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 beyondOctober 19, 2005Stanley F. Bergstein, Editor“AN ABSOLUTE DISGRACE”That’s pretty strong language for the usuallydecorous members of Congress, but that is howTexas Republican representative Joe Bartoncharacterized the conduct of Wayne Gertmenian,president and CEO of the Jockeys’ Guild, in ahearing in Washington yesterday. Barton wentfarther, questioning Gertmenian’s claims to havebeen a shadowy agent of high intrigue during theNixon and Ford administrations. Barton askedGertmenian if his resume was correct, and afterGertmenian said it was Barton said, “We thinkit’s a complete fabrication. You need to providesome documentation.” Hall of Fame jockey ChrisMcCarron, who was responsible for Gertmenianbeing hired to replace John Giovanni -- fired byfax -- told the House subcommittee checking intoGuild management and finances that he had beenduped by Gertmenian. He called his decision tobring him into the Guild “the worst mistake I evermade,” and apologized to Giovanni and othermembers of the Guild staff who had been terminatedand locked out of their offices. Paralyzedjockey Gary Birzer and his wife told the subcommitteethey were unaware the Guild’s $1 millioncatastrophic injury insurance had been terminated,and talked of the callous treatment theyreceived from Gertmenian and the Guild’s COOAlbert Fiss. The Birzers said repeated phonecalls to the pair were ignored, and that whenGertmenian and Fiss finally visited Birzer in arehabilitation center their conversation was notabout helping Birzer, but on discussing how heshould sue Mountaineer Park, where he was injuredin a spill. Mrs. Birzer said Fiss had toldher the Guild wanted to use her husband as a‘guinea pig’ in the matter, and Fiss admitted, underoath, that he had said that and apologized tothe Birzers. Michigan Democratic Rep. BartStupak said of the investigation, “Thisthing is really a hornet’s nest and it’sstarting to unravel.”THE END OF AQUEDUCT?A story in today’s Thoroughbred Times.comquotes New York Racing Association presidentCharles Howard as saying he favors an end toracing at Aqueduct, and instead using the trackpurely as a gaming facility. “You don’t needtwo tracks,” Hayward said, concerning NYRAracing at Aqueduct and Belmont Park. Haywardraised the question, however, of whetherMGM Mirage would continue with its agreementto loan NYRA $170 to build its racino andthen run it “if there’s no one at the other endto pay back the loan.” He said NYRA thoughtit could pay the $170 million back in five or sixyears once Aqueduct got its 4,500 slots late nextyear.CLASSIC PHOTO FINISHEDThe winner of the $1 million Canadian TrottingClassic, Classic Photo, has been retired after sufferinga paddock injury. Vying with Vivid Photoand Strong Yankee for honors as 3-year-old trottingcolt of the year, Classic Photo was hurt in NewJersey. The colt also won the Goodtimes, American-National,Dancer Memorial, and Review Futurity,and finished second to Vivid Photo in theHambletonian. Owned by H. H. Wright, JorgenJahre and the Classic Photo Stable, Classic Photowill be retired to one of Kentuckian Farms’ stallionfacilities with earnings of $1,447,004.SHAKING THINGS UP IN TEXASThe Texas Racing Commission is likely to introducemilkshake testing at its next meeting in December.The commission yesterday proposed arule, using 38 millimoles of carbon dioxide per literof plasma -- one millimole higher than mostjurisdictions -- that would carry graded penaltiesfor first, second and third offenses, with the thirdcarrying a $5,000 fine and one-year suspension.In all cases, purse money forfeitures wouldbe part of the penalty.