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 4, 2005NOE GETS HIGH HTA HONORFred J. Noe, retiring executive vice president ofthe United States Trotting Association, has beennamed the 2005 recipient of Harness Tracks ofAmerica’s Distinguished Service Award.Noe, whose 12-year stewardship transformedUSTA into a modernized, computerized andhighly efficient service organization, leaves thestage as he entered. His first public appearanceon assuming his USTA duties in 1993 was a speechat the HTA meeting held that year at the ArizonaBiltmore in Phoenix, and his public farewellwill be at this year’s HTA joint meeting withthe Thoroughbred Racing Associations at theHyatt Grand Champions in Indian Wells, California,March 11.Noe’s tenure has been marked by unprecedentedgoodwill and close cooperation between USTAand HTA and resulting progress in the industry.One of the most involved of all men to serve inthe post, Noe emersed himself in harness racingafter leaving as president and CEO of Stihl Inc.,where he served for 15 years. He became an avidamateur driver and visited breeding farms andracetracks across the country and overseas, andwon international respect for his involvement anddedication to the sport, and for his accomplishmentsin bringing USTA into the 21st century asan industry leader.FBI’S FABIAN NEW TRPB HEADFranklin J. Fabian, a 20-year veteran of the FBIand most recently assistant section chief in thebureau’s counter-terrorism division, has beennamed successor to Paul Berube, who is retiringas president of the Thoroughbred Racing ProtectiveBureau and Standardbred InvestigativeServices April 1. Fabian took over investigatingand dismantling terrorist groups afterSept. 11, 2001, and he also was responsiblefor oversight of FBI undercover operations.ELSEWHERE IN RACINGIN KENTUCKY, the turbulent medication issuecontinued to boil, with the state’s HBPA resistingadoption of the Racing Medication and Consortiumrecommendations. The state’s EquineDrug Research Council meets in Lexington todayto consider standards, and Keeneland andChurchill Downs announced they will test formilkshakes at their meetings. Nick Nicholson,president of Keeneland, said that while a trackor private solution was better than doing nothing,he wished the Kentucky Horse Racing Authoritywould take action of its own as soon aspossible. The Authority had been waiting ontoday’s Drug Research Council recommendations.IN PENNSYLVANIA, the contest between CentaurInc. and Bedford Downs for the final harnessracing license in the state could wind up incourt. Bedford is challenging a hearingexaminer’s decision not to amend or extend itsapplication time to arrange financing, and eitherside can contest in Commonwealth Court the licenseaward from the Pennslvania Harness RacingCommission, expected in two to three weeks.IN FARGO, ND, a 12-person jury is deciding thefate of Susan Bala on illegal gambling charges.The case went to the jury yesterday, after theassistant U.S. attorney prosecuting the case ridiculedthe argument that Bala did not know $99million in wagers were being processed in a relatedoperation just a few blocks from her RacingServices headquarters.IN WASHINGTON, a redrafted version of theAmerican Horse Slaughter Prevention Act wasintroduced in the House of Representatives. Astrong supporter is Rep. Ed Whitfield, the KentuckyRepublican whose wife Constance is amember of the Kentucky Racing Authority.