New York Racing Association

In 1913, racing returned to New York after a hiatus due to the Hart–Agnew Law. Only four tracks had survived the hiatus. These were Aqueduct Racetrack, Belmont Park, Jamaica Racetrack and Saratoga Race Course. The tracks came under common ownership with the creation of a non-profit association known as the Greater New York Association in 1955.{{cite news |title=Purchase of 4 Race Tracks Approved |first=Gordon S. Jr. |last=White |url=https://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F10B16FF395B117A93CAAB1782D85F418585F9 |newspaper=The New York Times |date=September 28, 1955 |access-date=October 11, 2009}}

The association remodeled Aqueduct Racetrack, Belmont Park, and Saratoga Race Course and demolished Jamaica, which is now the Rochdale Village housing development. The partnership became the New York Racing Association on April 10, 1958. Later, Belmont Park was closed from 1963 to 1968 in order to construct a new grandstand.

Off-track betting in New York was established in 1970, being offered by regional, government-owned corporations. OTB parlors began showing live video feeds of races, referred to as simulcasting, in 1984.{{cite news|title=Simulcasting begins; Opens locally today|newspaper=The Post-Star|location=Glens Falls, NY|first=Mark|last=Cusano|date=August 30, 1984|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/20020874/simulcasting_begins_opens_locally_today/|via=Newspapers.com}}{{cite report|title=New York State's $2 Billion Trifecta: NYRA, VLTs & OTB|date=February 2006|publisher=Maryland Tax Education Foundation|page=3}} In 1995, NYRA launched a cable television channel and a telephone advance-deposit wagering service.

From December 2003 through September 2005, NYRA operated under a deferred prosecution agreement following a 2003 federal indictment. The charges related alleged income tax evasion and money laundering by mutuel clerks between 1980 and 1999 with the knowledge of NYRA middle managers. Under the agreement, NYRA paid $3 million to the government and its implementation of new cash-handling procedures designed to eliminate corruption and mismanagement was monitored by a New York law firm. After receiving a report from the monitor which concluded that NYRA was in compliance with the new guidelines, the Justice Department moved to dismiss the indictment and its motion was allowed by a federal judge.

NYRA, claiming that the state lottery division's failure to approve the installation of video-lottery terminal (VLT) machines at Aqueduct Racetrack pushed it to insolvency, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on November 2, 2006.{{cite news |last=Precious |first=Tom |title=NYRA Seeks Bankruptcy Protection from Court |work=The Blood-horse |date=November 2, 2006 |url=http://news.bloodhorse.com/viewstory.asp?id=36188 |access-date=November 3, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928063755/http://news.bloodhorse.com/viewstory.asp?id=36188 |archive-date=September 28, 2007 |url-status=dead }} The association emerged from bankruptcy protection September 12, 2008 with incorporation of a successor corporation, New York Racing Association Inc.{{cite news |last=Bossert |first=Jerry |title=NYRA out of Chapter 11 |newspaper=Daily News |location=New York |date=September 12, 2008 |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/more_sports/2008/09/12/2008-09-12_nyra_out_of_chapter_11.html |access-date=July 26, 2009}} New York City's OTB Corporation shut down permanently in 2010.

In 2016, NYRA launched an online advance-deposit wagering platform under the brand NYRA Bets, which offers live bets and live simulcasts, and is available on multiple states.{{cite news |url=https://www.timesunion.com/tuplus-business/article/NYRA-rolls-out-betting-website-that-crosses-9130441.php |title=NYRA rolls out betting website that crosses state's borders |first=Eric |last=Anderson |work=Times Union |location=Albany |date=8 August 2016}}

NYRA was reorganized and its franchise to operate the three racetracks was extended through 2033 under legislation approved by the New York state legislature on February 13, 2008. The new authorization provided $105 million in direct state aid and forgave millions more in state loans to NYRA. The association also gave up its claim to ownership of the land on which the three racetracks are situated. In return, the state gained expanded oversight responsibility. The state comptroller won the power to audit NYRA's books. The conversion of NYRA from a non-profit association to a not-for-profit corporation also gave the state attorney general enhanced oversight authority. In addition, the state now appoints 11 of the corporation's 25 directors. By changing from non-profit to not-for-profit status, NYRA also gained flexibility in its financial management.

