SARATOGA SPRINGS - New York Racing Association President and CEO Chris Kay told Saratoga business leaders that he’d be unable to stop federal immigration authorities if they decide to raid the thoroughbred race track’s backstretch and round up undocumented workers.

“If ICE shows up, do I block ICE at the doors? No. I’m going to abide by the law,” Kay said, referring to the federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency. “If they arrive I can’t block the gates.”

However, Kay stressed that NYRA has been reaching out to the various thoroughbred trainers who hire Mexican and other Central American immigrants to tend to the horses.

They are offering assistance to trainers to make sure their employees have green cards or other proof that they are in the U.S. legally.

Kay’s comments came the day before the track season starts on Friday.

And it comes as the city has been roiled by two ICE raids since May 30, in which at least 27 people from Mexico and Guatemala were arrested on suspicion of being in the U.S. illegally.

Kay didn’t bring up the ICE issue during Thursday's presentation about the various improvements and new promotions that NYRA is offering to thoroughbred race fans this year. But during a brief question-and-answer period, two people asked about the possibility of raids, like the earlier ones which were believed to have focused on people working in local restaurants.

And while there was little open discussion of the issue, it appeared to be on the minds of many local business operators who know that the track season underpins the community’s thriving tourist economy, and the immigrant workforce is an indispensable part of operating the track.

One person just about fled when asked by a reporter about the situation. Others said they were confident that the trainers make sure their employees are here legally.

Some noted that the recent raids came during a crucial period when restaurants and other tourist venues were gearing up for the busy summer season.

Kay said NYRA was continuing to make steady improvements at the Saratoga track including new viewing screens and an improvement in the grounds' WiFi system which in past years has been criticized for being weak and inconsistent.

Along with the WiFi improvements are new phone apps that allow race fans to engage in activities like betting from the phone or viewing horses in the paddock area.