In general terms, there are many in horse racing that believe that the intelligent veterans of the industry are the ones that are needed to steer the game to the promise land. On the flip side, there are others that believe that successful business professionals from outside the industry are needed to come in and right the ship. It is clear which way the New York Racing Association has gone, as its new chairman, David Skorton, has gone on the record as saying, "I really do not know much about horse racing."
Skorton, who is the president of Cornell University, will retain his position with the college and assume his NYRA position in an unpaid capacity. His self-admitted ignorance in regard to the world of horse racing have come via an extensive article by the Times Union.
The 63-year-old has been thrust into NYRA and the world of horse racing as part of New York Governor Andrew Cuomo's reorganization of the embattled racing association. Governor Cuomo's move saw the 25-person NYRA Board banished and replaced with a 17-member board to steer the racing giant to greener pastures.
Admittedly, Skorton told the Times Union that he will be in a "listening mode" for many of the ins and outs of the process, but he did also modestly state that he 'thinks he knows what good governance is.'
(With files from the Times Union)