Decision to drop Empire Racing linked to working with the eventual winner of state track franchise 

A group seeking to run New York racing has lost a major partner, the New York Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association announced Tuesday.

The decision to withdraw the horse owners’ endorsement is a blow to Empire Racing, a Saratoga Springs group that includes Churchill Downs, Magna Entertainment, Delaware North Companies, Woodbine Entertainment Group, and Scientific Games Holding Corp. The entity came in a close second last fall in the first round of consideration to continue the state racing franchise for perhaps the next 20 years.

Horsemen’s Association President Rick Violette said the group was ending its membership with one franchise competitor to assure its independence in working with the group that the legislature and Gov. Eliot Spitzer eventually choose