Friends of New York Racing Releases its Plans.

[Suff]

Batter up.

http://news.bloodhorse.com/viewstory.asp?id=26728

[the little guy]

Sounds like a whole lotta nothing.

Then again, what can you expect from an NTRA related group.

[PaceAdvantage]

Aren't these interesting stats from the group?

Smith also discussed the results of initial opinion polling of New Yorkers that indicated a strong favorable rating for racing in the state. The results also show strong support for using expanded legal wagering at existing Thoroughbred tracks to generate more revenue for favored programs like education, but also to improve racing.

According to the survey, among those with an opinion, New Yorkers view horseracing favorably by nearly a 2-to-1 margin (63%-37%). When provided with facts about jobs, farms, and economic impact, the support for the state's racing industry is even stronger.


Hmmmm....strong FAVORABLE rating for racing in NEW YORK STATE. Strong support for EXPANDED LEGAL WAGERING AT EXISTING TRACKS. New Yorkers view HORSERACING FAVORABLY by nearly a 2-1 margin....

Hmmmm......now, who again was it that runs the three major horseracing tracks in NY, and are responsible for fostering these favorable ratings with low takeouts and high quality product?

OH, yeah, that's right.......NYRA

Silly me. I was having a bad dream where these dumb ass power brokers were trying to run NYRA out of town, despite the good job they've done putting on the show these past 50 years....when will I learn to clear my head before going to sleep???

:bang: :bang: :bang: :bang: :bang: :bang: :bang: :bang: :bang: :bang:

[alysheba88]

The most agenda ridden collection of misfits and Magna shills I have ever seen. Disgraceful idiots

[Bobby]

yea, looks like a front organization to me. Fronting for the "family" or what. I donna know

[rrbauer]

From the survey:
"Of the respondents, 41% play the lottery frequently or occasionally, 22% go to a casino on the same basis, and 8% go to a Thoroughbred racetrack."

Comment:
HELLLOOOOO!

More survey:
"Only 13% are aware of who runs Thoroughbred racing in New York, 69% don't know whether it's a public or private entity, and 41% say that no major changes are needed."

Comment:
HELLO! HELLLOOOO!

More comment:
I see one of the directors is Sherwood Chillingsworth of the Oak Tree Racing Association (from nearby Southern California which seemed misplaced, but then I realized that most New Yorkers consider SoCal a suburb of NY :) ).

As an aside,
Oak Tree "donated" 100-large towards FONYR funding so I suppose naming Mr. Chill to the board is a quid pro quo. And, I'm sure that Mr. Chill will get a couple free trips to NY for board meetings and whatever else he does when in the big Apple. Net proceeds from Oak Tree racing are supposed to be channelled to charities!

Oak Tree got this 100-large mostly by manipulating a carryover pick-6 pool on a guaranteed minimum day, that removed 77-large from the carryover amount and put it back in their pocket. Holders of 6-winner tickets were cheated out of about $220 each, which in the grand scheme of things is chump change. But, it pissed me off because I was one of those guys with a winning ticket...about the only P6 I hit all year! When I confronted Mr. Chill on the issue he threatened to sue me for defamation of character for saying they "manipulated" the pool. (Among other things, I told him to take his best shot and haven't heard back since then!)

Anyway, what I was getting to before I saw Mr. Chill's name (that turned my mood postal), is that this looks like another Tim Smith-inspired lollygag with a lot of PC high-falootin terminology that will involve getting a lot of elbow-rubbers together (none of which have showed that they are skilled in the practice of running a racetrack and growing that business) so that they can churn out a list of recommendations that will consist mainly of support for a new organization to control and run NYRA that only they can manage because they understand the new "model".

You know the rest: With friends like these who needs.......

[alysheba88]

The whole name of the group, is a bad bad joke. Orwellian.

