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, Editor January 4, 2005WHO’S ON FIRST IN CATSKILLS ALL’S CLEAR FOR MTR IN ERIEThere’s a tempest in the teepee in the Catskills, The Pennsylvania Supreme Court has cleared theas conflicting signals pour forth from the mountains.The Oneidas, who have the money from racetrack in Erie, and MTR CEO Ted Arneaultway for MTR Gaming to build a thoroughbredTurning Stone, are supporting and advising the says construction will begin on the track, to beCayugas, telling them to keep the so-called Seneca-Cayugasout of New York and back in Okla-had earlier announced he would not build at theknown as Presque Isle Downs, in April. Arneaulthoma. The spokesman for the Cayugas, at least site of the old International Paper Mill, a 200-until now, Clint Halftown, made headlines today acre property he bought earlier but abandonedby announcing that the tribe was “walking away” after the mayor of Erie became involved in afrom its deal with Empire Resorts, which owns messy conflict of interest proceeding. MTR mayMonticello Raceway, and would not renew its develop that property into a retail, residential orcontract with them to build a $500 million casinothere. Charles Degliomini, speaking for Summit Township along highway I-90, a fewlight industrial project, but will build its track inEmpire, said Halftown didn’t know what he was miles south of Erie’s downtown. Arneault is planninga $100 million project, a track, a racino withtalking about, that the Cayugas already had senta letter saying they intended to renew their contract,which expired Dec. 31, for another six Supreme Court, in rejecting the appeal of Pitts-1,500 or 2,000 slots, and perhaps a hotel. Themonths. Halftown is not just some supernumerary.He was the one who arranged the deal to tence decision, ended objections that had beenburgh developer Charles Betters in a one sen-settle a nearly $258 million land claim in return expressed not only by Betters, who wanted to developa complex with slots in Pittsburgh, but alsofor the casino deal, and it appears Ray Halbritter,the Harvard grad who runs the Oneidas, has his by Magna Racing Pennsylvania, owner of Theear. Degliomini called Halftown’s actions “bizarre”and not to be taken seriously. “We haveMeadows.every confidence the Cayuga nation is going tomove forward and build a casino at Monticello,”Degliomini says, noting that a tribal council member,Gary Wheeler, not Halftown, signed the letterof intent to renew. Stay tuned for tomorrow’sexciting half-hour of “As the Catskills Turn.”SLOTS FOR NEW HAMPSHIRE?The president of the New Hampshire Senate, TomEaton, says he supports legalizing video poker atthe state’s four racetracks, and that a bill is in theworks to legalize the machines. Eaton and senatorLou D’Allesandro, who is introducing the legislation,think it can raise $200 million a year forthe state. The governor-elect, John Lynch,faces a $300 million budget shortfall, butis concerned about slots changing “thequality of life.”FRINZI HITS HIGH C IN OPERAFra Noi, an Italian newspaper, conducts an annualopera quiz -- a tough one with 40 questions -- and no one has ever had a perfect score in answeringit. Until now, when the president of HarnessHorsemen International, opera buff DominicFrinzi, aced the test in winning the competitionfor the third time. The operatic score was notFrinzi’s only recent triumph, however. He alsowas presented with the Ray Cannon JusticeAward, presented by the Federal Defender Servicesof Wisconsin. The award noted Frinzi’s “lifetimededication to the cause of justice,” and mentionedthe qualities that those in harness racingknow so well: fairness, intelligence, forcefulness,a consensus seeker, and a peacemaker. HTAconcurs, and congratulates its good friend.