New York Franchise Award Recommendation May Come Nov. 21
 

Any word or speculation?

A state panel in New York is poised to recommend its choice for a new franchise holder to run racing at Aqueduct, Belmont, and Saratoga racetracks on Tuesday, Nov. 21.



The Ad Hoc Committee on the Future of Racing has completed its major review of the three remaining bids and is leaning to vote on a franchise award at its meeting in Saratoga Springs.

State officials declined comment, but sources close to the board said the meeting will be a crucial one that will likely include a public discussion of the specific proposals made by the bidders. Two sources said they expected the committee to vote on a franchise proposal at the meeting. Another state official cautioned Monday evening that he did not expect a final vote by the panel. An official with ties to the committee said while some details of the bids could be revealed there are indications that the panel's members will not be able to reach a concensus on a final recommendation.

In the running is the current franchise holder, the New York Racing Association. It is running what could be an uphill battle against two formidable opponents: Empire Racing Associates and Excelsior Racing Associates. Empire includes New York horsemen, as well as Magna Entertainment and Churchill Downs, among others. Excelsior includes New York Yankees partner Steve Swindal, casino developer Richard Fields and others.

The state committee, which includes representatives of Gov. George Pataki and legislative leaders from the Assembly and Senate, has been poring over the bids for months.

Its decision will be, however, non-binding on the Legislature and governor.

The timing has also left matters muddled. Pataki leaves office in little more than a month; he is being replaced by Eliot Spitzer, the state's current attorney general who has been a frequent critic over the years of NYRA. Legislators on the racing committee have said a decision on a new franchise holder will not come until next year to give the governor-elect an opportunity to decide the future of the racing industry. However, there have been various theories running rampant in recent weeks at the state Capitol how the racing franchise could still somehow appear in a last-minute session by lawmakers if they return to Albany before the end of the year. The ad hoc committee has been looking at dozens of factors in judging the bids, including fiscal health of the bidders, what types of changes needed to state law to make the thoroughbred racing model work in New York and on a plan to bring video lottery terminals to Belmont racetrack.

Speculation
 

Probably be the NYRA, but my personal choice is Empire; the 3rd is my longshot favorite! That covers me on all 3!!LOL!!

NYRA can't win this " recomendation " and it is completely irrelevent as Spitzer is not going to take into account what comes out of Governor Pataki's Ad-Hoc committee.

Call it what it is....a monumental waste of time.

Good point!

1. It's not likely to be NYRA.

2. It isn't binding on the governor, it's simply a recommendation.

3. Pataki has no interest in touching this anyway since it's Spitzer's problem now.

4. It's incredible that the entire process has gotten this f*****d up.

We Have An Upset
 

Excelsior Racing Associates has been selected by a state government committee in New York to be the next holder of the franchise to run racing at Aqueduct, Belmont and Saratoga racetracks.The non-binding decision by the Ad Hoc Committee on the Future of Racing recommended to the governor and state lawmakers that Excelsior get the franchise over the New York Racing Association, which placed a distant third in the scoring system by the panel. Empire Racing Associates, whose partners include New York horsemen, Magna Entertainment and Churchill Downs, scored second behind Excelsior....

http://news.bloodhorse.com/viewstory.asp?id=36474


My personal opinion is that Empire took on too many partners (adding an ex- NY governor this past weekend) and really overplayed their hand. I don't think this will end it, as NYRA has said they will litigate.

Gary Contessa and Jerry Bailey are in this group. Basically its the Horsemens choice as Contessa is thier surrogate.

Excelsior was like 1:1000 to win this recommendation. Of course they won.

It's actually kind of funny how much time they pretended to spend picking this winner.

Contessa is NOT their advocate. The horsemen through their support to Empire. Contessa pissed them off big time when he decided ON HIS OWN to join the Excelsior board.

This will be interesting.

You make a very good point. I don't think they could give it to NYRA, and I don't think they could give it to Magna.

Yankees bought a winner!!
 

:jump:

I'm with the TLG
 

on this one. It was written in stone, the day they announced. Can you spell Cronieism (sp) Cronnism (sp) Cronyism...Yeah that's the Ticket !! :D

Here is a link to the Sirius satellite show, starring the little guy, that talks about this issue:

http://stream.attheracesandbeyond.co...am/112106c.mp3

It does not stream, but will download to your machine.

