Rumor??? Did Excelsior win franchise?

[highnote]

A man I work with told his wife on the phone tonight (March 26) that Excelsior was just awarded the NYRA franchise.

Any truth to that? I thought the announcement was still weeks or months away.

If they haven't then PA can erase this.

[Indulto]

A man I work with told his wife on the phone tonight (March 26) that Excelsior was just awarded the NYRA franchise.

Any truth to that? I thought the announcement was still weeks or months away.

If they haven't then PA can erase this.Nothing in Google news about it it yet, but I can see how one might have gotten that impression from the displayrd portions of the latest articles including the search arguments "Excelsior Racing".

Fertlity of rumor? ;)

[highnote]

I think he is mistaken. I can't find any news on it.

I work next door to YES network's studios. All kinds of rumors float around. :ThmbDown:

The other rumor I heard tonight is that Steinbrenner has not been seen in awhile because his health is failing.

PA... you need a Page 6 on your site. :D

[Ron]

Proposals are due Saturday.


http://www.saratogian.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=18126348&BRD=1169&PAG=461&dept_id=602469&rfi=6

[Indulto]

Maybe this is what caused a stir:

http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/national-news/2007/March/26/Catskill-OTB-drops-out-of-race-for-New-York-racing-franchise.aspx (http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/national-news/2007/March/26/Catskill-OTB-drops-out-of-race-for-New-York-racing-franchise.aspx)

Catskill OTB drops out of race for New York racing franchise By Paul PostCatskill Regional Off Track Betting has dropped out of the race for New York's Thoroughbred racing franchise, saying it should not have to pay for expensive integrity reviews when it already files reports with several state agencies.

Governor Eliot Spitzer has required each firm seeking the contract to submit a $100,000 retainer to have an independent analyst scrutinize the entity's background and records, along with each firm's principals as well.

The retainer will be credited to each firm's total bill, which could be much higher.

[highnote]

A quote from the aforelinked article (did I just create a new word?):

The final franchise decision rests with the governor and legislature, although Spitzer has definitely taken the lead in determining how the selection process will be carried out.
Spitzer has pledged to name a new contract operator by Memorial Day Weekend, providing there's one that lives up to his expectations.

If Spitzer doesn't like the proposal companies could be asked to resubmit bids. This could go on indefinately.

I think the whole thing should be run by the state -- racing and slots.

If there is going to be a monopoly awarded then the state should be the one to run the monopoly. Why should a private corporation be awarded a monopoly -- especially one that will probably end up paying their CEO some ridiculous salary. What the hell will the CEO do to deserve a high salary? Hell, the company should make money hand over fist by virtue of the fact they've got a monopoly on slots in NYC. Doesn't take a genius to run that kind of a company.

I'm beginning to think NYRA should be the one to receive the franchise award and that salary limits should be imposed on the slots side of the operation.

Once the slots are up and running there isn't a whole lot to do -- just sit back and watch the money pour in. I don't think a CEO deserves a multi-million dollar salary and stock options for that.

Personally, I'd like to see the state receive all the money and then dole some of it out to the horsemen in the form of higher purses and also to the tracks for upgrades and maintenance -- and hopefully there won't be too many sweetheart deals. I suppose it's inevitable.

In terms of salary, if the state ran the slots the top cat would get a salary similar to the top salary of people in the lottery commission.

Normally, I am all for capitalism. But this is a special situation because it is a monopoly franchise awarded for 20 years or so.

If the state would encourage competition by allowing for the creation of new racetracks in the NYC metro area and also slot parlors, casinos, etc., then I would be in favor of private or public for profit companies running these businesses.

But I think it is wrong to grant a for profit company a monopoly. I think it is wrong that cable companies are awarded regional monopolies. Why should that be? I say open it up and let's compete.

[JustRalph]

The other rumor I heard tonight is that Steinbrenner has not been seen in awhile because his health is failing.

I know someone in Florida right now for Spring Training. They told me they saw him getting into a car and he was being helped and coughing like he was about to die............the plot thickens?

[point given]

Maybe this is what caused a stir:

http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/national-news/2007/March/26/Catskill-OTB-drops-out-of-race-for-New-York-racing-franchise.aspx (http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/national-news/2007/March/26/Catskill-OTB-drops-out-of-race-for-New-York-racing-franchise.aspx)

Catskill OTB drops out of race for New York racing franchise By Paul Post

Thank g-d for small favors. REmember the Fix 6, where did they put in the bet ? Having had some experience with them and their management, I wouldnot let them handle a cubscout troops dues, let alone a states tracks. Management is an oxymoron in catskill otb. Once when i inquired at Capital otb why we couldnot get the handicapping shows in catskill, they said, catskill threatened to sue them where the signal leaked over their boundary. These leaches havnot done a thing for racing or their customers in their life. don't let the door hit ya in the keester Catskill.

[samyn on the green]

Catskill OTB's are all dumps. You almost have to say a prayer for the dinosaurs that bet there on a daily basis and pay that 6% vig on top of takeout.