Magna Entertainment Corp (MEC) - Some Perspective

Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind

Not sure what you mean. However, if you are suggesting that the government hasn't been overseeing just about everything NYRA has done over the last few years then I can absolutely guarantee you that you are wrong.

Furthermore, if you are suggesting the government moved in simply because NYRA wasn't running racing " correctly " then you are not looking at the situation with an unbiased eye.

I know the Gov't has been overseeing the NYRA for the past couple of years. What I am suggesting is that the Gov't is a buddy buddy systems with worse checks and balances than the NYRA. Pataki is fine but what does the State Gov't know about running a race track.

[blackthroatedwind]

They are NOT running the racetrack. But they are checking ( and perhaps balancing ) NYRA's every move.

I will withhold judgement on your Pataki comment.

Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind

They are NOT running the racetrack. But they are checking ( and perhaps balancing ) NYRA's every move.

I will withhold judgement on your Pataki comment.

I'll chime in on Pataki. He is an idiot. Guy thinks he can be President in 2008. What a clueless idiot. Keep government out of horse racing. Funny but the seats at Saratoga are like gold chips to politicians. They use horse racing in NY like a chip but could care less about the betting public.

Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind

They are NOT running the racetrack. But they are checking ( and perhaps balancing ) NYRA's every move.

I will withhold judgement on your Pataki comment.

You have got to be kidding me if you believe this. They are just acting like they are over seeing things. The gov't on any level cannot run things correctly. Too many people who want a slice of the pie and people who do not know what they are doing.

Originally Posted by Hoisttheflag

I'll chime in on Pataki. He is an idiot. Guy thinks he can be President in 2008. What a clueless idiot. Keep government out of horse racing. Funny but the seats at Saratoga are like gold chips to politicians. They use horse racing in NY like a chip but could care less about the betting public.

Amen, the gov't needs to stay out of horse racing period. Pataki is a idiot but he is better than Spitzer. Some group of politicians New York has
1) bloomberg--idiot
2) Clinton -- idiot
3) Pataki -- idiot
4) Spitzer--idiot

[blackthroatedwind]

I'm going to hold on to the belief that I know more about the situation than you.

[blackthroatedwind]

Originally Posted by eurobounce

Amen, the gov't needs to stay out of horse racing period. Pataki is a idiot but he is better than Spitzer. Some group of politicians New York has
1) bloomberg--idiot
2) Clinton -- idiot
3) Pataki -- idiot
4) Spitzer--idiot

Well, 1 out of 4 isn't bad.

Blacktwind -

1) Meeker's leaving CD has nothing to do with the relevance of my post.

2) Regarding NYRA - it's absolutely my favorite racing venue, bar none. Won three Grade 1 races there last year (Suburban, Hopeful and Champaigne). I love NYRA. You obviously know alot more than I do as to why the franchise is being auctioned off. I wish it wasn't.

3) No Magna infomercial. Just trying to provide some insight from my experiences in the game.

Best of luck to you. You might be interested in viewing the ESPN horse board. Lots more irrelevant bashing going on there.

LR

Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind

Well, 1 out of 4 isn't bad.

That is too funny right there.

I know for sure you know more about it than I. But sometimes a person from the outside or removed from the situation can see things clearly.

[SCUDSBROTHER]

His network(HRTV)is crap.His betting site (that he strongarms people to join) is crap. The track redesign of Gulfstream is crap.You can't play his tracks through TVG(gee, wonder why we despise the guy?)He wants to force a g d shopping center up alongside the tracks.He wants to tear everything up to fit his own f'n eye.You know what? So be it,but you really shouldn't be surprised that he has enemies(he made every single one of them.)Long ago he decided to force people to do things(instead of allowing them to choose to do things.)He is a divider(plain and simple.)Funny how if you throw your weight around,and force people to do things the way you see fit,you are probably going to be despised.Just kind of works out that way. He changed the date of the Florida Derby to satisfy his own selfish needs.You know what ,Big Dog...get your bud to change that back to the traditional date,because it is probably the most disgusting thing he has ever done(or allowed to be done...since he always says he has no part in such decisions.)

S Shipper -

You are absolutely correct re: Meeker and his charter to increase CDI stock value (very serious).

My opinion comes from a TB breeder, owner, etc. though, versus a CDI shareholder.

Meeker has leveraged the CDI enterprise to optimize CDI share price; he's done nothing to promote Thoroughbreds or the sport of racing. My investment / interest in the game is for the horses, not for stock appreciation in any of the enterprises that own the tracks.

LR

[blackthroatedwind]

Originally Posted by Lbigdog77

Blacktwind -

1) Meeker's leaving CD has nothing to do with the relevance of my post.

