By Steve Mosco
Shortly before noon Friday, reports circulated that Triple Crown favorite I’ll Have Another would not run in the Belmont Stakes.
Doug O’NMeill, the horse’s trainer, disclosed that I’ll Have Another would not be in the storied race on the “Dan Patrick Shaw Show,” the New York Post reported.
The New York Racing Association scheduled a news conference for 1 p.m. EDT.
With just days to spare before the big race, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced a labor deal between the New York Racing Association and Local 3 of the International Brotherhood of Electric Workers Thursday – ensuring horses will run in the Belmont Stakes this Saturday.
“I am pleased that by coming together, NYRA and IBEW Local 3 have been able to forge a labor contract agreement that helps allow the much-anticipated Belmont Stakes to be held this weekend,” the governor said Thursday. “With the potential for the nation’s first Triple Crown in more than three decades, this year’s Belmont Stakes holds particular excitement for horse racing fans here in New York and across the globe. I applaud the negotiating units on both sides for their hard work and commitment in reaching an agreement.”
Of the 150 workers IBEW represents, close to 80 work at Belmont. The individuals involved in the labor dispute include starting gate workers, who are responsible in getting the horses into their assigned positions at post time.
The main sticking points between the two parties were overtime and the structure of the track’s work week. NYRA runs races Wednesday through Sunday, but the contract covers a Monday-through-Friday week, which means union workers earn built-in overtime on weekends. NYRA was seeking to immediately take away overtime for working Saturdays and Sundays, a move the union said would cut some workers’ pay by 30 percent.
The agreement addresses all major economic issues, including shift schedules, benefits for active employees, as well as pension and retiree medical benefits. This extends NYRA’s contract with IBEW Local 3 through February 28, 2014.
Before he was scratched, I’ll Have Another was to become the 12th horse to win all three legs of the Triple Crown: The Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont Stakes.
“We are pleased to announce that after several days of intense negotiations, The New York Racing Association and IBEW Local 3 have come to an agreement for the maintenance and assistant starters bargaining units,” said NYRA president and Chief Operating Officer Ellen McClain. “Now together we can focus exclusively on this Saturday’s Belmont Stakes and I’ll Have Another’s historic attempt to become the first Triple Crown champion since Affirmed in 1978.”
