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

[thaskalos]

May I ask a question, since I live outside the New York area...and am not sure about all that goes on there?

Not too long ago, when the NYRA relinquished control to Cuomo without a fight...a Ray Paulick article appeared on these pages...where Paulick tried to make sense of the situation.

Paulick let it be known that Cuomo gave the NYRA two options:

Either the NYRA relinquished control to him swiftly and without a fight...or a long battle between the governor and the NYRA would take place, in which all the details of the takeout fiasco would come out, and be revealed to the general public.

Paulick argued that he himself did NOT believe that the NYRA decided to give up control without a fight because they had something to hide. He speculated that the NYRA decided to relinquish control quickly (and quietly) because they wanted to dissuade the governor from making good on his threat of taking the slot money away from NY Racing.

Paulick's argument was a reasonable one...and I believed it myself.

But now, after reading this new Andy Beyer piece...I find that it is common knowledge that Cuomo intends to take away some, or all, of the slot money from the NY tracks ANYWAY!

So, Paulick's original argument as to the reasoning behind the NYRA's decision to relinquish control to Cuomo without a fight, now makes no sense at all!

And so I ask:

Why did the NYRA agree to lay down their weapons without a fight...if it was common knowledge that Cuomo would take away some, or all, of the slot money anyway?

[classhandicapper]

Absolutely no good can come from the state being more involved in NY racing - which is not to say that there weren't better ways of organizing racing than what we had.

As far as the casino money goes, I wish all the tracks had to survive without casino money. That way a bunch of the smaller ones would probably fold and NY racing would have a chance to pick up market share from simulcasting. I think all the states would be better off if the casino money was used for higher priority things than subsidizing money losing businesses.

[Indulto]

Originally Posted by OTM Al

And what do you bring? You copy articles that are quite easy to find on the net. Most of the time Seth at Equidaily has a link long before you do and without any of the twisted comments. You conveniantly only post those that advance your own agenda. And now you are bashing people who are actually here (I know as I said hello to him Friday night) and know something about the topic they are writing about. There is no new info in anything you have "written".

To paraphrase Steve Allen, “Your green dress matches your eyes.”

Once again you play fast and loose with the truth—Equidaily doesn’t “bother” to link to many pieces I find interesting. Of course he will bring Beyer and other big names to bear on a subject, but not many less-well-known sources.

So you think Beyer is advancing my agenda? And that my pointing out the irony in his logic is “bashing” him? You, who never passes up an opportunity to give a piece of your mind to turf writers you disagree with?

The next time you encounter he–whose-name-you-couldn’t –help-dropping, ask him why he hasn’t been out there defending his hero, Hayward, for almost 3 months.

What I bring is commentary by others as well as my own to promote discussion. All you bring is venom and reinforcement of your tag-team partner's "hands-over-ears" imitation of the "hear-no-evil" sapian.

[OTM Al]

Originally Posted by Indulto

To paraphrase Steve Allen, “Your green dress matches your eyes.”

Once again you play fast and loose with the truth—Equidaily doesn’t “bother” to link to many pieces I find interesting. Of course he will bring Beyer and other big names to bear on a subject, but not many less-well-known sources.

So you think Beyer is advancing my agenda? And that my pointing out the irony in his logic is “bashing” him? You, who never passes up an opportunity to give a piece of your mind to turf writers you disagree with?

The next time you encounter he–whose-name-you-couldn’t –help-dropping, ask him why he hasn’t been out there defending his hero, Hayward, for almost 3 months.

What I bring is commentary by others as well as my own to promote discussion. All you bring is venom and reinforcement of your tag-team partner's "hands-over-ears" imitation of the "hear-no-evil" sapian.

Might be true if you had any clue of what is actually going on. Thing is, you don't and to compensate so as to feel important you have created your own alternate reality based on the articles of generally clueless and/or agenda driven writers. You live in fantasy land. Do all NYRA. Employees have little goatees in your world? You aren't promoting discussion, you are making yourself look like an even bigger idiot, if that is even possible.

