New York Racing Association Chairman Barry Schwartz said he is confident NYRA will get an extension on the deadline to begin operating video lottery terminals at Aqueduct by April 1, 2003. The terminals are tied into the recent extension of the NYRA franchise from 2007 through '12.

Schwartz made the comment after a board of directors meeting on Wednesday.

The franchise extension was part of legislation that mandated NYRA begin operating VLTs by April 1, but the New York State Division of the Lottery will not be ready to implement them at any of the state's racetracks until mid-April or early May.

"How can they expect us to open if the Lottery's not ready?" Schwartz said. "I'm sure they'll give us an extension. My first concern is to get a plan to get this casino open. I'll talk to the Governor [George Pataki] when I have a plan."

Schwartz disclosed that some preliminary architectural drawings of the VLT area at Aqueduct have been completed and that NYRA has already talked to eight major casino operators regarding their possible involvement.

"We intend to talk to as many people as possible," Schwartz said. "We're looking for somebody to operate the casino for us."—Bill Heller