New York Franchise Award Recommendation May Come Nov. 21

[Indulto]

Sorry, S5.
I was distracted and never saw your post of Hegarty's piece. If a monitor wants to delete my post about it, it's fine with me.

tlg,
A book written by an insider who really knew who did what to whom and when would be a best seller. They could call it "Six Secrets of Franchise Survival"

As to whether I have enough to read, the answer is "no." I still need to stay busy until my next interview for "Sex Secrets of Successful Bettors."

[Indulto]

http://www.horseraceinsider.com/blog.php/John-Pricci/comments/nyras-temporary-franchise-extension-whoa-back/#comments
A says:

… Contrary to news reports, NYSRWB approves licenses to all racetracks and OTBs in NY except NYRA. The only license approved by the board for NYRA is for simulcasting. The racing franchise is awarded by the NYS legislature. The racing license is included. Since an extention of the franchise was granted until 1/23/08 the license is intact as well as the licensee. NYRA could race on 1/1 with no problem. So, what is going on here? Why does NYRA say maybe they’ll race or hopefully they’ll race?? I find the call by NYRA for a special R & W meeting on Saturday suspect. Why? Surely NYRA already knew what was going to happen. What’s going on here?
The R&W;chairman and company made the right call in the 3 min+ meeting. …

If this poster is correct.

[NYPlayer]

Originally Posted by Indulto

...IMO it's time for NYRA to stand its ground. Wait's ad should say something like, "NYRA has attempted in good faith to work with state authorities to avoid shuttting down racing. They cannot legally conduct racing and wagering without a license to do so, and despite direction by the oversight board and attorney general to obtain that license, their application to the SWRB for it was denied becuse state officials apponted to that body were subjected to political pressure to avoid cooperating with that directive.

NYRA awaits the state's granting them full authorization to continue operating on a temporary basis while legislation is prepared to permanently renew the franchise in accordance with the memo of understanding."

I trust you had a happy and memorable holiday, Indulto. I would like to echo the sentiments of others and say "thank you" for your thorough coverage of this issue.

It seems to me that it's checkmate for NYRA. They are in possession of Bruno's counter-proposal on a permanent extension, which according to the media reports, NYRA will not respond to until after January First. I take that to mean that Bruno's proposal was less than satisfactory to NYRA, else Hayward would have been as confident as Bruno about the finality of the deal.

NYRA is now left to negotiate the terms of a temporary extension with the Oversight Board - the only entity capable of granting a temporary license to NYRA. NYRA will not sign anything that puts their legal claim of ownership in jeopardy, and it seems unfathomable that the Oversight Board will put any statement affirming NYRA's ownership in the tempory extension. Rather, it is likely that the temporary agreement will affirm the rights and control of the Oversight Board in granting the temporary license to NYRA, and that language may not sit well with NYRA.

If NYRA signs such an agreement, their claim to ownership will most likely be weakened, even if the language appears neutral with respect to ownership. If they do not sign the agreement, they will have to shut down racing operations. Under either scenario Bruno wins. If NYRA's claim to ownership is undermined by a signed temporary extension, then Bruno is more likely to have his demands met for the permanent deal. If NYRA shuts down racing, that will make them public enemy number 1, and will most likely be blamed for the shutdown. From that point on, they will lose the PR war that has already dealt them a perilous blow with the recent ads from Capital Play and their financial bankruptcy.

While it may not be obvious to many, the fact that we are now at the last minute of the 11th hour without a permanent deal means Bruno must still have have firm support from his Senate, or he wouldn't have gotten this far. I therefore declare him the winner.

Since NYRA has clung to the ownership card as its ticket to franchise renewal, it seems unlikely they will do anything to jeopardize that claim, so I think it's more likely they will shut down on the First and blame Bruno and the Oversight Board.

Well, I've successfully recovered the funds from my NYRA One account, and happily the OTB's will be taking the Gulfstream Park signal on Tuesday.

Thanks again Indulto, and I hope you have a very happy New Year!.

[Indulto]

Originally Posted by NYPlayer

I trust you had a happy and memorable holiday, Indulto. I would like to echo the sentiments of others and say "thank you" for your thorough coverage of this issue.

It seems to me that it's checkmate for NYRA. They are in possession of Bruno's counter-proposal on a permanent extension, which according to the media reports, NYRA will not respond to until after January First. I take that to mean that Bruno's proposal was less than satisfactory to NYRA, else Hayward would have been as confident as Bruno about the finality of the deal.

NYRA is now left to negotiate the terms of a temporary extension with the Oversight Board - the only entity capable of granting a temporary license to NYRA. NYRA will not sign anything that puts their legal claim of ownership in jeopardy, and it seems unfathomable that the Oversight Board will put any statement affirming NYRA's ownership in the tempory extension. Rather, it is likely that the temporary agreement will affirm the rights and control of the Oversight Board in granting the temporary license to NYRA, and that language may not sit well with NYRA.

