One can't help wondering how, with just six months left to New York Racing Association's franchise, he's suddenly discovered that Aqueduct racetrack, adjacent to one of the world's busiest airports (JFK International) is a valuable piece of property - 192 acres worth |$1 billion or more.
Only a month or so ago, he sent shockwaves through the thoroughbred industry by asking, "Why do we need horses there?"
According to recent reports, The Big A might be facing the same fate as two other once-great New York sports venues, Ebbets Field and the Polo Grounds.
"Whether or not you have racing, you have an enormous piece of land there that can and should be used for some other things," Spitzer said, in Tuesday's New York Daily News.
Plans call for putting 4,500 video lottery terminals at Aqueduct capable of generating up to $660 million annually, which NYRA or whoever needs the tracks needs to keep New York racing competitive with other states, such as Pennsylvania, where slots have opened to great fanfare.
VLT revenues would increase purses, the winnings horsemen get, and help boost New York breeding programs.
Without such money, owners might take their horses elsewhere.
If Aqueduct is sold for commercial real estate, out go the VLTs. New legislation would have to be approved, allowing for them at Belmont, which would have to be retrofitted to make winter racing possible there.
Both measures would take considerable time and money.
All of this is making many people in the racing world extremely nervous as the clock winds down toward NYRA's franchise expiration on Dec. 31.
Come Jan. 1, there's supposed to be a new track operator in place, and horse people the world over should be ushering in 2008 with great fanfare, like the million or so people who cram Times Square each year. Instead, each new development in the franchise selection process is about as welcome as a New Year's Eve hangover.
The Daily News reported, "Spitzer said the state is trying to figure out the best business model for racing and real estate at the tracks, and may seek a new set of bids."
Can you hear the groans coming out of Assemblyman Gary Pretlow's office? The Yonkers Democrat chairs the Assembly's Racing and Wagering Committee and was on the state ad hoc racing panel named last year to select a preferred racetrack operator.
After nearly a full year's worth, exhaustive studies and reviews, the group recommended Excelsior Racing Associates to run Saratoga Race Course, Belmont Park and Aqueduct. Then Spitzer took office and basically started the process over.
Now he wants to seek a new set of bids?
They say there are no atheists in foxholes. Betcha there ain't an elected state leader anywhere who isn't down on his knees praying that Spitzer doesn't start the process over again.
Where will things be on Jan. 1?
"I hope we're at the finish line, not the gate," said state Sen. John Sabini, D-Queens. "I am concerned."
As well he should be, because Senate Majority Leader Joseph L. Bruno is dead set against the idea of closing Aqueduct.
"Aqueduct is going to be a racetrack and it is destined to have VLTs there," he told the Associated Press Tuesday. "That's what the Assembly members want and that's what my Senate members want. ... I'm hearing that Aqueduct is critical to horse racing in this state."
The question is, which is more important to Gov. Spitzer, racing or real estate dollars?
This could turn out to be a political pigskin of enormous proportions.
Football anyone?
6 years ago
