No long-term deal, NY racing goes on

No long-term deal, NY racing goes on

	Published : Mon, 31 Dec 2007 21:16 By : Agencies Print this Story

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) - New York lawmakers didn't reach a final, long-term agreement Monday on who will run thoroughbred horse racing beginning in 2008, but a temporary deal with the New York Racing Association will prevent any interruption in racing, officials said.

'On behalf of our fans, employees and the participants in the racing industry, NYRA wants to thank Gov. Eliot Spitzer and Steven Newman, chair of the Oversight Board, for their extraordinary efforts to continue racing at Aqueduct,' NYRA Chairman C. Steven Duncker said in a written statement.

NYRA's franchise to operate the Aqueduct, Belmont and Saratoga thoroughbred tracks expires at midnight Monday, but the special state Non-Profit Racing Association Oversight Board has the authority to keep racing going until a new franchise is negotiated.

'It was my hope that we would announce an agreement today between the governor and Legislature on legislation to establish a long term solution for racing,' Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno said in a written statement. 'However, those efforts were hindered by NYRA's intransigence on remaining issues that would assure accountability and oversight.'

Spokesmen for Spitzer and Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The oversight board authorized its chairman earlier this month to enter an interim agreement with NYRA or another racing operator if closed-door negotiations between Spitzer and legislative leaders dragged on past the expiration of the franchise. The other operators vying for the contract are Capital Play, Empire Racing, and Excelsior Racing.

NYRA appears to be the front-runner for the long term. It has the backing of both Spitzer and Silver. In a tentative accord with Spitzer, NYRA would give up its claim to ownership of the tracks, which are valued at more than $1 billion.

Meanwhile, the association is in bankruptcy reorganization. A hearing on its plans, which include keeping the franchise with the help of a $250 million state bailout, has been rescheduled for mid-January.