I listened to the TLG on sirrus,the one good point he made was that no one was interested in the franchise till slots were included.From the interview,the only thing that seems to be certain is that no matter who gets the franchise the player will suffer.There seems to be a complete lack of interest in the customer.
TLG has shown blind allegiance to NYRA.I don't know why,this is the same organization that once fired him.I guess he has a good working relation with the new administration,which seems to be tied into the DRF.At this point it probably doesn't matter who wins the franchise.We have two bidders who are only interested in the slots and one bidder who has been incompetent,as far as making business decisions for over thirty years.

I agree with him and I’m certainly glad I do after the statement, “This battle is over getting the rights to slot machines, to slots revenue in New York State, and anybody that suggests otherwise is either lying or STUPID.”

That’s the spirit! :D

Quote:

… blind allegiance to NYRA.

The other two regulars also appeared to prefer NYRA. I agree with you – and presumably them – that the player will suffer if NYRA loses the franchise. That might also explain any apparent NYRA support among horseplaying DRF columnists.

Did anybody else who listened get the impression Bob Fox was being dogged? Sounded almost like the moderator could have used the assistance of a leash and a muzzle. :lol:

I have a blind allegiance to NYRA? Good to know. When I have criticized them for past decisions was I...what...throwing up a smokescreen? Has it occured to you that one of the reasons may be because I know the people who are currently running NYRA and believe them to be extremely competent? Or, perhaps since you consider me to be blindly following them, I guess I must be hypnotized. Also good to know.

The basic problem is that people on the internet feel free to make unknowledgable and random accusations. NYRA is a favorite target ( Andy Beyer is another ) and I often find myself compelled to offer at least kernels of truth to at least attempt to even the playing field ( you know....truth vs. lies ). To those that make these unknowledgable accusations I guess this is some sort of blind devotion when in fact it is just an attempt to insert some accuracy into the usual internet blather.

Here's something else for you....since you know that I was fired at NYRA doesn't it make sense that if I had a bias it would be against them?

TLG-
In my post I did mention that you probably have an allegiance to the current administration.I do agree their are issues that you do take a stand against NYRA.
I also don't know how Andy Beyers name got into this post,I have always thought he was great for racing.
Along those lines NYRA fired Harvey Pack who was the best ambassador of racing that NY racing has ever had.
Now,you can tell me that this administration is great,but if you go to the grandstand at Aqueduct or Belmont you'll hear a different stoty.
The real knock on NYRA,is that as an organization they have failed for over 30 years.
Can this administration turn it around ? Who knows.Are they extremely competent,as you say.I haven't seen anything to indicate this.The last administration did lower the takeout.As a player this is what is important.
I also am aware that many of their problems are politically motivated,which is not necessarily their fault,but if the governing organization in charge of racing is not able to work with the politicians,what chance does racing have to prosper ?

Aaron
 

First of all, you misunderstood my post. But that's to be expected.

Let me say something else....." NYRA " did fire Harvey Pack....that is correct. The " NYRA " that fired Harvey Pack was run by Terry Meyocks. That is the same " NYRA " that fired me ( not to in any way put myself in Harvey's league ). Terry is no longer running NYRA and has absolutely nothing to do with it. " NYRA " is a name....the people running " NYRA " at the present time are NOT the ones in charge when the rampant problems were created. Those people are gone.

Firing Harvey was a dark day indeed.
It is like spitting on Santa at the mall.
There is a special place in HELL for Terry - that offers only greyhound racing - all day, everyday. At Charlestown. :mad:

We can go round and round debating the issues...there is your truth and mine and somewhere in the middle is THE TRUTH. I can only react to what I see day by day in the trenches. I keep my ears open to what is being said at the track and it is not flattering. If what you say is true, and I believe you believe it to be, where is this change? Where is the fairness to the racing customer? This is the administration that took away free admissions to its account holders and placed the blame on Eliot Spitzer who was not even governor at the time. What happened to our parking lot? This really shows lack of consideration for the racing public. How come previous administrations were able to keep the lot open to its patrons? This is the administration that put in inferior betting machines that were turned down by New Jersey because they were not bettor friendly. Doesn't it make more sense to facilitate betting in any way possible, rather than make it more difficult? The track has become one obstacle after another to interfere with the racing publics pleasure at being there and placing bets.

