TV analyst Blewitt no longer at NYRA

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Jason Blewitt, who has worked for the New York Racing Association since 1998, was fired Thursday as the company eliminated his position as television host and analyst.

Blewitt, 38, began working at NYRA part time in the media communications department in September 1998. He started working full time in that department in May 2000. Blewitt eventually left the communications department for the television department, where he was a presence on both NYRA’s in-house simulcast show and, for a decade, the host of NYRA’s nightly recap program.

Last summer, NYRA scrapped the nightly recap show for a daily program during which approximately four races were shown live from Belmont and then Saratoga on various cable networks. That show, which also had Blewitt as co-host, is expected to return in May and potentially be expanded, at least during Saratoga.

“I still love Thoroughbred racing more than anything,” Blewitt said Thursday by phone. “I enjoyed my time at NYRA, essentially growing up at the NYRA.”

“We certainly appreciate Jason’s contributions to the NYRA and wish him nothing but the best in his future endeavors,” said Pat McKenna, director of communications and public affairs for NYRA.