Stakeholders from throughout New York State’s racing and agricultural industries announced on Monday, February 6 2012, the formation of a new advocacy group, The New York Horse Racing and Agriculture Industry Alliance, whose mission is to secure support for/protection of these critically important industries in any amendment to New York’s constitution to allow for full-scale commercial casinos.  This new group – which brings together for the first time New York State horsemen, breeders, farmers and agricultural industry representatives – is an informational alliance charged with protecting the current and future interests of a horse racing/agriculture industry that is responsible for 40,000 jobs across New York State.

What’s At Stake:

New York State’s racing-based Video Lottery Terminal (VLT) initiative was created by the New York State Legislature with the dual purpose of funding education and supporting a horse racing industry that is a major job-generator across virtually every region of the state.  The success of VLTs at New York’s harness tracks – and the significant economic multiplier effect of increased purse money invested back in our racing, breeding and agriculture industries – has led directly to a harness renaissance that has seen record prices at horse sales for New York-breds, tens of millions of dollars in investments in new breeding farms and agriculture here, and an influx of individuals in the racing game into New York State.  A similar renaissance in the thoroughbred racing and breeding industries is now beginning with the opening of the Aqueduct VLT facility.

Alliance Mission:

In light of all of these positive, proven economic gains, the Alliance believes that any legislative proposal to allow full-scale commercial casinos must include strong protections/legal mandates for these new gaming opportunities to provide similar contributions to the state’s job-intensive racing and agriculture industries.  

New York’s courts have endorsed the two concurrent goals of New York’s VLT initiative – securing continuing revenue for New York education and supporting racing/agriculture – and this critically important dual mission should not be compromised by any proposed constitutional amendment and/or enabling legislation.

Members of the Alliance – which is an informal, informational alliance of existing groups and organizations with similar interests, goals and messages, and which requests no dues and does not intend to expend independent funds – said:

“While we study new ways to stimulate the economy in our state, it is vitally important that we weigh each decision to make sure that we continue to preserve and protect industries that already support tens of thousands of jobs,” said Dean Norton President of New York Farm Bureau. “The equine industry that includes farmers and breeders is a perfect example. Any move toward full scale casino gambling must include specific provisions that will continue the State’s long-standing policy of using such revenues to support New York Racing and Agriculture. This is a case where it is very important to look closely before we leap.”

Jeffrey Cannizzo, Executive Director of the NY Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc, stated, “The first topic to come up in most discussions of the gaming and racing industry is jobs. The fact is, the vast majority of the work force in gaming and racing comes directly or indirectly from the equine industry. The associations joining forces in this alliance represent a bloc of tax-paying workers 40,000 strong, who are employed from the breeding shed to the shed row and everywhere in between. We want to make sure that legislators hear the message that New York needs to protect the futures of such a large group with so much to contribute to the economic health of our state.”

Joe Faraldo, President of the Standardbred Owners Association of New York – and speaking on behalf of the Empire State Harness Horsemen’s Alliance – concluded, “While we know legislators are hearing from casino and racino owners about their interests, they will now also hear for the first time from an Alliance that represents the tens of thousands of New York horse owners, trainers, veterinarians, farmers, feed suppliers, breeders, grooms, blacksmiths and others who could potentially see their livelihoods threatened should a constitutional amendment be adopted without specific protections and support for New York racing and agriculture.”

Betty Holt, Executive Director of Harness Horse Breeders of NYS, states, “As a breeding organization representing the statewide interests of the Standardbred breeding industry, it is our responsibility to protect and enhance the revenue stream for agriculture and the economy in general within NYS.  Harness Horse Breeders of New York State seeks to advance and improve the breeding and quality of New York-eligible trotters and pacers, while increasing public awareness and enthusiasm for the sport of Harness Racing.”

