Beyer Article Racing May Have A Savior

[The Judge]

Washington Post Article

By Andrew Beyer
Saturday, April 11, 2009; Page D02
Halsey Minor has made hundreds of millions of dollars as a technology entrepreneur. His San Francisco-based firm bills itself as an investor in start-up companies that seek to "change the shape of business on the Internet." A man on the cutting edge of commerce seems an unlikely candidate to get involved in the moribund horse racing industry. Yet Minor aspires to own racetracks and sees a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to acquire a portfolio of them. Magna Entertainment, the biggest owner of U.S. tracks, has declared bankruptcy and Minor hopes to buy almost all of the company's properties -- including Santa Anita, Pimlico and Laurel.

Asked if his aims were based on sentiment or a business decision, Minor said: "Turning around American racing is my passion. It's what I think about all day.

[joanied]

I wish him good luck...Stronach made a mess of things with his illusions of grandeur...who knows, maybe Minor can turn things around somewhat.

[slewis]

Washington Post Article

By Andrew Beyer
Saturday, April 11, 2009; Page D02
Halsey Minor has made hundreds of millions of dollars as a technology entrepreneur. His San Francisco-based firm bills itself as an investor in start-up companies that seek to "change the shape of business on the Internet." A man on the cutting edge of commerce seems an unlikely candidate to get involved in the moribund horse racing industry. Yet Minor aspires to own racetracks and sees a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to acquire a portfolio of them. Magna Entertainment, the biggest owner of U.S. tracks, has declared bankruptcy and Minor hopes to buy almost all of the company's properties -- including Santa Anita, Pimlico and Laurel.

Asked if his aims were based on sentiment or a business decision, Minor said: "Turning around American racing is my passion. It's what I think about all day.


And he, like many other wealthy people who want to come into this sport and turn it around, will leave with his tail between his legs and a whole lot poorer.

I laugh at crap like this...

There is ONLY one business model that can work properly for the the game as a whole (especially the fate of the horses) and that's what we have in NY.

Tracks should be owned and operated by the state. Franchise it out if necessary, or hire competant experienced people from the HORSEMAN AND GAMBLING sides of the business to run them. The racing business should be looked at like state parks, not for profit, for the entertainment of the people, with ample revenue to provide jobs and to fill tax burdens.
If tracks were completely state controlled, the interstate negotiations regarding signals, etc would be far less of a headache then one or two companies leveraging everyone else out.
Govt's should control gambling, why should individuals profit from it? Gambling (casino too) should never be perceived as a business open to private operation.
It's a cash cow, plus, it opens the door to far too much lobbying and payoffs for contracts, etc.
Stronach loves racing.. his heart is in the right place..but the model fails time and time again. I posted this when the NYRA franchise was being tossed about... fortunately the state did the smart thing not privatizing it.
(Although the 25yrs NYRA got is a complete joke and a separate arguement)
As far as Halsey goes.... good luck:rolleyes:

[Relwob Owner]

And he, like many other wealthy people who want to come into this sport and turn it around, will leave with his tail between his legs and a whole lot poorer.

I laugh at crap like this...

There is ONLY one business model that can work properly for the the game as a whole (especially the fate of the horses) and that's what we have in NY.

Tracks should be owned and operated by the state. Franchise it out if necessary, or hire competant experienced people from the HORSEMAN AND GAMBLING sides of the business to run them. The racing business should be looked at like state parks, not for profit, for the entertainment of the people, with ample revenue to provide jobs and to fill tax burdens.
If tracks were completely state controlled, the interstate negotiations regarding signals, etc would be far less of a headache then one or two companies leveraging everyone else out.
Govt's should control gambling, why should individuals profit from it? Gambling (casino too) should never be perceived as a business open to private operation.
It's a cash cow, plus, it opens the door to far too much lobbying and payoffs for contracts, etc.
Stronach loves racing.. his heart is in the right place..but the model fails time and time again. I posted this when the NYRA franchise was being tossed about... fortunately the state did the smart thing not privatizing it.
(Although the 25yrs NYRA got is a complete joke and a separate arguement)
As far as Halsey goes.... good luck:rolleyes:


Man, did you hit the nail on the head....this guy scares the crap out of me....anyone who says they can come in and quickly fix the sport is out of their mind....just because he did well in another profession doesnt mean he can come in and fix our problems....

