Probe of NYRA execs may be launched - NYRA may lose slots subsidies

[aaron]

I wonder how many people responding to this discussion have been to NYRA tracks more than a few times. I have been to NYRA tracks regularly over many years. NYRA has made mistakes. In my opinion,I think NYRA had it right when the breakdown only included 4 weeks of Saratoga and a longer Aqueduct main track.
I understand the 6+ weeks at Saratoga,but don't understand an Aqueduct Main Track meet that is less than Saratoga. I still think Belmont is the best NYRA track,but it seems to be its biggest loser.
I also feel NYRA was an "old boys club" and that was always one of its problems.
With all that said,I don't see Cuomo doing the right thing,so what can save racing in NY ?

[OTM Al]

Originally Posted by cj

What is HRI?

Horse Racing something or another. I can think of plenty of "I" words that apply. I'm sure Link Boy is shocked you don't recognize the acronym for Pricci's site. It is so very important in the horse racing world after all that he is allowed to write articles there.....

[Indulto]

Originally Posted by cj

What is HRI?

Since you’ve managed to forget, it would be cruel of me to remind you.

All that just to not answer two simple questions? Your bias is pretty clear. I think that is the point. You gave it away with your comments about the handle. You pretend use Link Boy to inform, but you only inform the negative with your hand selected quotes, bolded workds, and underlines. It does seem odd for somebody that doesn't bet or attend the races.

When did you start deluding yourself that you have psychic powers like your buddy who claims to have the ability to recognize written “crap” without actually reading it? My betting may have decreased since I retired, but my bankroll is still alive and well, thank you, and I often bet on races at New York tracks from So Cal tracks. It's a shame when a board monitor deliberately misleads its readers.

My intention for the following link is not to inform, but it might anyway:

http://www.timesunion.com/sports/article/NYRA-rebounds-from-slow-start-3725511.php#ixzz21Mj7mVNl
NYRA rebounds from slow start
By Tim Wilkin July 21, 2012

… On Friday at Saratoga Race Course …

… Water problems caused clogged and overflowing toilets in men's and women's bathrooms. The jockey room did not have any water, so riders couldn't shower.

It wasn't as bad as the 2008 Belmont Stakes when there was no water at all on a brutally hot June day at Belmont Park. But for opening day at the Spa, it was embarrassing. …

OA,
With your sel-proclaimed talent for seeing “crap” where others can’t, perhaps your advance “seating” duties should include toilet testing for the new NYRA.

BTW didn't I just see an ad for Pricci at the top of the page here?

[OTM Al]

Originally Posted by Indulto

With your sel-proclaimed talent for seeing “crap” where others can’t, perhaps your advance “seating” duties should include toilet testing for the new NYRA

Actual LB it's not at all self proclaimed and I think plenty of others have called it that besides me.

[OTM Al]

Originally Posted by aaron

I also feel NYRA was an "old boys club" and that was always one of its problems.
With all that said,I don't see Cuomo doing the right thing,so what can save racing in NY ?

Every racing jurisdiction of any quality and basically every major sport has been an old boys club (who has the most power in the NFL and MLB for example), so I don't think that is the real issue. The real issue is what can be done to continue to move forward and stay with the times. Removal of the NYCOTB as a major competitor to NYRA's product was a huge move in the right direction. If NYRA is ever able to get the whole NY State OTB system restructured in such a way that it is a benefit to the product as a whole and not a money drain, I have to believe many financial issues would be taken care of and then they truly would be in a position to try experiments with lower takes. Being allowed to offer NYRA Rewards outside NY and CT would probably be a great benefit as well. But it is the same body that is now taking over and doing who knows what when they do that has impeded this.

[Indulto]

Originally Posted by OTM Al

Actual LB it's not at all self proclaimed and I think plenty of others have called it that besides me.

Don’t worry, OA. I know there are other critics out there besides you. Some have already commented there, and I hope many more do even if some are personal friends of yours. It’s hardly discouraging considering the negative feedback even talented and popular bloggers are subjected to.

So far the best part has been encountering other interesting players and writers I wouldn’t have otherwise. There was even a blogger who really took me apart, but he turned out to be someone with whom it was really fun to communicate, and it wound up being a very rewarding experience for me.

[Tom]

How has the old boy's network hurt you as a bettor of their product?

[aaron]

Originally Posted by Tom

How has the old boy's network hurt you as a bettor of their product?

Try comparing today's product with the product of 20-30 years ago and you'll see a decline in the product which ultimately hurts the bettor.
Otm Al,
Agree,with you on NYRA taking over NY OTB accounts and being able to give rebates on out of town accounts.
Unfortunately,I don't see it happening,but we can still hope. In my opinion,it doesn't make any sense to give it to another OTB region.

[OTM Al]

Originally Posted by aaron

Try comparing today's product with the product of 20-30 years ago and you'll see a decline in the product which ultimately hurts the bettor.
Otm Al,
Agree,with you on NYRA taking over NY OTB accounts and being able to give rebates on out of town accounts.
Unfortunately,I don't see it happening,but we can still hope. In my opinion,it doesn't make any sense to give it to another OTB region.

