Beyer Article Racing May Have A Savior

[DJofSD]

Greyfox, I agree, however, we've already slipped down the slippery sloop.

[point given]

Originally Posted by Greyfox

Spare me the examples. Why should Joe Public pay for horse racing?
If the game isn't viable as an honest business operation, why should tax payers foot the bill?

only the smokers, drinkers and obese,

[W2G]

I like this guy. Check out this interview.

http://pdfs.thoroughbreddailynews.co...ey%20minor.pdf

[CBedo]

Originally Posted by slewis

I dont know if you're familiar with Bethpage state park (they'll play the US open in Golf their this year).

5 golf courses on prime real estate. The property taxes the state would generate alone if they sold and developed the land could feed a third world country or two.
But it's a park.. for the people... entertainment. The charged green fees to play golf cover a VERY small cost towards the maintenance of it, yet, it creates jobs and is good for the state and the people of the state.

76 on Bethpage Black a few years ago --and I'd argue that if Bethpage was privatized, it would be better for the people, the state, and the owner! j/k I don't know about Bethpage specifically, but I've never seen the government run anything as efficiently as the private sector, for profit or not for profit.

[john del riccio]

Originally Posted by Greyfox

Spare me the examples. Why should Joe Public pay for horse racing?
If the game isn't viable as an honest business operation, why should tax payers foot the bill?

WELL SAID>

John

[hencicleva]

I can't believe how many people think the tax payer, (whether local State or Federal) owes them a subsidy on their entertainment or that the Government has a track record of doing things well or honestly... but then I read this board to be informed.

[Tom]

Originally Posted by DanG

I wish him all the best and cringe simultaneously.

Wait until he eats a race track hot dog, then we'll see how dedicated he is!

[Bruddah]

There is ONLY one business model that can work properly for the the game as a whole (especially the fate of the horses) and that's what we have in NY.

Tracks should be owned and operated by the state. Franchise it out if necessary, or hire competant experienced people from the HORSEMAN AND GAMBLING sides of the business to run them. The racing business should be looked at like state parks, not for profit, for the entertainment of the people, with ample revenue to provide jobs and to fill tax burdens.
If tracks were completely state controlled, the interstate negotiations regarding signals, etc would be far less of a headache then one or two companies leveraging everyone else out.
Govt's should control gambling, why should individuals profit from it? Gambling (casino too) should never be perceived as a business open to private operation.
It's a cash cow, plus, it opens the door to far too much lobbying and payoffs for contracts, etc.
Stronach loves racing.. his heart is in the right place..but the model fails time and time again. I posted this when the NYRA franchise was being tossed about... fortunately the state did the smart thing not privatizing it.
(Although the 25yrs NYRA got is a complete joke and a separate arguement)
As far as Halsey goes.... good luck[/QUOTE]


Sir, either you have been smoking some WOWIE MAUI, or you are a Candidate for Horse Racing Czar in the Obama Administration.

You obviously are ignoring the State Bailout of NY racing and the mess it's found(finds) itself. I admit to being prejudiced toward Oaklawn but if you are going to site an example of the proper way to run a race track, you should start looking there and not a government teet.

[slewis]

Originally Posted by CBedo

76 on Bethpage Black a few years ago --and I'd argue that if Bethpage was privatized, it would be better for the people, the state, and the owner! j/k I don't know about Bethpage specifically, but I've never seen the government run anything as efficiently as the private sector, for profit or not for profit.

That's some good golf.....but just so you know.. you played golf in Nassau county.... the property taxes alone on that property would make green fess about $250.00 per round if not more.
This was the problem NYRA ran into.. The franchise agreement stated (and has always) that the property taxes on the 3 tracks were to be paid by the association. As property taxes skyrocketed in Nassau Co (Belmont pk), NYRA wasn't generating enough additional revenue over such period to pay those taxes. They defaulted and actually never paid them.... Which is another reason why the state could of taken the land.. (but that's another thread-arguement)...

I wont disagree that the Govt can be very ineffecient in running anything...
that's why franchising is the way to go... BUT I cant see why that mentality cant change. Hire managers and pay them like the private sector with accountability and goals and the problem would be solved. Problem is that so many Govt jobs are bureaucratic BS.. so Im not completely adverse to you're arguement.

