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, EditorMonday, August 16, 2010NEW INTEREST IN ROSECROFTIt’s amazing what a difference an electioncan make. The upcoming gubernatorialrace in Maryland has triggered new andsudden interest in the welfare of RosecroftRaceway, where little concern was shownwhen the track began to slide away twoyears ago. Former governor Robert J.Ehrlich, running for the office again, toldformer Rosecroft employees, “If we winthis election, I’ll put my heart and mind,and everything I have, to get this placeup and running again. If I don’t win thisrace, I don’t know. I’m out of politics, butI don’t know what happens to this place.”Ehrlich blamed the state legislature fornot authorizing slots at the site. Cynicismwas the response of Cloverleaf Enterprises,horsemen owners of the track. Theirlobbyist, Gerard Evans, called Ehrlich’sremarks “a political carnival,” and said,“There’s nothing Gov. Ehrlich can do tohelp Rosecroft unless he wants to congratulateGov. O’Malley for stepping upand trying to do so.” Mark Vogel, formerowner of the track and hopeful of returningto that role, told Ehrlich, “It’s obviousyou care more.” Gov. Martin O’Malley,meanwhile, reported that a new buyerwas interested in the property and hopedto resolve the simulcasting boycott imposedby the runners that led to Rosecroftclosing. A bill to allow card games at thetrack passed the Senate but died in theHouse, also contributing to the demiseof the former HTA member.A RACING SMORGASBORDGaming exchange Betfair is preparing tolaunch a trading platform in England laterthis year to compete with the LondonStock Exchange. New York powerhouseGoldman Sachs reportedly has boughta 12.5% stake in the venture. The NewYork Stock Exchange also opened a Londonbranch last month....The NationalFootball League, long opposed to onlinegambling, has changed its position sinceBarney Frank’s 2267 was amended toexclude sports betting....HTA memberThe Red Mile, which opened its summerfallseason yesterday, will feature “Dollar/CollegeNights” on Thursdays, withfree admission and programs for collegeID holders. One dollar draft beers, softdrinks and hot dogs also will be featuredon those nights, and “Sippin’ Sundays”will offer wine and bourbon specials.There also will be a nightly $1 Pick 4....Alengthy Bill Finley feature, with large picture,in the sports section of the nationaledition of the New York Times, highlightingthe Illinois county fair exploits of95-year-old driver Leo Burns and his onehorsestable, the trotter Winsome Wyoming.The two have won 28 of 44 racesand $53,065 at the fairs....Empire Resorts,owner of Monticello Raceway, reports increasedsecond quarterly revenue of 5%but a net loss of $9 million for the period,most of it due to a $7.1 million exit settlementto former chief executive officerJoseph Bernstein.