Au Revoir to Bankruptcy Court?

- Governor Pataki offers NYRA a last-minute lifeline even as officials are virtually on the steps of the bankruptcy courthouse. He reiterated the $5 million land deal that NYRA has already rejected, and in addition offered a $5 million loan from Empire State Development Corp.

The money would have to first be approved by the NYRA Oversight Board after it receives assurances from NYRA that racing will remain in 2006 at the Aqueduct, Belmont and Saratoga thoroughbred tracks NYRA operates under a state franchise.

Gov. George Pataki promises to submit legislation that follows the plan Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno advanced last week. [Albany Times-Union]

Bruno’s plan would make $30 million in loans available to NYRA as needed before the alleged casino starts to bear fruit.

- The State Racing and Wagering Board may have been unable or unwilling to help NYRA, but they took the time to grant Monticello Raceway permission to allow a trotter to race against pacers, thereby filling the Au Revoir Pace for 14 year olds to be contested there tomorrow. Harness racing regulations require horses to retire once they reach age 15. While in most cases these horses are more than ready to hang up their sulkies, one of these, morning line favorite Try Kacy N, seems to be just getting going.

The veteran gelding has won 18 of his 32 starts this year (including his last four in a row) and 30 of his last 70 overall. Talk about a late bloomer. Of the $250,000 he's earned in his entire career, 58% of that has come in the last two years alone. [NY Daily News]