Jerry,

I cannot speak for any of the franchise bidders but NYRA has stated that with the added slot revenues a more comprehensive drug testing policy would be on the agenda.They won't say it, but time has now confirmed that pre race holding barns are a waste as it relates to what it was intended to stop.Extra cost is hurting the smaller outfits and the skitty nervous type runners are underperforming according to several legit trainers.

You correctly stated that the public meetings will be a forum to speak out on issues. It would be the perfect opportunity for a "players" group to be heard if such an organization existed(it's time people).

Drugs,late betting odds drops, computer whales and everything that concerns the frequent players could be put to each bidder for comment.In that regard I can say that there is a rather small group of whales that I have spoken to NYRA about.The concerns range from drugs to better and timely info to poly surface.

If a substantial formalized group could be put together,it would be heard, especially if it was willing to withold it's collective wagers until the important stuff was dealt with.The problem is that there are probably too many conspiracy theorists in the players ranks.A solid group could probably be effective.


Mike