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, EditorSOME SLIGHT DISAGREEMENTSBennett Liebman’s annual Albany Law SchoolSymposium on racing drew a standing room onlycrowd yesterday, and produced some friendly anda few not-so-friendly jabs from participants withdiffering viewpoints. Perhaps most significantwere the glowing remarks of Neil Getnick, thecourt-appointed federal monitor of New York RacingAssociation’s reformation movement. Getnicksaid, in telling how NYRA had taken steps to correctdeficiencies, “Simply put, NYRA has unequivocallysaid ‘yes’ to racing integrity.” NYRAofficials obviously were elated at Getnick’s remarks,president Charles Hayward being sopleased that he joked from the podium, “I thinkit might be a good idea for Neil to come up andgive his speech again.” Hayward said “The monitorhas been the best thing that NYRA has had inits recent history.” And NYRA co-chairman SteveDuncker greeted Getnick after his presentationby saying, “Absolutely stunning.” Not quite asenthusiastic or pleased over Getnick’s remarkswas Michael Hoblock, chairman of the New YorkRacing and Wagering Board. He said in a writtenstatement he was “surprised, confused anddisappointed over Getnick’s remarks,” addingthat “they were not neutral or impartial as youwould expect from an independent monitor.” Partof Hoblock’s displeasure came from the fact thatGetnick never met with Hoblock during the pastyear and a half of his monitoring of NYRA. TomPrecious, writing for Blood-Horse, said, “Formonths, industry officials have privately criticizedGetnick for being too close to NYRA officials.”Also sparring were Hayward and Jim McAlpineof Magna Entertainment. McAlpine said Magnawas “very interested in participating in thebidding process” for the NYRA franchise, butHayward took strong exception to some ofMcAlpine’s references to NYRA’s pastand counterattacked with pointed questionsabout Magna.August 3, 2005LEADING TRAINER GROUNDEDSean Campbell, the leading trainer at SaratogaGaming and Raceway, has been suspended fromthe track pending an investigation of charges ofanimal cruelty. All of his horses have beenscratched for the last four days, according to CBSchannel 6 in Albany. The station said the NewYork Racing and Wagering Board was followingup on claims by witnesses who said they sawCampbell beating a horse. Chairman MichaelHoblock said such claims were the basis of manyinvestigations, and that it could take three to sixmonths to resolve the issue. Saratoga’s vicepresident of racing, Skip Carlson, told the stationthe matter was in the hands of the racingboard, and the track would support any decisionit made.Batavia Downs, meanwhile, announced that as itresumes live racing after an 18-month hiatus, itwill continue its policy of not allowing family membersto compete against one another. Managementwill not allow brothers or immediate familymembers to drive in the same race, a move criticizedby some and applauded by others in its drivingcolony. Michael Kane, vice president of racingand gaming for Batavia Downs, said, “We’renot casting any aspersions upon anyone. Thereis the potential for things to take place that arenot in the best interest of racing and by enforcingthis rule we eliminate that potential.” The rulecarries special significance at Batavia becausebrothers Kevin Cummings and John CummingsJr. finished first and second in races won at theBuffalo Raceway meeting just concluded. JohnCummings Jr. called the rule “a great injustice,”saying he drove the winners of $445,587 and hisbrother $480,212 at Buffalo. But trainer-driverRob Beback complimented management for thinkingof public perception. He added, “If you haveto make a split-second decision of letting a guygo at the first quarter, you’re not going topark your brother.”