This past Monday afternoon, I attended the yearly pre-Saratoga media press conference at the Desmond in Albany . I've been a part of this event for the past 13 years as a member of the press covering the premier thoroughbred meet in the country. The New York Racing Association (NYRA) has had many different faces represent their organization throughout the time I've been attending these media days. The company that has presented thoroughbred racing in this state for the past fifty plus years, has had a lot of scrutiny piled along the way. Some of it warranted and sometimes, not. There were sins of the past, that were corrected. The organization has made great strides the past few years in correcting things and making the company more efficient. But, every year this press conference comes along, one month before the Saratoga meet, the "bad" headlines resurface about NYRA and tend to place them in a bad light. Why should 2011 be any different?
Less than a week before this very press conference, the "oversight" board for NYRA's operations came questioning them again. Coincidence??? maybe, a pattern of every year? more likely! It's seems to me that the politicians and other groups in this state have made NYRA their public "whipping" boy far too often. It always seems that when it looks to be a "light at the end of the tunnel" for NYRA, something in the headlines, pops up and derails the forward progress. It's happen again this year and I applauded NYRA - CEO and Chairman; Charles Heywood on explaining the situation to the gathered press at the news conference on Monday. Many times too often, we hear and see one side of the story. It's so easy to make headlines with problems and "gloom and doom" situations. But, it's so much better when things can be explained out with reasonable answers to the subject at hand. I think, Mr. Haywood did an excellent job rebuking the claims made toward NYRA once again.
How about some of the good that this organization has done the past few years to fix the "sins of the past". Granted, NYRA had problems that put themselves in dyer situations. They were on the brink of disappearing all together. But, good leadership and trust has brought NYRA back from near extinction. After the political waggling by those against NYRA, the chance was given for the association to make good and rise from the ashes. A year ago, the contract for VLT's was put in place and a new revenue fund (long over due) was put into place. The current financial situation is no fault of NYRA's, but money that was owe to them by the collapse of New York City OTB. This is what the current problem with NYRA's financial picture at this moment. When the VLT's are up and running, the picture will be a lot different and in the "black".
I as well as many others, look forward to this time of the year. The best thoroughbred racing in the world is less than an hour away from us for 40 days. I just wish one time, that the headlines read; "NYRA leads the way toward the Saratoga season". Instead of all the negative things we see in print, year in and year out. Will that ever happen in this day in age? I rather doubt it, but I can dream. Also, I can say without a doubt that, NYRA will rise about ALL the criticism again!
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