Tapits Fly Beyer

[miff]

JB,

Don\'t need to be a genius to note pisano Gov.Cuomo not a friend of the elitist Republicans who have controlled racing for so long.Gov making an error lumping together all of racing with those people with whom he and his father have/had issues with.

Cuomo\'s recent interview where he stated the monies given to racing from slots and future casinos should be \"revisited\" sent shock waves throughout NY racing.

Several significant non NY racing outfits looking to permanently relocate to NY,checking housing and schools.Two of the best non NY riders were also exploring relocating to NY with families.

Purse estimates under the current formula with full casinos unbelievable.Many that I know looking to re enter the game with serious new capital to take a shot at a new business model than can break even/turn a profit with modest success, based on projected purses.

All above on hold awaiting clarification of what Cuomo will do. Very nice dedicated mid level career people at NYRA going to work each day in fear of the uncertainty.

Powerful politicians close to Cuomo looking to redirect money away from racing or give it no more.What looked tremendously promising for NY racing just a few months ago, totally uncertain today.

A small ray of hope in that one NYRA board member whose blood runs racing red, tight with Cuomo,raised big money for campaign.


Mike

[Rich Curtis]

Well, that just goes to show how opinions can differ. I think this piece is hackneyed, sanctimonious crap. It sounds like something you\'d hear from a tenth-rate city councilman at a pancake breakfast. I\'d love for you to get Christiane\'s thoughts on it.

\"she was struck by a young, idealistic Massachusetts Democratic politician named John F. Kennedy, who had lofty expectations, not only for himself but for his country.\"

  He has got to be kidding.

[TGJB]

Wrong side of bed?

[P-Dub]

Paulick does have some good things to say.

But agree with Rich, some of it is a little over the top.  The quote he mentioned lays it on a little thick.

[Rich Curtis]

No. Just reread Magicnight\'s work. It makes everybody look bad by comparison. But this Paulick thing was bloody awful. The environment has to be very barren indeed for something like this to be singled out for praise.

[TGJB]

Under ordinary circumstances it would be over the top. I think what he\'s trying to do is counter the negative press racing has been getting by showing some of the good stories.

Speaking of negative press, there\'s an UNBELIEVABLE story about the drug cartels getting into quarter horse racing in todays Times.

[magicnight]

\"Speaking of negative press, there\'s an UNBELIEVABLE story about the drug cartels getting into quarter horse racing in todays Times\"

You ain\'t kidding!!

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/13/us/drug-money-from-mexico-makes-its-way-to-the-racetrack.html?hpw

This part is straight out of the best of Elmore Leonard:

Mr. Villarreal was an unlikely horseman, the socially awkward son of a bookkeeper and teacher known for his build and bottomless appetite as “El Gordo,” or “Fatso.” He began attending auctions as a child, and developed an uncanny ability to spot horses that may not have come from the best lineage, but whose stride or attitude suggested an exceptional capacity for speed.

Mr. Villarreal’s parents said he started buying horses as a teenager, mostly borrowing from relatives and friends. Still, he never seemed to have enough to purchase the kinds of horses that could compete for major prizes. Nor did the strikingly effeminate man ever develop the social skills needed to fit into the macho world of breeders and trainers.

In some ways, said one friend, he stopped trying. For awhile, he named his horses after runway models — like Campbell, as in Naomi, and Elle, as in Macpherson — because he was captivated by women’s fashion.

[TGJB]

You left out the part about the guy who specializes in dismembering people while they are still alive. Elmore Leonard indeed.

[Niall]

Geez - waxing poetic about a great day at the races ... From what I saw, it was a missed opportunity to turn racing guests into racing fans. It was bad enough that you couldnt bring your own suds in but to charge $10 - $15 for one of their warm cans was a bit more than anyone should have to take. And most of the bars ran out of booze before the Manhattan. And paper towel ... And TP for anyone brave enough to take a ... Luckily for us we knew who was on the take and they watched our coolers left behind from the day before. Funny though that they didnt try to rape the regulars in the Saloon, if you were silly enough to try and get a drink from the worlds slowest barkeep ... Having lived just on the other side of the backstretch while going to HS on the other, I would say I know to navigate that place as well as anyone. Probably not NYRA\'s issue but couldnt get any mobile service so had use the SAM machines. I had an awesome time as did my friends. However if I was a 1st timer the experience wouldnt have me coming back. I know its hard to put on a show 1 day a year, but they can and have to do better. Ahhhh 24 racing days and 39 sunrises till the SPAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH !

[miff]

Paulick obviously not trying for a literary masterpiece but rather to send a subtle message to Cuomo.Guy snubbed the country\'s biggest racing event in many years,prior to IHA scratching,in his home state.

If you follow NY racing closely, it is not crystal clear that Cuomo will not throw racing under the bus.Coumo\'s current body language isn\'t that promising for racing,Paulick knows that.

[magicnight]

The ultra-violent Mexican drug lord could be expected. The pansy pinhooker? Not so much.

[moosepalm]

TGJB Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Wrong side of bed?

Had to be.  You should have seen what he wrote about Neil Young earlier today, and he loves Neil Young.

In fairness, this piece was top heavy with schmaltz.  I heard echoes of political speeches at national conventions in Presidential nominating season.  I may be wrong, but Cuomo doesn\'t strike me as a sentimentalist.  Distill it to the bottom line and put it on his desk in the morning.

[Topcat]

miff Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> JB,

>
> A small ray of hope in that one NYRA board member
> whose blood runs racing red, tight with
> Cuomo,raised big money for campaign.
>
>
> Mike


Enlighten us, if you would . . .

[Topcat]

TGJB Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Under ordinary circumstances it would be over the
> top. I think what he\'s trying to do is counter the
> negative press racing has been getting by showing
> some of the good stories.
>
> Speaking of negative press, there\'s an
> UNBELIEVABLE story about the drug cartels getting
> into quarter horse racing in todays Times.


Understand why they ran with it, given their prevailing posture.

The fact that they went out of their way to make sure the hed ran above the fold on 1A confirmed their commitment to their sustained agenda . . .

[miff]

Top,

No secret that Gov.Cuomo at least eyeing Presidential run. Every move he makes will be carefully politically orchestrated.Close advisors may see more political capital gained by redirecting money from racing(present and future) to say school lunch programs or senior citizen programs(both being cut in past few years)Cuomo has recently sounded that alarm to racing.

Unlike his predecessors,Gov.Cuomo not linked to powerful upstate Republican racing families and has no love for the game, demonstrated more than once.As mentioned, one gent in his political circle is totally pro racing, loves the game and is in for like $100 million,runners,farm, stallions,broodmares, the works.Money totally secondary to this gent.Body language and recent statements by Gov.Cuomo has many in the NY racing game concerned.

Strong Gov with White House aspirations can makes lots of promises to sway pro racing Albany crowd to his side if necessary.No one knows what will happen,politicians change every day and hopefully he will leave the game alone.

Mike