tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post3066825108267780666..comments2024-03-05T05:38:22.024-05:00Comments on Left at the Gate: MassCapNotesAlan Mannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12570505944559196118noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post-17752159843920752902008-09-19T13:53:00.000-04:002008-09-19T13:53:00.000-04:00It wasn't a world record, Somebeachsomewhere holds...It wasn't a world record, Somebeachsomewhere holds the WR for 3yp on a half mile track, 1:49:2.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post-89959784136679422422008-09-18T16:50:00.000-04:002008-09-18T16:50:00.000-04:00Glimmer - Thanks for the update! I was following ...Glimmer - Thanks for the update! I was following the action on the USTA live blog but it crashed and i was left in the dark. Glad to hear that HRTV is covering.Alan Mannhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12570505944559196118noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post-45713821808090711742008-09-18T16:38:00.000-04:002008-09-18T16:38:00.000-04:00Alan - good hunch with Shadow Play in The Little B...Alan - good hunch with Shadow Play in The Little Brown Jug first elimination today. He won and did so by setting the world record in 1:50.00<BR/><BR/>From the images on HRTV the placed looked packed to the gills too.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post-72640719330317200432008-09-18T14:09:00.000-04:002008-09-18T14:09:00.000-04:00after reading what I just wrote, if this thing is ...after reading what I just wrote, if this thing is not signed on the dotted line by next foaling season, my mares are going to PA.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post-91077223302823664762008-09-18T14:08:00.000-04:002008-09-18T14:08:00.000-04:00I think the entire VLT thing may just be put on ho...I think the entire VLT thing may just be put on hold again.<BR/><BR/>Credit markets are SO tight, doubt anyone will get this done, at least if they need to pay up front fees. Still need to finace the construction, and those loans will be tough to get for some time.<BR/><BR/>Perfect case of Albany fiddling...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post-14495018518130716362008-09-18T11:07:00.000-04:002008-09-18T11:07:00.000-04:00Anonymous-To sort of answer your questions, two pr...Anonymous-<BR/><BR/>To sort of answer your questions, two programs have been in place operating out of Suffolk Downs well before the zero-tolerance ban was announced this year. Suffolk supports the TRF, and with the help of one of the trainers quite a few horses have gone to the TRF, more this year than ever. <BR/><BR/>There is also the New England chapter of CANTER (www.canterusa.org/newengland) that has operated out of the track (with support from management) since 2002. Again, this year support has increased from the track. CANTER NE's focus is working WITH the trainers to list their horses for sale on CANTER’s website so horses that have viable careers outside of racing (jumping, eventing, and pleasure) can be sold directly from trainer to buyer. They have really built a great relationship with a lot of the trainers there. With this program, endless donation dollars are not pumped into a horse sitting in a field, the trainers get some money, the horses have new homes, and everybody's happy.<BR/><BR/>And, very recently, an owner was in fact banned from the track after horses of his ended up at an auction in PA.<BR/><BR/>So, while the thought is good, and the execution may not be perfect, and it may just be an excuse to lure high profile trainers like Zito in...changes have happened. CANTER NE does not have the name recognition of the TRF, and could use more financial support for its mission (donations appreciated!), it’s run entirely by volunteers who visit the track every Saturday to take listings and bring buyers to the track. And to be clear, I have no affiliation with the track itself, I’m just a racing fan has always had her riding horses come from off of the track that is pretty intimately involved with CANTER and thinks that people need to be aware of what CANTER does. I’m happy to speak with people in more detail about it. :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post-35543851066514053202008-09-18T10:03:00.000-04:002008-09-18T10:03:00.000-04:00Allan,whatever you do this month, get your contact...Allan,<BR/>whatever you do this month, get your contact's, to go through all <BR/>3 bidders & see if any have secure back-up.<BR/>Although thanks to Mary Lou & husband, for meals support etc, a lot of us, are actually living day to day, but with 2 of the bidders offering us great money up front, we wanted to believe & are led to believe everything was an easy fix. Understand politicians want big moeys unfront also, as they won't be around when hopefuly our/racing families expand & we move on from the present crap we are enduring.<BR/><BR/>Humble Horseman.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post-41023199205854982222008-09-18T08:30:00.000-04:002008-09-18T08:30:00.000-04:00As to anon's DelNorth/Merrill Lynch query, in toda...As to anon's DelNorth/Merrill Lynch query, in today's financing climate, all deals are being reevaluated. Debt coverage ratios, cash flow projections, secured collateral, industry trends, are all carefully being analyzed and adjusted, so everything is subject to modification. Based on my understanding, the NY VLT deal is not that "sweet" if you're the operator (highest state take or tax in the nation), so to put $370 million up as DelNorth proposes, essentially a licensing fee, with no real property secured, my guess is Merrill would certainly rethink this deal particualarly now that they will be folded up into a a more conservative institution Bank of America. Remember in PA, the new slot machine state, the operator's take is extremely higher, they own the real estate on which they operate and the upfront licensing fee was only $50 million. That's why the gaming business is profitable, the horse racing purses have more than doubled, and the state has tremendous cash flow pouring into its coffers. I follow this blog, so I know that Alan knows the players in NY, so maybe he can find out what the real deal is, and when we can expect a conclusion and some VLT proceeds!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post-68082504294575230382008-09-18T07:48:00.000-04:002008-09-18T07:48:00.000-04:00I wonder where all the broken down horses that hav...I wonder where all the broken down horses that have no more economic value to the owners and trainers are going? Horse retirement is an expensive proposition and the flks in Mass don't really have lots of extra money from the racing. I think it was track owner Richard Fields that pushed this program, so I wonder how it operates and what the successes and failures have been?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post-52588881042136632222008-09-18T01:37:00.000-04:002008-09-18T01:37:00.000-04:00To Alan,you may be aware, of now strong rumors slo...To Alan,<BR/>you may be aware, of now strong rumors slowly seeping out, that the goal posts have moved. between Delaware North & their main financiers, Merrill Lynch. Poss' to enquire/ followup,<BR/>to any of these parties, which way they have moved, as you seem to be well connected.<BR/>Thanks, a humble horseman.<BR/><BR/>sorry about posting here, it was just yr last post.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com