NYRA reaches agreement to stay open

By: SPORTS NETWORK

Ozone Park, NY (Sports Network) - The New York Racing Association (NYRA) has reached an agreement with the state of New York to remain operating on a temporary basis.

The agreement allows racing at Aqueduct to go on through Wednesday, January 23. The contract NYRA has was to expire December 31.

"On behalf of our fans, employees and the participants in the racing industry, NYRA wants to thank Governor Eliot Spitzer and Steven Newman, Chair of the Oversight Board, for their extraordinary efforts to continue racing at Aqueduct," NYRA Chairman C. Steven Dunker said in a statement.

Negotiations on a permanent contract to operate Aqueduct, Belmont Park and Saratoga Race Course are expected to resume next week.