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, EditorThursday, May 13, 2010HANG ON. HERE WE GO AGAINMighty New York is starting over fromground zero, attempting once again to finda suitable suitor to build and operate theracino at Aqueduct Race Course. It hasbecome almost traditional to cite “a milliondollars a day” being lost by the state,which if accurate would mean that NewYork has squandered $3 billion, 285 millionwhile its legislators played games inAlbany over the last nine years. Now comesa new effort, launched this week, with theLottery and Budget divisions playing leadroles in screening the applicants -- presumablyat least five being previously unsuccessfulapplicants -- before winding upright where the process left off in disgracea few months ago: with governor DavidPaterson. After the lottery and budgetfolks hand him their “winner,” Patersonwill pick whom he chooses, supposedlyon August 3, although missed deadlinesin New York state stretch from Albany toBroadway. This selection process is whatPaterson calls “apolitical.” The New YorkLottery says all bids will be made publiconce a winner is selected, and the requestfor proposals will be publicized on variousWeb sites. Previous “winners” whoturned out losers were Delaware North,which won the first round of bidding butcouldn’t deliver the $300 million in upfrontmoney, and the scandal-ridden AqueductEntertainment Group whose niceprincipals included folks who mayhave diverted flood relief monies.Other hopefuls who did not make the cutlast time around include SL Green Realty,Hard Rock Casinos and MGM Mirage,Harrah’s Entertainment, Penn NationalGaming, Peebles Realty and the winnerloserin the earlier selection, DelawareNorth.BOOZE FLOWS AT BIG MApparently inspired by this coming Saturday’sSaturnalian doings at the Preaknessat Pimlico, the Meadowlands hasannounced its own revelry a day earlier.For 38 bucks tomorrow night, you canget track admission, barbecue buffet, arace program, prize drawings, and a $5betting voucher if you make advance reservations.Oh, jeez, we almost forgot themost important part of the promotion.“Unlimited beer samplings.” Not surewhat that means in quantity -- probablynot as much as Pimlico’s drink-yourselfsillyoffer -- but at least there won’t bewild things wandering in the infield inEast Rutherford.D’ALLESANDRO FIGHTS ONUndaunted by defeat at the hands of hisgovernor, John Lynch, and his colleaguesin the state legislature, State Senator LouD’Allesandro battles on in New Hampshire.He now has come up with a newproposal, for fewer slots and the LotteryCommission getting to pick where to putthem. A live webcast discussing the issueis being held today. Still alive.