Horse Franchise Decision Pushed

Eliot Spitzer is announcing a new timetable for awarding the state’s horse racing franchise.

In a public statement released just now, Spitzer said he may split up the franchise award, with one bidder winning the rights to the gaming and the other getting rights to run the race tracks. Or he may award both to a single bidder.

Updated bids or confirmations that the original bids haven’t been changed are due to the state on August 7, with Spitzer planning on making his recommendation to the legislature by September 4.

So far, there are four bidders, including one led by a major Spitzer contributor, Richard Fields.

Which may or may not have something to do with the fact that this decision-making process seems to have become so complicated.