HARNESS TRACKS OF AMERICA Executive Newsletter
HARNESS TRACKS OF AMERICA Executive Newsletter
HARNESS TRACKS OF AMERICA Executive Newsletter
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<strong>HARNESS</strong> <strong>TRACKS</strong> <strong>OF</strong> <strong>AMERICA</strong><br />
<strong>Executive</strong> <strong>Newsletter</strong><br />
A daily fax and e-mail report on racing and gaming developments in North America and beyond<br />
Stanley F. Bergstein, Editor<br />
January 11, 2008<br />
“IT WILL BE MY BILL”<br />
If there were any doubts or concerns about the<br />
intentions of the new governor of Kentucky,<br />
Steve Beshear, on the subject of casinos or racinos<br />
in the Bluegrass, they should be resolved<br />
now. The governor told newsmen this week, “In<br />
the end, I’m going to make the decisions and<br />
fashion the legislation. It will be my bill.” The<br />
issue was clouded a bit earlier in the week when<br />
Nick Nicholson, president and CEO of Keeneland,<br />
mentioned that Keeneland and the Red<br />
Mile might partner on a casino license and locate<br />
it somewhere other than either track in Fayette<br />
county. Legislators are asking where the facilities<br />
would be located before they vote on the issue,<br />
and the governor made it clear he will let<br />
them know where he wants them. Rep. Larry<br />
Clark, a Louisville Democrat and the House<br />
Speaker Pro Tem, said the tracks must choose<br />
their financial strategies, including locations, but<br />
would not have to make that decision until the<br />
constitutional amendment comes up for legislative<br />
approval. Asked what the next step would<br />
be, Clark said, “I’m waiting on the governor.<br />
When he has his legislation, I’ll be glad to look<br />
at it.”<br />
A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER<br />
For the first time in their 20-year history, Atlantic<br />
City casinos handled less money last year<br />
than they did the year before, and racetracks<br />
and new no-smoking regulations were blamed.<br />
Philly.com quoted Carlos Tolosa, president of the<br />
eastern division of Harrah’s Entertainment, as<br />
saying, “It is a shock...a slap on the side of the<br />
head for anyone who owns a casino in town.”<br />
Harrah’s owns the Harrah’s Marina, Showboat,<br />
Caesars and Bally’s in Atlantic City, and Tolosa<br />
said, “This is a wakeup call for everybody that<br />
we have to continue to build nongaming<br />
attractions and convert this resort town<br />
into a destination, and that we have a<br />
long way to go.” Tell you what, Carlos.<br />
Give us the slots, we’ll give you the rest.<br />
LIKE A REALLY BIG MARKET?<br />
Think China. The official Xinhua news agency<br />
says the huge country may legalize horse racing<br />
for the first time since the Communist Party assumed<br />
power 59 years ago, in 1949. The Beijing<br />
government has approved regular horse racing<br />
in the central city of Wuhan, where it existed a<br />
century ago, and is considering the introduction<br />
of betting on those races next year. Xinhua says<br />
the experiment is a prelude to the return of nationwide<br />
betting on horses throughout China.<br />
If they bet on the mainland the way they do in<br />
Hong Kong and elsewhere, the Chinese represent<br />
a gargantuan market for the sport. One Chinese<br />
researcher estimated the introduction of betting<br />
could create 3 million jobs a year, and 83% of<br />
Wuhan residents polled thought it would have a<br />
positive social impact. With Bill Nader, formerly<br />
of NYRA, running Hong Kong racing, and the<br />
door already open to an American racing executive<br />
in China, it might be time to try Berlitz and<br />
get a head start.<br />
CONTROLLER JOB OPEN<br />
An HTA member is looking for a controller. If<br />
you are interested, please send your resume to<br />
Brody Johnson at brody@harnesstracks.com.<br />
DOWD ON WORLD IN <strong>HARNESS</strong><br />
Dennis Dowd, senior vice president of racing for<br />
the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authorities’s<br />
Meadowlands and Monmouth Park operations,<br />
became the current interviewee on HTA’s<br />
World in Harness. His 35-minute, wide-ranging<br />
interview provides a fascinating view of his varied<br />
career as an amateur trainer-driver, attorney,<br />
racing commissioner and commission chairman,<br />
developer of New Jersey’s account wagering system,<br />
and former president of Freehold Raceway,<br />
Ocean Downs, Rosecroft Raceway and Vernon<br />
Downs. Access the show through www.<br />
harnesstracks.com/worldinharness.