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Crist Blog | June 18, 2009
Relentless Rain
More than 60 grass races have been washed onto the main track in just over eight weeks of racing at Belmont amid the one of the rainiest springs in Long Island annals, and it may not to get better any time soon. Saturday's G2 New York for older turf fillies could be the only race that stays on the grass in the next week (Friday's races have already been taken off), and seems sure to be run under boggy conditions. Tomorrow's supposed to be drier, but here's the long-range forecast from weather.com:
Thursday 6/18: Rain
Friday 6/19 Cloudy
Saturday 6/20: Thundershowers
Sunday 6/21: Showers
Monday 6/22: Showers
Tuesday 6/23: Scattered Showers
Wednesday 6/24: Thunderstorms
Thursday 6/25: Isloated Thunderstorms
Friday 6/26: Scattered Thunderstorms
In the meantime, it's been tough to play Belmont lately (even if the signal hadn't been cut off to Nassau County residents, the topic of the Saturday column -- feel free to comment on it here) between the short fields and sometimes unpredictable decisions regarding which races have been taken off the grass.
One exceptional performance, however, came on Wednesday's relatively dry (technically "good") main track when Rollers won a N2x allowance by seven lengths with six furlongs in 1:08.18, good for a Beyer Speed Figure of 107. Rollers won the $250k Gallant Bob last year and was second to Ikigai in the G3 Mr. Prospector this winter. The 4-year-old Stormy Atlantic colt, a New York-bred, races for Lael Stables and is trained by Barclay Tagg.
--Here's Yeats winning his fourth straight Ascot Gold Cup earlier today:
Posted by Steven Crist Jun 18, 2009 6:45:58 PM | Permalink
Keywords:
Comments
kenneth_skinner says:
thanks Steve:I enjoyed the Epsom Gold Cup /09 very much. KS
Posted by kenneth skinner Jul 6, 2009 7:36:03 PM
tr_slyder says:
Its sad to see such institutional incompetence from a sport who is attracting dangerously close to zero new fans a year. If the nFL or MLB were as boneheaded as NYRA that would just result in inconvenience, but when NYRA pulls this, they're driving away the last of a dying breed.
I'm 29 years old and outside of tracks or OTBs, I think I've met literally 4 people that know how to read a Racing Form. I shudder to think about the state of the sport when I'm 60.
NYRA can't even please lifelong fans; how are they ever going to attract new ones?
Posted by TR Slyder Jun 20, 2009 2:35:02 AM
steven_crist says:
92lneck: There's a form you can fill out -- the IRS # escapes me at the moment -- to share gambling proceeds with partners. Ask about it wherever you made the bet. Rather than a single W2G being submitted with all the winnings going to you, you can split it up with your partners. Your alternative is to shoulder the entire liability yourself, in which case you should deduct your expected tax burden before paying your partners.
Posted by steven_crist Jun 19, 2009 6:45:41 PM
92lneck says:
Steven / Anyone Else:
If I put in a P6 ticket with 3 other friends and we hit big, what is the best way to manage the payouts to my friends? The 25% would come off the top and the balance would go into my online wagering account. How then do I get the other 3/4 money out and "give" it to my friends? I'm not so much concerned about my tax burden as I was wondering what happens if I give each of them say a $25,000 check? How do they report that income or better yet...not report it? Are we doomed to get taxed twice? Once for me on the entire sum and then each of them a second time on their cut? I'm curious if anyone has had to deal with this issue and if so, what is the best way to handle it?
Posted by 92LNeck Jun 19, 2009 4:26:05 PM
pat_from_li says:
Verizon is adding a Long Island News Channel... I would dump Cable in a second if they could get the NYRA feed on thier service. Sure it either can't or won't happen.
At least I'm in Suffolk so I continue to get NYRA feed on channel 74.
Posted by Pat from LI Jun 19, 2009 3:14:25 PM
george_quinn says:
Steve, Great article on the ramdom idiotic acts that prevail in New York racing. I do not live in New York and hearing all this, I have no desire to.
George in Tampa
Posted by george quinn Jun 19, 2009 2:08:33 PM
tom_mcdonough says:
Is Yeats the greatest stayer in history? Is Sadler's Wells the greatest sire? What a performance. William Hill already has Yeats at 5-1 to win a 5th straight...
