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New Jersey Racing News
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LIGHTS ON THE CODEY AGENDA FOR MONMOUTH PARK IN 2005
Oceanport Racing Report.com
New Jersey Senate President Richard Codey (D-Essex), has told the Asbury Park Press that he is interested in the possibility of installing lights to run live evening programs during the Monmouth Park 2005 meeting on Wednesday through Friday nights. The move would be geared to take advantage of the shore nightlife and to get the beachgoers back to the track during the week. In addition, the move would also create a void in the national summer simulcast card where Monmouth would be strategically positioned to take advantage of weak night racing simulcast cards further strengthening revenue.
"I’d like to run Monmouth at night Wednesday through Friday as a way of trying to put a new look on an old meet that has fallen on harder times," Codey said as he went on to comment, "It might even attract a bit of a younger crowd that could be the next generation of racing fans."
Codey is set to become New Jersey’s acting governor following the official resignation of Governor Jim McGreevey on November 15. Codey has also recently asked that the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority, which operates Monmouth and the Meadowlands in East Rutherford, discontinue its quest to find a partner operator to lease the tracks. That story is listed under the previous October 26, 2004 article on this page.
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NJSEA ENDS BID PROCESS
Oceanport Racing Report.com
Ed DeRosa in the Thoroughbred Times is reporting that New Jersey Senate President Richard Codey (D-Essex) has asked the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority, which operates the Meadowlands in East Rutherford and Monmouth Park in Oceanport, to end its search for a leasing partner until he can thoroughly review the health of racing and casino industries in the state.
Codey will become the state’s acting governor following the official resignation of Jim McGreevey, and he already has committed his support "to ensure that Monmouth Park is restored to its original glory and that horse racing in New Jersey once again thrives."
Jim DeBosh, a spokesman for the authority, said that Codey’s edict would not affect account wagering or the casino subsidy that the tracks currently receive for purses. He also noted that as a government agency, the authority would fully support Codey’s decisions.
The authority has pledged $15-million in improvements to Monmouth in advance of the 2007 Breeders’ Cup World Thoroughbred Championships and Codey said in his letter published on October 12 in the Asbury Park Press that he intends "to work closely with Sports Authority President George Zoffinger on these improvements and on other ways to revitalize the horse racing industry throughout the state."
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MID-ATLANTIC COOPERATIVE & NYRA REACH SIGNAL AGREEMENT
Oceanport Racing Report.com
Thoroughbred Times is reporting that just in time for Wednesday’s opening day program at Aqueduct, the Mid-Atlantic Cooperative reached an agreement on Tuesday to simulcast New York Racing Association races.
The cooperative began a boycott of the Belmont Park simulcast signal on September 14 because of a NYRA exclusivity deal with Television Games Network that precludes residents in New Hampshire and Virginia from wagering on NYRA races through their in-state account wagering providers without those providers first reaching an agreement with TVG.
Suffolk Downs in East Boston, Massachusetts, broke ranks from the cooperative on October 21 and struck an independent deal with NYRA to offer the Belmont signal. The new cooperative-NYRA deal restores the signal at all cooperative tracks and through account wagering providers in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Additional terms of the contract were not released.
"It was the co-ops intention to seek to work with NYRA to provide the best presentation of the races in the Mid-Atlantic region," said Mid-Atlantic Cooperative Executive Director Martin Lieberman said. "I regret the parties’ interruption of simulcasts during the recent Belmont meeting."
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A PITCHED BATTLE OVER NYRA SIGNAL: IMPASSE OVER IN-HOME BETTING RIGHTS
By MATT HEGARTY, Daily Racing Form
The monthlong battle between a group of mid-Atlantic tracks and the New York Racing Association over the rights to broadcast and take bets on races from Belmont Park is the product of long-simmering tensions among competing account-wagering companies, according to interviews with racing officials involved in the dispute.
Tracks that belong to a group called the MidAtlantic Cooperative dropped the Belmont signal on Sept. 15, blocking fans in Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Massachusetts, Virginia, West Virginia, and New Hampshire from betting on the region's most popular races and costing the tracks involved millions of dollars in simulcast fees and purse revenues.
The mid-Atlantic region has become a battleground for account-wagering companies eager to win over a relatively small but rapidly expanding group of horseplayers: people who bet at home over the Internet or by telephone. That battle, increasingly fought out by lobbyists and lawmakers, has paradoxically limited the choices of mid-Atlantic horseplayers at a time when account wagering is becoming more widely available and reliable.
In the past several years, lobbyists for racetracks in the mid-Atlantic region, including Philadelphia Park, have helped to craft laws or regulations that restrict which account-wagering operations can take bets from state residents. The push for restrictions is at the heart of the Belmont signal dispute and underscores what is at stake for account-wagering companies: customers who can provide a lucrative revenue stream. As the companies increasingly carve up exclusive territory, the fight for customers is straining relationships, not only among competing companies but also with racetrack operators like NYRA.
The Belmont dispute stems from an agreement that NYRA signed in September with Television Games Network, the horse racing broadcasting and account-wagering company. The agreement splits in two the rights to NYRA's signal, allowing NYRA to continue to sell its signal to other racetracks and simulcast sites but giving TVG exclusive "in-home" rights to broadcast NYRA races over cable television systems, with some exemptions, and on the Internet. These in-home rights were previously assigned to the mid-Atlantic tracks in their cooperative simulcast contract with NYRA, an agreement that expired in early September at the close of the Saratoga meeting. The TVG contract was signed while NYRA and the cooperative were in negotiations to renew the simulcast agreement. NYRA operates Aqueduct, Belmont, and Saratoga.
There are no indications that the dispute will be resolved soon. NYRA officials have said that the association is limited by its agreement with TVG, which included an up-front payment to NYRA of millions of dollars. TVG officials have told the cooperative that TVG can negotiate only with individual racetracks because of the diversity of laws among mid-Atlantic states, officials for both sides said. The mid-Atlantic tracks have insisted that NYRA - not TVG - assign the in-home rights to the NYRA signal. The result has been a stalemate.
TVG, which is available in 23 million homes over cable television systems and satellite networks, is supported by many racetracks and horsemen's groups, along with the National Thoroughbred Racing Association. Nearly all of the mid-Atlantic tracks operate account-wagering companies that compete with TVG, although on a much varied scale. TVG is owned by Gemstar-TV Guide, a large telecommunications company, and has lost at least $100 million since its launch five years ago. The account companies owned by mid-Atlantic tracks operate on much smaller budgets even as they turn out relatively large profits.
Many horsemen's groups support TVG because the network is widely available and because the company returns more money to tracks and horsemen in regions where it takes wagers through source-market fees. The fees add up to approximately 13.5 percent of each dollar wagered, an amount that officials acknowledge is higher on average than the fees offered by any other account-wagering company.
Despite that model, many racetrack officials and fans have been critical of TVG's practice of signing tracks to exclusive agreements, claiming that the deals limit the number of racetracks offered by competing account-wagering services. The critics contend that TVG wields its exclusive rights like a club to gain access to markets and expand the number of tracks available over its network.
TVG's exclusivity strategy, initially designed to create incentive for cable networks to carry the channel, has softened over the years. The company first began to offer nonexclusive contracts for some tracks and then began licensing its exclusive tracks to other outlets, including two competing account-wagering operations, Youbet.com and AmericaTab. TVG keeps the vast majority of revenue from bets made by customers of its licensing partners.
TVG officials declined to comment for this article. TVG's agreement with NYRA, however, likely represented another evolution in its exclusivity strategy. By separating the in-home rights in the NYRA deal, TVG is forcing account-wagering companies in states where TVG is prohibited from operating - such as Pennsylvania and New Jersey - to negotiate with TVG for racetrack signals.
Bruce Garland, the executive vice president of the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority, said the mid-Atlantic tracks had refused to sign the Belmont deal because the cooperative has "no interest in signing a short-term deal that would hurt us in the long run." Garland said that the authority would be prohibited from showing Belmont's races over the Internet or in homes if the authority signed the contract with NYRA.
New Jersey plans to launch an Internet account-wagering operation by Oct. 30, four years after a law was signed authorizing telephone and Internet betting but restricting the practice to a company composed of licensed racetracks in the state. One of the company's partners is Philadelphia Park, which is part-owner of a Freehold Raceway in New Jersey.
When asked why the authority had not signed a deal for the Belmont signal - which would allow Belmont races to be simulcast at New Jersey racetracks - and then negotiate with TVG over the in-home rights to Belmont's races, Garland said that TVG had offered to exchange the in-home rights if TVG could buy the authority's races from Monmouth and the Meadowlands for 2 percent of the handle. Typically, simulcast rates average 3.5 percent.
"We're not going to make a separate deal like that at half the price of what other people pay us," Garland said.
Although TVG officials declined to comment, one TVG official said privately that TVG had not negotiated with any individual tracks because of the MidAtlantic Cooperative's insistence on one deal for all its tracks with NYRA.
Hal Handel, the chief executive officer of Philadelphia Park, said that
Philadelphia Park could "theoretically" cut its own deal with TVG over the Belmont in-home rights but has declined to do so.
"If TVG is insistent that our customers not be able to bet on Belmont,"
Handel said, "I suppose that is their right."
Marty Lieberman, the executive director of the MidAtlantic Cooperative, who is also general counsel for Daily Racing Form, said the cooperative held several discussions with TVG officials recently but declined to give details.
"These are the first discussions we've had in a long time," Lieberman said, "so that's helpful. Still, I discern no progress."
With the growth of account wagering and casinos and the accompanying laws and restrictions, the mid-Atlantic region has become particularly contentious among gambling companies.
In Pennsylvania earlier this year, lobbyists for Philadelphia Park inserted a provision into a bill legalizing slot machines at state racetracks that limits account-wagering to licensed state racetracks. That has shut out all account-wagering companies except the ones run by Philadelphia Park, Penn National, and The Meadows, a harness track owned by Magna Entertainment Corp. Magna's account-wagering operation, XpressBet, has declined to provide the signals from Magna tracks to most other account-wagering companies.
Handel said the provision limiting account wagering to Pennsylvania tracks is "a good law" because racetracks and horsemen "should have the ability to dictate what is going on in their own state."
But the restriction runs counter to the business plan of Phonebet, an operation run by Philadelphia Park that takes wagers from residents of any state in which account wagering is not explicitly illegal. When asked if Phonebet could survive if every state in the country adopted a similar law - which would limit Phonebet to Pennsylvania customers - Handel said that it could, provided exceptions were made for established national wagering companies. No exception exists in the Pennsylvania law.
In New Jersey, the law that limits account wagering to the company operated by the New Jersey sports authority was written by officials from the authority and Philadelphia Park, according to regulators and horsemen. Philadelphia Park bought New Jersey's Freehold Raceway with Penn National Inc., another Pennsylvania-based racetrack owner and account-wagering operator, making them both part of New Jersey's account-wagering company.
Because of that relationship, Philadelphia Park will retain revenues from the New Jersey account-wagering operation when it begins accepting bets later this year. In addition, the New Jersey system will use Phonebet's technical platform to process the state's bets, officials from the authority and Philadelphia Park said.
In Virginia, state rules allow the racing commission to award multiple licenses, but to date the commission has awarded only one, to Colonial Downs, the only racetrack in the state. Colonial's operation, also called Phonebet, is managed by Philadelphia Park. Four other account-wagering companies - TVG, Youbet.com, Americatab, and XpressBet - have applied for licenses, according to commission officials, but the law requires the companies to reach agreements with Colonial before they can apply for a license. No deals have been reached yet.
Stan Bowker, the executive director of the Virginia Racing Commission, said that regulators planned to discuss whether to remove or alter the language that requires a deal to be struck between the account-wagering companies and Colonial Downs.
"Our commission would like to have as many account-wagering companies as possible," Bowker said, "because that's going to be the best result for our fans."
Colonial officials did not return a phone call Tuesday.
In New Hampshire, only licensed state racetracks can run account-wagering operations, according to Paul Kelley, the executive director of the New Hampshire Racing Commission. The account-wagering operation at Rockingham Park used to be run by Philadelphia Park, according to the track's general manager, Eddie Callahan. Rockingham installed its own system two years ago, Callahan said.
"Philly did a real nice job for us, but we thought it might be a better idea to keep everything up here in New Hampshire," Callahan said.
Callahan, whose track is a member of the MidAtlantic Cooperative, said that TVG had no right to offer betting in New Hampshire.
"To be honest, phone wagering isn't a big part of our operation, so it makes a lot of sense to get this resolved," Callahan said. "But I'm not sure that NYRA is capable of resolving it, and I don't think TVG wants to."
Along with racing fans, horsemen in the region are caught in the middle of the dispute. Dennis Drazin, the counsel to the New Jersey Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association, said it was costing horsemen in New Jersey millions in purse revenues because Belmont is the most popular simulcast signal. The horsemen's group is considering a lawsuit against the cooperative, Drazin said.
Alan Foreman, the chairman of the Maryland-based National Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association, an umbrella group for horsemen in the mid-Atlantic region, said the dispute was not only damaging horseplayers and racetracks, but was also benefiting the company that the mid-Atlantic tracks were unhappy with: TVG.
"You can't bet Belmont at the tracks in Maryland, but you can bet it on TVG, and TVG is on just about every cable system," said Foreman, a supporter of TVG. "So what are our horseplayers doing? They are staying at home and betting Belmont on their TVG accounts."
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NEW JERSEY ACCOUNT WAGERING WEBSITE DEBUTS TODAY
Big M.com
There is a new address for horse racing in New Jersey -- www.4njbets.com
The new website, which debuted October 15, offers information and applications for New Jersey residents to sign up for account wagering on the state’s four racetracks – Meadowlands, Monmouth Park, Atlantic City Racecourse and Freehold Raceway – as well as the tracks from which these tracks take simulcasting signals.
Wagering through the 4NJBETS will be rolled out
before the end of the month and initially the account wagering will be by
Internet-only. An automated phone system will be operational by the end
of the year.
The first step is to set
up a wagering account by filling out the online application and returning
it in person to one of the four racetracks or by mail to New Jersey
Account Wagering, Meadowlands Racetrack, 50 Route 120, East Rutherford,
New Jersey 07073. The application process requires proof of New Jersey
residency, Social Security number, proof of age [must be 18 or older] and
a completed IRS W-9 form.
The
initial deposit minimum is $50. Deposits may be made at one of the New
Jersey tracks with cash or a betting voucher. Mailed in deposits must be
in the form of a check or money order [made out to NJAW or New Jersey
Account Wagering] with the deposit slip provided after registration. All
personal checks written on a New Jersey bank are subject to a
five-business-day hold [out of state banks have a 10-day hold]. Credit
card replenishment [VISA or Mastercard only] is possible once the credit
card is registered with New Jersey Account Wagering. Information on
credit card restrictions and fees is available online or from the NJAW
business office.
To contact the New Jersey Account Wagering business
office between 10 a.m. and 10 p.m., e-mail to
4NJBets@njsea.com, call 201-460-4141 or fax
201-748-5255.
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DEADLINE EXTENDED FOR NEW JERSEY TRACK LEASES
Oceanport Racing Report.com
Thoroughbred Times is reporting that after receiving just five bids by its September 30 deadline, the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority has extended the deadline for interested parties to submit a bid to lease the Meadowlands and Monmouth Park by three weeks.
Authority Chief Executive George Zoffinger confirmed that Magna Entertainment Corp. and Churchill Downs Inc. were among the five bidders as was a casino company, but he did not provide any information about the two other bidders, the Newark Star-Ledger reports.
The authority returned the five bids unopened to the parties who made them. Zoffinger said that he hopes the extension will generate more interest in the facilities, which he thinks could lease long term for $300-million. Earlier this week, Zoffinger said that money from the leasing agreement could go toward funding a Major League Baseball stadium at the Meadowlands complex in East Rutherford.
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ACCOUNT WAGERING GETS OK IN JERSEY
Oceanport Racing Report.com
Various sources are reporting that the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority's account wagering application
was approved by the state racing commission at its agenda meeting on Thursday at Monmouth Park. With the racing commissions approval the only regulatory hurdle left to get the platform up and running is the approval of Attorney General Peter Harvey, who reserves the right to override the commission's approval. Harvey has the option to either approve or disapprove or take no action within a short time frame. Without opposition from Harvey account wagering is expected to be up and running by October 30, the day of the Breeders' Cup. The account wagering system will only take bets from New Jersey residents, as the system owned by the state's racetracks are the only licensed venues for such a platform in which to place bets on horse races in New Jersey according to state law. Bruce Garland the executive vice president of the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority, the owner and operator of The Meadowlands and Monmouth Park, told The Daily Racing Form that the operation hopes to begin accepting applications for accounts within the next few weeks.
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STAKES RACE AT MEADOWLANDS HONORS P.G.
JOHNSON
Big M.com
An overnight stakes at the Meadowlands has been named in honor of Philip
G. Johnson, the Hall of Fame trainer who died earlier this month at age 78
after a three-year battle with cancer.
"It's a fitting tribute, because P.G. is the leading all-time
stakes-winning trainer at the Meadowlands," said Racing Secretary Mike
Dempsey, who made the announcement. One of his major Meadowlands scores
came in the 2001 Pegasus Stakes with Volponi, who went on to upset the
Breeders' Cup Classic in 2002.
The $55,000 P.G. Johnson Stakes, for three-year-old fillies at five
furlongs on the turf, will be run on Saturday, October 23.
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STATE BRED RULES AMENDED BY NEW JERSEY BREEDERS
Oceanport Racing Report.com
Multiple sources are reporting that The Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association of New Jersey, with approval from the New Jersey Racing Commission amended its rules on August 18 to redefine a state-bred foal to include those horses sired by a registered New Jersey stallion standing in the state, even if the mare foals outside of New Jersey.
In addition, the progeny of any mare conceived in New Jersey by a registered New Jersey stallion will be eligible to compete in restricted races in the state and receive a breeder award to be determined by the Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association of New Jersey, initially established at 20%.
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COMMISSION DUTIES EXPANDED AT NEW JERSEY RACING COMMISSION
Oceanport Racing Report.com
Thoroughbred Times is reporting legislation that will expand the duties of the New Jersey Racing Commission to include development and promotion of the horse racing industry was signed into law on August 8.
The will was sponsored by Assemblyman Ronald Dancer (R-Ocean, Burlington, Monmouth, Mercer) and was enacted in part due to the financial losses the industry has suffered in recent years.
"Horse racing is an exciting and vibrant industry and for many communities throughout New Jersey it is an integral part of the local economy," Dancer told the Tri-Town News. "Allowing the commission to participate in the industry’s growth and development is an excellent way to help the industry get back on the right track."
Under its current duties, the commission is responsible for regulating horse racing to ensure the propriety of racing events.
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BREEDERS' CUP WORLD THOROUGHBRED CHAMPIONSHIPS THE CENTERPIECE OF NEW INSTANT LOTTERY GAME IN NEW JERSEY
NTRA.com
Original post: August 5, 2004
Contacts: Eric Wing, NTRA (212) 230-9511
Bob Kowalczyk, MDI (678) 297-5169
MDI Entertainment, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Scientific Games (NASDAQ:
SGMS), and Breeders' Cup Limited announced today that the New Jersey
Lottery will be the first to introduce a licensed instant scratch game
featuring the Breeders' Cup World Thoroughbred Championships,
horseracing's richest annual event.
New
Jersey's $2 BREEDERS' CUP GOLD tickets go on sale August 9, 2004 with a
top instant cash prize of $30,000 and a series of second chance drawings
offering ten grand prize trips for two to the 2005 Breeders' Cup World
Thoroughbred Championships at New York's famed Belmont Park. More than
1,100 prize packages featuring official Breeders' Cup collectible
merchandise will also be awarded.
MDI President Steve Saferin said of the planned launch, “Introducing
BREEDERS' CUP GOLD next month will enable the New Jersey Lottery to take
advantage of the sports media attention on the Breeders' Cup that will
continue to grow through October 30, when this year's Breeders' Cup
championship races will be run at Lone Star Park in Grand Prairie, Texas.
We're confident that lottery players and race fans throughout New Jersey
will be attracted to this game and its race-related bonus features.”
“We are excited about introducing the Breeders' Cup game in New Jersey and
greatly appreciate the cooperation of their Lottery officials,” stated D.G.
Van Clief, Jr., President of Breeders' Cup Limited. “With the cash,
merchandise and trip prizes offered, we're optimistic the game will have
strong appeal amongst both lottery and horse racing fans. We're also
planning additional promotional efforts with the New Jersey Sports and
Exposition Authority to market the game.”
BREEDERS' CUP GOLD features innovative Advanced Image game data that will
deliver an entirely new play style to lottery players in the Garden State.
Developed by Scientific Games, the play action includes two competing
horses in each of three races. If the “Player's Horse” matches the horse
closest to the finish line in each race, the player wins the prize
associated with that race. Due to the proprietary nature of the play
action, Scientific Games was selected to print the more than 5 million
tickets for the New Jersey game.
In support of the game, MDI will provide the New Jersey Lottery with its
trademarked Lottery Bonus Zone® second chance Internet entry service.
Lottery players who register for the Lottery's internet-based VIP CLUB
will be able to submit second chance entries electronically instead of
submitting them through the mail. For players preferring to mail their
entries, MDI will provide the Lottery with how-to-play brochures and
attached entry envelopes. Additionally, MDI will manage all drawing, prize
fulfillment, and customer service functions in association with the game.
Breeders' Cup Limited and the National Thoroughbred Racing Association, a
broad-based coalition of horseracing interests, conduct the Breeders' Cup
World Thoroughbred Championships, Thoroughbred racing's year-end
championship event consisting of eight races and $14 million in purses and
awards. The NTRA has offices in Lexington, Ky., and New York City. NTRA
press releases appear on the NTRA Web site, www.ntra.com.