[Suff]

The NY State Legislator put out this Memo to Lawmakers on Dec 15 , 2004



NCLGS GAMING 101—SPECIAL SESSION BRIEFS GAMING LEGISLATORS

Albany, NY, December 15, 2004 – Newly elected state legislators and incumbents alike who will serve as members of state legislative committees concerned with gaming issues will attend a special session – Gaming 101 – being held as part of the 2005 Winter Meeting of the National Council of Legislators from Gaming States (NCLGS) at the Hawk’s Cay Resort, in Duck Key, Florida, on the weekend of January 14 through 16.

NCLGS has designed Gaming 101 to serve legislators who need an update on agreements with Indian tribes, pari-mutuel issues, racino/casino proliferation, internet gaming and the linkage of lotteries and state budgets, said Florida State Senator Steven Geller (D-Hallandale) NCLGS President.

Geller said that the session would focus on the latest trends and issues surrounding stateauthorized gaming and would, therefore, prove worthwhile for state legislators who are gaming committee veterans.

In announcing the Gaming 101 agenda, Senator Geller said:
“One of the greatest strengths of NCLGS is that it creates opportunities for state legislators to exchange information about legislative approaches we’ve considered or adopted in our states in response to politically and fiscally-charged gaming issues.”

The session will draw upon the expertise of experienced state legislators, state regulators, and gaming industry professionals to present expert overviews on the following topics:

Other highlights of the conference include a NCLGS first -- the Thoroughbred Summit – an exciting high-profile kick-off session where horse racing industry leaders will share their views on the changing forces impacting racing. The unprecedented popularity of poker now sweeping the nation will be discussed in detail by experts in a session called Poker: When to Hold and When to Fold.

This summit was run by the NATIONAL COUNCIL OF LEGISLATORS FROM GAMING STATES

Heres the Panel they put together to advise Lawmakers.

Mr. Greg Avioli, Deputy Commissioner and CEO, National Thoroughbred Racing Association, Lexington, KY
Mr. Richard Hancock, Executive Vice President, Florida Thoroughbred Breeder’s and Owner’s Association, Ocala, FL
Mr. Jim McAlpine, President and CEO, Magna Entertainment Corp., Aurora, ON, Canada
Mr. Andy Skehan, COO, Churchill Downs, Louisville, KY
Mr. Tim Smith, President, Friends of NY Racing, New York, NY

http://www.nclgs.org/pressroom.html

[kenwoodallpromos]

A group of owners took a track-tilted survey pointing out $ derived form racing- and guess what! Of those with an opinion (?) most liked the $$ generated but 8% went to the track, 41% play the lotto/lottery off track.
What is the state of horseracing? Unknown entity to most Americans.

[Equineer]

Simple Priorities:
Satisfy all financial obligations
Deliver the best possible product
Adhere to legal/ethical standards
Reward employees after A, B, & C.
Any endeavor will perform best when a meaningful portion of employee compensation is contingent upon performance.

Depending on results for A thru C, an annual bonus program should dictate whether jobs are truly attractive.

This way, no one is satisfied until all objectives and necessary requirements are met.

Especially at middle and top management levels, always keep the carrot in front of the horse.

Human nature invites problems when folks get rewarded for any dimension of failure.

IMHO, NYRA would have missed very few payments on its debt and seldom operated at a loss if compensation had been broadly dependent on results.

In the private sector, countless entrepeneurs have followed this formula to riches, always remembering that you don't want any employees who are afraid of a challenge, and never stinting on rewards to those that make you successful.

[the little guy]

The NY State Legislator put out this Memo to Lawmakers on Dec 15 , 2004


This summit was run by the NATIONAL COUNCIL OF LEGISLATORS FROM GAMING STATES

Heres the Panel they put together to advise Lawmakers.

