NYRA Officials Meet With Aqueduct Customers

In the first of a series of quarterly meetings, executives from the New York Racing Association took questions from customers in an hour-long question-and-answer session Nov. 15 at Aqueduct Racetrack.



Located in Longshots, the simulcast facility that opened in April, the meeting provided an opportunity for Chris Kay, NYRA president and CEO, to present the details of a $14 million investment in the Ozone Park facility. He highlighted new high-definition televisions and infield tote boards, new seating, and backstretch improvements that include more lighting and upgrades to dormitories. 



Kay was joined by senior vice president and chief experience officer Lynn LaRocca, senior vice president of racing operations Martin Panza, and vice president and chief revenue officer David O'Rourke. They responded to queries about the racing schedule, the future of Aqueduct, and the sport's customer base, touching on some of the issues that he discussed at NYRA's board meeting Nov. 12.



Though similar customer forums in the past have verged on confrontational, the dozen or so people who turned out Saturday seemed less interested in complaining than in offering suggestions and learning about the future of NYRA.



Some of the questions raised perennial concerns: the possibility of extending the meet at Saratoga Race Course, whether the Breeders' Cup will ever come back to New York, and the lack of cell and Wi-Fi service on Belmont Stakes day.



Asked whether NYRA would ever consider a spring meet at Saratoga, Kay responded with an unequivocal "No". He cited the recent changes to the Belmont Park spring schedule, including a revamped Belmont Stakes card and the inaugural Stars and Stripes program in July. He called the Belmont spring meet "bigger, better, bolder, and stronger" as a result.



He was more encouraging about the Breeders' Cup, saying that although the conflict with the New York City marathon and the potential for bad weather are obstacles, NYRA would be interested in pursuing hosting the event "if it can work". He added that NYRA board member Bobby Flay is a member of the Breeders' Cup board. 



Kay acknowledged that elements of the Belmont Stakes day customer experience were inadequate. He outlined plans for improved service on the Long Island Rail Road to and from Belmont, and for increased cellular service.



This year, with an announced crowd of more than 102,000, many patrons waited hours to get on a train after the races, at one point being asked to clear the platform because of concerns about structural unsoundness. Kay said that a variety of changes, including a $4 million investment by the Long Island Rail Road, will increase both capacity and speed for customers in 2015.



Describing himself as "angry and embarrassed" about cell and Wi-Fi capacity, Kay said that NYRA is in talks with providers to construct a permanent tower on Belmont property to improve service. 



The range of questions and comments indicated the diversity of concerns of NYRA's customers. One suggested that increased family activities, like bounce houses, would be a desirable addition to Aqueduct; another asked for increased seats at handicapping tournaments. 



Some concerns, such as new wagers to attract new customers and shifting race dates, are, as Kay, LaRocca, and Panza all pointed out, governed by state statute and cannot be easily changed, though they all agreed that reviewing the gambling product is a priority. NYRA met this week with the state Gaming Commission to discuss some of these topics.



Among the issues in the state's purview is night racing, which in New York is currently reserved for harness tracks. Noting the success of night events at other Thoroughbred tracks, Kay said it was something NYRA would consider.



"We know at other tracks there are night races that bring in a different crowd, so we're looking at what we can do there," he said.



Given the location of the meeting, it was not surprising that most of the participants seemed to be Aqueduct supporters. Though considered the least attractive of the three NYRA properties, Aqueduct also hosts the most racing, running from November through April.



While Kay indicated that the track would be closed for training from April to October for the first time in 2015 as a cost-saving measure, he also reiterated what he announced at Wednesday's board meeting: that the current board, whose term expires in October 2015, will not make a recommendation regarding Aqueduct's future. 



"We have to assume that we're going to operate at all three tracks for years to come," he said of the NYRA.