If NYRA signs such an agreement, their claim to ownership will most likely be weakened, even if the language appears neutral with respect to ownership. If they do not sign the agreement, they will have to shut down racing operations. Under either scenario Bruno wins. If NYRA's claim to ownership is undermined by a signed temporary extension, then Bruno is more likely to have his demands met for the permanent deal. If NYRA shuts down racing, that will make them public enemy number 1, and will most likely be blamed for the shutdown. From that point on, they will lose the PR war that has already dealt them a perilous blow with the recent ads from Capital Play and their financial bankruptcy.

While it may not be obvious to many, the fact that we are now at the last minute of the 11th hour without a permanent deal means Bruno must still have have firm support from his Senate, or he wouldn't have gotten this far. I therefore declare him the winner.

Since NYRA has clung to the ownership card as its ticket to franchise renewal, it seems unlikely they will do anything to jeopardize that claim, so I think it's more likely they will shut down on the First and blame Bruno and the Oversight Board.

Well, I've successfully recovered the funds from my NYRA One account, and happily the OTB's will be taking the Gulfstream Park signal on Tuesday.

Thanks again Indulto, and I hope you have a very happy New Year!.

Thanks, NYP.

2008 will indeed be another enjoyable year if I continue encountering posters with mutual interests, but different perspectives, willing to flexibly argue their viewpoint with a sense of humor. I have a hunch you’re going to be one of those who keep NYCOTB profitable with surcharges.

When you finally acquire Bruno’s autograph, be sure to let me know. Maybe it will motivate me to try and trump it by finally obtaining Friedman’s autograph.

I agree that NYRA will probably go dark, but they won’t blame the oversight board. I realize a lot of your statements are tongue-in-cheek, so I'm sure you know that most people aren't fooled by Capital Offense's PR any more than they were by Empire's. They recognize the bad guys in this story for the corrupt, conniving, con men they are. That's why VLTs at BEL are now off the table.

Common sense tells them the deception practiced prior to obtaining the franchise pales in comparison to what would occur once the weasels got control of Toad Hall.

If this tale has a happy ending, I'm going to try and attend the Belmont Stakes next year. I've always wanted to give a hand-held betting terminal a workout.

[Indulto]

http://leftatthegate.blogspot.com/
Franchise Fiasco a Team Effort

I’m not going to include any quotes here because there are too many important thoughts contained in this blog entry that need to be read in context. There is also a discussion of Empire among the comments that provide some insight into the renewal process.

This blogger,(Alan), is very good and this entry IMO is the best of his I’ve read.

[the little guy]

Indulto, how could you continue to believe there wouldn't be racing tomorrow?

[InsideThePylons-MW]

It's really too bad they got the extension.

Racing needs to hit rock bottom before anything positive will ever happen.

Until then it's just bandages on a almost certain mortal wound.

[Indulto]

Originally Posted by the little guy

Indulto, how could you continue to believe there wouldn't be racing tomorrow?

IF NYRA hasn't compromised it's ownership claim, then I couldn't be happier that your prediction proved the correct one.

http://www.drf.com/news/article/91283.html
NYRA gets extension through Jan. 23
By MATT HEGARTY

… “On behalf of our fans, employees, and the participants in the racing industry, NYRA wants to thank Governor Eliot Spitzer and Steven Newman, chair of the oversight board, for their extraordinary efforts to continue racing at Aqeuduct,” a statement released by NYRA on Monday said.

… Still unsettled is NYRA’s long-term future as the operator of the tracks.

… Negotiations on the long-term extension occurred on Friday and Saturday, but NYRA officials have said they were put on hold while they sought the short-term agreement with the oversight board.

… The legislature is scheduled to return to session on Jan. 9, and negotiations on the long-term agreement are expected to begin in earnest at that time.

[the little guy]

They aren't compromising their ownership claim....you can be sure of that.

[Indulto]

Originally Posted by the little guy

They aren't compromising their ownership claim....you can be sure of that.

And did you ever find any takers to extend your own holdings?

[Indulto]

http://news.bloodhorse.com/viewstory.asp?id=42935
New York Franchise Talks Lingering
by Tom Precious

… government negotiators failed to resolve the permanent Thoroughbred franchise issue in New York.

Instead, the talks will now slide over into 2008, raising further uncertainty as the franchise negotiations could become embroiled in and linked to other, unrelated matters in an already poisoned atmosphere at the state Capitol.

… Whether another short-term extension will be needed again in three weeks depends on the course of the talks, which will have to now take place in period that includes the governor’s annual State of the State message and the unveiling of his 2008 state budget plan.

… Bruno, in a statement, said an agreement Dec. 31 on the franchise issue did not happen because of “NYRA’s intransigence on remaining issues that would assure accountability and oversight to prevent the mistakes of the past from occurring in the future.”

… While Bruno said he has dropped his demand that a new entity be brought in to run NYRA’s simulcasting operation, sources said that position has not been reflected at the negotiating table. The lawmaker is under growing pressure from business leaders in Saratoga Springs--a city he represents--who are fearful the impasse will have negative consequences on the 2008 summer meet.

