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 April 12, 2005ANOTHER STORM ON COAST KEENELAND CUTS OFF FIVEAfter a winter of black clouds and rain, Californiaracing has been hit with another storm. This bate shops from receiving signals from its 16-dayKeeneland Racecourse has cut off five major re-one surrounds the physical condition, or more spring meeting, now underway. President Nickprecisely the stable subterfuge in concealing it, Nicholson said concerns about their betting practicesled to the discontinuation of signals to Rac-of the standout thoroughbred filly SweetCatomine, the soundly beaten favorite in last ing and Gaming Services in St. Kitts; Euro Off-Saturday’s Santa Anita Derby. The filly was reportedin press conferences as okay and ready to tralia; the Elite Turf Club in Curacao; and theTrack on the Isle of Man; Capitol Sports in Aus-run, but she had been transported -- under false Tonkawa Indian casino in Oklahoma.identification -- to a veterinary clinic for hypobaricchamber treatment earlier in the week. AT WAR ON HORSE SLAUGHTERA California Horse Racing Board investigator A determined trio launched a major effort yesterdayagainst the slaughter of U.S. horses forused strong language following his investigation,saying assertions made by both owner and trainer foreign food consumption. Award-winning authorBill Heller and U.S. Congressmen Edwere “deliberately falsified” and misled the public,which made the filly the even money favorite Whitfield of Kentucky and John Sweeney of Newin the race. The racing board filed complaints York outlined their case at the National Museumyesterday against both the filly’s owner, Martin of Racing in Saratoga Springs, also heralding theJ. Wygod, and Dean Kerkhoff, the driver of the publication of Heller’s new book, “After the FinishLine: The Race To End Horse Slaughter invan who told a stable gate guard the filly was “apony” when he hauled her at 3:15 a.m. a week America,” now available in bookstores and fromago Monday for special treatment, and again Bow Tie Press. Congressman Whitfield is thewhen he returned her to the track the next day. husband of attorney Constance Whitfield, viceThe case has created yet another press furor for chair of the Kentucky Horse Racing AuthorityCalifornia racing nationwide.and chairwoman of the Kentucky Equine DrugCouncil. Reps. Whitfield and Sweeney are cosponsorsof House bill 503, that would outlawcommercial horse slaughter in the U.S.IT’S OFFICIALLY OVER IN MDThe Maryland legislature adjourned last night,and for the third straight year legislation to legalizeslots at tracks died with adjournment. Thegovernor, Robert L. Ehrlich Jr., put the full blameon House Speaker Michael E. Busch, and saidno slots legislation could have a chance in thestate until 2007, after next year’s election.PATAKI DEADLINE TODAYThe fate of VLT legislation in New York state --and probably of Vernon Downs -is due to bedecided today, the deadline for Gov.George Pataki to sign or veto the pendingVLT revenue increases to tracks.EVICTION AT LES BOISThe axe fell in the woods of Les Bois in Boise,Idaho, this week, as county commissioners gaveLariat Productions, which had been running thetrack, 48 hours to hand over the keys. A legalbattle is expected, but with no signed lease order,Capitol Racing, which is leaving Cal-Expoin California in late summer and had hoped tooperate Les Bois, cannot apply for a license therefor live racing or simulcasting. Financial problemsprecluded signing of a lease betweenthe two.