2005 - Harness Tracks of America, Inc.

HARNESS TRACKS OF AMERICAExecutive NewsletterA daily fax and e-mail report on racing and gaming developments in North America and beyondStanley F. Bergstein, Editor January 19, 2005ORC OKS WINDSOR DATEElsewhere in New York, Gov. George Pataki presenteda highly controversial and hotly disputedAfter four hours of discussion, debate and differences,the Ontario Racing Commission unanimouslyaccepted a date application from Windsor track VLT casinos throughout the state. Givenbudget that includes a provision for eight non-Raceway, with conditions and over the objections New York’s dismal legislative record -- it has notof the Ontario Harness Horse Association, thus met an April 1 budget deadline in 20 years -- it isopening the way for a quick resumption of racingat the HTA member track in Windsor, Pataki’s proposals, particularly in the Democraticnot likely that there will be any rapid action onOntario. The commission approved Windsor’s Assembly. Included in Pataki’s proposals is a124-day proposal, providing the track will make reorganization plan, passed in the Senate but ignoredin the Assembly last year, to abolish theup seven missed days, bringing the total racingschedule to 131 days, and average 15 races a card New York Racing and Wagering Board andover the entire 131 days. The commission gave merge its duties into one State Gaming Commissionthat would control racing, the Capital In-Windsor until noon tomorrow to accept the proposal,or it will again reject the entire applicationtionalso arose about the renewal of NYRA’s livestmentFund, and slots in the state. Speculacense,which expires in 2007 after 50 years. Acommittee could be appointed by December ofthis year to solicit requests for proposals to operateNYRA tracks for 10 years starting in 2008.REBATERS OUT, TESTING INIn the aftermath of last week’s milkshaking andbetting scandal at Aqueduct, two positive andoverdue steps have been introduced. The NewYork Racing Association has ended its relationshipwith four off-track betting sites with whichit had been doing business -- Euro Off-Track,operations on the Isle of Man off Great Britain,the International Racing Group and Elite TurfClub in Curacao, and the Tonkawa Indian Reservationin Oklahoma. In addition, NYRA announcedit was introducing milkshake testing atits tracks, and was “aggressively” reviewing itsrelations with other secondary pari-mutuel organizations(SPMOs) with which it has been doingbusiness. This action has been urged by theThoroughbred Racing and Protective Bureau andStandardbred Investigative Services for years. Ina related move, the Meadowlands announced italso was cutting off simulcast servicing to the foursites banned by NYRA. Officials are hoping forexpedited legislation in Albany to permit sodiumbicarbonate testing to begin as soon aspossible, perhaps as early as March.ELSEWHERE IN RACING.....In FARGO, ND, an hour before the trial of SusanBala and her Racing Services got underway,Bala’s partner and co-defendant in the proceeding,Raymundo Diaz Jr., pleaded guilty to threecounts and agreed to testify against Bala.....InBROWARD COUNTY, Florida, county commissionersapproved a special election March 8 inwhich residents will vote to approve slots at tracksthere. If the referendum passes and legislationdoes not amend it too drastically, slots could startat HTA’s Pompano Park as early as July 1, althoughhours, number of machines, revenue splitsand taxes still are under discussion......In THEPOCONOS in Pennsylvania, the owner of PoconoAuto Raceway unveiled a plan for a $300 millioncasino complex, which he hopes to build ifawarded one of two resort licenses...At theMEADOWLANDS, profit from the PresidentialSeries Saturday night will go to Red Cross tsunamirelief.