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Originally Posted by ddthetide
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I couldn't disagree with you more, Darrin.
Once all of the slots facilities are up and running, there is going to be a glut of purse money to hand out in MD. And given the matching funds (up to $40million/yr) that will be available for facility renewal, there is now no excuse for Magna not to be able to run their racetracks.
We did not need slots at Laurel Park to save racing there. I'm glad Magna/MJC and Penn National Gaming won't be allowed to have slots at Laurel. I want them to run a racetrack, not a slots parlor. And don't anyone fool yourselves to think MJC/PNG was in this to help MD racing - they were in it to help themselves with racing being the necessary evil they would have to put up with in order to profit from slots.
Tom Chuckas' statements days before the election were shameful. MJC can not close Bowie without legislative approval. MJC can not run Laurel as an OTB without approval from the Horseman's Association because the MTHA controls the simulcast signals. MJC can not reduce to just 40 days of racing without approval from the Maryland Racing Commission and MTHA. Any thoughts of running a 40 day super-meet, a la Monmouth, guts what is left of the MD breeding industry, kills the MD Million, and erases the small trainers and owners. I don't think MTHA will let that happen - and yet given Richard Hoffeberger's ineptitude......
One final thing - the legislation associated with the Nov 2008 State Referendum on slots states the following:
Conditions of eligibility for funding under Racetrack Facility Renewal Account:
- live racing:
1. for Laurel Park and Pimlico – minimum of 220 live race days unless otherwise agreed by track licensee and MTHA (no reference to MHBA)
If MJC really wants to cut their throat, they'll throw away the chance for the Facility Renewal money by not being able to reach agreement with MTHA on the number of racing days. While I think 220 days of live racing in MD is unrealistic, I do think there's room for negotiations that will allow up to the current number of days (120) which would mean Laurel remains open.