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, EditorKY BACKS OFF ON MEDICATIONIt’s better than it was, but not as good as it couldhave been. That’s the verdict on Kentucky’s newmedication rules, which -- like the Old Gray Mare --ain’t what they used to be, but unlike Lady Suffolk,the mare of that song, they are better than they oncewere. The Kentucky Horse Racing Authority unanimouslyapproved changes yesterday limiting racedaymedication to furosemide and two of four permitted“adjunct bleeder medications.” That’s better thanunregulated furosemide and corticosteroids and assortedpainkillers, as before. The new rules will allowsome anti-ulcer medications, some topical liniments,antiseptics, ointments, leg paints and antibiotics,and 24-hour restrictions on alkalizing substancesthat could alter serum or plasma and highbicarbonate readings. The final result is a compromise,the best the new Authority could get, and ithopefully now will pass legislative muster withoutfurther messing around.ONE TRACK FOR NJ RUNNERS?That’s what senior VP for racing Dennis Dowdtold the New York Daily News would be best forNew Jersey racing, and it seems clear he wastalking about Monmouth Park. It also is clearthat the Meadowlands should remain harnessracing’s preeminent track, which it is not in thoroughbredracing. Dowd told the paper hethought that racing runners at more than onetrack in New Jersey was “quite frankly, 1976thinking,” dating back to the Meadowlands’ firstmeeting. “Our costs are escalating and ourhandle is going down on the thoroughbred meet,”Dowd said. “It’s something we’ve obviouslygot to look at, but it couldn’t happen beforeMonmouth hosts the Breeders’ Cup in 2007.”It was interesting to read how the ThoroughbredTimes handled the story. After reportingDowd’s remarks, the magazine said, “TheMeadowlands also conducts harness racing.”They sure do, TT, the biggest andbest in this country.November 15, 2005CHREBET GETS A “Q” LICENSEWayne Chrebet, the New York Jets wide receiverwhose sixth concussion has ended his NFL career,has received a qualifying license from theUnited States Trotting Association that will permithim to drive in qualifiers at the Meadowlandsand Freehold Raceway. Chrebet owns DoubleDown Stables, with 11 horses trained by his goodfriend Kevin McDermott, who says Chrebet enjoysdriving as a hobby at the moment “and isgood at it.” The “Q” license is a first step towardacquiring a provisional license after winning10 races in one year’s time, and that “P” license,when obtained, would enable him to drive at Freehold.Once he completed 25 satisfactory parimutuelstarts, he could apply for an “A” licenseand after receiving one could drive at the Meadowlands.That could be the goal for the highachiever, who lives in Garfield, NJ, not far fromthe Big M.GERTMENIAN AT RISK TODAYThe senate of the Jockeys’ Guild is meeting today,and could vote to change the Guild’s bylawsto allow it to elect a new board of directors,which in turn could act on the reign of L. WayneGertmenian, president of the Guild for the lastfour years. The tide began to turn againstGertmenian after a House of Representatives’subcommittee questioned financial operations ofthe Guild, including Gertmenian’s yearly salaryof $165,000 and another $335,000 he receivedannually through his Matrix Capital Associates,which he owns and operates. Business First alsoreports that Congressional records indicate thejockeys themselves were in arrears by morethan $700,000 in premiums paid to the Guildhealth plan. Posted on a Congressional Web site,the information said that of 320 covered jockeys,251 -- or 78% -- were delinquent in payingmonthly premiums, with 50 owing morethan $5,000.