A little rumor is going a long way at Aqueduct Racetrack.
Gov. Spitzer is reportedly considering selling Aqueduct to real estate developers - who would close the track - and several Queens lawmakers are vowing to fight any proposed sale.
The horse-racing industry Web site www.bloodhorse.com last month cited several unnamed sources who said Spitzer was looking into selling the 192-acre property.
"If they sell Aqueduct, I'll call for the biggest investigation you've ever seen," said Assemblyman Anthony Seminerio, who lives a block away from the track. "I want to know who the brain is who wants to close Aqueduct. It's got to be one real idiot."
The governor's office has repeatedly refused to confirm or deny the report.
"I don't know why the governor is looking into closing Aqueduct," said Assemblywoman Audrey Pheffer (D-Rockaway Beach). "You can make a lot of money with racing in New York."
The assemblywoman confronted Spitzer about the rumors at a May 16 meeting when, according to Pheffer, the governor said, "What's the difference if we put a hotel and convention center there and horses aren't racing around the track?"
The governor appointed an eight-member panel to review bids for New York State's racing franchise, which is currently operated by NYRA but expires at the end of the year.
The results of the panel's recommendation were expected to be released last month, but have been delayed for undisclosed reasons.
If the matter is not resolved by June 21, Spitzer may have to call a special session of the state legislatures in the fall.
"The governor is saying that he has a plan but no one has seen or heard it," said state Sen. Serphin Maltese (R/C-Glendale). "And all of a sudden we're confronted with statements about the closing of Aqueduct ... the bottom line for me is no way, no how."
City lawmakers complain that their residents are not being kept in the loop.
"The information from Albany is piecemeal and my residents want more," said City Councilman Joe Addabbo (D-Howard Beach). "Anything beyond your worst dreams can be built at Aqueduct because of how the property is zoned."
Maltese says that he and fellow Queens lawmakers are united in their opposition to any sale of Aqueduct.
"Unless they steamroll over Audrey, Tony and myself, it's not going to happen," said Maltese. "The longer we are in limbo, the more cockamamie plans will come forward to disrupt the community."
