nyraPat McKenna, a Democratic PR aide and associate for media strategy firm Parkside Group, has trotted to the New York Racing Association as director of communications and media relations.

McKenna takes the reins from John Durso Jr., who decamped for a VP of communications role at NBC New York in February.

McKenna was a spokesman for the Pennsylvania Democratic Party and traveling press secretary for New Jersey Gov. Jon Corzine.

NYRA, based in Queens, runs New York's Aqueduct Racetrack, Belmont Park and Saratoga Race Course.