2) Regarding NYRA - it's absolutely my favorite racing venue, bar none. Won three Grade 1 races there last year (Suburban, Hopeful and Champaigne). I love NYRA. You obviously know alot more than I do as to why the franchise is being auctioned off. I wish it wasn't.

3) No Magna infomercial. Just trying to provide some insight from my experiences in the game.

Best of luck to you. You might be interested in viewing the ESPN horse board. Lots more irrelevant bashing going on there.

LR

On 1, I realize what your saying but thought it should be mentioned. Believe me, I have heard the criticisms of meeker, but don't know very much about Churchill, to say the least, and really have no opinion on them one way or the other. The Hollywood move didn't seem to be in the best interests of racing though I don't know a lot about it.

2 - The franchise is only being " auctioned off " because for the first time in it's existence there are other entities interested in it and that is for absolutely no other reason than the incoming slots. Don't forget that NYRA was given the extension in 1997 very much because there were simply no other interested parties.

I'll pass on the ESPN board. But thanks for the tip. I, too wish you all the best of luck and continued success, and while we don't know each other ( you do realize we sat in adjacent boxes at Saratoga occasionally last summer? ) I am friendly with Bruce.

Btw -

I'm sure I would recognize you in person.

Currently on this forum, though, you know my name but I don't know yours.

Regarding NYRA, my understanding was that they almost had to file bankruptcy last year prior to the BC. Why, I have no idea.

Again, I love NYRA, and I was as astonished as anyone to hear this. I'm not from NY but firmly believe NYRA is the best TB franchise in the country.

I hope everything works out for the best re: NYRA. LR

[blackthroatedwind]

The real truth is that considering how complicated the entire franchise situation is, and being that we are 18 months from the end of the current franchise agreement, there is next to no chance that this issue will be settled by the end of 2007 and NYRA will, at the very least, be still in charge on an interum basis in January of 2008.

[randallscott35]

Originally Posted by sumitas

Frankie has my respect and I "love" the guy for all he has accomplished and done for the sport.

However, the Magna method is not appropriate for NY racing. Upholding tradition, upgrading all dirt to synthetic, and maintaining an affordable family and fan friendly atmosphere are key here in NY.

These are not failed tracks that are up for sale and they don't need to be nuked into malls, casinos, outrageous admission prices.

We'll see on June 30th who the players are. Just jacking up prices and putting water slides in the infield is not an anwser.

Couldn't agree more with this Sumitas. Perfect.

[hoovesupsideyourhead]

i dont agree with some magna things the betting svc is sub standerd..but i do like what hes done with gulfstream park..the plan as i see it was to create a premier winter spot...the shopping mall is just a add on too a nice gaming exp..the slots are there only for a draw to to make purses in line or above ny ..the best in the country..therefore getting the best product..so i think his long range plan for gulf is great..i will visit after its done..hooves..

[ForestofWonders]

Originally Posted by Lbigdog77

S Shipper -

You are absolutely correct re: Meeker and his charter to increase CDI stock value (very serious).

My opinion comes from a TB breeder, owner, etc. though, versus a CDI shareholder.

Meeker has leveraged the CDI enterprise to optimize CDI share price; he's done nothing to promote Thoroughbreds or the sport of racing. My investment / interest in the game is for the horses, not for stock appreciation in any of the enterprises that own the tracks.

LR

good points in this post

[blackthroatedwind]

Originally Posted by hoovesupsideyourhead

i dont agree with some magna things the betting svc is sub standerd..but i do like what hes done with gulfstream park..the plan as i see it was to create a premier winter spot...the shopping mall is just a add on too a nice gaming exp..the slots are there only for a draw to to make purses in line or above ny ..the best in the country..therefore getting the best product..so i think his long range plan for gulf is great..i will visit after its done..hooves..

You said you like what Magna has done with Gulfstream. Then you said you will visit it after it's done. Does that mean you haven't visited the " new " Gulfstream...but like it?

I'm sure I misunderstood your post.

[hoovesupsideyourhead]

i like the plan and was there under construction..when finished ill be back ..was going to go for foy...

[blackthroatedwind]

In all fairness you may want to reserve judgement on liking " what he's done " with Gulfstream until you visit.

For me, the South Florida racing experience has been completely ruined. I'm sure others will disagree, and for them I am happy, but I was uncomfortable in the new plant. I spent upwards of 250 racing days at the old Gulfstream and there is NO semblence of the pleasurable former plant remaining. I am not suggesting that all changes were not for the better, and I am all for reinventing racetracks for the future, but to deny the fans what is enjoyable about spending a winter day in the sun at the racetrack in the Miami area is a crime that I have a tough time forgiving.

And I am not even talking about the closet sized paddock and dangerously tight walking ring. I shudder to think of what could happen should a horse get loose in that cramped space. Suffice to say it will be a situation that racing will have a very difficult time recovering from.