Racing saved

On Wednesday, with time running out on the second extension given to the New York Racing Association, a 25-year deal was agreed on by Governor Eliot Spitzer, Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno and Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver.

While the details of the agreement will be ironed out in the next few weeks one thing is certain – there will still be racing in Saratoga Springs this summer.

“Relief,” Joseph Dalton, President of the Saratoga Chamber of Commerce, said. “Now the devil is in the details.”

According to Dalton, the Concerned Citizens for Racing are going to review the tentative arrangement. He said they want to make sure the nine points are included in the deal to run Saratoga Race Course, Belmont Park and Aqueduct.

Dalton said he thinks many people in the community would have rather seen a deal done in December 2007, but are pleased that it’s finally done.

Marianne Barker, owner of Impression of Saratoga, said she was relieved and thrilled to death when she learned of the agreement.

“It was becoming very worrisome,” Barker said of the lack of a decision on the future of racing. “We never thought it would get to that point.”

Dawn Oesch, president of the Downtown Business Association, said she was thrilled the parties involved finally came to a resolution.

“We can move on from here,” Oesch said. “Everyone was getting very nervous.”

Raymond O’Conor, president of Saratoga National Bank, stayed optimistic throughout the process.

“This agreement is a welcome relief to everybody who has a business interest in this community,” O’Conor said. “There was so much at stake with the continuation of racing.”

In the past week, rumblings of shutting down racing and potential layoffs of NYRA employees were heard louder than ever. NYRA employees ascended on the State Capitol on Tuesday, Feb. 12 to show their displeasure with the situation.

A sign hung on the main entrance of Saratoga Race Course stating, “Save our Jobs” this past week served as a message to the state.

“We were getting the message that a deal was close, but close can always blow up in your face,” Dalton said.

Dalton doesn’t think the local economy has been affected yet by the decision coming so late, but hopes trainers haven’t made arrangements to move their horses to other facilities. Training at the Oklahoma Track begins in two months and Dalton hopes that won’t be affected negatively.

“There are some genuine fears of the number and quality of horses coming to Saratoga this year,” Dalton said.

Barker is still a little worried about this summer’s meet at Saratoga, which starts Wednesday, July 23.

O’Conor said he is the president of the Independent Banker’s Association this year and the conference is scheduled for August.

“I’m glad they will be able to enjoy the track and a day at the races,” O’Conor said.