Message from the Commissioner

[Andy Asaro]

Twitter

[PaceAdvantage]

How many of the "NYRA Stewards" are actually NYRA stewards?

Not a trick question, by the way.

[BarchCapper]

Originally Posted by PaceAdvantage

How many of the "NYRA Stewards" are actually NYRA stewards?

Not a trick question, by the way.

Only the one. Although it can be noted that Baeza, Jr. WAS the NYRA steward before being elevated to/appointed as NYSGC steward upon the retirement of Stephen Lewandowski.

[Andy Asaro]

Twitter

[Andy Asaro]

Twitter

[classhandicapper]

I become more convinced by the day that racing is doomed to become a much smaller niche sport that's more about breeding at the highest level than gambling. I don't see anyone with the kind of comprehensive knowledge of business, the racing industry, and government politics that also has the respect and leadership ability to drive the kind of change required to fix it. I see an endless supply of people with limited knowledge from their area of expertise that think they know how to fix it but with seemingly no grasp on the fact that racing needs a ton of free cash to invest in order to fix it. Where's the cash going to come from when racing is a dead stone broke money pit for almost everyone involved despite all the casino money? Racing isn't in hospice yet, but it's clearly in assisted living and there are not doctors on duty.

[Parkview_Pirate]

Originally Posted by classhandicapper

... Racing isn't in hospice yet, but it's clearly in assisted living and there are not doctors on duty.

Nice analogy. The casino money provided life support for the patient, but the root causes of the decline and the cognitive dissonance suffered by the key decision makers haven't improved things much, if at all.

One of the major problems I've seen little progress on over the last few decades is "trust". The word "integrity" is commonly tossed about in statements and goals uttered by the shakers and movers, but fans continue to be at the mercy of questionable steward's decisions, late odd plunges, amazing form reversals (drugs), and what appears to be very little transparency.

Seems to me changes to restore some faith for the bettors and fans would be a welcome change. How about letting fans vote for stewards, instead of the rigged good-old-boy network placing them in their seats? How about an above-board investigate service that is mandated to make their work public on a regular basis? How about some tweaks to the parimutuel systems that identify suspicious wagering patterns? How about some public disclosure of handle and results from the largest ADW accounts? How about public rulings/opinions on races identified by the fan base as being suspicious?

From what I can tell, the racing industry is happy with the current system, and won't mind at all if the decline continues until only casual fans and suckers are left....

[Candybag]

Originally Posted by classhandicapper

I with seemingly no grasp on the fact that racing needs a ton of free cash to invest in order to fix it. Where's the cash going to come from when racing is a dead stone broke money pit for almost everyone involved despite all the casino money?

Slot fueled purses did nothing for the customer. First mistake.

A substantial amount of money is paid in error under the Medicaid program, which is doing no one any good. This money can be captured, used to lower Medicaid outlays, go to other legislative needs/wants and a portion to racing.

Why racing? Why not? Racing has put plenty into state tax coffers. To foster fix odds wagering, a liability fund could also be established to mitigate race manipulation after prosecution of the guilty party (something for the racing fan.) The arrangement can be structured to justify the financial lifeline to racing upon public inquiry.

This idea is certainly better than to continue to pay Medicaid claims in error or taking "profits" from the casino to give to racing. Eventually the casinos will have resentment that their profit is being taken, no state would resent not paying Medicaid claims in error.

Possible interviews are being requested from the Paulick Report and Steve Byk. No interview has been granted yet; the requests are in process.

Racing needs creative ideas, not more WPS takeout, not more gimmicks with even more takeout, not trick ponies that rearranges someone else's profit, and certainly not unfair platforms used by the CAWs that guarantees the last bets always.

[cj]

Originally Posted by Candybag

Slot fueled purses did nothing for the customer. First mistake.

A substantial amount of money is paid in error under the Medicaid program, which is doing no one any good. This money can be captured, used to lower Medicaid outlays, go to other legislative needs/wants and a portion to racing.

Why racing? Why not? Racing has put plenty into state tax coffers. To foster fix odds wagering, a liability fund could also be established to mitigate race manipulation after prosecution of the guilty party (something for the racing fan.) The arrangement can be structured to justify the financial lifeline to racing upon public inquiry.

This idea is certainly better than to continue to pay Medicaid claims in error or taking "profits" from the casino to give to racing. Eventually the casinos will have resentment that their profit is being taken, no state would resent not paying Medicaid claims in error.

