from today's DRF:

Part of the reason for the increased business is that NYRA has been running more races for New York-breds, which typically have larger fields than open-company allowance races. In fact, Hayward estimated that NYRA is on course to run 800 New York-bred races this year, up from 722 run in 2005 and 642 run in 2004.

That has caused some issues for horsemen such as Todd Pletcher and Bobby Frankel, who have been frustrated this summer by races failing to fill. While both men attended Thursday's meeting, neither spoke. Pletcher did talk privately with Hayward and Duncker afterward.

"I wanted to make sure they're aware that Belmont and Saratoga need to be treated differently than winter racing at Aqueduct," Pletcher said.

Hayward admitted that racing secretary P.J. Campo has been instructed to use races with bigger fields, but added that he needs to be flexible.


"P.J.'s instructions are to maximize field size and to run competitive racing," Hayward said. "But he's got to feel empowered that when he has a five-horse field, to let that race go rather than go with a claimer with 10 or 12 horses."

.....

handle is up. somebody likes the new and improved nyra.

i'm sure as hell not going to battle forty thousand fans at the spa in order to watch four state bred and four claiming races.






Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/02/2006 01:14PM by Michael D..