The Future of the Saratoga Race Course

The panel Governor Eliot Spitzer convened to receive proposals to operate the State’s thoroughbred racing facilities scheduled two days of hearings on the racing franchise on April 10 and April 11, 2007. Mayor Keehn was in prominent attendance at those hearings, representing the interests of Saratoga Springs. Keehn remains in close contact with the Governror and the Legislature, making the case for maintaining the historic character of Saratoga Race Course and the exclusive world class Saratoga meet every August. Mayor Keehn has made it clear to Governor Spitzer and the Legislature that she is against splitting up ownership of Saratoga, Belmont and Aqueduct race courses among different owner/operators. Indeed, this was the recommendation made by the Ad Hoc Committee on the Future of Racing in New York, on which Mayor Keehn was honored to serve under Governor Pataki.