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, EditorWILLMOT TO HALL OF FAMEDavid Willmot, chairman and CEO of WoodbineEntertainment Group and past president and vicechairman of Harness Tracks of America, will beinducted into the Canadian Horse Racing Hall ofFame at the Toronto Congress Center in Torontotonight.Willmot, one of world racing’s most eloquentspeakers and progressive thinkers, also operatesat the top levels of both harness and thoroughbredownership. His 3-year-old pacing filly CabriniHanover, owned in partnership with Bob Anderson,was the co-champion juvenile of last season,and will be racing in the upcoming Breeders Crownat Mohawk Raceway Sept. 3. Willmot’s understandingof racing’s needs and his progressive andaggressive leadership of Woodbine played a largerole in rescuing its financially troubled Ontariotracks. David’s father, D. G. Willmot, builtKinghaven Farms into one of Canada’s premierthoroughbred breeding and racing stables, and hewas the first Canadian named to the presidency ofHTA. The association, its directors and track ownersand operators salute him on the occasion ofhis entry in the Canadian Horse Racing Hall ofFame.Also being inducted tonight are veteran trainerStew Firlotte, trainer of a host of top harnesshorses including the pacing Triple Crown winnerRalph Hanover, the champion filly Town Pro, andstandouts including Historic, His Mattjesty, BreesBrief, Strong Clan and Rare Review.The top trotting stallion Garland Lobell and the$2 million winning trotter Glory’s Comet also arebeing honored, along with pacer Armbro Omahaand thoroughbreds Norcliffe, Canada’s Horse ofthe Year in 1976; Cool Reception, secondin the 1967 Belmont Stakes finishing witha broken foreleg that ended his life, andAnita’s Son.August 25, 2005A TIP FOR YOUR MAITRE’DBetter keep your hand in your pocket, Captain.Manuel (Manny) Alvarez, who has had his handout in New York Racing Association restaurantsfor 49 years, most recently as maitre’d atSaratoga Race Course, has been fired. Mannyaccepted one too many tips when he allegedlyaccepted $200 from a pair of NYRA security officersposing as customers seeking good seatsfor The Terrace or The Porch, Saratoga’s havenswhere the elite meet to eat. Alvarez, speaking ofthe bust that ended his NYRA career, said, “Itold them I don’t take any money for a table.They gave me what anybody would give me for atip, and I put it in my pocket. They went throughmy money and they found marked bills. That’swhat I did. I know I didn’t do anthing wrong.” If$200 is the going price for a good table atSaratoga, as Manny indicated with his “They gaveme what anybody would give me for a tip,” I thinkI’ll eat across the street at Saratoga Raceway.The food is probably cheaper, and the tables definitelyare. Add to the quotes of the week, incidentally,that of Mike Billows, regional managerof Centerplate, which caters Saratoga, BelmontPark, Aqueduct and Yankee Stadium. He said hewas unaware of complaints of track regulars whosay shaking down of customers in exchange forseating privileges at The Terrace and The Porchhas been a longtime abuse.A NEW STAR FOR BETHLEHEM?It took more than four hours of heated debate, butthe city planning commission of Bethlehem (Pennsylvaniaversion) yesterday rejected a proposedban on gambling for the 135 acres of the oldBethlehem Steel works, once the largest steel producerin America. Starting next year, slots insteadof steel could be ringing out there, under a redevelopmentplan proposed by Las Vegas SandsCorporation, owner of the Venetian in LasVegas.