By law, a state board that oversees NYRA’s finances takes control of the operation of the three tracks Jan. 1. The panel, in a down-to-the-wire deal reached Dec. 31 along with NYRA and the state attorney general’s office, agreed NYRA will continue the actual running of racing for the next three weeks.

NYRA officials had voiced concern about a temporary extension taking pressure off the state to resolve the broader franchise issue. They also insisted on language that preserves their bankruptcy court claims that NYRA, and not the state, owns the three tracks.

[PaceAdvantage]

Originally Posted by NYPlayer

If NYRA shuts down racing, that will make them public enemy number 1, and will most likely be blamed for the shutdown. From that point on, they will lose the PR war that has already dealt them a perilous blow with the recent ads from Capital Play and their financial bankruptcy.

While it may not be obvious to many, the fact that we are now at the last minute of the 11th hour without a permanent deal means Bruno must still have have firm support from his Senate, or he wouldn't have gotten this far. I therefore declare him the winner.

This is too funny. PR War? What PR war? I watch TV, I live within easy driving distance from both Belmont and Aqueduct, and I have yet to see this infamous Capital Play ad....and if *I* haven't seen it, you can bet a clear majority of NY State residents haven't seen it either.

Declare Bruno the winner? Winner of what? If anything, he continues to lose face and continues to back peddle on "demands" he made early on in this process.

If anything, it appears that NYRA is inching closer and closer to getting almost everything they have wanted from the beginning.

I'd be shocked if they weren't racing on Jan. 1. It's CALENDAR GIVEAWAY day, dontcha know?

[Indulto]

Originally Posted by PaceAdvantage

This is too funny. PR War? What PR war? I watch TV, I live within easy driving distance from both Belmont and Aqueduct, and I have yet to see this infamous Capital Play ad....and if *I* haven't seen it, you can bet a clear majority of NY State residents haven't seen it either. ...

Going by when you posted that, it's likely you were sleeping when those ads ran.

https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?bl...63737818366213
Franchise Fiasco a Team Effort

Comments

…Anonymous said...

…

I too was enthralled with Empire, the concept of which came closest to matching my ideal.

In truth, hey had the best horse, but rode it pitifully.

First, they should have formed as a non profit.

Next they should have actively recruited a wide spectrum of resident NY horsemen, of which there are many with the means and motive to have invested the seed money in a not for profit venture.

Third, the initial investors that happened to be elected representatives of the Horseman's Group should have resigned from their positions citing conflict of interest.

Instead, they arbitrarily threw the support of the Group as a whole(this was never voted on) behind a venture in which they individually had a for profit interest. Classic conflict of interest.

The Horsemen as a group should have remained neutral, staying above the fray while representing the horsemen's interest in Albany and with whomever won the franchise, taking the high road as an "interested party".

Instead, by taking sides, and backing the wrong horse to boot, they lost their voice. Thanks a lot.

The next misstep occured when Empire accepted money from NY Racing's competitors, in exchange for the rights to the valuable simulcast signal.

This misguided attempt to claim industry support ruined any remaining chance of being viewed as the locally based entrant with the best interest of NY racing at heart.

Lastly, the hiring of questionable lobbyists and connected PR firms to do be their voice was the straw that broke this thoroughbred's back.

The anti NYRA PR campaign got so nasty that even the Albany politicians were disgusted by it, and thats a tough achievement. …

[Indulto]

http://paulmoranattheraces.blogspot.com/2007/12/there-is-little-on-which-it-is-possible.html
Saving Belmont from the VLT Huns
By Paul Moran

…Those who would defile one of the world’s great racing venues have been thwarted, at least for now.

… A casino at Belmont Park would not, as the most vociferous of community leaders and the largest newspaper on Long Island believe, foster an economic revitalization of Elmont. Atlantic City is a monument to the empty promise of peripheral prosperity. Niagara Falls, more recent, is another.

… Casinos have no beneficial effect on the peripheral communities. A modicum of research would lead both community leaders and the media to this conclusion.

… There is no racetrack anywhere in the United States that rivals Belmont Park in terms of stature, historic standing and importance to the national racing community. VLTs at Belmont amount to desecration and those who support their installation are little more than would-be vandals.

The community surrounding Aqueduct will see no benefit from the eventual installation of 4,500 VLTs and Ozone Park it is a working-class community much like Elmont. The benefits, albeit substantial, will accrue to the state, the operator and various interests within the racing community. …

[NYPlayer]

Originally Posted by the little guy

They aren't compromising their ownership claim....you can be sure of that.

It looks like the agreement was signed late yesterday afternoon, after five days of legal review, and just before it really would have been too late. I'd say some concession was made. The land claim doesn't really matter since NYRA will be around under the new deal anyway. But, if it came to eliminating NYRA, even if the court ruled that they owned the land, the state could recover it under Eminent Domain.