NEW JERSEY RACING: Major date cuts, Swamp closure?

[freddymo]

Originally Posted by Kasept

As New Jersey Tightens Its Belt, the Racing Industry Holds Its Breath
By BILL FINLEY
Published: January 30, 2010

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/31/sp....html?emc=eta1

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Meadowlands Racetrack has had some of the highest-quality harness racing in the country and dozens of the sport’s most important races. But in recent years, the track has become a money-losing drain on the state of New Jersey, which now threatens its survival.

John Campbell, the leading driver in career wins and earnings at Meadowlands, said that “anybody who takes this report lightly is sadly mistaken.” Campbell said, “The governor put the committee together for a reason, and if this is what they are recommending, this is a scary situation.”

Mike Gulotta, a harness horse breeder, was the only member of the 13-member committee with ties to the racing industry, which, some critics maintain, is why the final report held out so little promise for the industry.

“The report favored what has traditionally been the casino’s position, which is nothing for horse racing,” said Barbara DeMarco, a lobbyist who represents thoroughbred owners, trainers and breeders in the state.

“Everybody understands the situation and how serious it is,” said Bob Kulina, the general manager for thoroughbred racing at Monmouth and Meadowlands. “What we have to do now is come up with some sort of solution.”

Atlantic City can not compete with Slots in Pa. NY. CT and De. and perhaps Md. soon. AC needs to funnel as much money as they can back into their core business. The whole city depends on the success of those casinos (unfortunately). The horses will find homes were there are dollars available and the drivers will go there to drive them. I really don't get the worry unless your John Cambell and dont feel like moving your family etc. As for the beautiful Monmouth, They can develop a wonderful short boutique meet jammed with bigger fields and higher purses. Those dates will become important and we will see nice full fields with purses that work for the quality of horse that will train and race those 10 weeks.

Remember the Hamiltonian moved to Meadowlands, the Cane Pace and Messenger moved.. Tracks close all the time this is nothing new..

[pointman]

The Meadowlands was a big part of the reason that Roosevelt Raceway closed down and Yonkers nearly did. For once, Jersey can't try to steal money from New York at the Meadowlands because of their refusal to compete against Atlantic City. As Freddy rightly says, if the Meadowlands closes down both the Thoroughbred and Harness industry will disperse to surrounding states. Yonkers likely will be the big beneficiary and be restored back to the status it should be as the premier Harness racing facility in the U.S. (though I wish they could install a mile track or at least a 5/8 track as it creates more interesting betting races than a 1/2 mile track) and regain some of the races that should be in New York anyway, such as the Messinger and the Cane Pace.

This is the unfortunate reality of the racing business, but some contraction of racing facilities is not necessarily bad for the sport. As for John Campbell, he's rode at Yonkers as well when the money is right and a few miles over the George Washington Bridge to Yonkers will not kill him. Hopefully Monmouth will survive as that is a truly nice facility. However, the reality is that unless these facilities can find a way to be profitable, their end is only a matter of time.

[freddymo]

Originally Posted by pointman

The Meadowlands was a big part of the reason that Roosevelt Raceway closed down and Yonkers nearly did. For once, Jersey can't try to steal money from New York at the Meadowlands because of their refusal to compete against Atlantic City. As Freddy rightly says, if the Meadowlands closes down both the Thoroughbred and Harness industry will disperse to surrounding states. Yonkers likely will be the big beneficiary and be restored back to the status it should be as the premiere Harness racing facility in the U.S. (though I wish they could install a mile track or at least a 5/8 track as it creates more interesting betting races than a 1/2 mile track) and regain some of the races that should be in New York anyway, such as the Messinger and the Cane Pace.

This is the unfortunate reality of the racing business, but some contraction of racing facilities is not necessarily bad for the sport. As for John Campbell, he's rode at Yonkers as well when the money is right and a few miles over the George Washington Bridge to Yonkers will not kill him. Hopefully Monmouth will survive as that is a truly nice facility. However, the reality is that unless these facilities can find a way to be profitable, their end is only a matter of time.

There end needs to come.. They developed a business on the premise that casino dollars would never be at risk and they would continue to flow like milk and honey.. Sorry

I live in the heart of standardbred country and grew up going to the track (freehold) everyday of my life.. Watched Skip by Night, Willow Wiper, fan Hanover, Genghis Khan, My Bill Forward and others in the same dam race. It was electric stuff that the sport failed to capitalize on. The NJSS program was a gold mine for horseman.. Now the gold is gone and things have to change..

Monmouth isnt going anywhere and if they shorten the meet and significantly invest the purses back into the track and horseman wil become an awesome meet that the shore looks forward to in a big way.. Monmouth has a lot going for it IF it plays its cards right.. Monmouth is a great alternative to Belmont and Saratoga any horseman would rather race in West Long Branch instead of Philly IF the purses are close..Which they could be if they race fewer dates