Scientific Games Corporation (www.scientificgames.com) is the leading
integrated supplier of instant tickets, systems and services to lotteries,
and the leading supplier of wagering systems and services to pari-mutuel
operators. It is also a licensed pari-mutuel gaming operator in
Connecticut and the Netherlands, and is a leading supplier of prepaid
phone cards to telephone companies. MDI Entertainment, a wholly owned
subsidiary of Scientific Games Corporation, is the worldwide leader in
licensed lottery games and promotions.
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BREEDERS' CUP AND NJSEA REACH MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING FOR MONMOUTH PARK TO HOST 2007 BREEDERS' CUP
NTRA.com
Officials of the Breeders' Cup Limited and the National Thoroughbred
Racing Association (NTRA) have reached a memorandum of understanding with
the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority (NJSEA) for Monmouth Park
in Oceanport, New Jersey, to be the host site for the 2007 Breeders' Cup
World Thoroughbred Championships.
The
24th running of the Breeders' Cup, consisting of eight races with purses
and awards totaling $14 million, will be run during the last weekend of
October or the first weekend in November of 2007.
"We are delighted to bring the Breeders' Cup to New Jersey and Monmouth
Park for the 2007 World Thoroughbred Championships," said Breeders' Cup
President D.G. Van Clief, Jr. "We have been extremely impressed with the
enthusiasm and professionalism of the NJSEA team, one that has developed
an outstanding reputation in handling major league sporting and special
events over years. Furthermore, we believe that Monmouth Park has earned
its place as one of America's finest and most popular Thoroughbred
facilities and will provide an excellent showcase to stage the world's
greatest day of international racing."
"Bringing the jewel of Thoroughbred racing to Monmouth Park is not only
great for the mid-Atlantic region, but more specifically, the State of New
Jersey," said George R. Zoffinger, President and Chief Executive Officer
of the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority. "This world
championship of racing will focus global attention on the state and will
deliver a direct economic impact of $80 to $100 million. For us, it
represents a win-win. We've worked long and hard to make this happen and
are proud that so many race fans will get a chance to see how we put on
major events."
"The Authority and the state are extremely proud to be hosting this
magnificent event," said Carl Goldberg, Chairman of the NJSEA. "It is a
great testimony to the cooperation of the Thoroughbred horsemen,
especially Dennis Drazin, and the New Jersey Racing Commission. It
represents a meaningful contribution to both the pride and the pocketbooks
of all New Jersey taxpayers. Hosting this event continues to make our
state one of the premier sports and entertainment destinations in North
America."
This will be the first time that Monmouth Park has hosted the Breeders'
Cup World Thoroughbred Championships and the first time the event will be
held in the Middle Atlantic region. During its 20 year history, the
Breeders' Cup also has been held at Hollywood Park and Santa Anita Park in
California, Arlington Park in Illinois, Churchill Downs in Kentucky,
Gulfstream Park in Florida, Aqueduct Racetrack and Belmont Park in New
York and Woodbine in Ontario, Canada. This year's Breeders' Cup will be
run at Lone Star Park in the Dallas suburb of Grand Prairie, Texas on
Saturday October 30. The 2005 Breeders' Cup will be held at Belmont Park
and the 2006 event is scheduled to be held at Churchill Downs.
Present day Monmouth Park, built near the site of the 1870 original,
opened its doors on July 19, 1946, after pari-mutuel wagering was
legalized in New Jersey. The beautiful new plant, nicknamed the "Resort of
Racing" for its prominent place on the Jersey Shore, was an immediate
financial and artistic success, attracting large crowds and champion
Thoroughbreds. Through the
years, Monmouth has presented some of the finest racing in the nation,
with the $1 million Haskell Invitational - richest invitational in North
America - the centerpiece of each meeting.
The New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority purchased Monmouth Park
Jockey Club in 1986 and continues its mission to bring the best of sports
and entertainment to the Garden State. In addition to Monmouth Park, the
NJSEA owns and operates the Meadowlands Sports Complex in East Rutherford,
NJ, which includes Giants Stadium, Meadowlands Racetrack and Continental
Airlines Arena, Atlantic City Convention Center and Wildwoods Convention
Center.
The NTRA is a broad-based coalition of horseracing interests, including
the American Quarter Horse Association, charged with increasing popularity
of horseracing and improving economic conditions for industry
participants. The NTRA and Breeders' Cup Limited also administer the
Breeders' Cup World Thoroughbred Championships, Thoroughbred racing's
year-end Championships consisting of eight races and $14 million in purses
and awards and the Breeders' Cup Stakes Program. The NTRA has offices in
Lexington, Ky., and New York City. NTRA press releases appear on the NTRA
Web site, ntra.com.
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JUDGE APPROVES NEW JERSEY CASINO SUPPLEMENT PLAN
Oceanport Racing Report.com
Thoroughbred Times is reporting that Superior Court Judge Alexander Lehrer has approved a settlement agreement between the state's racetracks and casinos that will provide up to $86-million to New Jersey’s horse racing industry for purses from 2004 through '07. The settlement, made in exchange for the state tracks’ agreement to delay plans to add video slot machines to its facilities, was signed by the New Jersey Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association, the Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association, the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority, Freehold Racing Association, the Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association, and the New Jersey Sires Stakes.
The settlement will utilize funds made available through an agreement between the sports authority, which operates the Meadowlands and Monmouth Park, the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority, and each individual Atlantic City casino to provide the $86-million to the horse racign industry.
In addition, the NJSEA is guaranteeing an additional $16.8-million for a total of $102.8-million. The contract allocates $750,000 as start-up money for New Jersey’s account wagering system with the goal of having OTW and account wagering operational as soon as possible. If slot machines or VLT’s are placed at any racetrack the contract will be renegotiated to a higher level.
"I am very pleased that the Court has approved this fair and equitable agreement," said Dennis Drazin, general counsel to the New Jersey Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association. "When it comes right down to it, all of New Jersey’s racing interests want the same things...the ability for New Jersey to compete with surround racing jurisdictions who have or will have VLT‘s or slot machines at their racetracks, economic stability and predictability for all parties including the horsemen, the racetrack owners, the communities where the tracks are located and our agricultural interests.
"This agreement satisfies these needs, but most importantly it brings peace, stability and viability to all involved."
Drazin stated the next goal for horsemen is their inclusion in the New Jersey Racing Commission. The current Racing Commission consists of seven individuals, but under the new statute the Commission will continue to consist of nine members with four of the nine representing horsemen’s interests—two Thoroughbred and two Standardbred representatives.
"The only piece that is missing is the reconstitution of the Racing Commission," said Drazin. "The current industry wide agreement provides peace and no litigation with every segment of the industry with the exception of the Racing Commission. It is only logical that horsemen want a similar presence on their regulatory board."
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BILL COVERS EXERCISE RIDERS UNDER WORKERS COMPENSATION
Oceanport Racing Report.com
Legislation that would extend workers' compensation to exercise riders who pay applicable state and federal taxes .was approved on Wednesday night. Coverage will fall under the New Jersey Horse Racing Injury Compensation Fund and the bill is on the way to the Governors desk for signature. After a surplus developed in the Thoroughbred industries portion of the compensation fund, it was decided to include exercise riders for coverage. The compensation fund, which was established in 1995, is used to pay for worker’s compensation for jockeys and apprentice riders.
In a separate bill, incentives for state breeders was introduced to increase eligibility for Thoroughbred breeder awards to breeders of New Jersey horses that win purse money in out of state races. The measure will not have equal status with New Jersey’s in-state breeders’ awards programs, and would only take effect after 100% of the breeders’ awards are paid for races held in state. Awards will not be paid to New Jersey-breds running in out-of-state contests while live Thoroughbred racing is being held in New Jersey. No provisions of the proposal would change the current in-state breeders’ award program.
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LEGISLATION APPROVAL PASSED FOR ALLOWING RACING PROPERTIES TO BE LEASED
Oceanport Racing Report.com
On Monday, June 21,
2004 the New Jersey Senate and Assembly passed a long anticipated bill
that would allow the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority to lease
both the Meadowlands and Monmouth Park. The bill now heads to
Governor James McGreevey's desk for signature which he is believed to sign
immediately as the governor has come out in favor of the legislation.
Some sources project that state revenues from the two tracks could see a
boost of up to $300-million ayear, a substantial increase from the
$25.5-million the two tracks combined to earn last year for the authority.
Expected bidders for
the properties include Churchill Downs Inc. and Magna Entertainment Corp.
Both companies would have the ability to turn bigger profits if they lease
the tracks because they would not have to pay simulcasting rights for
their own facilities.
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RACING COMMISSION APPROVES NJTBA TO SUBSIDY FOR BREEDERS’ AWARDS
Oceanport Racing Report.com
On Wednesday, June 16th The New Jersey Racing Commission granted permission to The New Jersey Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association to use its $1,039,353 surplus to offer breeders increased awards for racing successfully in open company.
New Jersey rules state that the breeders’ association must discuss surpluses with the commission anytime the amount is in excess of $250,000. Under the plan the association outlined and the commission approved on Wednesday, the extra breeder awards would consume the surplus by 2007.
The NJTBA will add $350,000 to a program that pays a 30% award to breeders whose horses earn purse money in open company as well as increase purses for restricted state bred competition to keep them in line with overall increased purses boosted by a casino subsidy.
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CASINO AUTHORITY GIVES APPROVAL FOR SUBSIDY
Oceanport Racing Report.com
Various sources are reporting that The New Jersey Casino Reinvestment Development Authority gave its final approval on a subsidy deal that will give the Meadowlands, Monmouth Park, and Freehold Raceway $86-million over the next four years in purse subsidies in exchange for the tracks delaying plans to expand gaming until at least 2009.
Barbara DeMarco, a spokesperson for the New Jersey Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association, told the Press of Atlantic City, "The money will ensure, at least for the time being, that we have a quality product and quality racing," "We will be able to compete."
As part of the deal The CRDA will fund $52 million of the subsidies while the remaining monies will come from Atlantic City casinos.___________________________________
BREEDERS’ CUP TO MONMOUTH 2007?
Oceanport Racing Report.com
It has been confirmed that the Breeders’ Cup Board has authorized its management team to move ahead to negotiate a contract with the New Jersey Sports & Exposition Authority, according to NJSEA Vice President Bruce Garland.
Barring any unforeseen problems in finalizing the contract, the track on the Jersey shore will be the host for the so-called biggest day in Thoroughbred racing, a racing executive with the New Jersey Sports & Exposition Authority said Friday. Various sources state Bruce Garland, the authority's senior vice president of racing, was optimistic after a telephone conversation with Breeders' Cup Ltd. President D.G. Van Clief Jr. on Friday adding that Garland stated, ``We will be working closely with the Breeders' Cup to ensure that there are no major obstacles to complete a contract,''
The running of Thoroughbred Racings Richest day would mark the first time the Jersey shore or for that manner any race track in New Jersey has hosted the event consisting of eight races with purses totaling $14 million.
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NJ BRED ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM PASSES COMMITTEE
Oceanport Racing Report.com
On Monday June 7th The New Jersey Senate Wagering, Tourism, and Historic Preservation Committee recently approved legislation that would award New Jersey breeders award money following out of state wins. The bill will now move to the full Senate for consideration.
Since the reduction of New Jersey racing days from a high of 340 days in the mid-1980s to 120 in 2003, there has been a loss of opportunities to win breeders' awards. Currently, breeders' awards can only be given to horses racing in in-state competition.
The new out of state breeders awards program would supplement the in state program by providing four additional months for New Jersey breeders to collect breeders' awards. The awards would not have equal status with New Jersey's in-state breeders' rewards program and would only take effect after 100% of breeders awards are paid for races held in-state and it will not pay awards to New Jersey-bred horses running in out of state contests while live racing is being conducted in New Jersey. No provision in this proposal would alter the current in-state breeders' awards program.
"This bill will help revitalize the New Jersey Thoroughbred breeding industry and preserve the many acres of farmland and open space it supports," Michael Harrison, president of the New Jersey Breeders Association, said in a release. " For the past few years, the NJTBA has tried to find solutions to address the decline of our industry. We need to five individuals involved in Thoroughbred racing incentives to breed, board, and train their horses on New Jersey farms. This out of state program does this."
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COMMITTEE BILL WOULD ALLOW LEASE OF STATE RACE TRACKS
Oceanport Racing Report.com
On Monday, June 7th The New Jersey Senate Wagering, Tourism, and Historic Preservation Committee on June 7 approved a bill that would permit the the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority to lease its two racing properties, Monmouth Park and Meadowlands. The bill will now move out of committee and onto the state senate floor for a vote after the bill received unanimous approval in committee according to Gannett news service.
As part of moving forward and balancing its finances the NJSEA has considered leasing or possible sale of the two racing properties as many suitors continue to line up at the chance to run the properties. The process was moving forward until it was discovered action by the legislature was required for the tracks, both of which are profitable, to be leased or sold.
Gannett news service also reports the bill would authorize the NJSEA to maintain its role as a coordinating entity for off-track wagering and account wagering in the state. The New Jersey Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association told the news service a consortium comprised of the current management team and casinos, or a "proven racing organization" and casinos, would be the best scenario.
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MONMOUTH PARK CONTINUES BID FOR 2007 BREEDERS' CUP
Monmouth Park.com
Oceanport, N.J. - Representatives of the Breeders' Cup World Thoroughbred
Championships management team completed a five-hour tour of Monmouth Park
at 1:00 p.m. today, as the Oceanport racetrack is being considered to host
the 2007 edition of racing's richest day.
"It was a very thorough tour and subsequent meeting that proved
productive," said Bruce Garland, senior executive vice president/racing
for the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority. "Bob Kulina, Kathy
Francis [senior vice president sales, marketing and communications] and I
will make our report to George Zoffinger [president and chief executive
officer]."
"The benefits of the Breeders' Cup in the Garden State are nearly
immeasurable," said Robert Kulina, vice president of Thoroughbred racing
and general manager of Monmouth Park. "Monmouth Park is certainly an ideal
site to continue the tradition of the Sports and Exposition Authority's
commitment to bringing the best in entertainment to New Jersey."
The World Thoroughbred Championships day of racing is eight races with
purses offered at $14 million. Previous host sites of the Cup have been
Hollywood Park, Aqueduct Racetrack, Santa Anita Park, Churchill Downs,
Gulfstream Park, Belmont Park, Woodbine, and Arlington Park. This year's
championship day will be held at Lone Star Park in Grand Prairie, Texas on
October 30.
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NJSEA APPROVES CASINO PURSE SUPPLEMENT
Oceanport Racing Report.com
The New Jersey Sports
and Exposition Authority approved a plan on Wednesday (4/28) between its
two racetracks and New Jersey casinos that would give million of dollars
to racing purses subsidies in exchange for the tracks' agreement to delay
plans to add video slot machines to its facilities.
The plan calls for the
casinos to pay $86-million in subsidies to the Meadowlands, Monmouth Park,
and Freehold Raceway, with $52-million slated to come from the Casino
Reinvestment Development Authority, the Press of
Atlantic City has reported.
Atlantic City Race Course, which runs less than ten live cards per year,
will be excluded from the plan on the basis that it is too small an
operation to be included in the bailout. The casinos will pay the
subsidies over the next four years, during which time the racetracks will
not attempt to install video lottery terminals that could rival the gaming
monopoly in Atlantic City.
In cooperating with the plan the casinos are slated to receive $92-milliom
from the state to fund future hotel and non-gambling-related expansions.
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HORSEMEN AGREE ON PURSE SUBSIDY
Oceanport Racing Report.com
The Bloodhorse reports
that Horsemen in New Jersey will be running for bigger purses beginning at
Monmouth Park May 29 under a subsidy deal reached between Atlantic City
casinos and the New Jersey Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association.
Under the plan, the New Jersey horse industry will receive $86 million
from casinos in exchange for not pursuing slot machines at racetracks.
Under an escalating scale, purses at Monmouth Park will average $320,000 a
day for
the next three years and will be $360,000 in 2008. At The Meadowlands,
daily purse distribution will be between $260,000-$270,000 for the first
three years and will reach $300,000 in the fourth year.
In addition to the purse enhancements, the deal also guarantees 120 live
Thoroughbred dates in New Jersey for the next four years. From 2008-2016,
the deal guarantees 141 live race dates. The state's breeders' funds will
also benefit from the deal. Thoroughbred and Standardbred breeders will
split evenly $1.5 million this year, $1.7
million in 2005, and $2 million in 2006.
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BASEBALL AT THE MEADOWLANDS?
Oceanport Racing Report.com
Various outlets are
reporting that New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority President George
Zoffinger is pushing a plan to bring a major league baseball team to the
Meadowlands Sports Complex. His proposal is reported to be backed by
Governor James McGreevey. Zoffinger met two weeks ago with architect
Janet-Marie Smith, who presented two proposed sites for a baseball
stadium. One plan would put the stadium where Continental Airlines Arena
is currently located and another would put it behind the Meadowlands
racetrack on a site where horse barns are located, the Associated Press
reports.
Frank Keegan,
president of the New Jersey Horsemen's Association, said he was aware of
Zoffinger's plan to bring baseball to the Meadowlands but that the plans
would not involve changes at the Meadowlands racetrack.
"I heard about it, but it's not gong to affect the track at all," Keegan
said. "They have some land they can use, but it's not going to affect us
or anything. Whether it actually happens or not, we'll see. It's probably
far
enough off that who knows if I'll live to ever see it."
Major league baseball rules state that a team moving within 75 miles of
existing franchise would have to compensate those teams. And despite
Zoffinger's quest for another sport at the Meadowlands complex, the New
York Yankees have already stated they would veto a move to add an
additional baseball team to the area. The Meadowlands is located within
ten miles of Yankee Stadium.
Back in 2003, the authority selected a development partnership of the
Mills Corp. and Mack-Cali Realty Corp. to build the $1.3- billion Xanadu
family entertainment and retail complex at the Meadowlands Sports Complex.
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NEW JERSEY LAWMAKERS PUSH FOR SPORTS BETTING IN THE GARDEN STATE
Oceanport Racing Report.com
Thoroughbred Times is reporting that Assembly Budget Committee Chairman Louis Greenwald (D-Camden) and assemblyman Jeff Van Drew (D-Cape May) are planning to challenge a federal law that would allow sports wagering at Atlantic City casinos on the grounds that it could raise millions of dollars for the state.
Greenwald said he believes the current ban on sports wagering at the casinos infringes on state’s rights and that the revenue from the venture could help fund projects such as the state’s $320-million program for charity care at hospitals, the Philadelphia Inquirer reports.
"I believe the federal government has overstepped its bounds and that we should look into moving forward with this, challenging the federal government to stop us," Greenwald told the Inquirer. "We’ve had gambling since 1976, and it hasn’t brought down the morals of the state. Instead it’s helped us, serving us as an economic engine."
Van Drew has called for a legislative hearing on the matter next month and has asked the Casino Control Commission to examine the legal hurdles.
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NEW JERSEY TRACKS AND CASINOS AGREE ON PURSE SUPPLEMENTS
Oceanport Racing Report.com
Various sources are reporting that the New Jersey racetracks and the casino lobby have agreed to a plan that would give the tracks $86-million for purses over the next four years while the casinos received $92-million from the state to fund future hotel and non-gambling-related expansions.
Governor James McGreevey announced the plan on Tuesday. With the compromise between the Casino Lobby and the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority, operator of the racetracks, the NJSEA agreed to drop its push for slot machines, according to the Newark Star-Ledger.
Reports have purses at Monmouth Park to as high as $320,000 this year. Purses at the Meadowlands’s Standardbred meet are reported to remain in the $200,000 daily level while Freehold Raceway, another Standardbred oval, will receive $1-million a year for the next four years to aid its purses.
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SENATORS CONCERNED ABOUT HEALTH SITUATION FROM GARDEN STATE PARK
Oceanport Racing Report.com
United States senators from New Jersey, Democratic Senators Jon Corzine and Frank Lautenberg, have signed a letter sent to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention asking for an investigation into the deaths of nearly 20 people who worked at or visited the now defunct Garden State Park in Cherry Hill between 1988 and '92. The deaths have been linked to the brain-destroying Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease or neurological problems associated with it.
The letter asked CDC Director Dr. Julie Gerberding for an investigation to
determine whether the deaths of those connected with Garden State Park was
caused by tainted beef. The inquiry follows years of research by Janet
Skarbek, whose mother worked at Garden State and lost a colleague to
Creutzfeldt-Jakob. The consumption of tainted beef causes a variation of
the disease, while classic Creutzfeldt-Jakob has generally unknown but
sometime genetic causes.
U.S. Government estimates indicate that 300 people die of the disease each year in the United States, and virtually all of them are of the classic variety. Skarbek said that the nearly 20 cases linked to the track are proportionately high for expected cases of classic forms of the disease.
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ASSEMBLY VOTES TO EXPAND COMMISSION DUTIES
Oceanport Racing Report.com
The Bloodhorse is
reporting that The New Jersey Assembly approved a bill in a 78-1 vote that
would expand the
duties of the state's racing commission to include development and
promotion of the horse racing industry.
Under its current duties, the commission is responsible for regulating
horse racing in the state to ensure the propriety of racing events.
"Promoting the growth and success of New Jersey's horse racing industry
should be an integral part of the racing panel's mission," Assemblyman
Jeff Van Drew (D-Cape May), one of the bill's sponsors, told the
Farmingdale News Transcript. "Current trends in the industry demand that
we be more vigilant to ensure the future of this important tourism-related
industry."
In addition to increasing the commission's responsibilities, the Assembly
also voted 77-2 to increase incentives for horse breeding in the state.
The measure would expand the eligibility for Thoroughbred breeder awards
to
include registered New Jersey-bred horses that win portions of purses in
out-of-state races held at least 15 days before or after the state's
Thoroughbred racing season.
Both bills now go to the Senate for further consideration
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NEW JERSEY OFFICIALS WORKING ON MONMOUTH & MEADOWLANDS LEASE DETAILS
Oceanport Racing Report.com
Tom De Martini is reporting in the Thoroughbred Times that NJSEA Officials are awaiting an amendment from state legislators which will allow the agency to proceed with plans to lease the agencies racing properties to a third party operator.
