Paterson comments on possible shut down of Saratoga Race Course
March 17, 2010
Horse racing fans and supporters are gathering in Albany Wednesday to show their support for the Saratoga Race Course.
For the past few weeks, the New York Racing Association has discussed shutting down the track as it faces possible bankruptcy.
The group Concerned Citizens for New York Racing says time is running out for New York's racing industry, and if nothing is done to save it, the Saratoga racing season may not happen.
Governor Paterson is also adding his opinion to the controversy surrounding the possible shut down of the track.
He says talk about the racing season being scrapped this summer is overblown and projecting the course's closure "would be kind of rash".
The governor did not explain how NYRA will be able to continue paying its bills, especially now that New York City OTB has gone bankrupt, owing NYRA about $15 million.
Video gaming terminals, or VLT's, have been touted as the financial savior of horse racing, but the governor has been forced to reject yet another operator for video gaming machines at Aqueduct race course to help support thoroughbred tracks. |
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