LOL, only in the fuzzy world of NYRA-land would this hold any truth. NYRA is toxic in name & reputation, 2 very important business issues. In corporate land when a company changes hands, either from being purchased privately or from changing its leadership, the new guards GET IT ALL, including its repuation and its good will. And recall, that accountants will almost always consider a company's Good Will as an asset or, in NYRA's case, a deficit.

Aaron
 

The parking lot was taken away by the Port Authority. Blaming that on NYRA invalidates your arguments.

Next thing you know people will start blaming bad weather on NYRA. It's as silly as it is tiresome.

Wait a minute -- are you telling me that the weather is not their fault? Come on now! LOL.

Eric

TLG-
How come the Port Authority was able to allow other administrations to use their lot? Were the inferior betting machines put in by the present administration? Were NYRA ONE admissions taken away by the present administrations after being in place for about 10 years? If the current administration is so customer conscious how come they charge their customers $1.00 for grandstand admission, but $4.00 for preferred parking when they know the parking lot was taken by the Port Authority?
Your arguments are not valid because you deem not address any problems that NYRA has. There are so many negative attitudes permeating the workings of NYRA, it allows very little patron friendly feelings. When Barry Schwartz was the CEO, there were far fewer complaints heard from the populace. Now, that population has dwindled. Just go to the third floor grandstand and you will see your administration in action. It is pitiful to see how this pastime is becoming, truly, a past time. Please take off you blinders and really look at what racing at the track has become. It is NOT a pretty picture.

The free admission for NYRA-One customers were taken away by the State when an ages old law was uncovered. Once again....I guess that's NYRA's fault.

Don't forget, so was the spousal badges, overnight passes, will-call passes and so on. Under that archaic law only owners, jockeys and trainers could get free admission. NYRA fought hard to get spousal badges back, and so did Getnick & Getnick (Neil Getnick) because they realized the law was foolish and hurt racing; and that NYRA shouldn't be penalized and have to deal with such foolishness.

Eric

I don't think anyone would argue that past administrations at NYRA did some horrendous things and much of today's problems stem from them. However, what people also don't seem to realize is the incredible strain that is placed on NYRA by the State...and yes much of it stems from the abuses committed by past administrations. However, the current leadership has tried very hard to change things....and has in many ways.

Unfortunately because the current NYRA is fighting to keep the franchise other possible problems may not be getting the attention they perhaps deserve. It is basically an untenable situation. My hope, and belief, is that should the current administration retain the franchise, and subsequently change some of the state statutes then many of these problems will be dealt with. It isn't as though I have seen anything from the other bidders as to how they will move things forward.

TLG,-
I agree with your last post,that much of today's problems at NYRA stem from past administrations.You are also correct that we haven't seen much from the other bidders.A question I have for you is " why would trainer Gary Contessa and former jockey Jerry Bailey support the other groups ?
In what ways has the current admistration tried to change things to make the track a "bettor" place to attend races ?
The one thing I will give the current administration credit for is that they did stop the swing in odds flucuations after the races had gone off ? That is a plus.
This administration has probably lost more on track regular bettors than any of the prior administrations.If you would walk around Aqueduct you would find many familar faces missing.Most of these people did not stop betting,they are betting at other venues.For instance, there is a large group of sheet players who now frequent the "The Palace" in Nassau County rather than go to the track.If NYRA is not going to try to get people into the track to bet horses,then they are just another group bidding for NY's slot business.
Since you know what is going on at NYRA,why not list the problems and how NYRA plans to do to correct them ?
Another question I have and I don't think their is an answer to- Is why after all these years has the state become so anti NYRA ?
As you say,NYRA inherited problems from the other administrations.Most of those problems were allowed to go on for 30 plus years and the state looked the other way.Why all of sudden come down so hard on NYRA ? The state could have quietly made a deal to let NYRA to continue to run NY racing,while the state in cojunction with NYRA, controlled the slot business,which would allow the state to keep all their patronage jobs which are run through the OTB's.

