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, December 29, 2010A MAN NOT AFRAID OF NJ GOVLorenzo Langford is mayor of AtlanticCity, NJ, and as such is facing the bruisingbrashness of his governor, ChrisChristie, who wants to take over the city’stourism industry. Langford is fightingback, and yesterday issued a bold challengeto Christie. “I will not allow anyperson or entity to come into this townand ride roughshod over us in an attemptto force their agenda down our throat,”he said to media, preparing them for afuller blast to come in a press conferencelater this week. “I have remained consistent,”Langford said, “in my commitmentto work cooperatively with whomever forthe greater good of Atlantic City. However,what the governor originally plannedis not what is being practiced.” Christiefirst proposed a partnership betweenstate and city. Then he backed legislationto reform casino regulations and set up afiefdom with the city to be controlled bythe state. A livid Langford also blasted apredecessor, senator Jim Whelan for notkeeping him and city officials informed ofwhat was going on in Christiedom.ANOTHER MAYOR SPEAKS OUTIn Lexington, KY, mayor-elect Jim Gray,who takes office next Monday, has madeclear he will support slots and gaming atKentucky’s racetracks. “I think we’vegot to do all we can today to support ourhorse industry,” he was quoted bypaulickreport.com. “The struggleand the loss is occurring rapidly.”POLK OKS NEW PRAIRIE LEASEHTA member Prairie Meadows Racetrackand Casino moved closer to extended lifeyesterday when the Polk County boardof supervisors voted unanimously for anew eight-year lease for the track and itsracino. Still ahead, however, is approvalby the track’s board of directors and theIowa Racing and Gaming Commission.Polk County taxpayers own the track,which is run by a non-profit board. Thecurrent lease expires Friday, and it lookslike no interruption in operations and ahappy new year on the Prairie.IN OHIO, HOWEVER, PROBLEMSPenn National Gaming hopes to breakground on its Columbus, Ohio, casinoearly in the new year, but it needs city waterand sewer service, and the city wantsthe casino to agree to annexation. PennNational is resisting, and mayor MichaelColeman says things are stalemated and“the ball is very much in their court.” Anearly agreement is likely.NEXT GOV GETS CALL IN NMEXA meeting scheduled for today by the NewMexico State Fair Commission on a newlease for The Downs of Albuquerque hasbeen cancelled. The commission says itis going to pass, and leave the decision toincoming governor Susana Martinez. Alease the commission has been consideringcalls for 25 years and an increase inthe current $2.2 million a year rental.