Bailey hired by NYRA bidders

Jerry Bailey, the retired Hall of Fame jockey, has been hired by Excelsior Racing Associates, one of 16 groups expected to submit a bid for the New York Racing Association's franchise, as a "key adviser," a spokesman for the group said on Monday.

Bailey "is an authority and expert on New York racing, and Excelsior will look to him for advice and comment," said Howard Wolfson, the spokesman for the group. Wolfson said that he could not provide details about Bailey's compensation, or whether Bailey received an equity stake in Excelsior.

Bailey retired last year from riding and now works as a part-time analyst for ESPN and ABC. He was based for most of his career in New York.

Excelsior is a partnership that includes Steve Swindal, a partner in the New York Yankees and the son-in-law of the majority owner, George Steinbrenner, who is a horse owner and breeder. The group also includes David Cordish, a partner in the Cordish Company, a large real estate development company based in Baltimore.