Posted by tom mcdonough Jun 19, 2009 1:44:41 PM
niall says:
This all belongs in the "you cant make this stuff up" category ... Mr Hayward was up here in Saratoga Springs last night sharing development/repair plans for the Spa when he gets the slots $$ ... Does he really think that day will come ??? I dont ...
Posted by Niall Jun 19, 2009 12:34:33 PM
bruce_friday says:
I've taken a keen interest in Royal Ascot this year where some of the best racing in the world is underway. Yeats victory is only one of the great stories. The BBC is carrying the races live on their internet site.... unless you happen to live in the US where the signal is blocked. I know that NYRA carries races from Europe on mornings at Saratoga but they're not carrying Royal Ascot. One can watch tennis live from Wimbledon or the French Open, but we can't watch the G1 Ascot Gold Cup or the G1 Coronation Stakes.
If the NYRA/OTB folks are acting like children regarding the race signal, why not turn the problem over to the New York State Senate? I hear that they have a mature approach when dealing with conflict.
Posted by Bruce Friday Jun 19, 2009 12:21:14 PM
kelso13 says:
Beerbelly,
You are right on.Belmont is one of the most beautiful places on the planet.Get out there and enjoy it.Especially if it ever stops raining.Why would you ever want to play from home when this beautiful facilty is right in your own back yard.I live in the city and for me going out to Belmont is like leaving the city for the country.It is a vacation day.
Posted by kelso13 Jun 19, 2009 8:42:56 AM
pete_from_the_thumb says:
So we get donuts at my office every Friday. As I tore into my kruller this morning, I couldn't help but wonder - has there ever been a horse in the Bold Ruler line named Bold Kruller? Come on, there HAS to have been one somewhere along the line. Can anyone provide a definitive answer? Thanks!!
Posted by Pete from the Thumb Jun 19, 2009 8:05:32 AM
john_l says:
It would be easy to fall into a fit of despair as a NY horse player. This is the time of the year I am usually filling my pockets with money at Belmont Park.
The weather is horrendous but we have no control over it. I did see a weather report that claims that this pattern will break next week.
This INCOMPETENCE of NYRA and Nassau OTB. Waiting for an apology. You folks are no better than 8 year olds.
I ordered TVG because I can't make it to the track everyday and once again confirmed that no serious horse player would be able to use this channel as a main source of information. We cannot get a live video feed on Twinspires because of some arcane rule.
So I called the Corporate headquarters of the Dish Network. I spoke to an admin of a Tom Cullen (EVP Sales and Marketing). In the hope of expediting the delivery of live racing signal to homes.
Of course I never heard back from them.
Well add in a few 6 furlong grass races every day and I am
just about despondent about all of this.
Beerbelly- like you I have been sitting at Belmont for years now and wondering how it is possible that there is no one here. This place is magnificent.
Yeah that is me sitting in the 2nd floor clubhouse seats with the whole section to myself. (sadly)
Posted by John_L Jun 19, 2009 7:58:54 AM
doc says:
Steve,
This time it's NYRA/Nassau. But it doesn't matter. The names change but the song remains the same.
It's time to save racing from itself. I advocate a coup d'track to place yourself at the head of the new regime. A one day national boycott of all betting; if the NTRA or whoever doesn't make you the new racing Czar, then another day, and another until they make some real changes. One day wouldn't kill us. but it might get some people to thinking.
Posted by doc Jun 19, 2009 7:54:38 AM
howie_wexler says:
Great column. It just shows that the people in charge do not consider the fans important. I have been playing the horses for 30 years here in NY. I have not made a bet on a NYRA Track (except for Belmont Stakes)in almost 2 years. I prefer tracks like Keenland, Turfway, Churchill & the California tracks. Untile there is one entity controlling racing & OTB in NY, there will always be problems.
Posted by Howie Wexler Jun 19, 2009 7:11:29 AM
andyscoggin says:
Back to prozacjack's commentary the other day when he criticized the DRF handicappers, I had a winner thanks to the DRF MTH handicapper. He follows MTH everyday every year and he pointed out that a small trainer had scored with a mdn claimer in a very similar set-up two years ago. Horse wins easily at 6-1. Like anything else, the DRF guys are not gods, but we need to use them like all of the other info available. Can he read the basic PP's better than me, probably not, but does he know stuff I don't, YES!
