The Big A, a/k/a the world's largest pigeon coop, reopens for racing
Wednesday; DRF reports that NYRA may be filing for Bankruptcy before
the end of this month.

Last year, when NYRA was on the verge of Bankruptcy, my dear father quipped that
he couldn't believe the track was declaring bankruptcy before I was.

The possibility of an equine herpovirus outbreak at Monmouth could, but
hopefully will not, affect racing up and down the northeast corridor.

Between the utter state of disrepair of two of NYRA's facilities and the
potentially unfriendly political environment for racing in New York State, some
of the entities which submitted bids for this franchise must be wondering why
they even bothered.

And maybe this will be the way NYRA retains the franchise--no corporate suitor
will really be interested in NY Racing after it has struck the proverbial
iceberg.

My opinion is that a bad state of racing in NY is bad for racing nationwide.
David Stern, commissioner of the NBA, has numerous times said that a strong
franchise in New York strengthens the entire league; he just can't figure out
how to get the Knicks away from the Dolans.

Listen folks--owners, breeders,publishers,racing fans,anybody who derives income
or pleasure (or both) from racing--to take a line from one hit wonder Thunderclap
Newman's great song "Something in the Air", "We've got to get together sooner or later".

Racing needs national governance. The NTRA, by offering discounts on John Deere
tractors and Dodge pickups,isn't really attacking the major issues.

Like Drugs in Racing. Steve Asmussen, issued a stiff six month suspension.
In Asmussen's absence, Scott Blasi, his stand in, has saddled 645 runners, winning with
120 of them. Where was the punishment here?

Like better scheduling of stakes races, so a race like the Sword Dancer at
Saratoga, which annually draws about 5 runners, is not run on the same day as
the Arlington Million.

Like better regulation/ coordination of racing and breeding so overpriced, over-
insured stallion prospects do not head for the breeding shed after minor
injuries.

Like a stronger TV presence, so important live races are not shown on tape delay
after an NCAA Division II Women's softball semifinal game is completed.

Like a bonus system which keeps racers racing. Hey, I just thought of one:
X million dollars for a horse who wins a Triple Crown
race and a Breeder's Cup race over the course of their career.


Way more than enough already. The best ten days of the handicapping year begin
tomorrow.

And by the way, I loved the discussion of the length of the thoroughbred. In my
30 plus years of racing/handicapping, my answer to the question is that the
average thoroughbred is either a nose too short, a head too short,or a neck too
short.