After having been publicly grilled for making appointments to replace its fired president and secretary amid a state probe, the New York Racing Association has fired back at the New York State Racing and Wagering Board in defence of its decisions

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The NYSRWB ripped NYRA on May 15 after it replaced its ousted president, Charles Hayward, with its executive vice-president and COO, Ellen McCain. Kenneth V. Handal was also appointed secretary to take over for the fired Patrick Kehoe.

The NYSRWB has cited the ongoing investigation of NYRA and the "unanswered questions" regarding what executives "were aware or participated" in misconduct relating to takeout as reasons for the appointments being "entirely inappropriate."

As a report by The Saratogian explains, NYRA is claiming that NYSRWB Chairman John Sabini told NYRA to fill the positions without restrictions or limitations.

“The NYRA board acted to name a president and secretary without any knowledge of any concerns by either the Franchise Oversight Board or the Racing and Wagering Board,” NYRA said in a statement. “Furthermore, neither the Racing and Wagering Board nor the Franchise Oversight Board has authority over the naming of officers by the NYRA Board of Directors.”

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