NYRA Franchise: "Backwards, not forwards"

[pmacdaddy]

Any thoughts on what a missed racing season would do to the economy of Bruno's Saratoga?

He better be careful what he wishes for. Horsemen and NYRA workers aren't the only ones with skin in this game.

[Norfolk]

http://www.nyra.com/aqueduct/stories/Feb112008b.shtml

From NYRA Press Staff | February 11, 2008


To Our New York Racing Fans

As I’m sure you may know NYRA is faced with the real possibility of having to suspend racing after the Wednesday, February 13th card is run.

NYRA’s franchise to run thoroughbred racing at Aqueduct, Saratoga and Belmont Park, which dates back to 1955, expired on December 31, 2007 without a franchise renewal in place. Acting in good faith and responding to assurances that an agreement would soon be reached mirroring the September 4th Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) already agreed to by NYRA, the Governor and the State Assembly, NYRA accepted a three-week temporary extension of its franchise until January 23rd and a second extension which will expire Wednesday.

NYRA can no longer operate under temporary extensions and will conclude racing at Aqueduct on Wednesday unless NYRA receives a new long-term franchise.

Without getting too deeply into the issues surrounding the franchise, NYRA is committed to securing an agreement that ensures the franchise is operated by people who have the best interests of thoroughbred racing at heart and are dedicated to ensuring that the thoroughbred industry is a vital contributor to the State of New York.

Absent an appropriate franchise agreement, on Thursday two-thirds of our employees will be laid-off, while the rest will take significant pay cuts with further cutbacks expected if the closure is prolonged. Trainers have been told they may train their horses at our tracks for two weeks, but that NYRA will not be able to accommodate horses or backstretch workers past February 27th.

Unfortunately, you will be affected as well, as your participation in the greatest game played outdoors also will be interrupted. We will keep you informed about any significant developments in the franchise process and deeply hope that any interruption in racing is brief. We understand your frustration and appreciate your patience.

[SniperSB23]

Originally Posted by pmacdaddy

Any thoughts on what a missed racing season would do to the economy of Bruno's Saratoga?

He better be careful what he wishes for. Horsemen and NYRA workers aren't the only ones with skin in this game.

Doesn't really matter for his re-election chances. Saratoga Springs has 26,000 residents. Rensselaer County (also in his district) has 160,000. So as long as he keeps pumping state money into the revitalization of Rensselaer and Troy and at least does reasonably well in Clifton Park he would be able to win re-election without a vote from Saratoga.

[parsixfarms]

Originally Posted by SniperSB23

Doesn't really matter for his re-election chances. Saratoga Springs has 26,000 residents. Rensselaer County (also in his district) has 160,000. So as long as he keeps pumping state money into the revitalization of Rensselaer and Troy and at least does reasonably well in Clifton Park he would be able to win re-election without a vote from Saratoga.

Very true, but if the Democtrats funded a decent candidate against him, he'd be forced to spend resources defending his own seat that he'd rather spend elsewhere. That's the only way to get his attention.

[pmacdaddy]

Originally Posted by SniperSB23

Doesn't really matter for his re-election chances. Saratoga Springs has 26,000 residents. Rensselaer County (also in his district) has 160,000. So as long as he keeps pumping state money into the revitalization of Rensselaer and Troy and at least does reasonably well in Clifton Park he would be able to win re-election without a vote from Saratoga.

Maybe he would get re-elected. Certainly don't think folks in Saratoga Springs itself would be the only ones hurt though.

I could see a missed meet putting a lot of businesses under. Can't imagine he wants that on his hands.

Hopefully not something that becomes a reality, but if NRYA lays off 2/3 of staff and can't race at Belmont. I would not rule it out in any fashion.

[blackthroatedwind]

Interesting Editorial in the NY Times the other day.....



http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/09/opinion/09sat2.html

[Norfolk]

Let me see if I got this right
Bruno use to be a strong supporter of NYRA until his son went to work for MAGNA.
Bruno is now supporting Capital Play to manage the slots at Aqueduct and possibly Belmont if they get them. According to published reports his son is now representing Capital Play.
Bruno has a two vote majority in the Senate. One seat I believe is up for a special election right now. If Hillary wins the nominations the Dems will come out in droves in NY and hand the Senate to the Democrats
Bruno is helping to screw up the racing franchise which generates millions of dollars to his district.
Bruno according to published reports has a Federal Grand Jury looking at his political and personal business dealing.
If I am incorrect please let me know.
I am not a resident of NY but I do own a home in Saratoga and if that information is correct maybe I should change my residency to Saratoga so I can vote against him in the fall.

