Richard Fields

Andrew Mangino and I have a piece in this week's paper about the upcoming selection of a company to run the state's horse racing franchise.

One of Eliot Spitzer’s biggest contributors, Richard Fields, has put together a leading bid, which could be making things pretty complicated.

“Spitzer can’t possibly come into office speaking about doing this new way of politics in Albany and then pick the bidder that has Richard Fields—his main guy,” said Alan Mann, who runs the thoroughbred racing blog “Left at the Gate” and has been following the industry for nearly 35 years. “There are political entanglements.”

Donald Trump, a former associate of Fields who ended up bringing a lawsuit against him, thinks Spitzer should simply auction the whole thing off.

I've also got a piece about Eliot Spitzer's controlled reengagement with the press and public this week.

This morning, I suggested that Eliot Spitzer’s ties to the one of the main bidders for the state’s horse racing franchise, Richard Fields of Excelsior, is making the selection process complicated.

Just now, a spokeswoman for Fields, Katie Burke of the Glover Park Group, emailed me to say:

“Excelsior’s integrity, investment, and commitment to community partnerships is unmatched. Excelsior won the recommendation of the Ad-Hoc Committee on Racing, and we are hopeful that Mr. Rifkin and the State Panel will reach the same conclusion. With regard to the notion that any member of our team is responsible for the hold up in awarding the franchise, this is simply untrue. Our team has complied with every single component of the integrity review process, and will continue to cooperate fully and completely with the Governor’s office in this regard.”

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.

Eliot Spitzer wants Sheldon Silver to disclose how much money he makes from his second job at a private law firm.

Spitzer won't be helping out donor Richard Fields anytime soon, according to an aide.

Errol Louis sees a problem with the Black, Puerto Rican, Latino and Asian Legislative Caucus not supporting a well-qualified African-American woman for state comptroller.

The Times editorial board wants campaign finance reform for state officials.

The Republicans' last oasis in Albany may be coming to an end, says Jay Gallagher.

Christine Quinn has some well-connected contributors.

Chuck Schumer said that voters might not be ready to elect a ticket that consists of Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama because of the need for more balance.

Hillary got mixed reviews in New Hampshire this weekend.

A moment of "political reckoning for social conservatives" has arrived, says Patrick Healy.

The New Republic editors say that no one will save Darfur.

And the state is relaunching an "I Love New York" campaign.

One reader emailed to remind that Bill Mulrow is part of Excelsior, along with Richard Fields, a group that is bidding on the state's horse-racing franchise. State-run gambling, as you can imagine, is an area the next comptroller will have to keep an eye on.

When asked if Mulrow's candidacy may affect the group's bid, Excelsior spokesperson Katie Burke emailed to say:

"No-if selected as Comptroller, Bill will resign entirely from the RFP process. And as far as Excelsior goes, his decision and announcement have no bearing on the future of the franchise. Excelsior was recommended by the Ad-Hoc Committee to take over, and Excelsior has full confidence that the Governor and the legislature will give the Committee's recommendation the full weight it deserves."

Expect more Google-based research on the lucky 19 18 for the next few days.