In related news details of an Atlantic City casino purse subsidy worth a reported $20 to $25 million for a three or four year period are still being finalized. A subsidy would be in lieu of the track operators installing and operating VLT's, which the casino lobby has been opposed to since the suggestion of tracks operating the machines had been raised.
Sports Authority Spokesman, Jim Debosh, explained to TTimes that state legislators must first amend a current statute before the leasing process can start. State statute currently deems that the NJSEA can be the only operator of Monmouth and the Meadowlands.
"We're hopeful that this will happen with a couple of weeks. Right now, it is not legally possible to lease the racetracks," Debosh said. Once the amendment passes, Debosh said, New York-based firm Lehman Brothers will circulate financial information and a request for bids to any interested party.
"The subsidy doesn't lock us, or any other (lessor) out of slots or VLT's forever," Debosh said. "The process is still in negotiation. We wanted a shorter time duration and (the casinos) wanted it longer. We want to see what transpires in New York and Pennsylvania." Churchill Downs, Inc., Magna Entertainment Corp. and Greenwood Racing, Inc., have all expressed interest, according to published reports, in operating the states race tracks.
George Zoffinger, NJSEA president, has come out in favor of a casino-racetrack partnership to help bolster the sagging Thoroughbred industry, hoping to do all of this while not adversely affecting Atlantic City interests.
The state's casino lobby and their owners, including Donald Trump, have remained cool to the idea and enjoy the backing of Gov. James McGreevey.
McGreevey has stated he is not in favor of expanding slot machine gaming outside of the resort town's borders. But with increased competition from pending slots in Pennsylvania, New York and fully operational slots in Delaware, New Jersey is or will be falling behind come the near future. It has been reported that Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell continues to propose installing 3,000 slot machines at each of 12 locations-the four existing racetracks, four proposed racetracks, and four stand-alone casinos. While Aqueduct, a NYRA track in New York, is expected to begin VLT operation by year-end.
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STAKEHOLDERS MEETING DISCUSSES VLT'S AMONG OTHER ISSUES
Oceanport Racing Report.com
Tinton Falls- After earlier stating that they would not consider the question of video lottery terminals at Monmouth Park, The Monmouth Park Stakeholders Committee, spent much of last nights meeting at the Holiday Inn discussing that very topic. The meeting attended by some 70 area residents as well as breeders, owners and interested parties revolved around the future of Monmouth Park and the Meadowlands as well as the possibility of VLT's and the affect on the racing product.
The public comment session of the meeting was intriguing as a number of concerned patrons breeders and citizens voiced their opinions on the current state of the NJSEA tracks and their collective future, whether they be leased sold or run by the Authority. The highlight of the evening was Howell attorney, and thoroughbred-horse owner and breeder, Richard Schibell, talking about the current state of affairs and the problems associated with politicians involved in running a racing operation. Schibell stated, "There's no factual reason why we can't have VLTs at Monmouth Park...elected officials at the state level need "to stand up to special interests" and bring the expanded form of gambling to the tracks."
Earlier in the day in Trenton it was reported that at a Senate Committee on Wagering, Tourism and Historic Preservation, racing and casino industry officials said discussions have led to a tentative agreement where the casinos will pay $86 million over four years at roughly about $20 million a year to subsidize race purses in trade for keeping VLTs off the tracks, according to Bruce Garland, Executive Vice President of Racing for the Sports Authority at last night's meeting. During the Committee testimony sentiment from South Jersey Republican Sens. William Gormley, Atlantic, and Nicholas Asselta, Cumberland warned VLTs would deal their region critical damage. While George Zoffinger, president of the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority, said the horse-race game in New Jersey suffers, from purses that are smaller than in other states, which attract Jersey's bettors, horses, trainers and riders. While State Sen. Ellen Karcher, D-Monmouth, said a healthy horse industry preserves open space because farms that are sold to developers bloom with houses, schools and roads that burden taxpayers.
The response to the VLT news came with a mixed response as some like Oceanport resident, David Gruskos, stated the the deal "could be the greatest deal the state ever put together", while others like Schibell worried that the New Jersey tracks would wind up getting the lesser of the better end of the bargain.
Rep. Frank J. Pallone Jr., D-N.J., was also heard during the open mike portion of the meeting stating, "I am not satisfied with any agreement by the state that leaves Monmouth Park in jeopardy only to further the casino monopoly in New Jersey. Monmouth Park must continue to have appeal and that means quality racing and quality gambling." Recent efforts to bring the VLT's to the race tracks have met with staunch opposition from the casino lobby and owners.
Bruce Garland tried to reassure the crowd that many of the ideas brought to the meeting have been tried but to no avail. "I can assure you the Sports Authority has attempted to do some of the things you suggested, like having the casinos operate VLTs at the tracks or otherwise share in them. Those things have been discussed and will continue to be discussed," Garland said.
It was also noted that an offering to potential bidders on a Monmouth Park lease won't be made available until legislation permitting a lease-holder to take operation of the park winds its way through the Statehouse. Garland also tried to reassure the public by noting that the NJSEA would only lease Monmouth Park if the state can benefit financially and its leasing has the support of community leaders. Some early front runners to lease the property would be companies such as Freehold Raceway, Churchill Downs in Kentucky and Magna Entertainment, operators of Santa Anita Park and Gulfstream Park.
Assemblyman Mike Panter, D-Monmouth, spearheaded the informational session as his district would be the most hard hit should there be a demise of racing at Monmouth Park and the Meadowlands. Of all the breeding farms in New Jersey half of said farms occupy land in Monmouth County.
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2004 MONMOUTH PARK GRADED STAKES PROGRAM TO TOP $3.35 MILLION
Oceanport Racing Report.com
It was announced today that the $1-million Haskell Invitational Handicap (G1) will highlight Monmouth Park's 14 graded stakes races for 2004 totaling worth $3.35-million this season, which opens its 72-day meeting Saturday, May 29. In addition, the $200,000 Monmouth Breeders' Cup Oaks (G2) will return to the calendar after a brief one year hiatus.
Haskell day will be on August 8, 2004 and will have an undercard including the $100,000 Matchmaker Handicap (G3) for fillies and mares and the $100,000 Oceanport Handicap (G3).
"We've stamped the Haskell as a race not to be missed on the road to the three-year-old Eclipse Award," said George Zoffinger, president and chief operating officer of the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority. "It's a tremendous day for racing and the state of New Jersey."
The $750,000 United Nations Handicap (G1) for three-year-olds and older on the turf will be run on July 3 while the $300,000 Molly Pitcher Breeders' Cup Handicap (G2) at 1 1/8 miles for fillies and mares will also be contested during the Fourth of July holiday weekend.
The $100,000 Red Bank Handicap (G3) and the $100,000 Jersey Derby (G3) on May 29 and 31, are the opening weekend cards. The graded stakes schedule wraps up on August 28 with the $100,000 Sapling Stakes (G3) for two-year-olds going six furlongs.
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2003 NEW JERSEY CHAMPIONS CROWNED
Oceanport Racing Report.com
Gators N Bears was named New Jersey-bred horse of the year for 2003. A winner of five races from 13 starts on the year, Gators N Bears won three stakes while also being named the state's champion sprinter and champion 3-year-old male. He earned $257,270 in 2003. Bred by Robert W. Camac and owned and trained by Leo Nechamkin II, Gators N Bears took the Jersey Shore Breeders' Cup Stakes (gr. III).
War's Prospect was named champion 2-year-old male after winning two of six starts in 2003. Bred by John Perrotta and owned by W.A.R. Farm, War's Prospect banked $76,310 for the year.
New Farm's Wild Catseye earned champion 2-year-old filly honors after taking the $65,000 filly division of the New Jersey Futurity. She is a homebred who won two of four starts on the season.
Powers Prospect, owned by D'Arrigo Racing Stables, is champion 3-year-old filly. She scored stakes wins in the Wide Country Stakes at Laurel Park and the William A. Purdey Handicap at Monmouth Park. She was bred by Robert L. Edwards.
Willie's Luv earned New Jersey's handicap mare of the year after capturing the Santo Lalomia Handicap at Monmouth. American Freedom earned his second straight divisional championship after winning the $50,000 Lincroft Handicap. Both Willie's Luv and American Freedom were bred by Dr. Y.J Kolybabiuk.
Jersey Giant was named champion handicap horse on the strength of three stakes victories. Bred and owned by Joel Kligman, Jersey Giant has banked more than $310,000 in his career and was perhaps the best horse on the Monmouth grounds in 2003.
Summer Semester, a 13-year-old daughter of Better Arbitor, was named the Thoroughbred Breeders' Association of New Jersey Broodmare of the Year. She is owned by Carolyn and Gerald Sleeter. Summer Semesters' top earner in 2003 was Something Smith, who won five starts and banked $171,100. Other top foals include Summer Swing and Picnic Theme.
For the third straight year, Northern Idol was selected the state's stallion of the year. The son of Northrop had 28 winners who won better than $1.1 million. Northern Idol died in 1999 at age 13.
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NEW JERSEY OTB PLAN UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED
Oceanport Racing Report.com
It is being reported by various publications that, in a move that was long overdue and over two years behind schedule, the New Jersey Racing Commission unanimously approved New Jersey's Master Off-Track Wagering Participation Agreement (The "Agreement") yesterday in Freehold. The Agreement is a plan designed to provide financial help for New Jersey's Thoroughbred industry that includes the construction of as many as 15 off-track wagering facilities.
The Agreement will allow the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority, which owns and operates Monmouth Park and The Meadowlands, to open nine OTB's in northern New Jersey. Pennwood Racing, a partnership that owns Freehold Raceway, would be able to open four OTB's, and Greenwood Racing - one of the partners in Pennwood and the owner of Atlantic City Race Course - would be able to open the remaining two OTB's. While the Agreement outlines the framework for the OTB parlors, the plan still needs final approval from the State Attorney General, Peter Harvey, which is expected to happen quickly. While the framework of the Agreement outlines the plan to implement the OTB's, actual locations for the venues have not been designated and each location will need approval from both local communities and the racing commission before they can be licensed.
Reaction to the Agreement was one of relief. Dennis Drazin, counsel for the New Jersey Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association. said, "This has been a long time coming...This sets the stage for everybody to move forward, hopefully quickly." The Horsemens' Association has been pushing for off-track betting since 1997. Drazin was also quoted by various sources saying that the 15 off-track facilities are expected to generate $1-million for Thoroughbred purses in their first 12 months in operation. In 1998 state voters approved the off track betting referendum, but a disagreement between the tracks and the horsemen have prevented the measure from being enacted after legislation was passed three years ago. Most of the disagreement stemmed from the live number of racing days the tracks were willing to run due to subsidy cuts at the beginning of Governor McGreevey's administration.
State law stipulates that a maximum of eight OTB's can be opened in the first two years. Hal Handel, an official for Greenwood Racing, was optimistic that some OTB's could be operational in the very near future saying, "I think if everything breaks well, we could be up and running with some sites in nine, 10 months...But it's a pretty complicated process."
New Jersey residents have long been frustrated by the lack of convenience with placing bets in the Garden State. In the age of OTB's and phone wagering state residents have felt neglected and forgotten by state legislators and track officials who up until now have moved at a snails pace to implement systems to place bets conveniently. Some horse players feel betrayed by the fact that the Attorney General has made an effort to block outside OTB and phone wagering companies, such as Youbet.com, restricting New Jersey residents from wagering on their systems at the request of NJSEA officials. A move that has prompted many horse players to take their business to online sports books on the internet that are primarily based offshore.
In related news it was also reported yesterday that a four-year agreement with Atlantic City's casino industry to subsidize Thoroughbred purses is currently in the finalization process. The subsidy, which has been reported to be as much as $25-million for the four-year period, would preclude the state from installing slot machines at any New Jersey racetrack. New Jersey Racing Commission Deputy Executive Director Michael Vukcevich also indicated that a phone wagering plan was almost in place saying, "The [New Jersey] Sports [and Exposition] Authority is close to a phone wagering agreement that will be announced shortly. It should come sooner than later-very much sooner." NJSEA official Arthur Winkler said an agreement regarding account wagering would most likely be ready for submission to the racing commission for approval in March.
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ATLANTIC CITY RACE COURSE IS CONSIDERED FOR DEVELOPMENT
Oceanport Racing Report.com
Thoroughbred Times is reporting that Leaders of Hamilton Township, New Jersey, are considering a plan that would develop Atlantic City Race Course and the nearby Mays Landing industrial area into a mixed-used area with shopping and apartment lofts.
Greenwood ACRA Inc., spokesman Maureen Gallagher-Bugdan told the Atlantic County News that the company is dedicated to staying in the horse racing business but does have an open-door policy with developers but would encourage sales only to those who consider the town's best interests. A scheduled meeting for 7 p.m. EST on February 18, will allow the township to present its plan and allow citizens the opportunity to talk with the township's community design team. The township leaders envision the track as a town center contingent on redevelopment.
Atlantic City Race Course will run live racing this year from May 12-13 featuring flat turf racing while May 5 and 19 are designated as steeplechase days. Monmouth Park will run the other six dates that the track is allotted.
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McGREEVEY NOT INTERESTED IN RACETRACK SLOTS
Oceanport Racing Report.com
The Press of Atlantic City reports that on Tuesday, January 27, 2004 New Jersey Governor, James McGreevey, told Wall Street gaming analysts that he is committed to Atlantic City's casino business success and is not interested in adding slot machines to the states racetracks.
Bill Lerner, a Prudential Securities analyst, told his clients after McGreevey's speech, "While some investors may have preconceived notions about the state's position on casinos, Governor McGreevey made it clear that it is his intention to nurture Atlantic City, suggesting it is the 'crown jewel' of the state."
Other analysts were left with the impression that the Governor hedged his previous position when he said that he would pursue racetrack VLT's if he had casino industry support. Jersey tracks are in negotiation with casino executives for a deal that would pay the tracks a subsidy in exchange for not pursuing expanded gaming at the tracks.
The New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority, operator of both the Meadowlands and Monmouth Park, is said to be in the process of possibly leasing their racing properties as early as possibly this spring.
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MONMOUTH PARK COMMITTEE ADVISED THAT TRACKS COULD BE LEASED WITHIN THREE MONTHS
Oceanport Racing Report.com
In its first meeting the Monmouth Park Stakeholders Committee was told that the racetrack could gain future revenue from slot machines and that the leasing market is extremely favorable. All while officials tried to guarantee that a management change would include safeguards for horsemen and would not disrupt the local community.
The New Jersey Sport and Exposition Authority recently hired Lehman Brothers to create a report on the feasibility of a possible sale or lease of both of the agencies racing properties. A proposition that has already created high interest from private operators of the likes of Churchill Downs and Magna Entertainment. Robert Lieber of Lehman Brothers said, "the wind is at our back" in putting a deal together, adding, "Stock prices are up for the companies that operate a multiple number of tracks, and the financing environment is extraordinarily attractive -- white hot, as we call it." Sports authority President George R. Zoffinger said, "I think we can consummate a transaction in three months." He claimed that there has been interest in both people who would like to operate only Monmouth Park while others would only like to operate the Meadowlands. "We're going to do both tracks, either track or just one individual track," Zoffinger said. "If we can't get a good price, or we can't protect the constituency, or if it's bad in the view of the Stakeholders Committee, we won't do it. We will only consummate a deal if it has community support." Zoffinger also touched on the value of the tracks stating, "I'm not going to beat around the bush. A private operator can make campaign contributions and can hire lobbyists to win state legislators' approval on placing slot machines at the tracks...People are going to say it's a terrible thing for me to say. But at the end of the day, it might make a difference getting slots here...Our business has changed dramatically over what it was five years ago. A national company that has a lot of different racetracks has the ability to put up a lot of different programming (of races). That's how the business is going...The sports authority can't expand...It's limited to what it can do in the state."
Bruce Garland, NJSEA Vice President of Racing Operations, stated that Monmouth Park, which ran a summer meeting and has year-round simulcasting produced an operating profit of between $3 million and $4 million in calendar year 2003. The Meadowlands in North Jersey produced $20 million profit, it is also a property that handled more bets than any other track in the United Stated during 2003.
Committee members remain cautious and requested that state officials and consultants give the committee assurances that open disclosure of information be available to be examined as the leasing proposal idea continues. The committee is made up of the following members: Assemblyman Michael J. Panter Jr. and state Sen. Ellen Karcher, both D-Monmouth; Oceanport Mayor Maria Gatta; Jeanne DeYoung of the Monmouth County Department of Tourism; Charles Hesse III, a thoroughbred horse owner; Tinton Falls Mayor Ann McNamara; Lynda Rose, president of the Eastern Monmouth Area Chamber of Commerce; and Monmouth County Freeholder Edward Stominski. The next meeting is scheduled for some time is February and will be announced shortly.
Zoffinger reiterated to the meetings participants that, "We will do as much as physically possible to conduct deliberations in public, so there's no question we considered everything in a wide-open and well-discussed process...From the beginning of this process, our whole intention is to have Monmouth Park remain as a racetrack. That's a no-brainer from any logical standpoint. We will not go through a process that contemplates anything else."
Zoffinger related that certain "constituencies" such as the horsemen, track employees and the local community need to be protected in these negotiations and that the open space and farmland in New Jersey depend on a healthy local racing industry.
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NEW JERSEY SENATE PROPOSES SLOT LEGISLATION PANEL
Oceanport Racing Report.com
Thoroughbred Times reports that the senate has proposed a committee that would oversee legislation involving the state's casino, horseracing, and tourism industries and would make a study of slot machines at racetracks a major priority.
The committee was proposed by Senate President Richard Codey (D-Essex) during the Wagering, Tourism, and Historic Preservation Committee on Tuesday, and the Senate will vote on its formation January 26. Senator Barbara Buono (D-Middlesex) would chair the committee.
"I would like the committee to hear from the stakeholders involved with video lotteries so we can weigh the economic benefits to the horse racing industry and its true impact on casinos in New Jersey," Buono told the Press of Atlantic City. "It makes sense to fully explore what could be a tremendous revenue source involving hundreds of millions of additional dollars annually to the state treasury."
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CASINO PURSE SUPPLEMENT COULD BE ON THE HORIZON
By Oceanport Racing Report.com
Multiple news organizations are reporting that a plan being considered by the New Jersey legislature, the governor's office, and the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority, claims Thoroughbred and Standardbred purses could be supplemented by revenue provided by Atlantic City Casinos as soon as this year.
The deal would see a revenue supplement be provided to the New Jersey racing industry in lieu of the installation of video lottery terminals at racetracks. Many believe that VLTs at tracks would require a constitutional amendment.
Details of the deal are still under discussion. For 2004 thoroughbred horsemen have a 141-day guarantee from the NJSEA, with purses expected to be in the $225,000-250,000 range. Monmouth Park would revert back to its traditional season (Memorial Day through Labor Day), while Meadowlands would run from early September through early December. A purse supplement from the casinos could possibly bring purses to $350,000 or higher by some reports.
"We need some kind of agreement to increase purses from Atlantic City," said State Senate President Richard Codey, the highest-ranking member of the state legislature, to the Press of Atlantic City.
"It will enable the horse racing industry--Standardbred and Thoroughbred—to remain competitive, and I compliment Sen. Codey for his foresight and plan to help save racing," said Dennis Drazin a prominent Thoroughbred owner/breeder who serves as counsel for the New Jersey Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association.
Sen. Bill Gormley, who last year fought to keep VLTs out of racetracks, expressed concern the purse supplement, which could amount to $10 million to $20 million, could stifle casino growth stated, "As long as Atlantic City continues to generate jobs and construction, then whatever that compromise might be (concerning the purse supplement) would be fine with me…If in fact taking money for horse racing destabilizes the growth of Atlantic City, then I'd have a problem with that."
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JUDGE RULES DRAZIN FEES REASONABLE
By Oceanport Racing Report.com
Myra Lewyn of the Thoroughbred Times is reporting that a New Jersey Superior Court judge recently refused to allow the New Jersey Racing Commission to amend a complaint of fiscal mismanagement against the New Jersey Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association to include horsemen’s legal and legislative counsel Dennis Drazin as a defendant.
According to a statement from the horsemen’s association, allegations against Drazin were part of a motion made on December 2, by the commission, seeking approval to file a complaint broadening accusations of mismanagement of funds against the horsemen’s association’s board of directors and officers.
The motion sought to limit the horsemen’s rights to retain legal counsel and pay fees for the services [such as legal fees and political contributions] in the future and asked the court to review Drazin’s fees for his services between 1998 through November 2003, the statement said.
"Part of the commission’s case has been saying the legal fees were expended without their authority," Drazin said. "The judge found that not to be the case and that all the legal fees were appropriate."
In his ruling, Judge Alexander D. Lehrer ordered all of Drazin’s professional fees paid, and said that "the relief sought in the amended complaint as it related to Mr. Drazin is claimed to be inappropriate and not proper under the law. The court finds this position is correct.
"The commission should not be able to hamper the work of the NJTHA by unreasonably refusing the organization the excellent and competent counsel of their choice by refusing, without legal basis, to approve the expenditures of money for very reasonable counsel fees, which today I’ve approved," Lehrer said.
The two camps have been at odds for two years over thousands of dollars paid to Drazin for legal fees, from the horsemen’s fund, which the commission maintains should be stringently regulated, limiting expenditures to health and welfare for backstretch employees. Drazin and the horsemen maintain that the funds should include lobbying and endeavors to educate public policy makers.
Racing Commission Executive Director, Frank Zanzuccki, said “It’s not over yet...This is just one hearing in a long series of hearings and other allegations, so we’re still aggressively pursuing this.”
Another hearing is scheduled for January 23, Zanzuccki said.
"It’s our understanding the judge will consider our motion to amend the complaint [against the horsemen’s association]…[which] contains a number of allegations of mismanagement, [and] breach of fiduciary responsibility," Zanzuccki said
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RACE HORSE OWNERSHIP PROGRAM AT HOFSTRA
By Oceanport Racing Report.com
Beginning January 26 and running through February 9, Hofstra University will be running a continuing education course on racehorse ownership geared toward the small investor. Class cost is $125 and each three-hour class begins at 6:30 p.m.
