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, EditorWednesday, August 18, 2010MONMOUTH FIGHTS BACKMonmouth County in New Jersey, whichstands to lose scores of green space horsefarms and gain more housing projects ifGov. Chris Christie’s Jon Hanson recommendationsare put into effect, is fightingback. The county’s Board of Chosen Freeholdershas written to Christie, outliningthe impact the Hanson report would have,saying, “If horse racing were to end inNew Jersey and all of these horse breedersmoved out, what do you think would happento the farms? Builders will come inand put up housing developments.” Thearea also includes two racetracks -- MonmouthPark and Freehold Raceway --and a Freeholder from Oceanport, whereMonmouth is located, said the state shouldthink about building a bridge of self-sufficiencyfor racing rather than abandoningit or closing it down. The August 12resolution, as reported in the central NewJersey Examiner serving the harness racinghotbed that includes Allentown, asksChristie to consider the benefits of bothharness and thoroughbred racing “onNew Jersey’s economy and quality of life,particularly in Monmouth County.” OneFreeholder told the governor, “Losinghorse racing would negatively impact ourfarming community and quality of life,”and another noted that “Horse racingsupports other farmers who provide feed,veterinarians and farriers, tack shopowners...and keeps 13,000 New Jerseyansemployed.”WHICH RAISES A NY QUESTIONA story in the Albany Times Union thismorning rhapsodizes over the impactthe Genting deal can have on thoroughbredracing in the state. The piece says,in small part, “The deal’s impact on thestate’s beleaguered horse racing industryand its communities would be tremendousbecause portions of the money bet on theslots would go toward New York RacingAssociation operations at Saratoga RaceCourse, Aqueduct and Belmont Park.”The story goes on to say NYRA would“get 7% of gross gambling revenue fromGenting, and an additional 6.5% wouldbe dedicated to the thoroughbred industryfor race purses at NYRA tracks,” resultingin an additional projection of $29.3million a year. NYRA president CharlesHayward was quoted as saying, “It’s ahuge amount of money.” It is indeed, andthe question arises, would any of it go toharness racing? We are asking New YorkState Senator Eric Adams, chairman ofthe state Racing, Wagering and Gamingcommittee, and will report his response.NEW BATTLE OF GETTYSBURGThis one is not between north and south,but between the good burghers of thetown of Gettysburg where the historicbattleground is considered holy ground.A decision is four months away, but morethan 300 gathered last night to hear MasonDixon Resort and Casino unveil itsplans. Turns out Penn National willoperate the project if it is approved.