McClain resigns during NYRA board meeting

The New York Racing Association (NYRA) board of

directors approved its three-year work plan, focused on equine safety, and

formally began its search for a new president and CEO for the organization

during its second meeting on Friday.

Early in the meeting, NYRA's current president and chief

operating officer, Ellen McClain, announced her resignation. McClain will stay

on through at least March 31 as NYRA searches for and begins its transition to a

new president and CEO. Board members Bobby Flay, Stuart Janney, Earle Mack and

Jane Rosenthal will serve on the executive search committee, which will be

chaired by Skorton.

"Ellen McClain has been extremely helpful since my

appointment in educating me about NYRA as an organization and helping this board

begin its work," Chair David Skorton said. "Establishing stable, long-term leadership at NYRA is another critical part of our mission and we take that task very

seriously."

Meeting in Manhattan, the board addressed a series of

recently proposed equine safety initiatives, including reducing the number of

race days per week during the inner-track meet at Aqueduct, forming a

search committee for the Equine Veterinary Medical Director, and establishing a

mortality review board for NYRA. There was discussion of the merits of

installing a synthetic surface on the inner track and that issue will continue

to be explored by the board.

"The safety of the equine and human athletes competing at

NYRA's tracks is a top priority for this board," Skorton remarked.

"Today, we took important steps forward, guided by recommendations from the

Equine Health and Safety Committee. I thank Dr. Michael Kotlikoff, dean of the

Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine and Special Advisor to the

board for Equine Health and Safety, and committee chairman Anthony Bonomo for

their leadership on this issue. We will soon begin the search process for the

new Equine Veterinary Medical Director position announced last week."