HARNESS TRACKS OF AMERICA Executive Newsletter

HARNESS TRACKS OF AMERICAThe annual award, named for the English thoroughbredimported to America in 1788 andfounder of the harness breed, and for Stan Bergstein,now in his 49th year as executive vice presidentof HTA, recognizes exceptionally meritoriouscontributions to the sport of harness racing.Gov. Rendell is the 30th recipient, and is beingrecognized for his determined and decisive effortsin revitalizing harness racing in Pennsylvania.Hugh Mitchell, chief operating officer of WesternFair Raceway in Ontario and president ofHTA, announcing this year’s winner, said, “EdRendell’s contributions to Pennsylvania harnessracing have been immense, and have transformedthe sport in his state to major internationalprominence and stature.”Gov. Rendell will receive the Messenger at theannual joint convention of HTA and the ThoroughbredRacing Association March 10 at theHyatt Grand Champions in Indian Wells, California.Executive NewsletterA daily fax and e-mail report on racing and gaming developments in North America and beyondStanley F. Bergstein, EditorThursday, February 18, 2010RENDELL WINS MESSENGER in the tripartite award vote (along with the governorand Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver) toEdward G. Rendell, governor of Pennsylvania,has been named winner of the 2010 Stanley F. the Democratic Conference Leader, John Sampson,who now is considering appeals for investi-Bergstein Messenger Award, highest honor bestowedby Harness Tracks of America, the associationof North American harness racetracks. Federal authorities, meanwhile, have contactedgation of the award from other legislative leaders.Delaware North and other unsuccessful bidders,asking their views on the bidding process.NJ SENATE BOSS: NO M SLOTSThe president of the New Jersey Senate, challengingthe state’s new governor, told an Atlantic CityChamber of Commerce meeting yesterday therewould be no slots at the Meadowlands or otherNew Jersey tracks. Senator Stephen Sweeneytold a cheering audience that he would not permita vote on any bill allowing VLTs anywhere inthe state but Atlantic City. “I can tell you,” hesaid, “I’m not posting a VLT bill for anywhereoutside of Atlantic City.” Gov. Chris Christiehas appointed a new seven-member panel to reviewthe state’s gambling, sports and entertainmentinterests and make policy recommendationsby June 30, and has not ruled out slots attracks. Sweeney, however, belligerently told hispartisan audience, “The governor threateningVLTs, he has to deal with me on that, and I’vealready told you, it ain’t happening.” Sweeneyalso invoked the media description of racing as“a dying industry” that should not be subsidizedby Atlantic City casinos.THE PRES & MINORITY LEADERAn item in yesterday’s Executive Newsletter onthe turmoil in New York over Gov. David Paterson’saward of the contract for a racino at Aqueductto a consortium called Aqueduct EntertainmentGroup misidentified two of the leadingplayers in Albany. Dean Skelos is minority leaderof the Senate, not president, a job heldby Malcolm A. Smith. Sorry, gentlemen.Smith, significantly, turned over his roleBROOKS EXEC COOKED BOOKSNew York Newsday, covering the David Brookstrial in federal court on Long Island, reportsthat Rhonda Graves, former chief operationsmanager of the Brooks’ firm Point Blank Industries,testified that when her boss, COO SandraHatfield, told her the company needed to show agross profit, “I just threw in numbers. Some ofthem were accurate. Others I created.”