Something smells bad in N.J.

[richard burch]

SBOANJ STATEMENT ON MEETINGS WITH GOVERNOR CHRISTIE’S OFFICE
MANALAPAN, NJ – December 2, 2010 --

After extensive meetings this week with the office of Governor Chris Christie, Standardbred Breeders & Owners Association of New Jersey President Tom Luchento is extremely optimistic that there will be racing at the Meadowlands in 2011, starting in January.

"We have had extensive and productive meetings with the Governor's office and should have more details soon," said Luchento. "We are pleased with progress that was achieved this week."


-Submitted by Carol Hodes for the SBOANJ

[richard burch]

Originally Posted by Holland Hacker

This legislation, make the legislators are idiotic. Why on earth would a non-resident want to open a NJ ADW account on a platform that crashes on major days, provides no incentives to the players is beyond me. I live in NJ and only have an account because it is my only legal option. It is really sad what has happend to racing in NJ. I know there has been a downward trend in racing nationally but I would like to see how much the states's ownership of the tracks in NJ has exacerbated the decline. Monmouth was a much better track before the NJSEA took it over.

Trenton doesn't have a clue about horse racing which was evidenced by what Codey said about the track having a "bad day" based on the racing results. I think it was in the bill for combining betting pools, not sure I even understood what the point of the bill was.

It will be interesting to see how long racing actually survives in NJ, I give it an over under of 5 years.

OK enough venting for now.

someone told me codey's brother owns freehold.

[rkinnin]

I must admit that I have been away from the day-to-day operations of horse racing for the last year.

But today I got an earful from a good friend who lives in NJ. He is a HUGE harness fan spanning over 40 years.

As an industry we can not let the Meadowlands close down. I told Jim that I look at the Meadowlands as the primer harness track in the entire country. Only the best drivers, horses and trainers participate there.

Meadowlands racing brings in a ton of money to the economy not to mention payroll and payroll taxes.

Please tell me that its not too late and that the Meadowlands is not on the chopping block and most importantly that its stardom will regain fire again.

[MaTH716]

Originally Posted by rkinnin

I must admit that I have been away from the day-to-day operations of horse racing for the last year.

But today I got an earful from a good friend who lives in NJ. He is a HUGE harness fan spanning over 40 years.

As an industry we can not let the Meadowlands close down. I told Jim that I look at the Meadowlands as the primer harness track in the entire country. Only the best drivers, horses and trainers participate there.
Meadowlands racing brings in a ton of money to the economy not to mention payroll and payroll taxes.

Please tell me that its not too late and that the Meadowlands is not on the chopping block and most importantly that its stardom will regain fire again.

That boat has sailed. I was there Saturday night and it's pretty depresing what that place has become. My company had our Christmas party in the Pegusus, which in years past has always be very lively because of the amount of people up there. This year the place was empty, it was like a morge up there and to make matters worse the racing was pretty lousey as well. It seems like Yonkers is now the place to be.

[rkinnin]

Originally Posted by MaTH716

That boat has sailed. I was there Saturday night and it's pretty depresing what that place has become. My company had our Christmas party in the Pegusus, which in years past has always be very lively because of the amount of people up there. This year the place was empty, it was like a morge up there and to make matters worse the racing was pretty lousey as well. It seems like Yonkers is now the place to be.

My friend Jim told me the same thing about Meadowlands. He told me to pull up the entries and asked me if I knew any of the drivers. Four drivers I knew. Then he told me to look at the Purses per race - WOW....low.

Then he told me to go to Yonkers and the same examination.

What a role reversal!

Do drivers care if they do two turns or four turns?? It would seem not.

Staying in NJ for a moment...what does the future hold for Monmouth and also for Freehold?

[richard burch]

i'm still going to the xmas party there saturday night. i hope it's not the last day of racing forever.

[richard burch]

Originally Posted by rkinnin

My friend Jim told me the same thing about Meadowlands. He told me to pull up the entries and asked me if I knew any of the drivers. Four drivers I knew. Then he told me to look at the Purses per race - WOW....low.

Then he told me to go to Yonkers and the same examination.

What a role reversal!

Do drivers care if they do two turns or four turns?? It would seem not.

Staying in NJ for a moment...what does the future hold for Monmouth and also for Freehold?

drivers don't care about the turns, they care about the purse money. however i believe it takes a little while for them to get accustomed to the 1/2 mile tracks.

brennan seems to have figured it out at yonkers but i still favor the guys like bartlett and manzi who have more experience with the tighter turns and more importantly when to make your move.