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, EditorMEMBER PERKS FOR HTA,USTAThe United States Trotting Association, representing24,847 owners, breeders, trainers and drivers,and Harness Tracks of America, representing 35major harness tracks in North America and theirthousands of employees, have joined the NationalThoroughbred Racing Association’s group purchasingprogram. Under the plan, USTA and HTAwill be offering Members’ Perks that will providesignificant savings to their individual members.Effective immediately, those associated withUSTA and HTA will be able to enjoy sharp discountson a diverse selection of products includingDodge cars and trucks, John Deere tractorsand other equipment, FedEx delivery service,Sherwin-Williams Paints, OfficeMax supplies,NetJets, Presort Services, Daktronics, Lexmarkinkjet and laser printers, and Hallway Feeds.USTA president Phil Langley and HTA presidentJeff Smith, jointly announcing the affiliation andpartnership, said the agreement has the potentialto provide hundreds of thousands of dollarsin savings to those making purchases under theprogram. NTRA Purchasing President Joe Morrissaid the addition of USTA and HTA “will significantlystrengthen the collective buying powerof NTRA Purchasing and allow us to generateeven more savings for the horse industry.”May 25, 2005HTA ADDS TWO NEW MEMBERSWestern Fair Raceway in London, Ontario, andHarrah’s Chester Casino and Racetrack inChester, PA, now are members of Harness Tracksof America, bringing the association’s membershipto 35 tracks and racing organizations. HughMitchell, chief operating officer of Western FairAssociation, will represent Western Fair on HTA’sboard of directors and Anne Allman, who is supervisingconstruction and organization of the newHarrah’s track in Chester, will be the HTA directorfor that operation. HTA president Jeff Smithsaid the additions “add new strength and vigor toHTA,” and HTA welcomes both organizations andtheir directors to the HTA family of tracks.ELSEWHERE IN THE NEWSHTA member Pompano Park, along withGulfstream Park, Hollywood Greyhound Trackand Dania Jai-Alai, sued the state of Florida yesterday,seeking to have a decision saying theyare authorized to operate slot machines. Opponentsalso filed a suit, asking for a ruling thatthe tracks cannot operate slots until the adjournedlegislature issues enabling legislation.In Maryland, Magna Entertainment executivesmet today with House Speaker Michael Busch,hoping to persuade him to broker a compromiseon slots at tracks in that state.NTRA Purchasing has generated $107 million insales and $25 million in savings to the equine industrysince its inception in 2002. Last yearalone, its sales figures topped $60 million. TheAmerican Quarter Horse Association and theUnited States Equestrian Federation also aremembers of the NTRA group purchasing program.Details of participation in Members’Perks are being provided to all membersof USTA and HTA.In New Jersey, the state treasurer told the AssemblyBudget Committee that the Codey administrationstill is counting on its proposal forVLTs at the Meadowlands. Up or down action isexpected in the next two weeks.In Massachusetts, the mayor of Boston, ThomasM. Menino, threw his full support behindslots at state tracks, calling it “a matter of survival”for the tracks and essential for retainingas many as 4,000 jobs.