If the New York Racing Association was serious about getting out of financial red ink, it would look to expand the Saratoga Race Course meeting to run as long as possible. The recent expansion to 40 racing days is a start. But why not add another week ... or two.

All would agree that Saratoga is among the premier thoroughbred meets of the year, and many would say (myself included) it is the best meet ANYWHERE. Each summer, Saratoga delivers big attendance, highly-competitive race cards and the best horses, jockeys and trainers.

Then there is the oasis that is Saratoga Race Course itself. Anyone that sets foot (or hoof) on the grounds can almost feel the history of the place around them. Most of the greatest horses, trainers and jockeys have raced at the historic site, the oldest active sporting venue in the country. And those few that haven't can be found across the street at the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame.

Most local residents that don't want to deal with the crush of visitors that balloons the Saratoga population during the season rent out their luxurious houses and leave town, so why not have take another week of vacation and pad your wallet a bit more at the same time.

Attendance at the state's other two major thoroughbred tracks has been lagging for years. Aqueduct will soon get a much-needed earnings boost with the addition of a casino, but Belmont packs its spacious house only on Belmont Stakes day. Together they pale in comparison to the consistent numbers delivered daily at the Spa.

So start the meet a week sooner or go a bit longer. It doesn't matter. Another few days would do nothing to diminish Saratoga's mystique. And it would surely be a runaway win financially for the local and state economy.

It just might keep NYRA from hovering around bankruptcy, too.