Wynn in New York bidding

Thoroughbred Racing-NY, one of six groups that have sent letters to the New York State indicating that they plan to make presentations to take over the New York Racing Association franchise, is made up of the casino operator Wynn Resorts and the real estate concerns Vornado Realty and the Bronson Companies, according to the managing partner of the law firm representing the group.

The group's principals were not identified in a letter sent earlier this week to Gov. Eliot Spitzer by its representative, the New York attorney and lobbyist Steve Davidoff.

Howard Druckman, the managing partner of Davidoff, Malito, and Hutcher, which is representing Thoroughbred Racing-NY, said the partnership also includes a "major racetrack operator," but he declined to identify the company. "The exact structure of the company has not yet been set," Druckman said.

Wynn Resorts, headed by Steve Wynn, last year submitted a letter of interest to bid on the franchise when a state panel, the Ad Hoc Committee on the Future of Racing, began soliciting bidders, but the company ultimately did not respond to a request for proposals issued by the committee.

Vornado Realty Trust was founded by Steve Roth, a billionaire. Bronson Companies is the California-based real estate development company owned by Richard Bronson.

The New York Racing Association's franchise to operate Aqueduct, Belmont, Saratoga, and a casino at Aqueduct expires on Dec. 31. Gov. Spitzer recently announced the formation of a new panel that would hold public meetings to evaluate potential bidders for the franchise.