Guess who's coming to dinner at NYRA?

[Tom]

Just heard this today - looking for a story on the web.
Apparently, a Buffalo, NY newspaper has reported that Finger Lakes Gaming and Race Track, operators of Finger Lakes Race Track and Casino, is going to make a bid to take over operations of Bel, Aqu and Sar. They have experience in both racing and slot machines and feel they have a shot at servinthe whole state.

I will see what I can find out at the track - will force myself to go hit the prime rib buffet tonight and then hang around the slot bar investigating this story.:rolleyes:

[lsbets]

Tom, thank you for the sacrifice you are willing to make to find out information. Hopefully it won't be too tough putting up with the horses, prime rib, and slot machines. Keep your head up throughout the ordeal! ;)

[rokitman]

Just heard this today - looking for a story on the web.
Apparently, a Buffalo, NY newspaper has reported that Finger Lakes Gaming and Race Track, operators of Finger Lakes Race Track and Casino, is going to make a bid to take over operations of Bel, Aqu and Sar. They have experience in both racing and slot machines and feel they have a shot at servinthe whole state.

I will see what I can find out at the track - will force myself to go hit the prime rib buffet tonight and then hang around the slot bar investigating this story.:rolleyes:
There would be some beauty to the "little guys" taking over the "big boys." Out of all the possible takeover candidates that I've heard, this is the first one that didn't make me cringe.

[Achilles]

There's nothing small about Delaware North, the parent company of Finger Lakes Gaming and Racing. Do a Google search on them. I believe that they are the latest incarnation of what was the Jacobs family (of Buffalo, NY?) institutional catering business. They've been around for a long time.

[xfile]

Just heard this today - looking for a story on the web.
Apparently, a Buffalo, NY newspaper has reported that Finger Lakes Gaming and Race Track, operators of Finger Lakes Race Track and Casino, is going to make a bid to take over operations of Bel, Aqu and Sar. They have experience in both racing and slot machines and feel they have a shot at servinthe whole state.

I will see what I can find out at the track - will force myself to go hit the prime rib buffet tonight and then hang around the slot bar investigating this story.:rolleyes:

Sounds like a BS story to hype the media. Never happen. No way a tuna eats a shark. :cool: Finger Licks (Actually I have a dirtier name for the track but that won't go over in here)....lol.....puuuhlease :D

[DerbyTrail]

Sounds like a BS story to hype the media. Never happen. No way a tuna eats a shark. :cool: Finger Licks (Actually I have a dirtier name for the track but that won't go over in here)....lol.....puuuhlease :D

What you don't know could fill Yankee Stadium.

[highnote]

Sounds reasonable to me. Hell, I might even try to put together an investment group to make a bid. Why not?

Running a business ain't rocket science. If you can beat the races, you have more than enough brains to run a race track.

Anyone interested?

[Figman]

XFile
You've got to get out of NY and widen your horizons. Delaware North is the shark and NYRA is the little guy.
http://www.delawarenorth.com/

[highnote]

Pretty impressive company.

I still think a group of horseplayers could run NY racing better.

[Figman]

Maybe so for horseplayers running the pari-mutuel side.

But Delaware North got video gaming in operation at three sites in New York. At that tiny harness track in Saratoga they had a net win of over $101 million in 2005 with 1,300 machines and well over another $100 million at Finger Lakes and Buffalo Raceway with less machines.

NYRA and Yonkers Raceway chose not to partner with Delaware North for their 10,000 machines and over two years later both are still on the sidelines still doing demolition. I would have voted for Delaware North.

[the little guy]

You're not suggesting that had NYRA partnered with Delaware North four years ago the slots would be up and running in Ozone Park are you? I know you're WAY to smart and informed to believe that.

[highnote]

Maybe so for horseplayers running the pari-mutuel side.

But Delaware North got video gaming in operation at three sites in New York. At that tiny harness track in Saratoga they had a net win of over $101 million in 2005 with 1,300 machines and well over another $100 million at Finger Lakes and Buffalo Raceway with less machines.

NYRA and Yonkers Raceway chose not to partner with Delaware North for their 10,000 machines and over two years later both are still on the sidelines still doing demolition. I would have voted for Delaware North.

From what I've heard the Rooney family used to run the slots on one side of Pittsburgh before it was legal -- if you know what I mean.

Last I heard the Rooney's own Yonkers Raceway. If both of my statements are true, then I think Yonkers management has a lot more experience with slots than Delaware. :D

[Figman]

TLG,
I'm saying if they had partnered with Delaware North, NYRA would have been guided in a more judicious manner and the slots in Ozone Park would be up and running sometime during 2006. The Delaware North experience in getting through the "hoops" would have been invaluable.

Under NYRA's current produce, that is not happening. Demolition is not yet completed much less construction started.

[highnote]

http://www.publishersmarketplace.com/cgi-bin/displayRights.pl?rights_no=2839

Here's a quote from the link above:

"The six Rooney brothers were baptized both in the Catholic Church and the sporting fraternity. The latter came on the sandlots where they displayed a competitive zeal and athletic prowess that carried them through sport's changing seasons. Rooney, whose life was a never-ending saga of male bonding, spent much of his time, off the field and on it, in the company of a diverse variety of boys and men. His brothers were part of that crew. Dan, renowned on the Northside for his temper and toughness, turned down an offer to play baseball for the Yankees in order to enter the priesthood. Jim, who starred at Pitt under Jock Sutherland, ran slot machines and was elected to the state legislature."

