Committee recommends Excelsior for New York racing franchise

Committee recommends Excelsior for New York racing

franchise

New York's Ad Hoc Committee on the Future of Racing recommended on Tuesday

that Excelsior Racing Associates be awarded the franchise to run Aqueduct,

Belmont Park and Saratoga Race Course, which is currently operated by the New

York Racing Association (NYRA).

The recommendation is non-binding on the Legislature and Gov. George Pataki,

who is leaving office on December 31. It remains to be seen whether his

successor, Attorney General Eliot Spitzer, will follow the recommendation or

start the process over again.

NYRA has held the franchise since 1955.

Excelsior includes New York Yankees partner Steve Swindal, casino developer

Richard Fields and trainer Gary Contessa.

"We have a considerable amount of work to do in the coming weeks and months,

but we are confident in our team's expertise and ability to deliver the very

best racing experience in the world to our fans," Swindal said in a statement.

"We appreciate the hard work that the committee has invested in the evaluation

process, and look forward to working with New Yorkers and their elected

officials to return our state to its rightful spot atop the world of

Thoroughbred racing."