ALBANY-The one-horse race for a contract to develop a racino atAqueduct Racetrack in Queens has ended with the state lottery’spick for the job, Genting New York LLC, getting the key approvalsit needed. A spokeswoman for Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver toldGlobeSt.com Thursday afternoon that Silver expected to put hissignature on the memorandum of understanding for the contract laterthat day. John Sampson, the Senate Majority Conference Leader,announced his endorsement of Genting on Tuesday, and Gov. DavidPaterson had signaled his support shortly after the LotteryDivision sent him a letter recommending Genting.

“Nothing is more important than creating jobs,” Sampson said ina statement issued Tuesday. The acceptance of Genting puts New Yorkon the fast track to rebuild our local and state economy throughsound economic development and immediate and long-term jobcreation.” GlobeSt.com’s calls Thursday to the governor’s officeand the lottery were not returned by deadline. Following signing ofthe MOU by the three political leaders, the final steps beforeawarding a contract would be approvals by the state attorneygeneral’s office and controller Thomas DiNapoli.

The assignment of the Aqueduct contract to Genting would markthe third such award in less than two years. Delaware Northwithdrew as developer of the 328,000-square-foot video lotteryfacility in early 2009, citing difficulty with coming up with therequired upfront licensing fee. A consortium known as AqueductEntertainment Group was awarded the assignment earlier this year,only to lose it amid controversy over the selection process.