here is another article
http://www.saratogian.com/site/news.cfm ... 2469&rfi=6
SARATOGA SPRINGS - Horsemen have begun contacting other East Coast racetracks in case New York's franchise isn't settled and horses have to be shipped out-of-state.
New York Racing Association's contract expires on Dec. 31 and state leaders still haven't decided who should run Saratoga Race Course, Belmont Park and Aqueduct.
There's a strong possibility that racing might be interrupted, and without a franchise, it's uncertain if the 2,300 horses at the downstate tracks will be able to stay there and train.
"We probably have a three-week window right now," said Rick Violette, president of the 5,000 member New York Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association, whose board met in emergency session on Tuesday. "Getting the Legislature back, even for one day, to deal with a racing issue might be an uphill climb. The stars might have to be aligned perfectly for this to get done, there's no question about it."
Philadelphia Park's stalls are jam-packed making Delaware Park the next best place to go, but it only has 800 stalls so the remaining 1,500 horses might be headed anywhere from Ocala, Fla. to Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, Ark.
"It's not a pretty picture if it gets to that point," Violette said.
President and CEO Charles Hayward said NYRA will do everything it can to make the tracks available for training, even if the Dec. 31 isn't met.
"For how long I couldn't even begin to speculate," he said. "It's expensive to do that. I hope the lawmakers in Albany are paying attention."
It would cost anywhere from $600 to $1,000 per animal to move New York's 2,300 horses elsewhere. If that happens, some horsemen might not want to come back, which could seriously diminish New York's racing product if it resumes following a stoppage.
"That's the danger," Violette said. "If people have to bite the bullet, there's no question that any portion of them might stay put for a while."
Delaware Park isn't currently racing, so horses stabled there would have to be shipped to Philadelphia Park or Laurel Park in Maryland. One owner, upset by New York's unresolved situation, took six horses and went to Florida this week where he already has some horses stabled.
On Sept. 4, Gov. Eliot Spitzer called for NYRA to continue running the state's racetracks for 30 more years, while pledging to name an Aqueduct racino operator within 60 days. That self-imposed deadline passed 18 days ago and no announcements have been made.
Senate Republicans want to see a new public authority run racing and their plan includes gaming at Belmont. Earlier this month, Majority Leader Joseph L. Bruno said he expected a decision by Thanksgiving, which hasn't been reached.
"People in Albany are talking and I'm still hopeful that things are going to get done," Violette said. "But it's not that comforting to horsemen. You have to make plans. This is a business."
On Monday, NYRA submitted an amended bankruptcy reorganization plan. Brian Rosen, an attorney for NYRA, said the plan could be confirmed by late December, but that carrying it out depends on whether NYRA gets a franchise renewal.
"Neither NYRA nor the bankruptcy court has the ability to sway the Legislature," he said.
On a separate front, a Dec. 6 hearing has been scheduled for the Internal Revenue Service's claim that NYRA owes it $1.6 billion for the years 2000-2005. NYRA says it owes somewhere between $2 million and $15 million.
"We're working with the IRS," Rosen said. "We hope that the issue will be resolved before that time."
these guys are assclowns. they don't deserve racing, they elected these fools without knowing what their policy was on the issue. It's a damn shame. the pletchers of the world will be fine, but the mid level day to day trainers aren't going to just ship their entire barn BACK just because "hey we got it fixed" 2 monthsl later. Oaklawn is just getting in full tilt..we have slots, and when that's over you can go to Louisiana downs, and just around this area you have some GREAt purses.
I don't think anyone realises how much they are dropping the ball. when it's The the first week in june and the triple crown is put on hold because tehre is no third leg anymore, they will see.
