CRIST: Sets the NY facts straight

[Kasept]

The importance of Steve Crist's column in today's paper is too important to be restricted to DRF subscribers. Anyone who has formed any opinion on the NY situation based on the lies and misrepresentations of the slot money salivators try to gain the franchise needs to know the facts.. Here they are presented by someone who speaks independently and with authority and first hand comprehension of the situation.


New York bidders twist reality
By STEVEN CRIST

http://www.drf.com/news/article/84006.html

[MisterB]

The Saratoga Ratcino has many Blue hairs, not many young people around. they profit from the monthly retirement checks, or the dead husbands life insurance and life savings. I told my wife, if she ever goes to the ratcino when I die, I'll haunt her till she dies.

Not one person their is a horse player.

[Sightseek]

It really is too bad this article didn't end up in the Times Union where more people would be reading it.


Things are looking sad for the future of NY Racing.

[fpsoxfan]

These outside groups do not care about the racing fan. They are only interested in the almighty dollar. The bottom line is, other groups were not interested in bidding against NYRA until slots became involved. They want to talk about corruption..take a good look at Silver and Bruno. What is Bailey saying??? Is he drinking again?? Stick to riding horses Jerry. Your commentating sucks too. The dipshit tried to say Street Sense got his nose down at the wire yesterday. What was he looking at?? When do the race fans get to weigh in on this NYRA thing? I go to Saratoga 5-10 or more times a summer. NYRA has its quirks, but they've done a fine job.

[Hickory Hill Hoff]

Originally Posted by fpsoxfan

These outside groups do not care about the racing fan. They are only interested in the almighty dollar. The bottom line is, other groups were not interested in bidding against NYRA until slots became involved. They want to talk about corruption..take a good look at Silver and Bruno. What is Bailey saying??? Is he drinking again?? Stick to riding horses Jerry. Your commentating sucks too. The dipshit tried to say Street Sense got his nose down at the wire yesterday. What was he looking at?? When do the race fans get to weigh in on this NYRA thing? I go to Saratoga 5-10 or more times a summer. NYRA has its quirks, but they've done a fine job.

I just love those "other" so-called horse racing lovers from "other" so-called sites that ALWAYS knock the racing that NYRA puts forth. Does anybody really think that these slot people really care about the thoroughbred aspect at the track? DON'T FIX WHATS NOT BROKE! NYRA has had problems...BUT they have been corrected! I'M a racing fan...as long as the product is good, I'll play...if not I'll look elsewhere. Can never figure out why people just love to stick money into a machine.

[Grits]

Originally Posted by Hickory Hill Hoff

I just love those "other" so-called horse racing lovers from "other" so-called sites that ALWAYS knock the racing that NYRA puts forth. Does anybody really think that these slot people really care about the thoroughbred aspect at the track? DON'T FIX WHATS NOT BROKE! NYRA has had problems...BUT they have been corrected! I'M a racing fan...as long as the product is good, I'll play...if not I'll look elsewhere. Can never figure out why people just love to stick money into a machine.

It doesn't take brains, therefore no thinking, to stick money into a machine. Just the ability to watch for 3 cherries, or 3 whatever across.

[Hickory Hill Hoff]

Originally Posted by MisterB

The Saratoga Ratcino has many Blue hairs, not many young people around. they profit from the monthly retirement checks, or the dead husbands life insurance and life savings. I told my wife, if she ever goes to the ratcino when I die, I'll haunt her till she dies.

Not one person their is a horse player.

We went to Finger Lakes right after the "ratcino" opened there. I got a buddy who just loves Turning Stone... after he lost the first race at the Lakes, he headed down to the VLT room...45 mins later he comes back upstairs and says he's broke. Well, I told there's 6 more races at the Lakes to go...should have saved your money for here than blowing it on those machines!
It was a long day for him...

[Grits]

The Times Union may have been alright for Upstate, rather limits the reach I think.

The piece would serve better in the Wall Street Journal, the NYTimes, the NYPost, and every other major racing publication and newspaper in the country where racing has a stake.

[Sightseek]

Originally Posted by Grits

The Times Union may have been alright for Upstate, rather limits the reach I think.

The piece would serve better in the Wall Street Journal, the NYTimes, the NYPost, and every other major racing publication and newspaper in the country where racing has a stake.

I just listed the paper that was next to me, but having it in all would be nice.

[Holland Hacker]

Steve, Andy & Other New York Residents.

Does it make sense for you to write you legislators? I think it might help them make a better informed decision if they receive correspondence from the people who put them in Albany that also go to the track. I know everyone is busy but it doesn't have to be anything long. Perhaps even a short e-mail that points out some of the shortcomings or faults in some of the proposals as we see them.

I plan on sending an e-mail to some of the key legislators, including the Gov's office but I do not live in NY so it may fall on deaf ears. The only thing I can threaten is to stop going to the NY tracks and stop investing in NY Breds.