It may have even been more old boy back then Aaron. I just don't see that as a major factor, though perhaps whoever was leading back then may have been stronger. I don't know at all though, just supposition.

Sad but true that the most likely outcome is that it will be given to an existing politician, er OTB region, as some sort of favor. Second likely is that they will just recreate a new NYCOTB. NYRA has had the right to open ten OTB locations for many years, but all efforts there have failed. I'm sure they well know which of the old locations were most profitable and would guess the politicos want those for themselves. We can still hope, but all I see is NYS pulling the slots money and then telling NYRA to raise take to make up the difference.

[Tom]

Try comparing today's product with the product of 20-30 years ago and you'll see a decline in the product which ultimately hurts the bettor.

Is that NYRA's fault, or is the entire industry just not as good anymore?
I say it is the latter. We have far too much racing, and the horse populatin available is now dilluted.
NYRA still rises to the top, so how do you figure the old boy networkd has failed us? thye are putting out the most popular product there is. They offer gigantic purses and still only get 5 or 6 horse show up - is that thier fault? OR are owners and traineirs today just a bucnh of cowards. I say that is a big part of it. I say today's trainers couldn't hold a candle to the trainers 20-30 years ago, except of course, Tom Shell, who is a master!

[aaron]

Originally Posted by Tom

Is that NYRA's fault, or is the entire industry just not as good anymore?
I say it is the latter. We have far too much racing, and the horse populatin available is now dilluted.
NYRA still rises to the top, so how do you figure the old boy networkd has failed us? thye are putting out the most popular product there is. They offer gigantic purses and still only get 5 or 6 horse show up - is that thier fault? OR are owners and traineirs today just a bucnh of cowards. I say that is a big part of it. I say today's trainers couldn't hold a candle to the trainers 20-30 years ago, except of course, Tom Shell, who is a master!

The trainers today probably don't compare to the trainers of 20-30 years ago and part of the reason is that the sport was not properly regulated and part of the problem is because of the old boy's network. They had the power and looked the other way.if you give them a pass,then you haven't been paying attention.

[Tom]

NYRA's good ole boy network is responsible for the whole game going south?

NYRA is leading the way trying to clean up - they gave Dutrow 10 years!
But the courts are interfering......not NYRA's fault.

Who else is trying to get well known n'er do wells out of the game?
A few, but to blame NYRA alone is ludicrous.

[aaron]

Originally Posted by Tom

NYRA's good ole boy network is responsible for the whole game going south?

NYRA is leading the way trying to clean up - they gave Dutrow 10 years!
But the courts are interfering......not NYRA's fault.

Who else is trying to get well known n'er do wells out of the game?
A few, but to blame NYRA alone is ludicrous.

I am not blaming NYRA alone. Isn't Dutrow suspended in Kentucky and some other racing venues ?
Also for how many years did NYRA and other venues look the other way. Has Rudy Rodriguez become Woody Stephens ? Going back in time,were Oscar barerra,Peter Ferriola,Gasper Moschera,ever suspended or made an example of ? These trainers weren't the second coming of Woody Stephens and Mac Miller to name a few.
Note: Todd Pletcher has had positives,but he is ignored when we talk of trainers who are suspicious.
Staying ahead of the game is rampant even had the top levels. Doug O,Neil has proved that.

[Indulto]

In this heartwarming piece about family, horseplaying, and the Saratoga experience, journalist Vic Zast also describes the events inspiring this thread, and appears to have little doubt as to the extent and effect of Hayward’s involvement.

His piece begins on page 18 of the PDF.

http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/media/pdfs/july21issue.pdf
Like Father, Like Son, Like Grandson
BY VIC ZAST

… The track executive was unceremoniously relieved of his privileged position on the eve of this past Kentucky Derby for being involved in a cover-up of $8.5-million that NYRA kept from bettors despite a change in the law that required the association to distribute the money. …

… this was the basement in a long run at NYRA’s helm that was fraught with politics and stress.

Hayward’s ill-advised decision to hide what he did from the government became a convenient excuse for the state to suggest a premature end of its 25-year franchise agreement with NYRA. …

Thanks, Mr. Zast, for bringing back the memories of Saratoga in the ‘60s and the feelings that have fueled the fervor of more than a few thoroughbred racing fans going forward.

[Indulto]

http://www.drf.com/news/crist-sarato...ertainty-looms
Crist: Saratoga off to a good start, but uncertainty looms
By Steven Crist 07/23/2012

… Much of the gossip around the track and the town’s watering holes is about who these new board members will be. The names being floated are typically disheartening: political operatives between state appointments, former legislators, deep-pocketed political donors, minor celebrities who have never operated so much as a lemonade stand – most of them people with little knowledge or respect for racing.

Cuomo has yet to articulate a single goal or vision for racing in New York, a single thought about what if anything he thinks needs to be changed, other than that it would all somehow be better off with his cronies in charge. He also has said or done nothing to dispel widespread concern that he’d be perfectly happy if horse racing disappeared in New York, replaced by full-scale casino gambling. ..