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 20, 2010WONDERLAND ENDS 75 YEARSAfter 75 years as a Boston dog track inthe suburb of Revere, Wonderland GreyhoundPark has announced it has calledit quits. The public outlawing of dog racingtwo years ago foretold the end, andGov. Deval Patrick’s refusal to supporthis legislature’s vote to allow two racinosin Massachusetts sealed it. Wonderland’sclosing announcement said it was ceasingsimulcasting immediately because itno longer could compete “in a drasticallychanged gaming market” with gaming inneighboring states. Suffolk Downs, Boston’sthoroughbred track, had obtainedan option two years ago to buy Wonderlandif Suffolk won a racino license, butwith that not materializing and Suffolkfighting its own battle -- it is cutting pursesby 26% -- that possibility now seemsremote.OAK TREE MOVES AFTER 41The California Horse Racing Board, in asurprising 6-0 decision, denied Oak TreeRacing Association a license to race atSanta Anita this fall, after 41 years of operationthere -- in view of horsemen’s objectionsand Frank Stronach’s announcementthat the racing association wouldnot be welcome after this season. It nowappears Oak Tree will race its fall meetingat Hollywood Park. Both the CaliforniaThoroughbred Trainers and ThoroughbredOwners of California asked theboard to deny Oak Tree racing atSanta Anita, citing track concerns.BOY WHO CRIED BIDDEFORDYou all know the story of the boy whocried wolf. There’s a new one out now, asScarborough Downs again is rattling thesaber about moving out of Scarborough,and Biddeford has begun its bid for thetrack to relocate. Scarborough has votedagainst slots, and now Biddeford’s citycouncil has voted to seek voter approvalof them this November. Sharon Terry, thedetermined lady who inherited ScarboroughDowns from the late Joe Ricci, hasindicated she is serious about picking upher marbles and moving lock, stock andracetrack to another location. Biddefordis putting out the welcome sign.ACTIONS AT NY HTA TRACKSVernon Downs gets underway with $7million in track improvements today, includinga new flexible banquet facility designedto hold small gatherings and banquetsup to 400; a 5,000 square-foot roofterrace; three bars; a new exterior patio;and a simulcasting facility with a 33-footprojection screen....Batavia Downs is takingadvantage of the new state law allowingracino operation until 4 a.m. in returnfor an extra 1% tax on revenues. Thathit will cost Batavia $350,000, accordingto president and CEO Marty Basinait....Oh not, not again! The New York DailyNews raised questions today about rumoredmob ties of Aqueduct racino winnerGenting, invoking the name of PansyHo, daughter of Stanley, longtimeruler of Hong Kong gaming.