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, EditorWILLMOT, FIRLOTTE TO HALLDavid Willmot, chairman and CEO of WoodbineEntertainment and a former president and chairmanof HTA, has been named to the CanadianHorse Racing Hall of Fame, along with veterantrainer Stew Firlotte. Willmot, a respected leaderin both thoroughbred and harness racing in NorthAmerica, has had a huge impact on racing with hisinnovative and progressive ideas and his pioneeringenterprise in turning Woodbine in Toronto intoone of the premier racetracks and racinos on thecontinent. He and his father D. G. Willmot builttheir Kinghaven farms into one of Canada’s leadingthoroughbred breeding and racing operations,and David currently owns one of harness racing’stop pacing fillies, Cabrini Hanover, and also racedthe champion trotting filly Southwind Allaire withhis partner Bob Anderson.Stew Firlotte began his racing career as a groom35 years ago. He opened his own public stablesix years later, in 1976, and over the years hasdeveloped such standardbred standouts as TownPro, Historic, His Mattjesty, Brees Brief, StrongClan and Rare Review. Also named to the hallare the outstanding trotting stallion Garland Lobell,sire of the winners of more than $46 million withaverage earnings of $75,770; the trotter GlorysComet, first $2 million winner in Canadian harnessracing; and the pacing star and stallion ArmbroOmaha. Also entering the Hall Aug. 25 will be thethoroughbreds Norcliffe, Cool Reception andAnita’s Son.$4.1 MIL FOR LAKES REGIONThree New England businessmen plan on buyingbesmirched Lakes Region Greyhound Park in NewHampshire for $4.1 million. David Johnston, adeveloper, and hotel chain owner, ChristopherGistis and his son Glen -- all without racingexperience -- hope to “make the trackprofitable and respectable.”May 12, 2005POSITIVE DERBY FALLOUTThe huge payoffs on last Saturday’s KentuckyDerby produced positive aftershocks in a numberof harness racing locations. The Meadowlands’exceptional metropolitan coverage was outlinedyesterday, and nearby Freehold Raceway reporteda spectacularly successful press conference on atrio of partners who bought one of the seven nationalwinning $864,253 superfecta tickets at thetrack last Saturday. Publicity director Don Bielakcalled the turnout “huge,” especially in broadcastcoverage, where CBS New York, Fox 5 New York,News 12 New Jersey and ABC in Philadelphia allsent TV crews to cover the winners, Mark Maddenand his daughter Lisa from Morganville, NJ,and Lisa’s boyfriend Alex Corrado of Hoboken.The three gave their handicapping secrets free:Corrado used Afleet Alex because it was his namesake;he simply liked the sound of Giacomo;Madden liked Don’t Get Mad because it was partof his name; Lisa said she just kept hearing arace call in her head that said, over and over, “Andhere comes Closing Argument.” Now you knowhow to pick an $864,253 winning ticket.At Pocono Downs’ Hazleton, PA, OTB outlet, aregular patron bet $24 on a $4 triple box on theDerby, and won $266,269. “Unlike the lottery,”he said, “I only had to pick three numbers to winthat amount on the Kentucky Derby.” The numberswere 10-18-12. Two other patrons at TheDowns at Hazleton each had winning $66,567.40tickets on the Derby, one betting $36 on a 10-all-12 and the other betting $342 on a 10-all-all. Thefacility had its biggest day, and its manager, MikeZullinger, said, “We have a lucky site here andastute patrons.” John Zimich, Pocono’s publicitydirector, agreed, noting that the three lucky bettorstook home almost $400,000 and more thanhalf a million dollars was paid out at Pocono andits off-track betting facilities. There were 18winning exactas sold.