[kenwoodallpromos]

Sorry Tom- I just cannot think of any jokes so enjoy your prime BEFF rib!

[Tom]

Well, I didn't find out anything specific, other than I really, really like Candian Club! I'll have to go back tomorrow!:rolleyes:

[xfile]

XFile
You've got to get out of NY and widen your horizons. Delaware North is the shark and NYRA is the little guy.
http://www.delawarenorth.com/

I stand corrected. Pretty impressive company. I didn't know this company owned Finger Lakes. I'm old school so as soon as I heard something like "Finger Lakes people to run NYRA" I just took the normal stance. :cool:

[Suff]

Deleware North ( Jeremy Jacobs & Brother) have owned the Boston Bruins as long as I can recall. They HQ in Buffalo and are very shrewd Businessmen.


I put them in the same class as a Steinbrenner and Donald Trump when it comes to deal making. But they shun the spotlight.

[garyoz]

I had some dealings with Delaware North. They are very sharp. Among their businesses are the running of concessions at sport stadiums and national parks (like the Grand Canyon). They are very technologically driven, decentralized, know how to control costs and work to understand their customers. I am a big NYRA fan and at this point would much prefer them to Frankie or CDSN.

BTW, I saw that in one of the upstate newspapers Frankie was talking about making Saratoga a "year round" destination. Ever been in upstate NY in January or February? I'll try to find the link. I can understand Andy Beyer's quote that his employees are afraid to disagree with him. The only reason he has a shot at making a small fortune in horse racing is because he started with a large fortune.

[JulieKrone]

Some of Stronach's plans start out as good ideas-- but some of the minutiae are just ridiculous-- yet he has to micromanage, obsess and get his way with specific details while losing track of the big picture at times. He needs to attend for balance the Tom Monahan School of Business Management. You're totally correct about his $$$-- no successful big organization / Fortune 1000 company would ever hire him on merit.

[taintso]

here's the editorial Tom referred to....

http://www.buffalonews.com/editorial/20060125/1042710.asp

[fouroneone]

here's the editorial Tom referred to....

http://www.buffalonews.com/editorial/20060125/1042710.asp


Wait, so Del North owns MTR also?

[highnote]

No. It must be a different one. Mountaineer is a publicly held company.

[Zman179]

Wait, so Del North owns MTR also?

Nope, Delaware North owns Wheeling Downs dog track in West Virginia.
Funny how people hear the name "Finger Lakes" and automatically think about derogatory things; the track has posted a profit every year since 1964. Not too shabby.
Considering that Delaware North is New York-based and has many business dealings within the state, it would not shock me to see DN take over NYRA. Then again, I really don't think that NYRA will give up anything without a lengthy court battle.

[Tom]

Coin toss:

NYRA = major tracks
FL = minor tracks

NYRA = losses
FL = profit


I think it is a great idea...DN has a proven record and FL has only gotten better over time. DN might bring something to the table. Back in the day, little old Finger LAkes was offering a G3 sprint that attracked many BCup starts - Groovy set out track record once, in his prime. FL is limited in scope by its size, but it has tried many innovative things over the years that just were not supported enough to sustain. Given the NYRA stage, who knows what they might be able to do. At least they are not Frank-eeeeeeee!

(pssst - we have free parking and admission at FL......for a loooong time now)

[WINMANWIN]

Coin toss:

NYRA = major tracks
FL = minor tracks

NYRA = losses
FL = profit


I think it is a great idea...DN has a proven record and FL has only gotten better over time. DN might bring something to the table. Back in the day, little old Finger LAkes was offering a G3 sprint that attracked many BCup starts - Groovy set out track record once, in his prime. FL is limited in scope by its size, but it has tried many innovative things over the years that just were not supported enough to sustain. Given the NYRA stage, who knows what they might be able to do. At least they are not Frank-eeeeeeee!

(pssst - we have free parking and admission at FL......for a loooong time now)

DN may also have some Upstate Political Clout, If Pataki and Sen Bruno have a fondness for them, It could be a SLAM DUNK franchise Takeover :jump:

[rokitman]

Make your support of the idea known to the chairman (http://senatorbilllarkin.com/biography.asp) of the NYS Senate Racing, Gaming and Wagering Committee. He just may give you an ear.

[garyoz]

DN may also have some Upstate Political Clout, If Pataki and Sen Bruno have a fondness for them, It could be a SLAM DUNK franchise Takeover :jump:

After spending a couple decades in NY, it is my experience that the politicos in Albany are fond of people who make campaign contributions and or provide payback in other ways (e.g., Magna hiring Bruno's kid).

Delaware North is a clean operation, so it may not be a good fit. They do however have access to capital--something most of the other players are lacking. My speculation is that there will be some type of joint bid with DN being a major player, maybe managing partner.

[xtb]

[QUOTE=Suff]Deleware North ( Jeremy Jacobs & Brother) have owned the Boston Bruins as long as I can recall. They HQ in Buffalo and are very shrewd Businessmen.


And they would be the owners of the Buffalo Sabres if they had been allowed to purchase them a couple years ago.