… If [Kay’s] bonus provides standards connected to maximize an end result when time rolls around to get Frank Stronach or Churchill Downs to step in – watch how quickly the tracks get a facelift."
This is a good time to recall that the last time those two titans tried to "step in," slots revenue was still the primary attraction for would-be track operators. Churchill Downs Inc. and the Stronach Group allegedly were represented by a group called "Friends of New York Racing" (FONYR), which later morphed into a bidding entity called "Empire Racing Associates."
That organization had the blessing of the powerful former State Senator Joseph Bruno, now a convicted felon. Once it was clear that the anti-NYRA confederation was not going to succeed, CDI and Magna backed away.
Some think that Stronach lost any chance of acquiring Saratoga following his appearance before the State’s "Ad Hoc Committee on the Future of Racing" early in 2006, and that any attempt on his part to do so would be futile. At the time, Stronach advocated separating racing from slot franchise bidding. Actually, that’s exactly what New York State wound up doing.
Any protection for Saratoga from Mr. Stronach’s vision might lie in strong and sensible historical landmark safeguards. But will the present Governor and legislature step up and create them? And who will enforce this as time marches on? Wouldn’t the master of bankruptcy manipulation likely find ways around it anyway?
If procurement procedures such as those policed by NYRA watchdogs fulfill their promise of fairness and neutrality, how can a court-savvy owner of several successful corporations including racetracks be denied ownership of an entity he seems eminently qualified to operate?
As for Saratoga, which belongs to the sport as much as it does New York racing, there’s more than just the physical plant and ambiance to consider. Will the focus be on improving the racing product or increasing the venue’s luxury accommodations? Will high takeout rates continue to punish non-professionals while masking rebates that reward high-volume professional? Will exotic wager minimums be reduced to allow all customers to compete on a level playing field?
As for CDI, their attitude toward Florida horsemen is now on display for all of New York to see, as is the chilling result of their willingness to sell Hollywood Park to a land developer and the emasculation of the Illinois Derby. The success of their only non-slots property is solely due to Kentucky Derby weekend.
And what does the current free-for-all between South Florida’s two formidable rivals say about the wisdom of having either company operate racetracks in New York, anyway?
If and when the properties put up for grabs again, the current franchise operator likely will be one of the bidders. Kay just told the Daily News that he ’… will rely on the expertise of his own team of employees, who are well-versed in the sport. "There’s already a great team here," he said. "But I’m going to bring in a variety of talented people and promote and encourage the talented people we have… somebody with that racing experience very well may be one of those people."’
Under the present legal structure, the question becomes can this group legally form a private company? Despite the obvious déjà vu of it all, what else could successfully motivate such "talented" people to increase attendance and handle, extending their careers in the process?
It seems that in the absence of gaming’s involvement, there will have to be a partnering of racing stakeholders. Wouldn’t it be great if that entity finally included horseplayers, at least as stockholders. Can you conjure up a horseplayer who represents bettors sitting on the new NYRA board?
Let’s face it. New York’s racing elite became obsolete when they permitted their Sport of Kings to become the Gambol of Governors. Now the pastime that still can’t even coordinate post times is in danger of becoming more remote, strictly recreation for retirees and rest home residents that can hardly remember when racing was run rationally.
17 Jul 2013 at 07:02 am | #
Doesn’t the Thoroughbred industry involve four groups of people with divergent interests: a) breeders, b) racetrack owners, c) racehorse owners, and d) people who gamble on the races? Each group has its own interests and pretty much function without interference from the other groups.
The above commentary was given thought, and certainly wasn’t composed in a couple of minutes.
I, however, being in the only group that enters a racetrack through the front entrance, having paid for parking and admission, find myself asking why I should be concerned with the thinking or plans of the Stronach Group, CDI, or NYRA; whether they privatize, acquire, consolidated, et cetera. Should I be interested if Toyota purchased Ford, for example?
What I am trying to convey is just how does the subject matter in the above commentary translate to attracting the attention of Joe and Jane, standing on a corner on main street, deciding whether they should go to the casino or the track today?
--------
With the appointment of Mr. Kay as NYRA CEO, and Mr. Skorton as NYRA Board Chairman, both requiring a GPS to find Belmont, it is crystal clear to me that the positions do not require individuals with any racing knowledge or experience; that there is no such thing as a long learning curve and that NYRA is no more difficult to manage than a street corner news stand.
17 Jul 2013 at 05:04 pm | #
wmc,
Before I retired, I had expected to immerse myself in handicapping ad betting just as you do. My last year as a weekend warrior was also Spectacular Bid’s, and then family and career became my focus.
Upon attempting to resume regular play, what I found was not the freedom, camaraderie, and enjoyment I had anticipated, but rather a customer-unfriendly operation of a game whose playing field was tilted by special interests, and apathy from most other players I encountered on-track.
The only people who seemed to give a damn were internet posters. They inspire ideas, and that’s why I write this blog – sometimes in search of debate, other times to plant a seed.
The New York racing franchise renewal process from Pataki to Paterson became more bizarre on an almost daily basis; riveting my attention on the obvious dysfunction and corruption involved. I generally support Gov. Cuomo’s initiatives, but I hope his spokespeople make it clearer as to how they expect privatization to improve the average customer’s experience, and generally impact the casual horseplayer.
I think even you would care if the extended care facility that comfortably satisfied your needs was about to be acquired by an operator known for cutting costs, and who would have to charge more in order to make a profit.
17 Jul 2013 at 06:16 pm | #
If anyone were to take the time to resurrect my emails to Daily Racing Form and to HRI, they would find that I, for over a decade, have been snapping at the heels of NYRA management; their furtive disregard for reporting profits and LOSSES, along with their irresponsible use of Horsemen’s purse accounts, coupled with their ‘borrowing’ from the Capital Investment Fund (forget about expense accounts, grossly inflated salaries, and pensions). I did my part in attempting to expose NYRA’s management.
I have been around the block a few times. I am not worried about having a racetrack to wager on tomorrow. Things I do know are a) I love to gamble on the ponies; b) all races at all race tracks are virtually identical, thus to me I am ecstatic if Finger Lakes is operating, or my beloved Philly Park ; c) at one time CDI (led by Mr. Meeker) tried to attain a monopoly, thanks to Mr. Stronach the attempt was refuted; d) the Stronach group, CDI, and NYRA can do what they want, I do not care, as I will find a race carried by the local OTB joint that I can bet on.
I don’t care about special interests, as you mention. Every year I spend three weeks to a month, staying at the Meridian in Las Vegas, a private apartment. I find camaraderie, conversation, and a general atmosphere - all of us bettors trying to pick a winner. None of us, at my local OTB joint, or at the Barbary Coast in Vegas, seem to give a hoot about who owns what or who will charge this or that.
I have always enjoyed being in the racebook at the Barbary Coast, where most times the line to the $100 minimum window is longer than the $2 window, which I am at. I simply love to cash with my $5 win ticket, while these so-called ‘whales’ go down the tubes while increasing the price on my plug.
If the Stronach Group, CDI, and NYRA want my money, then they must offer races that I am willing to wager on. If they charge more, then I will evaluate the pros and cons.
There is always Keno, Craps, et cetera.
Thoroughbred racing must reach out to the unknowing. Discussing what the ‘big three’ contemplates seems to be a futile effort, and is foreign to casual and novice bettors. James Odato (Times Union) should receive the equivalent of an Academy Award for his reporting on NYRA over the last ten years.
“Play it again, Sam”. Whoops! Apparently still on break.