HARNESS TRACKS OF AMERICA Executive Newsletter

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HARNESS TRACKS OF AMERICAExecutive NewsletterA daily fax and e-mail report on racing and gaming developments in North America and beyondStanley F. Bergstein, EditorThursday, November 4, 2010DARK DAYS IN MD, MICHIGANIt was a dark day for horse racing inMaryland and Michigan today, as tracksin both states announced they were batteningthe hatches for the winter, and perhapslonger.In Maryland, the Maryland Jockey Clubannounced it was doing what it promisedit would do if it lost its bid to win a racinofor its Laurel Park operation. PresidentTom Chuckas said Anne Arundel Countyvoters sealed the MJC’s fate Tuesdaywhen they voted to approve the CordishCompanies’ bid to build a casino at themall just 10 miles from the Jockey Club’sLaurel Park operation, and that Laurelwould be closed for live racing and usedfor off-track betting only. The MJC alsoplans to close its Bowie training center andrace only an abbreviated 40-day “Preaknessmeeting” at Pimlico, built aroundthe track’s Triple Crown event. RichardHoffberger, president of the MarylandThoroughbred Horsemen’s Association,called the decision “the demise” of racingin the state, saying horsemen could notsurvive operating only 40 days a year. Althoughracing will receive millions fromthe Anne Arundel casino, Chuckas saidit would not be enough to fund purses or“acquire a younger demographic.” TheWashington Post’s famed racing writerAndrew Beyer wrote this morning thatthe development, “once unimaginable,”would change Maryland racingforever.In Michigan, meanwhile, Pinnacle RaceCourse, which opened only two yearsago, on July 18, 2008, announced it wasclosing its simulcast operation and shuttingthe plant down for the winter, withresumption questionable. Pinnacle wasawarded only two days of live racing aweek this year -- Saturdays and Sundays-- by the Michigan Gaming ControlBoard, but ended the live meeting Oct.31 after 42 days. It was awarded 84 daysof live racing for next year, but GeneralManager Mike Mackey told the DetroitFree Press “I don’t know if I’ll be here.”He said he might close his office “for thetime being.” Twenty or so people operatingsimulcasting at the track have beenlaid off, and Mackey said, “There was notenough business to sustain the simulcastoperation.”CAR DEALERS AFTER DEL MARTwo prominent Tucson auto dealers andthoroughbred horse owners, along withwest coast McDonald’s magnate andowner Mike Pegram and others, are reportedlyinterested in buying the Del Marfairgrounds and track north of San Diego.The two Tucsonans are Karl Watsonand Paul Weitman, and Watson called thereport “far out and premature.”FANNING IS QUEEN AGAINMoira Fanning, publicity and operationsdirector of the Hambletonian Society, hasbeen named U.S. Harness Writer ofthe year for the second time.
HARNESS TRACKS OF AMERICAExecutive NewsletterA daily fax and e-mail report on racing and gaming developments in North America and beyondStanley F. Bergstein, EditorFriday, November 5, 2010CHRISTIE SHAKES UP A.C.New Jersey’s pepper shaker governor,Chris Christie, was at it again yesterday,as he revealed he was transferring thepowers of the state Casino Control Commission,which has ruled the casinos for32 years since their introduction in 1978,to the Division of Gaming Enforcement.The DGE operates under the executivebranch, giving the governor clearer controlof Atlantic City casino operation.The proposed new legislation will go thrucommittee review in both houses of thelegislature, and will not take effect for sixmonths after passage. One major effect ofthe change will be to remove casino floorsupervision 24 hours a day, and requireonly registration rather than licensing ofnon-key personnel. The Control Commissioncurrently has 269 employees, whichincludes 139 gaming inspectors, of whom60 or so are eligible for retirement. Thechairwoman of the Casino Control Commissionwas vacationing in Austria whenthe 201-page document was announcedlast week, but her chief of staff, DavidScanlan, said, “We are working with thegovernor’s office and the legislature tocraft a regulatory reform proposal to preserveefficiencies and savings, while alsomaintaining the strict integrity of the currentsystem.” Christie’s proposal dealsonly with Atlantic City and its casinos,but the New Jersey racing industrymight brace itself for further announcementsfrom Trenton.A TEMPORARY CASINO IN MD?Baltimore’s Cordish company, empoweredto build its billion dollar casino andentertainment center at Arundel Mills inlast Tuesday’s election, says it may opena temporary slots facility while the mainproject is under construction. AlthoughMaryland Jockey Club President TomChuckas says his company’s propertiesand tracks are not for sale, David Cordishrepeated his offer to buy the tracks, saying,“We’re ready, willing and able to doit.” Chuckas expressed skepticism, saying,“If Laurel loses anywhere from $4to $7 million as a racetrack, why would abusinessman take that on? It’s questionableat best if anyone could make it a go.The other issue is with the gaming facility10 miles up the road, there’s no racetrackin the country that’s been able to competeand survive with that.”H’BURG, LUCHENTO, MORRILLThe giant annual four-day Harrisburgstandardbred auction gets underwayMonday in Pennsylvania....Tom Luchentohas been re-elected president of theStandardbred Breeders and Owners ofNew Jersey....Harnessracing.com reportsthat Kentucky has granted a continuanceto attorney Howard Taylor, representingred-hot driver Jim Morrill, suspended indefinitelyfor allegedly driving in a raceat the Red Mile while drunk. Ontariohas honored the suspension, and Pennsylvaniadid too after Morrill had wonfour races at Pocono Downs.
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