HARNESS TRACKS OF AMERICA Executive Newsletter

HARNESS TRACKS OF AMERICA
In New York, Senate president Joe Bruno, the
man stepping on the brakes slowing a New York
Racing Association agreement, went on the offensive
again, accusing NYRA of “scare tactics”
in its threat to close down next week if action is
not taken on extension of its franchise. Bruno
outlined what he called the framework of a franchise
agreement that he said was close to the announcement
stage. Its provisions include:
-- A 25-year extension of the NYRA franchise
rather than 30, with periodic reviews, a new
11-man board with 10 members appointed by
the state, and four-year term limits for NYRA
chairman;
-- A state appropriation of $75 million to get
NYRA out of bankruptcy and an additional $30
million for operational costs until the Aqueduct
racino is built and underway;
-- Work on building that Aqueduct racino to begin
within 30 days, starting with appointment of
a vendor to build and run it;
-- Purses to get 6.5% of VLT revenue initially,
then 7.5% after three years; breeders would get
1% initially, then 1.5%.
Both Bruno and state government spokesman
said they expected the finished bill would
be acted on before the expiration of the
extension deadline next Wednesday.
Executive Newsletter
A daily fax and e-mail report on racing and gaming developments in North America and beyond
Stanley F. Bergstein, Editor
February 8, 2008
DECISIONS CLOSE IN NJ, NY Bruno may accuse NYRA of “scare tactics” with
It appears that the light in the tunnel may be the its talk of closing down, but Jeff Gural says he
other side of the mountain, and not a train approaching.
Racing leaders in New Jersey expect Monday without action in the Assembly on the
is not bluffing and he will close Vernon Downs
an imminent response as to what Gov. Jon Corzine’s
representatives have been able to work summer by a committee chairman who could
tax relief bill that he says was promised him last
out with the Atlantic City casinos on continuation
of a subsidy arrangement. Freehold already has passed the legislation, and state senator Joe
not deliver when the time came. The Senate
has implemented its sharp purse cuts, and the Griffo asked Gural to hold off for three weeks
Meadowlands is waiting to see what evolves before
doing so. The negotiations have been tough could be addressed again. Gural said no, adding
until the next legislative session, when the matter
and up and down, and nothing is certain as this that to do so would be interpreted that he was
newsletter goes to press.
bluffing, and he says he is not, he has gone as far
as he is willing to go.
A LITTLE MATTER OF U.S. LAW
The New Jersey Assembly, salivating over the
$100 million or so bet in Las Vegas last Sunday
on the Super Bowl, voted once again for sports
betting yesterday, the third time it has taken
such action. Assemblyman John Burzichelli, a
co-sponsor of the legislation, proposed allowing
the betting at the state’s three tracks, the Meadowlands,
Freehold Raceway and Monmouth
Park. Senate president Richard Codey, a big
fan and friend of racing, said, “It doesn’t matter
where he wants to put it, federal law does not allow
it.” Codey said a better option would be for
Burzichelli to sponsor a resolution asking New
Jersey’s attorney general to go to court against
the federal government. Rep. Frank Pallone said
he would sponsor such legislation if it provided
that the racetracks would be given the right to
operate sports betting.
HE SAYS, SHE SAYS
New York’s St. Regis Indians say Empire Resorts
has dumped them as partners in their joint deal
to build a racino at Monticello. Empire denies
that, but reportedly was near signing a contract
to build at the former sight of the Concord hotel,
once regarded as the jewel of the Catskills.