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, EditorMORE ONTARIO SUSPENSIONSThe fallout from the investigation of illegal drugsales by the late Fred Rogers continues in Ontariowith the suspension for five years of the leadingtrainer at Rideau Carleton Raceway, SherryKorniski. Her husband, Robert McNamara, alsohas been suspended by the Ontario Racing Commission.The commission has made no announcementof details of the case, but before his lawyerclamped a “no comment” gag on McNamara, hetold Trot Insider on Standardbred Canada’s Website that the suspension was linked to dealings withRogers. McNamara said he and his wife had“bought products off a man who was licensed tosell them,” and claimed they bought only productsthat were advertised for sale to everyone.McNamara says he intends to fight the suspensionsin court.HAMBO SOCIETY HIT BY SUITDaniel Waxman, son of prominent owner BobWaxman and owner of the outstanding pacing mareLoyal Opposition, is suing the Hambletonian Societyfor withholding the purse money from theBreeders Crown, won at Mohawk Raceway byLoyal Opposition. The ownership switch from fatherto son came while Bob Waxman and the StandardbredHorse Sales Company were battling overalleged nonpayment by Waxman for horses purchasedat the company’s Harrisburg sale. TomCharters, president of the Hambletonian Society,said the purse money has been placed in an escrowaccount at the request of the Ontario RacingCommission and will be paid after the commissionconcludes its investigation of the ownership changeon Loyal Opposition. The mare is scheduled tostart in the Milton stake at Mohawk tomorrownight.In other Ontario news, Woodbine Entertainmenthas requested 179 racing datesat Woodbine and 81 at Mohawk for 2006.September 30, 2005MAJOR LEAVITT DISPERSALAlan Leavitt, who with his wife Meg Jewett Nicholsoperates one of harness racing’s major breedingfarms at Walnut Hall Ltd. near Lexington, announcedyesterday that they will be dispersingtheir broodmare band and weanling crop at Harrisburgin November and operating only as a studoperation. Walnut Hall manages stallions standingin Kentucky, New York, Pennsylvania andOntario. Leavitt, who broke with other breedersthis fall by selling the 90 Walnut Hall Ltd. yearlingsat Tattersalls, while all other consignorsmoved to the Fasig-Tipton arena across town,averaged $32,992 Wednesday night, up almost18% over a year go, with 17 yearlings failing tobring reserve prices. The sale topper was AllstarHall, a Like a Prayer half-brother to the outstandingConway Hall, Angus Hall and Andover Hall,which was purchased for $270,000 by a partnershipled by John Erik Magnusson of Sweden, whooperates a farm near Paris, KY.CONGRESS CHECKS ON JOCKSThe Congressional subcommittee chaired by Rep.Ed Whitfield of Kentucky will hold a hearing Oct.18 that will include investigation into the Jockey’sGuild, according to bloodhorse.com. The magazinesays the Guild inquiry is “part of an ongoinginvestigation by the Committee on Energy andCommerce Subcommittee on Oversight” and thatthe hearing will include management practices andfinances of the Guild. The committee is awaitinginformation on those items due by Oct. 3 from theJockey’s Guild president Wayne Gertmenian.HTA ART SELLS TOMORROWHarness Tracks of America’s 28th annual auctionof equine art gets underway tomorrow morning at8:30 at Tattersalls in Lexington. More than 200works, featuring 19th century European bronzesand 40 Currier & Ives prints, along with contemporaryart, is being offered.