New York Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association President Rick Violette Jr. said, “The New York Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association represents 5,000 members in an industry that supports some 40,000 jobs.  The revenue provided by Genting’s gaming venture at Aqueduct Racetrack has created even more jobs, and contributed to the improving health of our industry. We will follow with keen interest developments regarding expanded gaming, a convention center at Aqueduct, or any initiative that could affect our continued growth. While we would support any proposal that would prove positive for our industry and increase our already significant impact on the economy statewide, we would certainly be watchful for anything that might adversely affect the thousands of jobs, and hundreds of thousands of acres of green space, dependent upon us.”

Members of the New York Horse Racing and Agriculture Industry include:

Empire State Harness Horsemen’s Alliance
Harness Horse Association of Central NY
Harness Horse Breeders of New York State
Monticello Harness Horsemen’s Association
New York Farm Bureau
New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc.
New York Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association
Saratoga Harness Horseperson’s Association
Standardbred Owners Association of NY
Western NY Harness Horsemen’s Association

The New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc. (NYTB) announced the nominees for the New York-Bred Divisional Champions of 2011 on Monday. New York turf writers, handicappers, chart callers, racing analysts and others will vote on the winners in each division. The voters will also choose a New York-Bred Horse of the Year.

All the winners and their connections will be honored at NYTB’s Annual Awards Banquet on the evening of April 2, 2012 at the Saratoga National Golf Club in Saratoga Springs, New York. Also to be honored at the banquet will be Steeplechase Champion, Broodmare of the Year, Breeder of the Year, and leading New York-bred trainer and jockey.

The nominees for the 2011 New York-bred Divisional Champions are:

Obituary, courtesy of Newstimes.com:

James Edwards

James F. Edwards died peacefully on Tuesday morning, January 24, 2012 at his home in Meadow Ridge, Redding CT with his devoted wife, Harriet by his side. James was born July 15, 1917 in Brooklyn, NY the son of the late James F. Edwards IV and the late Ellen Mary (Keane) Edwards. Jim grew up in Yonkers, NY before attending Brown University, where he graduated Magnum Cum Laude in 1939. After Pearl Harbor, he enlisted in the United States Navy, serving as a 1st Lieutenant in Hawaii where he married army nurse Harriet Long when the war ended. During the war, the Navy sent Jim to the California Institute of Technology to learn Aeronautical Engineering, and when the war was over he furthered his education by studying Industrial Management at Columbia University. In 1949, he helped to found Manifold Business Forms Company in Chicago, IL where, as Chief Engineer, he designed state-of-the-art machines that made the company a leader in the new computerized business forms industry. Following this success, he went on to become owner and President of Churchill Business Forms in Newton, CT. Jim indulged his passion for Thoroughbred Racing by becoming a successful breeder of race horses. As the owner of Keane Stud in Amenia, NY and the Stallion Park in Millbrook, he was active in the New York State Breeder’s Association and twice received the ‘New York State Breeder of the Year’ award. Determined to give back to the community, Jim served as Trustee, Director and Treasurer of Danbury Hospital and was Chairman of the Finance Board of Town of Redding. He also served on the Boards of numerous industrial, financial, and non-profit agencies. Most recently, he established a permanent scholarship fund in mathematics at Brown University. James is survived by his wife of 66 years, Harriet Edwards, his four children James F. Edwards VI and wife Dena Quilici, Elizabeth (Missy) Lane, Margaret Edwards, and Alison Oles and husband Tom Oles, as well as six grandchildren, James F. Edwards VII and wife Christina Lovely, Tyler Edwards, Maggie Lane Meybohm and husband Ethan Meybohm, Katie Lane, Alexander Edwards, Larry Oles, Leah Oles, and three great-grandchildren, Connor and Tyler James Meybohm, and Olivia Lovely Edwards. Jim will be sorely missed by all who were fortunate enough to have known him. The family wishes to thank the staff of Danbury Hospital and Dr. David Weinshel in particular for the exceptional care and support offered to Jim Edwards. Services and burial at St. Mary Cemetery in Ridgefield CT will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Danbury Hospital Development Fund, 24 Hospital Avenue, Danbury, CT 06810. The Green Funeral Home, 57 Main Street, Danbury is in charge of arrangements.

