Big A Racino Coming - One of These Days...

- It's March 14. The Albany Times Union had reported on the 1st that State officials are looking to have a deal with NYRA and its business partner, MGM Mirage, by March 16 to approve construction of the Aqueduct racino. Two days to go, and no announcement as of yet. But Charles Hayward told Paul Post of the Saratogian: "We've had discussions and they've been very productive and very fruitful." So perhaps an agreement is imminent, though Post also reports that NYRA, MGM and Lottery have a March 29 court date when the VLT deal might finally be approved.

The State Senate approved $23 million in financing (with an option for another $9 million if necessary) to get NYRA through the rest of the year.