tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post116627974465725054..comments2024-03-05T05:38:22.024-05:00Comments on Left at the Gate: Friends and Family in High Places (and Planes)Alan Mannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12570505944559196118noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post-1166373217342267712006-12-17T11:33:00.000-05:002006-12-17T11:33:00.000-05:00Your welcome.Bottom line I gathered was everyone l...Your welcome.<BR/><BR/>Bottom line I gathered was everyone liked the original Empire concept, but then soured on the idea when all the outside interests came on board.<BR/><BR/>Excelsior remains a mystery, while NYRA has cleaned up its act whiling running under extremely difficult restraints.<BR/><BR/>My take is they deserve a chance to redeem themselves as an organization with the proper business model and VLT's in place. Just not right to force them to operate all these years with a broken model, only to fix it and let some outsider profit from the fix.<BR/><BR/>Not to mention the eminent domain issue. Some real classy people contributed this land a long time ago for the benefit of a sport they loved. Should the state be allowed to take the land because of a few mistakes (and lets face it, in the broad scheme of things how bad REALLY were the illegalities that surfaced, does the punishment fit the crime?).Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post-1166328672268170432006-12-16T23:11:00.000-05:002006-12-16T23:11:00.000-05:00Anon, thanks for the feedback, I appreciate that. ...Anon, thanks for the feedback, I appreciate that. Interesting to hear the results of your unscientific poll. I think that Hayward has been open and honest, and that counts for a lot when you're dealing with unknowns.Alan Mannhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12570505944559196118noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post-1166285190410515592006-12-16T11:06:00.000-05:002006-12-16T11:06:00.000-05:00Thanks for keeping us posted on the events in NY r...Thanks for keeping us posted on the events in NY racing. While there have not been many comments lately, I assure you there is an audience.<BR/><BR/>The more information gathered the more confused I become. Once thing appears certain, Empire and Excelsior have covered their bases in Albany. Both seem to have greased the wheel sufficiently, so hopefully all of the greasing offsets and ultimately we end up with the scenario that best furthers the health of a very important industy in NY State.<BR/><BR/>From my visit to the Big A yesterday, I can report there is plently of angst among horsemen and employees. Peoples lives are affected (effected?) and the uncertainty for the second year running during the Festivus season is taking its toll.<BR/><BR/>The cloud of closure and/purse reductions is hanging over the place. <BR/><BR/>If I took a poll from my bird on the wall position it appeared to me that both horseman and employees, if given the chance to vote, would prefer NYRA retain he franchise with the current administration in place. Everyone appears to like Hayward, Nader et al, or at least would be willing to tolerate them instead of dealing with the uncertainty of a new administration.<BR/><BR/>There is a lot of resentment of prior management for putting the franchise at risk, and of the state for the obvious stalling of the VLTs.<BR/><BR/>100% of the sample loved the fact that NYRA is suing the state, want to see the obstruction exposed for what it is, regardless of who eventually prevails in the bidding process.<BR/><BR/>Thanks again.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com