HARNESS TRACKS OF AMERICA Executive Newsletter

HARNESS TRACKS OF AMERICACRITICS RIP NJ COMMITTEEThe New Jersey “transition team” suggestionsfor possibly closing the Meadowlands were metwith harsh criticism today from one of the state’smost important and influential newspapers. TheAsbury Park Press blasted the idea, and suggestededitorially that Gov. Christie “should instructstaff to go back to the starting gage in assessinghorseracing’s future.” The editorial said thepanel was “top-heavy with people whose interestsconflict with those in the racing industry,”and it likened the panel’s deliberations to “askingMcDonald’s to make suggestions to menuchanges for Burger King.” The paper suggestedthat if the Meadowlands were not profitable,the state should find a way to make it so, ratherthan abandoning it. The Press noted that thepanel included “only one representative fromthe horse industry, the CEO of a standardbredfarm. Someone representing thoroughbredowners and breeders should havebeen included.”Executive NewsletterA daily fax and e-mail report on racing and gaming developments in North America and beyondStanley F. Bergstein, EditorFriday, January 29, 2010NO TIME LOST IN DELAWARE It went on to say the committee was led by theDelaware lost no time yesterday in moving forwardon table games at its racinos, hoping to and included two representatives from thechairman of a real estate management companyget a jump on neighboring Pennsylvania, where lottery, three casino representatives, two peoplethe games also have been approved. Delaware’s from the YES sports network and another realSenate voted 15-4 yesterday in favor of the legislation,and later in the day Gov. Jack Markell racing, particularly for thoroughbreds, got shortestate professional, and concluded, “Horsesigned the legislation into law. The measure establishestax rates, forms an oversight commit-Sen. Richard Codey, probably New Jersey’sshrift.” It suggested Gov. Christie reach out totee, and creates 40 new state jobs for overseeing most knowledgeable legislator on racing issues,the games and regulating them.who advocates slots at tracks in the state. Itconcluded, “Christie can’t let horse racing -- andEd Sutor, CEO of Dover Downs, told delawareonline.comthat Dover’s racino would begin brings -- fall prey to the desires of other gamingthe environmental and employment benefits itworking quickly to order materials for the table interests in the state.” It suggested, “he shouldgames and hire staffers to man them. He expectedthat barring any unforeseen delays, Dover County, then head to Monmouth Park for itstake a drive past the horse farms in Monmouthwould have table games in operation before the May 1 opener. It might help him understand thatPennsylvania tracks.the open space, the jobs and the family-friendlyenvironment horse racing provides is a trifectathe state can’t afford to lose.”ANOTHER BOLD MOVE BY ORCActing in an area too often overlooked by racing,the Ontario Racing Commission has suspendedthree members of the Jason R. Robertson family,after investigating the death of two horsesin their stable that had been administered substancesintravenously.USTA, meanwhile, announced it was withholdingtransfers requested by the Brooks family, whichhad all monies frozen in Ontario yesterday.MAYWOOD OPENS 64TH TIMEMaywood Park opens its for its 64th meeting tonight,which set us to thinking. We were thereon opening night in May of 1946, working in thepress box for famed Chicago newspapermanJames S. Kearns. Wonder if anyone else canmake that statement. Check on that, willyou, Duke Johnston?