We've been getting on Paul Post's case lately for reporting some recycled news as new developments. Today he has a story in the Saratogian with what seems like some new revelations about the Aqueduct racino selection process.....though it's buried in an otherwise so-what story about an appointment to the Saratoga Race Course Local Advisory Board. Seems as if that Aug 1 target date for announcing the winner has unofficially gone by the boards (big surprise there).
The state has hired an outside gaming consultant to help evaluate each Aqueduct bidder’s proposal, and state officials are expected to meet one-on-one next week with every firm. Hayward said an operator might [emphasis mine - ed.] be named by Labor Day Weekend.Add the 14 months which has been generally assumed as being the turnaround time until the facility is ready, and NYRA is out of business....at least based on the cash outlook that has been provided in the past. After the collapse of the Delaware North deal, Hayward told the Form: "I think we'll be fine through the third quarter of next year."
“I think they’re going to get this done by the end of the Saratoga meet,” he said.
Even so, the state and selected entity must still work out a series of detailed formal agreements, meaning construction might not begin until the end of this year or early 2010. [The Saratogian]
Some firms have proposed opening the racino in phases, meaning the first machines could come on line next spring or early summer.We've seen ad hoc temporary racinos go up before at tracks like Philly Park, and it could be a matter of necessity in this case.
14 Comments:
Anyone know who the "gaming consultant" is and/or how much taxpayer money they are being paid to analyze something that has been beaten to death by now?
Good questions..
Del Mar opens tomorrow - 8 claiming races carded.
>>Del Mar opens tomorrow - 8 claiming races carded.
Cool, they're saving the good stuff for when I get there on Saturday!
Just wait until the third/fourth week of Saratoga when those state-bred 16000 maiden claimers come to play, cards like this will be looking pretty fine.
NYRA did a media advisory about various topics, so yes Paul did have a chance to provide news that was handed to him...let's see how many times he writes the same story over the next month.
NYRA put out the comments on its financial condition and its impresion of the VLT award timing for a reason. They always do, and Post usually parrots and places the information. I thought the organization had nearly blown through the State's $30 million subsidy given as a part of the bankruptcy settlement, but now it seems the NYRA have nearly $27 million of it left in the bank? I wonder if they are posturing, acting strong versus needy, trying to get the state to stop asking for fiancials so the pending litigation between the NYRA and New York can be settled? Too many new and different comments being offered to not think that something behind the scenes is happening.
Why on earth did Godolphin just buy Atomic Rain to join West Side Bernie as their mediocre 3yos du jour? And why are they now saying they won't run the horse, even though he's perfectly healthy? I never get their strategies.
In the PostStar, Hayward is quoted as saying that "the NYRA will have left of the $30 million the state gave for operating expenses $17 to $19 million at the end of 2009."
But, Paul Post says that the NYRA currently has $27 million of the $30 million and that the NYRA intends to make a profit, i think I've heard $2 million, in 2009.
There is a $10 - $12 million difference in the two stories. Wonder which is correct?
does anyone know if the pep rally in Albany scheduled for July 27th started by the NY Breeders and supported by the NYRA is still a go?
I believe the visit in force was meant to persuade legislators that the August 1st deadline was critical, but now the NYRA sounds like it can wait until the end of the Saratoga meet for some determination?
answer to 3:08 anon
http://news.prnewswire.com/DisplayReleaseContent.aspx?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/07-22-2009/0005064422&EDATE=
Rally on schedule.
Have fun at Del Mar moron. The decent races didn't fill on Wednesday. You must like racing on wax. You do have wax for a brain.
You bet your a.. the rally is on! It's not about waiting, we've been waiting for 8 damn years~
This is the best thing any group has done to date. Show the people who are effected by this industry in NY.
It's not JUST about how long NYRA can last...
Hope all goes well NYBreeders! Horse farmers have the infrastructure investment on precious and preserved agricultural land, so hopefully Albany legislators understand the what ifs.....
Go get'em!
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