[DJofSD]

Originally Posted by W2G

I like this guy. Check out this interview.

http://pdfs.thoroughbreddailynews.co...ey%20minor.pdf

Interesting read. It sounds like dealing with this guy, you'd always know where you stand.

He mentioned making the parking area at SAX more like a park, a green area. I like it. At least he and Napoleon would have one thing in common - not that you can compare Paris to Los Angeles.

[DanG]

Originally Posted by Tom

Wait until he eats a race track hot dog, then we'll see how dedicated he is!

LOL…

Not quite the Coney Island classic; but decent Nathan’s at Tampa Bay Downs Tom!

[slewis]

Originally Posted by Greyfox

Spare me the examples. Why should Joe Public pay for horse racing?
If the game isn't viable as an honest business operation, why should tax payers foot the bill?

Because if you're going to have a racetrack like Belmont and Aqueduct, in high property tax areas.. who is going to flip the bill for the taxes??? That's why NYRA needed to restructure it's whole exsistance...(or one reason)

Next, property taxes aside, the tracks should be able to generate serious tax revenue for the state through the handle... but when the time comes for things like capital improvements (like at Belmont, Aqu, and Saratoga) then what?? If they are privately run (like NYRA had been doing) they told the state they couldn't make it any longer..

Does a private entity sink 100's of millions in?? ..No they'd walk away...

Im telling you the business model does not work.. are you telling me it does?? or are you saying that if it does not, let the whole industry crumble.. just let it go?? Breeding farms, employees, etc, this is a huge industry...

Sorry.. cant agree even remotely.

[point given]

Originally Posted by DanG

LOL…


Darnit , now you got me hungry.... now heading to the kitchen !


Not quite the Coney Island classic; but decent Nathan’s at Tampa Bay Downs Tom!

!

[slewis]

Originally Posted by Bruddah

There is ONLY one business model that can work properly for the the game as a whole (especially the fate of the horses) and that's what we have in NY.

Tracks should be owned and operated by the state. Franchise it out if necessary, or hire competant experienced people from the HORSEMAN AND GAMBLING sides of the business to run them. The racing business should be looked at like state parks, not for profit, for the entertainment of the people, with ample revenue to provide jobs and to fill tax burdens.
If tracks were completely state controlled, the interstate negotiations regarding signals, etc would be far less of a headache then one or two companies leveraging everyone else out.
Govt's should control gambling, why should individuals profit from it? Gambling (casino too) should never be perceived as a business open to private operation.
It's a cash cow, plus, it opens the door to far too much lobbying and payoffs for contracts, etc.
Stronach loves racing.. his heart is in the right place..but the model fails time and time again. I posted this when the NYRA franchise was being tossed about... fortunately the state did the smart thing not privatizing it.
(Although the 25yrs NYRA got is a complete joke and a separate arguement)
As far as Halsey goes.... good luck

Sir, either you have been smoking some WOWIE MAUI, or you are a Candidate for Horse Racing Czar in the Obama Administration.

You obviously are ignoring the State Bailout of NY racing and the mess it's found(finds) itself. I admit to being prejudiced toward Oaklawn but if you are going to site an example of the proper way to run a race track, you should start looking there and not a government teet.[/QUOTE]

Sorry I almost ruined your raccoon stew.


You dont even know why the state had to bailout NYRA... maybe you should read the rest of my posts here before making wise ass statements....
You'll learn about the difference in property values in NYC compared to Woodchuk, Mississippi.

[Greyfox]

Originally Posted by slewis

Im telling you the business model does not work.. are you telling me it does?? or are you saying that if it does not, let the whole industry crumble.. just let it go?? Breeding farms, employees, etc, this is a huge industry...

Sorry.. cant agree even remotely.

If a business model doesn't work, choose a different business model.
The horse racing industry employs masses of people.
The industry is primarily dependent upon customers.
No customers = no business.
Treat the customer as King and there is no need for tax payer subsidization from the non-betting sector of the general public.