[Donnie]

...something is churning, folks. I didn't see the entire ad last night on TV, BUT I swear there was an ad on TV touting The Kentucky Derby as the "PARTY of ALL PARTIES". They were talking about all these stars who were going to perform and it was gonna be held on one of the major networks, I think on Derby Day. Somebody, somewhere sees an opportunity of promoting the Derby and surrounding festivities. I am hoping this will draw more people (especially a younger crowd) to focus on the races.

Sidebar--- I don't watch a whole lot of TV, it is on moreso for background noise, but I do watch the Celebrity Apprentice. Did y'all see Joan Rivers call poker players in Vegas "the bottom of the barrell"....she was talking to Annie Duke and deriding her for "playing the game" on the show. Thru this show I have lost ALL respect for Joan Rivers.....not like I had a lot for her to begin with!

[slewis]

Man, did you hit the nail on the head....this guy scares the crap out of me....anyone who says they can come in and quickly fix the sport is out of their mind....just because he did well in another profession doesnt mean he can come in and fix our problems....


OMG Rel,

We agree on something????

I was just about to store the snow blower away..figured we were safe....now, I'll keep it around for a couple of weeks...filled with gasoline...
And since I figured never to be rich in this lifetime...Im buyin me a lotto ticket too.

thanks..:ThmbUp:

[Relwob Owner]

OMG Rel,

We agree on something????

I was just about to store the snow blower away..figured we were safe....now, I'll keep it around for a couple of weeks...filled with gasoline...
And since I figured never to be rich in this lifetime...Im buyin me a lotto ticket too.

thanks..:ThmbUp:


We have had some good back and forths but no name calling or anything and I have enjoyed em!!!! We can ban together and keep Minor out.....:):)

[Greyfox]

There is ONLY one business model that can work properly for the the game as a whole (especially the fate of the horses) and that's what we have in NY.



What an open mind you have.
Personally, I wish the entrepreneur well.
Differing from your view re: the Government running horse racing, I don't believe that Governments should be in the business of being in business.

[Relwob Owner]

What an open mind you have.
Personally, I wish the entrepreneur well.
Differing from your view re: the Government running horse racing, I don't believe that Governments should be in the business of being in business.


Im not sure I am on board with the govt running racing either but I am on board with thinking Minor will get in and then get out much, much poorer...horse racing is such a complicated, layered and currently troubled business and hearing someone say they will have little problem fixing it is the first tip off to their future failure IMHO.......

[DanG]

I wish him all the best and cringe simultaneously.

[slew101]

Exactly. Two words for this guy. Sam Zell. Thought he could swoop in and save Tribune Company. Now, he's not only taking a bath but admits he was dead wrong.

Man, did you hit the nail on the head....this guy scares the crap out of me....anyone who says they can come in and quickly fix the sport is out of their mind....just because he did well in another profession doesnt mean he can come in and fix our problems....

[Relwob Owner]

I wish him all the best and cringe simultaneously.


well put.....

[slewis]

And you're happy with the socialization of America as well? lol

Im not at all for socialization of America.... When it comes to gambling, it's a different animal. Look what's taking place in the racetrack industry...

Tracks are counting on racinos to make it... very very bad idea.

I dont know if you're familiar with Bethpage state park (they'll play the US open in Golf their this year).

5 golf courses on prime real estate. The property taxes the state would generate alone if they sold and developed the land could feed a third world country or two.
But it's a park.. for the people... entertainment. The charged green fees to play golf cover a VERY small cost towards the maintenance of it, yet, it creates jobs and is good for the state and the people of the state.

That's how racetracks should be viewed... but with tracks there is a big bonus... they generate hundreds of millions in tax revenue.. and states, because it's GAMBLING, should completely control it.
Many other industries rely on the track... like the breeding industry..and others.. it's a huge business.

[slewis]

What an open mind you have.
Personally, I wish the entrepreneur well.
Differing from your view re: the Government running horse racing, I don't believe that Governments should be in the business of being in business.


Greyfox,

Let me give you one example (of many) why Im scared of racing for profit....

Let's say at a track in Vermont (there is no racing, but it's hypothetical) a private owner runs the track.. He's barely making it. They have a string of bad weather forcing some cancellations due to weather and poor track conditions.
Now after 4 canceled days.. the weather is a bit nicer, but the track is bad...and dangerous...
Now it becomes business over safety... dollars and cents over intelligence, reason and integrity...

