Jun 23, 2008 3:34 pm US/Eastern
NY Racing Officials Hope To See Big Brown Again
ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) ―
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Big Brown with jockey Kent Desormeaux pulls up as he finishes last in the 2008 Belmont Stakes June 7, 2008 at Belmont Park. (File Image)
Stan Honda/AFP/Getty Images
New York racing officials are disappointed Big Brown will run in New Jersey during their marquee Saratoga meet this summer, but they still hope to host the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes winner once more this year.
Big Brown finished last earlier this month at Belmont, the third and longest of the Triple Crown races, following convincing wins in Kentucky and Maryland. He's set to run the $1 million Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park on Aug. 3 and his owners have said it's unlikely Big Brown will be ready to run again on Aug. 23 for the Travers, the $1 million stakes race that is the highlight of the six-week Saratoga Race Course season.
New York Racing Association officials said at news conference Monday about the Saratoga season July 23-Sept. 1 that it's possible Big Brown can appear in the Travers if he runs well in the Haskell. Many horses that do well in the Haskell make the trip to Saratoga for the Travers.
NYRA President and Chief Executive Officer Charles Hayward said that since Big Brown's trainer, Rick Dutrow, keeps his horses stabled at Aqueduct, they may see Big Brown this year in a major race at nearby Belmont. NYRA runs Aqueduct, Belmont and Saratoga.
"We think if not the Travers, then perhaps the Jockey Gold Cup," Hayward said, "but we'll have to see."
Though NYRA is currently in bankruptcy protection, state officials this year agreed to award them the thoroughbred racing franchise at the three tracks for the next 25 years. In exchange, NYRA gave up its disputed claim to ownership of the tracks. They also will receive $105 million from New York to get out of bankruptcy and the state will forgive millions of dollars in loans.
Hayward said franchise renewal is still not a "done deal" because it's contingent on NYRA emerging from bankruptcy. He said lawyers must work out a franchise agreement contract, lease documents and other details by July 13 at the latest.
"I don't want to be inflammatory, but I must tell you we've been pretty much running on fumes from a financial perspective," Hayward said. "We need the money that will be released to NYRA as a result of the bankruptcy."
Hayward also said the Legislature needs to approve a follow-up franchise bill detailing technical provisions like the distribution of video lottery terminal revenues. The machines are to be installed at Aqueduct after a vendor is selected.
As Hayward spoke to the press at a suburban Albany hotel, lawmakers across town at the state Capitol were finishing up their legislative session.
(© 2009 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
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