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, EditorTuesday, November 16, 2010DEATH BY DECREE IN NJThe governor of New Jersey, Chris Christie,who told harness racing horsemen inthe state as a campaigner that he understoodtheir problems and would look afterthem, allowed his chief lieutenant on racingmatters, Jon Hanson, to issue a recommendationof death to the sport yesterdayby issuing a supplemental report recommendingclosure of the Meadowlands.Under the proposal, the track wouldcease live racing, become an off-track bettingfacility, and move its racing an hoursouth for an abbreviated 30-day meetingat Monmouth Park next fall, replacing141 days of racing scheduled for theMeadowlands. A six-day meeting at theMeadowlands in August, built around the$1.5 million Hambletonian, would be heldat the track.Reaction was quick from the sport, whichhad been led to believe negotiations werecontinuing to resolve the problem moreconstructively. Horsemen were crushedand dismayed at the possibility of havingto move operations and families out-ofstate.Andrew Perretti, son of Bill Perretti,owner of Perretti fFarms in CreamRidge, home of two of the leading standardbredstallions in the world -- pacerRocknroll Hanover and trotter MusclesYankee -- said they were consideringmoving the huge operation out ofNew Jersey to a more stable andfriendly location.IN OTHER NEWS.....The Meadowlands announced registrationwas open for its National HarnessHandicapping Championship qualifier onSaturday, Dec. 4. A prize pool estimatedat $12,000, depending on actual numberof entries, will be distributed to the top10 players, who will keep all pari-mutuelwinnings. Total cost to enter is $180,$100 non-refundable and the remainingrequired for betting card purchases. Theformat requires players to bet at least 8Meadowlands races, with a $10 minimumand $100 maximum bet per race. Mail inregistrations are due Friday, Dec. 3, walkupentries will be accepted between 5 and6 p.m. on play day Saturday Dec. 4. at theMeadowlands....The late George Steinbrennercould be headed for baseball’sHall of Fame. He is on a 12-man ballot tobe voted on by a 16-man Hall of Fame veteranscommittee, with at least 12 of the 16ballots needed for election. Other nomineesinclude Vida Blue, Dave Conception,Steve Garvey, Pat Gillick, Ron Guidry,Tommy John, Billy Martin, Marvin Miller,Al Oliver, Ted Simmons, and RustyStaub....Cantor Gaming has been namedto build and operate the sports book atthe $3.9 billion Cosmopolitan, to open inLas Vegas early next year. Cantor alsowon contracts for sports books at the MResort, Tropicana and Hard Rock CantorPresident and CEO Lee Amaitis sayshe hopes to replicate Cantor’s financialtechnology successes.