The course is to be taught by Attorney Chris Wittstruck instructing participants on the benefits and risks of racehorse ownership as an alternative investment vehicle. Topics in the nine-hour course will include forms of ownership, licensing, acquisition of horses, hiring of professionals, insurance, tax issues, training expenses, and related issues.
In their news release Hofstra touts the arrival of video lottery terminals in New York as a reason to consider owning a racehorse because of the enhanced purse structure for owners. Wittstruck is a licensed Thoroughbred owner in New York and a licensed Standardbred owner in Maryland, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania as well as a member of the United States Trotting Association, Standardbred Owners Association of New York, and the United States Harness Writers Association.
For more information, call (516) 463-5993.
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GARDEN STATE PARK DEVELOPMENT STUMBLES
By Oceanport Racing Report.com
Thoroughbred Times is reporting that the development of Garden State Park may be delayed due to Philip Caton, a New Jersey Superior Court-appointed aide, recommended throwing out part of the plan that calls for 76 affordable housing units above storefronts.
Caton was sited by the Courier-Post as stating that low-income units could have a negative effect on community relations, the Camden Courier-Post reports. The current plan designates 100% of the units as low income also referred to as affordable housing.
The GSP redevelopment encompasses 213 acres and calls for 1,659 housing units to be built on the property.
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NEW BIDDERS EMERGING FOR NEW JERSEY TRACKS
By Oceanport Racing Report.com
Reports have it that former chairman of the Dubai World Cup Committee and chief executive of Emirates Racing Association, Les Benton, has joined the growing list of parties who have expressed interest in running the thoroughbred racing assets in New Jersey.
Benton, racing manager for Nasser Lootah's Emirates Park Stud in Australia, announced he would join with owners of racetracks in Chile, Argentina, and Peru in responding to the NJSEA's decision to explore longterm lease deals for the tracks, the Bergen Record reports.
Benton and partners spokesman, Eric Kates, stated the goal if chosen to operate the facilities would be to simulcast Meadowlands and Monmouth Park races to Latin America, Asia, and Australia. Racing conglomerates Magna Entertainment Corp. and its rival Churchill Downs Inc. are expected to make inquires into the tracks as well as Ladbrokes, the British betting and gaming division of the Hilton hotel chain, among other suitors.
The bid for the lease of both the Meadowlands and Monmouth Park is expected to begin somewhere near the $250-million range and speculation seems to believe a deal could be completed in three to six months.
Carl Goldberg, chairman of The New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority, said any deal would include a provision to ensure the tracks would not be torn down by their new owners.
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NEW JERSEY TRACKS TO EXPLORE MARKET
By Matt Hegarty, Daily Racing Form
The board of directors of the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority approved a plan on Wednesday to explore the possibility of leasing Monmouth Park and The Meadowlands, the two remaining New Jersey Thoroughbred racetracks.
According to an announcement by the NJSEA, the board directed the investment-banking firm Lehman Brothers to serve as its adviser and draw up an offering sheet to seek proposals.
"No decision has been made to lease either racetrack," George Zoffinger, NJSEA's president and chief executive, said in a statement. "Today's decision was simply to explore the marketplace."
The Meadowlands, located near New York City in heavily populated northern New Jersey, handles more money in a year than any other single wagering site in the United States. Monmouth Park is located on the Jersey Shore in Oceanport. Two weeks ago, officials for the Breeders' Cup visited the track as part of a process to consider Monmouth as the site of the 2007 Breeders' Cup World Thoroughbred Championships.
The decision to explore a lease comes at a time when New Jersey racing interests are attempting to implement offtrack wagering and telephone betting in the state. Any expansion of wagering in the state would have a dramatic impact on the worth of the two tracks.
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NEW JERSEY RACING COMMISSION SEEKS FINE OF NJTHA
Oceanport Racing Report.com
Linda Doughtery, of the Bloodhorse.com, reports that while the New Jersey Racing Commission has filed a motion to have a state court judge levy a large fine against the state's Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association, and for permission to take over the finances of the organization because of gross mismanagement, one of its top officers said he is confident that the complaint will be dismissed.
NJTHA counsel, Dennis Drazin, said that on Thursday the organization there was nothing improper in the organizations account and that they have filed a detailed account of he group's expenditures in recently filed court papers. The papers are scheduled to be reviewed Dec. 19 by State Chancery Court Judge Alexander Lehrer in Monmouth County. "I'm confident that Judge Lehrer will review the accounting report prepared by the NJTHA and that he will approve it," Drazin said. "It will make the Racing Commission's motion moot."
The motion filed by the NJRC against the NJTHA is yet another in a long list of squabbles the two organizations have had recently. The New Jersey Racing Commission has accused the horsemens organization's board of spending hundreds of thousands of dollars in legal fees on Drazin for airline travel, hotel rooms, dinners for legislators, charitable gifts, office improvements and computers. The motion says the funds should have gone to backstretch employees.
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LEHMAN ADVISES SALE OF NEW JERSEY TRACKS
By Matt Hegarty, Daily Racing Form
An investment firm hired to evaluate the worth of Monmouth Park and The Meadowlands has recommended that New Jersey put the two tracks up for sale or lease them to a private company, according to officials of the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority, the owner of the tracks.
Any decision to actually put the tracks up for sale or lease would have to be approved by the authority's board, according to Jim DeBosh, a spokesman for the authority. Although the board is scheduled to meet on Nov. 26, the recommendation will not be discussed at that meeting, DeBosh said, but will likely be put on an agenda for a meeting down the road.
"It's something that the board will definitely be looking at," DeBosh said.
The investment firm, Lehman Brothers, has been evaluating the tracks for more than two months. New Jersey Gov. James McGreevey has said that he supports the sale of the tracks if the deal makes sense to the state. Monmouth and The Meadowlands generated $23.5 million in profits last year.
The racing industry in the state, however, has struggled against competitors in neighboring states, and horsemen and tracks have continually battled against each other in ongoing fights over racing dates, telephone betting, and offtrack wagering.
DeBosh said the offer sheet for a long-term lease of the tracks would include several stipulations that protected live racing dates and current employees of the tracks. "We'll test the market, and if it makes sense, we'll go forward," DeBosh said.
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DEMOLITION OF GARDEN STATE BEGINS
Oceanport Racing Report.com
A ceremony Thursday kicked off the official redevelopment of the Garden State Park property in Cherry Hill, New Jersey. The track originally opened in 1942 and burned down in 1977. Financier Robert Brennan bought the track for the publicly traded International Thoroughbred Breeders Inc. and rebuilt the facility for $160-million. itb re-opened the track in 1985 but struggled financially ultimately sealing its fate with closure in 2001, the same year ITB CEO, Brennan received a nine-year prison sentence for bankruptcy fraud and money laundering.
The 213-acre tract of property will stand homes, stores, and offices.
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NJSEA APPLIES FOR 141 DAYS FOR 2004
Oceanport Racing Report.com
The New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority, which owns the Meadowlands and Monmouth Park, has applied for 72 Thoroughbred dates at Monmouth and 69 dates at the Meadowlands in 2004. With the objective of getting account wagering and OTB's up and running The Authority will increase its days for 2004 from the 120 dates of racing including just 28 at the Meadowlands of the 2003 schedule. Next year’s Monmouth meet would run from May 29 through September 5 while The Meadowlands next year would like to offer racing from September 6 through December 11.
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MONMOUTH PARK NEW JERSEY-BRED FESTIVAL HAS UPSIDE
By Mike Farrell, Daily Racing Form
OCEANPORT, N.J. - The future looks bright for the New Jersey Thoroughbred Festival following an auspicious debut.
The inaugural day to showcase the state's Thoroughbred breeding program on Sept. 20 drew a solid crowd of 9,100, making the 11-race card for New Jersey-breds the best attended day of the post-Labor Day portion of the meet.
"Everything went very well," said Mike Campbell, the executive director of the Thoroughbred Breeders' Association of New Jersey. "We had a nice crowd and Monmouth Park did a great job. The owners and breeders gave the day tremendous support."
Plans are underway to build it into an even bigger event next year. Citing the uncertainty over whether Monmouth will extend the season into September in 2004, Campbell would like to see the festival moved to mid-August.
"During the summer, with the crowds still on the Jersey Shore, we could draw even better," Campbell said.
Campbell outlined objectives for next year: increased purses through a more extensive and aggressive sale of sponsorship; greater involvement by local businesses; making it a key component of the New Jersey racing schedule; and a realignment of the races to possibly include some grass races.
Exclusive Hopper needs turf for best Heavy rain in the area earlier this week forced Monmouth to move the turf races Wednesday and Thursday to the main track.
The track hopes to return to the grass for Friday's card, which features a $32,000 allowance race for fillies and mares at one mile on turf. Grass is essential for one of the entrants, Exclusive Hopper, according to trainer Terri Pompay.
"She can't run on the dirt," Pompay said. "I ran her once here on the dirt and she ran down. She had a rough time with it. We learned that about her." In her last race, Exclusive Hopper won a $40,000 maiden claiming race by 4 1/4 lengths.
"Last time she ran a terrific race," Pompay said. "She's just started to come around. She's training great and I think she can win right back." Completing the field are Eightyfivebroadst, Countessa, Barboura, Izona, Alibob, With the Works, Miss Bonn Bonn, Hottentot, Helen's Legacy, and Deesalia.
Volponi heads Big M Cup
The Grade 2, $400,000 Meadowlands Cup on Oct. 3 highlights the opening weekend at The Meadowlands, with Volponi heading the lineup of likely runners.
Volponi ran second in last year's Meadowlands Cup in his final prep before his upset win in the Breeders' Cup Classic. Jersey Giant, the New Jersey-bred who has enjoyed success in open company, Saarland, and Abreeze are also considered probable starters.
Funny Cide was the most intriguing name on the list of 29 nominees. The Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner has not run since finishing third in Monmouth's Haskell Invitational. Trainer Barclay Tagg continues to weigh a number of options for the gelding's next start, with the Meadowlands Cup a possible target.
"We've got the Indiana Derby and The Meadowlands Cup," Tagg said. The Indiana Derby, for 3-year-olds, will be run on Oct. 4. "I'll see who's going into the Meadowlands Cup."
The Meadowlands Cup is the main stakes attraction of an abbreviated meet that runs from Oct. 2 to Nov. 8.
Bravo, Gill, Shuman titles secure
With Monmouth heading into its final weekend of the season, the jockey, trainer, and owner titles are already decided. Joe Bravo has wrapped up his ninth Monmouth riding title. Mark Shuman, training for leading owner Michael Gill, holds an insurmountable lead over Tim Hills, who won the title last year. Shuman, with 50 wins entering the final week, has a chance to break the meet record of 55 held jointly by J. Willard Thompson and John Tammaro III. Gill has already obliterated the track mark with 62 wins. Bill Martucci set the previous record of 32 in 1992.
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MONMOUTH PARK/MEADOWLANDS LOSES STAKES FIXTURES
By Mike Farrell, Daily Racing Form
OCEANPORT, N.J. - Say farewell to some old, familiar New Jersey stakes races.
Longtime Meadowlands Racetrack handicap fixtures such as the Pegasus, the Cliff Hanger, and the Boiling Springs will not be offered this year, and the savings will be reallocated to overnight purses.
"In an effort to ensure the highest possible overnight purses, we've dropped a few graded stakes from this year's Meadowlands schedule," said Bob Kulina, vice president of Thoroughbred racing for the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority. "It's imperative for our horsemen to be able to compete for the most money possible. Through stakes schedule management, we'll be able to ensure that."
The entire New Jersey racing calendar underwent a radical revision this year. Monmouth Park, which traditionally ran from the Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day, offers an extended season through Sept. 28.
The NJSEA had guaranteed overnight purses of $300,000 a day for the traditional Memorial Day to Labor Day portion of the meet. The local horsemen's association and the NJSEA recently reached an agreement to lower the guarantee to $250,000 for September. Negotiations about Meadowlands purses continue, with the two sides striving to reach $200,000 per night. Those purse levels come at the expense of the stakes program. The Meadowlands, offering the shortest Thoroughbred meet in track history, runs Oct. 2 to Nov. 8. It will present only two graded stakes: the Grade 2, $400,000 Meadowlands Cup on Oct. 3, and the Grade 3, $150,000 Violet Handicap for fillies and mares on the turf on Oct. 17.
The NJSEA will fill the stakes gap at Monmouth and The Meadowlands with overnight stakes. Monmouth will offer 15 overnight stakes worth $740,000 during September, with the New Jersey Thoroughbred Festival on Sept. 20 as the main attraction.
The New Jersey Thoroughbred Festival marks the first time New Jersey-bred races make up an entire card. The day includes a trio of $45,000 handicaps: the Friendly Lover, the Slady Castle, and the William A. Purdey.
Eight set for 50th Sorority
A field of eight, topped by Fashion Girl and Feline Story, appears likely for the 50th running of Grade 3, $100,000 Sorority Stakes on Saturday. The Sorority, for 2-year-old fillies at six furlongs, is the final graded stakes at Monmouth this season.
Fashion Girl, trained by D. Wayne Lukas, puts a two-race winning streak on the line. She captured the Colleen Stakes, Monmouth's traditional Sorority prep, via disqualification.
Feline Story won the Astoria Stakes at Belmont Park for trainer Stanley Hough and followed that effort with a fourth-place finish in the Grade 2 Schuylerville Stakes at Saratoga.
Other expected runners include Capeside Lady and Stand on Top, winners of New York-bred maiden special races at Saratoga; Foolishly, who won at first asking at Delaware Park; Private Gayla, who posted wins at Delaware and Laurel; the experienced Standswithafist, who has already run six times and won her last two; and Whirlwind Charlott, who closed from far back to get third in the Colleen.
China Grind in first start since 2001
It has been a long time between starts for China Grind. The 4-year-old son of Grindstone makes only his second start in Friday's Monmouth feature, a $37,000 allowance race.
China Grind won his debut at Hollywood Park on Dec. 15, 2001, and has not been to the races since. Joe Bravo, the meet's top rider, will be aboard for trainer Wesley Ward.
China Grind faces seven rivals in his comeback, with Courting Concorde the most dangerous. Courting Concorde, who has excellent early speed, has a win and two seconds in his last three starts. Chuck Lopez rides for trainer Frank Generazio.
Wild Snitch on the mend
Wild Snitch continues to recover from surgery to repair a condylar fracture of the right foreleg suffered Saturday during the running of the Miss Woodford Stakes.
"She's not out of the woods yet," trainer Ben Perkins said of the 2002 Sorority winner. "So far it looks good. We're all rooting for her."
Saucy Cat declared ineligible
The Monmouth stewards declared Saucy Cat ineligible to run in Wednesday's sixth race. The gelding was claimed for $16,000 at the Pleasanton Fair on June 28. Even though the Pleasanton meet ended July 6, Saucy Cat remains obligated to race in California through the conclusion of the fair season in October. The one exception: He can race anywhere in a stakes race.
- Trainer Bill Perry won his first race of the year Wednesday when Steve's Escape ($26) prevailed in the third race. Perry had gone 59 starts without a victory.
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NEW JERSEY OTB CLOSER TO REALITY
By Matt Hegarty, Daily Racing Form
The New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority approved an agreement on Thursday that could open up the state to offtrack betting by the end of the year. The agreement, which must be approved by the state racing commission before taking effect, divides areas in the state among three companies for as many as 15 OTB parlors. The parlors themselves would have to be approved by the commission and local governments before they could begin taking wagers.
Additionally, state law requires that New Jersey racetracks run at least 141 live Thoroughbred dates before OTB parlors can take bets. This year, state racetracks are only scheduled to run 124 live racing days, meaning no OTBs could open in 2003 unless the legislation is changed. Under the agreement, the NJSEA will be able to operate nine OTB parlors in counties in northern New Jersey. Greenwood Racing, the owner of Philadelphia
Park in Pennsylvania, would be able to operate four OTBs in counties bordering the Philadelphia metropolitan area, while Pennwood, the owner of Freehold Raceway, would be able to operate two OTBs in counties in southern New Jersey.
New Jersey voters approved offtrack betting and account wagering in a 2000 referendum. Progress has been slow on establishing the networks, however, because of the statutory requirements on live racing days in the state and disagreements between horsemen and the tracks.
Art Winkler, an official with the sports and exposition authority who led the effort to reach the agreement, said that the authority continues to negotiate with Pennwood and Greenwood over an account-wagering pact. The agreements are required under state law, even though the law designates the authority as the sole licensee for offtrack betting and account wagering. Winkler declined to speculate on when the authority might be able to open its first OTBs because of the uncertainty surrounding local approvals. But he said that he believed some OTBs could be operable in the state by the end of the year if the legislation is changed.
The Legislature is not scheduled to meet again until November. Dennis Drazin, the spokesman for the New Jersey Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association, said on Thursday that horsemen and the racetracks have already discussed going to the Legislature to request that the law be changed so that the minimum is lowered to 120 days for 2003 and 2004. The minimum would be raised to 141 days for the years 2005 to 2008, Drazin said.
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New Law Enables More Racing Dates
Oceanport Racing Report.com
Governor James McGreevey, has signed a bill into law allowing the NJSEA to schedule more than 86 racing dates at the Authorities shore racing oval Monmouth Park. The current 86 day limit to a racing meet was lobbied for back in 1985, by the now defunct Garden State Park, to discourage competition among the states race tracks.
With Garden State Park to be developed, New Jersey Racing Commissioner Frank Zanzuccki said that there was no need to maintain the regulation. While the regulation releases the restrictions on racing dates Zanzuccki concedes that no additional racing dates have been applied for, "The racing commission has not received any request to amend racing dates at Monmouth Park," Zanzuccki said.
In addition to the racing dates issue the law also permits the racing commission to set racing dates six years in advance, which legislators hoped would encourage long-term contract negotiations with horsemen’s groups and racetrack owners. It also puts into place provisions for eliminating conflicts of interest between racing regulators, employees of the racing commission, and the industry those people service.
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Lehman Brothers Heads Possible Sale Of Tracks
Oceanport Racing Report.com
Lehman Brothers ,a New York-based investment banking firm, has been selected by the NJSEA to prepare the evaluation of the the Authorities racing properties for their eventual sale or lease.
"Lehman will begin its evaluation and then we will decide whether to move forward with a proposal for the lease or sale of the track," said George Zoffinger, sports authority president. "It would be foolish to rush into important decisions like this. We will debate the proposal among all concerned."
Request for Bids are not likely to take place until at least November according to Zoffinger. Among others Frank Stronach and his Magna Entertainment Corp. are rumored to be interested in the New Jersey racing assets.
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New Jersey Horsemen Oppose To Reduction Of 2003 Racing Days
Oceanport Racing Report.com
Howard Bass reporting for The Thoroughbred Times is reporting the the New Jersey horsemen are in negotiations with the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority, the New Jersey Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association will oppose cuts to racing days and suggest that money could be saved by running the fall Meadowlands meet at Monmouth Park.
The Sports Authority would like less racing days to preserve its guarantee of $300,000 a day in purses. But after Monmouth Park extended its meet past Labor Day to September 28, the Sports Authority said it would have to cut back racing to three days a week to continue the $300,000 daily purse structure.
The horsemen’s board decided in a Wednesday meeting at Monmouth Park to oppose a reduction in racing dates and advised attorney Dennis Drazin, legislative counsel for the horsemen’s association, to oppose any cut in racing days in negotiations with the Sports Authority.
Drazin said that one way of keeping racing days while maintaining purses would be to scrap the fall Meadowlands meet, scheduled for October 1 to November 8 and run only at Monmouth Park, saving the money that would be spent on converting the harness track at the Meadowlands ($1.2 million) as well as shipping costs ($750,000). The Sports Authority pays to ship all Thoroughbreds from Monmouth to run at the Meadowlands.
"We can do the days [at Monmouth Park] by racing less days during the week," Drazin said. "Putting all this together, we can have $250,000 per day [for the 48 days following the guaranteed portion of the Monmouth meet]."
Drazin added that the whole plan might be for naught as he did not think Senator Richard Codey, Democratic co-leader of the Senate, would allow it as he has always spoken out against such a plan in the past.
Earlier in the day, the New Jersey Racing Commission passed motions to allow a handicapping contest at Monmouth Park on August 30 and agreed to a special daily double wager on the Hambletonian and Haskell Stakes, August 2 and 3, with a takeout reduced to 12 percent. Also decided at Wednesday’s meeting at Monmouth Park was that first-time starters in New Jersey will now have to show two published workouts within 45 days before being allowed to run, one more than previously required.
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Woodbine Entertainment Interested In Meadowlands
Oceanport Racing Report.com
Earlier today Rob Longley reported in Thoroughbred Times that Woodbine Entertainment Group would consider the purchase or lease of The Meadowlands should New Jersey racetrack be put up for sale.
David Willmot, chief executive officer for the Toronto-based Woodbine Entertainment told the Canadian Web site standardbredcanada.ca that the company has discussed partnering with Churchill Downs Inc. to buy the Meadowlands, which like Woodbine is a dual-breed facility.
"We have had discussions with a possible partner and they have been talking to [the Meadowlands]," Willmot said, confirming that partner is Churchill Downs. "When considering an acquisition of this nature, you’re talking about a huge amount of capital, especially if New Jersey decides they want to sell the track instead of just lease it. We would have to look very deeply into the financials."
Woodbine Entertainment values the Meadowlands for its Standardbred product, which complements its own Woodbine-Mohawk circuit. Woodbine and the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority have worked closely in the past.
"It’s safe to say that we don’t want the Meadowlands to be controlled by anybody that would dictate the terms of service to us," Willmot said. "It’s been a great market for us and we want to ensure that continues.
"We’re not interested in most U.S. acquisitions, not that there are a whole lot of them left. If Magna [Entertainment Corp.] and Churchill want to go knocking heads, that’s fine."
