Another year in the books ......... bright days ahead????

The 151st season of Saratoga Race Course is now in the books. Another 40 days of "world class" thoroughbred action has flown right by as most of the meets do when you have handicapped the races for as long as I've have. It's been 26 straight years of daily handicapping between 9 and 14 races a day. The meet was the "August Place to Be" right up until the early 90's. But for nearly twenty years, the Saratoga thoroughbred meet has gone through many changes. The racing days of the meet went from 24 to 40, the daily cards are never usually under nine races and the "cheaper" events that are present at Aqueduct and Belmont, now fill the race cards at the Spa. Lots of changes throughout these years I've been following the "Summer Place to Be" and most of you know how I feel about it.

The New York Racing Association (NYRA) has gone through itself many changes the past fourteen years. The powers to be at NYRA say they have "turned the corner" and made the organization a better company with the newest implications they have made. But, watching racing on the New York circuit as long as I've have, it may look good on paper with all the changes. But, the revenue that the state gets from wagering is only as good, when people playing it.

If you listen to NYRA CEO - Chris Kay, all is well with the organization under his guidance. NYRA is now in the "black" financially and the state of New York seems happy that they have gone in this direction. Finally, after over a decade it seems that thoroughbred racing in New York has stabilize. Racing cards have gotten better this summer with big day events grouping together several stakes races. Fans have gone back to the races "on track" both at Belmont and Saratoga. The daily handle rose this past Saratoga meet on track, a good sign for NYRA with their changes the past year. So, I guess the new man in charge has learned a lot the past year and deserves credit. But, for someone like myself who has been around the sport for over 25 years, things can change in a hurry. Especially if this sudden success wears off!

Ever since the State of New York has gotten deeply involved with thoroughbred racing, the bottom line is how much money NYRA can return to the state coffers. And at this time, the state is happy with NYRA and the people in charge of running it. But, like most things the state of New York does, it becomes a contest of what have you done for me lately. It's also a contest on how you bring those things to the powers in Albany. Money is the main objective and when they produce, all is well. But, we live in a gambling environment today that has it's ups and downs. While on track handle was up just a bit, overall all sources handle was down quite a bit. A sign that people are not wagering as much in a bad economy. We all know the story with the Atlantic City casinos and New York's big rush to place casinos in this state. But, the reality is that there is just so much gambling money to go around. Thoroughbred racing during the Triple Crown, Saratoga and Breeder's Cup does well with the public and their gambling dollar. Maybe that's enough for NYRA to survive with favoritism from state. But, as we know in the past, that can all change quickly. Stay tuned my friends.....