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