• Jason Blewitt (2006–2016) — Blewitt graduated from Long Island University, C. W. Post with a degree in journalism. He was a regular co-host of Talking Horses, a daily handicapping show at NYRA tracks. He was also a frequent guest on New York City Off Track Betting Corporation's Thoroughbred Central.{{Cite web |title=2008 Kentucky Derby Fantasy Challenge | Meet the Pros |url=http://www.roadtotheroses.com/G=74/meet_the_pros/pro_template.phtml?pro=pro_jason_blewitt |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110715191438/http://www.roadtotheroses.com/G=74/meet_the_pros/pro_template.phtml?pro=pro_jason_blewitt |archive-date=2011-07-15 |access-date=2010-10-18}}
• Acacia Clement (2022–present)
• Paul Corman (1995–1999)
• Eric Donovan (2006–present) — worked on the NYRA press staff since 1999 and was the full-time oddsmaker for all three New York Racing Association tracks from 2005 - 2017. He was also the co-host of NYRA's daily handicapping show, Talking Horses. Donovan, who frequently substituted in recent years, took over for Don LaPlace, who set the morning line since early 2000.{{cite news |last=Lauletta |first=Dan |date=January 5, 2005 |title=Eric Donovan Debuts as NYRA Linemaker |url=http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/26066/eric-donovan-debuts-as-nyra-linemaker |access-date=June 3, 2022 |work=Bloodhorse}}
• Kelly Gecewicz (2000–2005)
• John Imbriale (1979–2023) - also served as the full-time racecaller at the NYRA tracks from 2019 to 2022.{{Cite web |last=Grening |first=David |date=April 4, 2024 |title=Imbriale retires; Griffin to take over as downstate announcer |url=https://www.drf.com/news/imbriale-retires-griffin-take-over-downstate-announcer |access-date=2024-07-14 |website=www.drf.com |language=en}}
• Rich McCarthy (1995–1999)
• Harvey Pack (1995–1999)
• Mary Ryan (1995–1999)
• Jan Rushton (1995–2009)
• Andy Serling (2008–present) — American television personality who works as a television analyst for all three NYRA tracks and also makes appearances on HRTV daily for his handicapping insights. A native of Saratoga Springs, New York, Serling began following horse racing as a child. For many years he worked at the New York Stock Exchange as an options trader before being hired by NYRA full-time in 2008.{{Cite web |last=Keppler |first=Dean |date=2015-11-18 |title=Andy Serling: On Trips, Traps, And His New Gulfstream Gig |url=https://paulickreport.com/news/horseplayers-category/andy-serling-on-trips-traps-and-his-new-gulfstream-gig |access-date=2024-07-14 |website=Paulick Report {{!}} Shining Light on the Horse Industry |language=en}} He is known as a trenchant and highly opinionated analyst. He is also a regular guest and the Monday host of Daily Racing Form{{'}}s handicapping seminars at Siro's during the Saratoga race meeting.{{Cite web |title=Daily Racing Form: 2007 Horseplayers Expo Speaker Bios |url=http://www1.drf.com/expo/2007/speakerbios.html#andyserling |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716145143/http://www1.drf.com/expo/2007/speakerbios.html#andyserling |archive-date=2011-07-16 |access-date=2010-10-18}}
• Michael Sherack (1997–2000)
• Anthony Stabile (2016–2023) {{Cite web |author= |date=2023-06-15 |title=Report: Stabile Resigns From NYRA Television, Handicapping Duties |url=https://paulickreport.com/news/horseplayers-category/report-stabile-resigns-from-nyra-television-handicapping-duties |access-date=2024-03-06 |website=Paulick Report {{!}} Shining Light on the Horse Industry |language=en}}
• Travis Stone (2014–2017)
• John M. Veitch (1995–1999)
• Paul Verderosa (2023-present)
• Mike Watchmaker (1995–1999)
• Maggie Wolfendale (2010–present){{Citation needed|date=December 2012}}

File:NYRA Peace Officer Patch.jpg

NYRA maintains its own law enforcement force of more than 300 sworn employees, including plainclothed investigators, inspectors, and fire marshals, all of whom are New York State Peace Officers.{{cite act|url=https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/CPL/2.10|title=Persons designated as peace officers (Legislation)|orig-section=Criminal Procedure (CPL) Chapter 11-A, Part 1, Title A, art. 2, §2.10|institution=New York State Senate|date=5 July 2024|access-date=12 Sep 2024}} These officers must be licensed with the state Gaming Commission and meet requirements set forth by the Division of Criminal Justice Services.

NYRA peace officers may make arrests and issue summonses on NYRA property only. They carry weapons such as a baton, pepper spray, and handcuffs. Some carry a firearm. They wear eagle-top shields, typically gold in color. Uniformed members wear navy-blue uniforms with gold on white NYRA patches on their left side and an American flag patch on the right side. NYRA inspectors wear the shields but no further uniforms.

After training in an in-house academy, NYRA Peace Officers are assigned to the Patrol or Backstretch divisions. Patrol officers are the everyday face of the department to the general public, conducting patrols and enforcing the law during meets and events at all three NYRA facilities. Backstretch officers conduct patrols and enforce the law in the backstretch areas such as the on-property residences of NYRA staff and some riders. Each division's officers are covered by its own union representation derived from two separate union organizations.

NYRA Sergeants and lower-ranking Peace Officers are paid hourly rates. Investigators, lieutenants, and higher-ranking members receive annual salaries.

NYRA also seasonally employs New York State-licensed security officers at Saratoga Racecourse during its racing meets and subcontracts private security guard companies to help at the Belmont Stakes and other events downstate. NYRA Security Officers wear light blue or white shirts with security patches on both arms. Contractors wear their security company's patches and logos while working. Neither has power beyond that of a normal citizen's rights under New York state law's citizen's arrest procedures as well as report to assist and make arrests on the orders of a sworn NYRA peace officer.

{{cnote|†|Uniformed rank that has no authority to carry any weapons or firearms}}

• Agriculture & New York State Horse Breeding Development Fund
• New York State Thoroughbred Breeding and Development Fund Corporation

{{Reflist}}

• [http://www.nyra.com/ NYRA.com – Official site]
• [http://www.nyrainc.com/ NYRAinc.com – Corporate site]
• [http://www.nyrabets.com/ NYRABets.com – ADW site]

{{New York state public-benefit corporations}}

{{Jamaica, Queens}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:1995 establishments in New York City

Category:Sports organizations established in 1955

Category:Belmont Stakes

Category:Horse racing companies

Category:Horse racing venue owners

Category:Horse racing organizations in the United States

Category:Organizations based in Queens, New York

Category:Public benefit corporations in New York (state)

Category:Jamaica, Queens