This is just 1 example.... I could give 50 more.
No one can dispute that smaller, privately owned tracks are under pressure to fill cards and generate income.... sometimes at the expense of the animal.

I could go on...

[Greyfox]

Greyfox,

Let me give you one example (of many) why Im scared of racing for profit....

...

Spare me the examples. Why should Joe Public pay for horse racing?
If the game isn't viable as an honest business operation, why should tax payers foot the bill?

[DJofSD]

Greyfox, I agree, however, we've already slipped down the slippery sloop.

[point given]

Spare me the examples. Why should Joe Public pay for horse racing?
If the game isn't viable as an honest business operation, why should tax payers foot the bill?

only the smokers, drinkers and obese, :rolleyes:

[W2G]

I like this guy. Check out this interview.

http://pdfs.thoroughbreddailynews.com/generic_upload/pdf/halsey%20minor.pdf

[CBedo]

I dont know if you're familiar with Bethpage state park (they'll play the US open in Golf their this year).

5 golf courses on prime real estate. The property taxes the state would generate alone if they sold and developed the land could feed a third world country or two.
But it's a park.. for the people... entertainment. The charged green fees to play golf cover a VERY small cost towards the maintenance of it, yet, it creates jobs and is good for the state and the people of the state.
76 on Bethpage Black a few years ago --and I'd argue that if Bethpage was privatized, it would be better for the people, the state, and the owner! j/k I don't know about Bethpage specifically, but I've never seen the government run anything as efficiently as the private sector, for profit or not for profit.

[john del riccio]

Spare me the examples. Why should Joe Public pay for horse racing?
If the game isn't viable as an honest business operation, why should tax payers foot the bill?

WELL SAID>

John

[hencicleva]

I can't believe how many people think the tax payer, (whether local State or Federal) owes them a subsidy on their entertainment or that the Government has a track record of doing things well or honestly... but then I read this board to be informed.

[Tom]

I wish him all the best and cringe simultaneously.

Wait until he eats a race track hot dog, then we'll see how dedicated he is!

[Bruddah]

There is ONLY one business model that can work properly for the the game as a whole (especially the fate of the horses) and that's what we have in NY.

Tracks should be owned and operated by the state. Franchise it out if necessary, or hire competant experienced people from the HORSEMAN AND GAMBLING sides of the business to run them. The racing business should be looked at like state parks, not for profit, for the entertainment of the people, with ample revenue to provide jobs and to fill tax burdens.
If tracks were completely state controlled, the interstate negotiations regarding signals, etc would be far less of a headache then one or two companies leveraging everyone else out.
Govt's should control gambling, why should individuals profit from it? Gambling (casino too) should never be perceived as a business open to private operation.
It's a cash cow, plus, it opens the door to far too much lobbying and payoffs for contracts, etc.
Stronach loves racing.. his heart is in the right place..but the model fails time and time again. I posted this when the NYRA franchise was being tossed about... fortunately the state did the smart thing not privatizing it.
(Although the 25yrs NYRA got is a complete joke and a separate arguement)
As far as Halsey goes.... good luck:rolleyes:[/QUOTE]


Sir, either you have been smoking some WOWIE MAUI, or you are a Candidate for Horse Racing Czar in the Obama Administration.

You obviously are ignoring the State Bailout of NY racing and the mess it's found(finds) itself. I admit to being prejudiced toward Oaklawn but if you are going to site an example of the proper way to run a race track, you should start looking there and not a government teet.

[slewis]

76 on Bethpage Black a few years ago --and I'd argue that if Bethpage was privatized, it would be better for the people, the state, and the owner! j/k I don't know about Bethpage specifically, but I've never seen the government run anything as efficiently as the private sector, for profit or not for profit.


That's some good golf.....but just so you know.. you played golf in Nassau county.... the property taxes alone on that property would make green fess about $250.00 per round if not more.
This was the problem NYRA ran into.. The franchise agreement stated (and has always) that the property taxes on the 3 tracks were to be paid by the association. As property taxes skyrocketed in Nassau Co (Belmont pk), NYRA wasn't generating enough additional revenue over such period to pay those taxes. They defaulted and actually never paid them.... Which is another reason why the state could of taken the land.. (but that's another thread-arguement)...

