| Thursday, November 6, 2014
Contact: Press Office
(718) 659-2244
New York Racing Association launches new, quarterly
community meeting series to further engage fans and stakeholders
First meeting scheduled for Saturday, November 15 at Aqueduct
OZONE PARK, N.Y. -The New York Racing Association today announced the launch of a quarterly community meeting series to further solicit the input of horseplayers, racing fans and local communities. This inaugural meeting will begin at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, November 15, and take place in Aqueduct Racetrack's new, state-of-the-art simulcasting hub, Longshots.
"To further secure the input of our guests, our fans and the communities we serve, I am pleased to announce a new series of quarterly community meetings starting on November 15," stated Christopher Kay, Chief Executive Officer and President of the New York Racing Association. "Not only will this meeting series run in conjunction with each of our seasonal meets at Aqueduct Racetrack, Belmont Park and Saratoga Race Course, but I have directed my team to specifically schedule each quarterly meeting on a Saturday morning in an effort to consistently offer an accessible, convenient time for the public."
Kay will be joined by members of the New York Racing Association's executive management team for the one-hour session at Aqueduct on November 15. Fans and stakeholders who cannot attend in person will be able to offer feedback by email to nyra@nyrainc.com. A second meeting will be scheduled at Aqueduct in late March, with the series continuing following the return of live racing to Belmont Park in the spring.
The new quarterly community meeting series further reflects the many reforms implemented over the past 16 months designed to further promote accountability, sustainability and transparency. Through prudent budgeting, demanding greater efficiencies and securing more favorable revenue streams, the organization paid off a $25 million loan from Resorts World and is now debt-free. Further, the New York Racing Association is currently on-track to achieve its first operating surplus since 2000 - a period of 14 years.
Additionally, the national thoroughbred racing leader continues to make significant capital investments in all three of its tracks. Most recently and in response to input received at Aqueduct Racetrack, the New York Racing Association debuted $3.5 million in new technological advancements and capital improvements; reflecting $14 million in recent Aqueduct capital investments designed to further enhance the guest experience and improve the quality of racing.
These investments included the addition of new, HD infield video boards, new HD televisions and airport-style seating throughout the clubhouse. Significant upgrades were also made to the backstretch, with new improvements to the racing track designed to further enhance equine safety.
For more information on the New York Racing Association, please visit NYRA.com. About the New York Racing Association
NYRA's mission is "Meeting the highest standards in thoroughbred racing and equine safety." Founded in 1955, and franchised to run thoroughbred racing at New York's three major tracks (Aqueduct Racetrack, Belmont Park, and Saratoga Race Course) 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 2013, nearly 1.7 million people attended the live races at NYRA tracks. The average daily handle on NYRA races is more than $9 million, factoring in nationwide off-track wagering.
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