The New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority announced in May that it began the process of selling or leasing both the Meadowlands and Monmouth Park. The proposed sale process, which includes the hiring of an investment bank that has yet to be named, was expected to yield the organization between $250-million and $300-million.
Authority President George Zoffinger said his organization would consider leasing one or both of the racetracks and did not rule out the sale of either facility as a separate entity.
"New Jersey is a very important market to us. We’re each other’s best customers on the harness side so we have a vested interest in what happens there."
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Commission Issues New Guidelines For Shock Wave Therapy
Oceanport Racing Report.com
Thoroughbred Times reports that The New Jersey Racing Commission on Thursday issued new guidelines requiring ten days of recuperation for horses receiving shock-wave therapy at the state’s racetracks.
The directive requires all shock-wave machines to be registered with state veterinarians. Only vets licensed by the NJRC can give shock wave treatments.
"The NJRC takes notice that although shock-wave therapy has been used in human medicine for some time, it is a relatively new treatment of orthopedic injuries to horses," commission executive director Frank Zanzuccki said, according to Daily Racing Form. "The NJRC further notes that researchers who have studied this form of therapy and veterinarians who have used this form of treatment have concluded that it is a beneficial treatment of certain conditions. They have also concluded that it also produces a period of analgesia which could result in an dangerous and unsafe condition for all participants if present during a race."
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Commission To Possibly Expand Duties
Oceanport Racing Report.com
Tom De Martini of the Thoroughbred Times reports that New Jersey legislators are set to consider a bill designed to allow the state's racing commission to expand its duties to include advocacy of growth, development, and promotion of the horse racing industry.
The bill was passed out of the state’ Assembly's Gaming and Tourism Committee this week and is scheduled to be considered by the full Legislature before the June recess.
According to the bill, "The horse racing industry in New Jersey has been in steady decline over the last few decades. The intent of this bill is to encourage the commission, horsemen and the racetracks to work together toward the common goal of resuscitating the horse racing industry in this state."
Earlier this year, Governor James McGreevey signed legislation reconstituting the commission to include representation Thoroughbred and Standardbred horsemen. The reconstitution process is ongoing at this point. Meanwhile, the current commission will serve until the new members are named later this year.
Assemblyman Ronald Dancer is the main sponsor of the bill. Dancer's constituency includes Monmouth County, where Monmouth Park and Freehold Raceway harness track are located.
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NJSEA Putting Tracks Up For Sale?
Oceanport Racing Report.com
Both the Thoroughbred Times and The Bloodhorse
Online have reported earlier this week that the New Jersey Sports &
Exposition Authority will formally
begin the process of selling or leasing Monmouth Park and The Meadowlands
in June, a move that could net the agency more than $250 million.
George Zoffinger, chief executive officer of the NJSEA, elaborated
to the media that the first step of the process would be to determine the
tracks' value with the help of an investment-banking firm that should be
hired by the end of June.
As usual
the potential buyers include but may not be limited to Magna Entertainment
Corp. and Churchill Downs Inc., along with former Standardbred owner Louis
Guida and Standardbred owner Bill Perretti. According to the Bloodhorse
Guida has been a partner in several business deals with George Norcross,
who is a Democratic Party activist and a confidant of New Jersey Gov. Jim
McGreevey. The Meadowlands,
located in East Rutherford, in northern New Jersey, conducts both
Standardbred and Thoroughbred racing and generates more than $20 million a
year making it the NJSEA's biggest profit maker.
The state bought Monmouth in 1988, and the Oceanport facility also
is profitable generating between $3 million and $6 million annually
according to the Bloodhorse
Rumors
the last few years have Frank Stronach, of Magna Entertainment Corp., to
be very interested in the New Jersey tracks, especially Monmouth Park.
"We would also want to make sure we had protection for our
employees, the horsemen, and the horse industry in the state," Zoffinger
told the Newark Star-Ledger regarding the sale of either of the
properties. Any sale or lease
of Monmouth Park and The Meadowlands would have to be approved by Governor
McGreevey.
The story, however, does not end there. Later in the week the Thoroughbred Times reported that State Legislators were critical of Officials from the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority, for taking too long to implement off-track wagering systems and telephone account wagering. At the same meeting, a hearing of the state Assembly Gaming and Tourism Committee, Thoroughbred Times reports that Assemblymen Jeff Van Drew [D-Cape May] and Nicholas Asselta (R-Cumberland] also criticized representatives of the state’s Thoroughbred and Standardbred Horsemen’s Associations, who want gaming machines to help preserve the racing industry, which the lawmakers said would ruin the vital casino industry in Atlantic City.
Van Drew told the Newark Star-Ledger, "If the only way to save horse racing is to harm the casino industry, then you’re going to have a difficult time…We have to protect a regional economy that has very few alternatives." Owners and breeders in New Jersey are scrambling to find new revenue streams as the advent of slot machines in the neighboring states of both Pennsylvania and New York threaten the already vulnerable horseracing product. According to legislators, the racing industry could still breath new life for itself by establishing off-track wagering and telephone betting systems that were legalized more than a year ago. Said systems are projected to produce $20-million to $25-million a year.
Thoroughbred Times claims that negotiations over how to divide revenues with private track owners have prevented the sports authority from putting those systems into practice so far, according to the authority’s chief lawyer, Art Winkler. Oceanport Racing Report.com can confirm that the authority has been negotiating with these third parties since December 2002 as Winkler confirmed this in writing after a written request was sent regarding the status of the application for a license to start a phone-wagering program.
And late this afternoon, George Zoffinger was on a local New York sports radio program, Mike and The Mad Dog, telling the hosts that the NJSEA is looking at selling or leasing its tracks after a full evaluation of the assets can be taken. In the same breath Zoffinger commented that they would be seeking to host Breeders’ Cup 2007 at one of the Authority’s racetracks to be determined at a later date complicating the matter even further. It is not comprehensible how the agency could guarantee the Breeders’ Cup a host site if it plans on selling the tracks making it all the more speculative on whether the tracks are really up for sale or whether it could be political posturing for potential future negotiations with the state horsemen or to lay the groundwork to have the tracks moved into the New Jersey Green Acres program whereby they could receive funds to bring the properties into Green Acres compliance and receive enough funds to retire the debt of the existing racing plants. Stay tuned for further information regarding this potential sale.
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Greely's Services No Longer Needed At Monmouth Or Meadowlands
Oceanport Racing Report.com
Both the Bloodhorse.com and The Thoroughbred Times are reporting that Sean Greely, 2002 racing secretary at Monmouth Park and The Meadowlands, has been replaced for the 2003 season by former Monmouth and Meadowlands racing secretary Michael Dempsey. Robert Kulina, Monmouth's vice president and general manager told the Bloodhorse, "(Sean) Greely has definitely been let go. He is a very good person, but we wanted to move in a different direction, and it wasn't quite working out with him.
In addition Kulina stated, "I'm going to be much more active in the racing department this year than I have in the last decade". Kulina confirmed that he has written the first condition book and is overseeing the allotment of stall space. And also stated that that two consultants have been hired that will help him devote more time to the racing department. One consultant is a veteran racing executive who will likely be named in the next few days. Contrary to several published reports, Kulina said the consultants will not be his immediate superiors. It has been reported that Kulina will take on the responsibility of filling racing cards and other associated duties, while the two new hires will concentrate on day-to-day management duties.
The firing of Greely is part of the "drastic action" promised by George Zoffinger, New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority President, after a disappointing 2002 season at Monmouth and The Meadowlands. Zoffinger told the The Thoroughbred Times, "I am all about results, and I was not satisfied with the performance of Monmouth Park last year," Zoffinger said. "If I'm not satisfied, I’m not the type of person to sit back and let it ride."
After two years of decreasing field sizes and a warning from The North American Graded Stakes Committee earlier this year that all of Monmouth's graded stakes, including the $1-million Haskell Invitational Handicap (G1) and the United Nations Handicap (G1), were in danger of being downgraded, it was decided that a change would need to be made and Greeley seems to be the one assigned the blame. In response to these various complications Monmouth officials responded by canceling this year's Monmouth Park Breeders' Cup Oaks (G2) while raising the purses of two other races: $250,000 to the United Nations and another $100,000 to the Philip Iselin Handicap (G3).
As for Dempsey, he gets re-hired to the post of racing secretary for Monmouth Park and the Meadowlands Thoroughbred meeting, a post he previously held during the 1993 to 2000 racing seasons. Dempsey told the Thoroughbred Times, "Monmouth Park and racing have always remained an important part of my life. I missed it the past few years and look forward to re-acquainting myself with all the horsemen and returning to the racing office."
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New Jersey Racing Commission To Get Overhaul
Oceanport Racing Report.com
Linda Doughtery, of the Bloodhorse.com, reports that New Jersey Gov. Jim McGreevey has signed into law a bill that will reconstitute the membership of the state racing commission.
The bill had been amended several times before McGreevey signed it, primarily because of his concerns about whether the four proposed horsemen's representatives --two Thoroughbred and two Standardbred--should be allowed to keep their licenses to race and train in the state and be allowed to breed horses in the state. The bill passed with the stipulation that horsemen race, train, and bred horses in states other than New Jersey.
The new law also allows one permanent seat on the commission to be represented by Monmouth County, primarily because two of the remaining three tracks in the state--Freehold Raceway and Monmouth Park--are located there. The law requires three commission members to represent the southern New Jersey counties of Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester, Mercer, Ocean, and Salem.
The New Jersey Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association and the Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association will nominate two persons each by May 24. McGreevey will appoint the chairman, as well as help create a task force to study issues important to the state's racing industry.
"The best way to help us survive is to ensure that the racing community works together, and that our regulatory commissioners are passionate and knowledgeable about Thoroughbred and Standardbred racing," said Francis "Bud" Keegan, president of the New Jersey THA. "The Thoroughbred industry looks forward to the governor sitting a new commission with the hope that we can work together constructively and harmoniously for the betterment of our industry."
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VLT's Put On Hold
Oceanport Racing Report.com
Linda Doughtery, of the Bloodhorse.com, reports that though a commission was recently formed to study the feasibility of putting video lottery terminals at New Jersey racetracks, Gov. Jim McGreevey apparently has abandoned the idea of including VLT revenue in the state's 2004 budget.
One member of the committee, Casino Control Commission chairwoman Linda Kassekert, told The Press of Atlantic City McGreevey "is doing the right thing" by slowing his plan to support horse racing and state coffers with racetrack VLTs. Kassekert said the governor needs to consider the impact of racetrack slots in neighboring states before he considers them for New Jersey.
"I think it's something that's going to require a lot of deliberative study, not something done overnight," Kassekert said. "Just resolving the constitutional questions is going to take some time."
"While video lottery has potential and is something the administration is looking into, it is not a realistic item for this year," said Eric Shuffler, a counselor to McGreevey.
VLTs were seen as a way the struggling Thoroughbred industry in the Garden State could keep pace with Delaware, which already has slots, and Maryland and Pennsylvania, which could legalize them in the near future. New York has a VLT law on the books but no machines are operating at the tracks.
The industry in New Jersey is also being hurt by a delay in the implementation of account and off-track wagering. Though both are legal, the law stipulates 141 live days of racing must be run in order for them to become operational.
The New Jersey Racing Commission approved a reduction to 120 live dates for 2003 and 2004, requested by both the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority and the New Jersey Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association.
___________________________________
2003 New Jersey Racing Dates Official
Oceanport Racing Report.com
Linda Doughtery, of the Bloodhorse.com, reports that after months of negotiations, the ink is finally dry on a 2003 dates schedule for Thoroughbred racetracks in the Garden State.
The New Jersey Racing Commission March 18 approved an amended request by both the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority and the New Jersey Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association to reduce the number of live dates from 141 to 120.
Monmouth Park will run 92 days, from May 24 through Sept. 28, while Meadowlands will run from Oct. 2 through Nov. 8.
Atlantic City Race Course, owned by Greenwood Racing, will run 10 days, six of them at Monmouth. One of the four all-turf programs to be held at Atlantic City will be devoted to steeplechase racing.
"Currently, we're finalizing an agreement for a six-year deal, whereby we'd run 120 days in 2003 and 2004, then run 141 days in 2005 through 2008," said Dennis Drazin, counsel for the New Jersey THA.
Drazin said without enabling legislation, it's unlikely account or off-track wagering will commence in 2003 or 2004. Under the terms of a 2001 law, a minimum of 141 dates must be awarded for account or off-track betting to begin.
The sports authority and horsemen are expected to ask state lawmakers to amend the legislation to allow expanded betting to occur with 120 live racing days.
__________________________________
McGreevey To Sign Bill To Reconstruct Racing Commission
Oceanport Racing Report.com
Tom De Martini, of The Thoroughbred Times, is reporting that New Jersey Governor James McGreevey is expected to sign legislation Monday that reconstructs the makeup of the state's racing commission to include a minimum of four active members of the Thoroughbred and Standardbred industries.
Under the terms of the legislation, the new commissioners shall be an owner or trainer of a either Thoroughbred or Standardbred horse. However, once appointed, the commission members cannot hold a New Jersey owner or trainer license.
In addition, the legislation requires that at least one commissioner shall be a resident of Monmouth County, where Monmouth Park and the majority of the state's breeding operations are located.
McGreevey's signature on the bill would immediately terminate all current commissioners, including such long-standing members as Chairman John Tucker and former Chairwoman Noel Love Gross.
All terminated members are eligible to for reappointment for five remaining vacancies.
__________________________________
VLT Bill Introduced
Oceanport Racing Report.com
Howard Bass, of The Thoroughbred Times, is reporting that New Jersey state Senator Joseph Suliga (D-Union) has introduced a bill to allow up to 3,000 video lottery terminals at the state's three active racetracks, Monmouth Park, the Meadowlands, and Freehold Raceway.
Senate Bill S.2237 faces the usual opposition from Atlantic City casino interests, but Suliga thinks the time is right for his bill.
"If there wasn't a budget crisis and horseracing being in such bad shape, this wouldn't get through," Suliga said.
The VLTs would be operated by the Lottery Commission, and, as games of chance and not skill, they would not be considered an expansion of gambling outside of Atlantic City, Suliga believes, a position echoed by the New Jersey Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association.
"Gambling already takes place at racetracks, so it's not an expansion of gambling," said Barbara DeMarco, a lobbyist for the New Jersey horsemen.
The VLTs would only be located at racetracks, according to Suliga, who said that his research indicated the state could realize $800-million per year, a figure which was based on 2,000 VLTs at each of the three tracks.
Thoroughbred and Standardbred horsemen have agreed to split equally racing's 10% of the revenue. An influx of $40-million to the Thoroughbred meets at Monmouth Park and the Meadowlands could almost double the daily purses or allow the tracks to run longer meets. Less than 20 years ago, New Jersey had 340 Thoroughbred racing dates; this year the number will be 120, and many are calling for as few as 100 to keep the purse structure at competitive levels.
_________________________________
Garland Named To NTRA Board
Oceanport Racing Report.com
Thoroughbred Times is reporting that Bruce Garland, senior executive vice president of racing for the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority has been elected to fill the Mid-Atlantic region independent racetrack seat on the National Thoroughbred Racing Association board of directors, serving out the term of Maryland Jockey Club President Joseph De Francis.
Following the completion of the acquisition of majority interest in the Maryland Jockey Club by Magna Entertainment Corp., NTRA by-laws stated that a new election needed to be held since a board seat is designated for the elected representative of an independent track.
Independent racetracks are those not affiliated with large, multi-track operators already represented on the board.
"The board and staff appreciate the service and contributions of Joe De Francis to the NTRA, particularly in helping the organization through its challenging, formative years," said NTRA Commissioner Tim Smith. "We also welcome Bruce Garland and the NJSEA to the NTRA board. New Jersey, and the Mid-Atlantic region as a whole, is one of the most important racing jurisdictions in the country and its continued success is vital to the whole industry."
Garland, who also sits on the board of the Thoroughbred Racing Associations, was named senior executive vice president of racing of the sports authority in March 1998 to oversee all racing operations of both the Meadowlands in East Rutherford and Monmouth Park in Oceanside, New Jersey. He first joined the New Jersey Racing Commission as deputy director in 1983 before being appointed executive director in 1986.
Garland remained with the racing commission until he joined the sports authority in 1991. He also currently serves as vice chairman of the board of Harness Tracks of America and is a director on the board of the United States Trotting Association.
Craig Fravel, executive vice president of Del Mar, Bryan Krantz, president and general manger of Fair Grounds and president of Thoroughbred Racing Associations, and Nick Nicholson, president of the Keeneland Association are the other three independent members.
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Monmouth Oaks Cancelled For 2003
Oceanport Racing Report.com
Howard Bass, of The Thoroughbred Times, is reporting that The venerable Monmouth Oaks (G2), which has produced a number of champions and most recently Breeders' Cup Distaff (G1) winners Spain in 2000 and Unbridled Elaine in 2001, has been canceled for 2003.
Track officials decided not to compete with New York’ Triple Tiara series or the $500,000 Delaware Oaks at Delaware Park. "We have a limited amount of dollars," said Monmouth Park General Manager Robert Kulina. "NYRA came up with a big bonus for their Triple Tiara and Delaware Park made their Oaks a half-million dollars."
The Triple Tiara consists of a trio of Grade 1 races: the $300,000 Mother Goose on June 28 and the $500,000 Coaching Club American Oaks on July 19, both at Belmont Park, and the $750,000 Alabama Stakes on August 16 at Saratoga Race Course. Any filly who can sweep the series would get a $2-million bonus.
"We made a decision that we wanted to make every effort to maintain the United Nations Handicap as a Grade 1 race,'' Kulina said. "There just wasn't a place where we could put (the Monmouth Oaks). The intention is hopefully to bring it back down the road."
The Monmouth Oaks was first run in 1871, giving the race the distinction of being the oldest Oaks in North America. Winners of the race, first run at 1 1/2 miles then shortened to 1 1/4 miles include champions First Flight (1946), Grecian Queen (1953), Evening Out (1954), Misty Morn (1955), Royal Native (1959), Lamb Chop (1963), Dark Mirage (1969), Gallant Bloom (1969), Forward Gal (1971), Desert Vixen (1973), Revidere (1976), Christmas Past (1982), Life’s Magic (1984), and Yanks Music (1996). Several member of the Racing Hall of Fame have captured the race: Miss Woodford (1883), Firenze (1887), Silver Spoon (1959), in addition to Dark Mirage, Gallant Bloom, and Desert Vixen.
The United Nations Handicap, to be run July 5, received a $250,000 purse increase and will be worth $750,000 this year.
A canceled race can be brought back with the same grade the next year.
"We don't operate in a vacuum and there are only so many good horses to go around," Kulina said. "Delaware has chosen the Delaware Handicap and the Delaware Oaks and we have chosen the Haskell and the [United Nations]. I want to maintain those two as Grade 1 events."
The Molly Pitcher Handicap (G2) on June 28, which the track reported as being raised from $300,000 to $400,000 will be worth $300,000, and the Iselin Handicap (G3) on August 23 will be worth $200,000, not $100,000 as first announced.
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$3.25 Million In Graded Stakes Purses To Be Offered At Monmouth
Oceanport Racing Report.com
Thoroughbred Times is reporting that Monmouth Park will offer 14 graded stakes races worth $3.25-million when the Oceanport, New Jersey, track opens its season on May 24.
Highlighting the meet once again will be the $1-million Haskell Invitational (G1) on August 3, one of the first major tests for three-year-olds upon completion of the Triple Crown series.
Last year, Kentucky Derby (G1) and Preakness Stakes (G1) winner War Emblem won the Haskell with a gate-to-wire effort before 45,212 fans en route to being named champion three-year-old male.
The United Nations Handicap (G1), which counts champions Manila, Dr. Fager, and With Anticipation among its winners, received a purse boost from $250,000 to $750,000, and will be run on July 5.
"Historically, the U.N. has been one of the great races and we felt the purse increase will preserve it as one of the premier turf races in the country," said Bob Kulina, vice president of Thoroughbred racing for Monmouth.
Also receiving a purse increase, from $300,000 to $400,000, is the Molly Pitcher Handicap (G2) for fillies and mares three years old and older. The race will be run on June 28.
A pair of $100,000 races usher in the Memorial Day opening weekend. The Red Bank Handicap (G3) and the Jersey Derby (G3) will be run on May 24 and May 26, respectively.
Closing out the meet will be the $100,000 Sorority Stakes (G3) for two-year-old fillies on August 30
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NJSEA & Horsemen Agree On Dates
Oceanport Racing Report.com
Linda Doughtery, of the Bloodhorse.com, reports that The New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority and horsemen will ask the state racing commission for 120 live Thoroughbred dates for 2003 instead of 146, officials said Feb. 27. Monmouth Park would kick off the calendar Memorial Day, May 24, if the schedule is approved.
The joint announcement comes after several months of negotiations between the NJSEA and New Jersey Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association. The plan is to reduce dates to maintain high-quality racing not only at Monmouth but at Meadowlands in the fall. A higher number of days was considered in talks last year.
"The sports authority will be guaranteeing purses of $300,000 per day for the traditional Monmouth Park meet, and with stakes it will be $345,000," said Bruce Garland, senior executive vice president of racing for the NJSEA.
"We want to do everything we can for Monmouth Park to offer the highest possible quality racing," said George Zoffinger, president and chief executive officer of the NJSEA. "By offering a high-level purse structure, we are making a clear commitment to Thoroughbred racing in the state of New Jersey. It is an extraordinary step, but a risk worth taking."
Said Dennis Drazin, legal counsel for the New Jersey THA: "We are pleased to have reached an agreement that will guarantee horsemen quality purses and stabling from April 14 through Dec. 1. This agreement is a first step in developing a long-term strategy for the entire racing industry."
Monmouth would offer 92 days of racing if approved by the New Jersey Racing Commission. The traditional portion of the meet is from Memorial Day to Labor Day; purse levels would decrease from that point through the meet's conclusion Sept. 28.
Meadowlands would run a short meet of 28 days from Oct. 2-Nov. 8. This year, the track will host Breeders Crown championship events for Standardbreds during a harness meet that begins in mid-November.
