Belmont Opens Tomorrow - That's the good news....

[PaceAdvantage]

Plenty of BAD racing news in the air today....


Magna loses $4.1-million in first quarter (http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/todaysnews/newsview.asp?recno=54473&subsec=1) - and if you read this article, it seems as though they are running out of excuses....
Leading Owner Gill Getting Out of Horse Business (http://news.bloodhorse.com/viewstory.asp?id=27929) - you gotta feel for this guy, at least a little....
Wygod alleges conspiracy in Sweet Catomine affair (http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/todaysnews/newsview.asp?recno=54467&subsec=1) - not only that, Wygod is thinking of pulling a Gill and getting out of the business altogther. Funny thing is, I DON'T feel for this guy....not even a little.....and I'm not sure why...
Dutrow agrees to serve 120-day suspension (http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/todaysnews/newsview.asp?recno=54471&subsec=1) - but he'll get out in 60 days on good behavior.
Fractured sesamoid sends Consolidator to retirement (http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/todaysnews/newsview.asp?recno=54456&subsec=2) - another Lukas horse bites the dust. This world would be a much sweeter place if he was the ONLY trainer to ever have a horse break down on him, so keep the "I TOLD YOU SOs" to yourself.....if only....:(
Visa to end Triple Crown deal, sponsor only Kentucky Derby (http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/todaysnews/newsview.asp?recno=54458&subsec=1) - say what? Those commercials will never be the same again!
Churchill Draws Raves and Some Groans (http://news.bloodhorse.com/viewstory.asp?id=27902) - I gotta tell you, the way CDI has marginalized the Twin Spires borders on the grotesque. It's the equivalent of having Donald Trump build a couple of gaudy gold plated hotels around the Statue of Liberty.
Keeneland: On Track Strong, Off Track Down (http://racing.bloodhorse.com/viewstory.asp?id=27924) - That's what happens when you drop questionable simulcast centers. But, it's the right thing to do, and bravo to Keeneland and NYRA for biting the bullet and taking the hits.
If you got through that, then I owe you a beer. Any comments?

[shanta]

Thanx for putting all that together for us.

In the Magna article I see this:
Stronach said he envisions the horse racing industry commanding 30 to 40% of all gambling dollars, with Magna accounting for 20% of that.

I just don't see this as realistic with all the lotteries and casinos today. Also I know he has deep pockets but how long can he sustain losses like this?

I think Gill is feeling the sting of his association with "juiceman" Shuman. Don't pretend to know where he was at regarding this but losing an owner with that kind of stake in the game can't be good.


I see Belmont has PLENTY of horses listed for their opener :jump: Let's hope they don't do their "scratch 20 horses" routine that has become commonplace at Aqueduct.

Richie

[TOOZ]

Magna - can't feel a twinge of sorrow for them, they played the slot angle and lost. Who in their right mind would buy dumps like Portland Meadows and Great Lakes Downs?

Gill - The only people who are going to miss him are state legislators in the states where he races. I'd like to see claiming tax dollars at the tracks he was at pre-Gill and post-Gill.

Wygod - ultimate effort to save face. Blame everyone but yourself.

Dutrow - teflon man comes out unscathed.

Consolidator - bad luck, could of happened to any horse.

Visa - why push your luck? Great move, lots of advertising over the years, never had to pay the 5 mil.

Churchill - like painting the Golden Gate bridge blue.

Keenland - one of the best spring meets I've seen. They will keep getting my dollars, no matter who they exclude.

[BIG RED]

Magna - I read somewhere our former govenor was taking over the ops in Canada? P Cellucci was like thousands upon thousands in debt presumably from horse racing bets when he was last here. Good luck.

Gill - always bad when one gets out although others come along and get in.

Wygod - Sounds like he beleives in his name.

Dutrow - Something has to start being done, I don't care if all trainers are suspended. Once they get hit hard, they should start playing ' fair '

Consolidater - I won't say it PA

Visa - agree with TOOZ, makes sense.

Churchill - sounds bad but haven't caught a picture of it yet

Keenland - will grow and grow. I just hope they keep the month meet and no more.

And Mike I'll take a pint of Guiness :cool:

[andicap]

I would think Visa would WANT to give away the $5 mill. Great publicity if it happens and it might be insured so that they are paying premiums on it anyway no matter if it's hit or not.

