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Bruno: NYRA extension may be imminent

BY BART JONES | bart.jones@newsday.com

5:06 PM EST, December 29, 2007

Two days before NYRA's franchise expires, State Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno said Saturday that a deal giving the organization a new long-term franchise to run thoroughbred horse racing in the state could come as early as Monday.

But Bruno, a NYRA critic, added that bringing video lottery terminals to Belmont Park most likely will not be a part of the package. He said discussions on that could continue in coming months as part of budget negotiations.

"We're negotiating and I'm hopeful that we are going to come to an arrangement, a negotiated compromise that is going to allow NYRA to go forward and do everything they're doing now," Bruno said on the "Down the Stretch" cable television talk show on CapitalOTB.com.

Asked if he thought the deal could be announced by tomorrow, when the New York Racing Association's current franchise expires, Bruno said, "Yes, that's exactly what I'm saying -- absolutely. I hope we can get it done by Monday and announce it by Monday."

NYRA chairman Charles Hayward was more cautious, saying, "I wish I could share the view that we're that close. I still think there are a couple of substantial" issues to be resolved.

NYRA's current franchise expires at midnight on Dec. 31.

A potential last-minute wrench that might prevent horse racing from continuing into next month while the negotiations drag on occurred Saturday morning when the state Racing and Wagering Board declined to take action on an application by NYRA for a temporary extension to run racing through Jan. 23.

The board said that under law NYRA was not required to obtain the license. Another body, the state Racing Oversight Board, along with the state attorney general, has already granted NYRA a temporary extension through Jan. 23 to keep the Aqueduct Race Track from going dark Jan. 1.

Hayward said NYRA attorneys would have to study the decision to see what it means, although Bruno and racing expert Bennett Liebman of the Albany Law School said they did not think it would cause a problem.

"It's a done deal that racing will continue even though we're not going to have legislation in place" until after the legislature returns the week of Jan. 7, Bruno said.

Negotiators for Bruno, Gov. Eliot Spitzer and Sheldon Silver, the Assembly leader, have been meeting to try to reach an agreement on which entities, possibly including NYRA, will run thoroughbred horse racing at Belmont, Aqueduct and Saratoga, and video lottery terminals.

Spitzer's office said yesterday officials are working to ensure racing continues, while Silver's office said the Assembly leader has always maintained an agreement should and could be reached by tomorrow.

State officials already have approved 4,500 video lottery terminals for Aqueduct, while some local politicians and community organizations in the Elmont area are clamoring for them to be brought to Belmont as well.

The 4,500 VLTs could produce up to $500 million a year in revenue earmarked largely for education.

Nassau groups also hope the VLTs could help revitalize Elmont and economically struggling sections such as Hempstead Turnpike.

Silver has opposed the move, saying he does not want operation of the machines to expand beyond Aqueduct.