Research


Scope and Content Note

The series consists of original records of the "Delafield Commission" appointed by the governor to study the impact of off-track betting, legalized gambling, and other legislative regulatory or financial measures on the horse racing industry. Records include internal commission correspondence and memoranda; draft reports; a large amount of public hearing testimony, including statements by prominent businesspersons and industry leaders; minutes of commission meetings; and many letters of opinion, news clippings, and press releases from citizens and organizations concerned with the future of racing in the state.

Research materials include reports and market studies on race tracks; staff papers and reviews from commission task forces, especially on off-track betting operations; pamphlets and brochures about out-of-state race tracks; statistics on legalized gambling; information on horse owners' associations; annual reports and financial statements of the New York Racing Association (NYRA); data on horse breeding; and a few black and white photographs of race tracks and events.