It's been quite a while since I wrote a column just giving my thoughts on the sport I've loved for over twenty five years, thoroughbred racing. The memories throughout the years, have had their ups and downs. I went from a casual observer, to a public handicapper and columnist. I've learned a lot about the sport, through following it on a daily basis and the teaching's of the experts that have been around long before I wagered my first $2.00 bet. I've been blessed for all the good fortunes that I've achieved though hard work and learning the sport from following it. Living only 45 minutes from the " Mecca " of thoroughbred racing; Saratoga , I've been fortunate to see the BEST that thoroughbred racing has to offer. But, even though I had these blessings, the sport in my opinion has changed very much and in my eyes, not for the better.
It's been an on going "soap opera" in New York with the New York Racing Association (NYRA). For almost ten years, and four governors, thoroughbred racing has been in a whirl world of controversy. An organization on the brink of bankruptcy, the state has bailout out NYRA on several occasions and NOW is under full control by the state and governor's office. New rules and regulations were set in forth last week and a new appointed ruling board has been put in place by Governor Cuomo. A large board with many names who really do not have much expertise on thoroughbred racing. Hand picked by the governor, one wonders whether the "best interests" of thoroughbred racing are really the utmost importance in Governor Cuomo's world of thoroughbred racing.
I've never been sold on the true aspirations of what Governor Cuomo wants thoroughbred racing to be New York . He talks a good game and says he has the best interests in the sport and I guess since he is governor and now the state runs NYRA, we have to believe him and take his word. But, the last thing I want to see is the "on track" sport of New York 's thoroughbred racing damaged because of political shenanigans.
As I've said in the past, NYRA's problems were created by themselves. Years of mismanagement and mistrust of the public has damaged it's reputation. With the organization being a non-profit and taking public funds, the state has had a watchful eye over it. Governor Cuomo has taken full reign over thoroughbred racing in the state and hopefully he's not only taking in consideration of getting the sport more reputable, but also keeping the world class aspect of the sport "on track".
Thoroughbred racing has been a declining game sport for several years. The introduction of VLT's and casinos in our state has been the money maker for the gambling revenue the last ten to fifteen years. While attendance and handle has dipped in two of the three NYRA tracks. All this puts the thoroughbred racing in New York at a crossroads. The goal is to make NYRA good in the public's eyes and also to bring the revenue to the state's coffers. But, with NYRA's past record, it's going to be another entity running thoroughbred racing in New York for a while.
This crucial time for racing in New York and the direction the sport will be going in the future. It is my hope that the governor and this new appointed board will do everything in it's power to continue the top level of thoroughbred racing that New York has been the leader in throughout the years. But, I remain very skeptical of the governor's true intentions of what he wants racing in the Empire State , hopefully I'm dead wrong. Only time will tell and the real results will be "on track".
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