by Paul Post
The New York Racing Association named a new senior vice president on Tuesday, fueling speculation that the troubled racetrack operator might have a future beyond its December 31 franchise expiration date.
Gavin Landry, 42, is leaving his job as president of the Saratoga Convention and Tourism Bureau to become NYRA’s new senior vice president, sales and market development, effective July 2.
Three groups are challenging NYRA for New York’s Thoroughbred racing franchise.
New York Governor Eliot Spitzer is expected to name a new track operator by June 21, when the current legislative session ends. Recently, reports have circulated that Spitzer will give NYRA at least a part of the franchise in an attempt to settle the contentious issue of who owns the racetrack properties.
NYRA has sued the state, saying that it owns Saratoga Race Course, Belmont Park, and Aqueduct. That question, if it goes to court, could indefinitely sidetrack the process of naming a new franchisee. There has been speculation that NYRA will get Saratoga, with another group running Belmont and Aqueduct.
NYRA President Charles Hayward denied knowledge of any such deal and said he does not believe it would work.
“I don’t think anybody believes that splitting the tracks would be prudent,” he said. “I don’t think the breakup of the tracks is realistic under any scenario.”
Hayward said NYRA still is trying to arrange financing for a video lottery terminal facility at Aqueduct following the recent withdrawal of MGM Mirage from the project. He said several gaming firms have expressed interest in running the facility.
“We’re not going to pick an operator until we have the financing,” Hayward said. “Once we have that, then we’ll select an operator.”
Landry, with an extensive background in hospitality management, said he hopes to greatly improve customer service at all three NYRA tracks. He will be responsible for all customer service activities, corporate sponsorships, licensing agreements and vendor relationships. He will be handling many of the duties held by former NYRA Senior Vice President Bill Nader, who left this spring to run the Hong Kong Jockey Club.
“This is probably the only thing that would have caused me to step away,” Landry said of leaving his current job, which he has held since 1995.
Landry is a Thoroughbred owner and his father, Chip, is a board member and former general manager of the New York Breeders Sales Co.
“This is in my blood,” Landry said. “The on-track live experience is really where we can make a difference.”
Landry said he hopes to improve communications with fans and horsemen. He also will be managing NYRA’s database of contact information, such as fan and owner e-mail addresses.
“This new position affords me the opportunity to help develop cutting-edge technology to complement my skills and long-standing experience in hospitality, marketing, and management,” he said.
Paul Post is a New York-based Thoroughbred Times correspondent
