The nation is in almost insurmountable debt, New York State is broke and cutting back millions in school funding and payments due to local governments, and NYRA is still dependent upon taxpayer handouts to stay afloat. About racing, Jerry Bossert had this to say in this morning's New York Daily News:

"New York needs a Christmas miracle.

With the holiday break upon us, it is time for Albany to come through by naming an operator for the long-stalled video lottery terminal (slot machines) racino at Aqueduct. The racino is expected to generate a million dollars a day for New York State, and bring in desperate money needed to help sustain horse racing, while fixing the aging facilities at Aqueduct, Belmont and Saratoga.

Legislation was passed in 2001 allowing the 4,500 VLT Racino to be built at Aqueduct, but a myriad of problems caused delays early on, including the New York Racing Association almost being indicted and former Gov. Spitzer getting caught as 'Client #9' forcing his resignation.

But lately there has been no excuse, just ineptness. Every day we read or hear about the state's growing deficit, yet Albany has done nothing to get the racino started at Aqueduct. Gov. Paterson, along with Senate Conference Leader John Sampson and Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, have to agree on the same operator to get the racino started - that alone may require another miracle - but it has to be done now.

With New York City Off Track Betting in bankruptcy and the NYRA running low on cash, action needs to be taken to save all the jobs involved in racing from the track to the breeding farms throughout the state."



Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/more_ ... z0Zfo4mGNy

If NYCOTB payed NYRA, you'd have less to grouse about. You like to pretend NYRA is at fault.

New York City OTB debt beyond $65-million

by Paul Post

New York City Off-Track Betting, which has filed for Chapter 9 bankruptcy, owes its 20 largest creditors more than $65-million, court papers show.

The corporation is developing a new business plan, but while in bankruptcy will not have to make statutory payments so that it can keep operating until its new business model is in place.

Chairman Meyer “Sandy” Frucher has promised that New York City OTB will pay its creditors “100 cents on the dollar.”

The two largest creditors are Yonkers Racing Corp., a Standardbred racino near New York City with $18-million due, and the New York Racing Association is owed $14.7-million as of October 31.

http://www.nycotbfacts.com/resources/To ... ditors.pdf

Sorry, wooley, NYRA is in the hole to the taxpayers for far more than $14.7 million. The city OTB is actually run by the state (as is NYRA) so there's no doubt about why both entities are insolvent.

Why should NYRA be any different, everything that NY touches turns to $hit. Too much graft etc. etc. etc.

Close the Friggin Frozen Losing Money TUNDRA in the Winter

Using Taxpayer money to Cover this FAILED operation is nothing less than Criminal

You can Blab About Stronach or any other Operation in the USA . No other I know is requiring ailing Taxpayers to Pay the Burden

And Please none of this Job or Livelyhood Crap . Horses Move to Places they can Compete or Retire them . Workers Follow to the Open Tracks as they did for decades or find a new business.

There was a REASON that Aqueduct Closed in December to Early March for 3/4 of its Life

Can you imagine what NY could do to Boost their Spring , Summer , and Fall Programs with the Millions Saved ??

Here is the Real Message - People Don't Come Out in the Winter in Freezing Temps to Watch Horses Run at Inappropriate Conditions No People , No Money , Little Income , Big Bills .