I thought the bidding was over?

[MO]

I\'ve been away for a while, maybe someone can explain how the bidding for NYRA opened up again? I thought we had a winner. Now we have 6 bidders? What\'s going on here?

[Upper Nile]

You had to see the writing on the wall many months ago. Steve Christ did and he wrote an article predicting this would happen. The election of a new non-incumbent party governor sealed the deal for the let\'s start-all-over-again situation.  I\'ll go out on a limb here and predict that at the end of the day NYRA or a very close facsimile wins the war.

[miff]

Steve Wynn and Roth (billionaires club) have thrown their hats in the ring with a major race track operator. This is a very formidable group.Let\'s not forget that this has little to do with racing and alot to do with casino type gambling with most of the bidders, except NYRA.

Mike

[richiebee]

Miff:

    I like the idea of the Vegas guys-- it gives us a chance to have a shot at
a new facility which is so badly needed here in NY.

    I have been enjoying the ongoing dialogue concerning the importance of the
rapidly disappearing live gate.

    Let me take as an example winter racing at the present in NY, the quality
of which has resulted in me making 80% of my wagers on Fair Grounds racing.

    If winter racing at NY was conducted at a clean modern facility which
offered entertainment, dining, and wagering options, and the operator of said
facility had any notion of customer service, said facility could draw 5000
humans on weekdays and 10,000 on weekends. (This assumes a lighter winter
racing schedule and better racing enabled by slots).

    Lets say that the powers that will be determine that 5K/10K live gate number
is profitable. How do you get there and maintain or exceed those numbers? Part
of it is the attractive facility. Would it be wise (if indeed possible) to pay
a premium on winning wagers made at the track? Would it be wise or possible to
offer a rebate (or a larger rebate) to on track players? Who better than Vegas
guys to determine a way in which to reward larger players?

    I do not care if 20% of this live gate is 80+ year olds who would never
consider wagering on a horse race, so long as some of their money goes to
improve racing.

    I think live gate goals are attainable,and the live gate \"package\"
(turnstile, parking, concessions) can contribute to profit when properly
managed. I also believe that offering a good live racing experience is
important in terms of maintaining and hopefully growing Racing\'s fan base.

    A word concerning Belmont Park-- needs to remain in the mix, but on a
limited basis in terms of live racing. In years where there is a compelling
Belmont Stakes (especially a Triple Crown possibility) or the possibility of
hosting a Breeder\'s Cup in the Fall, these events can contribute to a strong
bottom line (5 week meets Spring and Fall?)

[TGJB]

One more point about the Vegas guys. The gambling industry in that town is as regulated and squeaky clean as possible, which gives hope for those of us concerned about the drug problem. Additionally, they know how to take care of their players.

[miff]

True about the Vegas guys but my wife received more comp playing in the casino than I received for playing horses for 10k worth in three days.No doubt Vegas guys will treat customers better than before. In that vein, it is against the state racing laws for NYRA to fool with \"comp\" type arrangements. The recent NYRA rebate player program went over like a lead balloon in Albany where they are just clueless. Nyra cannot give a good customer a free entry pass or parking by law. Some politicians still clamoring to raise the takeout to cover any shortfalls, repeat, just clueless!

The race track operation will be a necessary evil to the Vegas connection and several other bidders. Unless the idioticians in Albany make the deal protecting NY racing, you can except racing to be treated as the small return, necessary evil, that it will represent compared to the casino/racino revenues.

Unless there is a change or delay, NYRA makes it\'s last stand next week in bankrupcy court. If their case is tossed out(as the state lawyers suggest) then they do not own the racetrack land and have no bargaining chips.With the heat being turned up by the private bidders it will have to be concluded that the state does wish to control NY racing in order for NYRA to survive. I\'ve heard a Quasi NYRA/Private group partnership franchise but it sounds far fetched.And of course the cancerous OTB\'s lurk in the shadows and will probably need to be bought out as part of any deal.

Really do not give a rats a-- about franchise holders  etc, just hope that the results are the best for the players.

Mike

[miff]

Bee,


Your ideas have merit.Part of the attendance thing is the need for a big horse or possible triple crown. If Barbaro won the preakness there would have been 100k at belmont maybe. With all of racings problems, the early retirement of most of its stars is also limiting the more casual fan interest.

I think you would be very surprised that many of your ideas are embraced by the top management at NYRA.They are loaded with good ideas but the clueless Albany idioticians legislate against any type of independent innovations.For the most part, the politicians and Jeff Mullins think that we are idiots for betting on horses anyway.So screw us, what are we gonna do anyway, we\'re not even organized while collectively pouring billions thru the windows.

Bad cards any other things I don\'t like have put my on the sidelines for the time being, at least until the Florida shippers arrive.

Mike

[fkach]

>Would it be wise or possible to offer a rebate (or a larger rebate) to on track players? <

I hate to admit this, but this is such a great idea, I\'m pissed off I didn\'t think of it.  Something like this would definitely get my out of my sweat pants, away from my computer, and out to the track. I actually love the racetrack experience. It\'s just so much more cost/time effective to play from home right now I can\'t justify going out there unless the races are so appealing I want to be part of it.

It\'s a shame that as Miff pointed out, the state government is brain dead on this matter (well really all levels of government on all issues).

[Thehoarsehorseplayer]

Yeah, givng on-track attendees a betting advantage by awarding them a bonus on winning tickets (my preference) or by giving them a higher rebate has long been the first step to me in getting players back to the track.

My second step would be to give them an information advantage by providing them the best information possible and by making said information as easily accessible as possible.

And I would have no problem interchanging step one with two.

Bottom line:  If players feel they can get an edge by going to the track, they will go to the track.

That\'s my conviction and I\'m sticking to it.  Despite the fact that nobody in this industry is paying attention.  Believe me, a  man could go hoarse trying to get people in this industry to listen to him.

[MO]

http://news.bloodhorse.com/viewstory.asp?id=38026