The New York Racing
Association, Inc. (NYRA) Board of Directors approved its three-year work
plan, focused on equine safety, and formally began its search for a new
President and CEO for the organization during
its second meeting on Friday.
Meeting in
Manhattan, the Board
addressed a series of recently proposed equine safety initiatives,
including reducing the number of race days per week during the
inner-track meet at Aqueduct Racetrack, forming a search committee
for the Equine Veterinary Medical Director, and establishing a
mortality review board for NYRA. There was discussion of the merits of
installing a synthetic surface on the inner track and that issue will
continue to be explored by the board.
“The safety of the
equine and human athletes competing at NYRA’s tracks is a top priority
for this board,” said Chair David Skorton. “Today, we took important
steps forward, guided by recommendations from the
Equine Health and Safety Committee. I thank Dr. Michael Kotlikoff, dean
of the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine and Special
Advisor to the Board for Equine Health and Safety, and committee
chairman Anthony Bonomo for their leadership on this
issue. We will soon begin the search process for the new Equine
Veterinary Medical Director position announced last week.”
Early in the meeting, NYRA’s current President and Chief Operating Officer,
Ellen McClain, announced her
resignation. McClain will stay on through at least March 31 as NYRA
searches for and begins its transition to a new President and CEO. Board
members Bobby Flay, Stuart Janney, Earle Mack
and Jane Rosenthal will serve on the executive search committee, which
will be chaired by Skorton.
“Ellen McClain
has been extremely helpful since my appointment in educating me about
NYRA as an organization and helping this board begin its work,” said
Skorton. “Establishing
stable, long-term leadership at NYRA is another critical part of our
mission and we take that task very seriously.”
Also on Friday, the Board established a three-year work plan and formally approved NYRA’s 2013 operating and capital budget.
In total, the Board today:
·
Voted to authorize NYRA to seek a reduction in race days for the
inner-track meet at Aqueduct, including seeking approval for legislative
changes essential to that reduction
·
Voted to form a search committee to fill the position of Equine Veterinary Medical Director for NYRA
·
Voted to authorize the establishment and organization of NYRA’s Mortality Review Board
·
Established a three-year-work plan for the board with eight major goals:
o
Establish, oversee, and support an optimal management structure and leadership for NYRA
o
Implement best practices to protect equine health and safety
o
Optimize the racing experience for NYRA customers
o
Enhance quality of thoroughbred racing at NYRA tracks to maintain NYRA’s traditional position of national leadership
o
Judiciously employ new technologies to the benefit of the wagering public
o
Optimize NYRA relations with its host communities,
racing organizations, and relevant governmental entities within New York
State
o
Ensure that NYRA’s operations provide a safe
working environment for its employees and support vibrant local and
state-wide economies
o
Prepare NYRA for re-privatization
·
Approved NYRA’s 2013 operating and capital budget
·
Approved a schedule for remaining 2013 Board meetings which calls for meetings on February 27, May 15, August 28, and December 4
·
Designated a records access officer and records access appeals officer for NYRA
All materials discussed
and reviewed during the Board’s meetings, replays of past meetings, and
a list of Board members are available at:
www.nyra.com/boardmeetings/index.shtml.