Mr. Greg Avioli, Deputy Commissioner and CEO, National Thoroughbred Racing Association, Lexington, KY
Mr. Richard Hancock, Executive Vice President, Florida Thoroughbred Breeder’s and Owner’s Association, Ocala, FL
Mr. Jim McAlpine, President and CEO, Magna Entertainment Corp., Aurora, ON, Canada
Mr. Andy Skehan, COO, Churchill Downs, Louisville, KY
Mr. Tim Smith, President, Friends of NY Racing, New York, NY

http://www.nclgs.org/pressroom.htmlNot a list that inspires confidence.

[Figman]

You left an important NY person out:
Mr. Dan Wray, Executive Director, Legislative Affairs, NYC-OTB

[Valuist]

BTW, what had Tim Smith ever done to warrant such a big job offer from NYRA?

[Suff]

BTW, what had Tim Smith ever done to warrant such a big job offer from NYRA?


He ran the NTRA prior to a Job Offer he got and accepted, and then abruptly walked away from to join FONYHR...

Its is jolting to me , that NYRA's competitors are on a Board advising how it should operate. Why would New York Let an executive from a Public Traded Competitor set any guidelines. If You ran a Painting company, would you let a Competitor down the street tell you how to operate?

Fine.. If NY State wants to Hire a Consultant to advise them. But Its unsettling to see people from MAGNA and Churchill Downs with thier hands in the kettle.

[PaceAdvantage]

I think we need someone to start "FRIENDS OF NYRA"

[CryingForTheHorses]

Not a list that inspires confidence.

Would like to know why you say this? Are you a expert on these guys..Guess your hot because Frank is also in the named people.Do you think you could do a better job?For a guy who loves NYRA you sure dont seem to back them in what they are trying to do.Maybe they should have had your name on that list..Then it would have been ok!

[alysheba88]

McShell, NYRA is not the ones who started this group. Clearly they are the target of the group.

[alysheba88]

I think I am going to start a group called "Friends of Apple Computer".

Looking to get Bill Gates, Michael Dell, and the guy who heads Sony on board. Thats a start anyway.

Then its "Friends of the New York Yankees". Got Omar Minaya, Theo Epstein and Billy Beane on board

[rokitman]

I think we need someone to start "FRIENDS OF NYRA"
From the Bloodhorse article
The initial board of directors consists of:

Jared Abbruzzese, a New York owner; Dennis Brida, executive director of the New York Thoroughbred Breeders; Richard Bomze, president of the New York Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association; Charles F. Champion, CEO of Youbet.com; Sherwood Chillingworth, executive vice president of the Oak Tree Racing Association; owner and breeder G. Watts Humphrey Jr.; Robert LaPenta, CFO of L-3 Communications and a New York owner; Jim McAlpine, president of Magna Entertainment Corp.; Alan Marzelli, president and COO of the The Jockey Club; Tom Meeker, president of Churchill Downs Inc.; Nick Nicholson, president of the Keeneland Association; Suzie O'Cain, stallion manager of Highcliff Farms; Tim Smith; D.G. Van Clief Jr., NTRA commissioner and president of Breeders' Cup Ltd.; Lorne Weil, CEO of Scientific Games Corp.; and David Willmot, CEO of Woodbine Entertainment Group.

Who on this list is "me?" Forgot me again. As They say, with friends like this, I don't need enemies.

You are right, PA. Somebody needs to do just what you said. Other than sodomizing me on the price of a beer and a hot dog, NYRA hasn't done anything wrong to me. And it can't be over-said, as you often do, that they have lowered takeout when NOBODY else has. Not even the tracks wallowing in slot money. The recent revelations at NY tracks would be seen at any track, if only somebody would shine a flashlight as bright as they are currently shining on NYRA. The political motivations are so obvious it's flat-out insulting to me.

[the little guy]

NYRA is not the ones who started this group. Clearly they are the target of the group.That's not true. Don't be fooled by the array of people who threw their money into it ( lest they be left out ). I find it hard to believe that any organization started by Dinny Phipps is " targetting NYRA ", at least in any negative way. If you ask me, the results of their " survey " clearly look positive for NYRA as an organization.

[alysheba88]

little guy, go ask the people at NYRA what they think of it.

