2002 - Harness Tracks of America, Inc.

More documents

Recommendations

Info

HARNESS TRACKS OF AMERICA Executive Newsletter A daily fax and e-mail report on racing and gaming developments in North America and beyond Stanley F. Bergstein, Editor BIG INTEREST IN M’LANDS SITE Nearly 70 developers interested in building at the Meadowlands sports complex have met with officials of the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority within the past two weeks, according to the Associated Press. Earlier this month, 43 firms sent representatives to a preliminary meeting with sports authority brass to ask questions about what the state wants to see built there. On Tuesday, another 25 attended a similar meeting. “This obviously indicates to us there’s a tremendous amount of interest in this request for proposals,” said NJSEA CEO George Zoffinger. SUIT AGAINST SLOTS IN NEB. A video slot machine proposal should be kept off the November ballot because of flaws in the way it was drafted, an anti-gambling group argues in a lawsuit. “This lawsuit will reveal just how insidious and self-serving this proposal is,” Pat Loontjer, executive director of Gambling With the Good Life, said Tuesday. Gaming proponents this month submitted nearly 180,000 petition signatures in support of a constitutional amendment to legalize video slot machines and other “player-activated electronic gambling devices.” But opponents say the petition violated a 1998 state law requiring that initiatives be limited to a single subject. The suit says the petition “amends or impacts at least seven existing provisions in five different sections of the Nebraska Constitution.” Among other things, the gambling proposal would create a state gambling commission with elected constitutional officers, provide for local gaming boards, prohibit the state from taxing the gambling proceeds and require local governments to use gambling funds to reduce property taxes. Opponents argue that all of those changes make the proposal more than just a “gambling amendment.” The suit raises several other challenges to the petition as well. July 24, 2002 STAR ART MAKING PLANS NOW! HTA Executive Vice President Stan Bergstein today completed his advance planning trip to the Westin Diplomat Resort and Spa in Hollywood, Florida, and reports that attendees are in for a treat when HTA members convene at the beautiful beachfront facility. Bergstein also was able to secure the banquet facility at the Diplomat Country Club for the gala HTA Nova Awards Banquet on Friday, March 15. Those planning to attend the 2003 HTA Annual Meeting should schedule arrival for Tuesday, March 12, 2003. HELP FOR HIALEAH? Dave Joseph of the Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel reports that the New York Racing Association (NYRA) and the New Jersey Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association (NJTHA) have confirmed they have separately looked into the feasibility of running a winter meet at Hialeah Park, which has been dormant for some 14 months. “We’ve actually spoken to [Hialeah owner John Brunetti] a couple times about exploring the possibility of a winter circuit that would include horsemen from New Jersey, New York and Florida,” said Dennis Drazin, legal counsel for the NJTHA. NYRA’s Terry Meyocks acknowledged that there have “been conversations over the last year,” but said the talks have “never gotten that far.” Drazin told the Sun-Sentinel he envisioned a Saratoga-like meet for Hialeah. “We would run head-to-head with Gulfstream. Maybe we’d run on [Gulfstream’s] dark day...put together special programs with New Jersey-breds, New York-breds, grass races.” Meyocks was less optimistic. “We want to do what’s best for the horsemen but, really, we’ve never gotten that far with it. We’re not even to the stage of discussions. I just don’t think it could happen right now because we’ve got so much on our plate.”
HARNESS TRACKS OF AMERICA Executive Newsletter A daily fax and e-mail report on racing and gaming developments in North America and beyond Stanley F. Bergstein, Editor DON MILLAR DEAD AT 89 Don R. Millar, executive vice president of the United States Trotting Association during its period of explosive growth from 1948 until 1967, and vice president of giant Hanover Shoe Farm after that, died yesterday at his home in Columbus, Ohio, at 89. During his USTA tenure, early computerization and the Sires and Dams book were introduced and the first edition of the hugely successful Care and Training of the Trotter and Pacer was published. Millar was instrumental in introducing the Ohio Sires Stakes program and was an outstanding small