NEWS
NYRA races to be available on TrackNet outlets, HRTV
Posted: Friday, December 28, 2007 4:35 PM
by Frank Angst
Continuing a trend of opening racing signals to all major advance deposit wagering (ADW) sites, the New York Racing Association on Friday said it would allow wagering on its races through TrackNet outlets such as Twinspires.com and XpressBet.com.
The content-exchange agreement follows similar ADW arrangements for tracks in California and New Jersey that opened up wagering to all major ADW outlets. Previously, NYRA was an exclusive track with Television Games Network.
Until 2007, TVG allowed other outlets to buy the signal to its exclusive tracks but those arrangements ended in March when Churchill Downs Inc. and Magna Entertainment Corp. formed content distributor TrackNet Media. TrackNet called for an end to the exclusive model and the fallout that followed resulted in TVG customers not having access to tracks like Churchill Downs and Magna’s Gulfstream Park, while TrackNet customers were shut out of TVG tracks like Del Mar, Keeneland Race Course, and NYRA.
Earlier on Friday, NYRA announced its franchise had been extended through January 23. NYRA President Charles Hayward said the new ADW agreement, which runs through 2008, would improve the availability wagering on New York racing.
“NYRA is committed to securing the broadest possible distribution for its renown racing product. Partnering with TrackNet and its affiliated account wagering and television companies is a tremendous step forward in reaching that goal,” Hayward said. “Our patrons will be glad to know that tracks under the TrackNet umbrella will continue to be part of the wagering menu of our own NYRA Rewards account wagering platform.”
HorseRacing TV, the racing television channel owned by Churchill and Magna, will have nonexclusive rights to broadcast NYRA races, which includes Aqueduct, Belmont Park, and Saratoga Race Course.
“New York offers some of the most dynamic horse racing in the country,” said TrackNet Chief Executive Officer Scott Daruty. “Officials with NYRA have demonstrated great foresight and customer focus by embracing an open-content model and making NYRA races available to a wide array of wagering outlets, including TwinSpires.com and XpressBet, and to more than one horse-racing television channel.
“New York horsemen and racetracks will benefit from this decision, as will wagering customers around the country who enjoy betting on NYRA races and who can now do so through their preferred on-track or off-track wagering platform.”
TVG plans to continue its extensive coverage of NYRA racing.
"We look forward to continuing to provide our subscribers with the opportunity to watch and wager on races from Aqueduct, Belmont Park and Saratoga," said TVG General Manager David Nathanson. "Our investment in the best-of-breed wagering platforms, highest quality television production, and unmatched television distribution will continue to set TVG apart from others in the marketplace and make televised coverage of NYRA racing available to more people on a daily basis than anyone else in the world."
Youbet.com plans to continue to offer wagering on NYRA races.
"NYRA content has been a cornerstone of our platform for many years, and we're excited to continue our long relationship," said Youbet.com Chief Executive Officer Gary Sproule.
Frank Angst is senior writer for Thoroughbred Times
