Empire Racing Plan Endorsed by Assemblyman Bill Magee

ALBANY, NY (04/23/2007)(readMedia)-- The Empire Racing plan for the future of New York racing has received the endorsement of Assemblyman Bill Magee (D-Nelson), chairman of the Assembly Standing Committee on Agriculture. The Empire Equine Economic Zone and Empire Racing's key relationships with Cornell University and Morrisville State College were key reasons for Magee's endorsement.

"I believe that we must be steadfast in our belief that the new operator not only ensures the quality of racing at the tracks themselves, but also puts forth a plan that ensures integrity in their operations as well as provides a significant economic development piece for Upstate New York," said Magee. "I believe there is only one organization that has come forward that is able to deliver and that is Empire Racing."

Empire Racing's Equine Economic Zone (EEEZ) is a unique plan to use the thoroughbred racing franchise as an engine to drive economic development in Central New York. Empire is fully engaged in the rollout of this program through its working partnerships with area colleges and universities. Empire has committed to invest $20 million in Cornell University's equine drug-testing facility and will invest $1 million to expand the equine research program at Morrisville State College.

Empire CEO Jeff Perlee said, "Assemblyman Magee knows better than most that the agricultural industry in New York could use a boost and he recognizes that Empire's plan can bring needed revitalization to the upstate economy. New York has a unique opportunity to use racing to power the state's equine industry and Empire Racing will get it done."

In addition to Assemblyman Magee's committed support, Empire Racing has received the exclusive endorsements of the New York Farm Bureau and the Nassau County OTB Corporation.

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