Jimmy Toner Letter to Times-Union

[parsixfarms]

In today's edition, on the NY racing franchise issue: http://timesunion.com/AspStories/sto...ate=11/15/2007

[Downthestretch55]

That letter says volumes. Thanks for posting the link.

[parsixfarms]

In the print version, it says that the letter was signed by more than 150 people involved with the horse industry. Somehow, that got omitted at the bottom of the on-line version.

[fpsoxfan]

This whole thing is strictly politics. Bruno is being a stubborn prick about this whole thing. Jimmy Toner's letter was excellent and he brings up far bigger points than just the racing itself, but the people it will affect. The only problem I see with the agreement between the governor and NYRA is the 30 years, but other than that, the senate needs to quit the bullshit and get this thing passed.

[sumitas]

The frustration with Albany is mounting.

[ALostTexan]

Has there been any reaction to this letter? To say that there will be a 'chain reaction' is an understatement, as the results of even a short work-stoppage in New York will be devestating...

[sumitas]

Anybody's guess. It seems there is discussion in Albany but nobody is providing any details. It seems that NYRA will get at least Saratoga and the possibilty exists there could be a different operator for each track or even a different operator for the slots at Aq. My guess is racing will be uninterrupted but the final management scenario is up in the air.

[freddymo]

Must be the 50th letter sent to Albany. Did Crist sign it?

Seriously does he really think it will help

[Ronnie]

They have 40 days to get this resolved.

[freddymo]

Originally Posted by Ronnie

They have 40 days to get this resolved.

How do you figure.. Thanksgiving Xmas new years forget it the year is toast...No shot they getting anything other then an extention worked out

[Kasept]

Seth Merrow (Equidaily.com) has unearthed the other 'undersigned' names that were included on Jimmy Toner's letter to the T-U:

Angel Penna Jr, Shug McGaughey, Todd Pletcher, Barclay Tagg, Carl Domino, Mark Henning, John Kimmel, Leo O'Brien, Keith O'Brien, Gary Contessa, Linda Rice, Christophe Clement, Richard DeStasio, Jeff Odintz, Richard Schosberg, Bruce Levine, Tom Bush, Frank Alexander, Juan Ortiz, Diane Balsamo, Robert Reinacher, Peter Pugh, David Jacobson, John Terranova, Robert Barbara, Leah Gyarmati

Why the Times-Union chose not to include this significant list is a seperate question, but it would appear that the tone and context of JJT's letter was heavily supported by most NY-based conditioners...

[hoovesupsideyourhead]

if things go south and racing is halted will their be a mass exidus to fg cd gulf.. some may have an action plan..

[pmacdaddy]

I'm starting to wonder if Albany is going to use this dispute as a way to say "get used to no Winter racing in NY" as they plan to sell Aqueduct.

If they can drag this out over the winter months and horses return to Belmont in the spring, they can certainly say Big A is not needed. Especialy after NYRA said they lost $3M a day or whatever it was last winter.

A horrible way to go about it, but it does eliminate them having to worry about any rational discussion on the topic. Would not shock me.

[Rudeboyelvis]

Originally Posted by hoovesupsideyourhead

if things go south and racing is halted will their be a mass exidus to fg cd gulf.. some may have an action plan..

That would be one enormous Charlie Foxtrot right there...According to GP, they already have more stall apps than stalls...I'm sure FG, CD, Oaklawn, etc. are in the same boat...

[blackthroatedwind]

Originally Posted by pmacdaddy

I'm starting to wonder if Albany is going to use this dispute as a way to say "get used to no Winter racing in NY" as they plan to sell Aqueduct.

If they can drag this out over the winter months and horses return to Belmont in the spring, they can certainly say Big A is not needed. Especialy after NYRA said they lost $3M a day or whatever it was last winter.

A horrible way to go about it, but it does eliminate them having to worry about any rational discussion on the topic. Would not shock me.

No, this is not true. Absolutely not true.

I think people are getting way ahead of themselves thinking a shutdown of racing at the beginning of the year is going to happen.

[pmacdaddy]

Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind

No, this is not true. Absolutely not true.

I think people are getting way ahead of themselves thinking a shutdown of racing at the beginning of the year is going to happen.

I really hope so. Hopefully it is already significantly hammered out and just not public.

However, with NY State, when it's not a matter of life or death, things tend to get very dragged out. Perhaps they will just do a temporary extension if they can't come to a final decision by Dec 31st. .

[GenuineRisk]

There was an incredibly obnoxious commercial on the local news channel today, which, as best as I could tell, said, "The NYRA wants to take money away from your children's education!" Really. I'm a reasonably bright person and I was thoroughly confused by what this commercial was trying to get across, other than NYRA is eeeeeeeeevil and would eat babies if that wouldn't violate its not-for-profit status.

[parsixfarms]

Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind

I think people are getting way ahead of themselves thinking a shutdown of racing at the beginning of the year is going to happen.

I tend to agree, but the damage to the winter meet may have already been done. Due to the uncertainty surrounding the situation, many trainers have been forced to make contingency plans (i.e., filing stall applications elsewhere). The result is that some NY-based winter racing "regulars" have already shipped out of town, and I'm advised by our trainer that a number of the non-NY-based (many from NJ) outfits will be wintering elsewhere rather than in NY as they have in the past. I fear that, even if racing is uninterrupted, we may see a product that resembles NoCal (cheap racing with short fields) rather than what has become a pretty decent meet over the past few years.

[Cannon Shell]

Originally Posted by parsixfarms

I tend to agree, but the damage to the winter meet may have already been done. Due to the uncertainty surrounding the situation, many trainers have been forced to make contingency plans (i.e., filing stall applications elsewhere). The result is that some NY-based winter racing "regulars" have already shipped out of town, and I'm advised by our trainer that a number of the non-NY-based (many from NJ) outfits will be wintering elsewhere rather than in NY as they have in the past. I fear that, even if racing is uninterrupted, we may see a product that resembles NoCal (cheap racing with short fields) rather than what has become a pretty decent meet over the past few years.

Have no fear...the NY Breds are here!!!

[blackthroatedwind]

Originally Posted by Cannon Shell

Have no fear...the NY Breds are here!!!

I know one you could have had in your barn.