Posted by AndyScoggin Jun 19, 2009 6:54:36 AM
andy_scoggin says:
Steve,
In working with my ABC's in the the pick 5 at MTH on Wednesday. I had all 5 winners but, they were spread on my 5 tickets. The breakdown was AABBB, so the best ticket I had was AABAA. It paid almost $3000 for 50 cents. My caveman ticket would have cost $360. I played about $56. One of my questions for you, Steve, is at what percentage do your A's come in? Or should some of my B's been A's?
Thanks for your help!
Posted by Andy Scoggin Jun 19, 2009 6:45:35 AM
spectacularbid says:
14 comments and only one about the great yeats. first let me say it was a truly great race call. second it is a great training job. and thirdly what a great horse. imagine a race between yeats and our great stayer kelso. or even a series of races. 1.5 miles on the dirt followed by 1.75 miles on the turf and then 2 miles on the dirt and 2.5 miles on the turf. if they are tied then 3 miles over broken glass.
should i win powerball i will fund and card a marathon series at the soon to be reopened hialeah race course.
Posted by spectacularbid Jun 19, 2009 3:35:33 AM
tedmur says:
The problems with OTB/NYRA are a symptom of a much larger problem—short term thinking by our representatives and our inattention. NYRA /OTB should be streaming as much video as it can—get the product out there, make it easy for people to wager and follow the races—however we have a system that focuses on short terms gains for the state tax coffers (a bigger piece of a smaller pie is better this year than a smaller slice of a larger pie in 10 years) and the cronysim that allows our political system to set up OTB's as patronage operations for local politicos. What we need to realize is we put these idiots in office. Writing letters is not enough (they placate us with a response and A 'we're working on it'—what we need instead is to vote them out.
Posted by tedmur Jun 19, 2009 12:59:07 AM
nochalk4me says:
Steve; If you have the time, can you tell me where you see California racing in 3-5 years? Will it even last THAT long? I don't see it. When the state got into Lotto, it became a foe of the industry. So, what would happen if Ca racing ceased to exist? Thanx, NC4Me
Posted by nochalk4me Jun 18, 2009 11:31:09 PM
sherpaguide says:
On a different note, did anyone hear about the young "cow" moose that showed up at Saratoga a couple mornings ago? I guess he figured with some of the crap NYRA cards he had a shot...I can see it now... NY MOOSE BREDS, 5 fourlongs on the turf...
Posted by SherpaGuide Jun 18, 2009 11:22:48 PM
wayne80 says:
Steve, I am sure you plan to follow up on the impact to handle and I am looking forward to the analysis.
What will be interesting to me, and I am sure to NYRA (this may be the point of their stubborness, I suspect), will be the on track handle.
Located in Nassau, in theory NYRA's handle might actually increase since folks normally accustomed to watching at home might actually go to the track.
Since NYRA retains a larger piece of on track handle this might actually prove beneficial.
Posted by Wayne80 Jun 18, 2009 11:19:19 PM
beerbelly says:
Nassau County horseplayers.
Get off your collective posteriors and drive to Belmont Park.
It remains the most beautiful place on the face of the earth.
Admire the grace & power of a thoroughbred from up close.
The Belmont paddock & the majestic tree in the middle.
Does your living room provide that view?
Nassau OTB.
A parasite that's killing the entity responsible for it's existence.
Horseplayers badly wanted.
At your local racetrack.
Posted by beerbelly Jun 18, 2009 11:03:03 PM
dan_mackenzie says:
What kind of horse race is shown here ? I have never seen anything like it. Looks like standardbreds with jockeys:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FxoB8ganiCA
Posted by Dan MacKenzie Jun 18, 2009 10:30:34 PM
arcstats says:
I have no sympathy for any horseplayer who is still sitting around with their fingers crossed hoping for a resolution in the NYRA/Nassau OTB dispute. If you're one of them, stop acting like a caveman and go open up an account at any of the available Internet sites. You know who they are. The video is better than nothing. So you have to manage numerous accounts - BFD. Sports bettors do it all the time in an effort to gain a better line.
