NEWS
Sabini says New York should follow Monmouth model
Posted: Wednesday, June 23, 2010 9:49 AM
by Paul Post
New York’s chief racing regulator says the state should follow Monmouth Park’s model and have fewer racing dates with higher purses to increase fan interest.
Video gaming boosts purses, makes capital improvements possible, and provides better racing venues, but often drives people away from the sport by luring them to slots and other casino games.
These were some of the key points made at Tuesday’s New York Gaming Summit in Tarrytown, New York, with nearly 100 industry leaders on hand.
"New Yorkers don't go to the track because it's like the Empire State Building or Statue of Liberty—it's always there," said John Sabini, New York State Racing and Wagering Board chairman. "The meets that are most successful are ones that have beginnings, middles, and ends. A model with a finite season works better."
At present, the New York Racing Association conducts more than 250 days per year at Belmont Park, Aqueduct, and Saratoga Race Course. A reduction in dates would require legislative approval and an agreement from NYRA and horsemen.
Monmouth Park in New Jersey has gone from more than 90 to 50 racing days this year with purses of about $1-million per day.
“I don't disagree with the concept," said Sabini, a former state legislator. "I said that when I was in the legislature. The Monmouth concept is a good one."
However, he acknowledged the move could be tough because many small stables rely on Aqueduct’s winter meet for their livelihoods.
At present, NYRA is more concerned about getting Aqueduct’s proposed racino up and running. A state selection committee is scheduled to recommend a gaming operator by August 3, and final approval requires agreement by Gov. David Paterson and legislative leaders.
"The question is, is it a permanent solution?" said keynote speaker Jeff Gural, a prominent New York realtor who is heavily involved with racing and gaming. He likened video gaming to a heart transplant that saves the patient, but offers no guarantee of a long, healthy life.
"I worry as a horse owner that there's going to be a day of reckoning for the horse industry," he said. "Racing guys are at the mercy of politicians. States need money these days."
Paul Post is a New York-based correspondent for Thoroughbred Times
READER COMMENTS
|
|
|
Posted by: Ray G, Boca Raton, FL on June 24, 2010 at 01:43 PM
Absolutely. Aqueduct used to close from December 15 to March and get 45,000 people on opening date.
A four day racing week and canceling winter racing is needed fast!!
Report Abuse 
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted by: John Chambers, Lansdowne, PA on June 24, 2010 at 09:28 AM
This is most likely a good idea. When I was young and first started going to the races, race meets were shorter and had more intrest. As racing expanded to the year round model the quality of racing went down and so did public intrest. Now i am not saying expanded dates only contributed to racings decline, but with additional legal gambeling on lotteries, casino gaming expansion and other activities also hurt racing. But if racing is to succed it must do it by promoting the stsrs it has, the horses, jockys, and human intrest stories. Adding casino gaming is only a short term fix. Just as expanded race dates reduced the profits of racing, as more and more states add casino gambeling it too will eventually become a marginaly profitable operation. Just look to Atlantic City casinos to see where we are headed. Some caninos will do well while others will just get by and some may even fail.
Report Abuse
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted by: Bellwether, Chesapeake, VA on June 24, 2010 at 12:44 AM
SAY IT AIN'T SOE...GET A REEL PROMOTOR & REEL EXPOSURE...PLEASE...ty...
Report Abuse
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted by: Horseplayer, New York, NY on June 23, 2010 at 06:26 PM
Agreed. There are not enough horses out there to fill the cards and too many days dilutes the product. That, along with a general fatigue from too many days, makes this a sensible plan.
Report Abuse
|
|
|
|
|
|
