New York Racing Association

The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) is the not-for-profit corporation that operates the three largest thoroughbred horse-racing tracks in the state of New York. It runs Aqueduct Racetrack in South Ozone Park, Queens, Belmont Park in Elmont, Long Island (just outside New York City), and Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs (Upstate), New York. NYRA's corporate offices are headquartered at the Aqueduct Race Track.

The corporation is the successor to the Greater New York Association, a non profit racing association created in 1955.

NYRA is separate from New York State Racing and Wagering Board, the governing body that oversees racing in New York.

History

In 1913, racing returned to New York after a hiatus. Only four tracks had survived the hiatus. These were Aqueduct Racetrack (the Big A), Belmont Park, Jamaica Racetrack and Saratoga Race Course. The tracks came under common ownership with the creation of a non-profit association known as the Greater New York Association in 1955.^[1] The association remodeled Aqueduct Racetrack, Belmont Park, and Saratoga Race Course and demolished Jamaica, which is now the Rochdale Village, housing development. The partnership became the New York Racing Association on April 10, 1958. Later, Belmont Park was closed from 1963 to 1968 in order to construct a new grandstand.

From December, 2003 through September, 2005, NYRA operated under a deferred prosecution agreement following a 2003 federal indictment. The charges related alleged income tax evasion and money laundering by mutuel clerks between 1980 and 1999 with the knowledge of NYRA middle managers. Under the agreement, NYRA paid $3 million to the government and its implementation of new cash-handling procedures designed to eliminate corruption and mismanagement was monitored by a New York law firm. After receiving a report from the monitor which concluded that NYRA was in compliance with the new guidelines, the Justice Department moved to dismiss the indictment and its motion was allowed by a federal judge.

NYRA, claiming that the state lottery division's failure to approve the installation of video-lottery terminal (VLT) machines at Aqueduct Racetrack pushed it to insolvency, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on November 2, 2006.^[2] The association emerged from bankruptcy protection September 12, 2008 with incorporation of a successor corporation, New York Racing Association Inc.^[3]

Restructuring

NYRA was reorganized and its franchise to operate the three racetracks was extended through 2033 under legislation approved by the New York state legislature on February 13, 2008. The new authorization provided $105 million in direct state aid and forgave millions more in state loans to NYRA. The association also gave up its claim to ownership of the land on which the three racetracks are situated. In return, the state gained expanded oversight responsibility. The state comptroller won the power to audit NYRA's books. The conversion of NYRA from a non-profit association to a not-for-profit corporation also gave the state attorney general enhanced oversight authority. In addition, the state now appoints 11 of the corporation's 25 directors. By changing from non-profit to not-for-profit status, NYRA also gained flexibility in its financial management.

TV Personalites

• Harvey Pack (1995–1999)
• Paul Corman (1995–1999)
• John Veitch (1995–1999)
• John Imbriale (1995–2005)
• Jan Rushton (1995–2009)
• Jason Blewitt (2006–present)
• Eric Donovan (2006–present)
• Andy Serling (2008–present)
• Rich McCarthy (1995–1999)
• Mike Watchmaker (1995–1999)
• Michael Sherack (1997–2000)
• Kelly Gecewicz (2000–2005)
• Mary Ryan (1995–1999)
• Maggie Wolfendale (2010–present)

Jason Blewitt:

Jason Blewitt graduated from Long Island University, C. W. Post with a degree in journalism. He currently works for the New York Racing Association Inc. as a member of the communications/ media relations department. Blewitt is a regular co host of "Talking Horses" a daily handicapping show at NYRA tracks and has been since 2006. He has also been a frequent guest on New York City Off Track Betting Corporation's "Thoroughbred Central."*[1] In May 2008, joined NYRA's Paddock Show and has been doing it since.

Eric Donovan:

Eric Donovan is the full-time oddsmaker for all three New York Racing Association tracks since January 2005. Donovan, who frequently substituted in recent years, took over for Don LaPlace, who set the morning line since early 2000.*[2]

Donovan has worked on the NYRA press staff since 1999.

He is also the co-host of NYRA's daily handicapping show, Talkin' Horses, and realizes there will be differences between setting a line and selecting winners since 2006.

Donovan is also co-hosting Inside Racing, NYRA's weekly racing review show which airs every Monday night on MSG Plus formerly known as Fox Sports New York.

Andy Serling:

Andy Serling is an American television personality who works as a television analyst for Belmont Park, Saratoga Race Course and Aqueduct Racetrack as he also makes appearances on HRTV daily for his handicapping insights.

Andy Serling, a native of Saratoga Springs, New York, has been a familiar face and voice around New York tracks since he began following the races while still a child. As an adult, he has become known as a trenchant and highly opinionated analyst. He was the first co-host (with MikeWatchmaker) of the “Talkin’ Horses” segment of the NYRA simulcast show, and currently serves as a weekend-stakes commentator on drf.com web-casts. He is also a regular guest and the Monday host of Daily Racing Form’s handicapping seminars at Siro’s during the Saratoga race meeting.^[4]

He has been with NYRA's on-air team since August 2008 and has been making HRTV appearances since June 2009.

NYRA activities

The New York Racing Association conducts year-round racing in New York. In the winter it operates at Aqueduct, from May to mid-July the operates Belmont. In the latter part of July, all of August into the beginning of September, it runs Saratoga Race Course. From September to the end of October racing returns to Belmont. The year concludes in the fall at Aqueduct. NYRA sponsors the Triple Crown for fillies in the US, known as the Triple Tiara.

Law Enforcement and Safety

The New York Racing Association currently maintains its own law enforcement force employing armed and unarmed full time and part time peace officers at all facilities as well as part time security guards at the Saratoga Race Course during the Saratoga meet.

References

1. ^ White, Gordon S. Jr. (September 28, 1955). "Purchase of 4 Race Tracks Approved". The New York Times. http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F10B16FF395B117A93CAAB1782D85F418585F9. Retrieved October 11, 2009. 
2. ^ Precious, Tom (November 2, 2006). "NYRA Seeks Bankruptcy Protection from Court". The Blood-horse. http://news.bloodhorse.com/viewstory.asp?id=36188. Retrieved November 3, 2006. 
3. ^ Bossert, Jerry (September 12, 2008). "NYRA out of Chapter 11". Daily News (New York). http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/more_sports/2008/09/12/2008-09-12_nyra_out_of_chapter_11.html. Retrieved July 26, 2009. 
4. ^ http://www1.drf.com/expo/2007/speakerbios.html#andyserling

External links

• Official site
• New York Racing Association collected news and commentary at The New York Times