Monmouth vice president Bob Kulina said the $300,000 per day in purses for the traditional Monmouth meet would be at the same level as in 2001, when the track broke records for both attendance and total handle. The stable area at Monmouth would open for horsemen April 14 and remain open through Dec. 1.
The NJSEA and horsemen also pledged to work together to have the legislature amend the off-track wagering statute to allow for the reduction of 141 mandated days to 120 for years 2003 and 2004, and increase the number of years for the 141-date minimum to four (from 2005 through 2008).
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Senator Tells Casino's They Can't Stop VLT's
Oceanport Racing Report.com
According to The Associated Press Competition for Atlantic City's casinos is on the way, regardless of whether video gambling terminals are placed at the Meadowlands Racetrack, New Jersey's Democratic senate leader said.
"I understand the casinos' opposition, but what happens when New York and Philadelphia put them in?" Democratic Senate President Richard Codey told The Press of Atlantic City. "We can't put our heads in the sand. I think casinos have to work with the state and the Legislature and say, 'What's a reasonable compromise?"'
Codey leads a group of northern New Jersey lawmakers who support racetrack terminals, which are essentially slot machines, as a way to raise funds for the ailing horse-racing industry.
Carl Golden, spokesman for the Casino Association of New Jersey, said casinos did $76 million in business last year with firms in Codey's Essex County, and another $20 million in Bergen County, which is represented by video terminal supporter state Sen. Garry Furnari, also a Democrat.
"Presumably, the two senators are willing to risk almost $100 million in combined business in their counties in the interest of putting VLTs at racetracks, a constitutionally questionable act at best," Golden said.
Gov. James McGreevey wants to boost state gambling revenue by installing racetrack VLTs and increasing casino taxes.
Under his plan, the tax on gross gambling revenue would go from 8 percent to 10 percent. A 6 percent sales tax on casino complimentaries, and possibly a 7 percent hotel occupancy tax, would be added.
State Sen. Bill Gormley, R-Atlantic, and the casino association say McGreevey is using the tax threat as a bargaining chip to get VLTs at state racetracks.
McGreevey formed a commission to study the economic and legal issues surrounding video terminals. The commission, criticized by Atlantic City casino interests for its predominance of northern New Jersey members, will soon get another South Jersey member.
The seven-person commission now has only one southern New Jersey member, Linda Kassekert, who chairs the Casino Control Commission.
Furnari, whose legislative district is home to Meadowlands Racetrack, said he understands Atlantic City's distaste for higher taxes.
But he said the city's elected leaders "should not be swallowed up by fear of a substantial revenue source which is fully capable of revitalizing the horse-racing industry."
"VLTs are
coming to this area regardless of whether New Jersey or Atlantic City
stand in their way," Furnari said. "I hope the certainty of their coming
dawns on the bright lights of Atlantic City so obstructionists step
aside."
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Sea Of Tranquility Named NJ Bred Horse Of The Year For Third Time
Oceanport Racing Report.com
Thoroughbred Times is reporting that Sea of Tranquility, who won three stakes last year, has been honored as the New Jersey-bred horse of the year for a third consecutive season by the state’s Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association.
The seven-year-old son of Heff finished on the board in ten of his 11 starts in 2002. He scored four wins, including the Salvator Mile Handicap (G3), Frisk Me Now Stakes, and Jersey Breeders’ Handicap, all at Monmouth Park.
Bred by Dennis Drazin, Sea of Tranquility is campaigned by Triple M Farm and trained by Richard Paulus.
The other award winners are:
Two-year-old male: Kaw Liga Sioux, owned by Gerald Sleeter and bred by Carolyn Sleeter; Two-year-old filly: Forever Partners, owned by Skeedattle Stable and bred by Timber Creek Farm; Three-year-old male: Our Wildcat, owned and bred by Edwin Broome; Three-year-old filly: Willie’s Luv, owned and bred by Yaroslaw Kolybabiuk; Sprinter: Summer Swing, owned by Gerald Sleeter and bred by Carolyn Sleeter; Turf: American Freedom, owned by Freedom Acres Inc. and bred by Yaroslaw Kolybabiuk; and Older female: Blinded by Love, owned by New Farm and bred by Risking Sun Farm.
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Mills/Mack Cali Win Right To Develop Meadowlands
Oceanport Racing Report.com
Thoroughbred Times is reporting that Mills Corporation and Mack-Cali Realty Group have received the go-ahead to jointly develop a $1.3-billion entertainment and retail project at New Jersey’s Meadowlands sports complex.
Mills had spent eight years and $120-million drawing up plans to develop a wetlands area adjacent to the Continental Airlines Arena, but when the state announced plans to build a redevelop the arena for the Devils and the Nets, New Jersey’s NHL and NBA teams, Mills jumped at the chance.
The arena, along with the Meadowlands racetrack and Giants Stadium currently make up the Meadowlands sports complex.
"We’re very excited," Larry Siegel, chairman and chief executive of Mills told Dow Jones.
The plan, which Mack-Cali dubbed the "Meadowlands Xanadu", would be a 4.76-million square foot entertainment and recreation development that would feature an indoor ski resort, an UnderWater World aquarium, a skate park, a ballpark, a skating rink and a wildlife museum and other features. There also will be four 14-story office buildings and a 520-room hotel, which Mack- Cali will control.
The Mills/Mack-Cali team beat out Westfield Group and a team comprised of Hartz Mountain Industries Inc. and Forest City Enterprises Inc. for the rights to develop the area. The entertainment and retail part is expected to open by fall of 2005 with the office component being phased in afterward over a period of four years.
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Casino Execs And McGreevey At Odds
Oceanport Racing Report.com
Thoroughbred Times is reporting that Executives of Harrah’s Entertainment have accused New Jersey Governor James McGreevey of offering to drop plans to raise casino taxes if Atlantic City removed its opposition to a proposal to add video lottery terminals at the Meadowlands.
The accusations began after a phone conversation between McGreevey and Harrah’s Chairman Phil Satre in which both representatives of parties claim the other misrepresented themselves. Harrah’s said it turned down an offer by McGreevey to operate slots at the Meadowlands while McGreevey spokesman Micah Rasmussen called that "a flat-out lie."
"When you have a conversation with the governor of the state of New Jersey, and you lie about the content, it is completely unacceptable," Rasmussen told the Newark Star-Ledger.
The New Jersey Constitution does not allow slot machines other than in Atlantic City and casinos oppose the addition of VLTs for fear of competition.
"We do not support these VLTs at the racetracks in New Jersey, and we do not support the tax increase the governor has proposed," said Harrah’s spokesman David Strow. "We believe both would be harmful to the Atlantic City gaming industry."
State officials see the addition of VLTs as a solution to the projected $5-billion budget shortfall in the budget that begins on July 1 as well as a newfound $1-billion shortfall in the current budget.
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Video Lottery Commission Appointed
Oceanport Racing Report.com
Linda Doughtery, of the Bloodhorse.com, reports that New Jersey Gov. James McGreevey has announced the creation of a Video Lottery Study Commission that will investigate the feasibility of video lottery terminals at racetracks and give him written recommendations in 90 days.
McGreevey is said to be considering VLTs in part to plug a huge budget deficit without having to raise taxes. Though no horsemen were appointed to the committee, George Zoffinger, chief executive officer and president of the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority, was named as a member.
The commission is made up of seven other members: Former Gov. Brendan Byrne (chairman); Linda Kassekert, chair of the Casino Control Commission; Peter Harvey, Attorney General designate; Susan Cole, president of Montclair State University; Chris Bollwage, mayor of Elizabeth and president of the New Jersey League of Municipalities; James Dieterle, executive director of the New Jersey Chapter of AARP; and Assemblyman Wilfredo Caraballo, a professor of law at Seton Hall University.
When asked why no horsemen were appointed, Ellen Mellody, a spokesperson for the governor's office, said: "Gov. McGreevey chose to appoint individuals that have the utmost integrity, strong leadership skills and diverse backgrounds."
While Francis "Bud" Keegan, president of the New Jersey Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association, called the committee creation a "positive step" in bringing VLTs to racetracks, one of the staunchest allies of the Atlantic City casino industry had strong words for McGreevey's action.
"VLTs are never going to happen," vowed Sen. Bill Gormley, who represents Atlantic County, where the casinos are located. "All they'll do is cause instability for the casinos and hurt jobs in New Jersey. This committee will do nothing but waste (former) Gov. Byrne's time."
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American Graded Stakes Committee Warns Of Downgrades
Oceanport Racing Report.com
Linda Doughtery, of the Bloodhorse.com, reports that The American Graded Stakes Committee has issued warning letters to racetracks that present nearly every grade 1 stakes for 3-year-olds, advising them that the races would be downgraded for 2004 unless field quality improves.
Among the races that received warnings were the Florida Derby, Fountain of Youth, and Haskell Invitational Handicap. The three Triple Crown races and the Travers Stakes were not sent warnings.
The letter that was sent stated in part that "...the Graded Stakes Committee considers the graded race in question to rank within the lower echelon of that grade-level in its division, and that the race may be a candidate for downgrading for the year 2004."
"I was just stunned--just shocked--to receive the warning," said Robert Kulina, vice president and general manager of Monmouth Park in New Jersey. "This just isn't a big event in the state...it's a big event across the country."
Though champions Point Given and War Emblem, both owned by The Thoroughbred Corp. and trained by Bob Baffert, won the last two editions of Haskell, the overall fields were weak, said Steven Duncker, chairman of the American Graded Stakes Committee. The committee operates under the auspices of the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association.
"While there's no question that Point Given and War Emblem were very good horses, they didn't face deep fields," Duncker said. "We look at a five-year history of a race before issuing a warning letter. The last strong renewal of the Haskell was in 1998, when Coronado's Quest met Victory Gallop."
Duncker said if warning letters are not sent, it cuts down on the ability of the committee to downgrade a race if warranted.
"We sent warning letters to most if not all grade 1 races for 3-year-olds on the dirt, going long, to keep our flexibility open," he said. "If we need to downgrade a race, we're able to do it because the warning letter has been sent."
Duncker said letters are not sent to races that merit upgrading, and he'd like to see the process changed so warning letters are not needed when a race is to be downgraded. That's a topic that may be considered when the committee meets later this year.
"I would say the bottom half of dirt 3-year-old grade 1 races falls very close to one another, and conversely, the top grade 1 races are very close to one another," he said.
Kulina said he always felt pressure trying to assemble a good field for the Haskell, which in 2001 carried a $1.2-million purse and in 2002 a $1-million purse, but the warning letter just "magnifies" the pressure for 2003.
All graded stakes at Monmouth received warning letters, Kulina said.
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Byrne To Lead Video Lottery To New Jersey
Oceanport Racing Report.com
Thoroughbred Times is reporting that former New Jersey Governor Brendan Byrne is heading a group with designs to allow video lottery terminals throughout the state, a move that casino operators oppose on the grounds it would create competition.
The New Jersey Constitution currently limits slot machines to Atlantic City.
Governor James McGreevey signed an order on Monday to create an eight-member panel that will be led by Byrne, the Associated Press reports. Other members include Attorney General David Samson and representatives from the casino industry and the state sports authority.
One proposal the panel will consider is to allow the lottery terminals at racetracks, which the casinos also oppose, fearing competition.
According to some estimates, video lottery terminals could raise $300-million for the state’s coffers, a move that supporters argue would help close a $5-billion budget deficit while at the same time propping up the racing industry.
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VLT Proposal Alive Again
Oceanport Racing Report.com
Thoroughbred Times is reporting that a proposal to introduce video lottery terminals at New Jersey racetracks is back in play just two weeks after Governor James McGreevey declared it dead.
State officials are looking for solutions for a $5-million deficit in the budget that begins on July 1, along with a newfound $1-million shortfall in the current budget.
"Everthing is on the table except income, sales, and corporate tax increases," Jamie Fox, McGreevey’s chief of staff, told the New Jersey Star-Ledger.
The New Jersey Constitution does not allow slot machines other than in Atlantic City. Casinos there oppose the competition that VLTs at racetracks would bring.
"There is still concern about the effect on Atlantic City, but there should be a way for everybody to work together on this," said Dennis Drazin, an owner and breeder who serves as the chief lawyer, strategist, and spokesman for the New Jersey Thoroughbred Horseman’s Association.
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Kulina Honored By NJ Sports Writers
Oceanport Racing Report.com
Thoroughbred Times is reporting that Robert Kulina, vice president of Thoroughbred racing for the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority, will be honored for "Distinguished Service to Thoroughbred Racing" at the 67th New Jersey Sports Writers Association Banquet on Sunday.
Kulina began his long association with New Jersey racing in 1972 when he joined the racing office at Monmouth Park. He became the track’s racing secretary in 1977 before becoming director of Thoroughbred racing at the Meadowlands in 1985. Kulina stepped into his current position with the sports authority, in which he oversees Thoroughbred racing at both tracks, in 1991.
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Zoffinger Looks For Answers
Oceanport Racing Report.com
Linda Doughtery, of the Bloodhorse.com, reports that in response to a statement by an official with Gov. Jim McGreevey's administration that a proposal to place video lottery terminals at Meadowlands "is very unlikely," the head of the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority said other avenues will be explored in order to keep the state's racing industry viable.
"I don't think VLTs are the only answer to keeping the industry healthy," George Zoffinger, president and chief executive officer of the NJSEA, told The Blood-Horse. "We'll deal with this issue and act accordingly...We'll consult with leaders of the racing industry to explore other ways to keep racing at both Monmouth Park and Meadowlands strong."
On Jan. 18, just two days after a bill was introduced into the legislature that would bring VLTs to Meadowlands, a spokesperson for McGreevey was quoted in several published reports as saying the proposal was taken off the front burner because of a strong "counter offensive" by Atlantic City casinos and Sen. Bill Gormley, a Republican from Atlantic County who is a strong advocate for the casino industry.
The racing industry said the time was right to put VLTs at Meadowlands, not only to help the industry but to help plug a $5-billion state budget deficit.
Francis "Bud" Keegan, president of the New Jersey Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association, said he hopes "later on down the line, Gov. McGreevey will reconsider implementing VLTs. Our industry is in peril, and unless we can get help for purses, we won't be able to compete (with neighboring states should they implement racetrack gaming)."
Said Sen. Joseph Suliga, sponsor of the VLT bill: "Obviously, without the governor's support, it makes it much more difficult, but I'm still a legislator and I'm going to push forward with my idea."
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Governor Shoots Down VLT Proposal
Oceanport Racing Report.com
Thoroughbred Times is reporting that proposal to introduce video lottery terminals at New Jersey racetracks has been tabled by Governor James McGreevey, according to the Atlantic City Press and the Newark Star-Ledger.
McGreevey is expected to make a formal announcement on the decision in his budget address on February 4.
"I think it’s dead, and I’ve always said it’s dead," Senator William Gormley (R-Atlantic), a casino industry advocate, told the Associated Press.
The New Jersey Constitution does not allow slots other than in Atlantic City. Casinos there oppose the competition VLTs at racetracks would create.
"Atlantic City is very happy about it, and all of the casinos are very happy about it," Donald Trump, head of Trump Hotels and Casinos, said of McGreevey’s decision.
Proponents said VLTs would have helped alleviate a $5-million budget deficit, while strengthening the state’s horse racing industry.
"I wasn’t doing this because of the McGreevey administration," said Senator Joseph Suliga (D-Union), who pledged to continue his push for slots approval. "I was doing it because it was something the state needed to help the horse racing industry."
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Horsemen Approve Arena Proposal For Meadowlands
Oceanport Racing Report.com
Thoroughbred Times is reporting that the New Jersey owners and breeders who race horses at the Meadowlands have endorsed a proposal by Hartz Mountain Industries to redevelop the Continental Airlines Arena, the track’s neighbor in the Meadowlands Sports Complex.
The New Jersey Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association and the Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association of New Jersey collectively approved Hartz’s Expo Park proposal on Thursday over two competing proposals.
"The other proposals are made up of retail, entertainment, and office space, none of which would help our sport," according to Barbara DeMarco Reiche, spokesperson for the Thoroughbred group, in the New Jersey Herald News. "In contrast, a convention center will bring us new customers right to the site. We have the type of entertainment that they will enjoy."
The Meadowlands made $20.7-million for the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority in 2002, while Giants Stadium made $16.3-million.
"[Racing interests] are the biggest player there," Standardbred President Anthony Parenti told the Associated Press.
The sports authority’s board of commissioners is expected to choose between Hartz and two other bidders in mid-February.
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New Jersey Dates Almost Complete
Oceanport Racing Report.com
Linda Doughtery, of the Bloodhorse.com, reports that Horsemen and officials at the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority are close to sealing a dates deal for 2003 through 2008, but a final racing calendar for the Garden State may not be known for several months.
"We've made a lot of progress, and we're close to a deal," said Dennis Drazin, legal counsel for the New Jersey Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association, after a meeting Jan. 9 at Meadowlands with George Zoffinger, NJSEA chief executive officer, and Bruce Garland, NJSEA senior vice president of racing. "If the New Jersey Racing Commission issues weren't out there, we could conclude the deal."
The New Jersey THA and the commission have been at odds since a bill was passed by both the House and Senate in October allowing horsemen to become members of the commission. The bill was conditionally vetoed by Gov. James McGreevey.
Recently, the commission has alleged wrongdoing in the New Jersey THA and had a state superior court judge freeze the money in its interest account. The commission claims the money was used for huge political contributions and raises for its top executives at the expense of funding backstretch benefits.
Garland echoed Drazin's comments. He said the NJSEA's dates negotiations with the horsemen have been "very productive."
Both groups want the number of dates reduced in 2003 and 2004 to 120, and intend to have lawmakers introduce legislation to amend the current off-track and account wagering legislation that mandates 141 dates. If the legislation can be moved through the House and Senate by March, Drazin said, Monmouth Park would run 72 dates this year and Meadowlands 48. The NJSEA has guaranteed purses at Monmouth would be $300,000.
In 2004, 92 dates would be run at Monmouth with the remainder at Meadowlands. From 2005-08, 141 dates would be run. Stabling at Monmouth would be provided from April 1 through Dec. 1, beginning this year.
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NJTHA Responds To Claims As Unfounded
Oceanport Racing Report.com
Linda Doughtery, of the Bloodhorse.com, reports that the president of the New Jersey Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association said allegations by the New Jersey Racing Commission and a state Superior Court judge that health-care benefits for backstretch personnel have been reduced in lieu of political contributions are "unfounded" and "ludicrous."
"I want to assure horsemen that their medical benefits have not been stopped--they are the same as always," Francis "Bud" Keegan said. "These recent allegations are just a bunch of rhetoric, and the media hasn't given us a chance to explain our side."
On Dec. 24, Superior Court Judge Clarkson Fisher issued an order that froze the THA's interest account, money the association's Thoro-Pac political arm had used for political contributions. The commission alleges the THA spent $1 million on politicians and lawyers and doubled the salaries of some top employees, but slashed medical benefits for backstretch workers.
Keegan said backstretch workers are covered for eight of 12 months, and that money for the remaining four months comes from a benevolence fund.
Dennis Drazin, legal counsel for the THA, said he believes the latest salvo from the commission was an attempt to "punish us for trying to make things right in New Jersey," and stemmed from the introduction of a bill that would allow horsemen to sit on the commission. That measure was passed by both the House and Senate in late October but conditionally vetoed by Gov. Jim McGreevey in late December.
"The commission is retaliating against us and trying to 'muddy us up,' " said Drazin, who reportedly had been in line for the commission chairmanship. "We need unity now, not destruction."
Recently, the THA and the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority had been in negotiations to reduce the amount of live racing dates for 2003 from 141 to 120, primarily because of a lack of purse money. Negotiations are ongoing, but Drazin said that because of interference by the commission, it is his guess 141 days would be run.
A reduction to 120 would require an amendment to the law that mandates 141 dates be run. The stipulation is part of a package that authorizes off-track and account wagering in the state.
Bruce Garland, senior vice president of the NJSEA, said that if 141 days are run in 2003, purses at Monmouth Park and Meadowlands would be below $200,000 per day, and that the quality of racing would suffer. He also said money traditionally spent to make Monmouth sparkle--for flowers, additional employees, and the like--would be eliminated.
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NJTHA Assets Frozen
Oceanport Racing Report.com
The Thoroughbred Times is reporting that while the New Jersey Racing Commission investigates the finances of the New Jersey Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association, Superior Court Judge Clarkson Fisher has frozen the assets of the horsemen’s organization.
In October, the commission accused THA leaders of misappropriating funds to the tune of nearly $1-million while cutting health-care benefits to low-income stable area employees. The court responded to those assertions by allowing the New Jersey THA to spend money only on essential expenses such as its members' health benefits.
"The reduction in health-care benefits for backstretch personnel, when compared to an alleged urgency to line the pockets of politicians to the tune of $100,000, is—in a word—disproportionate," Fisher wrote in what the Newark Star-Ledger called an angrily worded 13-page decision. "[It] raises serious questions about whether the NJTHA is fulfilling is fiduciary obligations."
THA President Francis "Bud" Keegan and Monmouth County attorney Dennis Drazin, a THA official and horse owner, have defended their organization by saying that it spent money with the permission of the courts—noting that Fisher allowed the organization to spend some of its money on political contributions and legal fees last year.
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Slot Bill On The Horizon In New Jersey
Oceanport Racing Report.com
The Thoroughbred Times is reporting that the welfare of New Jersey’s horse racing industry versus the lucrative Atlantic City’s casino industry could again be the subject of debate in the New Jersey Senate as soon as next month.
State Senator Joseph Suliga (D-Union) said he plans to introduce yet another bill before the Senate’s Economic Growth, Agriculture, and Tourism Committee to add slot machines at New Jersey’s racetracks.
Suliga, who previously was unsuccessful in a bid for racetrack slots by means of a constitutional amendment, said the time-consuming process of amending the state constitution could be skirted depending upon whether slots are defined as games of chance or games of skill. Atlantic City draws such as blackjack and craps are not permitted outside the city because they are games of skill. But Suliga said an opinion from the state Attorney General’s Office might allow slots to exist under the purview of the New Jersey Lottery because of their random payouts.