[blackthroatedwind]

Originally Posted by Norfolk

I am not a resident of NY but I do own a home in Saratoga and if that information is correct maybe I should change my residency to Saratoga so I can vote against him in the fall.

Haven't the good folks of Saratoga suffered enough?

[Norfolk]

Originally Posted by Cardus

Pat, I doubt we'd be at this impasse if Saratoga's meet were imminent, and I suspect that we wouldn't be at this point if we were in the midst of Belmont's spring meet.

I don't say this lightly, for a good friend of mine is a NY owner -- and a thoughtful DT contributor -- but at this point, it's best for the long term that racing is shut down now. Of course, if ALL of the salient points could be addressed in the next two days -- it seems impossible -- then I'd think differently. Half-baked plans serve no long term good. And from what has been made public, I had no sense that everything was being discussed sufficiently.

I understood the first extension, but after NYRA was left, essentially, dead on the vine following that period, I think we knew we'd wind up with this situation.

It is getting to a point that some drastic action has to be taken. It is obvious that if another extension is given we will be back at this same point in a couple of weeks. The NYRA employees have been wondering for over a year if their jobs are secure. Unfortunately most legislators only act when pressure is put on them. So I guess it is time to put pressure on them.
If they close on Thursday I will be one of the first to be affected, I have a horse in the fifth race that day.

[blackthroatedwind]

Originally Posted by Norfolk

I have a horse in the fifth race that day.

You're being too generous.

[Alan07]

NYRA has submitted a reorganization plan to the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York, but that plan’s financial details are based on a long-term extension. After May 2, 2008, if NYRA is unable to meet those obligations, by law another entity could come in, present a reorganization plan, and gain control of the franchise.

[blackthroatedwind]

Originally Posted by Alan07

After May 2, 2008, if NYRA is unable to meet those obligations, by law another entity could come in, present a reorganization plan, and gain control of the franchise.

Not if the land claim is tied up in court.

A land claim, by the way, that I would gladly lay 2-1 NYRA will win.

[Norfolk]

Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind

Not if the land claim is tied up in court.

A land claim, by the way, that I would gladly lay 2-1 NYRA will win.

I agree with you on this post not the previous
Don't make fun of Tuffy he got a second last time out. Maybe the "new" NYRA will run a $1,000 claimer and he could win

[blackthroatedwind]

Originally Posted by Norfolk

I agree with you on this post not the previous
Don't make fun of Tuffy he got a second last time out. Maybe the "new" NYRA will run a $1,000 claimer and he could win

I bet him the last time. You know I rarely like closing sprinters when they stretch out.

[sumitas]

Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind

Not if the land claim is tied up in court.

A land claim, by the way, that I would gladly lay 2-1 NYRA will win.

I hope Bruno takes that bet.

The NYRA owns the land and they should, possibly, sue the state for interfering in their ability to do business.

[blackthroatedwind]

Originally Posted by sumitas

The NYRA owns the land and they should, possibly, sue the state for interfering in their ability to do business.

Owning the property and having the right to run pari-mutual thoroughbred racing on it are two different things.

[ShadowRoll]

Originally Posted by sumitas

I hope Bruno takes that bet.

The NYRA owns the land and they should, possibly, sue the state for interfering in their ability to do business.

It's their land no more.
http://news.bloodhorse.com/viewstory.asp?id=43621

[pmacdaddy]

Originally Posted by Cardus

Pat, I doubt we'd be at this impasse if Saratoga's meet were imminent, and I suspect that we wouldn't be at this point if we were in the midst of Belmont's spring meet.

I don't say this lightly, for a good friend of mine is a NY owner -- and a thoughtful DT contributor -- but at this point, it's best for the long term that racing is shut down now. Of course, if ALL of the salient points could be addressed in the next two days -- it seems impossible -- then I'd think differently. Half-baked plans serve no long term good. And from what has been made public, I had no sense that everything was being discussed sufficiently.

I understood the first extension, but after NYRA was left, essentially, dead on the vine following that period, I think we knew we'd wind up with this situation.

Fair enough, but not as easy as saying "go" once you layoff a big number of folks and have horsemen forced to go elsewhere.

This ends up in court, have to say all bets are off as far as timing. Saratoga or no Saratoga.

[Cannon Shell]

The real shame of this is that even if the NYRA deal gets done, no one of political importance in NY has said one sane or reasonable thing about the OTB situation. Even if NYRA gets a great deal, the OTB's still are a huge drag on racing in the state. That they would carry on about adding political appointees onto NYRA's board with the hundreds of political jobs in the OTB machine is a disgrace.

[Storm Cadet]

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/19/ny...l?ref=nyregion

NYC Mayor Bloomberg also wants to cease and close NYCOTB!