breeder, with three Hambletonian winners to his credit, Timothy T in 1970, Christopher T in 1974 and Steve Lobell in 1976. HTA extends sympathy to his wife Varley and the Millar family. NEW POST FOR WALDROP In an effort to bring cohesion and coordination to the effort to oversee government relations for its far-flung empire, Churchill Downs is realigning its top management, and Alex Waldrop, track president since 1999 and its general manager as well, will take over as senior vice president for public affairs. Waldrop, 45, is an attorney who joined Churchill 10 years ago as general counsel, rose to president and GM, and led the campaign for slots at tracks in Kentucky last year, an effort he says is far from over and will require intensive lobbying in the next few years. Waldrop said, “Right now, the political stakes are high at both the state and federal level for this industry. Some of the greatest challenges we face deal with public policy issues, and in many respects the horse industry can’t grow without enabling legislation.” Churchill CEO Tom Meeker did not immediately appoint a new president, but announced that COO John Long will oversee day-to-day operation and Jim Gates, who has served as VP of administration, will be interim GM. July 25, 2002 BIG MONEY & HOPES AT BIG M Three Breeders Crown events, worth $1.85 million, are scheduled for decision Saturday at the Meadowlands, along with eliminations for next week’s Hambletonian and Hambletonian Oaks. The Breeders Crown events are the $1 million Trot for older horses, ninth race on the Meadowlands’ Saturday card; the $500,000 Pace, for older pacers, to be raced as the 11th race on the 14-race card; and the $350,000 Mare Pace, 13th race on the program. Fool’s Goal has been installed as the 9-to-5 favorite in the Trot, but he faces a severe test from the invading Swedish star Victory Tilly, a winner of $2.6 million, to be driven by Scandinavia’s most brilliant horseman, Stig Johansson. The pacing field is led by a powerful Brittany Farms entry of Real Desire and Capital Request, but the field includes 2000 Horse of the Year Gallo Blue Chip, hoping to raise his lifetime earnings above $4 million. In the mare pace, 2001 Horse of the Year Bunny Lake is morning line favorite, but she faces an all-star field including Eternal Camnation and Frightening P, supplemented to the championship for $40,000, and the hard-hitting Molly Can Do It, who just might. TWO MORE WINNERS In the graphics department, not on the track. Recently arrived here, a dandy media guide and record book from Hoosier Park, attractively covered in green, purple and tan, spiral bound for easy reference, and containing full info on both harness and thoroughbred racing at the Indiana track. Also in recently, Ellen Taylor’s 2003 edition of the Harness Horse Youth Foundation’s Equine School and College Directory, compiled by Susan Lewis. This valuable book includes U.S. and Canadian schools, colleges and universities offering equine-related education, vet and farrier schools, scholarship sources and other related information. Good job!
Page 1 and 2:
HARNESS TRACKS OF AMERICA Executive
Page 3 and 4:
Page 5 and 6:
Page 7 and 8:
Page 9 and 10:
Page 11 and 12:
Page 13 and 14:
Page 15 and 16:
Page 17 and 18:
Page 19 and 20:
Page 21 and 22:
Page 23 and 24:
Page 25 and 26:
Page 27 and 28:
Page 29 and 30:
Page 31 and 32:
Page 33 and 34:
Page 35 and 36:
Page 37 and 38:
Page 39 and 40:
Page 41 and 42:
Page 43 and 44:
Page 45 and 46:
Page 47 and 48:
Page 49 and 50:
Page 51 and 52:
Page 53 and 54:
Page 55 and 56:
Page 57 and 58:
Page 59 and 60:
Page 61 and 62:
Page 63 and 64:
Page 65 and 66:
Page 67 and 68:
Page 69 and 70:
Page 71 and 72:
Page 73 and 74:
Page 75 and 76:
Page 77 and 78:
Page 79 and 80:
Page 81 and 82:
Page 83 and 84:
Page 85 and 86:
Page 87 and 88: HARNESS TRACKS OF AMERICA Executive
Page 137: HARNESS TRACKS OF AMERICA Executive
Page 159 and 160: HARNESS TRACKS OF AMERICA THIS OUTF
Page 189 and 190:
Page 191 and 192:
Page 193 and 194:
Page 195 and 196:
Page 197 and 198:
Page 199 and 200:
Page 201 and 202:
Page 203 and 204:
HARNESS TRACKS OF AMERICA Paul Jose
Page 205 and 206:
Page 207 and 208:
Page 209 and 210:
Page 211 and 212:
Page 213 and 214:
Page 215 and 216:
Page 217 and 218:
Page 219 and 220:
Page 221 and 222:
Page 223 and 224:
Page 225 and 226:
Page 227 and 228:
Page 229 and 230:
Page 231 and 232:
Page 233 and 234:
Page 235 and 236:
Page 237 and 238:
Page 239 and 240:
Page 241 and 242:
Page 243 and 244:
Page 245 and 246:
Page 247 and 248:
Page 249:
show all

2002 - Harness Tracks of America, Inc.

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?