Gov. Cuomo will put the New York Racing Association out of its scandal-scarred misery “promptly” after the historic Saratoga Race Track meet that begins this Friday, The Post has learned.
The much-anticipated Cuomo action, authorized by the Legislature last month in the wake of a long series of NYRA scandals, will take the form of the appointment of a new 17-member board of directors, a majority of which will be picked by Cuomo and the legislative leaders.
“The Saratoga meet will be the last hurrah for the blue bloods who have controlled the board for so long,” said a source with direct knowledge of the planned action.
“As soon as the season ends, the shift will be promptly made. The feeling was this is a high-profile racing meet about to get under way, so we didn’t want to interrupt it or create uncertainty going into the season.
“The focus right now should be on the Saratoga season,” the source continued.
Current NYRA President/CEO Ellen McClain will be fired as part of the transformation as soon as the meet ends on Sept. 3, the source said.
Several past governors have sought to take control of NYRA away from the private group of breeders, horse owners and others who have long dominated the thoroughbred-racing industry. But it wasn’t until April, when a state investigation found NYRA officials knowingly cheated bettors out of $8.5 million by failing to reduce the legally set track “take-out,” that the effort was successful.
NYRA, a 55-year-old not-for-profit organization, also operates the Aqueduct and Belmont race courses.
The new law gives Cuomo eight appointments on the board, the legislative leaders get four and NYRA itself just five.
The source said Cuomo’s office has been flooded with experienced racing hands interested in being appointed to the board. State Operations Director Howard Glaser is coordinating the appointment process.
Among those under consideration for appointment: celebrity chef and TV personality Bobby Flay, a thoroughbred-racehorse owner.
“We’re getting interest from people around the country, and the selection won’t be limited to New Yorkers,” the source said.
“These are people interested in becoming part of the New York family, and it may make sense for us to have expertise from people from other states.
“The hope is to bring entirely new blood onto the board, people who perhaps know more about horse racing outside New York rather than the current group that’s been very insular,” the source continued.
Also to be filled is McClain’s job as president/CEO, and the governor’s office has heard from about 200 experienced racing executives interested in that post.
“There are some former executives from Churchill Downs [in Kentucky], as well as other prominent racing venues,” according to the source.