[Indulto]

Originally Posted by OTM Al

Might be true if you had any clue of what is actually going on. Thing is, you don't and to compensate so as to feel important you have created your own alternate reality based on the articles of generally clueless and/or agenda driven writers. You live in fantasy land. Do all NYRA. Employees have little goatees in your world? You aren't promoting discussion, you are making yourself look like an even bigger idiot, if that is even possible.

Goatees? Didn't get that one, but that's typical of a put-down by he-who-claims-to-be-clued-in. I'd be surprised if -- even with your OLD-NYRA connections -- you know very much about NEW-NYRA proceedings. Of course once that information is made public, you'll claim to have known it all along.

[OTM Al]

Originally Posted by Indulto

Goatees? Didn't get that one, but that's typical of a put-down by he-who-claims-to-be-clued-in. I'd be surprised if -- even with your OLD-NYRA connections -- you know very much about NEW-NYRA proceedings. Of course once that information is made public, you'll claim to have known it all along.

By making this statement, you have demonstrated how little you know. As for what I know, I have these people who are friends. This term may be alien to you, especially given your reactions the last time you were kicked off the board. However, just for your information, when someone is your friend, you don't go around telling complete strangers what has been told to you in confidence by that friend. So think what you want, but more for anyone else who would read what you "write", you are pretty clueless.

[cj]

Originally Posted by Indulto

Goatees? Didn't get that one, but that's typical of a put-down by he-who-claims-to-be-clued-in. I'd be surprised if -- even with your OLD-NYRA connections -- you know very much about NEW-NYRA proceedings. Of course once that information is made public, you'll claim to have known it all along.

I thought you were a blogger now. Surely all your fans can just read your links there, right?

[Indulto]

Originally Posted by cj

I thought you were a blogger now. Surely all your fans can just read your links there, right?

Different environments, posters, interaction response times, format, content preferences and restrictions. I'm not looking for fans, i want to find people to discuss issues and ideas with.

PaceAdvantage is more a place for discussion of issues. The blog favors the expression of one's ideas.

[cj]

Originally Posted by Indulto

Different environments, posters, interaction response times, format, content preferences and restrictions. I'm not looking for fans, i want to find people to discuss issues and ideas with.

PaceAdvantage is more a place for discussion of issues. The blog favors the expression of one's ideas.

Fair enough, but there isn't a whole lot of discussion going on here either.

[Indulto]

http://espn.go.com/horse-racing/story/_/id/8311434/cuomo-make-right-moves
Cuomo must make right moves
By Bill Finley August 28, 2012

… maybe, and hopefully, Governor Cuomo will instead surprise us. If he is indeed the rare politician who wants, first and foremost, what's best for the people of his state and is concerned about the viability of an important industry in horse racing then he will make intelligent decisions that won't bring about the predicted problems.

It will start with his personnel decisions. There are a handful of terrific racing executives out there who would likely accept the job, even though the head positions at NYRA have always paid way less than they should. He could hire someone like Lou Raffetto, Bill Nader or Nick Nicholson and the future of New York racing would be in the type of good hands that would immediately ease the worries so many have for the sport.

The new Board of Directors, and particularly the chairman's position, needs to be made up of people who will realize that their role is to be stewards of a proud and historic racing franchise. Their every decision needs to be made based on what's best for New York racing …

… While nearly everyone is predicting a doomsday scenario because of the governor's actions, no damage has been done yet. And there's no reason that has to change. Governor Cuomo needs to bring in capable people to run the show, leave most everything else unchanged and then quickly get out of the way and move on to more important problems. …

I only quoted positive portions of what Finley wrote as he is the first major media presence to do so. I do wish his suggestions for racing executives had been accompanied by some supporting justification.

[Al Gobbi]

Just like what is going on in Ontario - the slot money can (and will) be taken away its just a matter of when the trigger is pulled. When you look at the oversized purses at slot-fused tracks (like NY), there is a better way for this money to be used.

Also on top of that, you have track owners (i.e.: Penn National, Parx, etc) who would love to see it get cut or eliminated completely so they could get rid of the racing once and for all. While places like California and Kentucky have issues with racing right now, they could be the big winners by the time this is done.

