Friday, June 8, 2012

Did mediation save Triple Crown?

This week, a federal mediator settled a labor dispute at Belmont Park that threatened I’ll Have Another’s chance of winning thoroughbred racing’s first Triple Crown in more than 30 years. New York's Governor Cuomo urged both sides to reach agreement in a dispute over maintenance and starting gate workers at the racetrack. About 150 union members at NYRA’s tracks have been working without a contract for over a year after the previous contract was given a one-year extension. The workers authorized a strike to begin today, a day before the running of the Belmont Stakes, the final jewel in the Triple Crown. Now it's up to I’ll Have Another to become the first horse to win the coveted crown since Affirmed in 1978, so place your bets. See stories - http://nyp.st/LzPb0M and http://wapo.st/JIY58t UPDATE Noon 6/8: Guess not - would-be champion scratched from race - http://therail.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/06/08/ill-have-another-scratched-from-belmont-ending-triple-crown-bid/