Churchill Downs drops out of NTRA

[andymays]

http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/national-news/2010/May/07/Churchill-Downs-drops-out-of-NTRA.aspx

Excerpt:

In a cost-cutting measure, Churchill Downs Inc. has not renewed its membership in the National Thoroughbred Racing Association.

Churchill officials sent a letter to the NTRA the week following the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1) indicating its intent not to renew its membership for 2010, citing financial concerns. Churchill’s dues for 2010 totaled $375,000 or about 3.8% of the NTRA’s budgeted revenue of $9.7-million for the year.

[horses4courses]

Just read this in DRF myself, and you have to wonder....how many other tracks will follow suit?

If CDI spends $400k to the NTRA for 4 tracks, do other tracks pay similarly?

Perhaps, racing may eventually get the effective governing body it needs some day. The first step in that process has to be disbanding the NTRA, imo.

[Indulto]

http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/national-news/2010/May/07/Churchill-Downs-drops-out-of-NTRA.aspx

Excerpt:

In a cost-cutting measure, Churchill Downs Inc. has not renewed its membership in the National Thoroughbred Racing Association.

Churchill officials sent a letter to the NTRA the week following the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1) indicating its intent not to renew its membership for 2010, citing financial concerns. Churchill’s dues for 2010 totaled $375,000 or about 3.8% of the NTRA’s budgeted revenue of $9.7-million for the year.I guess they didn't like Waldrop's remarks on pricing their product. ;)

[andymays]

http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/56901/cdi-wont-renew-ntra-membership-for-2010

Excerpt:

Other tracks that won’t renew for 2010 are Delaware Park and Philadelphia Park Casino & Racetrack, both of which have slot machines or video lottery terminals and will soon add table games. Hoosier Park, another slots track, is in bankruptcy and won’t renew for that reason.

“Tracks will take advantage of the benefits (of the NTRA) without paying for the cost,” Waldrop said in a recent interview with The Blood-Horse. “We want to expand our membership base but it’s a challenge. There are a lot of financial hardships out there.”

[kenwoodall2]

I guess they didn't like Waldrop's remarks on pricing their product. ;)
Or these remarks:
"A recent quote from Alex Waltrip:
"On April 27 during another panel talk, Waldrop said the NTRA has been busy tackling issues such as integrity and equine safety, and when those matters are satisfactorily addressed, the organization intends to spend more time marketing and promoting racing, which was its mission when it was formed in the late 1990s."

The head organization, cannot do integrity, safety, AND do a little marketing and promotion at the same time? What are the tracks getting for their money?

[InsideThePylons-MW]

What are the tracks getting for their money?

Another high salaried dolt and his huge expense account?

[kenwoodall2]

List of tracks on NTRA website-- 48 today, including CD. So how many total TBred tracks are there?

[kenwoodall2]

TRA and NTRA each have about 1/2 of the TBred tracks listed by DRF as their members- no Nat'l org there! :rolleyes:

[Tom]

Guess that brings up a nagging question...just what the hell does NTRA do anyway?

[Shelby]

I believe Oaklawn dropped out of the NTRA also.

[thespaah]

Bottom line..Who cares. I have no clue what benefit NTRA membership brings to track managements.
All I know is ther NTRA operates Breeders Cup Ltd. Perhaps the membership in NTRA is a means not only to fund purses for the BC but also a way to let NTRA boiard members know a particular track is interested in hosting a BC event.
I will make a predicton. Churchill Downs will see it's final BC hosting this year.
I believe the BC will set up permanent shop at Santa Anita anyway.

[kenwoodall2]

Guess that brings up a nagging question...just what the hell does NTRA do anyway?
They get breeders discounts on pickups, barn paint, and John Deere tractors!
NTRA's new mission statement:
Go to their website and type in "Mission statement" under search and this is what you get:
"The website cannot display the page"!! Figures!

[FenceBored]

Bottom line..Who cares. I have no clue what benefit NTRA membership brings to track managements.
All I know is ther NTRA operates Breeders Cup Ltd. Perhaps the membership in NTRA is a means not only to fund purses for the BC but also a way to let NTRA boiard members know a particular track is interested in hosting a BC event.
I will make a predicton. Churchill Downs will see it's final BC hosting this year.
I believe the BC will set up permanent shop at Santa Anita anyway.

The organizations split a few years back; NTRA and Breeders Cup, Ltd are completely separate entities now.