Possible interviews are being requested from the Paulick Report and Steve Byk. No interview has been granted yet; the requests are in process.

Racing needs creative ideas, not more WPS takeout, not more gimmicks with even more takeout, not trick ponies that rearranges someone else's profit, and certainly not unfair platforms used by the CAWs that guarantees the last bets always.

There is a better chance we get hit by a meteor tomorrow and it is all over than Medicaid money being sent to horse racing. Don't bring this stuff to new threads, you already tried your own.

[davew]

How do you feel 'fixed odds' wagering should work? and who sets the odds?



what happens if there is a late scratch at the gate? who adjusts the odds on all the other horses?


what happens if there is a dead heat? what happens if there is an entry and part gets scratched?


as long as we are dreaming, I want more details ...


why did they get rid of bookies a century ago?

[Bullet Plane]

There is 44.3 billion dollars bet world wide on fixed odds horseracing. Two states have already implemented it. If you are to survive as a horse racing entity, you will have to get started in great big hurry or get left standing with your thumbs in your butt. (I know that is standard procedure in US horse racing).

Can they really afford to turn their back on those kind of pool increases?

Google " fixed odds coming to America " for details.

.

[castaway01]

To use some labored analogies, horse racing's ship starting sinking years ago. Simulcasting was a life raft if done right, but the tracks didn't get it and the boat sank further. Drugs in racing, breakdowns didn't help, but a million casinos opening broke new holes in the boat's hull. Slot revenue getting tied to racing pushed the industry up for a while, and those in charge clung to it. But then sports betting and CAWs came in and made the game look much less appealing to all but the oldest of the old school.

I'm getting there.

Right now, most of the industry (exclude NYRA and CD) is clinging to a life preserver in heavy waves. These new ideas, like fixed odds wagering, or everyone joining up and setting new takeout rates that eliminate rebates (and 30% of handle), or some new bets, or whatever....you're asking the guy clinging to the life preserver to drop it and swim three miles through shark-infested waters to a deserted island.

The point is that someone barely surviving isn't going to tear up the status quo because they know taking a risk is a 95% chance they're dead. In the current scenario, they're in deep trouble but still alive. That's why things don't change. There's no incentive to take a shot when the shot probably kills you.

[Candybag]

Originally Posted by cj

There is a better chance we get hit by a meteor tomorrow and it is all over than Medicaid money being sent to horse racing. Don't bring this stuff to new threads, you already tried your own.

It was a direct response to the question classhandicapper asked regarding where the ton of cash is going to come from to save racing. It is one idea. And perhaps there are other ideas out there.

I have three responses from people in my field regarding this idea. All three responses were very positive to the idea. One of the three is pushing to get the idea in front of Steve Byk. These three professionals understand that it will not be Medicaid monies sent to horse racing, it will be monies sent over from the general tax revenue fund. The Medicaid savings lose their color once captured and the savings become eligible to be re-appropriated like any other tax receipts.

I suspect the fixed odds wagering lobby would be interested in this idea if it facilitates their efforts.

[classhandicapper]

Originally Posted by Candybag

Slot fueled purses did nothing for the customer. First mistake.

A substantial amount of money is paid in error under the Medicaid program, which is doing no one any good. This money can be captured, used to lower Medicaid outlays, go to other legislative needs/wants and a portion to racing.

You are correct that Medicaid wastes a lot of money, but there's zero chance of it get diverted to racing.

If anyone wants an example of the waste and stupidity, I can give you one that's occurring right now in my own life with my special needs brother that I'm helping care for.

[Candybag]

Originally Posted by classhandicapper

You are correct that Medicaid wastes a lot of money, but there's zero chance of it get diverted to racing.

If anyone wants an example of the waste and stupidity, I can give you one that's occurring right now in my own life with my special needs brother that I'm helping care for.

You are correct if you mean a "direct" walking of the Medicaid savings over to the horsemen's bookkeeper, although it could be legally done.

One candidate for Governor wanted to use the Medicaid savings for pre-K education, another candidate in a different state put the idea on his platform to use for other aims. None of these uses were related to Medicaid and neither is horse racing. The funding is done via different avenues.

I wish your brother the very best. There is an outside possibility that my idea could help him with more monthly income and better medical coverage.

If your brother is just on SSI and Medicaid (you do not need to reveal the same on this forum) you may wish to somehow reach me. My advice to you would be no charge.