The NYTB Board of Directors voted to donate $10,000 to the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation (TRF). Additionally, newly-elected NYTB Board member Michael Lischin of Dutchess Views Farm added a private donation to the TRF in the amount of $5,000.

NYTB Executive Director Jeffrey Cannizzo said, “I’m pleased and proud that NYTB, a small not-for-profit organization, is able to make a direct financial contribution to the TRF. Beyond that, we are working with the wide variety of industry organizations in the state to secure long-term funding plans that will protect the future of retired racehorses in New York.”

Diana Pikulski, who is a member of the TRF Board of Directors and serves as the organization’s Director of External Affairs, said, “The Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation is deeply grateful to the New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc. for their generous support of our racehorse retirement efforts.  This gift is a tangible vote on confidence in the work that we do and will help us continue to provide for the post-racing needs of the horses on whom our sport depends.”

NYTB Board President Barry R. Ostrager

The NYTB Board of Directors held its first meeting of 2012 on Thursday, January 19. The newly-seated Board unanimously re-elected Barry R. Ostrager to serve another two-year term as Board President. Board Vice-President Thomas J. Gallo, III and Secretary / Treasurer Vivien Malloy will serve the second year of two-year terms in 2012.

Five members of the 11-person NYTB Board who served two-year terms from 2010 to 2011 were re-elected to serve as Directors from 2012 to 2013:

• Jerry Bilinski, DVM, owner of Waldorf Farm and Equine Medical Center in North Chatham
• Chester Broman, owner of Chestertown Farm in Chestertown
• Joanne T. Nielsen, owner of Sunnyfield Farm in Bedford
• Suzie O’Cain, co-manager of Highcliff Farm in Delanson
• Barry R. Ostrager, principle owner of Questroyal Stud

One Director joins the NYTB Board for the first time for a two-year term:

• Michael Lischin, owner of Dutchess Views Farm, in Pine Plains, a boarding and breeding facility that stands five stallions, including top-ten New York Sire Roaring Fever

Five NYTB board members are serving the second year of two-year terms in 2012:

• Lois Engel, owner of Pucker Ridge Farm in Warrensburg
• Thomas J. Gallo, III, founder and managing owner of Parting Glass Racing and Thomas J. Gallo III Sales Agency, LLC, and owner of Blue Stone Farm in Cambridge
• Vivien Malloy, owner of Edition Farm in Hyde Park
• John McMahon, owner and manager of Old Saratoga Thoroughbreds outside Saratoga Springs
• Chris Purdy, DDS, owner of Ivy League Farm in Ithaca

Board President Ostrager, who also sits on the NYRA Board of Directors, said, “I hope to work with the NYTB Board and other industry stakeholders in 2012 and beyond to maintain the New York breeding program on its current dramatic upward trajectory.”

New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc. will be conducting its annual Stallion Season Auction from Thursday, January 26 through Sunday, January 29, 2012. The auction will be held online through the Starquine bidding platform at www.starquine.com.

The annual auction supports NYTB and its PAC in the work of promoting the welfare of New York’s Thoroughbred industry and ensuring that the state’s breeders are heard in debates impacting the breeding and racing industry.

(***Seasons in asterisk have been donated to the PAC.  Seasons without asterisk have been donated to NYTB.***)

Click here to read more about NYTB PAC.

The New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc. (NYTB) concluded its annual Board of Directors election on Monday, December 5th 2011. This year NYTB members voted to fill six seats on the 11-person Board for candidates who will serve a two-year term from January 1, 2012 through December 31, 2013.

The winning candidates are:

• Jerry Bilinski, DVM, owner of Waldorf Farm and Equine Medical Center
• Chester Broman, owner of Chestertown Farm
• Michael Lischin, owner of Dutchess Views Farm
• Joanne Nielsen, owner of Sunnyfield Farm
• Suzie O’Cain, co-manager of Highcliff Farm
• Barry Ostrager, principle owner of Questroyal Stud

Five of the winning candidates are currently serving on the NYTB Board of Directors. Michael Lischin will serve on the NYTB Board for the first time.

