmont etc.

Yeah, I thought we started doing it in 2005 ( a year after the huge crowd for Smarty Jones ) but another poster said it has been less. I will have to check.

[blackthroatedwind]

Originally Posted by HomerS

Let me try to be clear here. I would have liked to see them consider running on Sunday. And also running on Thursday.

However, if the reason not to run on Sunday was because of "too much" racing for that week, which is argument people are making- I would have elected to close on a Thursday or some other day and run Sunday- when you get more business.

I'm not trying to make it an either or argument. The people saying they were right not to consider racing on Sunday are.

However, if its going to be an either/or argument then I think the numbers show racing on Sunday is better option then running on Thursday.

It is pretty clear why Sunday was chosen. It became even more obvious because of the once-every-14-years situation of Memorial Day being five days before the Belmont this year...however that was obviously not why we chose to close after the Belmont.

Honestly, considering how many people seem to think there is too much racing, it is amazing that anyone would have any problem with this. But, I guess when the name NYRA is attached there have to be people knocking us. That's fine....at least they are paying attention.

[parsixfarms]

Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind

We did that in order to have a four day break at the end of January ( since we are legislated to run a certain number of days during the winter period ).

Thanks for that explanation. Makes sense.

[Linny]

BTW makes a good point. NYRA cannot just add or sublract racing dates. Any changes made to the calendar approved by the NYS Racing and Wagering Board must be approved by the board. Each of the 3 tracks is expected to race a certain # of dates as per the R & W Board, with weather or other unexpected conditions being the only typical exception. Applying for and getting changes is a process.
As far as the Sunday after the Belmont, I have attended about 25 or so Belmonts. I live about 3 hours away, so it's a hike. I used to stay over and then hit a beach the next day, or shop in the city or see friends. I am pretty hardcore, I watch racing every day. I bet almost every day. In all those years, I think I went to the track the next day 1 or 2 times. Even for me, after a long day the day before starting with the 3 hr drive, I was usually willing to give it a rest for a day and I imagine I am not alone. God rested on the 7th day, can't NYRA rest on the 14th?

[blackthroatedwind]

Originally Posted by HomerS

We? Do you work for NYRA?

Will repeat what I told the other poster. Be careful about making assumptions about peoples motives or agenda. Especially when they send money to your business.

People can disagree about something and just have honest difference of opinion. Doesn't mean that they are bashing NYRA, or are bitching and moaning or just another complaining horse player.

If you do work for NYRA would think you would want to hear from all of your customers.

You think the CEO of any business doesnt want customer feedback?

Doesnt mean you have to like it all but if you have any business sense you will be respectful of it. Heck you may even find out they have some good ideas even.

Thanks for the lecture.

I have already responded to six different customer e-mails today...and this is one of my days off. If you don't think people at NYRA are interested in our customers' thoughts you are badly mistaken.

That, however, does not preclude me from finding it puzzling that people have a major issue with Sunday being dark. Certainly everyone won't be 100% happy, and that is understandable, but every decision will never work for everybody. But, this one sure feels like a greatest good.

[Cannon Shell]

Originally Posted by HomerS

You have made a few personal attacks here. Not sure where they are coming from. I have not engaged in such. And am not engaging in "self pity". Which is it by the way self pity or feeling smarter then everyone else? Make up your mind already.

Seriously can discuss this without the other stuff. Dont see a need for it.

As far as "cash strapped" I am well aware of the reasons for it. That doesnt change my thought on Sunday being a better day then Thursday.

I have been a big NYRA supporter over the years.

They have been held hostage by the politicians and broken promises for years I get it. They were subject to politically motivated witchhunt by Bruno and "Friends of NY Racing". I get that too.

So be careful about what you are assuming my thoughts about NYRA are. The "people like you" comment couldnt be further off base. Why not ask next time instead of assuming? How many times have I prefaced comments about NYRA with cash strapped? Most of my comments on this board have been about NYRA generating a significant amount of handle, and doing so with smaller purses then Monmouth.

Now you are a victim...

[Roc525]

Originally Posted by HomerS

Your first sentence tells me you dont get it.

Cannot imagine a spokesperson for a company responding like that to a customer in any business. Not like you are being cursed at, called an idiot, whatever.

Where did I say the people at NYRA are not interested in customer thoughts?

Getting so ridiculous now. Where you have to swear an oath of eternal loyalty to NYRA before posting anything which could be considered unfair by thin skinned employees.

Yeah we get it people have piled on and said unfair things over the years. Get over it. Grow up. Not everyone is out to get you.Your customers are going to ask for things you might not like or be able to provide.

i cant even believe having this discussion. Been Pro NYRA for years, put a lot of money through the windows and have had privledge of talking in person with management like Bill Nader.