I think its wishful & naive to think NYRA can keep the franchise. The business model before slots came (plus other factors) defined NYRA. Now the run is over. New business approaches have nothing to do with NYRA's past sins or the good & improved new leadership; NYRA is OVER. The only chance is IF the courts decide that NYRA owns the land (or any land for that matter). That's why NYRA is being squeezed so hard, for cash & delaying slots. It was already decided months ago --- months ago --- that NYRA would go. It's the way corporate moves happen. Most of you here talk of ROI regarding horses; the deciders in NY racing need to present an ROI to some major investors. I think the model will be, Keep racing non-profit (ie, NY STATE gets the bucks) and make the casino portion generate big dollars-4-profit, giving the investors an ROI. PLEASE, don't think I side with that squeeze play, it's just so clear to me having seen sharks & whales behave before. And just one final thought: I think the hard-2-grasp concept of "what-the-heck-is-NYRA anyway?" IOWs, what kinda legal entity is NYRA, made it easy to dump. My concern is will the new leaders make us pay bucks for THEIR signal?

Aaron
 

Why did Contessa and Bailey " support " Excelsior? Not sure about Contessa, and I don't want to guess unfairly, but for Bailey it was what has always motivated him....money.

Why did the State " suddenly " turn on NYRA? Spitzer found them to be an easy target in his crusades....and frankly deservedly so. The bottom line is that NYRA's change in management in the mid 90s led them down, at best, a slippey slope and the arrogance and abuses by those in charge were excessive. How they avoided trouble then, and even got a franchise extension, is really conjecture, and while I would say I have a pretty good idea, let's just say one can probably figure it out for themselves and I think it is understandable why it is not something for me to speculate on here. Sometimes throwing support to certain politicians works and sometimes it doesn't and sometimes one does not want, or care to, support the ones that matter.

I think you actually have answered your own questions about why attendance has dramatically dwindled at NYRA racetracks. In the mid 90s NYRA decided to effectively give their signal away to viewers, offering it essentially " free " cable to pretty much everyone in NY State, and thus severely decreasing the urgency to go to the racetrack. As account wagering spread the need to go to the track, being that anyone and everyone could simply watch at home, became nonexistant. Now, you talk about people flocking to the Nassau teletheater, " The Palace ", and mention all the sheet players going there. Well, OTB is able to offer perks that NYRA has been forbidden to offer, and thus was given an unfair advantage over NYRA. I am guessing that these " sheet " players probably get, at least, free access to the sheets. Why, you ask, can an organization such as OTB that has a barnicle type relationship with NYRA offer things that their " host " ( NYRA that is ) cannot? Well, politicians use OTB as a major source of political patronage jobs and thus allow them pretty much everything they want while continually stifling the organization that pays the bills.....NYRA. This situation is a perfect example of why things are so difficult for NYRA.

Once again, you can view this as taking a pro-NYRA stance, but all it really is would be a surface discussion of the basically untenable situation NYRA finds itself in.

TLG
I don't view your last reply as pro NYRA. I view it has a simple and concise answer to problems that exsist.
The Palace in Nassau downs does in fact give the big sheet players perks that NYRA can't give them.This has caused NYRA to lose some of its bigger bettors.I have spoken to the people who sell the sheets at NYRA and they have told me that on most days they sell less than 10 sets per day.
I agree NYRA has no control over this.I feel that NYRA should cater to its clientele. I know many players who used to go to Aqueduct 4-5 days a week,who now won't go there at all.These are not your "big players",but they are players who for many years have wagered between $50000 and $100,000 a year.These are the players NYRA should be catering to.I also understand that NYRA can't compete with the offshore bookmakers when it comes to rebates,but I think they can do a better job of recoginizing their base customer and catering to them.
I think a lot of resentment toward NYRA started with the changing of the betting machines.I don't know if you agree or not,but this was not a well thought out plan.Most people at the track feel these machines are inferior.This is the type of mistake that should not happen.The machines should have been tested before they were installed.I know NYRA got a "deal"on these machines,but they replaced machines that were working far better.
To be honest, I think we have both asked questions that cannot be answered,because the more questions you ask the more you have to come to the conclusion that whoever gets the franchise is just after the slot machine revenue and that the politicians are controlling the game.Live racing is in trouble and I don't know if there is any way to reverse the trend.
One last question and this is not a criticism of NYRA losing its parking lot.I accept your answer on that one.I'm just wondering when slots come to Aqueduct,where will the customers park ? Somehow, at that time I feel the politicians we'll make a deal.

