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NYRA opposes elimination of Belmont rail service

Posted: Friday, January 30, 2009 1:46 PM

by Paul Post

The New York Racing Association and horsemen are protesting the proposed elimination of Long Island Rail Road service to Belmont Park, except on Belmont Stakes (G1) day.

The New York Metropolitan Transit Authority is considering the move as a way to cut expenses throughout its bus, train and subway system.

NYRA, along with the New York Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association and local civic leaders, opposes the plan.
 
“Eliminating service to the Belmont Park train station would undermine New York State’s mandate for NYRA to promote racing and increase attendance at Belmont Park,” said Joanne Adams, NYRA’s community relations manager.

In September, the state took over ownership of all three NYRA tracks–Belmont, Aqueduct, and Saratoga Race Course–when awarding NYRA a new 25-year contract. Shortly afterward, Governor David Paterson directed a task force to come up with ways to maximize Belmont’s 445-acre property, which has significant commercial real estate value.

The task force submitted its report to Paterson by December 31, but details have not been made public. It is believed, however, that the report calls for major development such as retail, entertainment, a hotel, and possibly gaming.

In December, Paterson announced that he favors having video lottery terminals at Belmont in addition to Aqueduct, where gaming has already been approved.

The MTA’s proposal, on the surface, seems to counteract the governor’s plans for Belmont.

“Generations of racing fans and Belmont Park patrons have depended on the ‘Belmont Special.’ This drastic service cut would undercut one specific and vital Long Island business, to the detriment of the surrounding communities,” NYRA spokesman John Lee said.

Stephen Zorn, a NYTHA board member and Thoroughbred owner, said, “One of the target groups for creating new racing fans are the thousands of bright, energetic and relatively well-paid young professionals who come to New York from all over the world. Most of these folks don’t have cars. If we want tot turn them on to racing and make lifelong fans of them, we need the Belmont Park train service.”

Interested persons may comment by writing to Douglas Sussman, director, MTA Community Affairs, 347 Madison Avenue, New York, NY, 10017 or by visiting the MTA Web site at www.mta.info.

Paul Post is a New York-based correspondent for Thoroughbred Times