NYRA Knockers TAKE THIS!!!

Originally Posted by ELA

They are ghost towns. Without question. However, in NY, and with NYRA, there is no longer a question of how to make it better. Today it is a question of how to survive. They cannot start addressing these things until there is massive and drastic overhaul of state legislation (in addition to the business model).

However, personally, unless they turn a deaf ear and neglect to see the reality -- I believe it can come back. Perhaps I am being naive. However, I do remember years ago Barry Schwartz going up to Woodbine (I believe he visited other tracks with VLT's, racinos, etc. as well). I was talking with him once about it and I remember him talking about when he came back he spoke of the facility and the business model. He had a very positive reaction and attitude -- he liked it. Maybe I am wrong but that's the way I remember it and that is my interpretation. He might have even gone as far as saying something along the lines of "that's what we should have" or "we should build it that way" (I don't remember).

Anyway -- this is NY baby!!! The greatest place in the world!!! You want hot dogs -- you go to Nathan's in CI ! You want pastrami, head over to Katz's or the Carnegie Deli (I love The Stage as well, LOL). You want it, you got it and the best of it -- right here . . . The greatest city in the world.

AND . . . if you want racing baby -- well it should be that NY RACING IS WHERE IT'S AT!!! Don't count it out just yet. Some of us might think that it might be on life support . . . but it ain't dead yet. LOL.

Eric

I live in Northern NJ, in the boondocks. I have lived my entire life in the NY Metropolitan Area and I love it. I consider NYC to be the greatest city in the world, so I hope you are right about NY racing. I have so many fond memories and I would like to have some more. Do you know why NYRA has no race named for Seattle Slew? That is my biggest knock on them.

If you people think New York is the greatest city in the world then you havent traveled the world. I like New York and it is BY FAR the greatest city in the US and prob in the top greatest cities in the world, but I wouldn't put it at number 1. That distinction would go to Hong Kong.

[slotdirt]

The Stones or somebody of that ilk just had a concert a Pimlico a few months back.

[slotdirt]

Sorry, wasn't the Stones, was the Who and Gnarls Barkley and a couple of other bands. All at Pimlico.

The Stones were at Churchill a couple of months ago.

[ELA]

Originally Posted by eurobounce

Very nice post.

By the way -- thank you.

Eric

[ELA]

Originally Posted by eurobounce

Eric I agree with you. Tracks cannot survive by just offering racing anymore. There needs to be other sources of revenue. Hopefully that revenue finds it was into purses. Who cares if a non-racing fan goes to the "racino" and takes in a show, or eats dinner or watches a movie. The point is that revenue is being generated to increase purses and that helps fields, horseman and basically the industry. If 1 of a thousand people turn into a horse player then it was a success. If not, horsemen will gladly accept the money the patrons spent on dinner or other forms of entertainment.

The business needs to evolve and not digress. It needs to transform likes other forms of entertainment has. I think it has a long long way to go but with people like Frank we can get there. Not saying his way is right, but at least he is trying.

What worries me is that if this sport and this business does not capture attendance, on-track handle, new fans, etc. -- eventually legislation may get to the point where racetrack operators will only need to have very short meets or no meet at all in order to keep their "racinos" open. That evolution worries me. I remember the Meadowlands years ago doing concerts with popular local NJ (and tri-state bands). Was it a huge success? No, but they did get "flow over" and people came in watched races, had dinner, etc. Yes, they aren't doing great but that may be reflective of the industry, not of the Meadowlands or NJ.

Revenue from the Keenelands sales company is feeding the track and the racing side of the game. Is it subsidizing? Yes, it sure is. However, subsidies are a part of many major industries and governments. That's a discussion for another time though, LOL.

Let's hope that progress, not regress, occurs.

Eric

[ELA]

Originally Posted by Bold Reasoning

I live in Northern NJ, in the boondocks. I have lived my entire life in the NY Metropolitan Area and I love it. I consider NYC to be the greatest city in the world, so I hope you are right about NY racing. I have so many fond memories and I would like to have some more. Do you know why NYRA has no race named for Seattle Slew? That is my biggest knock on them.

I too live in Northern NJ -- just recently moving from the "city" to the suburbs. I joke that I am further away from everything I do and everyplace I go (LOL) -- my office, every racetrack except Saratoga, Continental Arena where the NJ Devils play, NYC, etc.

As far as why no race named after Seattle Slew, I would say ask Andy or call PJ Campo directly and ask him.

Eric

Originally Posted by ELA

I too live in Northern NJ -- just recently moving from the "city" to the suburbs. I joke that I am further away from everything I do and everyplace I go (LOL) -- my office, every racetrack except Saratoga, Continental Arena where the NJ Devils play, NYC, etc.

