HARNESS TRACKS OF AMERICA Executive Newsletter

HARNESS TRACKS OF AMERICAExecutive NewsletterA daily fax and e-mail report on racing and gaming developments in North America and beyondStanley F. Bergstein, EditorFriday, August 6, 2010NOW THE POLS TAKE OVERThe New York Division of Lottery hasfinished its job, having disqualified twofinalists for the Aqueduct franchise fornot following its rules, and having vettedthe lone remainder, Genting New York,and approving the Malaysian-owned firmwith laudatory comments on its full andcomplete application.One might make the mistake that thegame played for nine years by politiciansin New York was over. Not quite. Thegovernor seems satisfied, but the leadersof the New York legislature, who despisequick action on anything, now are talkingmore delay. New York racing, andthe state itself, urgently needs the upfrontmoney offered by Genting -- $380 million-- but even that is not enough to spur thelegislators, led by Assembly leader SheldonSilver and Senate conference leaderJohn Sampson, to quick action. The twonow say the matter is “under review,”with no indication how long their investigationof Genting will last. And that’sonly the beginning of what’s left. OnceGenting passes legislative muster, if itdoes, the contract moves on to the attorneygeneral for his approval, then to thestate comptroller for his. Genting says assoon as the contract is finally approved itcan have slots operating at Aqueduct insix months. But time stands still inNew York. Six months is but a tickon its legislative clock.OUR SPORT’S DAY IN THE SUNThe $1.5 million Hambletonian for 3-yearoldtrotters, harness racing’s greatestrace, is up for grabs tomorrow, with awide open thriller in prospect starting at3 p.m. eastern time on NBC television.The New York Times, whose coverage ofthe Kentucky Derby includes sneeze-bysneezereporting of every horse for a weekbefore the race, has chosen once againto ignore the race, giving coverage to a$70,000 Saratoga event instead in today’seditions. No one ever said life would beeasy. Cassis, Lucky Chucky, Pilgrim’sTaj, Muscle Massive and Holiday Roadare the top choices. Any one of thosewould be no great surprise. The supportingcard includes the $750,000 HambletonianOaks for 3-year-old trotting fillies, the$500,000 Peter Haughton for 2-year-oldtrotting colts, $437,000 Merrie Annabellefor 2-year-old trotting fillies, $300,000Nat Ray for older trotters, $182,500 U.S.Pacing Championship for older pacers,$275,000 Mistletoe Shalee for 3-year-oldfilly pacers, $248,000 Lady Liberty forpacing mares, two $115,000 divisions ofthe Oliver Wendell Holmes for 3-year-oldcolt pacers, and $100,000 Perretti FarmsMatchmaker for trotting mares. All ofthis will be presented in a carnival-like atmospherewith entertainment for all. Thegovernor of the state of New Jersey andhis political advisers are proposing to tossall of this away by ending harness racingat the Meadowlands.