JC / Railbird

News Archive

Smith Headed for NY

Tim Smith resigned from NTRA last week and it’s widely anticipated he’ll be announced as the new NYRA CEO soon. “Smith is just what NYRA needs,” writes Bill Finley on ESPN. Bill Christine at the LA Times thinks Smith is the man best able to fend off Magna Corp. Chairman Frank Stronach’s attempt to take over the New York franchise when it expires in 2007. The New York attorney general’s office is concerned with another matter — how much will Smith be paid?

Posted in News on August 1, 2004

Wary Reception for Smith

Paul Moran is a bit skeptical of Tim Smith becoming NYRA president: “Smith brought a background in sports marketing to NTRA, with credentials in professional tennis and golf. His expertise was more or less applicable to the racing business. Running racetracks is another matter entirely, particularly three of the nation’s most important racetracks.” (Newsday)

Posted in News on July 23, 2004

Racing Industry Donations to Governor Questioned

“Representatives of the Texas Thoroughbred racing industry donated $232,800 to Governor Rick Perry’s campaign on February 11, two months before he called a special legislative session and proposed adding video lottery terminals at the state’s tracks.” (Thoroughbred Times)

Posted in News on July 22, 2004

Wasn’t It Just Yesterday …

That NTRA Commissioner Tim Smith said he was only considering the position of NYRA president and that “any decision will take more time and consultation with the relevant groups and representatives over the next several weeks“? It appears as though he needed less time than he thought.

Posted in News on July 20, 2004