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Intriguing

Hayward also detailed how strives [sic] are being made minimizing the dysfunction that occurs in New York with the off track betting corporations being separate from NYRA and each other. While he didn’t indicate NYRA might actually own the OTBs some day, he said there is an initiative to streamline into one state-wide tote contract, one account wagering platform, etc.

Posted in NY Racing Issues on December 11, 2008

NYRA’s New Commitment

NYRA loves its fans
There was a chill in the air but the sun was out and it felt like spring at Aqueduct on Saturday with Tom Durkin back calling and tulips blooming in paddock planters. Saratoga didn’t seem so far off. At least, until I headed to the third floor balcony to watch a couple races and found the usual scene of abandoned beer cans and bedraggled trash strewn about the boxes, the seats coated in gritty dust. Ah, Aqueduct.
Earlier in the day, I listened to president Charlie Hayward tell 50 or so horseplayers, assembled for a focus group in Equestris, that with the franchise matter (almost) settled, NYRA was looking forward to its next 25 years and that one area they hoped to improve was customer service. “We’re making a commitment to listening to fans,” he said, which is why we were there two hours before first post talking about our best racing experiences and what we expected of a trip to a great racetrack. Most of what was asked for in the focus group — wireless access, pleasant employees, comps, better food and drink, improved communications, signage, and information — will take some time to implement. But one thing, brought up again and again, could be done right away — clean up the grandstand.

Posted in NY Racing Issues on March 23, 2008

Monday Night Notes

– With barely 48 hours remaining to broker an agreement that will keep New York racing going, NYRA is preparing to shut down Aqueduct when the franchise expires on Wednesday. Horsemen and employees were alerted last week to plans for closing the track and Belmont’s training facility; NYRA Rewards account-holders were given notice today on how to withdraw funds from the wagering service. Much more on the situation over on Left at the Gate.
– Santa Anita’s reconstituted synthetic surface drew praise for its improved bounce and slower times over the weekend, but not everyone was delighted with the fix:

Trainer Bob Baffert, however, was more reserved. “It’s too early to tell,” he said. “Some horses like it, some don’t.”

It was learned Sunday that he has lost four promising horses — Massive Drama, Maimonides, Vindication and J Be K — because owner Ahmed Zayat moved them to Eastern tracks with dirt surfaces.

“He just got frustrated with the whole situation,” Baffert said (LA Times).

Maimonides has been sent to trainer Bill Mott; Massive Drama to Dale Romans.
– Nashua Stakes winner Etched and impressive maiden winner Numaany are among the entries for the UAE Two Thousand Guineas on Thursday. Etched closed at 26-1 in Pool 1 of the Derby Future Wager. Numaany attracted attention and a bit of excitement last November when he refused to switch leads in the stretch, bolted to the outside fence, and nearly dumped rider Javier Castellano before regrouping inside the final furlong of a 1 1/8 mile maiden special to win by 2 3/4 lengths. He was shortly after whisked off to Dubai, along with the promising Music Note.

Posted in NY Racing Issues on February 11, 2008

Serious Numbers

“A racing stoppage would have a tremendous impact on the entire racing community, as there are a total of 2,300 horses stabled at Belmont and Aqueduct; more than 1,000 men and women living in backstretch dormitories at both tracks; and 1,300 full-time employees working for NYRA.”

Posted in NY Racing Issues on February 5, 2008

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