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Open Letter/Press Release to Governor Paterson

November 20, 2010

PRESS RELEASE/OPEN LETTER   

November 20, 2010 

Honorable Governor Paterson, 

On behalf of the New York Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association, representing over 5,000 owners and trainers that participate at the New York Racing Association racetracks - Aqueduct, Belmont Park and Saratoga Race Course, I am writing to express our frustration and disbelief that your office has been in negotiations with the Stockbridge-Munsee Mohican Nation to establish a full-blown casino in Sullivan County, as the ink has barely dried on the Genting/Aqueduct racino project.     

This past September, nine years after the enabling legislation, the Division of Lottery finally put together a legitimate procurement process that resulted in the naming of Genting New York (World Resorts) to be the operator of the racino at Aqueduct.   Genting has the wherewithal to make a dramatic improvement to the landscape of thoroughbred horse racing in New York State, allowing the New York Racing Association to make capital improvement upgrades to its facilities at Belmont Park and Saratoga Race Course, while also providing much needed financial aid to education statewide.   

Consequently, we urge you to postpone the scheduled press conference this coming Monday, November 22^nd and reconsider the impact your actions will have on existing racinos currently in operation, specifically the fledgling racino operation underway at Aqueduct.   

Sincerely,