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
EVERYBODY WANTS A SEAT
Everybody wants a seat at the slots table these
days, and there is frantic scurrying around to
gain one.
In Pennsylvania, where Greenwood Racing
wants to build a track in depressed Chester, it
learned it will have to wait, as the Pennsylvania
racing commission delayed a decision pending
further financial information. Greenwood president
Bob Green says he’ll build the track, if
granted a license, regardless of whether slots are
legalized. Given that the state’s new governor,
Ed Rendell, was elected on a platform that included
slots for racing, Green’s commitment
seems a fairly safe bet, unlikely to be tested.
In Maine, Las Vegas investor Shawn Scott has
poured almost $130,000 into a campaign for track
slots, through a committee called Best Bet for
Maine. To date, Scott’s Capitol One LLC is the
sole donor to the fund.
In Lousiana, Harrah’s Casino received clearance
from state gaming regulators to buy Louisiana
Downs. According to the Shreveport Times, the
state Gaming Control Board approved a complex
series of transactions in a $183 million
project in which Harrah’s will own 95% of the
track and five Louisiana private investors will
own the remainder. The deal involves new ownership
of a Shreveport casino and a transfer of
the horse racing license that is expected to be
approved by the state racing commission tomorrow.
The end result will be 900 slots in the track’s
clubhouse, which will be refurbished at a cost of
$41 million. The track’s purchase price will be
$72.25 million, and all but $985,000 of that will go
to Dr. John York, who is married to Denise
DeBartolo, the daughter of Louisiana
Downs founder Eddie DeBartolo, who built
it in 1973.
December 18, 2002
In New York, financially strapped Vernon Downs
will have its license application reviewed by the
New York Racing and Wagering Board next
Monday. Shawn Scott is involved here, too, since
the New York status of a Scott associate, John
Baldwin, remains an issue in licensing. The track
has applied for some $1 million in New York development
fund money to build a 33,000-square
foot slot facility.
In another Vernon development, Jim Moran, a
veteran and valued Vernon employee for 35
years, has been cut loose, given an involuntary
leave of duties. Vernon also is losing 19 parcels
of land that the county is acquiring because of
delinquent property, county, school and village
taxes unpaid during the last three years.
LOOKING FOR A JOB? TRY THIS
If you are looking for a career change, and would
like to move to Arizona, we have just the ticket
for you. Arizona’s 29 Indian casinos, strengthened
by support of the state’s voters last month,
are desperate for blackjack dealers. The November
legislation paved the way for blackjack tables
in addition to slots, and dealers are in high demand,
with up to 1,200 needed. Basic math skills,
the ability to stand up for long stretches, and the
manual dexterity to flip cards and divide chips
are requisites. The pay is typically minimum
wage of $5.15 an hour, but tips can run as high
as $200 a day, so personality is important. We’ll
provide you with character references if needed.
SERIOUSLY, TALENT AVAILABLE
HTA has received resumes from an experienced
and skilled mutuel manager, two experienced
race callers, and a veteran harness racing publicity
man. All three have long careers in the sport.
If interested, contact us and we’ll send you
the resumes and put you in contact with the
talent.