| In a startling, but not unexpected, move by the | | | | first time it has happened. Shifts in the economy |
| New York State Legislature announced on | | | | always affect attendance and revenue at race |
| Monday, May 24, 2010, NYRA (New York Racing | | | | tracks. Fortunately, the state's legislature has |
| Authority) received an immediate loan of | | | | recognized the problem and reacted quickly to it |
| $25,000,000 … desperately needed operational | | | | … in a very positive fashion. As a fan of |
| cash to keep the current Belmont Meet going and | | | | thoroughbred racing, you can discuss events like |
| to assure that the industry's most important | | | | this and other current news and stories about the |
| meet at Saratoga will have the funds necessary | | | | industry in one of the many forums available |
| to pay purses. This was big news and an | | | | online. It's a fact. There are numerous online horse |
| important step by the state's politicians to help a | | | | games or horse racing games online that are easy |
| struggling, but key industry, one that is vital to | | | | to access and also free. Once you access these |
| the economy of New York State. NYRA operates | | | | virtual horse games, you'll find that many of them |
| three thoroughbred tracks -- at Belmont Park … | | | | are designed to satisfy your passion for the |
| upstate in Saratoga … and at the winter meet | | | | sport, even give you a chance to "create |
| that takes place annually at Aqueduct Race Track. | | | | upcoming races at Belmont and Saratoga and, |
| In better economic times, the three tracks – | | | | perhaps, predict the outcome. That means you |
| and NYRA – have not needed help from the | | | | may be able to engage in virtual racing … also |
| state to remain open and operational. But, these | | | | anoint yourself as a jockey … or a trainer … |
| are not the best of times. The country and New | | | | compete against countless other fans … and, |
| York State are struggling economically. In New | | | | perhaps, most importantly, participate in free |
| York State, in particular, many people are out of | | | | Social Communities where you can discuss the |
| work and have little or no discretionary income. | | | | burning issues of the day, such as the recent loan |
| That hurts thoroughbred racing. When people | | | | to NYRA described earlier in this article. If you're a |
| need to cut back, they eliminate leisure pursuits | | | | true fan of horse racing and you like horse racing |
| and spend their limited resources on necessities | | | | games and social discourse, too, there can be no |
| like food, lodging and utilities. The reduced | | | | better destination for you than an online website |
| revenues affecting the three tracks are causing | | | | devoted to the incredible "Sport of Kings. |
| some economic concern now, but it is not the | | | | |