Beer cans popped open. The pages of The Daily Racing Form rustled. A voice boomed through the loudspeakers, accompanying the replays of the previous day’s races. And in the near distance, the whirling turnstiles at Saratoga Race Course clattered rhythmically, admitting some patrons only once, but others — those who came to spin, not to…
At two opening week appearances, NYRA executives presented a rosy picture of New York racing over the last year. CEO and president Chris Kay and senior vice president of racing operations Martin Panza met with the media last Wednesday afternoon and with the public last Wednesday evening at the annual meet preview hosted by the…
A year after his first experience with the intense scrutiny that comes with the opening of the Saratoga Racecourse meet, a more confident, knowledgeable, and experienced Chris Kay once again invited members of the media to discuss the racing season and the future of the New York Racing Association. Kay took over as NYRA president and CEO…
Next week in Lexington, Kentucky, The Jockey Club will hold its fifth Welfare and Safety of the Racehorse Summit. Inaugurated in 2006 and held bi-annually, these summits are designed to improve the safety and soundness of Thoroughbred horses and bring together racetrack operators, trainers, veterinarians, and scientists. Among those presenting at the summit, which will…
California Chrome didn’t win the Triple Crown, but within hours of his failed bid to make racing history, the New York Racing Association was nonetheless declaring Belmont Stakes day a success, pointing to high attendance and record-setting handle numbers. Official attendance was 102,199, lower than the announced (and oft-questioned) attendance of 120,139 in 2004, Smarty…
Since Chris Kay became CEO and president of the New York Racing Association nearly a year ago, he has repeatedly said that one of his goals for the organization’s customers is an “enhanced guest experience.” Bringing experience at Toys ‘R’ Us and Universal Parks and Resorts to his position at the racetrack, he has made…
At Saratoga Race Course last summer, Chris Kay proved himself to be a man who likes a big event, as he embraced a summer of stakes and celebrations in honor of 150 years of racing in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. Through the fall, winter, and early spring, Kay’s profile was decidedly lower, but as he approaches…
Optimism was evident May 28 as the board of directors of the New York Racing Association heard Chris Kay, president and CEO, detail a number of improvements customers can expect on what could be an historic Belmont Stakes (gr. I) day.Also fueling the optimism was the realization of a number of capital projects at Aqueduct Racetrack.…
As reported by Daily Racing Form’s David Grening, Eric Wing announced last week that he would be leaving NYRA at the end of the current Aqueduct meet, putting the organization in need of a new director of communications and media relations. Posted on the NYRA website, the qualifications for the position are: 10+ years of strategic…
There is no sound more exciting to the racetrack customer than the trenchant, nasal exclamation of “They’re off!” by Fred Capossela. With this brief expression, the New York track announcer sums up the promise of clamorous jockeys, flailing whips and eager-to-race horses springing from the starting gate. (Tuite) Capossela was NYRA’s track announcer for 37…
Brooklyn Backstretch 