NYRA names new board members

Board consists of NYRA and state picks

New York Racing Association on Wednesday announced the make up of its new 17-member board of directors.

NYRA was recently returned to private hands after being under state control for more than four years.

NYRA President and Chief Executive Officer Chris Kay made the announcement Wednesday at Rockefeller Center, in Manhattan, shortly before the draw for Saturday’s Belmont Stakes.

“We are very pleased that many of the people that succeeded in moving NYRA forward as members of the Reorganization Board will now be serving as members of the new NYRA board of directors,” he said.

The 17 directors are comprised of eight NYRA executive committee picks, six state appointees — two each by the governor, senate and assembly — along with Kay, New York Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association President Rick Violette and New York Thoroughbred Breeders Executive Director Jeff Cannizzo, of Saratoga Springs.

Some observers, however, question the extent to which NYRA is really reprivatized because some supposedly “private” choices, such as celebrity chef Bobby Flay, were originally

named to the board as political appointees.

Also, the NYRA executive committee that selected NYRA’s eight members is mostly made up of former government appointees.

In addition, Gov. Andrew Cuomo gets to choose the board chairman. He has selected Michael Del Giudice, who had been acting chairman. Cuomo’s other choice is Vincent Tese.

The eight NYRA members, in addition to Flay, are former board Chairman C. Steven Duncker, Marc Holliday, Stuart Janney, Timothy “Chris” Mara, Andrew Rosen, Joseph Spinelli and Stuart Subotnick.

The senate picks are Earle Mack and Michael Dubb.

The assembly has chosen current board member Georgeanna Nugent of Saratoga Springs. A second assembly appointment is pending.

All 17 members have voting rights.

“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,” Kay said. “We welcome the new board and offer our thanks and appreciation to our outgoing members, Bob Megna and Len Riggio.”

For more biographical information on board members go to: https://www.nyra.com/Belmont/about/board-of-directors.