New York Racing Association

Last updated

The New York Racing Association, Inc.
AbbreviationNYRA
FoundedApril 28, 1955;68 years ago (1955-04-28) [1]
Founders John Wesley Hanes II, Christopher Chenery, Harry F. Guggenheim [1]
Purpose Thoroughbred horse racing
Location
Marc Holliday [2]
David O'Rourke [2]
Website www.nyra.com
Formerly called
The Greater New York Association [1]

The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) is the not-for-profit corporation that operates the three largest thoroughbred horse racing tracks in the state of New York, United States: Aqueduct Racetrack in South Ozone Park, Queens; Belmont Park in Elmont; and Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs.

Contents

Racing at NYRA tracks is year-round, operating at Belmont Park from May to mid-July and from September through October; at Saratoga Race Course from mid-July through Labor Day; and at Aqueduct from November through April.

The New York Racing Association is the successor to the Greater New York Association, a non-profit racing association created in 1955. NYRA is separate from the governing body that oversees racing in New York, the former New York State Racing and Wagering Board (now the New York State Gaming Commission).

History

In 1913, racing returned to New York after a hiatus due to the Hart–Agnew Law. Only four tracks had survived the hiatus. These were Aqueduct Racetrack (the Big A), Belmont Park, Jamaica Racetrack and Saratoga Race Course. The tracks came under common ownership with the creation of a non-profit association known as the Greater New York Association in 1955. [3] The association remodeled Aqueduct Racetrack, Belmont Park, and Saratoga Race Course and demolished Jamaica, which is now the Rochdale Village housing development. The partnership became the New York Racing Association on April 10, 1958. Later, Belmont Park was closed from 1963 to 1968 in order to construct a new grandstand.

Off-track betting in New York was established in 1970, being offered by regional, government-owned corporations. OTB parlors began showing live video feeds of races (referred to as simulcasting) in 1984. [4] [5] In 1995, NYRA launched a cable television channel and a telephone advance-deposit wagering service.

From December 2003 through September 2005, NYRA operated under a deferred prosecution agreement following a 2003 federal indictment. The charges related alleged income tax evasion and money laundering by mutuel clerks between 1980 and 1999 with the knowledge of NYRA middle managers. Under the agreement, NYRA paid $3 million to the government and its implementation of new cash-handling procedures designed to eliminate corruption and mismanagement was monitored by a New York law firm. After receiving a report from the monitor which concluded that NYRA was in compliance with the new guidelines, the Justice Department moved to dismiss the indictment and its motion was allowed by a federal judge.

NYRA, claiming that the state lottery division's failure to approve the installation of video-lottery terminal (VLT) machines at Aqueduct Racetrack pushed it to insolvency, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on November 2, 2006. [6] The association emerged from bankruptcy protection September 12, 2008 with incorporation of a successor corporation, New York Racing Association Inc. [7] New York City's OTB Corporation shut down in 2010.

In 2016, NYRA launched an online advance-deposit wagering platform under the brand NYRA Bets, which offers live bets and live simulcasts, and is available on multiple states. [8]

Restructuring

NYRA was reorganized and its franchise to operate the three racetracks was extended through 2033 under legislation approved by the New York state legislature on February 13, 2008. The new authorization provided $105 million in direct state aid and forgave millions more in state loans to NYRA. The association also gave up its claim to ownership of the land on which the three racetracks are situated. In return, the state gained expanded oversight responsibility. The state comptroller won the power to audit NYRA's books. The conversion of NYRA from a non-profit association to a not-for-profit corporation also gave the state attorney general enhanced oversight authority. In addition, the state now appoints 11 of the corporation's 25 directors. By changing from non-profit to not-for-profit status, NYRA also gained flexibility in its financial management.

Law Enforcement Force

NYRA Peace Officer Patch NYRA Peace Officer Patch.jpg
NYRA Peace Officer Patch

NYRA maintains its own law enforcement force comprising over 300 sworn employees, including plain clothed investigators and inspectors as well as fire marshals. These officers must be licensed with the New York State Gaming Commission as well as meet requirements set forth by the Division of Criminal Justice Services.

Peace Officers

The force consists of uniformed officers & supervisors, fire marshals, plain clothed investigators and inspectors, all of whom maintain New York State Peace Officer status, thus giving them arrest and investigatory powers, the authority to issue summonses, and the ability to carry defensive weapons including a firearm, baton, pepper spray, and handcuffs. Uniformed members wear navy blue style uniforms with gold on white NYRA patches on their left side and an American flag patch on the right side. NYRA Peace Officers wear eagle-top shields, typically gold in color regardless of rank. NYRA Inspectors wear gold shields, similar in design to that of NYPD Detectives, but do not wear uniforms or logos thereof.

