His posthumously published, ‘This Was Racing’, contains a lovely tribute to Saratoga racing. It’s most repeated line is, “A man who would change it would stir champagne.”

Since Palmer’s day, Saratoga lost one of the nicest traditions in American sports when the lovely old paddock was replaced with a pari-mutual annex and fans were moved farther from the saddling area. A few years back NYRA began to require badges (state licensing) in order to view the work-outs at the Oklahoma or access the backside of the main track. Legitimate racing enthusiasts were pushed farther from the horses.

In 2005, NYRA implemented detention barns, requiring horses to report to monitored barns six hours before their scheduled race. This practice has failed to stop the cheaters; its logistics cause difficulties for horsemen and increases stress on the horses. The reason for the detention barns would becomes a moot point if the penalties for illegal or ill-timed drugs were to be made apropos.

Provide a level playing field and allow fans to get safely near the horses.  Put the horses, owners, trainers and fans back into the equation and racing will enjoy renewed popularity. These are problems we can hope racing will fix, but for now we have to concern ourselves with even bigger issues.  

The ownership of the land NYRA tracks occupy is in question and the disparity in how much NYRA owes in back taxes ($16 million versus $1.6 billion) is an absurdity. What about the races themselves, who owns them? If another entity takes over the franchise, can NYRA claim to own signature races? 

Last week, a panel of racing industry leaders met in a forum at the National Museum of Racing.

They delivered a great deal of valuable information and emphasized the importance of getting the franchise situation settled. Rick Violette aired optimism that our politicians will not send New York racing on furlough. James Bond expressed the negative economic impact horsemen would suffer if racing were to be interrupted and Nick Zito, via telephone, emotionally expressed “what a gift” Saratoga racing is and gave due reverence to the added benefits the Oklahoma training track furnishes. Charles Hayward, CEO and President of NYRA, was less optimistic the following day that racing would continue uninterrupted. The NYRA franchise agreement expires on Dec. 31. The stakes are escalating with every passing day. Many feel confident that our champagne will not be stirred. After all, everyone knows that Saratoga is the “August place to be.” It represents American racing at his highest level and attendance is growing every year. The state depends on the huge tax revenues generated by thoroughbred racing. The “City in the Country” has prospered over the years, and the racing industry deserves credit. 

The “Crown Jewel” of American racing has become a pawn on political chess boards while other gambling venues are feeding revenue into government coffers. The temperature in the champagne cooler needs to be checked now! The public seems quite capable of being weaned off racing and just as a calf can be weaned from its mother and raised on a bucket; gamblers can gain sustenance other ways.

The sale of real estate is the quickest way to generate money and to choose that course may tempt our politicians or new management.  Running racetracks is not a game for neophytes and Australian experience may not transition smoothly to the northern hemisphere. NYRA has its own Achilles heels but its past performance charts success in putting on the races. To “fix” NYRA will not be easy but to trellis old vines rather than to pull the grapes up by the roots might well be the wisest choice. 

The number of racino and simulcast players who rent or buy homes, shop in our stores, or dine in our restaurants pales alongside the participation from live racing crowds.  Green space cannot be preserved by machines which eat vouchers. To quote Dr. Rene Dubos from his seminal book, ‘Celebrations of Life’; “Man shapes himself through decisions that shape his environment.”

The future of the racing industry in New York will shape us, our economy and our environment for a long time to come. Beware of temporary fixes. It is time to put lip chains on our politicians and lead them toward our well-being. Great traditions are at peril and a vital industry is sitting on tilt. 

Drinking bubbly champagne in the winner’s circle is the place to be and will remain the place to be IF our politicians open and close the right gates for the right reasons.

A Champagne Toast to Saratoga Racing- Marilyn Lane