If you dont think this is targetting NYRA you need to look a little deeper

[the little guy]

little guy, go ask the people at NYRA what they think of it.

If you dont think this is targetting NYRA you need to look a little deeperUnless Dinny has booted them out of the Jockey Club offices ( which I don't think he has ) I am fairly secure in what " NYRA " thinks of them.

[Suff]

I am fairly secure in what " NYRA " thinks of them.


and that is? (roughly)

[the little guy]

Like a lot of this issue, I think people are completely confused and off-base, and I believe very strongly that " Friends of NY " has a strong pro-NYRA bias. Until I get legitimate proof otherwise, I will hold to that opinion.

Here is a fact, NYRA was courting Tim Smith for President ( can we all agree that this is FACT? ). The primary reason for this was that NYRA felt Tim had political connections ( from his time in the Carter administration, I assume ) that would help them in Albany. Tim ultimately did not accept the job ( this probably had a lot to do with Eliot Spitzer's unwarranted questioning of his salary ) but at the same time he announced he was forming " Friends of NY " to supposedly aid in the future of racing in NY. His group then took up residency, free of charge, in the Jockey Club offices, basically owned by Dinny Phipps who is synonomous with NYRA.

Question the above all you like, but I would like a coherent reason why that shoudn't lead me to believe that Friends of NY is on the side of NYRA. I understand why people are confused as to why, if this is so, would EVERY other racing entity in the solar system contribute money to FONY ( I like that acronym ). Doesn't it feel a little like people were scared they would be completely left out if they didn't at least donate something? I have a sneaky suspicion that a lot of the contributers are not only not interested in the franchise, they wouldn't have the resources to get involved if they were. $100,000 really isn't a lot of money.

I will stick with my FONY/NYRA opinion until there is compelling evidence to the contrary.

[alysheba88]

Thats fine, the rest of us are confused and off base.

Cant make you see what you dont want to see.

If you think the folks who run NYRA are happy by these developments you are the one off base.

The obvious question is if NYRA supports this why are not one of their high ranking excutives part of the group? Answer that

PS: Its obvious why Smith did not join NYRA. He saw them as wounded, possibly terminally, and was not looking for a short term reign

[the little guy]

Thats fine, the rest of us are confused and off base.

Cant make you see what you dont want to see.

By the way the next time Dinny Phipps makes a decision with the horseplayer in mind it will be the firstWell, there's an inciteful post that really sways me.

When, by the way, did I suggest that Dinny was an advocate of horseplayers?

Instead of just insulting me because I not only disagree with you, but unlike you took the time to write what I felt was a thoughtful post explaining the reasons for my opinion, why don't you offer some actual EVIDENCE for your opinion.

[alysheba88]

Not sure how that post was inciteful, to say nothing of insulting.

You said people were off base, and I responded that I thought you were. How is that insulting?

Why is a NYRA exec not in the Friends of NY group?

Again, I stand by what I said. If you cant put the 2&2 together by looking at the makeup of the committee, and drawing a conclusion about whats really going on, or at least questioning your current conclusion, nothing I say will convince you otherwise.

[the little guy]

Not sure how that post was inciteful, to say nothing of insulting.

You said people were off base, and I responded that I thought you were. How is that insulting?

Why is a NYRA exec not in the Friends of NY group?

Again, I stand by what I said. If you cant put the 2&2 together by looking at the makeup of the committee, and drawing a conclusion about whats really going on, nothing I say will convince you otherwise.You reedited you post after I responded?????

Have a good life.

[Suff]

. $100,000 really isn't a lot of money.

.

When your banging out 6 figure Pic 6's I suppose it aint!

I agree though. Heres we I see arguements get started over nothing. TLG has an Opinon... Alysheba has an Opinon. Both are entitled to it. Both have merits. It appears that if someone does'nt share ALYSHEBA's opinion.. He's threatened by that. Let people say and think what they want. Thats how things are worked out and learned here.

