ELMONT, N.Y. – In remarks shortly before the draw for the Belmont Stakes presented by NYRA Bets at Rockefeller Center in Manhattan Wednesday, New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) President and CEO Chris Kay announced the membership of the NYRA Board of Directors. The new board was formed according to the legislation passed in the FY 2018 New York State budget, which returned majority control of NYRA back to the not-for-profit organization and dissolved the temporary NYRA Reorganization Board established by the New York State Legislature in 2012.
“On behalf of the men and women of the New York Racing Association, we are very pleased that many of the people that succeeded in moving NYRA forward as board members of the Reorganization Board will now be serving as members of the new NYRA Board of Directors,” said Kay.
“These board members helped our organization achieve meaningful progress in strengthening NYRA’s financial foundation, which is so important in light of the fact that NYRA is the cornerstone of an industry that generates over 17,000 jobs-and over $2 billion in economic impact here in New York,” said Kay. “Working together with our new management team, we also improved the quality of racing and enhanced the experience for our fans and horseplayers that visit our race tracks or follow our racing online, as reflected in the fact that our Belmont Stakes won the prestigious ‘Sports Event of the Year’ award, and NYRA established record attendance and wagering at our meets at the historic Saratoga Race Course. We look forward to achieving continued success with these fine board members in the future.”
The new board of directors consists of 17 members who have equal voting rights. Eight of the members were appointed by the executive committee of the New York Racing Association Reorganization Board of Directors. Two members each are appointed by the Governor of New York, the State Senate and the State Assembly. The New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc. and the New York Thoroughbred Horseman’s Association each appoint one board member. Additionally, the NYRA President and CEO is a voting member of the board.
“Led by Chairman Michael Del Giudice, the NYRA Board is an accomplished group of business and professional leaders with a depth of experience and involvement in thoroughbred racing in New York State,” added Kay. “We welcome the new Board and offer our thanks and appreciation to our outgoing members, Bob Megna and Len Riggio.”
The members of the NYRA Board of Directors are listed below (by appointee):
NYRA:
- C. Steven Dunker
- Robert Flay
- Marc Holliday
- Stuart Janney
- Timothy (Chris) Mara
- Andrew Rosen
- Joseph Spinelli
- Stuart Subotnick
NYRA CEO:
- Christopher Kay
New York State Governor:
- Michael Del Giudice (Chairman)
- Vincent Tese
New York State Senate:
- Earle Mack
- Michael Dubb
New York State Assembly
- Georgeanna Nugent
- (Pending)
New York Thoroughbred Horseman’s Association
- Richard Violette
The New York Thoroughbred Breeders
- Jeffrey Cannizzo
For more biographical information on the members of the board of directors please go to: https://www.nyra.com/Belmont/about/board-of-directors