Aaron
 

Your question about the parking and slots is a very good one and sort of gets to the heart of why the Port Authority took that land now as opposed to later. It is highly likely that this is the last meet at Aqueduct that will begin without slots so this time was probably the last that the PA could seize that land without, at least, incurring some wrath outside of the negligent racing press.

However, NYRA knows the problem you bring up will obviously occur, and thus realizes that they will need to build a substantial parking garage. Any guess as to what the estimates for that garage are? Let's just say that NY State, through the Port Authority, has thrown yet another substantial bill into NYRA's lap.

The beat goes on.

TLG-
Somehow, I feel down the road the powers that be will find a way to get slots into Belmont Park.
As for your comments on Jerry Bailey, I feel sadly that you are probably right and he is probably only motivted by financial gain. In my opinion he should have remined neutral in all this. I feel Gary Contessa has some fear that racing dates will be cut{which wouldn't be a bad idea} and I guess he is trying to align himself with which agency he feels will be best suited to guarantee racing dates will contiue as is.
Another thing I find interesting is that since all this contoversey about who will run NY racing has occured we have heard almost nothing about the super trainers and drug controversey. Did this problem go away or did everybody just lose interest.I know Andy Beyer has commented on this many times,I was just wondering what your take is ?

I found Contessa's comments about the racing dates to be a convenient excuse. I highly doubt he, or any trainers, were concerned about racing dates. These would have been strictly enforced by the State and NYRA has certainly given proof that they will go ahead and race regardless of any outside problems. To be perfectly honest, and I have listened to it again, I believe Mr. Contessa used a lot of words to say very little in that radio segment and I was given very little opportunity to have an actual dialogue with him. Can't say I blame him but it was hardly a two sided debate.

I know for a fact that NYRA has major concerns about the drug issues but the way to do something about it seems to somehow elude everyone's reach.

This demonstrates what I've found frustrating about this whole debate over the past few months -- racing fans can be an intelligent bunch, but many seem either uninformed on this issue, or perhaps just unable to take the time to really digest all the facts (which is understandable, there's plenty more to life than the NY franchise debate).

"...incompetent,as far as making business decisions for over thirty years," is a fairly brash statement and one that I don't feel is fair. But more importantly in this debate -- let's compare complaints against NYRA to other racetrack operators.

NYRA is in financial trouble. OK. Anybody check out Magna's finances lately? A recent news report tells of Magna Ent Corp (the racetrack owner) using proceeds from their sale of The Meadows racetrack to re-pay a loan from a parent company, MI Developments Inc. The Magna Ent CEO was quoted, "MEC still has significant work to do to achieve financial stability and we continue to evaluate alternatives with respect to how best to assist them in these efforts."

An article from early 2005 says, "Magna is on pace to run out of money in two years, said Ivan Feinseth, an analyst at Matrix USA LLC in New York, who rates Magna shares strong sell"

NYRA had trouble with the Aqueduct track surface. Anybody paying attention to Churchill-operated Arlington this summer? They had trouble with their track all summer long. Or how about the Hollywood Park turf fiasco last year?

Point-being: Over the past couple of years any problem that NYRA has brings out the boo-birds who point and say "Enough of NYRA!" -- but where among the two alternatives do you really see an entity that is guaranteed to offer a better product and service?

And in answer to your question, "why after all these years has the state become so anti NYRA?"

Doesn't the obvious answer lie in the fact that the "anti-NYRA" sentiment popped up almost simultaneously with the OK for slots in the state?

MONEY!

Is it a coincidence that Joe Bruno's kid was a Magna lobbyist -- or the Elliot Spitzer was getting free plane rides on the private jet of an Excelsior partner -- and there is an "anti-NYRA" sentiment?