Five current members of the NYTB Board will serve the second year of their two-year terms in 2012:

• Lois Engel, owner of Pucker Ridge Farm
• Thomas J. Gallo, III, founder and managing owner of Parting Glass Racing and Thomas J. Gallo III Sales Agency, LLC; owner of Blue Stone Farm
• Vivien Malloy, owner of Edition Farm
• John McMahon, owner and manager of Old Saratoga Thoroughbreds
• Chris Purdy, DDS, owner of Ivy League Farm

Whittemore, Dowen & Ricciardelli, LLP, an accounting firm from Queensbury, NY, collected the ballots, tabulated and certified the election results and reported them to NYTB on December 5th.

Click here to see the letter from Whittemore, Dowen & Ricciardelli, LLP certifying the results of the election.

Wildcat's Smile bests boys in New York Breeders' Futurity 10/1/11 (Stephanie Van Minos/Tom Cooley)

New York-breds appeared early and often at the annual Finger Lakes Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association awards dinner on Saturday, including garnering the honors for Best 2-Year-Old and Best 3-Year-Old Filly.

Francis Paolangeli’s homebred Wildcat’s Smile won the award for Best 2-Year-Old. Winner of the New York Breeders’ Futurity and runner-up in the Lady Finger Stakes, the daughter of Forest Wildcat would go on to run second in the Joseph A. Gimma at Belmont Park on Showcase Day.

Nicole's Miss El (6FL 9/26/11, Stephanie Van Minos/Tom Cooley)

With a record of four victories and third-place finish in allowance competition at Finger Lakes, and a runner-up finish in the Union Avenue S. at Saratoga, Ron Kiser’s homebred Nicole’s Miss El was named Best 3-Year-Old Filly.

Horses received awards in twelve different categories. Horse of the Year Honors and the award for Best Allowance Female went to Florida-bred 2010 stakes-winner Lisa’s Booby Trap (Drewman). There was a tie in the voting for Best Condition Allowance Male between Fifty Sense and Toque.

Below is a complete listing of the 2011 award winners:

2011 Finger Lakes H.B.P.A. Awards (NY-Breds in Red)

Best $4,000 Claimer (Colt, Horse or Gelding) – New York Style
Best $4,000 Claimer (Filly or Mare) – Victorious Devil
Best $5,000-$7,500 Claimer (Colt, Horse or Gelding) – Brock N Roll
Best $5,000-$7,500 Claimer (Filly or Mare) – Lexy May Blessing
Best Condition Allowance (Colt, Horse or Gelding) – Fifty Sense/Toque (Tie)
Best Condition Allowance (Filly or Mare) – Turned to Gold
Best Allowance (Colt, Horse or Gelding) – Ryan’s Gift
Best Allowance (Filly or Mare) – Lisa’s Booby Trap
Best 3-Year-Old Colt or Gelding – Motion to Appeal
Best 3-Year-Old Filly – Nicole’s Miss El
Best 2-Year-Old – Wildcat’s Smile
Horse of the Year – Lisa’s Booby Trap

Photo: NYRA/Adam Coglianese

Yesterday, Friday, October 28, 2011 at 1:00 PM, exactly one year to the day after the ground-breaking ceremony, the Resorts World New York Casino opened its doors for business after a late-morning ribbon cutting ceremony.

Tens of thousands of visitors attended the opening, arriving via the A Train North Conduit subway stop, the Q37 bus stop and even nearby JFK International Airport.  By the end of 2011 the property will feature a new covered skybridge connecting the Aqueduct MTA station directly to the casino.

Photo: Lois Engel

On their way to the Times Square Casino, visitors pass through an entrance featuring a “Light of Nations” sculpture, with 193 individual hand-blown glass bulbs representing each of the United Nations member countries around the globe.

Photo: NYRA/Adam Coglianese

The Times Square Casino contains 2,485 Video Lottery Terminals (VLTs) and Electronic Table Games (ETGs). The Bar 360 Lounge offers panoramic views of Aqueduct Racetrack and the Aqueduct Buffet offers a variety of dining options.

