Sports
Michael Veitch: Some legislators feel there is hope for Aqueduct
Tuesday, January 24, 2012By MICHAEL VEITCH
sports@saratogian.com
Last week, as reported on the Blood Horse magazine website, Pretlow supported Aqueduct Race Track when commenting on the proposed convention center on the property.
The Genting Resorts World company, which operates the Aqueduct slots parlor, and New York Governor Andrew Cuomo recently agreed to the proposal, which threatens the survival of the track that has served the industry so well since 1894.
And it appears that this discussion included only Genting and the Governor.
Assemblyman Pretlow stated his fear that closing Aqueduct would mean the end of winter racing, the season which means a great deal to many in the state industry.
“As it stands now,” he said, “I don't see Aqueduct shutting down.”
I hope Pretlow is right.
In his speeches on issues of the day, Gov. Cuomo likes to call on our state's former nickname as the “Empire State.”
I would think if he cared about thoroughbred racing, that he would support the long history of Aqueduct, Belmont and Saratoga as the premier circuit in the United States.
Regarding the state industry, bills in both houses of the state legislature support bankruptcy protection for Suffolk County Off-Track Betting.
They were introduced and referred to the respective committees on Friday.
It is nice that these bills recognize the jobs provided by Suffolk County OTB, and that protection could eventually mean the organization's $1 million owed to the New York Racing Association might be paid.
But the advocacy for Suffolk County OTB strikes me as an example of what is wrong in this state when it comes to racing.
At this early stage of the 2012 legislative session, we have a situation which could lead to the closure of Aqueduct, that very institution upon which Suffolk County OTB is able to do
business.
Sort of like protecting the wick and not the wax.
There it is, my friends.
The priorities of state government do not focus on the fan base, wagering, jobs both on and off the track, related services, simulcast outlets, quality of racing and the like that Aqueduct provides.
Instead, the focus is on protecting the organization that feeds on Aqueduct.
Hansen to Return Sunday
Hansen, winner of the Breeders' Cup Juvenile and the Eclipse Award as champion of his class for 2011, is slated to return to action this Sunday in the Holy Bull Stakes at Gulfstream Park.
The Grade 3 event at one mile carries a juicy purse of $400,000.
The unbeaten Hansen worked five furlongs in a swift 59 4/5 seconds this past Sunday morning at Gulfstream.
Algorithms and Consortium are expected opponents in a small field; both are sons of Travers Stakes winner Bernardini.
They finished 1-2 in a Gulfstream Park allowance at 6-1/2 furlongs on Dec. 16.
Algorithms had not been out since breaking his maiden on June 3 at Belmont, and defeated Consortium by a length in a swift 1:15 2/5 for the distance.
Consortium broke his maiden on Nov. 16 at Aqueduct.
However, there is $400,000 in graded money on the line in this prep for the Kentucky Derby
Hansen has yet to resemble the immortal Hindoo, yet a field of only four or five is expected at this writing.
This is another example of what irritates racing fans.
Michael Veitch writes about horse racing in The Saratogian on Wednesdays and Sundays. He can be reached at patelin@nycap.rr.com.
Dear Attorney General Eric Schneiderman:
The Bettors of the State of New York and the employees of the remaining OTBs, public benefit corporations, have no standing to ask for your Opinion to the following simple questions with seemingly obvious answers::
1. Will the Attorney General defend the constitutionality of NY PML Sec 105?
2. Does NY PML Sec 105 apply to Nassau OTB?
3. Does NY PML Sec 105 violate the rights of New York Bettors secured by NY Const. Art. 1, Sec. 3?
4. Is NY PML Sec 105 vague, indefinite and/or overly broad as the term "Easter Sunday" does not define one and only one Sunday in all years (see eg Gregorian and Julian Calendars)?
I hope that you will sua sponte issue an Opinion as to the above so that bettors may bet, workers may work or not as they wish, and the State and its subdivisions make money. There are tracks running all across the United States every day of the year that bettors want to bet. Track calendars may be found at eg www.ntra.com. The OTBs also sell New York Lottery tickets which are drawn every day of the year. The OTBs also cash non IRS Lottery tickets in cash for any sum, a convenience for many Lotto Players.
It is critical in these current time that the OTBs are open when customers want to bet. I believe that your Opinion will belatedly validate the actions of New York City OTB taken on the advice of its Counsel in 2003.
Sincerely yours,
January 5, 2012
Open On 1st Palm Sunday, Otb Rakes In $2m - New York Daily News
articles.nydailynews.com/.../18220335_1_racing-and-wagering-boar...
Open On 1st Palm Sunday, Otb Rakes In $2m. BY JERRY BOSSERT DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER. Monday, April 14, 2003. New York City Off-Track Betting ...§ 105. Supplementary regulatory powers of the board. Notwithstanding any inconsistent provision of law, the board through its rules and regulations or in allotting dates for racing or in licensing race meetings at which pari-mutuel betting is permitted shall be empowered to: (i) permit racing at which pari-mutuel betting is conducted on any or all dates from the first day of January through the thirty-first day of December, inclusive of Sundays but exclusive of December twenty-fifth and Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday; and (ii) fix minimum and maximum charges for admission at any race meeting.
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