2002 - Harness Tracks of America, Inc.

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
BATAVIA BACK AFTER 5 YEARS
Batavia Downs returns from the dead tonight, back
in action after five years of idleness, thanks to the
vision and persistence of Marty Basinait, president
and CEO of Western Regional Off-Track
Betting. Basinait was determined to see Batavia
back in business, and he spent several years of
effort with the New York legislature, and with the
support of his Western OTB board, in first acquiring
the track and then clearing all the hurdles to
reopening. His dream comes true with first post
at 7:35 tonight, nine races on tap, admission free,
and the track still under renovation and reconstruction.
The grand opening will not be until Oct. 9,
when construction should be completed after $8
million of renovations following the $2.5 million
purchase price. The town of Batavia has strongly
supported the reopening, and Batavia’s director
of community development, Edward Flynn, says
everyone will be a winner. “The restaurants will
benefit, the hotels, even some of the little things
like laundry service will benefit. The people in
the city are definitely excited.” Basinait is too.
“This place was a gnat’s hair from being a Home
Depot or a home development,” he said. “It would
have been a shame for this to become some residential
subdivision. There’s plenty of dirt around
for development. There are not a lot of Batavia
Downs.” The Rochester Democrat and Chronicle,
noted, “This is not your father’s Batavia Downs.
Or your grandfather’s.” And Basinait added, “It’s
not 1947 anymore, it’s new. We’re still working,
but our dust is our destiny. We’re trying to give
this whole thing a different look.” Included in his
plans is stringent observance of the rules. “I’ve
already told our horsemen if they don’t play
straight, they’ll be gone. This is a perception
game. The people want a fair shake. My message
to horsemen is race fair or pack your
bags and your horses.” HTA welcomes
back its longtime member.
July 29, 2002
CHANGES IN CLASSIC SERIES
The Classic Series, harness racing’s highly successful
series for older horses, has announced
changes for 2003 after a board of directors meeting
last Friday. Dr. J. Glen Brown takes over as
president from Paul Spears, who has stepped down
after running the series from its inception, but will
continue on the board as first vice president. The
directors announced the $250,000 finals in 2003
will be raced at Dover Downs, with the entire series
conducted during the fall months to accommodate
Dover’s racing schedule. Each of the three
preliminary legs will be raced at one mile, with the
finals contested over the classic mile and a quarter
distance. Tad Stockman, director of racing at
the Meadowlands, becomes second vice president,
and breeders George Segal and Tom Crouch retain
their positions as treasurer and secretary.
Canada’s Forest City Yearling Sale joins the
Classic’s sponsors, and sales manager Brian
Webster will join the Classic board.
NETTIE’S TOUGH, 100 TIMES
There were major developments on the racing front
over the weekend, but none more satisfying than
the victory of New Zealand-bred pacer Lady Netty
N. at Pompano Park. When she made a threewide
move on the final turn and rushed to victory
in a 1:56.3 mile, it marked her fifth victory of the
year.....but the 100th of her career. Iron tough and
now 14 and in her final year of competition, she
has won $245,411 after 11 seasons of racing. She
is owned by Rosie Huff of Deerfield Beach,
Florida, and trained by her husband, Jake.
PRECIOUS IS PERFECT
Largely overlooked this year, although she has
never been beaten in 16 starts, Precious Delight
zoomed to the top of pacing filly standings last Friday
when she handed Worldly Beauty her second
loss in 13 career starts. She now has
won $725,000.