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, EditorHALLELUJAH! RCI, NAPRA JOINIt took 8 years, but the absurdity of two separateassociations of racing commissioners ended yesterdaywith the announcement that Racing CommissionersInternational and the North AmericanPari-Mutuel Regulators Association had votedunanimously to merge. Although the officialmerger date is January 1, the two groups said theyhave begun working as one immediately. PaulBowlinger, executive director of NAPRA, will becomeexecutive vice president of RCI. The splitbetween the two organizations occurred over salaryissues and other matters, and has taken thislong to heal. Ed Martin, president of RCI, whoseeks to fold racing security into the organization,said the merger will help that effort. First, however,RCI will have to figure out how to technologicallykeep all jurisdictions informed immediatelyof suspensions and penalties, something itdoes not do currently.AND THEN THERE IS FLORIDAIf there was good news on the racing commissionfront, there was none to report yet in Florida, wherethe House and Senate are toiling in special sessionto resolve the slots in Broward county issue.There has been no compromise so far. Here ishow the plans differ:HOUSE - Tax rate 55%, 1,000 slots at each facility,16 hours of operation a day.SENATE - Tax rate a sliding scale, starting at 35%up to $125 million, 40% between $125 and $250million, 45% between $250 and $500 million, andcapping at 55% on slots revenue over $500 million,with 2,000 slots at each facility and 16 hoursof operation a day. One senator, Republican BillPosey, obviously understands the issue. “If welimit the number of machines and set too high atax,” he said, “all we’ll do is kill what little goldengoose we have, if we overregulate.” Regardlessof outcome, slots are nine monthsaway, according to the Miami Herald.December 7, 2005DRUGS, THIS TIME IN INDIANAIllegal medication has raised its ugly head againto plague racing, this time in Indiana. A countyprosecutor has said the Indiana Horse RacingCommission waited for nearly two years to do anythingabout vials of suspicious drugs that wereseized at HTA member Hoosier Park. The incidentinvolved two women vets, one of whom turnedagainst another in her employ. The second wasarrested and charged with unregistered dispensingof a controlled substance, Dormosedan, a tranquilizer.The second vet was cleared, accordingto her attorney. Commission executive directorJoe Gorajec said some of the medication wasseized at Hoosier in November, 2003, but saidthe investigation was still ongoing. Hoosier Parkpresident and general manager Rick Moore expressedfull confidence in the commission, sayinghe was confident it would take swift action ifthe county prosecutor’s allegations proved valid.Horsemen contacted in Indiana sided with thesecond vet, some with uncomplimentary commentson the first.HELP MAY BE ON WAY IN NYThere may be a softening of position on the partof the rulers of New York concerning the New YorkRacing Association and its financial woes. Followinga three-hour meeting yesterday, a spokesmanfor Gov. George Pataki said the governor hasnot ruled out allowing NYRA to sell 80 parcels ofland near Aqueduct, or defer $32 million in tax andfee payments for the year, which is NYRA’s preferredsolution to its cash-flow problems. NYRApresident Charles Hayward said other new anddifferent options are being pursued, but would notgive details. He called the session between himself,other NYRA representatives and thegovernor’s NYRA Oversight Board “productive,with no conclusions.” He said NYRA eitherneeded to sell the land or find a “commensuratesolution.”