[ezmred]

Racing Fan Q&A: The New York Racing Fan Advisory Council will hold a public Q&A session with David Grening of the Daily Racing Form at Saratoga Race Course. The event will provide fans with the opportunity to share ideas on how to continue to attract new fans to racing and improve the sport. The Racing Fan Advisory Council’s mission is to collect ideas from fans and issue formal recommendations on methods to improve thoroughbred racing to state government and policy makers. The Q&A will be held in the Carousel immediately following the day’s last race at approximately 6:30 p.m. on 8/30/12. will h.a.n.a. rep. be there? only chance at getting real fan q&a questions asked!

thanks
ed

[OTM Al]

Originally Posted by ezmred

will h.a.n.a. rep. be there?[/u][/size][/size] only chance at getting real fan q&a questions asked!

thanks
ed

No, it's not the only chance. Anyone can ask a question at this event. I was at the one in April and there was an open question period. HANA was in attendance and asked nothing openly, though they apparantly had a private meeting later.

[burnsy]

Originally Posted by ezmred

Racing Fan Q&A: The New York Racing Fan Advisory Council will hold a public Q&A session with David Grening of the Daily Racing Form at Saratoga Race Course. The event will provide fans with the opportunity to share ideas on how to continue to attract new fans to racing and improve the sport. The Racing Fan Advisory Council’s mission is to collect ideas from fans and issue formal recommendations on methods to improve thoroughbred racing to state government and policy makers. The Q&A will be held in the Carousel immediately following the day’s last race at approximately 6:30 p.m. on 8/30/12. will h.a.n.a. rep. be there? only chance at getting real fan q&a questions asked!

thanks
ed

I'll be there. if you hear about a guy running his mouth and getting tossed..its probably me...lol. first, the guy that got one of the appointments was on TV sunday and he appeared as if he did not know racing at all. He was on Track Facts Live. His profession was law but he seemed to know little about racing and how the information is given. One of his complaints was the distance of "off the turf races". Its clearly stated in the race conditions top of the program. "If stewards consider conditions inadvisable...blah, blah, blah". Is NYRA supposed to teach literacy or what? Plus it is announced over the (outdated) PA and the (outdated) monitors. Put real racing fans on that board or its worth squat! Second, the inept and outdated conduct of the stewards. Younger people with good judgement and a sharp set of eyes! Third, these crappy cards that Saratoga puts out with the 11 race deals. I know they have purse money now but give the bettors something to bet on. Two jumpers and two maidens...back to back to back to back..i don't even want to walk in there today until 3 o'clock. Put some of the money into the structure of the TRACK ITSELF. The TV's, the buildings, the seating, the PA system.....sellling the track as a quaint antique is getting pretty old...i can go on and on....but i doubt they will let me...lol

[andymays]

Originally Posted by burnsy

I'll be there. if you hear about a guy running his mouth and getting tossed..its probably me...lol. first, the guy that got one of the appointments was on TV sunday and he appeared as if he did not know racing at all. He was on Track Facts Live. His profession was law but he seemed to know little about racing and how the information is given. One of his complaints was the distance of "off the turf races". Its clearly stated in the race conditions top of the program. "If stewards consider conditions inadvisable...blah, blah, blah". Is NYRA supposed to teach literacy or what? Plus it is announced over the (outdated) PA and the (outdated) monitors. Put real racing fans on that board or its worth squat! Second, the inept and outdated conduct of the stewards. Younger people with good judgement and a sharp set of eyes! Third, these crappy cards that Saratoga puts out with the 11 race deals. I know they have purse money now but give the bettors something to bet on. Two jumpers and two maidens...back to back to back to back..i don't even want to walk in there today until 3 o'clock. Put some of the money into the structure of the TRACK ITSELF. The TV's, the buildings, the seating, the PA system.....sellling the track as a quaint antique is getting pretty old...i can go on and on....but i doubt they will let me...lol

Go get em burnsy.

Give em hell.