- NYRA officially got their “bailout,” actually a loan with a 4% interest rate. But in some election-year posturing, the bill drew opposition from Democrats in the State Senate who called the loan a waste of taxpayer funds.
Democrats noted NYRA already owes the state $60 million and hasn't paid tens of millions of dollars in employee pension obligations, state taxes, property taxes or franchise fees. [Albany Times-Union]But, as is unfortunately the case even with respect to more profound issues on which I agree with them, the Democrats offered no alternate plan. And what choice, really, was there? To let NYRA go into bankruptcy? No politician of either party would want that because, as Bennett Liebman of Albany Law School pointed out, that would have given the state less control over the group's financial decisions. [Newsday]
- Fasig-Tipton COO Boyd Browning on the $16 million Forestry colt:
"The two major buyers in the world got hooked up in an emotional bidding situation, and sometimes logic doesn't prevail…..An auction bid is not always a rational decision, but sometimes an emotional decision. Both people involved in the auction want to own the best horses in the world." [AP]Enough said.
- TVG will be sitting on the sidelines on Saturday, as will the networks and ESPN, as Magna’s HRTV gets exclusivity on, as their press release put it, a pair of important Kentucky Derby presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) prep races Saturday, along with the Santa Anita Handicap.
What a card at Gulfstream that day; no claiming races, and six graded stakes races, including the Fountain of Youth. The good news about that race is that with the exception of Flashy Bull, all of the serious Derby presented by Yum! Brands contenders drew into the first seven posts, ensuring that it should be a fair race with no excuses, at least those dealing with post position.
A great-looking card at Santa Anita as well, with four graded stakes, and the other Derby presented by Yum! Brands prep, the Santa Catalina, which doesn’t look nearly as contentious as the FOY. Brother Derek figures to be a prohibitive favorite and Latent Heat the second choice.
- Magna is playing hardball with the Florida Horsemen's Benevolent Protective Association over the splits for VLT revenue. Though the FHBPA claims that the national average is around 10%, Gulfstream is holding the line at a paltry 4%, leading to a walkout by the horsemen from the latest negotiating session.
1 Comment:
...this isn't a selection, just a heads-up...keep an eye on longshot Mister Triester in the Santa Catalina...he was finishing VERY powerfully in that maiden win over Royal Legacy...however, the early fractions in that race were slow, and that obviously helped him (he had lots of gas left in the tank turning for home)...that being said, he was pretty much head-and-head with Royal Legacy turning for home, and each were very wide...he showed a good deal of talent by outfinishing Royal Legacy through the lane, and both horses were striding out extremely well..the final time matched that of an allowance race that followed, won by One Union (with Point Determined in second)...with both Brother Derek and Latent Heat possessing keen early speed, it's possible they'll engage early and knock each other out...that could set it up for Mister Triester, because if he can replicate that late burst of energy, i think he'll a threat from behind...i'm not sure he can do it in a faster-run race, but it's definitely something to keep an eye on...as for tactics, i've mentioned before that i don't consider Brother Derek (or Latent Heat) to be a need-the-lead type, and with Brother Derek drawn outside on Saturday, i think his connections will take this oppurtunity to employ some stalking tactics, which i guess would put Latent Heat on the lead...i haven't seen the race on paper yet, but i think that's the most likely scenario...we shall see...in any case, with Brother Derek and Latent Heat pulling all the money, Mister Triester may be double-digits, and i do think he rates an upset chance...he could also come running late to complete an exacta...just keep him in mind....
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