If everyone affected suddenly emptied and terminated their account, things would change. You don't have to put up with this nonsense.
Posted by Arcstats Jun 18, 2009 10:23:29 PM
new_jersey_d says:
My immediate response:
POLYTRACK, CUSHION TRACK, TARPETA, PRO RIDE.
When it rains for two weeks, my handicapping at the track is affected for more than eight weeks.
Horses who have been scratched because of the weather may or may not have the winning edge because of the extended layoff.
Horses who ran well/poorly may have been aided/hindered by a muddy or sloppy track.
The bottom line is when the track is muddy/sloppy, yeilding/soft, I will wager at other tracks. However, when I am wagering at Arlington, Woodbine, or Holloywood, only the turf races will impact my wagering.
I wonder how much the NYRA handle is up/down this year. How much is due to the economy and how much is due to the "Off the Turf" races and off tracks.
Posted by New Jersey D Jun 18, 2009 10:11:04 PM
bob says:
AARRRRRGGGHHH .... I feel bad for NYRA .... I think they get a bad deal from the OTB's ....But from a selfish standpoint can I just please have my races back ....6 months of Aqueduct so they can pull Belmont ....
Posted by Bob Jun 18, 2009 8:55:40 PM
jeff_b says:
...Last year I emailed the NYRA to ask when they were going to bring live streaming audio back to their website. Audio. That's all I was asking for. Used to be available and I enjoyed it very much. Here is their response in full:
The decision has been made by the New York Racing and Wagering Board to permit us from streaming live audio race calls through our website. We are trying our best to get this service back to our customers but have no timetable of when it may return, if ever.
We truly apologize for this inconvenience.
Regards
That was the response I received in September of last year. So far... last time I bothered to check... no audio. Apology not accepted.
Posted by Jeff B Jun 18, 2009 8:37:00 PM
callmetony says:
I always wonder when they take all these races off the turf , Are they saving the turf or do the riders feel its unsafe ? Why in Europe do they race on the soft /rainy turf all the time . As for Belmont except for a few days its really been same old NYRA small fields ,bad Turf sprints, I'm just laying low till the Spa which I pray is better then what NYRA has fed us so far this year . As for this late racing on Fridays not a single player i know likes it ,
Posted by callmetony Jun 18, 2009 8:24:38 PM
evan_gewirtz says:
Steve,
What is truly ironic and comical about the NYRA/NOTB fued is that they have unwittingly enabled Cablevision, who doesn't give a hoot about racing, to emerge the victor.
I am willing to bet that Cablevision has seen a spike in the TVG sports package. Yea, I am one the people who aided the spike.I signed up within 24 hours of the feud. As an extra added benefit I get to see full coverage of all the golf that isn't going on at Bethpage via the Golf channel.
Posted by Evan Gewirtz Jun 18, 2009 8:18:25 PM
taxman says:
Steven, thank you for posting the Yeats win from Ascot. I would have loved to bet that race and meeting, but Twin Spires does not carry it. When I sent an email questioning why Twin Spires did not offer Ascot wagering, I was told they did not have a contract. Why not get a contract? Not having Royal Ascot on your site would be the same as not offering Saratoga. This is outrageous! I know TVG has it, but come on Twin Spires, you are the supposed gold standard for wagering. Thanks ---
Posted by Taxman Jun 18, 2009 8:06:16 PM
evan_gewirtz says:
I agree with everything you put in your column. However, if there is any loss in handle to NYRA or Nassau OTB it will not be meaningful enough to make a difference to either. Unfortunately, as you pointed out,neither seems to care about the people that are feeding them. Good column.
Posted by Evan Gewirtz Jun 18, 2009 8:05:59 PM
Comments to this entry are closed.
About
Steven Crist has been the Publisher and a columnist for Daily Racing Form since 1998. Previously, he covered racing for The New York Times from 1981-1990; was founding editor-in-chief of The Racing Times in 1991-92; and a vice-president of the New York Racing Association from 1994-97. He recently released an instructional DVD titled "Exotic Tickets," and is the
author of several books including "Betting on Myself" and "Exotic Betting."
