Nonsense in Newsday

Newsday columnist Raymond J. Keating takes some cheap shots at NYRA in a column that essentially begs for Churchill Downs to take over the New York racing franchise. Keating's arguments are ill informed, off the mark, and generally lose sight of what really matters: It's the racing, stupid!

He draws his conclusions after a tour of Churchill Downs during a non-racing day, which included a trip to the Kentucky Derby museum, a "well-stocked gift shop," and a "fine lunch."

My visit during a nonracing period on the calendar (Kentucky's spring meet finished at Churchill on July 16) turned out to be far more interesting and enjoyable than what I've experienced on actual race days at Aqueduct and Belmont.

Quite simply, it's apparent that Churchill Downs is run as a business focused on providing a pleasing and full experience for customers.

 

But, what about the racing Ray? Churchill does have an impressive physical plant, but excluding Derby week the quality of racing is well below that of New York, and even in-state Kentucky competitor Keeneland. Give NYRA some credit for still managing to maintain the highest-quality U.S. racing (and the most desirable signal) offering despite a clumsy, stultifying operating structure as a "quasi-governmental, non-profit entity." Change is neeeded (and certain) but the Churchill-ization of New York racing is what is needed. Churchill's management of Hollywood and Calder isn't too inspiring. Arlington Park is a gem but the quality of racing is unfortunately minor league.

Keating also appears ignorant of Churchill's unholy alliance with Magna Entertainment to jointly pursue a bid for the New York racing franchise. Magna has degraded every racing asset it's touched. Keating just need ask Newsday's actual horse racing columnist, Paul Moran, for insight on how much worse things could become if Magna was involved.

Keating's conclusion is downright horrifying.

In particular, though, let's hope that Belmont Park gets the respect and vast improvements it deserves. After all, as host to the Belmont Stakes, the third leg of the Triple Crown, its history is as rich as Churchill Downs' and the Kentucky Derby's.

Churchill Downs Inc. not only runs its famed Kentucky track, but also owns six others around the country. Wouldn't it be ironic if it took Churchill Downs to revitalize Belmont Park? New York racing could do worse. Indeed, it has for some time.

What are these vast improvements that Belmont deserves? Slots? A shopping mall? A nicer gift shop? Some nice pointy spires on top of the grandstand? Keating doesn't say and would have you believe that Belmont resembles a New York City OTB parlor. Talk about no respect. Belmont is an absolute gem. There's no better place to enjoy a race. It's doesn't need revitalization. And certainly not the type of 'revitalization' that Churchill-Magna has in mind.

Newsday:Our racetracks are too slow to improve