New York thoroughbred racing chief meets goals, gets $250K bonus a year after taking job

The head of the New York Racing Association is getting a $250,000 bonus a year after taking over the state-controlled operator of three thoroughbred tracks.

NYRA's (NYE'-ruhz) board of directors was told about the bonus for president and CEO Chris Kay during Wednesday's meeting in Saratoga Springs, where the Saratoga Race Course's 146th season is underway.

Board members say Kay met the objectives set when he was hired to lead the financially troubled NYRA after Gov. Andrew Cuomo took away its power and created a temporary board to run thoroughbred racing at the Saratoga, Belmont and Aqueduct tracks.

Kay started at NYRA July 1, 2013. His base salary is $300,000.

NYRA's previous top executive, Charles Hayward, was fired in 2012 amid an investigation into why $8.5 million in winnings wasn't paid to bettors.