Comments on: MINOR TAKES ON MAGNA

By: Paulick Report » Blog Archive » PAULICK REPORT 2008: WE REPORTED, YOU DECIDED

Wed, 24 Dec 2008 14:25:39 +0000

[...] Report is proud to be a small part of the discussion that led to this appropriate outcome. 7) Minor Takes On Magna – In case you missed it, Halsey Minor is not a big fan of Magna Entertainment, Frank Stronach [...]

By: Paulick Report » Blog Archive » TOP TEN THINGS YOU MAY HAVE LEARNED ONLY BY READING THE PAULICK REPORT

Thu, 25 Sep 2008 12:42:38 +0000

[...] and has since profited to the tune of hundreds of millions of dollars. 9. Internet entrepreneur Halsey Minor inquired about purchasing Magna Entertainment racetracks in California and Maryland but was [...]

By: Halsey Minor, Uniformity & Fisticuffs

Halsey Minor, Uniformity & Fisticuffs — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 23:42:17 +0000

[...] In a recent interview in the Paulick Report, I found out that I really like Halsey Minor. Minor is a founder of CNET, a very successful internet firm which sold for almost $2.0B and he wants to buy and restore Hialeah in Florida. Why does a guy who worked in the Internet where tomorrow happens today want a piece of the racing business where tomorrow happens a decade from now? I don’t know, but he appears to like racing. And he handles things like many I know in the Internet business - with common sense and no nonsense. The prose between him and a Magna Executive when discussing buying some Magna interests is pretty priceless, as reported by Ray Paulick, check it out if you are interested. [...]

By: Halsey Minor, Uniformity & Fisticuffs

Halsey Minor, Uniformity & Fisticuffs — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 23:42:17 +0000

By: Halsey Minor

Halsey Minor — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 18:05:39 +0000

I think its too early to make a determination about the surface. On the hand the park is famed for its forgiving surface, yet on the other hand i don’t want to see the industry further fragmented (dirt, poly, grass). What I am hearing about poly is that it is living up to its reputation with regards to injuries but that it is degrading so quickly that it may be cost prohibitive to redo the surface every 4 years. Anyway we will have more data in time and its good to know that if we stay dirt, we got the best.

As for the Breeders Cup I would prefer a 1 day meet. The most successful days in racing are really the most concentrated (Triple Crown). Not one race other than the triple crown events are shown on network tv. There is a reason for that. I personally think things need to be fast and concentrated. The days of the 2 martini lunch are unfortunately gone. Instead we are all busy as hell keeping the balls in the air. The sport has to understand the lives of fans and not the other way around.

By: Indulto

Indulto — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 01:02:39 +0000

Mr.. Minor,
Do you plan to retain a true dirt track at Hialeah or install a synthetic surface (perhaps in addition to dirt and turf)? Would you offer to host the Breeders’ Cup in some permanent or semi-permanent fashion? Do you have any thoughts on the expansion of the Breeders’ Cup to two consecutive days as opposed to multiple days throughout the year or some other variation?

By: Mnhcp

Mnhcp — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 02:19:31 +0000

Okay everyone, Frank rolled the dice and lost. Let’s stop ripping him. I’m terribly disgusted with Gulfstream not being fan friendly but he tried and failed. Had he not tried, things could even be worse off. For example, Laurel and Pimlico could be ashes. Remington was on the verge of closing it’s doors. There’d have been no racing in Michigan for the last several years had they not acquired GLD. He elevated the excitement then now it’s in decline…so what. He bought the time! Let’s give MEC some credit! He bought time (and screwed up GP). No one has the Crystal Ball.

If it wasn’t for Frank’s FU with GP, this possibility wouldn’t exist for Minor.

I will say I’m excited for Halsey’s passion. He too rolled the dice and won. Go get ‘em Minor!

By: LCM

LCM — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 00:38:34 +0000

Let’s not forget that not too long ago Mr. Stronach was considered “new guy” and the OJC (Ontario Jockey Club) were the “old guards”. I admire Mr. Minor’s will to return Hialeah to it’s rightful place in racing. Such a fabulous racetrack should be brought back to life without question. It has the potential to be full of glamour, elegance, excitement…basically everything 99% of current racetracks now lack. Stronach if a victim of his own ego and lack of any “checks and balances”.

By: sissyfisher@prodigy.net

sissyfisher@prodigy.net — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 19:52:47 +0000

I thoroughly agree with Mr. Minor, that Mr. Stronach has just about ruined horse racing in this country. Especially in Maryland where he has shut down Pimlico racetrack for training and they will only run one month a year at this famous old track. Laurel borrows money from Pimlico and yet they leave it open.

By: Jon Luman

Jon Luman — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 00:33:37 +0000

Restoring Hialeah is the best first step that could be made in bringing the industry into the 21st century and restoring it as a premier sport in America. There is no better place to build this model. I believe that Halsey Minor has the vision to do this well, long may he run.