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, EditorSCHOLARSHIP ART VICTIMIZEDIn the first such incident in the 28-year history ofthe HTA College Scholarship art auction, a buyer,either unable or unwilling to pay for his purchases,has defaulted, leaving HTA with 28 of its bestworks of art to be resold or carried over to nextyear’s auction. The unsold works are being listedas “Available” on the result sheet of the auction,being released today on the HTA Web site and tomedia.BRUNO DROPS THE HAMMERIn a move ominous for the New York Racing Association,one of its staunchest supporters -- andNew York state’s most powerful legislator, Senatemajority leader Joe Bruno -- has announcedhe is urging governor George Pataki and Housespeaker Sheldon Silver to create legislation toaccelerate bidding for the racing franchise currentlyheld by the New York Racing Association.Bruno also suggested, however, that the stateconsider a bailout for NYRA to help it out of itscurrent dire financial crisis and allow it to continueoperations. Bruno said, “We’re going todo everything we can through the oversight committee,”recently appointed by Pataki, “to shoreup NYRA short term.” But he added that sellingassets, which NYRA has proposed doing to saveitself from bankruptcy, “is no way to run anything.”Bruno wants New York to award a newthoroughbred racing franchise within the next sixmonths, and if his view prevails, as it usually doesin New York state, NYRA could be out of the racingbusiness well before its franchise expires Dec.31, 2007. Bruno says he expects the legislatureto return for a special session before January andhe hopes it will consider his racing proposal atthat time. NYRA senior VP Bill Nader called thattime frame unrealistic, saying, “To implementthese changes that fast would be asunexpected as Upset beating Man O’Warat Saratoga.October 7, 2005When a reporter asked Bruno if ending NYRA’sfranchise early could benefit his son Kenneth, whois paid $15,000 a month by Magna Entertainmentto represent it in Albany in its quest for the NYRAfranchise, Bruno bristled, calling the question“dumb.” Magna also retained Patricia Lynch, oncethe top aide to House speaker Sheldon Silver, andformer Senator Alfonse D’Amato in pursuit of thatgoal.MORE DELAYS IN MARYLANDThe Maryland Racing Commission yesterday rejectedthe Maryland Jockey Club’s request to racefour days a week instead of five from January 1through June 10. Magna Entertainment COODon Amos and MJC president Joe DeFrancis toldthe commission such a move would provide largerfields and boost daily purses from $194,000 thisyear to $304,000 next year, but the commissionruled against that proposal after an assistant attorneygeneral said the MJC was contractuallybound to race five days a week for the first fivemonths of the year. Magna sought to have its 2006racing dates cut from 200 to 112, then compromisedat 129, but the commission delayed a vote on thatproposal and ordered management to sit down withhorsemen and attempt to resolve their differencesbefore the next commission meeting in November.MASS SENATE OKS SLOTSThe Massachusetts Senate yesterday voted, 26-9,to allow 2,000 slots at each of the state’s four racetracks,including HTA member Plainridge Racecourse,but the battle is far from won. The Househas shown no inclination to take up the bill, and governorMitt Romney has threatened a veto. TheSenate’s six Republicans rebelled against Romneyin yesterday’s vote, and with two of the body’smembers recusing themselves the 26 votes forslots would be the magic number for a veto ifthe bill gets that far.