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, EditorMonday, April 12, 2010LOOKS GOOD FOR PLAINRIDGEIf the Massachusetts press has it right, things arelooking good for HTA’s Plainridge Racecourse.The Attleboro Sun Chronicle heads its slot storythis morning, “Slots at tracks sure bet,” and thelead of the story reads, “If slot machines wererace horses they’d be rounding the far turn andheading for home. There’s really no questionthat slot machines are coming to Massachusetts,almost certainly including Plainville.” The paperwent on to call House Speaker Robert DeLeo“the most powerful man in Massachusetts,” andsays Gov. Deval Patrick, who opposes the slotsat tracks idea, will go along “because he’s got todeal with DeLeo on bigger things like the budgetand taxes.” The story says there will be debateover just how many slot machines go where,and perhaps how many casinos will be built, butthat’s about all.The Worcester Telegram & Gazette says DeLeohas scheduled a debate in the House to begin tomorrowon the bill and its 216 proposed amendments,and a vote is expected as early as Thursdayof this week. The 172-page DeLeo bill wasfiled 10 days ago and the newspaper says Gov.Patrick and other opponents “have been frustratedby the fast track push” behind the measure.Former opponents in the House have beenswitching to support the bill, and one of them-- Rep. Vincent Pedone -- said, “I’m flipping,”noting that economic times and shift in gamblingavailability were among the reasons. Anotherlegislator, James J. O’Day, said, “I don’t thinkwe can turn up our nose at the number of jobs itis going to generate,” adding that with so manyjobless in the state many lawmakers were takinga different stance this time around. The bill as itstands would tax track slots at 40%, comparedto neighboring Connecticut’s 25%, but afterthree days of debate and with those216 amendments who knows what willemerge? Possibly Robert DeLeo for one.WEEK REPRIEVE FOR NYCOTBSurprise, surprise. HTA associate member NewYork City OTB, scheduled to close yesterday,was given a week’s fresh lease on life in NewYork. You know how Albany works. Do nothingon time. Drag things out. Talk and talk somemore. The New York tabloids know the story,with the Daily News, or was it the Post?, callingthe legislators “buffoons” in a headline. Littledifference. In any event, the OTB board decidedto stay open to give the guys in Albany a chanceto chortle, and then relent, including a 15% cutin track revenue from OTB as their solution tosaving it.FRANK HEARING ON FRIDAYCongressman Barney Frank has scheduled aFriday committee hearing on his two onlinegambling bills, the Reasonable Prudence in RegulationAct and the Internet Gambling RegulationConsumer Protection and Enforcement Act.Both seek to kill the Unlawful Internet GamingEnforcement Act -- UIGEA -- currently under apass until July 1. A second extension is possible.AROUND AND ABOUT.....Some very good news. Expect a major announcementfrom New York Times and ESPNwriter BILL FINLEY this week....HTA’s VER-NON DOWNS conducts a double draw tomorrowfor Friday’s and Saturday’s season openingweekend. Vernon has big plans for an $8 millionexpansion, including addition of more than 7,000square feet of space on its restaurant, conventionand events center, and indoor simulcast area....The New England Chapter of harness writershonors author ROBERT TEMPLE tomorrow.It’s his 66th birthday, and his new book, The Historyof New England Harness Racing, is due outthis month....MOHEGAN SUN AT POCONO isflying. Slots revenue up 19% from 2008 to 2009,and up from $17 million to $19.8 from Februaryto March this year.