Belmont impasse continues

The two sides embroiled in a dispute that has resulted in the blackout of the Belmont Park signal in six states on the East Coast have not talked since Tuesday, according to representatives of both sides of the dispute on Friday, and do not plan to resume negotiations.

The signal from Belmont has been shut off in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, New Jersey, and parts of West Virginia since Wednesday because of a dispute over account-wagering and television rights on the racetrack's signal.

Bill Nader, the senior vice president of the New York Racing Association, which owns and operates Belmont, said he has little hope for the conflict to be resolved any time soon.

"This is not a matter of economics," said Nader. "This is a philosophical difference. So it's a very, very difficult negotiation."