New York Racing Association Archived Websites

In 2012, concerns about the current operations of the state's horse racing franchise and the long-term survival of the horse racing and breeding industry prompted passage of the New York State Racing and Franchise Accountability Act of 2012 (L. 2012, Ch. 457), which placed the New York Racing Association (NYRA), a non-profit organization established in 1955 to oversee the state's horse racing franchise, under temporary public control. The law went into effect on October 18, 2012, when the directors of the NYRA Reorganization Board (eight selected by the Governor, two each by the Senate and Assembly, and five by NYRA's outgoing board) were formally appointed. The NYRA Reorganization Board was to manage the state horse racing franchise for no more than three years, after which it would be returned to private control. NYRA was reconstituted as a not-for-profit corporation in 2017 (L. 2017, Ch. 59).

B2356-13: This accretion contains a copy of the New York Racing Association's main website that was produced on December 28, 2012, approximately two weeks after the first meeting of the NYRA Reorganization Board. Materials relating to the board's inaugural meeting include meeting minutes, an overview of NYRA's finances, and a presentation concerning the proposed reconstruction of the historic viewing stand at Saratoga Racecourse. Also present is a meeting book that contains the meeting agenda, the former NYRA board's code of ethics (2008) and anti-money laundering policy (2008), and resolutions concerning election of the board's chair and committee members and chairs, compliance with the State Open Meetings Law and the State Freedom of Information Law, and endorsement of ethics and compliance standards.

This copy also contains summary information about the history and operations of Aqueduct Racetrack (Jamaica), Belmont Park (Elmont), and Saratoga Race Course (Saratoga Springs), State Racing and Wagering Board rules regarding the use of the non-steroidal anti-inflammation drug phenylbutazone ("bute") in thoroughbred and harness racing, pari-mutuel betting, and claiming prizes.

Researchers should note that, owing to the structure of the live site and the limitations of Web archiving technology, some of the information contained within this site could not be captured properly.

This accretion also includes a copy of NYRA's Group Sales website (captured January 25, 2013) and copies of six social media resources maintained by NYRA. The NYRA Group Sales site contains information about rental of NYRA facilities for special events, including summary information about the history of NYRA and its race tracks, venue and menu options, and photographs of facilities and events. The NYRA Community Relations blog (captured January 9, 2013) contains information about charity events, school group visits, volunteer activities, and other community events (2008-2012) that took place at NYRA-operated facilities or involved NYRA employees; researchers should note that the "Blog Archive" that appears on each page of the blog is the easiest means of accessing older posts.

The Horse, of Course blog (captured January 10, 2013) features photographs and information (2011-2012) about noteworthy thoroughbreds who raced at Aqueduct, Belmont, and Saratoga.

Owing to the structure of the live sites and the limitations of Web archiving technology, only a fraction of the content found within NYRA's YouTube channel (captured ) and the Twitter feeds of NYRA News (captured January 22, 2013), television analyst Andy Serling (captured January 4, 2013), and paddock analyst Maggie Wolfendale (captured January 4, 2013) could be captured.

B2356-16: This accretion consists of a copy of the Aqueduct Racetrack section of the main New York Racing Association website produced on December 8, 2016, approximately four months before the organization was returned to private control. It contains NYRA Reorganization Board meeting minutes (2014-2016), slideshow presentations (2014-2016), and meeting books (2014-2016) that include agendas, resolutions, and other documents discussed at meetings. Also present are news items (2016), information about NYRA's community service activities and events, and information about upcoming races, track conditions, and visitor amenities at the Aqueduct Racetrack.

Researchers should note that, owing to the structure of the live site and the limitations of web archiving technology, some of the information contained within this site could not be captured properly.

The New York State Archives used Web archiving software to copy these websites in order to preserve the information they contain.

There are no restrictions regarding access to or use of this material.