TurfPublicists: NYRA LAUNCHES STEWARDS' DECISIONS COMMUNICATION INITIATIVE

Friday, July 23, 2010

Contact: Dan Silver

NYRA LAUNCHES STEWARDS’ DECISIONS COMMUNICATION INITIATIVE

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Starting today at Saratoga Race Course and continuing at Belmont Park and Aqueduct Racetrack, the stewards’ race-day decisions involving the official order of finish will be communicated via the simulcast feed and will also be posted to NYRA.com.

Directly following any decision they make having to do with the official order of finish, including inquiries and objections, the stewards – one appointed by The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA), one appointed by the New York State Racing and Wagering Board (NYSRWB), and one appointed by The Jockey Club (TJC) – will provide an explanation of what happened and the reason for their decision. That information will then be communicated via the NYRA television feed and will be posted on the new Stewards’ Corner section on NYRA.com, located at the following link: http://www.nyra.com/stewards/sar/index.shtml

“This new policy is a big step forward in providing transparency of the stewards’ decision making,” NYRA President and CEO Charles Hayward said. “Millions of dollars are bet every day at NYRA tracks and customers should know why decisions are made in the stewards’ stand.”

“We’re thrilled to expand the amount of information available to the wagering public,” NYSRWB Chairman John Sabini said. “In addition to our new rule on uncoupled entries that will increase the overall number of betting interests, this new stewards’ communications initiative helps create an even more fan friendly environment at the NYRA tracks.”

“We are fully supportive of any efforts to improve communication to racing fans, and commend NYRA and the NYSRWB for their efforts in this regard,” said James L. Gagliano, president and chief operating officer of The Jockey Club. “This new initiative should serve as a model for other racing jurisdictions throughout the country.”

Founded in 1955, and franchised to run thoroughbred racing at New York’s three major tracks through 2033, NYRA boasts a lineage that actually stretches back almost 150 years. NYRA tracks are the cornerstone of the state’s thoroughbred business which contributes more than $2 billion annually to New York State’s urban, suburban and rural economy. In 2009, more than 1.6 million people attended the live races at NYRA tracks. Factoring nationwide off-track wagering, the average daily betting handle on NYRA races alone totals more than $9.3 million every race day. NYRA has a vast network of websites, including www.nyra.com, www.belmontstakes.com, and www.nyragroupsales.com. You can also follow NYRA on social media platforms Facebook, Flickr, Twitter, and YouTube.

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