I wont disagree that the Govt can be very ineffecient in running anything...
that's why franchising is the way to go... BUT I cant see why that mentality cant change. Hire managers and pay them like the private sector with accountability and goals and the problem would be solved. Problem is that so many Govt jobs are bureaucratic BS.. so Im not completely adverse to you're arguement.

[DJofSD]

I like this guy. Check out this interview.

http://pdfs.thoroughbreddailynews.com/generic_upload/pdf/halsey%20minor.pdf
Interesting read. It sounds like dealing with this guy, you'd always know where you stand.

He mentioned making the parking area at SAX more like a park, a green area. I like it. At least he and Napoleon would have one thing in common - not that you can compare Paris to Los Angeles.

[DanG]

Wait until he eats a race track hot dog, then we'll see how dedicated he is!
LOL… :D

Not quite the Coney Island classic; but decent Nathan’s at Tampa Bay Downs Tom!
http://z.about.com/d/americanfood/1/5/m/0/-/-/02nathans_Del_Far.jpg

[slewis]

Spare me the examples. Why should Joe Public pay for horse racing?
If the game isn't viable as an honest business operation, why should tax payers foot the bill?

Because if you're going to have a racetrack like Belmont and Aqueduct, in high property tax areas.. who is going to flip the bill for the taxes??? That's why NYRA needed to restructure it's whole exsistance...(or one reason)

Next, property taxes aside, the tracks should be able to generate serious tax revenue for the state through the handle... but when the time comes for things like capital improvements (like at Belmont, Aqu, and Saratoga) then what?? If they are privately run (like NYRA had been doing) they told the state they couldn't make it any longer..

Does a private entity sink 100's of millions in?? ..No they'd walk away...

Im telling you the business model does not work.. are you telling me it does?? or are you saying that if it does not, let the whole industry crumble.. just let it go?? Breeding farms, employees, etc, this is a huge industry...

Sorry.. cant agree even remotely.

[point given]

LOL… :D


Darnit , now you got me hungry.... now heading to the kitchen !:jump:


Not quite the Coney Island classic; but decent Nathan’s at Tampa Bay Downs Tom!
http://z.about.com/d/americanfood/1/5/m/0/-/-/02nathans_Del_Far.jpg !

[slewis]

There is ONLY one business model that can work properly for the the game as a whole (especially the fate of the horses) and that's what we have in NY.

Tracks should be owned and operated by the state. Franchise it out if necessary, or hire competant experienced people from the HORSEMAN AND GAMBLING sides of the business to run them. The racing business should be looked at like state parks, not for profit, for the entertainment of the people, with ample revenue to provide jobs and to fill tax burdens.
If tracks were completely state controlled, the interstate negotiations regarding signals, etc would be far less of a headache then one or two companies leveraging everyone else out.
Govt's should control gambling, why should individuals profit from it? Gambling (casino too) should never be perceived as a business open to private operation.
It's a cash cow, plus, it opens the door to far too much lobbying and payoffs for contracts, etc.
Stronach loves racing.. his heart is in the right place..but the model fails time and time again. I posted this when the NYRA franchise was being tossed about... fortunately the state did the smart thing not privatizing it.
(Although the 25yrs NYRA got is a complete joke and a separate arguement)
As far as Halsey goes.... good luck:rolleyes:


Sir, either you have been smoking some WOWIE MAUI, or you are a Candidate for Horse Racing Czar in the Obama Administration.

You obviously are ignoring the State Bailout of NY racing and the mess it's found(finds) itself. I admit to being prejudiced toward Oaklawn but if you are going to site an example of the proper way to run a race track, you should start looking there and not a government teet.[/QUOTE]

Sorry I almost ruined your raccoon stew.


You dont even know why the state had to bailout NYRA... maybe you should read the rest of my posts here before making wise ass statements....
You'll learn about the difference in property values in NYC compared to Woodchuk, Mississippi.

[Greyfox]

Im telling you the business model does not work.. are you telling me it does?? or are you saying that if it does not, let the whole industry crumble.. just let it go?? Breeding farms, employees, etc, this is a huge industry...

Sorry.. cant agree even remotely.

