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 February 2, 2005IT AIN’T MUCH, BUT SUMPTIN BEATING AROUND THE BUSCHThe word standardbred isn’t heard much in Kentucky,where thoroughbreds hold sway, so it is and arch foe of slots at tracks, now is sponsoringMichael Busch, speaker of the Maryland Houseencouraging to learn that Gov. Ernie Fletcher’s a bill that would legalize them in Maryland, butnew plan for breeders awards, drafted in part by only at six locations he favors. Busch says he hasstate senator Damon Thayer, includes harness agreed to introduce a bill, with his name at theracing in a plan to establish a breeders’ award top of sponsorship, although he plans to voteprogram from stud fees generated in Kentucky. against it. That’s what the man said, accordingUnder the proposed plan, monies derived from a6% tax on stud fees would go not to the state’sgeneral fund, but to breeders, with thoroughbredsgetting 80%, standardbreds 13%, andother breeds 7%. The 13% to harness horsebreeders would amount to roughly $1.8 million.The tax law on the sales tax also is to be altered,providing that out of state residents who buyyearlings or 2-year-olds in Kentucky and keepthem there no longer would have to pay sales tax.Currently they have to pay tax if the horse is leftthere more than 60 days.In another Kentucky development, Democraticrepresentative Tom Burch of Louisville said heplanned to file two separate gambling bills, oneof which would provide for slots at Kentuckytracks and the other that would legalize them bylocal referendum. Burch says, “The money isthere, people are going to gamble, so why not keepthe money here in Kentucky?”PENNSYLVANIA WANTS MOREThe first slots at tracks in Pennsylvania still aremany months away, but the Democratic leaderof the House and the House Democratic whip saythey’re going after more revenue before the firstslot jingles. Both House leader H. WilliamDeWeese and whip Michael R. Veon say they planto sponsor legislation that would allow tablegames at the 14 slot locations that are now authorized,but do not yet exist. In a joint statement,the two legislators say they see nodifference between playing blackjack andpoker and playing slots.to NBC.OH OH, OHHA AT IT AGAINThe Ontario Harness Horse Association does notlose easily, or graciously. Still apparently seethingover the award of dates to Windsor Raceway,the truculent horsemen now are filing a classaction lawsuit against the track for $10 millionfor loss of income while the track was closed andfor supposedly breaching an agreement withOHHA. John Walzak, the president of OHHA,called the action “absolutely a watershed momentfor Ontario racing.” The suit claims, among otherthings, that Windsor has some $1 million in a trustfund that belongs to horse people. John Millson,Windsor Raceway’s president, said he believesthe claims are without merit “and brought tacticallyto extract concessions from Windsor Racewaywith respect to live race dates,” and he calledthem an attempt by OHHA to once again litigatethe same race date issues that were before theOntario Racing Commission and approved bythat body. Millson said he is “hopeful the courtswill expeditiously recognize this claim for thenegotiating ploy it is.”PATAKI, MOHAWKS, SETTLEGovernor George Pataki of New York gave theMohawk tribe what it wanted yesterday, settlinga land claim involving 12,000 acres in northernNew York. Under the settlement, the Mohawksget $100 million and the right to add 13,400 acresto their reservation, but no specific casino compact,although the tribe still hopes to buildone near Monticello.