At the ribbon cutting ceremony, KT Lim, Chairman and Chief Executive of the Genting Group, the parent company of Resorts World said, “We are incredibly grateful to the leaders of the State of New York and the Lottery for allowing us the privilege of opening this wonderful facility. Since breaking ground a year ago, we have had the extraordinary experience of working with a dedicated group of government, civic and political leaders, a tremendous construction crew and a welcoming community.”

Michael Speller, President of Resorts World New York added, “We are thrilled to welcome the public to this extraordinary new entertainment venue which will permanent employ 1,350 New Yorkers, of which 89 percent are either minority and women. With 41,000 applicants for these 1,350 jobs, Resorts World New York City will work hard with the State and leadership to find more ways to create even more jobs – as many as tens of thousands – on our site as soon as possible. Today’s grand opening was the chance for our employees to share with first of many guests the truly unique experience of Resorts World Casino New York City.”

NYTB Director Vivien Malloy (Photo: Lois Engel)

After attending the opening, NYTB Director and Secretary/Treasurer Vivien Malloy reported, “It was awesome, with plenty of windows and huge wide decks to go out and see the track and this is only the first floor!” Mrs. Malloy added, “There were tons of people waiting to come in, and that was only one side of the building. From the other side was an equally long line of people.” NYTB director Lois Engel forwarded photos.

By the end of the year, Resorts World will unveil the 5th Avenue Casino and Crockfords Casino on the second floor featuring 2,515 additional VLTs and ETGs; the Central Park Events Center housing the largest event space in Queens; and new upscale signature dining options like RW Prime Steakhouse and the authentic Chinese-themed Genting Palace.

Photo: Lois Engel

At the time of the opening, the crowd lined up at the entrances began a brief chant of “Open the gate!” Friday afternoon, Speller released the following statement:

“We are overcome with the absolutely wonderful welcome the new Resorts World Casino New York City at Aqueduct has received today. Due to overwhelming demand at the much-anticipated grand opening, we ask that visitors who would prefer to not wait on line please come back and visit Resorts World next week, once the excitement around opening day subsides somewhat.”

Lois Engel added, “When I left the Island, the traffic reports were to avoid Rockaway Blvd. because it was gridlock with the traffic from the racino.”

Shortly before the last race was run on New York Showcase Day, the New York Breeding & Development Fund (the Fund) announced that there will be a 50% across-the-board increase in breeders’ awards for both New York- and non-New York-sired horses in 2012, and substantial increases in the earnings cap for each category.

Currently, for all races run in New York State, New York-sired New York-breds earn 20% of the winner’s portion of the purse for first place, and 10% for second and third. In 2012 the awards will increase to 30%, 15% and 15%, respectively. The current levels for non New York-sired New York-breds will increase from 10%, 5% and 5% for first, second and third to 15%, 7.5% and 7.5 %.

Additionally, the Fund will increase the earnings’ cap for New York-sired New York-breds in 2012 by 300%, from $10,000 per award to $40,000. The cap for non-New York-sired New York-breds will go from $10,000 to $20,000 per award, up 100%.

New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc. Executive Director Jeffrey Cannizzo said, “Raising the breeder’s awards percentages is yet another message to breeders across the country that New York is open for business and the incentives and purses here are up for grabs. If you have mares and are contemplating the move, simply take a look at the numbers: 600-plus restricted races with $35M-plus in state-bred purses and an incentive Breeding Fund worth upwards of $17 million in 2012.”

Cannizzo continued, “Raising the awards by 50% across the board will further increase the net worth of New York-bred foals and hopefully get more cash back into breeder and owners hands.  We took an additional stride towards rewarding excellence by raising the cap on Breeders’ Awards.  Now the sky is virtually the limit for breeders whose horses are winning purses of significant value. They will be rewarded for excellence.  There is endless opportunity here with great upside for every class of breeder.”