Move to end N.Y. Palm Sunday ban

NEW YORK - New York State Senator William Larkin has introduced a bill that would permit New York racetracks to run on Palm Sunday. The bill would keep intact the prohibition on racing on Easter Sunday and Christmas, however.

"Just Palm Sunday at this point," said Steve Casscles, an aide to Larkin. "One step at a time. We don't think we can do the others right now, and probably not for a while."

The bill, which was passed by the Racing, Gaming, and Wagering Committee, has been reported to the Senate Finance Committee and the bill has also been passed to Rep. Alexander Gromack, the chairman of the Assembly's Racing and Wagering Committee. "We don't foresee a problem," Casscles said.

New York is the only state to prohibit racing on Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday.