Vowing that racing would not stop under his watch, NYRA president Charles Hayward said he expected Aqueduct to be running on Jan. 1, the day after franchise expires, during an interview broadcast yesterday over the track’s CCTV. Hayward’s confidence represents an about-face from past statements, when he warned that NYRA’s bankruptcy hearings could bring racing to a halt.
Last Sept., Gov. Spitzer recommended that NYRA, which has held the franchise since 1955, get a 30-year renewal, pending legislative approval. Spitzer’s fellow Democrat, speaker Sheldon Silver, is on board, but Spitzer’s bitter enemy, Republican senate majority leader Joe Bruno, has come out against NYRA. Closed-door meetings are reportedly going on in Albany to resolve the conflict, with the makeup of NYRA’s board of directors a sticking point. NYRA’s security firm, Getnick & Getnick, is also a source of contention.
Noting that the franchise issue should have been resolved long ago, Hayward said, “Many people better than I have tried to explain Albany; I think it’s inexplicable how they do business.”
In case a last-minute deal is not struck, “We are developing contingency plans to make sure we can keep horses in training,” Hayward said. “But I don’t think we’ll be using those plans. I’m very committed to keep racing going.”
Bolstering Hayward’s optimism, NYRA yesterday released its stakes schedule for 2008.
FOURTH RACE: Bettors poured another $851,947 into pick 6 pool, chasing two-day carryover of $205,698. Opening leg went to 2-year-old filly Lion’s Maddy, 7-1, who sat off three-way pace duel between 23-1 Shimmering Pal, 4-1 American Queen and 8-5 favorite Constance, rallied inside around turn under Joe Bravo, swung off rail to take command in final furlong.
PICK SIX
Winning numbers: 8-2-7-2-2-7
53 winners (6 of 6) each paid $12,922
1,150 cons. (5 of 6) each paid $138.50
No carryover