Belmont Day 2014

[richiebee]

DISCLAIMER: This post does not discuss the Belmont Stakes from a handicapping perspective.

... will be a huge test for Chris Kay and his team.

I really believe the attendance for this event, given reasonable weather and
Cal Chrome\'s participation, could exceed 140,000.

This could be a problem for NYRA. I have a sneaking suspicion that there is no
file or folder or looseleaf binder at the NYRA bunker which has a title
something like \"BIG Belmont Day Contingency Plan\", the same way I am pretty
certain that there is no file or folder full of plans to return the BC to NY.

Will you reach out to the Casinohill Downs people for advice? Might be better
to reach out to the Pimlico people after CC\'s owner took a shot at the CD
people yesterday.

While NYRA has probably not been planning for BIG Belmont Day or returning the
BC to NY, what they have been doing is downsizing the Belmont Park facility to
reflect attendance reality (2,000 Wednesday/Thursday, 3,000 Friday, 6,000
non-holiday weekend)(guessing). NYRA has closed off about 90% of the third
floor of the grandstand. NYRA has closed many concession locations throughout
the facility. There are large expanses at Belmont which have been unutilized
and uncleaned in years.

[NYRA seems to be folowing a Monmouth model, improving and enhancing the
backyard park area, creating a comfy place for people to drink their own beer
and ignore the races.]

My top piorities would be that there would be adequate and clean \"comfort
stations\" and that there would be the right number and the right mix of mutuel
clerks and automated machines, avoiding long lines and lost takeout revenue.

I am not sure what NYRA will do with the thousands of vehicles they store in
its parking fields for area new car dealers, but the truth is that the best
way to get to the track on a day with 140K in attendance is the LIRR and this
presents another logistics/scheduling issue.

Well there it is Mr. Kay. More than 140,000 people want to attend your
facility 20 days from now; the clock is running. I am planning to attend on
the Friday before the BIG day, rubbing a white gloved finger over surfaces,
maybe checking the temperature of a wildly oversized cup of beer, to see how
you have done.

This should be an outstanding day of racing, with big races being run and a
chance for history to be made, and there is a chance for Kay and NYRA to
silence some of the naysayers, albeit temporarily, including yours truly.

[miff]

If Cuomo doesn\'t show up Belmont Day, it would be an utter disgrace. He went to an apple picking thing on Travers Day\'s 150 year anniversary for the SPA.

[alydar61]

The LIRR is the best way to get there, getting out is a different story altogether.

[Silver Charm]

California Governor Jerry Brown will be there in his place. On behalf of Gov Cuomo to politicize the Event and take credit for all of the positive things they both have done for the industry in their respective State terms. I mean who works harder every day than \"Mario and I do\" to save decades of \"Great American Tradition\" \"an entire industry that creates jobs\" because of these \"breath taking animals\" that compete for our pleasure!

Ritchie put together a list. Parking, Concessions; Shuttles; Trains; Wagering Machines, Low profile security, Size of womens Hats and Cleavage, etc etc.  Maybe even a string here or use your InBox. Then prepare a Letter to his attention. As an in case you missed it. Might take a week to prepare a \"Fans Plan\". I will sign it!! Others should to....