JC / Railbird

NY Racing Issues Archive

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

That’s Not Pigeon Shit

You’ll see in this mendacious ad produced for Capital Play, one of the New York racing franchise bidders and the group that pushed the story of the $1.6 billion IRS claims against NYRA. It’s Capital Play’s lobbying strategy:

I’m not such a naïf to be shocked that an organization bidding for a franchise worth billions would wallow in muck, but I am appalled that one would be so desperate it would throw away all credibility by resorting to such brazen untruths and hoary clichés its advertising is almost a parody of a smear campaign.
[Hat tip to Bennett Liebman’s Racing and Gaming Today.]
More: The Thoroughbred Times reports on the 30-second spot and where it’s airing around the state, mentions that a franchise announcement could come before Thanksgiving.

Posted in NY Racing Issues on November 14, 2007

Dire Predictions

Should IRS claims that NYRA owes $1.6 billion in back taxes prevail, Paul Moran sees a grim future for racing:

The IRS asserts that NYRA owes taxes on gross handle, not takeout, a claim that could have (seriously) devastating consequences not only for NYRA, but racetracks across the country. More over on Left at the Gate.

Posted in NY Racing Issues on November 2, 2007