'Sopranos' Actress Orders Hit On NY's Horse Racing Subsidies

NEW YORK CITY — Carmela Soprano wants to put a hit out on New York’s $230 million in subsidies for horse racing tracks.

Emmy-winning actress Edie Falco lent some of her “Sopranos” luster Monday to a coalition of animal-rights activists who seek to hobble the horse racing industry and shift money toward education instead.

"It is fundamentally unfair that the horse racing industry, a private business, is supported by casino revenue that could be going to programs that are truly in need of our support,” she said during a Zoom news conference.

“Racing is best known today for its many horse deaths, illegal doping and its exploitation of its workers. The stars of racing have illegally drugged their horses and they’ve stolen wages from their own workers, many of whom are in the U.S. on temporary visas and they’re unable to protect themselves.”

Animal rights advocates have long raised concerns about New York's 11 horse racing tracks, which include Aqueduct Racetrack in Queens.

The coalition of groups that arranged Falco's statement Monday included PETA and NYCLASS, a group well-known for fighting against horse carriages in Central Park.

NYCLASS Executive Director Edita Birnkrant called it "egregious corporate welfare" to hand subsidies to the horse racing industry.

She and other advocates amped up their calls following a recent Times Union story that documented $2.9 billion in state subsidies toward the tracks.

And many New York City lawmakers are also pushing for change.

Assembly Member Linda Rosenthal, who represents part of Manhattan, also appeared on the call to decry the money and conditions at racetracks for horses.

Horses died at several New York race trackers last week, including Aqueduct, she said.

"The bailout has not led the racing industry becoming self-sufficient,” she said. “It’s only allowed to become dependent on the state while avoid paying any franchise fees, despite generous salaries, bonuses and lavish million-dollar club passes.”

Rosenthal is sponsoring state legislation to shift horse racing subsidies toward schools and other social programs.

Falco's statement can be viewed at PETA's website here.