Hard Rock for blue hairs at Aqueduct?

(Note: The video lottery terminal crowd, which can be categorized as blue-haired, may not be quite comfortable with the Hard Rock ambiance. Obviously, SL Green has fallen short of due diligence when surveying the potential audience. This is not an under-30 demographic and the casino concept demands cheap food and drink.)

News release

Note 2: SL Green Realty is one of three firms under consideration as operator of the video lottery casino approved long ago for Aqueduct.

SL Green Realtyon Monday announced details of its plans to revitalize the legendary Aqueduct Race Track. The redevelopment plan includes the world-famous Hard Rock brand which will help develop and operate a fully integrated entertainment complex – with racing, gaming, restaurants, retail and hotels.

“We are proud to announce an agreement with Hard Rock Aqueduct that permits two leaders in their respective industries to work together to create live entertainment, hospitality and retail offerings that will complement the core horseracing and gaming enterprise at Aqueduct,” said Marc Holliday, CEO of SL Green Realty Corp.

“Aqueduct has always been one of the world’s best-known tracks but it has fallen on hard times,” Holliday said. “By joining a preeminent real estate company with one of the world’s most recognized names in gaming, hospitality and entertainment venues, we have created a bold and exciting vision for Aqueduct that will preserve a historic Queens landmark and transform it into a global destination.”

SL Green’s proposal, submitted to the State of New York on April 25, leverages its unparalleled reputation in New York City real estate. The company manages the largest portfolio of commercial real estate in New York City -- more than 24 million square feet of the city’s finest properties. It is also an approximately $13 billion public company that directly or indirectly provides jobs to thousands of New Yorkers.

By bringing Hard Rock to Queens, SL Green is providing the best opportunity for New York State to leverage home-grown expertise in real estate with Hard Rock’s global brand.

“Hard Rock Entertainment is proud to be a part of SL Green’s proposal to the State of New York,” said Jim Allen, Chairman of Hard Rock Entertainment, parent of Hard Rock Aqueduct LLC. “Our global presence and operational capabilities, along with SL Green’s proven track record in New York, create an opportunity to turn Aqueduct into an unforgettable destination worldwide.”

SL Green’s vision for Aqueduct includes a gaming floor housing 4,500 video lottery terminals. Future amenities may also entail a Hard Rock hotel designed to 4-Diamond standards which would include restaurants, a spa and fitness center, Hard Rock’s legendary pool experience and a display that would showcase some of Hard Rock’s most valuable music memorabilia; an Aqueduct Entertainment Complex which would include nighttime entertainment and high-end retail and outlet shops; and a Hard Rock Live Entertainment venue that would feature some of the greatest names in the music industry. If selected, SL Green will work with the state and the local communities in realizing this vision for a revitalized Aqueduct.

Simulcast talks at impasse

News release

Mid Atlantic Cooperative LLC, the simulcast purchasing enterprise that represents 16 regional racetracks, has been unable to reach a new simulcast agreement with New York Racing Association.

On Wednesday, Mid Atlantic Cooperative members will cease simulcasting NYRA racing from Belmont Park. The cessation will not affect the simulcast of the Belmont Stakes, for which a separate agreement has been reached.

Mid Atlantic Cooperative could not accept NYRA’s unprecedented monetary demands for its Aqueduct, Belmont and Saratoga signals. A series of counter proposals, which would have provided significant increases to NYRA, were rejected by it.

“Mid Atlantic Cooperative remains committed to reaching an acceptable contract and minimizing the interruption of simulcasts,” said Executive Director Martin Lieberman. “However, this is a necessary step to protect the long-term interests of our members. NYRA’s unreasonable price demands, if agreed to, will negatively impact our member racetracks’ ability to present live and simulcast racing in the region.”

The Mid Atlantic Cooperative includes 16 member tracks and their off-track wagering entities, including: Meadowlands Racetrack, Monmouth Park, Freehold Raceway, Atlantic City Race Course, Philadelphia Park, Penn National Race Course, Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs, Charles Town Races, Delaware Park, Dover Downs, Harrington Raceway, Ocean Downs, Rosecroft Raceway, Colonial Downs, Suffolk Downs and Rockingham Park.