News & notes

With 11 games left, the Tri-City Valleycats could be facing elimination from playoff consideration for the third time in four years.

After getting drilled by Hudson Valley, 12-5, on Friday, the two teams travel to Dutchess Stadium in Wappingers Falls today for the final meeting of the season between the two clubs. The Renegades have won all 8 games so far vs. Tri-City, which has never been swept in a season series in franchise history. You'll recall that Tri-City beat Hudson Valley to win the NY-Penn League title last year, so this is revenge with interest.
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Back in the day, the NY Racing Association (NYRA) never had to cram so many stakes races onto a card to support one of their tentpole attractions at Saratoga.

Today's 13 race card, already underway as of this writing, literally is half-full with stakes races, including the 150th running of the Travers, which will be the 11th race on the card. To accomodate television, particularly Fox, the Travers will go off at 5:45 pm, as the last of six stakes races. By the end of the race, most folks will be streaming for the exits, and only the hardcore racing fans will stay for the final two races, the last of which will go off sometime before 7.

I can relate. In 1985, I was part of a group that went to the track on Travers Day. Back then, there was just a 9 race card, as memory serves. The "Old Spa" was so packed, if you weren't the first in line at the betting windows for any race, you had no chance. Same with the self-serve betting machines on the grounds. As an amateur handicapper, I had scouted the card in the newspaper earlier that day before sallying forth for Saratoga. Had I put a bet in, and won, I would have had an equally difficult time cashing in the ticket. Just sayin'.
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It's depressing to read how the Times Union Center, which can hold 17,000 fans for a concert, such as the Jonas Brothers on Monday, can't seem to draw as many for the Aurora Games, which runs through tomorrow. An announced crowd of just over 2,000 took in the basketball game on Thursday night. As I wrote before, television certainly has something to do with the low attendance, as some folks are opting to stay home and save the $15-25 on tickets, plus concessions & parking, per night. However, due to other commitments, ESPNU didn't have coverage of last night's hockey game, nor will they have beach volleyball tomorrow.

Yeah, I know. ESPNU doesn't reach as many homes as ESPN or ESPN 2, but there's the Little League World Series, which shifts over to ABC today, getting in the way, in addition to ESPN's commitments to MLB & WNBA.

Simply put, the Aurora Games are taking place at the wrong time of the year, at least here in NY. With the Valleycats and racing at Saratoga, the Aurora Games are not a priority option for most folks. That's just the way it is.