Crist does standup

[TGJB]

\"... it\'s understandable that NYRA officials were jubilant Friday, after years of being called corrupt and incompetent by Spitzer (who was forced to resign in a prostitution scandal), Bruno (who retired amid several ongoing ethics investigations), and former state comptroller Alan Hevesi (who was forced to resign for misappropriating state funds)\".

[Boscar Obarra]

Ain\'t relativism grand.

[Barry Irwin]

good one Boscar

[miff]

NYRA corrupt? not really, incompetent for sure. Rather lightweight group still running a multi billion dollar business.Similar Board, no new grand plan and still very little regard for the customer.One highly placed NYRA official was recently heard complaining about the attitude of \"some damned bettors\" He was referring to the lack of transparency raised by some whale type bettors,ie some of NYRA\'s biggest customers.

With all that is happening in racing(esp the smaller venues)NYRA could establish clear racing supremacy with some new blood and innovative thinking.No guarantee it would work, but something has to be attempted to attract new customers and retain the existing ones.

No doubt slot money will artificially be a life support but the \"base\" customer will continue in decline. Same old same old.


Mike

[marcus]

Excellent points imo -  I\'m guessing those running the show should at least know how \" not to do it \" ...  

As a side note , news reports are surfacing former NY Gov while D.A. may have hastened A.I.G\'s demise when the C.E.O was essentially out - and is when things went bad over there .

Racing needs \" Racing People \" to run the sport and it\'s subsequent business side ...

[TGJB]

Miff-- here\'s a less than half baked idea, since it just ocurred to me. How about putting some of that slots money directly into the pools, instead of just purses? Like, 50k directly into the pick 6 pool every day? Aside from helping bettors, that would have a major trickle down effect that in turn would give money back to purses.

[Thehoarsehorseplayer]

Very interesting concept, JB, though probably frought with regulatory peril.
But just brainstorming the idea:  How about the track running a seperate pick six, pick seven, or pick all pool sponsered by slot money.  As I\'m envisioning it, everybody who attends the track (or the slot operation during live racing) would get a free entry into this pool where winning would reguire picking six (or whatever) winners in a row cold.  And the slot operations would make a two dollar contribution to the pool for each ticket submitted.  It might make for some interesting carryovers, some good synerigistic energy, as well as providing a much needed incentive for people to attend the races live.

And if folks off track wanted to play into the pool, maybe a minimum $10 bet (for what you could get free at the track)  This to prevent syndicates from dominating the pool.

Again, just brainstorming.

[Rick B.]

For a \"less than half baked\" idea, I\'d say it\'s brilliant.
 
If the horsemen don\'t like it, too bad -- they\'re playing right along side us in the mutuel pools, anyway, so they will get two shots at some of the same money.

[miff]

JB,

Pool size counts, big time. Just look at the amount of money added to big pick six carryovers. Do you think the suits should get a hint? Apparently not.NYRA execs take umbrage at any original idea that is somewhat creative, as yours is.
I\'ve been told that I do not understand the complete picture when I make a suggestion.Having spent 28 years on Wall St in management positions, I feel I kinda know the big picture or would understand it,if properly explained.There are many very nice, loyal people at the NYRA but it needs an infusion of new energetic thinkers who know the racing game and what the daily players really want.

It was a very bad day when Bill Nader left NYRA, the guy listened intently to anything that made sense.

Then there was/is the issue that ANYTHING outside of norm must be approved by the New York State Wagering Board, a rather clueless politically appointed group completely lacking in anything but acting as obstructionists,imo.Re the new NYRA franchise deal,I am unaware if NYRA has more authority to promote the game as it see fit even if some initiatives may be a bit radical/experimental. When the patient is dying,everything should be tried.

In a day where daily players should be more appreciated/compensated on some scale,the attitude still seems \"screw you\".It\'s really a shame because in NY the game has some shot to advance with the slot money.The newly appointed racing czar John Sabini thinks racing should benefit NY State FIRST,all else second. He doesn\'t even know that is overwhelmingly the case already when you look at what the industry contributes to the States coffers.He should be a wonderful addition to the mix.

Mike

[TGJB]

I love that they tell you that you don\'t understand the big picture, then don\'t tell you what it is. George Orwell would too.

I could be wrong, but I think Hayward will turn out to be all right, now that his hands are untied. We\'ll see.

[Silver Charm]

Lets not get carried away here. Ok the guy is really good.

He hits Pick Sixes as often as Tiger Woods hits 300 yard drives. He can really write when he is not too bored with it, thinking about his next big score. He somehow has turned a damn good horse racing blog into a quasi Westminster Dog Show and it is still fun.

But this particular stand up comedy routine. Lets not go overboard.

With this crew, he had a lot of good material to work with.......

[TonyP.]

How will racing replace the old crumudgens with the new young demographic? Its already a deterrent learning that a lot of studying and learning experience goes into handicapping races. If only the suits realized this and work to make the track more accessible and attractive to the younger crowd and also women. Stop nickel and diming the patrons, dont penalize them for showing up. Sell the product (RACING) and you wouldn\'t need an excuse(GIVEAWAYS) to fill seats.

[imallin]

The smartest people in this game are people who make their living betting at the windows. Those people need to know every nook and cranny of this game, and they do. those people are on top of every segment of this industry...they have to be in order to win. Unfortunately, no one in \'upper management\' at any racetrack has ever had the thought to ask one of these people what\'s wrong with this game and actually listen to their advice.

I\'ve read many articles by Crist and on plenty of occasions thought to myself, \"that\'s a great idea\" and yet, very few of his ideas have ever been implemented. I think Crist might have been the driving force behind NY Racing getting dime breakage, but other than that, i\'m not sure if any \'higher up\' has ever listened or consulted Crist on any matter pertaining to improving this game.

I\'m not saying Crist is the smartest human on matters of horse racing, but compared to the most important people in the horse racing industry, he makes them look like people with a first grade education.

[BitPlayer]

Miff -

Lack of transparency with respect to what?  Just curious.

[miff]

Bit,

A group of substantial players asked that:

1.Steward reviews of foul claims be broadcast over the track PA/VIDEO system for all to hear/see.

2.Trainers be required to report all procedures/operations performed on horses when they occur.Heavy fines for non compliance.

3.Stuck/hustled horses be identified in each race.

4.Attending Vet names added to program.

5.A historical updated vet list published at all times.

6.Pick six up dates as each race is complete(i.e.whats alive)

7.The amount wagered on sole winning pick six tickets and where the wager was made(no names, of course)

8.Affirmation that no player at any site is able to comb/surf the live pools with computer programs capable of place robotic wagers.



Thats some of the stuff. This is of major concern to a group that bets millions at NYRA tracks. Every bettor large or small should have the same concerns, imo. Never heard the empty suit from NTRA, Waldrop? mention anything like this. Hear he means well, just doesn\'t know much about the core players that bet lots of money.


Mike