NYRA Peace Officers go through an in-house training academy. Officers can get assigned to either the Patrol or Backstretch divisions. Patrol division officers are the everyday face of the department to the general public, conducting patrols and enforcing the law during meets and events at all three of NYRA's facilities. Backstretch officers conduct patrols and enforce the law in the backstretch areas of all three locations such as the on-property residences NYRA staff and some riders live and work in. Each division's officers are covered by its own union representation derived from two completely separate union organizations.

Hiring Process

NYRA hires Peace Officers for both divisions through their online application system. Once an applicant is interviewed by the Corporate HR Department, they do a panel interview with a Lieutenant or higher ranking sworn employee. During this panel interview, a written examination is administered based on summarized information sheets provided in the moment at the time of interview. If the applicant interviews successfully, passes the written exam and accepts the extended job offer then they are sworn as Peace Officers and sent to the New York State Gaming Commission office (All three NYRA properties have NY State Gaming Commission officers on property) for fingerprints and licensing as commission peace officers.

All NYRA Peace Officers and Sergeants are paid hourly rates. Investigators, Lieutenants and higher-ranking members are paid annual salaries.

Jurisdiction / Authority

All peace officers employed by NYRA are sworn under New York State Criminal Procedure Law Chapter Two, Section ten, Sub-section twenty-nine, which grants NYRA specific and independent authority to hire their own law enforcement officials. This grants NYRA Peace Officers a much broader scope, including statewide authority as well as the ability to set their own hiring standards, provided they match or exceed the requirements of the law. Not all NYRA officers are armed, however, those that are authorized to carry firearms are issued a Glock 17 9mm handgun like the New York City Police Department.

Non-Sworn Members

NYRA also seasonally employs New York State licensed security officers at Saratoga Racecourse during its racing meets, as well as subcontracts private security guard companies to assist with large details downstate such as Belmont Stakes. NYRA's Security Officers wear light blue or white shirts with security patches on both arms. Contractors wear their security company's patches and logos while working. NYRA Security Officers and contractors derive their powers from the New York State Law's citizen's arrest procedures as well as report to assist and make arrests on the orders of a sworn NYRA peace officer.

Ranks

RankInsignia
Director
4 Gold Stars.svg
Chief of Law Enforcement / Security
3 Gold Stars.svg
Chief Fire Marshal †
FIRE BUGLES - 5.1 (GOLD).png
Assistant Chief Fire Marshal †
FIRE BUGLES - 4.3 (GOLD).png
Inspector *NONE
Fire Marshal Captain †
FIRE BUGLES - 2 (SILVER).svg
Captain
Captain insignia gold.svg
Fire Marshal Lieutenant †
FIRE BUGLES - 1 (SILVER).png
Lieutenant
US-OF1B.svg
Fire Marshal Sergeant †
NYPD Sergeant Stripes.svg
(sleeve)
Sergeant
NYPD Sergeant Stripes.svg
(sleeve)
InvestigatorNONE
Deputy Fire Marshal †"NYRA" Collar Pins
Peace Officer"NYRA" Collar Pins
Security Officer †"NYRA" Collar Pins

^  †: Uniformed rank that has no authority to carry any weapons or firearms
^  *: "Inspectors" in the NYRA are Investigation Supervisors and outrank Captains in the chain of command

Security Officers are registered with the NY Department of State and as such have no power above that of a normal citizen's rights.

See also

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References

  1. 1 2 3 "A Short History". The New York Racing Association. 2021. Retrieved September 23, 2023.
  2. 1 2 "Board of Directors". The New York Racing Association, Inc. Retrieved September 23, 2023.
  3. ↑ White, Gordon S. Jr. (September 28, 1955). "Purchase of 4 Race Tracks Approved". The New York Times. Retrieved October 11, 2009.
  4. ↑ Cusano, Mark (August 30, 1984). "Simulcasting begins; Opens locally today". The Post-Star. Glens Falls, NY – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ↑ New York State's $2 Billion Trifecta: NYRA, VLTs & OTB (Report). Maryland Tax Education Foundation. February 2006. p. 3.
  6. ↑ Precious, Tom (November 2, 2006). "NYRA Seeks Bankruptcy Protection from Court". The Blood-horse. Archived from the original on September 28, 2007. Retrieved November 3, 2006.
  7. ↑ Bossert, Jerry (September 12, 2008). "NYRA out of Chapter 11". Daily News. New York. Retrieved July 26, 2009.
  8. ↑ Anderson, Eric (August 8, 2016). "NYRA rolls out betting website that crosses state's borders". Times Union. Albany.
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