Finally guess what. The economy is rough. I work in private sector. I work on my day off too. Not ideal situation but you do what you have to do, especially if in a crisis mode.

Yes, you are.

[richard]

BTW is open to the public and represents nyra very well imo .

[DJARUM]

I forgot the question. Oh, no racing on Sunday after the Belmont. Would have liked to have seen it but, I'll be at the windows on Wednesday. Can't wait!!!

Great... another man posing as a battered woman. Welcome to the forum, ma'am.

[gales0678]

Originally Posted by Linny

BTW makes a good point. NYRA cannot just add or sublract racing dates. Any changes made to the calendar approved by the NYS Racing and Wagering Board must be approved by the board. Each of the 3 tracks is expected to race a certain # of dates as per the R & W Board, with weather or other unexpected conditions being the only typical exception. Applying for and getting changes is a process.
As far as the Sunday after the Belmont, I have attended about 25 or so Belmonts. I live about 3 hours away, so it's a hike. I used to stay over and then hit a beach the next day, or shop in the city or see friends. I am pretty hardcore, I watch racing every day. I bet almost every day. In all those years, I think I went to the track the next day 1 or 2 times. Even for me, after a long day the day before starting with the 3 hr drive, I was usually willing to give it a rest for a day and I imagine I am not alone. God rested on the 7th day, can't NYRA rest on the 14th?

can you tell me when nyra has asked for days and the nys racing and wagering board has ever denied days to nyra? isn't it pretty much a rubber stamping , if nyra asks for the days they get'em

[gales0678]

Originally Posted by ateamstupid

Based on what measure? Saratoga is a freaking ghost town the day after Travers.

joey , are you going to tell me that don't make money the sunday after the travers? you don't think steve , et al, vendors want NYRA to be open every sunday during the meet ?

isn't making money the point of the operation?

outside of travers day , my guess is the best days at the spa are the 1st 2 weeks, in genreal after the travers my guess is that those weeks don't do as well as the 1st 2 weeks

[gales0678]

Originally Posted by MaTH716

Besides the employee situation, I just don't know if they could have the venue ready for racing a card on Sunday. Sunset for Saturday was 8:23, the last race went off at 7:50. I have no idea what time everyone got out of Belmont on Saturday, so the staff could start preparing if there was racing the next day. But I'm guessing they wouldn't be able to start to about 9pm at the minimum. I'm not just talking about the grandstand, but the backyard at Belmont which is huge (and I don't believe it's a lighted area either). It's a giant venue, that probably takes some time to clean, plain and simple.

As far as the bitching and moaning goes, I really believe that if they did race on Sunday and the card wasn't up to some people's speed then there would be posted threads about that around here. I just don't understand what the big deal is about one dark Sunday.

matt the card is the card, 1 stakes /feature race would have been fine......... we live in ny you cannot simply tell me that the facility itself could not have been ready for sunday , to even suggest that is a farce when in the past they have run on that sunday

people want a day off i get it, take mon - wed of this week off , start racing on thursday no?

not everyone can play during the week, some of nyra customers are weekend only players , but that doesn't seem to matter to anyone here besides Homer S. the weekend only players lost out on a card and a potential pick 6 play ....not everyone has a phone account/ not everyone has the internet ....some people work during the week and cannot physically get to the track or an otb location to make a play or they simply don't have the time during the week.

[herkhorse]

Originally Posted by gales0678

matt the card is the card, 1 stakes /feature race would have been fine......... we live in ny you cannot simply tell me that the facility itself could not have been ready for sunday , to even suggest that is a farce when in the past they have run on that sunday

people want a day off i get it, take mon - wed of this week off , start racing on thursday no?

not everyone can play during the week, some of nyra customers are weekend only players , but that doesn't seem to matter to anyone here besides Homer S. the weekend only players lost out on a card and a potential pick 6 play ....not everyone has a phone account/ not everyone has the internet ....some people work during the week and cannot physically get to the track or an otb location to make a play or they simply don't have the time during the week.

This is insane, anyone who cares will find a way to play today, work or no work.

[gales0678]

Originally Posted by herkhorse

This is insane, anyone who cares will find a way to play today, work or no work.

everyone has a different situation , not everyone can make wagers during the week , yes there are phone accounts now and internet accounts , but , there is still a % of people out there that play only on weekends and do not have the ability to place a bet without being on site or at an otb

the die-hards will always get down , the casual fan may not....racing needs the casual fan to succeed as well