Anybody that thinks that the new Islanders arena plus an array of shops and restaurants will lure minions to the racetrack is delusional. Perhaps lights and occasional night racing in the late spring/early summer will attract a following like Churchill's "Downs After Dark" has, but it won't trigger a headwind that will carry over onto the overall product.

The Franchise Oversight Board still has to sign off on NYRA's proposed blueprint. Having just completed renovation at Aqueduct of the main dirt and reconstruction of the inner dirt into a turf course to the tune of millions of dollars, the FOB may scrutinize the fact that NYRA wants to spend more money on winterizing Belmont (new inner dirt track, heat/enclosure for the clubhouse), rendering the Aqueduct improvements a long term waste of money.

Maybe John, but I think your giving way to much credit to the dumb fucks who are NYRA.