I think this hits the nail on the head. Most people with no real involvement don't care, but because it is the internet, they post even if they don't care or even know much about it. I've done it myself.

Then there are others that post nothing but anti-NYRA / pro-Magna links. They clearly have an agenda for whatever reason.

http://www.nytransit.org/mn_legissues/AU04/031304.html

Quote:

... MAGNA EYES NYRA: The embattled New York Racing Association is facing a bid by the manufacturing and racing company Magna to win part of its business. The Times Union reported that Magna is interested in running the proposed VLT casino at NYRA's Aqueduct Raceway. Magna has hired lobbyists Pat Lynch and Ken Bruno at $110,000 each and [former U.S. Senator] Alfonse D'Amato at $10,000 a month. Lynch is the former top aide to Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, Bruno is the son of Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno, and D'Amato masterminded Gov. George Pataki's 1994 election.

Spitzer Took Rides on Private Plane of Gambling Figure By JACOB GERSHMAN
http://www.nysun.com/article/38575

Quote:

… On May 24 and 25, Mr. Spitzer and a campaign staffer used a private jet owned by the developer, Richard Fields, to shuttle between fund-raisers in Phoenix, Tucson, Ariz., and Cincinnati. The campaign reimbursed Mr. Fields a total of $4,300 for three flights. … The Faso campaign is accusing Mr. Spitzer of underpaying for the flights by $37,678. … New York lobbyists may charge the commercial fare as long as the flight originates at an airport where first-class flights are available, according to the executive director of the state lobbying commission, David Grandeau. If such first-class flights are not available, then the reimbursement rate is the price for an equivalent flight on a chartered jet. Spitzer campaign officials say the $4,300 reimbursement is what it estimated as the cost of two tickets on three first-class flights...

Racing Ties by Elizabeth Benjamin
http://blogs.timesunion.com/capitol/?p=2828

Quote:

Since the Ad Hoc Committee on the Future of Racing recommended that Excelsior Racing Associates take over running the Saratoga, Belmont and Aqueduct tracks from the New York Racing Association, it seems an apt time to review the players of the entity posied to control the potentially lucrative franchise (if the state Legislature and the next governor agree). Excelsior is led by New York Yankees partner Steve Swindal (son-in-law of team owner, George Steinbrenner) and Richard Fields, a casino developer who was a big donor to Governor-elect Eliot Spitzer’s campaign. Other Excelsior players reportedly include: William Mulrow, former state Comptroller candidate and a close friend of Spitzer. William Powers, lobbyist and former state GOP chairman. Ex-jockey Jerry Bailey. The Rev. Floyd Flake, a former Congressman and member of Spitzer’s transition team. Jerry Bilinski, former chairman of the Racing & Wagering Board and a friend of Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno, R-Brunswick. Political strategist Howard Wolfson, acts as Excelsior’s spokesman. Tishman Speyer Properties, Excelsior’s real estate partner, developed plans to rebuild Yankees stadium. I find the Powers/Wolfson connection particularly amusing, since these two were on opposite sides of the 20th CD battle. Powers is a longtime supporter and political mentor of U.S. Rep. John Sweeney, R-Clifton Park, while Wolfson, a top adviser to U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-NY, advised Democrat Kirsten Gillibrand, who ousted Sweeney on Election Day.

Saratoga Guy-
Past administrations of the NYRA have proven to be incompetent.
Case in point and probably the beginning of the downfall of live racing in NY was the decision not to control their destiny by giving away their signal and not taking control of the OTB's from the beginning.If NYRA had insisted that OTB's and NYRA were all under one umbrella controlled by NYRA we probably wouldn't have this thread today.NYRA gave up its signal to the OTB's for a fraction of what the signal is worth.Even in later years if the administration had had the nerve to play hardball and withhold its signal for a bigger piece of the pie NYRA would probably be better off today.At this point I don't believe they have enough leverage to do anything about the signal.

One other point on the past administrations at NYRA-
They fired Harvey Pack, Paul Cornman and the TLG.They gave Steve Crist a position where he would have little impact.They hired Gerald Mckeon and Kenny Noe.