If a business model doesn't work, choose a different business model.
The horse racing industry employs masses of people.
The industry is primarily dependent upon customers.
No customers = no business.
Treat the customer as King and there is no need for tax payer subsidization from the non-betting sector of the general public.

[slewis]

If a business model doesn't work, choose a different business model.
The horse racing industry employs masses of people.
The industry is primarily dependent upon customers.
No customers = no business.
Treat the customer as King and there is no need for tax payer subsidization from the non-betting sector of the general public.


Ok..so let me see if I get this straight.. you're saying that if a private group were to have been given (won) the franchise in NY and NYRA would have surrendered the land without recourse.. you're saying to me that the new group should have a business model that works, including treating their customers like "kings" and they should be able to be profitable....and pay all property taxes and franchise fees etc, to the state of NY.

Dont answer this... I will answer it for you... bye bye racing in NY state...

For everyone else on the thread... dont worry, their not doing it Greyfox's way ... and yes Virginia, there will be a Belmont Stakes.

[Tom]

NYS doesn't have the money to buy a Form, let alone own a race track.
If tracks can't exist without the govt owning them, they shouldn't exist.

[GaryG]

So all existing tracks would be taken over by their respective state govts? What if the state has no interest in running a race track? Then the feds will "nationalize" it I suppose. This sounds like a socialist's wet dream.

[plainolebill]

I don't know what the answer is but the way racing is today, each track or jurisdiction looking out only for themselves and screw the rest, doesn't seem to be working too well. Does anyone really think racing will be better off without Hollywood Park or Bay Meadows?

CDI inc made a lot of promises about improving the plant, etc. when they bought Hollywood and I don't think they even used a gallon of paint. They rode her down and then sold to the developers - they're only accountable to their stockholders? So when real estate prices get higher in Louisville is it going to be bah bah Churchill Downs?

[proximity]

Govt's should control gambling, why should individuals profit from it? Gambling (casino too) should never be perceived as a business open to private operation.
It's a cash cow, plus, it opens the door to far too much lobbying and payoffs for contracts, etc.


i'm all for free enterprise, but unfortunately this isn't the kind of environment that modern horse racing exists in. not even close.

i think an even better question than "why should individuals profit from it?" is why should government decide which particular individuals (and it usually is only a select few who end up with the lion's share) should profit?

we've been over this before, but look at mnr. mr arneault walking away with millions of dollars and a free house (upkeep on the house was too much of a burden, so they just gave it to the guy) just shortly before 90 jobs are eliminated. of course when mtr gaming was lobbying for the slots, the fact that those 90 jobs would be created was paramount!! but then further down the road it's 86 the jobs and give the combined salaries of 90 employees to ted. yes, i'd prefer complete government control to this.

[Nitro]

What an open mind you have.
Personally, I wish the entrepreneur well.
Differing from your view re: the Government running horse racing, I don't believe that Governments should be in the business of being in business
Very well stated!
Get the Government out of our businesses and off our backs! Period! They can’t even run the Government properly! When they clean their own house then maybe they can speak about how to clean others.

I congratulate all entrepreneurs that believe in themselves and forego the nay Sayers who love to criticize those who are willing to their use their own money to advance their ideas. Their motive is to simply produce something that’s profitable.

Can anyone honestly say the same about government? Those in government produce nothing, but love spending other people’s money on their own agendas while their greed taps into those funds at every level. Their only motives are self-serving and corrupt.

Greyfox,
Let me give you one example (of many) why Im scared of racing for profit....

Let's say at a track in Vermont (there is no racing, but it's hypothetical) a private owner runs the track.. He's barely making it. They have a string of bad weather forcing some cancellations due to weather and poor track conditions.
Now after 4 canceled days.. the weather is a bit nicer, but the track is bad...and dangerous...
Now it becomes business over safety... dollars and cents over intelligence, reason and integrity...

This is just 1 example.... I could give 50 more.
No one can dispute that smaller, privately owned tracks are under pressure to fill cards and generate income.... sometimes at the expense of the animal.

I could go on... If you consider this example even remotely valid from a racetrack business perspective, I for one have no interest in seeing the other (50) so-called “hypothetical” examples. Anyone can conjure up ridiculous arguments that have no basis in reality (particularly those in government)!

By the way, who owns those “animals” you’re so-o-o-o concerned about? Certainly not you! All of you so called “animals lovers” out there don’t know the first thing about caring for them (especially at your own expense). Please go play some other game and spare us the naiveté. Your “politically correct” antics have done nothing to improve our game at any level.