Even if someone could draft a form letter that people could send to their legislators and the govenor that could have an impact.

Just a thought.

[ALostTexan]

Originally Posted by Holland Hacker

Steve, Andy & Other New York Residents.

Does it make sense for you to write you legislators? I think it might help them make a better informed decision if they receive correspondence from the people who put them in Albany that also go to the track. I know everyone is busy but it doesn't have to be anything long. Perhaps even a short e-mail that points out some of the shortcomings or faults in some of the proposals as we see them.

I plan on sending an e-mail to some of the key legislators, including the Gov's office but I do not live in NY so it may fall on deaf ears. The only thing I can threaten is to stop going to the NY tracks and stop investing in NY Breds.

Even if someone could draft a form letter that people could send to their legislators and the govenor that could have an impact.

Just a thought.

Holland,

I live in Arizona, but plan on drafting a letter to some of those key legislators in NY over this. While the tracks are in New York, they need to hear from the rest of the world who bet the races, and therefore contribute to NY Racing.

I spend a great deal of time keeping up with legislative issues, and this is one that is the hottest right now...

ALostTexan

Originally Posted by Grits

The Times Union may have been alright for Upstate, rather limits the reach I think.

The piece would serve better in the Wall Street Journal, the NYTimes, the NYPost, and every other major racing publication and newspaper in the country where racing has a stake.

Do they even cover racing anymore? Washington Post no longer carries the stuff from Laurel Park.

The more I think about it, the more I think slots will be the death of the industry.

They want to promote jockeys ala the NBA? this is the kind of stuff Executive Assistants at PR firms come up with over lunch. "Hey what about the NBA? Yeah I see a connection here."

They ought to take that jockey cam and put it on them in the jock's room when they play poker. "Oh look DOminguez made his flush. THere's no way Jara can get away from this hand."

[milliam]

How many years do we get before VLT operators say horse racing is hurting our bottom line ?

[TheSpyder]

Good read Steve,

It makes you wonder what the state of racing will be in 20 years. The slots are a short term money generating out that has nothing to do with racing.

As I write this I'm reminded (don't know why) of a promotion by a grocery store in Cleveland circa 1960's. When you shopped there you got a racing ticket and there was a show every week of 6 horse races, I'm sure it was taped and can't remember where it was from.

Anyway, depending how many you won there were prizes. It was a great way to get poeple looking at races and now that I think about it may have been the seed that make me sprout as a life lone capper.

Spyder

[Hickory Hill Hoff]

Originally Posted by TheSpyder

Good read Steve,

It makes you wonder what the state of racing will be in 20 years. The slots are a short term money generating out that has nothing to do with racing.

As I write this I'm reminded (don't know why) of a promotion by a grocery store in Cleveland circa 1960's. When you shopped there you got a racing ticket and there was a show every week of 6 horse races, I'm sure it was taped and can't remember where it was from.

Anyway, depending how many you won there were prizes. It was a great way to get poeple looking at races and now that I think about it may have been the seed that make me sprout as a life lone capper.

Spyder

Back in the 70's the Grand Union chain in the northeast ran a simliar promotion. The races were from Hialeah I believe, my Dad won $50 from the game and somewhere I still have the "play at home" game that they made from the show.

[fpsoxfan]

Originally Posted by Hickory Hill Hoff

Back in the 70's the Grand Union chain in the northeast ran a simliar promotion. The races were from Hialeah I believe, my Dad won $50 from the game and somewhere I still have the "play at home" game that they made from the show.

That's funny Hoffy...I remember that too. They used to play the races on a Saturday night. You could tell the races they used were old because you'd see these ladies in 60's style mini skirts.
I may play today. I'm not sure. I'm very frustrated with Keeneland. Tough to get a good read .

[golfer]

I vaguely remember that as well. In fact, that's was probably what led me to being the degenerate horse player I am today!!! Sonofableep Damn you Grand Union!!

[blackthroatedwind]

Originally Posted by Hickory Hill Hoff

Back in the 70's the Grand Union chain in the northeast ran a simliar promotion. The races were from Hialeah I believe, my Dad won $50 from the game and somewhere I still have the "play at home" game that they made from the show.

I remember those well and always watched. I believe they were from Tropical Park.

[Hickory Hill Hoff]

Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind

I remember those well and always watched. I believe they were from Tropical Park.

Your right, I knew it was in Florida somehere...the guy who hosted it did auto commericals in my area.
I can remember the "old ladies" in my town would have a "fit" if the cashier didn't give them their playing ticket!

[whorstman]

Slot machines on the premises will attract and convert the masses into racing fans.

I feel that most of those slot heads will not even know that there is horses racing. That would just be another place to go to feed the machine. Probably an additional money maker, but nothin to do w/ horse racing.