This alternative is popular as handle figures at both locations was up significantly at both venues even if at one of them, Aqueduct, horseplayers were treated like second-class citizens.
Regular HRI contributor Framarco was one of those individuals who asked if I could look into “a little problem.” The best I can do, sir, is to shine some light on it to that members of the old NYRA management teams and new NYRA management—where there finally is one in place—can correct this problem.
The situation about which the reader speaks is unconscionable and it is hoped that a) this was an aberration; b) not indicative of the present relationship; c) a promise of more inexcusable behavior to come; d) it is fixable or e) nobody really cares.
Because if anyone really cared, whether it be NYRA management or New York State, which thus far has shown no support for the racing industry and, frankly, no overt interest:
“…I ask you to look into a little problem that I encountered at the Big A simulcasts of Saratoga. Since the simulcast center is brutally hot and crowded (the second and third floors are currently off-limits due to asbestos abatement), I ventured into the casino for air conditioning and food…
“While I ate my Wolfgang Puck pizza, I logged into my NYRA rewards account through the free Genting Wi-Fi, on my I-phone. Since Genting refuses to show the NYRA feed on any of its hundreds of TVs, I attempted to watch the next race through the Rewards video feed…
“Guess what, Genting BLOCKS the NYRA signal through its Wifi. I had to disconnect the WIFI and use my 3G data signal to watch the next Saratoga race from my Wolfgang Puck seat. Is that ridiculous…?
“What happened to cooperation between Genting and NYRA. If Prince Andrew wants to run NYRA, how about forcing Genting to show the NYRA signal in the casino?”
Added Framarco: “By the way, near the escalator on the now abandoned second floor of the old Aqueduct clubhouse are three depictions of what must be someone’s delusional version of a “new” Aqueduct simulcast center. It reminded me of the infomercial showing a lake in Tennessee and offering “prime” lots near the lake. I doubt that anything will ever be built either by [that] lake or at the Big A.”
I visited the casino at Aqueduct late last year and was impressed that you could walk from the casino floor right out to the racetrack and watch the races from a deck that afforded a great view of the oval.
There was also a promise that after table games were installed skybox-type viewing areas would overlook the track. But Framarco’s example makes one question whether the Aqueduct casino and racing can coexist as planned.
If the demonstration afforded by one of our readers is an example that portends the future, then racing in this state indeed might be in trouble.
Are the present and/or future NYRA, its horsemen, and New York State prepared to do anything to help insure that past promises and agreements are kept in place?
This one small reader’s example is an indication of what could happen, how racing can be marginalized in New York, piece by little piece. Somebody needs to step up, sack up, for the racing fan and betting customer.
Be Careful Out There
New York racing was back downstate at Belmont Park yesterday and the overwhelming element I took from opening day is to be careful the first few days.
For wise guys, the early days of any race meet are normally a time to make hay before overall trends become apparent to the crowd. But for many of the jockeys it’s going to be an adjustment period in the return to Big Sandy, with the accent on big.
Saturday night’s rains actually might be a blessing as the opening day track appeared especially cuppy. Nothing tightens a cuppy track like water and lots of it.
What the riders need to remember is that for all intents, the Belmont “balcony” move is dead, meaning the best way to ride this track is from the inside out when traversing the far turn. If the rider makes the wide sweep, he had better be on the best horse.
In the interim, bettors should tread carefully.
09 Sep 2012 at 10:47 pm | #
Preach,
We horseplayers and fans of the sport must face the facts that high quality NYRA racing is being supported by “casino dole”. Why would the racino care about the horseracing fan? There’s more profit in the one armed bandits.
Belmont Park openned with a bang for me as a long time loyal supporter of the Phipps/Janney/Shug home team. Their expensive blue blood broodmare line has found its niche going long on the turf. Air Support got up at the shadow of the wire to win the feature. Orb a promising two year old acted up in the starting gate and lost, maybe next time, but i’m proud he’s not running on Lasix, just like all of the stables two year olds. I’m glad some people with history in this great game still care about the well being of the horses first.