New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority President George Zoffinger has yet to give his approval to slots at state-operated the Meadowlands and Monmouth Park, but he told the Bergen County Record that competitive factors, such as competition from racinos in Delaware, other surrounding states, and eventually in New York, might lead to slots at his tracks if racing is going to survive. Additionally, Zoffinger said purse monies to supplement 151 Thoroughbred dates will not be made available by the state next year, when he unveiled the sports authority's 2003 budget on Thursday.
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Jersey Tracks Will Have To Go Without Subsidy In 2003
Associated Press
The Associated Press is reporting that The New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority adopted a 2003 budget Thursday that eliminates all state subsidies and requires the Meadowlands sports complex and other facilities to support themselves.
Gov. James E. McGreevey had ordered the authority to wean itself from its $5 million subsidy, even as it faces the closing of the Continental Airlines Arena in East Rutherford in favor of a new home for the New Jersey Nets and Devils in downtown Newark.
Earlier this year, the authority laid off 65 administrators and executives in its attempts to slash expenses. It anticipates a nearly 3 percent increase in overall revenue in the coming year, largely because more events are scheduled at its facilities.
But it anticipates an increase of 17 percent in net revenue because of reduced costs, said George Zoffinger, the authority's president.
"It was our goal to eliminate the subsidy; it was really hard," he said. "Just the other day I was at a cardiologist with a blood pressure of 165 over 110 because it was budget week."
The state subsidy was as high as $11 million in recent years.
The authority expects to take in nearly $224 million in revenues next year, up from a projected $217 million this year. Operating expenses are projected to remain flat, and income from operations is projected to grow by $5 million, or 13 percent.
Giants Stadium, which had a disappointing year due to a steep drop-off in concerts (from eight in 2001 to just two this year) and the loss of XFL football home games, should bounce back next year, according to revenue projections.
It is hoped that the stadium, where the New York Giants and Jets play their home games, will take in $21.1 million in 2003, up from $16.3 million this year. All told, there are 56 events planned for the stadium next year, up from 47 this year.
The forecast for the Continental Airlines Arena remains glum. Even with a record 248 events this year, up from 205 the year before, the arena still lost $1.2 million. That deficit will balloon to at least $1.7 million next year, due largely to a 300 percent increase in insurance costs, and higher utility bills.
The high cost of maintaining the arena is one of the main arguments the McGreevey administration makes in its support for a new 18,500-seat arena in Newark. The authority is weighing proposals from developers interested in building on the East Rutherford land where the arena now sits.
Revenue at the Meadowlands Racetrack is projected at $21.4 million next year, up slightly from $20.7 million this year.
Monmouth Park Racetrack also took a big hit this year from which it will not recover in 2003. The Oceanport track's revenue fell by nearly half this year, from $4.6 million in 2001 to $2.5 million in 2002. Next year's projections call for a nominal increase to $2.6 million, even with an increase in racing days from 78 to 92.
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Governor Vetoes New Jersey Racing Commission Bill
Oceanport Racing Report.com
Howard Bass of The Thoroughbred Times is reporting that New Jersey governor James McGreevey conditionally vetoed a bill that would require two Thoroughbred and two Standardbred horsemen to sit on the nine-member New Jersey Racing Commission.
The bill had been passed by the New Jersey Senate on October 31 after being approved by the state Assembly three days earlier. McGreevey opposed the bill because he thought it presented a potential conflict of interest.
A press release from the governor’s office said that he had been advised by the attorney general that allowing commissioners to retain an ownership, breeding, or training interest in horses within the state creates the potential for a conflict of interest for those commissioners.
The governor asked that the bill, "simply direct that two commissioners be persons with knowledge of Thoroughbred horses and two commissioners have knowledge of Standardbreds," and that the two breed associations, the New Jersey Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association and the Standardbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association of New Jersey, recommend suitable candidates.
The bill now returns to its house of origin, the Senate, and then to the Assembly. It needs a majority to pass with the governor’s changes or two-thirds to pass as is. The first version of the bill initially was passed by votes of 24-7 in the Senate and 71-4 in the Assembly.
Dennis Drazin, speaking for the New Jersey Thoroughbred industry, told Thoroughbred Times they were "disappointed that the conditional veto limits the original intent of the legislation [but] we remain strongly committed to working with the governor as he continues to work to strengthen New Jersey's horse racing industry."
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Fewer Dates Sought for Jersey Tracks in 2003;
Account, Off-Track Wagering Closer in New Jersey
Oceanport Racing Report.com
Linda Dougherty, of The Bloodhorse Online, is reporting that horsemen and management at New Jersey's two state racetracks are close to a deal on a revision of 2003 racing dates. The Bloodhorse reports that the two sides have been communicating almost daily the last few weeks in an attempt to make next year a success following disappointing meets at Monmouth Park and Meadowlands this year.
The New Jersey Racing Commission approved 151 dates for 2003, which includes 10 for Atlantic City Race Course. Since that time Bruce Garland, senior vice president of racing for the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority, and Dennis Drazin, legal counsel for the New Jersey Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association, have been hammering out an agreement whereby only 120 dates will be run.
In 2002, 141 dates were run.
"I don't think there's anyone left who thinks 141 dates will work without a significant amount of purse money," Garland told the Bloodhorse. "In the short term, that means running less dates, and in the long term, everyone has to be focused and united about developing new sources of revenue. That means phone betting, off-track betting, and video lottery terminals."
Drazin said he proposed running a traditional 72-day meet at Monmouth, with 20 additional dates to be run there in September, and then the remainder at Meadowlands. The NJSEA, he said, would provide $34 million for stakes and overnight purses, which would give each venue about $300,000 a day in purses.
This year, both tracks experienced declines in on-track and total handle, with Meadowlands especially hard-hit. Purses at the Big M were down nearly 50% from their 2001 levels, and the quality of racing was poor. That prompted Garland to print a letter of apology to fans in the track program on the final days of the recently ended meeting.
Drazin said that, while the horsemen were willing to run less dates in 2003 and 2004, they expected to return to 141 dates from 2005 to 2008. "Given these tough economic times, we need to wait to run our 141-day season," he said.
Legislation is being crafted to allow 120 dates to be run rather than the mandated 141. Also, a bill to legalize racetrack video lottery terminals is in the works, Drazin said.
In related news: Linda Dougherty, of The Bloodhorse Online, is also reporting that after months of legal wrangling and negotiations, the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority is close to presenting the New Jersey Racing Commission with participation agreements between itself and two other racing companies in the state in regard to account and off-track wagering.
When approved, account wagering could commence as early as mid-2003, but because of municipal issues and the time needed for construction, off-track wagering is not likely to begin until late 2003 or 2004, according to Art Winkler, attorney for the NJSEA, which operates Monmouth Park and Meadowlands.
"The participation agreements with Pennwood Racing and Greenwood Racing (owners of Freehold Raceway and Atlantic City Race Course, respectively) took some time to negotiate," Winkler told The Bloodhorse. "There were arguments over money--how income and expenses would be divided, who would run the off-track betting sites, and things of that nature."
Winkler said 15 off-track wagering parlors would be built, with the majority run by the NJSEA. After the participation agreements are approved by the racing commission, Winkler said sites for the parlors would be chosen.
Account wagering will be operated jointly by the NJSEA and Pennwood, which is a partnership between Greenwood Racing and Penn National Gaming. Winkler believes the wagering hub would be located at Meadowlands.
Currently, a planning committee has been in contact with several television outlets, including Comcast and the New Jersey Network, to secure a cable channel to broadcast races from New Jersey tracks to in-home bettors.
"We're in the process of finalizing the participation agreements, and frankly, it looks like we'll present them to the commission sometime in January," Winkler said.
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New Jersey Racing Dates Increased For 2003
Oceanport Racing Report.com
Both the Bloodhorse Online and Tom De Martini, of The Thoroughbred Times, are reporting that The New Jersey Racing Commission awarded 151 live racing dates to the state’s three Thoroughbred racetracks in 2003 during its agenda meeting Monday in Trenton. The awarding of 151 dates was a surprise, given the losses in attendance and handle seen this year at Monmouth Park and the Meadowlands, both owned and operated by the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority.
Monmouth Park was awarded an 86-day 2003 meeting from a date to be determined in April through August 31. The Meadowlands will hold a 55-date meeting, running six-day weeks, from September 1 through November 8. Atlantic City Race Course, owned and operated by Pennwood Racing Inc., requested and was granted a 10-day all-turf meet to be run prior to Monmouth Park’s opening.
Discussions were held in October between the NJSEA, the New Jersey Thoroughbred Horseman’s Association and the NJRC concerning the best course for awarding 2003 live racing dates, said NJRC chairman John Tucker.
All parties originally agreed to run 92 dates at Monmouth Park. However, a 1984 statute passed to protect the now-defunct Garden State Park, limits the Oceanport track to a maximum 86 dates. Tucker asked that the parties approach the state attorney general’s office for a further clarification and a request that six of Atlantic City’s 10 dates be run at Monmouth for a total of 92.
Published reports which said that a deal was struck to limit Thoroughbred racing in the state to 100 days of live racing at Monmouth Park proved to be false, as both the Commission and members of the Sports Authority bowed to current legislation requiring a minimum of 141 dates at the two NJSEA tracks. The mandated live dates must remain in place in order for long awaited telephone account and off-track wagering to finally become a reality.
State racing executives, however, continued to paint a gloomy picture of the industry’s near-term future.
"Current legislation mandates that we protect the state’s [racing] revenue and maintain a competitive position with neighboring states," said Bruce Garland, senior vice president of racing for the NJSEA. "However, these dates do not help our position. In fact, they are a detriment."
Garland’s comments mirrored an open letter to racing fans in the Meadowlands’s live racing program, which began appearing on November 18. Garland apologized to patrons for the lower quality of racing at its facilities.
"The quality of this year’s Thoroughbred meet was not what we would have liked to offer. We are just completing the first year of the legislatively mandated 141 days of Thoroughbred racing at our facilities. As predicted, it has resulted in lower quality racing, fewer horses, fewer races, lower and lower handles, and loss of credibility and business. Clearly, it's not in anyone's long-term best interest to attempt to try to force an artificial structure onto our business.
"We are doing everything we can to try to convince the Thoroughbred horsemen and legislature that our current purse structure cannot support 141 quality Thoroughbred racing days. Hopefully, we will be successful, and next year's meets will be of higher quality."
According to NJRC statistics for the first 42 days of the current Meadowlands meeting which closes on Saturday, average on-track handle has dropped 22.2% to $468,742 per day from $602,312. Average all-sources handle for the period is down 13.6% to $1,758,458 from $2,035,938.
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The Big M Apologizes for Disappointing Meet
Oceanport Racing Report.com
Linda Dougherty, of The Bloodhorse Online, is reporting that the management at the Meadowlands in New Jersey is expressing its position concerning 2003 Thoroughbred racing dates and the state of the current meet in the track program.
New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority vice president Bruce Garland, in a letter that first appears Nov. 18, tells patrons he's sorry about the poor quality of the current meet, and reiterates the NJSEA's position concerning 2003 racing dates.
The week before, Garland told The Blood-Horse this year's Meadowlands Thoroughbred meet was "close to being a disaster" with handle declines of almost 50% on some days in October and November.
"Our business philosophy has always been based upon the foundation of offering the highest quality racing supported by superior guest services," Garland says in the letter. "The quality of this year's Thoroughbred meet was not what we would have liked to offer. I apologize.
"We are just completing the first year of the legislatively mandated 141 days of Thoroughbred racing at our facilities. As predicted, it has resulted in lower quality racing, fewer horses, fewer races, lower and lower handles, and loss of credibility and business. Clearly, it's not in anyone's long-term best interest to attempt to try to force an artificial structure onto our business.
"We are doing everything we can to try to convince the Thoroughbred horsemen and legislature that our current purse structure cannot support 141 quality Thoroughbred racing days. Hopefully, we will be successful, and next year's meets will be of higher quality."
Neither Garland nor a representative of the New Jersey Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association was available for comment. On Nov. 20, the New Jersey Racing Commission will have its annual meeting to discuss 2003 dates. Garland said he once again intends to follow the law and request 141 days for next year--92 for Monmouth Park, and 49 for Meadowlands
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NJTHA Member Responds To Accusations
By Paul T. Grimm
Oceanport Racing Report.com
Linda Dougherty, of The Bloodhorse Online, is reporting that Prominent New Jersey owner and breeder Dennis Drazin, who has been accused of accepting inflated legal fees from the New Jersey Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association, denied the allegations and called conduct by his accuser "improper."
Frank Zanzuccki, executive director of the New Jersey Racing Commission, recently made the allegations in a nine-page memo sent to the state attorney general and nine racing commissioners. A copy of it was obtained by the Newark Star-Ledger.
"Frank Zanzuccki should be fired," Drazin told the Bloodhorse.
In his memo to Attorney General, David Samson, Zanzuccki accused Drazin of accepting $645,000 from the New Jersey THA, for which he serves as counsel. Zanzuccki could not be reached for comment.
In the internal memo, Zanzuccki alleges the New Jersey THA improperly spent nearly $800,000 in legal fees and political contributions from its bookkeeper's interest fund. He suggested the leadership of the New Jersey THA be removed, and that the attorney general investigate his charges of fiscal mismanagement.
Drazin explained to the Bloodhorse that, while he did accept legal fees from the horsemen's association, he did so at a greatly reduced rate and only after he had worked for the organization for four years without earning a penny.
"The first bill I sent the New Jersey THA was for $75,000, and it covered a four-year period, from 1997 through 2000," Drazin said. "It was for a substantially reduced amount than I would normally receive. In my regular practice, I normally charge $300 an hour, and I could make $50,000 a week. The bills I sent to the New Jersey THA were for half the time I spent working for them."
According
to various published reports, Drazin is in line to be appointed chairman
of the racing commission.
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NJTHA Accused of Mismanagement
By Paul T. Grimm
Oceanport Racing Report.com
Thoroughbred Times (TT) is reporting that New Jersey Racing Commission Executive Director Frank Zanzuccki has accused the New Jersey Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association of mismanaging hundreds of thousands of dollars and that its leadership should be ousted.
TT claims that Zanzuccki made his claims in a nine-page memorandum to New Jersey Attorney General David Samson and seven racing commission members. In the memo, Zanzuccki charged that the association improperly spent money from the Bookkeeper’s Interest Fund on legal fees and political contributions. Zanzuccki would like the commission to take over the fund, which collects interest from purses.
"We’re trying to save Thoroughbred racing in New Jersey," New Jersey THA President Francis "Bud" Keegan told the Newark Star-Ledger. "[The commission] should be addressing the questions of how are we going to be competitive."
Dennis Drazin, an owner and breeder of horses who serves as the association’s chief lawyer, strategist, and spokesman, said that the memo was an attempt "to make me look bad," as he is pursuing a spot as the commission’s chairman.
Drazin claims that Zanzuccki timed the distribution of the memo to come just days before Governor James E. McGreevey was to name him to the commission.
"[McGreevey] is looking at [Drazin] along with a number of other candidates," said Ellen Mellody, a spokeswoman for the governor.
It has been widely publicized that The New Jersey THA and commission have been at odds for years, as the association would like a larger share of racing revenue as well as more say in the management of the New Jersey racing industry. Zanzuccki charged that the association paid Drazin $645,000 in legal fees while reducing benefits for its members.
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New Jersey Dates Nearing 100 Days For 2003; All At Monmouth Park?
By Paul T. Grimm
Oceanport Racing Report.com
Linda Dougherty, of The Bloodhorse Online, is reporting that the New Jersey horsemen and the quasi-state agency that runs Monmouth Park and Meadowlands (The New Jersey Sport & Exposition Authority) are in the process of hammering out a deal that would reduce the number of live Thoroughbred dates in 2003 in order to maintain or improve the quality of the product.
The plan being worked out by the New Jersey Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association and the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority, just 100 days of live racing--all of it at Monmouth Park--may be offered. As stipulated by the off-track and account wagering legislation passed in 2001, a minimum of 141 live dates must be offered, but horsemen have the option of approving fewer dates if economic conditions warrant.
"We're trying to
structure a season that gives us a quality product," New Jersey THA
counsel Dennis Drazin said. "Although we want to race 141 days, we also
don't want to destroy the current level of racing. We don't think we could
recover if that happened."
Monmouth and Meadowlands offered lower purses for 2002, but Meadowlands
has been especially hard-hit by lower pari-mutuel handle. The purse
structure of just $150,000 a day is far less than the record $368,000
offered last year. New Jersey racing was not given a purse
supplement in 2002 due to the state's budget deficit.
According to statistics provided by the track, average daily handle through Nov. 2 has declined more than 13%, with the only bright spot being Tuesday cards. This year, Tuesday cards were switched from night to afternoon, and the total handle surged by 90%.
A 100-day meet
all at Monmouth in 2003 would offer daily pots of more than $325,000,
according to the New Jersey THA. That would be the highest in the history
of the track. In 2001, purses were $300,000, but only after the state
legislature approved a purse supplement. This year, purses averaged
$269,000 at Monmouth.
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New Jersey Bill Allowing Horsemen On Commission Goes To Governor
Oceanport Racing Report.com
Howard Bass, of The Thoroughbred Times is reporting the bill enabling horsemen to sit on the New Jersey Racing Commission passed the state Senate on Thursday, 24-7, with nine abstentions. The same bill passed the Assembly, 71-4, on Monday. Governor James McGreevey now has 45 days to act upon the bill or it becomes law.
The measure had stalled in the Senate on October 7 after failing to garner any Democratic votes. It was later passed after being amended to force horsemen to give up their New Jersey racing licenses and to guarantee Monmouth County at least one commissioner. The Assembly then removed the licensing amendment and sent it back to the Senate. The makeup of the new nine-member commission must have five of one party and four of the other party, at least one commissioner from Monmouth County, at least two from southern New Jersey counties, and two each representing Thoroughbred and Standardbred interests.
___________________________________
Commission Bill To Allow Horsemen Passes
By Paul T. Grimm
Oceanport Racing Report.com
Howard Bass, of The Thoroughbred Times is reporting that a bill which would allow horseman to sit on the New Jersey Racing Commission passed by a vote of 37-0 on Monday (10/7) in the New Jersey State Senate after being amended to force such appointees of that commission to surrender their New Jersey racing licenses. A second amendment added guarantees that at least one seat on the nine-member commission would be given to a member representing Monmouth County, home of two of the state’s racetracks (Monmouth Park & Freehold Raceway).
The Assembly version of the bill, an identical bill minus the amendments, failed to pass the Senate last week and was then withdrawn from consideration in the Assembly on Monday. The Assembly version of the bill was to be changed to mirror the Senate version and then brought to a vote on Thursday (10/10).
If passed, the bill is expected to be signed by existing Governor, James McGreevey. The existing commission is expected to remain until McGreevey chooses a new commission.
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Bill To Allow Horsemen on NJ Racing Commission Fails
By Paul T. Grimm
Oceanport Racing Report.com
Howard Bass, of The Thoroughbred Times, has reported that bill, S1038, a bill to have two Thoroughbred and Standardbred horsemen sit on the nine-member racing commission fell one vote short of passage in the State Senate on September 30, 2002. This would be the second time a bill of this nature has fallen short of passage as a similar bill raised last spring garnered 17 of the necessary 21 votes needed for passage.
Senator Richard Codey (D-Essex) told the Times, This is, unfortunately, the second time this bill has come before us in its present form". Codey is said to be one of the bill's most staunch opponents. His belief is that it would be a conflict of interest for those who make the regulations to be regulated by them as well.
The vote saw all 20 Republican senators vote for the bill while 10 democrats voted against as nine withheld their votes. One senator was absent for the vote.
"We're not giving up because we think it's vital to the industry," said Barbara DeMarco, the lobbyist for the New Jersey Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association. "We had 17 votes last time and 20 today. Only one more to go."
Supporters of the bill had hoped that Governor James McGreevey would lend his support to the bill to swing the vote needed to pass the measure, but due to the untimely events surrounding the withdrawal of U.S. Senator Robert Torricelli from his current senatorial campaign, over ethics concerns, the Governor was unavailable to be present to give a boost to help pass the bill.
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September 21, 2002
Slot Amendment Seeks To Add Slots at New Jersey Race Tracks
By Paul T. Grimm
Oceanport Racing Report.com
Tom De Martini, of The Thoroughbred Times, is reporting that an Amendment to New Jersey's constitution that would allow slot-machines at New Jersey race-tracks was proposed to the state's Tourism and Gaming Committee during a meeting on Thursday (9/19/02) in Trenton. Backers of slot machines at New Jersey's race tracks have expressed concern over the economic health of the industry and that a slot revenue stream is important for additional funding. While the amendment was proposed no date was set for the for the committee to vote for the possibility of sending the amendment to the legislative floor.
The Thoroughbred Times reports that statistics presented to the committee illustrated the economic decline of the state's racing industry over the last six years. In 2001, a total of $302-million was wagered on racing in the state, and that figure has decreased 35% since 1997. Attendance has declined 30% since 1997, to less than $2-million per year. Racing Supporters expressed their concern to the committee stating that slot machines would be needed if the industry is to survive. With regional tracks such as Delaware Park and New York having slots already, or in the process of obtaining slots, along with the possibility of Pennsylvania approving a measure after their November elections, New Jersey racing will need an infusion of new revenue streams.
"Our industry is dying in New Jersey," Barbara DeMarco Reiche, a lobbyist for the New Jersey Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association told The Thoroughbred Times. "First and foremost, it's the size of the purses. Horses follow the money." Assemblyman John Wisniewski (D-Middlesex), assistant majority leader and a co-sponsor of the amendment, tried to curb fears of the powerful South Jersey casino lobby. "In my opinion, you're never going to hurt casinos by putting slots at tracks. Slots at the Delaware tracks have not stopped people from going to Atlantic City," Wisniewski said.
