Horsemen: New York Has Poor OTB Model

The New York Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association, in a statement released Aug. 19, said it "firmly believes" the owner of New York City Off-Track Betting Corp. should be the operator of New York's Thoroughbred racing franchise, in this case the New York Racing Association.

A consortium led by Magna Entertainment has been selected to purchase the corporation, but many hurdles remain. In addition, Magna chairman Frank Stronach has said he would like to win the right to operate Aqueduct, Belmont Park, and Saratoga when the franchise is open for bids.

The New York THA believes the structure by which on-track and off-track operations in the state are handled by different entities is a poor model that needs to be changed.