[plainolebill]

Howbout' the English model eh? This organization owns and operates 14 racecourses in England. Be pretty novel here, in contrast to the morons that have run the sport (into the ground in my hfo), be they entrepreneurs or old established racetrack exekitives, inbred and nepotised.

"Corporate Responsibility

The welfare of racing is the primary concern and primary goal of Jockey Club Racecourses’ business. All business profits, whether from race meetings or other business are reinvested in the sport. We are currently rolling out a £120 million investment programme to improve the courses and their facilities.

Commercial considerations are never allowed to compromise the welfare of the horses running at our courses. Our ground staff set the standard for turf management in the UK and we manage the racing calendar to ensure that our courses are always in the best possible condition. Over the next five years we will spend £4.5 million on widening and extending our courses so that we can increase the number of fixtures without running too many races on any one piece of ground.

This commitment to responsible racecourse management helps maintain the high quality of the fields at our meetings, as trainers race their best horses at Jockey Club Racecourses.

Many of our courses are working increasingly closely with their local communities and they also support a range of educational charities."

[PaceAdvantage]

I will remind everyone that there is a strict policy against any sort of politically charged rhetoric in the horse racing section. "Socialization of America" and "Obama" or "Bush" or any other politically charged character is not up for discussion here. That's what off-topic is for....

I've let a few posts stay up because it has been civil here, but as a rule, this kind of stuff is up for immediate deletion.

[slewis]

Very well stated!
Get the Government out of our businesses and off our backs! Period! They can’t even run the Government properly! When they clean their own house then maybe they can speak about how to clean others.

I congratulate all entrepreneurs that believe in themselves and forego the nay Sayers who love to criticize those who are willing to their use their own money to advance their ideas. Their motive is to simply produce something that’s profitable.

Can anyone honestly say the same about government? Those in government produce nothing, but love spending other people’s money on their own agendas while their greed taps into those funds at every level. Their only motives are self-serving and corrupt.
If you consider this example even remotely valid from a racetrack business perspective, I for one have no interest in seeing the other (50) so-called “hypothetical” examples. Anyone can conjure up ridiculous arguments that have no basis in reality (particularly those in government)!

By the way, who owns those “animals” you’re so-o-o-o concerned about? Certainly not you! All of you so called “animals lovers” out there don’t know the first thing about caring for them (especially at your own expense). Please go play some other game and spare us the naiveté. Your “politically correct” antics have done nothing to improve our game at any level.

By responding that you believe that my example is NOT even remotely possible exposes the fact that you know ZERO about racing from an inside perspective, or, you know a lot about the inside and are willing to try and convince others that the sport is squeaky clean and horses race only when sound on perfectly safe tracks.

So I, as an example, start with a recent article about a track operating where healthy horses are euthanized after racing poorly under the instructions of the owners.
I could give a half dozen or so other factual examples but choose not to for obvious reasons. (maybe not so to you, but those here who know who I am).

[slewis]

I will remind everyone that there is a strict policy against any sort of politically charged rhetoric in the horse racing section. "Socialization of America" and "Obama" or "Bush" or any other politically charged character is not up for discussion here. That's what off-topic is for....

I've let a few posts stay up because it has been civil here, but as a rule, this kind of stuff is up for immediate deletion.


PA ,

There are times as you know where politics will cross over into racing.
The recent NYRA franchise award and the current posture for slots is a perfect example.
Many, especially those out of state, are willing to scream "socialism" when the State of NY legislates the operation of racing (and gambling ) in our State.
Let me remind all, that WITHOUT that legislation forgiving unpaid property taxes and working a deal to keep racing solvent, racing in NY would have ended.

People who yell for less Gov't are like those who think all Doctors are quacks, until they develope a serious disease or illness and yell HELP ME PLEASE.

This country needs and has worked most effectively when there is a proper balance of Govt regulation and input and a truly free private sector.
A private sector that doesn't tempt those elected to regulate it with bribery through lobbying and payoffs, illegal or not.
Events over the last decade or so have led the economy into the state it's in, and the cause wasn't too much Gov't, it was more a lack of PROPER oversight.
Fortunately for all, Belmont Park opens Wednesday, as scheduled.