Monmouth Park and the Meadowlands, both operated by the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority, garner an approximate annual profit of $20-million dollars. Those funds are used to cover red ink stemming from the Authority's National Basketball Association and National Hockey League franchises. Other proponents of the amendment noted the jobs and open space preservation that the industry provides.
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Monmouth Park Replay Show Without A Home For 2002 Season
By Paul T. Grimm
Oceanport Racing Report.com
Due to the failure of the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority and Comcast Cablevision to come to an agreement regarding contract terms the replay show for Monmouth Park will not be televised this season. Instead fans will be able to access the Monmouth Park daily live feed via their website at www.monmoutpark.com for live racing action as well as archived races from the entire season. Comcast previously aired Monmouth Park replays the last two years during the 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. hours in the evening. However, due to the increased programming on the cable giant the Authority was only offered time slots in the 1 a.m. to 2 a.m. hours to the dissatisfaction of the officials at the Authority.
Bill Knauf, Monmouth media and marketing manager, commented to Thoroughbred Times, "We want to be on [television] and we want to be seen, but we think those time slots are unacceptable, especially at the same price we paid last year... We might have considered it if [Comcast] had committed to the same time every night, so people could set VCRs. We're going to try to get on the New Jersey Network [a PBS affiliate] next year when they unveil a new channel. It is difficult when you are in a metropolitan area with about 12 professional sports team to compete with for airtime."
In the interim Monmouth Fans will need to access the Park's site to see all the racing action. In the fall, The Meadowlands will be shown regularly on Fox Sports New York beginning September 2.
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Jersey Horsemen and Rep. Pallone File Amendment To Interstate Horseracing Act
By Paul T. Grimm
Oceanport Racing Report.com
On May 9, 2002, U.S. Representative, Frank Pallone (D-NJ), introduced an Amendment to the United States House of Representatives that would amend the Interstate Horseracing Act of 1978. The Interstate Horseracing Act of 1978 governs all facets of interstate wagering. With the ever present threat of internet gambling the act was amended during the 2000 legislative session to protect existing practices regarding pari-mutual wagering, in the process the racing industry pushed hard to protect account wagering which has become a standard in many racing jurisdictions.
The Act governs all simulcasting, a major revenue generator of track handle for many tracks in the United States. The act currently stipulates that the state sending a signal out of state for simulcasting purposes need have an agreement with its own state horsemen's group over the rights and revenues to be derived from that signal. Pallone's amendment would require that a simulcasting agreement be reached with horsemen's groups from the receiving state for out-of-state simulcast signals. The amendment would give rights not only to the host horsemen's association (the signal exporter) but also to the off-track horsemen's association (the signal importer). Pallone's bill was been referred to the Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection on May 17, after urging from the New Jersey Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association. Dennis Drazin, legislative council for the New Jersey horsemen, said the amendment is designed to protect live racing. He further commented, "The interpretation we give to the statute is that when you are racing live at a particular track, you have control of the signal going out of the track and into the track." Drazin refers to the bill as a "live racing protection bill." He went on to comment, "From our perspective, we think we would like to prevent the future of racing to be all on TVs. If simulcasting becomes even more prevalent, you could have a situation where there is no live racing. We just want to make sure everyone is on the same page....It is designed to protect horsemen in the state that takes in the signal so they will have the ability to live race. You might not have that someday. This is something that Representative Pallone felt was important to our industry and put it in the legislation."
NTRA Deputy Commissioner, Greg Avioli, would not comment on the bill in its current form as he was not aware of all the details. He is currently in the process of contacting the New Jersey Horsemen's group about the particulars. The bill will probably not be moved ahead in this session of Congress. Avioli would say, "[The amendment] would add another layer of approval, but I can't speculate".
The New Jersey Horsemen in recent months have been embroiled in a major fight with the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority (Operators of The Meadowlands and Monmouth Park) over live racing dates and the implementation of phone account wagering in the state. The Horsemen believe that racing in its state needs protection, and this proposed amendment of the Interstate Horseracing Act would give them more authority when it comes to signals being imported to a track in the state to protect live racing dates as opposed to ultimately phasing out live race meets.
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Monmouth/Shore Season Starts Early
By Karen M. Johnson Daily Racing Form
When racing returns to the Jersey Shore on Saturday, Monmouth
Park hopes to ride the wave that brought the track across-the-board
records in purses, handle, and attendance last year.
After a long battle between horsemen and the New Jersey Sports
and Exposition Authority, which owns Monmouth Park and The Meadowlands,
141 live racing days, up from 120 in 2001, will be held in the state this
year.
The extra days allow Monmouth Park, in Oceanport, to open its
doors earlier than usual for its 57th meet and offer 78 days of racing, up
six from last year.
Monmouth will race nine days in May, including the next three
weekends and Memorial Day. The schedule will be Wednesday through Sunday
in June and July. For a two-week period in August, the track will race six
days a week.
"I have high expectations for this meeting, starting with a
strong opening," said Bob Kulina, Monmouth Park's vice president of racing
and general manager. "The two early weekends, particularly Preakness
weekend, should be very good."
The opening-day feature is a $50,000 overnight handicap for
statebred filly and mare sprinters.
The $1 million Haskell Invitational on Aug. 4 is the highlight
of a $5.75 million stakes schedule. Last year, Point Given, who later was
crowned Horse of the Year, won the Grade 1 Haskell before an announced
crowd of 47,127, largest in track history.
Another important stakes is the $250,000 Monmouth Park Oaks,
which will be run on Aug. 17. The last two fillies to win the Oaks, Spain
and Unbridled Elaine, went on to capture the Breeders' Cup Distaff. The
$500,000 United
Nations, a Grade 1 for turf runners, is scheduled for July 6.
Last year, the average overnight purse distribution reached an
all-time high of $301,000, thanks to nearly $12 million in purse
supplements from the state. Sean Greely, Monmouth Park's racing secretary,
anticipates purses this year will be "about $325,000 a day, including
stakes."
Look Out Coa, Bravo's Back
Last year's ontrack rivalry between riders Joe Bravo and Eibar
Coa at Monmouth Park came to abrupt end when Bravo was injured in a spill.
The battle resumes on Saturday when the track opens its doors for its 2002
meet.
Bravo, a winner of eight Monmouth Park riding titles, suffered
multiple leg fractures in the July 27 spill. At the time of the accident,
Bravo led Coa by one winner. Coa went on to win his first Monmouth Park
title and Bravo hung
on for third, despite missing more than a month of the meet.
The injury to his leg was so severe that Bravo didn't make his
comeback until March at Gulfstream Park.
Bravo, 30, is filled with enthusiasm for his return to Monmouth
Park.
"I feel like a bug boy," Bravo said Thursday. "I'm more excited
than I can remember about riding and getting back to my job."
Bravo said although no jockey wishes to be sidelined by injury,
his time away from the track turned out to be a blessing in disguise.
"I had been doing the same thing for 15 years, day in and day
out, and I was getting a little sour," Bravo said. "I feel super now and
can't wait to ride at Monmouth because it's home for me."
Worms Not Asked Back
Last year, Monmouth Park had to close its turf course for
several days and limit turf racing for several weeks in July because of a
bizarre infestation of army worms that also struck Saratoga Racecourse in
upstate New York. This year, Monmouth officials do not expect the same
problem. But who would?
"Hopefully, the worms were just a freak thing, but if it happens
again, we'll know what to do with them," said Bob Kulina, Monmouth's vice
president for racing. "We've got the pesticides and any other thing we
need to take care of them."
Army worms - which are not worms at all, but caterpillars - are
notorious in the Midwest for ruining corn and wheat fields, but they don't
do much damage to grass except feed on chlorophyll, which is responsible
for the turf
course's green color and healthy appearance.
Despite the patchy brown appearance, Kulina said that the track
suffered no long-term damage from the infestation, and this year, the
course is in great shape.
"The turf course is fine," Kulina said. "It's green and healthy
and we should have no problems."
Kulina said that one-third of the turf course was resodded in
the off-season, including the parts that were most dramatically affected
by the army worms.
Monmouth has scheduled no turf races for opening weekend, and
Kulina said turf racing won't get into high gear until Memorial Day, May
27. Two Thoroughbred turf races will be run at the Meadowlands on both May
15 and
May 16, as part of an experimental Thoroughbred-harness card at
that track.
Telephone betting won't be ready till October
Monmouth officials say they are currently working as quickly as
possible to get an account-wagering operation up and running in the state.
Despite the efforts, telephone and internet betting probably won't be
available until late
October, the officials said this week.
Account wagering was legalized last year as part of a bill that
also legalized off-track betting. But officials got a late start on the
planning because of a dispute with horsemen over racing dates that would
have jeopardized the
establishment of both systems.
According to Monmouth senior vice president Bruce Garland, track
officials are currently trying to sign other tracks in New Jersey to an
account-wagering participation agreement, which is required by law. After
the agreement is signed, Monmouth can go about creating its own
account-wagering system or contract with another operator, Garland said.
"We're trying to do this the fastest way possible, and we're
still hopeful we can do something before the Breeders' Cup" on Oct. 26,
Garland said.
Hal Handel, the chief executive officer of Philadelphia Park -
which also owns Freehold Raceway, a harness track in New Jersey - said on
Thursday that "discussions have begun in earnest" about Philadelphia Park
operating the
account-wagering system. Philadelphia already owns and operates
Phonebet, a successful telephone and Internet betting system.
* At a ceremony on opening day at the track, Point Given will be
inducted into Monmouth Park's Hall of Champions. Point Given won last
year's Haskell Invitational and was later named Horse of the Year and
champion
3-year-old. Point Given joins, among others, John Henry, Kelso,
Nashua, and Forego in Monmouth Park's Hall of Champions.
* There are several new facilities awaiting fans on opening day,
including the a new simulcast facility on the second floor of the
clubhouse and a bandstand for weekend entertainment, located behind the
grandstand. A modernized
cooling and heating system, which Monmouth Park officials said
cost nearly $9 million, also has been installed.
- additional reporting by Matt Hegarty
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Governor Announces Jersey Budget With Authority Losing Operating Subsidy
By Paul T. Grimm
Oceanport Racing Report.com
In an interesting development New Jersey Governor, James McGreevey, announced today before the state legislature a reduction in the operating subsidy for the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority. The reduction in the subsidy will be part of his cost-cutting proposals to help patch the states projected $3 billion 2003 budget deficit. The New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority, owner and operator of The Meadowlands and Monmouth Park, will have its operating subsidy cut by more than half as the state moves to not only balance the budget but find a more productive revenue generating concept for the beleaguered Meadowlands complex.
Since his inauguration McGreevey, who during his campaign courted the vote of New Jersey horseman, has since managed to cut not only the $11 million purse subsidy but has now managed to cut the budget of the owner and operator of the tracks at which those horseman run. McGreevey appointed George Zoffinger, on March 22, 2002, as president of the NJSEA and has entrusted him with the responsibility of turning the organization and its properties into better revenue generating machines. The Bloodhorse Magazine asked Zoffinger about the moves and he replied, “Of course, bringing in more customers and helping them have fun is only a part of the challenge. The financial structure and the infrastructure are deeper, more complex problems. While the sports authority is a quasi-public entity, it is a business and we need to run it as if our livelihood were dependent on turning a profit; otherwise everyone in the state loses."
In his speech earlier today McGreevey commented on his plans saying:
"This is the first step toward getting our state government out of the sports business. When the sports authority was created, it was created for the right reasons--to help bring professional sports to New Jersey at a time when the private sector would not help. But today, the sports authority and the Meadowlands cost us money. The system is not working for the teams, and it's certainly not working for the taxpayers. In the coming months, we will put forward a long-term plan that keeps all our teams in New Jersey, eliminates the burden on the taxpayer, and finds the best possible use for the Meadowlands site. I am promising you today that the Meadowlands will be developed sensibly and rationally...that it will become an economic engine for the region, and that the polluted sites in the area will be cleaned up."
McGreevey certainly has his work cut out for him considering that just about every team at the Meadowlands is looking for a new stadium, except for The New York Giants. Many teams would have already moved to a stadium in Newark if the funding issues could have been worked out. Compound the issue by the fact that New York Racing Association tracks will soon be getting slots, which will no doubt cut into the profit. In addition, the failure of the Authority and the horseman to get 141 days of live racing, because of purse subsidy cuts, will have an adverse effect because without the 141 live days New Jersey can not get phone account and OTB wagering. So the fans in the garden state lose all the way around as they will probably get mediocre racing at the Meadowlands and due to current state law cannot bet at home over the internet or by phone according to directives of the New Jersey Attorney General’s office.
In the meantime the consequences of this situation will be visual shortly after the start of the Monmouth meeting, which starts in mid May. 2002 racing dates have already been awarded but schedules remain up in the air as racing dates for each venue are still being hashed out between the horseman and the NJSEA.
The Bloodhorse also reports today that Senate president Richard Codey told the Associated Press the NJSEA has been hindered because it also operates convention centers and the New Jersey State Aquarium in South Jersey. Codey said McGreevey should also study the possible sale of the two racetracks it operates, the AP reported.
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New Jersey Supplement Frozen In Budget Quagmire
By PAUL GRIMM Oceanport Racing Report
In a move that was all but inevitable, New Jersey Governor Jim McGreevey has frozen most of the new appropriations that were granted by outgoing Governor Donald Di Francesco before his departure in January. McGreevey scrambling to close New Jersey's budget deficit for 2002, had to make some painful decisions on cuts regarding spending that was appropriated but was not fiscally responsible. Among the cuts were $6.7 million that had been authorized for dam repairs; $3.5 million for the museum at the Battleship New Jersey; $1 million from mobile video recorders for police vehicles; $800,000 from higher education student assistance; and a $6-million subsidy for the horse racing industry. With the supplement now gone the racing landscape in New Jersey has become even murkier since the horsemen and New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority (operators of Monmouth Park & The Meadowlands) could not agree on the number of live racing days before the decision by McGreevey. At the heart of the issue is phone account and OTB wagering that was signed into law by former New Jersey Governor, Christie Whitman, which mandated 141 live racing days in order establish phone account and OTB wagering in the Garden State. After DiFrancesco cut the subsidy the horsemen and The Sports and Exposition Authority chose to disagree on the live racing date issue. The horsemen still wanted 141 live racing days while the Exposition Authority wanted a total more in the neighborhood of 120 days. Officials at the Authority claim that with a smaller purse subsidy they could not sustain a quality race meeting with average purses of over $300,000 per day as was the case in 2001. After such a quality year in 2001 the Authority felt that New Jersey racing would be taking a step backward diluting their product. Horsemen are angry that the live number of racing days are shrinking and that without phone account and OTB wagering a purse increase will not be possible.
Barbara DeMarco-Reiche, lobbyist for the New Jersey Thoroughbred
Horsemen's Association, told The Bloodhorse, "This is just devastating.
But we can't say, 'Why us?' because it happened to everybody."
Officials at The Sports and Exposition Authority believe they can maintain
the momentum of last years success. Bob Kulina, Vice President of
Thoroughbred racing for the NJSEA, told the Bloodhorse, "Our intention is
to maintain the quality of last year's Monmouth Park meet. We know the
direction we went in last year was the right one." Kulina went
on to tell the Bloodhorse that Monmouth would more than likely distribute
close to the $300,000 per
day in purses as announced the week of Feb. 4 even though no
supplement money is available. Although it isn't known what that would do
to the fall Thoroughbred meet at Meadowlands. Bruce Garland,
Executive Vice President of Racing for the NJSEA added, "Monmouth is our
strength, and we're going to build on its foundation, to build on our
strong meet last year. There is no doubt in my mind that we are going to
have another highly successful meet this season."
With the new developments live racing dates will now be even more
important. The New Jersey Racing Commission reduced the 2002 live
racing dates at their January 30, 2002 meeting from 141 to 120 which
prompted the horsemen to file an appeal in State Superior Court's
Appellate Division. Without the subsidy both sides will need to work
in a bi-partisan fashion in order to work out a proper resolution to help
save the ground New Jersey made up in 2001. Bruce Garland told the
Bloodhorse, "We'll all have to sit down (with the horsemen) and consider
what our options are......We should be thinking about it, because quality
racing dates and purse levels are all connected." Garland met with
Dennis Drazin, counsel for the New Jersey THA, February 11 and commented
the following on that meeting, "I would call the meeting very productive.
At the time we met we had learned that the purse supplement was history.
Hopefully this cooperative spirit will continue."
As previously reported The Reeve Schley Stakes, a $100,000 event for 3-year-old fillies, will be discontinued after loosing its graded status. The money from the Schley will be transferred to the purse for the United Nations Handicap, one of two Grade I races in New Jersey. The other being the $1-million Haskell Invitational Handicap Aug. 4 at Monmouth.
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Other Stakes Take Hit To Save U.N.
By MATT HEGARTY Daily Racing Form
Monmouth Park has trimmed one stakes race and a total of
$300,000 in stakes purses from its 2002 meet in order to maintain the
$500,000 purse of the Grade 1 United Nations Handicap, according to the
stakes schedule released Monday.
Four of the track's Grade 3 races were each targeted for $50,000
cuts. The Red Bank Handicap, Jersey Derby, Sapling Stakes, and Sorority
Stakes will each have a purse of $100,000, down from $150,000 last
year.
In addition, the Reeve Schley Jr. Stakes, a $100,000 race last
year for 3-year-old fillies on turf, has been canceled, giving the New
Jersey track a 15-stakes schedule in 2002 worth $3.4 million, compared
with 16 stakes
worth $3.7 million last year.
Bob Kulina, Monmouth's director of racing, said the track made
the cuts to the Grade 3 races rather than jeopardize the image of the
United Nations, one of only two Grade 1 races in New Jersey. The other is
Monmouth's centerpiece, the Haskell Invitational Handicap, which will be
run Aug. 4 with a purse of $1 million.
"We kind of had to rob Peter in order to pay Paul," Kulina said.
"We only have two of these in the state, and I felt it was important to
shift the money around. We don't want to put the United Nations in
jeopardy of losing its grade."
The Reeve Schley Jr. Stakes was downgraded at the end of last
year by the American Graded Stakes Committee. Kulina said he may create an
overnight stakes for 3-year-old fillies on the turf to fill in the gap.
"Honestly, the race had been in trouble for years," Kulina said.
"With it being downgraded this year, it just didn't work to keep it
going."
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February 8, 2002
New Jersey Horsemen File Lawsuit
By MATT HEGARTY Daily Racing Form
New
Jersey horsemen have challenged the state racing commission's decision
last week to approve a 121-day racing schedule, calling the allotment a
violation of state law in a suit filed late last week in state superior
court.
The lawsuit underlines the increasingly fractious relationship
between the New Jersey Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association and the state's
racetracks and regulators. The dispute threatens to deprive New Jersey
racing fans of simulcasting beginning as early as May, when the Triple
Crown races start.
Horsemen were infuriated last week when the commission approved
121 live racing dates, well short of the 141-date requirement for the
state's racetracks to launch an offtrack betting and telephone-wagering
system. The decision was supported by the New Jersey Sports and
Exposition Authority, which will run 120 of the dates at its Monmouth Park
and The Meadowlands. Atlantic City will run the other live date.
Frank Zanzuccki, the commission's executive director, said on
Thursday that the state attorney general's office is preparing a response
to the horsemen's lawsuit. A summary motion requested by the horsemen is
scheduled to be heard on Feb. 25 in the appellate division of the New
Jersey State Superior Court.
Zanzuccki defended the commission's decision, calling it "in
the best interests of New Jersey racing" because it would allow Monmouth
and The Meadowlands to distribute more than $300,000 a day in purses, he
said.
Zanzuccki also said in an earlier interview that regulators
were concerned the racing product would suffer this year because horsemen
are not expected to receive a $11.7 million purse supplement from the
state, as they did last year.
The legal counsel for the horsemen, Dennis Drazin, said
Wednesday night that they plan to file another lawsuit within the next
three weeks challenging the constitutionality of a 1990 state law that
allows for full-card simulcasting. If successful, the lawsuit would
prevent any out-of-state simulcasts from being broadcast in the state,
Drazin said.
Drazin said the horsemen want the law declared unconstitutional
to force the legislature to pass a new simulcasting law, one in which
revenues from simulcasting are divided based on handle by breed.
Simulcasting revenues are currently divided 65-35 in favor of
Thoroughbreds, although handle in the state in 2001 was split 86-14 in
favor of Thoroughbreds.
"If we got those percentages," Drazin said, "we wouldn't need
to get a purse supplement from the state to keep our purses up." Drazin
called the current splits a "subsidy" to harness horsemen.
If an agreement is not reached between horsemen and the tracks
on racing dates, Drazin said, the horsemen plan to block Monmouth Park
from sending its signal out of state when the track's meet begins in May.
____________________________________
January 30, 2002
Simulcasts Threatened In Jersey
By MATT HEGARTY Daily Racing Form
Simulcasting may be shut down in New Jersey because of a
dispute over racing days between horsemen and racetracks. Officials of the
New Jersey Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association raised that possibility
Wednesday after the New Jersey Racing Commission approved 121 live racing
dates for 2002, well short of a 141-date legal requirement to take
offtrack wagers.
The commission gave 76 days to Monmouth, 44 days to The
Meadowlands, and one to Atlantic City, although nine of Monmouth's days
will be considered part of Atlantic City's meet. Monmouth and The
Meadowlands are owned by the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority, a
state agency.
Dennis Drazin, the horsemen's legislative counsel, said
Wednesday that the commission "was ignoring the requirements of the law,"
and that horsemen were "prepared to go to war."
"We are taking this to appeal, we are going to file a lawsuit,
and we are not going to allow any simulcasting to go on this year," Drazin
said. By law, all simulcast signals must be approved by the horsemen's
association. Commission and authority officials could not be reached for
comment late Wednesday.
The 141-date requirement was included in legislation passed
last year that approved offtrack and telephone wagering. Drazin said that
Bruce Garland, vice president for racing of the authority, told
commissioners that it had no plans to open OTB parlors or a
telephone-wagering operation in 2002, making the requirement moot.
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