The president of the New York Racing Association promised widespread change Monday to an organization facing audits, state investigations and accusations of bad management. "There's a lot of things that need to change," said Charles Hayward, president and chief executive officer of the organization that runs the Saratoga, Aqueduct and Belmont tracks. "NYRA management is showing it's serious about change."

Hayward spoke as part of a preview of the six-week Saratoga racing season, which opens July 27 and runs through Labor Day.

NYRA operates the tracks under a state franchise that ends in 2007. Last week, legislative leaders and Gov. George Pataki agreed to establish a five-member oversight board for NYRA under legislation that also accelerates the process for putting the state's racing franchise out to bid.

Approval of the measure came a week after state Comptroller Alan Hevesi released a report that brought more bad publicity for a racing organization trying to straighten its house. Auditors said the NYRA, between 2002 and 2004, gave a no-bid contract worth nearly $800,000 to former NYRA chairman Barry Schwartz's daughter and son-in-law and issued another no-bid contract worth $1.6 million to an Albany-area public relations firm.

In addition, NYRA has been under the watch of a court-ordered monitor following a federal indictment for tax evasion. The monitor is a private law firm paid by NYRA under a federal directive that ends June 30.

Hevesi, however, said the organization's current leadership was not responsible for the problems covered in the recent audit.

Hayward, a longtime racing fan and thoroughbred owner, is a former publisher of the Daily Racing Form. He was appointed NYRA chief in November.

"There's no question the negative publicity could have an impact on people's impression of the game," said Hayward, adding "there's nothing to suggest the racing product on the track has been impugned in any way, shape or form."

Saratoga is the NYRA's big moneymaker, and officials predicted another strong season for the nation's oldest track. The average daily on-track handle last year was $3.2 million and attendance averaged about 27,000, both tops in the nation.

Saratoga has scheduled 45 stakes races with total purses offering more than $10 million. The highlight of the track's 137th season is the $1 million Travers Stakes on Aug. 27. Afleet Alex, winner of the Preakness and the Belmont, is pointed toward the race, where he could face Preakness runner-up Scrappy T. Other major stakes include the Whitney on Aug. 6 and the Alabama on Aug. 20, both with $750,000 purses.

Trainer Nick Zito, a Saratoga regular, will be inducted into the National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame on Aug. 8 in a ceremony just down the street from the track.