A Message From Joe Faraldo
2009 was a terrific year for harness racing here at the raceway where purses soared to record levels!!!! This year we paid out more than 50,000,000 in overnight purses as compared to 36,000, 000 in 2008, and a mere 11,000,000 in 2004, the last full year of racing prior to VL T enabling stature. As a result of our efforts Yonkers now boasts the highest yearly payout of all Harness Tracks in North America.
This Year, partnering with Yonkers Raceway, we held the inaugural Fall Harvest Festival which showcased not only horses bred in the State of New York, but all agricultural products produced in New York as well, wines, honey cider, you name it we had it. That same evening we hosted a legislative competition featuring Assemblyman Gary Pretlow, Assemblyman Rory Lancman, Senator Pedro Espada, Jr., Assemblyman Michael Benedetto, Assemblyman Nelson Castro, Assemblyman Michael Cusick, Assemblyman Michael DenDekker, Assemblyman Michael Spano and Assemblyman Tim Gordon. This effort was such a success that we will be doing it again this year, but will be adding dates and surprises as well.
The SOA works closely throughout the year with the Senior Management of Yonkers to be certain that matters of vital interest to our sport are addressed in a timely manner. We meet, on average, twice a month with raceway management to discuss purses, race conditions, safety, capital improvements and virtually any issue affecting racing. This year we are happy to report that after a one year absence The Night of Champions returns to Yonkers Raceway in 2010. We continue to interact with regulatory authorities with respect to recommending rule changes and modifications; supporting those changes which we believe will be beneficial to our sport and opposing others that we believe are detrimental, ill conceived and worse, ineffective. This year a significant amount of our attention will be devoted to Workers Compensation Reform and the OTB Bankruptcy proceeding, as both have significant impact on our members. Also, we continue to retain a lobbyist to be certain your opinions are heard and your interests protected in Albany. It was the SOA of NY through its lobbying efforts that helped procure the VL T Legalization that has led the way to the harness racing renaissance that we are now experiencing here at Yonkers. As a result of our lobbying efforts, we are protected in the legislation with guaranteed percentages and minimum race dates.
The SOA founded the SOA of NY Pac Inc., a political action committee, whose major objective is to provide support to political candidates that know, understand and support harness racing. It was also the SOA of NY that founded and is now a member of ESHHA, the Empire State Harness Horsemen's Alliance which is comprised of five of this states horsemen's organizations whose purpose is to share information, address issues common to all and take advantage of economies of scale where applicable.
We have had a busy year, but we also continue to manage a pension, medical and dental plan on behalf of our drivers, trainers and their backstretch employees. We award several scholarships during the course of the year and plan to increase those awards in the future. Liability and fire and disaster insurance as well as sulky damage reimbursement is a benefit provided to all SOA members. As the year progresses we anticipate higher purses, increased attendance and handle as well as great racing. As always we both encourage and welcome your comments and questions. Please feel to use the "Ask a Question" form on the Contact Us page or call us directly. On behalf of all the SOA directors and staff, I wish you all the success possible in both racing and in life.
In this first year of operation, it has admittedly been a learning experience for both horsemen and track management. We have seen dramatic purse increases, only to then realize the need for adjustment of levels to compensate for over-exuberant revenue calculations. The SOA instituted, then for several reasons found the need to suspend, a bonus program for loyal Yonkers horsemen. The great news is that the amount of 2008 race dates will afford us the potential for an enhanced purse structure, along with the possibility of reinstituting the bonus program at some point during the year.
As always, your questions, observations and input are both welcomed and desired. Don't hesitate to use the "Ask A Question" form on the Contact Us page, or call us directly. On behalf of all SOA directors and staff, I wish you all the success possible in both racing and in life.
This Year, partnering with Yonkers Raceway, we held the inaugural Fall Harvest Festival which showcased not only horses bred in the State of New York, but all agricultural products produced in New York as well, wines, honey cider, you name it we had it. That same evening we hosted a legislative competition featuring Assemblyman Gary Pretlow, Assemblyman Rory Lancman, Senator Pedro Espada, Jr., Assemblyman Michael Benedetto, Assemblyman Nelson Castro, Assemblyman Michael Cusick, Assemblyman Michael DenDekker, Assemblyman Michael Spano and Assemblyman Tim Gordon. This effort was such a success that we will be doing it again this year, but will be adding dates and surprises as well.
The SOA works closely throughout the year with the Senior Management of Yonkers to be certain that matters of vital interest to our sport are addressed in a timely manner. We meet, on average, twice a month with raceway management to discuss purses, race conditions, safety, capital improvements and virtually any issue affecting racing. This year we are happy to report that after a one year absence The Night of Champions returns to Yonkers Raceway in 2010. We continue to interact with regulatory authorities with respect to recommending rule changes and modifications; supporting those changes which we believe will be beneficial to our sport and opposing others that we believe are detrimental, ill conceived and worse, ineffective. This year a significant amount of our attention will be devoted to Workers Compensation Reform and the OTB Bankruptcy proceeding, as both have significant impact on our members. Also, we continue to retain a lobbyist to be certain your opinions are heard and your interests protected in Albany. It was the SOA of NY through its lobbying efforts that helped procure the VL T Legalization that has led the way to the harness racing renaissance that we are now experiencing here at Yonkers. As a result of our lobbying efforts, we are protected in the legislation with guaranteed percentages and minimum race dates.
The SOA founded the SOA of NY Pac Inc., a political action committee, whose major objective is to provide support to political candidates that know, understand and support harness racing. It was also the SOA of NY that founded and is now a member of ESHHA, the Empire State Harness Horsemen's Alliance which is comprised of five of this states horsemen's organizations whose purpose is to share information, address issues common to all and take advantage of economies of scale where applicable.
We have had a busy year, but we also continue to manage a pension, medical and dental plan on behalf of our drivers, trainers and their backstretch employees. We award several scholarships during the course of the year and plan to increase those awards in the future. Liability and fire and disaster insurance as well as sulky damage reimbursement is a benefit provided to all SOA members. As the year progresses we anticipate higher purses, increased attendance and handle as well as great racing. As always we both encourage and welcome your comments and questions. Please feel to use the "Ask a Question" form on the Contact Us page or call us directly. On behalf of all the SOA directors and staff, I wish you all the success possible in both racing and in life.
In this first year of operation, it has admittedly been a learning experience for both horsemen and track management. We have seen dramatic purse increases, only to then realize the need for adjustment of levels to compensate for over-exuberant revenue calculations. The SOA instituted, then for several reasons found the need to suspend, a bonus program for loyal Yonkers horsemen. The great news is that the amount of 2008 race dates will afford us the potential for an enhanced purse structure, along with the possibility of reinstituting the bonus program at some point during the year.
As always, your questions, observations and input are both welcomed and desired. Don't hesitate to use the "Ask A Question" form on the Contact Us page, or call us directly. On behalf of all SOA directors and staff, I wish you all the success possible in both racing and in life.
Our organization was founded in 1965, and since that time, we have
diligently represented the Owners, Trainers, and Drivers here at
Yonkers Raceway.
diligently represented the Owners, Trainers, and Drivers here at
Yonkers Raceway.
Copyright 2010 Standardbred Owners Association of New York
Standardbred Owners Association
of New York