NY Racing Assn lays off 1,400 workers, threatens to close major thoroughbred tracks
BY Kenneth Lovett
DAILY NEWS ALBANY BUREAU CHIEF
Saturday, May 22nd 2010, 4:00 AM
Bello/Getty
New York's three major thoroughbred tracks, like Belmont (above), could be shuttered on June 9 unless New York Racing Association receives a bailout from lawmakers.
ALBANY - The agency that runs the state's major thoroughbred racetracks says it will close them down on June 9 unless lawmakers agree to a bailout.
The New York Racing Association, which operates the Belmont, Aqueduct and Saratoga tracks, made the announcement Friday after sending out layoff notices to its 1,400 employees.
The financially beleaguered NYRA said it would "begin the implementation of plant closures" at the tracks on June 9 - three days after the prestigious Belmont Stakes.
"NYRA continues to pursue solutions with the state of New York that may avert the cessation of operations," NYRA said in its statement.
The Belmont meet is scheduled to end on July 18. The storied Saratoga season runs from July 23 through Sept. 6.
The shutdown threat is similar to one the New York City Off-Track Betting Corp. made last month. Lawmakers refused to bail out OTB, which then laid off some workers and announced it had found enough cash to keep going for a year.
Gov. Paterson on Monday will send a bill to have the state lend NYRA between $15 million and $25 million to help it run the entire Belmont and Saratoga seasons, an administration source said.
The bill "will allow NYRA to continue operations through the rest of the racing seasons at Belmont and Saratoga while a long- term solution is structured," Paterson spokesman Morgan Hook said.
The bill will be separate from an emergency budget extender the Legislature is expected to pass Monday.
NYRA supporters wanted the racing component in the extender to force the Legislature to approve it or face shutting down state government.
While Paterson has said he is optimistic lawmakers will pass the racing plan, legislative leaders weren't ready to say so publicly Friday.
Travis Proulx, a spokesman for Senate Democrats, said if the bill "meets our objectives, an appropriate course of action will be determined."
NYRA blames its money woes on the millions of dollars it has lost because of delays in opening a video slot-machine parlor at Aqueduct Race Track.
It also says OTB has refused to pay some $17 million in fees it owes the tracks.
klovett@nydailynews.com
DAILY NEWS ALBANY BUREAU CHIEF
Saturday, May 22nd 2010, 4:00 AM
Bello/GettyNew York's three major thoroughbred tracks, like Belmont (above), could be shuttered on June 9 unless New York Racing Association receives a bailout from lawmakers.
ALBANY - The agency that runs the state's major thoroughbred racetracks says it will close them down on June 9 unless lawmakers agree to a bailout.
The New York Racing Association, which operates the Belmont, Aqueduct and Saratoga tracks, made the announcement Friday after sending out layoff notices to its 1,400 employees.
The financially beleaguered NYRA said it would "begin the implementation of plant closures" at the tracks on June 9 - three days after the prestigious Belmont Stakes.
"NYRA continues to pursue solutions with the state of New York that may avert the cessation of operations," NYRA said in its statement.
The Belmont meet is scheduled to end on July 18. The storied Saratoga season runs from July 23 through Sept. 6.
The shutdown threat is similar to one the New York City Off-Track Betting Corp. made last month. Lawmakers refused to bail out OTB, which then laid off some workers and announced it had found enough cash to keep going for a year.
Gov. Paterson on Monday will send a bill to have the state lend NYRA between $15 million and $25 million to help it run the entire Belmont and Saratoga seasons, an administration source said.
The bill "will allow NYRA to continue operations through the rest of the racing seasons at Belmont and Saratoga while a long- term solution is structured," Paterson spokesman Morgan Hook said.
The bill will be separate from an emergency budget extender the Legislature is expected to pass Monday.
NYRA supporters wanted the racing component in the extender to force the Legislature to approve it or face shutting down state government.
While Paterson has said he is optimistic lawmakers will pass the racing plan, legislative leaders weren't ready to say so publicly Friday.
Travis Proulx, a spokesman for Senate Democrats, said if the bill "meets our objectives, an appropriate course of action will be determined."
NYRA blames its money woes on the millions of dollars it has lost because of delays in opening a video slot-machine parlor at Aqueduct Race Track.
It also says OTB has refused to pay some $17 million in fees it owes the tracks.
klovett@nydailynews.com