[saratoga guy]

Churchill - sounds bad but haven't caught a picture of it yet

You can see some pics here:

http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050429/BUSINESS/504290312

Looks nice to me.

[kenwoodallpromos]

IMO, the common tie to all these stories is people in all facets of horseracing are trying to play money and power games for their own advantage, and sometimes it goes so far to be detrimental to racing overall. But I assume this has happened before, like always to some extent.
I assume that is why some people complain when they do not get their percieved advantage or favoritism.
Tough. In or out.

[PaceAdvantage]

Looks nice to me.

The picture in the article you posted with the orange tint....from that angle, you can only see 1 1/2 spires....LOL

[CryingForTheHorses]

Bad day losing Gill as a owner. A chance for a owner to run in the derby diminished, I feel for the owner.Beginning to wonder how much money my friend Frank can keep losing.Thats a pile of money!

[The Hawk]

Belmont opening may be good news to some, but to that I say "Why?," unless you're into statebreds and short fields. If that's the case you're better off playing Finger Lakes. That Belmont "opening day" card is awful. At this point, NYRA may not be the best product in their own state, if you're looking for full fields and value.

For that matter: What happened with the Churchill card on Thursday? Derby Week usually offers excellent betting races but the first half of Thursday's card is horrendous.

[Figman]

I don't know what you are looking at HAWK stating short fields, for there are 86 horses entered. Try looking Wednesday at Hollywood Park that has just 65 horses.

[Zman179]

Belmont opening may be good news to some, but to that I say "Why?," unless you're into statebreds and short fields. If that's the case you're better off playing Finger Lakes. That Belmont "opening day" card is awful. At this point, NYRA may not be the best product in their own state, if you're looking for full fields and value.

Because it's about "being there". It's leafy, it's relaxing, it's airy, it's a genuine park, and most of all: it's not Aqueduct! You being a New Yorker can in no way compare the ambience of Aqueduct to that of Belmont. I will be there for sure if not only for the relaxation (and the 50¢ hot dogs, ice creams, sodas and $1 DRF.)

BTW, I do believe that Finger Lakes has an excellent product, and I bet on FL all the time, even as my first choice to bet on, but I'm not about to make the 5 hour drive up the Thruway anytime soon.

[The Hawk]

I agree, there is no comparison between Aqueduct and Belmont. Maybe a comparison between Aqueduct and the Port Authority Bus Terminal (I prefer the latter), but not Aqueduct and Belmont, which is a nice track. I was just talking about the card from a betting standpoint for those playing from home, not lucky enough to be in attendance.

Yes, there are 86 horses entered. That includes 6 MTO's and a couple of horses who HAVE to scratch since the same jockey was named on both parts of a few entries (a ridiculous rule, by the way). The short fields I referred to were the grass races, which are 6, 8 and 9 horses, resptively, BEFORE any late scratches. Churchill has a 6-horse grass race on Thursday, too. Maybe it's an epidemic.

I wasn't kidding about Finger Lakes. At least there's some value, which is harder than ever to come by in this game.

Good luck to all in finding the prices on opening day.

[bobhilo]

short fields?
I read an old statistic that 98%(maybee more) of owners lose money...
we enjoy horseracing...

but the cost for owners is high....

casinos are doing great

horse tracks are suffering

thanks to Bris and others we can avoid paying entrance fees, parking, Daily Racing Form charges...getting shut out...jerks spitting on the floor...smoke..noisy patrons...

we are lucky today

[Valuist]

That link to the "new" Churchill story made me laugh. One woman claims when she walked in it "didn't look like the old Churchill Downs." God I hope not. That's what they were trying to do. Have it NOT look like that old dump it used to be.

[PaceAdvantage]

I believe she was probably referring to the fact that the Spires are dwindled in importance. They should have built them up a bit IMO.

The interior improvements look fantastic, from what I've seen on TV.

[The Hawk]

Agreed on both counts, PA. The Spires are the focal point of the track. You would have thought they'd be enhanced in some way...better yet, leave it be. alone.

[The Hawk]

Man, I was dead wrong about today's Belmont card, I see there are some nice prices rolling in. I thought it would be another chalk-fest, and it's the opposite. I hope you guys are catching them.