The beat hopefully will go on…
Everything dies baby that’s a fact
But maybe everything that dies someday comes back
Put your makeup on fix your hair up pretty and
Meet me tonight in Atlantic City…
09 Sep 2012 at 11:04 pm | #
Where have all the railbirds gone?
Long time passing
Where have all the railbirds gone?
Long time ago
Where have all the railbirds gone?
Bureaucrats have picked them every one
When will they ever learn?
When will they ever learn?
10 Sep 2012 at 06:27 am | #
Cat,
Casinos owe the racetracks in this state for paving the way; it’s about cooperation, not competition.
The casinos have nothing to fear from racing; so how about just doing the right thing by PEOPLE?
10 Sep 2012 at 03:38 pm | #
Wrong, wrong, wrong!!! Casinos do not owe the racetracks a damn thing; who they do owe are the politicians who agreed to allow casino gambling in their state. The sole reason that racetracks ended up with slots on their property is because politicians were afraid that their constituency would vote them out of office if the casino was located in their district; thus politicians elected to put the slot machines into EXISTING gambling facilities, which were the racetracks.
10 Sep 2012 at 03:38 pm | #
Preach,
I hear you about cooperation. If I was running the Racino I would treat all my customers the same. Unfortunately NYRA missed the boat with customer service when they were the only game in town. NYRA Rewards should of started long ago. A free lunch, program, or betting voucher with a certain amount of ‘play’ would of been a start. It seems todays gambler doesn’t want to use his brain anymore. For them the slots are right up their alley. Like I said if I was running the Racino now I would take advantage of the incoming slot players and introduce them to the horses.
My main focus right now though on the horseracing side is the health and well being of the horses. Right now there is no level playing field with the usage of Lasix. Until the ‘horsemen and horsewomen’ all agree to stop injecting Lasix into the two year olds the sports future is dead. Something has to change the fact that horses today since the introduction of Lasix don’t bounce back from race to race. Don’t race as much. Get injured more often. Horse name recognition for the Triple Crown races and older handicap division are vital for fan support.
I could go on all day about horseracing and how great a sport it could be. I am an historian of all sports. I could tell you who won any stake race just like who won the World Series any year. I know all the bloodlines turf and dirt. I love this game but I’m afraid it’s going, going gone if the horsemen don’t wake up. Mr. Repole, Mr. Pletcher if you are out there give a call to Mr. Phipps, Mr. McGaughey and get this game back on track.
10 Sep 2012 at 05:16 pm | #
Thank God for the Phipps’ and others like them.
---
About the casino money - Does any of that money make it’s way down to the working people at the other end of the racing world? Grooms, hotwalkers, exercise riders, etc.? Improving living and working conditions?
10 Sep 2012 at 05:28 pm | #
Denny,
The increased purses that the Trainers pushed for so long with the VLTs, trickles down to the Assistant trainers, grooms and exercise riders. The 10% cut of the Trainers share of the purse, they use for their help.
RIP Ogden Phipps… Long live the Phipps Stable!
12 Sep 2012 at 02:42 am | #
John:
Thanks for mentioning my little problem. However, after reading the various responses from our brethren, it appears that nobody really cares, except you and I. The most salient point that you made is that the casino would not be there except for the “old” Big A. Maybe nobody indeed cares, but from the second floor of what is now the slots parlor, I watched the unbeaten and soon-to-be TC winner, one Seattle Slew, dominate the 1977 Wood. John, that was only the second time that I had been to the track and it hooked me. You have mentioned a similar feeling when you saw Kelso.
That is the Big A that I’ll always remember. Let Genting have their slots. However, they should NEVER forget that those slots were built upon the blood, sweat and tears of all the New York horseplayers who made the Big A what is was. Being able to watch the races from inside their casino, whetehr on TV or on a hand-held device, is a very small price to pay for the privilege of running their slots on our old Turf!!