NYRA Wants To Continue Five-Day-A-Week Schedule At Saratoga

NYRA President & CEO David O'Rourke said that he "wants to stick with the reduced five-day-a-week racing schedule" at the Saratoga Race Course that debuted this summer, stretching the 40-day meet beyond seven weeks, according to David Lombardo of the Albany TIMES UNION. The schedule, if approved by the state, would "shut down racing on Mondays and Tuesdays, except for Labor Day." Opening day "would be July 16." Spreading out the 40 days of racing at Saratoga this year was "originally pitched by NYRA as an accommodation for the construction at their Belmont Park property on Long Island," where the new Islanders arena is being constructed. Continuing the schedule is a "reflection of the record levels of gambling this summer, the growing challenge of fielding enough quality horses for races, and input from Saratoga businesses, elected officials and the local advisory board." O'Rourke said, "The reality of the industry is nobody races six days (a week) anymore" (Albany TIMES UNION, 10/30).