HARNESS TRACKS OF AMERICA Executive Newsletter

HARNESS TRACKS OF AMERICASLOTS FOR RUNNING ACES?A Minnesota state representative and state senatorhave introduced bills in their chambers thatwould pave the way for slots at HTA memberRunning Aces and at Canterbury Park. Thestate is facing a $1.2 billion deficit and the proposedlegislation would, its sponsors say, close$125 million a year of that gap. Despite that,Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty says he doesnot support the idea of expanded gambling. TheHouse sponsor of the bill, Al Juhnke, is chairmanof the House Agriculture, Rural Economies andVeterans Affairs Finance Committee. He told inforum.comof St. Paul the legislation, in additionto helping the state meet its budget deficit, wouldhelp boost the state’s $1 billion horse industry“by capturing racino business from people whonow are gambling via the Internet or otherwiseoutside of Minnesota.” Juhnke and State SenatorDan Sparks both expect to receive committeehearings, but say they have not counted voteson the proposals. Democrats oppose the ideabecause of its potential impact on Indian gaming,with tribes with casinos being major donorsto Democratic candidates, inforum.com reports.The Senate majority leader, Larry Pogemiller,has indicated opposition to the idea.PHILLY TO MEET STEVE WYNNWhen he didn’t like the way New York was handlingbids by changing the game almost day today, Steve Wynn pulled out of the bidding processfor the Aqueduct racino. Now he is back fullblast in Pennsylvania, announcing he has signeda letter of intent for a Wynn affiliate, Wynn ResortsInc., to take over from Foxwoods as managingpartner of the controversial Foxwoods casinoproject in Philadelphia, stalled for three years byneighborhood and political opposition. Detailsof Wynn’s entrance into the fray have notbeen released, and his company’s participationis subject to Pennsylvania GamingControl Board approval.Executive NewsletterA daily fax and e-mail report on racing and gaming developments in North America and beyondStanley F. Bergstein, EditorThursday, February 25, 2010Wynn said he was “thrilled” at the prospect ofreturning to his old college town. He attendedthe University of Pennsylvania for four years andhas served as a university trustee for 10 years.He said, “Philadelphia has always felt like hometo me.” The financial news service thestreet.comcalled Wynn’s entrance into the Foxwoods scene“yet another blow to Atlantic City and its casinooperators,” in particular the high-end Borgata,half-owned by Boyd Gaming, and to MGM Mirage,which has been trying to sell its interestin the Borgata. It called Wynn’s move “a smartone,” presuming Wynn would become the majorityowner.AGAIN, A MESSED-UP NY MESSNothing, it seems, can be done in New York’sstate capital in Albany on the merits of a case,or without political haggling. Now somethingas simple as approving or not approving a newmember of the State Racing and Wagering Boardhas turned into another huge political mess. TheDemocrats hold a narrow margin in the Senate,and on party lines approved Gov. David Paterson’sappointment of Charles Diamond, a formerHouse member without any racing background,to the $101,600 a year racing board post, replacingmember John Simoni, who had been appointedby former Senate boss Joe Bruno. TheRepublicans, saying rules require a 32-membermajority vote on confirmations as well as legislation,are contesting the 31-vote approval, createdby the banishment of one Democratic legislatorfollowing spousal abuse charges. The Democratscontend the 32-member vote is required only forlegislation and resolutions, not confirmations ofgubernatorial appointees.In New Jersey, the state’s race horse interestshave objected strenuously to being tagged “aspart of the wasteful spending going on in stategovernment,” saying they are a privategroup, not part of state government.