DEFECTORS UNHAPPY WITH NTRA RESPONSE, WILL WAIT ON STRONACH

          A "consortium of tracks dissatisfied" with their NTRA
     membership has called the NTRA's "response to the tracks'
     complaints 'inadequate,' rolling back progress the two sides
     had made in recent negotiations," according to Matt Hegarty
     of the DAILY RACING FORM.  In a letter sent to NTRA
     Commissioner Tim Smith, the tracks said that they are "still
     willing to negotiate" an agreement to rejoin the NTRA, but
     that the organization had "not addressed their most pressing
     concerns with its most recent response."  The tracks also
     said that they are "looking forward to an open meeting
     called by" Magna Chair Frank Stronach next month at
     Gulfstream Park to discuss the issues.  Meanwhile, Hegarty
     adds that the NTRA has approved a budget for next year that
     "does not include revenues from the dissatisfied tracks'
     membership dues," as well as TV schedules that do not
     include races at those tracks (DAILY RACING FORM, 12/21).