New York Gov. David Paterson on Tuesday proposed that the state authorize slot machines at Belmont Park as one of more than 100 ways for the state to raise revenue in the face of a projected $15.4 billion budget deficit next year.

The authorization would raise $370 million for the state, according to the budget, through a one-time franchise fee from the company that would be selected to operate the casino. Slot machines are currently legal at nine other New York racetracks, including Aqueduct. Both Aqueduct and Belmont are operated by the New York Racing Association.

New York Gov. David Paterson on Tuesday proposed that the state authorize slot machines at Belmont Park as one of literally hundreds of ways for the state to raise revenue in the face of a projected $15 billion budget deficit.

The authorization would raise $370 million for the state, according to the budget, through a one-time franchise fee from the company that would be selected to operate the casino. Slot machines are currently legal at nine other New York racetracks, including Aqueduct. Both Aqueduct and Belmont are operated by the New York Racing Association.

Hinsdale Greyhound Park, a dog racing track in New Hampshire that also operated a rebate shop, abruptly filed for bankruptcy on Monday and shut its doors, according to a statement from the track's owner.

Joseph Sullivan, the track's president and chief executive officer, said in the statement that the track's business has deteriorated significantly over the past year because of the spike in gasoline prices and the nationwide economic problems. The greyhound track has been seeking slot machines for several years.

FRANKFORT, Ky. - A task force set up by Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear to examine the racing industry stopped short of explicitly recommending the legalization of slot machines at racetracks while calling for "increased purses" at tracks.

The task force's recommendations, contained in a report issued Monday, do not provide a mechanism to increase purses at Kentucky tracks. However, the report points to states that have already authorized slot machines at racetracks as an example of how to increase purses through subsidies. The report does not provide any other examples.

Richard Shapiro, who as chairman of the California Horse Racing Board spearheaded California's switch to synthetic racing surfaces and oversaw a more aggressive posture in dealing with medication and penalties, suddenly and unexpectedly resigned on Monday during a regularly scheduled monthly meeting of the board at Santa Anita.

Shapiro read a lengthy, prepared statement in which he said the decision is "mine and mine alone."

The Breeders' Cup has suspended for one year its $5 million program providing supplements to stakes purses at 40 racetracks, citing an anticipated reduction in revenues because of the dismal worldwide economy.

TUCSON, Ariz. - The National Thoroughbred Racing Association is reviewing an annual budget and identifying its certification requirements for a program designed to address public concerns about racehorse and rider safety, the executive chairman of the NTRA said Thursday at the University of Arizona Symposium on Racing in Tucson.

TUCSON, Ariz. - Officials of the National Thoroughbred Racing Association said they expected to recommend Thursday a series of steps designed to improve safety conditions for racehorses, responding to what some officials see as a widespread crisis of confidence in the sport.

TUCSON, Ariz. - Support for horse racing among its most ardent fans suffered a "massive" drop in confidence this year under concerns about the integrity of the sport's participants and the safety of its horses, according to a professional marketer who has conducted 10,000 interviews with racing fans over the past five years.

LEXINGTON, Ky. - Continuing the recent trend of cutting stud fees, Adena Springs has announced it will trim many of its horses' 2009 fees from their initially advertised amounts.

This round of cuts will include Awesome Again and Ghostzapper, who had been set to cover mares at $150,000 again in 2009. Instead, both Kentucky stallions will now command a $125,000 fee in light of steep slides in the bloodstock market and breeders' increasing focus on value for their stud fee payments.