[the little guy]

I also maintain that NYRA does have a representative in that group, Tim Smith.

[alysheba88]

Actually I re-edited that post before you responded. I took out the Dinny Phipps stuff, since I didnt think it fair. I do not know enough about him. Still dont see anything insulting in any of my posts.

No need to get mad.

How many checks has Tim Smith cashed from NYRA?

[andicap]

I thought I had read somewhere that NYRA is not part of it in order to avoid appearance of a conflict of interest -- i.e. to avoid what Little Guy is asserting, that it's a vehicle to secure NYRA a new franchise.

Now I know that Little Guy has some contacts inside NYRA and has followed the group closely. In fact he's been very pro-NYRA on this board. So for him to say NYRA is being less than candid about its involvement with FONY -- basically laundering it through Dinny Phipps' connection -- resonates with me.

Alysheba, do you have any hard evidence -- through sources and such -- of your views? Or are you using dedective reasoning.

That's OK. You might be right. I'm not trying to be snide or cutting. I'm just wondering because to us outsiders it's totally unclear what is going on with FONY and when people form opinions I like to know the basis of them.

[alysheba88]

I have talked with one or two NYRA people myself. The impression I got was they were not crazy about whats going on. Maybe they have changed their minds.

I have a very hard time seeing how having Magna and Churchill Downs (two big competitors) plus a wagering company whose system you just replaced, are looking out for NYRA interests, to say nothing of the horseplayer. If they wanted to truly support NYRA I can think of many other ways of doing it.

The hard evidence is in the make up of the group. You see no conflicts of interest in it?

[alysheba88]

http://news.bloodhorse.com/viewstory.asp?id=25836

Group's Goal: A Better Model for New York
by Tom Precious
Date Posted: 12/16/2004 2:01:10 PM
Last Updated: 12/17/2004 3:52:22 PM

The future shape of New York's Thoroughbred industry will be the focus of a new group of the nation's leading racing industry insiders, whose chief mission will be to propose a new business model for the racing in the state....click above link for complete article...

[alysheba88]

If we were talking about a group with truly no conflict of interest I would totally support it. Are the only people capable of discussing these issues those with conflicts? Where is the horseplayer representation on here? Where is it?

[the little guy]

I have never spoken to anyone at NYRA about this situation. I have spoken to others about it, and most are just as confused as we are, as we can all come to conclusions ( apparantly different ones sometimes ) but mostly we feel like a lot of it is grasping in the dark.

I do think that FONY may end up having something to do with changing the statute that makes the NY racing franchise non-profit and state-controlled. Perhaps that has a lot to do with why other entities, such as Magna and Churchill, are involved. Inevitably, and I think that we can all agree on this, this has to be done for anyone to have an interest in the franchise.

[the little guy]

If we were talking about a group with truly no conflict of interest I would totally support it. Are the only people capable of discussing these issues those with conflicts? Where is the horseplayer representation on here? Where is it?Therein lies a lot of racings problems. Nothing in racing seems to be discussed without major conflicts of interest. And, of course, very rarely is anyone looking out for our ( horseplayers, that is ) best interests.

[CryingForTheHorses]

The most agenda ridden collection of misfits and Magna shills I have ever seen. Disgraceful idiots

I've come to the conclusion that 'We" Need "Friends of Magna"

[PaceAdvantage]

The policy of frowning upon the posting of complete copyrighted articles is still in force here at PaceAdvantage.Com, which is why I had to edit Alysheba88's post....A link, and a couple of sentences are all you need....

[alysheba88]

Pace, what is wrong with copying the article AND the link? I understand why the link needs to be there. Cant understand the problem with the article and link. I go out of my way to ensure proper credit is given to the source. Have done so for years on various boards. If that is going to be your policy then please delete the entire post I made. Will no longer include links or articles. Again, please delete the entire post. Thanks.