As far as why no race named after Seattle Slew, I would say ask Andy or call PJ Campo directly and ask him.

Eric

Eric, thanks for the information. I don't wish to seem uninformed, but who is Andy? I live in Sussex County; it's so great. We are just about 65 miles from Manhattan.

[sumitas]

Originally Posted by Revolution

It sure does. Just like the Superbowl or World Series. It is America, the market sets the price, except in NY Racing where non-profits and corruption run rampant. I thought you were a Republican and believed in the free market. I guess it is another case of you talking out of both sides of your mouth. That must get tiring switching back and forth so often.

Face it, nobody cares about the Travers except horse racing fans. The KY Derby is a huge event, the rating are huge every year. The Travers would get cut for little league baseball, because little league baseball gets higher ratings.

If this were your free market then all 3 tracks would go to different owners and chaos would reign...capitalism is good to a point. There are also very bad aspects of capitalism. Exploitation, price fixing if the business is large enough. NYRA model, tweeked, is far and away the best model for NY racing.

We don't have NY racing just to make Robber Barons even richer.

[Downthestretch55]

Originally Posted by ELA

I too live in Northern NJ -- just recently moving from the "city" to the suburbs. I joke that I am further away from everything I do and everyplace I go (LOL) -- my office, every racetrack except Saratoga, Continental Arena where the NJ Devils play, NYC, etc.

As far as why no race named after Seattle Slew, I would say ask Andy or call PJ Campo directly and ask him.

Eric

Eric,
I'm also from northern NJ...Teaneck.
It's been awhile since I've been to Meadowlands, as I now live upstate NY.
Much closer to Toga.
Thanks for your insights. They make a lot of sense to me.
Sumitas also has some good ones.
Horse racing won't die. We're just going through some "adjustments".
DTS

[randallscott35]

Warms my heart to see so many Jersey folks.

[Downthestretch55]

Originally Posted by randallscott35

Warms my heart to see so many Jersey folks.

Randall,
I pretty much like Jersey folks.
Only time they don't "warm my heart" is when I have to deal with some of their driving patterns on these Catskill roads.
I wish they would slow down enough to take a look at the beautiful mountains. What's the hurry on a weekend in the woods?
I know...it takes a little over two hours to get away from the hustle and about two weeks to calm down enough to appreciate it.
DTS

[randallscott35]

Heard a Nascar driver once say the best aggressive driving, similar to what he does, is in NJ. Tailgating at 85 is the norm. But old ladies drive like that in this state. It's just the way it is.

[Downthestretch55]

Originally Posted by randallscott35

Heard a Nascar driver once say the best aggressive driving, similar to what he does, is in NJ. Tailgating at 85 is the norm. But old ladies drive like that in this state. It's just the way it is.

Too true! You should see me on the Garden State Parkway...
When I'm there, I blend right in.
Up here, it's a bit different.
Relax. Watch out for the deer and squirrels. You'll get there...maybe three minutes later, but safer for all. Even the critters.

[randallscott35]

DTS, I think I might be happier in a more laid back place. Probably should move but I'm too close to my family all around this area.

[paisjpq]

Originally Posted by randallscott35

Heard a Nascar driver once say the best aggressive driving, similar to what he does, is in NJ. Tailgating at 85 is the norm. But old ladies drive like that in this state. It's just the way it is.

I realize that they drive like that @ home so why the hell can't they drive like that when they come to VT to see the pretty leaves or hit the slopes? They go so F'ing slow I could run faster. Ask steve to tell you about my rants when I get stuck behind Jersey plates...

[randallscott35]

Originally Posted by paisjpq

I realize that they drive like that @ home so why the hell can't they drive like that when they come to VT to see the pretty leaves or hit the slopes? They go so F'ing slow I could run faster. Ask steve to tell you about my rants when I get stuck behind Jersey plates...

We do love the foliage Bethy. So much nature we don't know what to do. Used to pavement in every direction.

[paisjpq]

Originally Posted by randallscott35

We do love the foliage Bethy. So much nature we don't know what to do. Used to pavement in every direction.

you should see em hit the brakes when there are wild turkeys or deer around...and of course they could care less that I am tailgaiting b'cause like you said they're used to it...I'm not the world's most patient driver

[Cajungator26]

Originally Posted by paisjpq

you should see em hit the brakes when there are wild turkeys or deer around...and of course they could care less that I am tailgaiting b'cause like you said they're used to it...I'm not the world's most patient driver

I'm guilty of the same thing. I had the little Nissan up to 105 last night.