[PaceAdvantage]

Your reply makes little sense Alysheba. Why even post a link if you are going to copy the entire article? Why would anyone click on the link if they could read the entire article right here?

The policy on this board is that you are not supposed to reproduce copyrighted works in their entirety. Most everything on the web is copyrighted. "Fair use" law says you may quote passages here and there for the purpose of discussion or news. That means a couple of sentences, not the entire article.

The policy of posting a LINK along with a few sentences has been in place here for quite some time. I'm not sure why such a policy would cause you to cease posting helpful links or portions of articles together with the link to the source.

You say you "will no longer include links or articles." Is this your way of punishing me and the site? I don't understand? :confused:

[alysheba88]

I attach the link so full credit is given.

If I was the author of the article I would be happy that someone noticed my piece, copied it and provided access to it. I am not passing it off as my own, am not taking credit for anything. It is clear as day who wrote it.

If the author has a problem with it, then I dont want to be giving them free publicity. That is why I requested you delete the post, and why I will not post future links. Not "punishing" you or anyone here. Just think fair is fair. If they are hung up on this, then I do not want to give them more publicity thats all. Let people find their articles, I will not give them free publicity.

[PaceAdvantage]

You see, I don't understand what the big deal is. Perhaps I have not made myself clear, so I'll try again:

I LIKE IT WHEN PEOPLE POST and SHARE INFORMATION (that is the main reason for this website's existence). I like when people post LINKS and quote ARTICLES or news pieces. I DON'T LIKE COMPLETE REPRODUCTIONS.

It is HELPFUL and INFORMATIVE when board members post information, whether in the form of links, or portions of articles, or both.

Copyright law dictates that FULL REPRODUCTIONS are OUT OF THE QUESTION. Don't blame me. Blame copyright law, and recent case law.

However, that doesn't mean we should stop sharing valuable information. Hell, I post links and portions of articles EVERY DAY on the HOME PAGE OF THIS WEBSITE.

And Alysheba, I'm not sure if the author would be happy with the wider access to his work, but I can pretty much guarantee that the website which he works for, and wrote the piece for, would be very upset that you reproduced the work here, thereby depriving the source website (in this case bloodhorse.com) of a potential viewer.

I think I've said my piece on this issue (again).

Carry on....

[alysheba88]

Actually a very good argument could be made that it gave them extra viewers.

When someone posts an article and link I like I will often click to the site to see what else is on there.

But if that is their attitude, then again that is why I would not give them free publicity. Not telling others or you what to do.

[PaceAdvantage]

When someone posts an article and link I like I will often click to the site to see what else is on there.

Most people would not. And that's why news websites have sued other websites for reproducing complete articles. It's also one of the reasons stated why NYRA shut down its message board (people were posting copyrighted material without prior authorization).

You keep talking about "their attitude" as if someone contacted me about your posting of the article. I can tell you that nobody has contacted me about ANY posting of ANY article on this website. I'm looking to keep it that way....

Copyright law is pretty clear. Like it or not.

I still don't understand why all of this should prevent you from posting informative or helpful links or portions of articles in the future. That's what this place is all about -- the sharing of information.

[cigar explodes]

Interesting reactions, all. When FNYR launched, one of the original conspiracy theories was this was the new NYRA or just NYRA in sheep's clothing as a way to block Stronach's bid for the franchise.

A lot of the funders -- Churchill, Keeneland, Oak Tree, The Jockey Club -- have reason to be worrited if MEC were to get NYRA. At that point, it would have the market share to really shake things up.

Then MEC joined FNYR and people started to think it must be anti-NYRA. The truth, as always, is somewhere in the middle.

Look at it this way: if NYRA is actually toast and not able to renew its franchise (and that's the way the political tea leaves read), what's the harm in FNYR actually trying to positively influence the bidding process. Sure, there are interests all over FNYR that may want to run NY racing, but I beleive their intention -- to build a better model than the current dysfunctional system that leaves both NYRA and OTBs drowning in red ink -- is legit.