Live racing expected to resume at Meadowlands Racetrack Jan. 6

[Brush and Crush]

BY JOHN BRENNAN

The Meadowlands Racetrack is expected to resume live racing on Jan. 6, even if the state can't solve its impasse over a private takeover planned for Monmouth Park.
 
The Meadowlands Racetrack Tom Luchento, president of the state Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association, said Thursday that he has been promised by thoroughbred industry officials that they would not object to the Meadowlands offering racing as well as simulcasting of out-of-state thoroughbred races.

That was confirmed by John Forbes, the president of the state Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association.

"We're not going to interfere in any way there," Forbes said. "We don't have any problems with the harness side."

An agreement to have Resorts Atlantic City co-owner Morris Bailey take over operations at Monmouth Park was not finalized as scheduled last week, after the thoroughbred horsemen protested the withdrawal of a provision that the horsemen would obtain the rights to a permit to run thoroughbred races at the Meadowlands.

A preliminary deal between the horsemen and the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority was reached on June 21 with that provision, which was reaffirmed in a court settlement between the parties in November.

Forbes has said the permit would allow the horsemen to run a handful of extra dates at Monmouth Park under the Meadowlands permit if outside funding could be found. State officials told the horsemen that the state Attorney General's office was "uncomfortable" with the transfer of the permit.

Governor Christie on Monday called the horsemen "untrustworthy" for not signing off on the revised deal.

Bailey's attorney, Ronald Riccio, said earlier this week that Bailey was no longer interested in a deal after the talks collapsed. Forbes said that his group had offered to step in instead, but that Christie administration officials rejected the offer.

The state has a framework for a tentative agreement with real estate executive Jeff Gural to take over operations at the Meadowlands on Dec. 24. Luchento said that "only a few wrinkles" remained to be settled. Christie said earlier this week that the thoroughbred horsemen will have only until Monday to "come to their senses" and accept the terms.

Neither Christie nor sports authority president Dennis Robinson, however, have guaranteed that the Meadowlands deal will be signed even if the Monmouth Park plans fall through.

"The incentive is there for all of us to get a deal done, and we are working on it," Robinson said. "Our intent still is to get both deals completed."

[pezz97]

 

[Brush and Crush]

   can't wait

[Yeah Baby]

Good stuff....

[thebigm]

Great news! I just hope that we see full fields!

[PerfectPiercePiloting]

Meadowlands won't ever be the same. Back in the day you used to have full fields where you could make a case for almost every horse in the race. Now a days the product is so watered down, half the fields don't stand a chance. I'm not even sure getting slots would help, sure the purses would be back where they belong but there are plenty of other places to race at with strong purses and easier competition.

[Jeremy]

Meadowlands won't ever be the same. Back in the day you used to have full fields where you could make a case for almost every horse in the race. Now a days the product is so watered down, half the fields don't stand a chance. I'm not even sure getting slots would help, sure the purses would be back where they belong but there are plenty of other places to race at with strong purses and easier competition.

As someone that had the name Delicious Cheese Danish, you might want to shorten your name because its a pain to login

[NIATROSS]

Meadowlands won't ever be the same. Back in the day you used to have full fields where you could make a case for almost every horse in the race. Now a days the product is so watered down, half the fields don't stand a chance. I'm not even sure getting slots would help, sure the purses would be back where they belong but there are plenty of other places to race at with strong purses and easier competition.

If the purses returned to hgherr levels and full fields the wagering would rise to close to previous levels.
Harness bettors love betting the full mile tracks.

[PerfectPiercePiloting]

If the purses returned to hgherr levels and full fields the wagering would rise to close to previous levels.
Harness bettors love betting the full mile tracks.

The races still have to be competitive. If you have full fields where only 3-4 horses can win then it's still not what it used to be. Too many other tracks close by are running the same conditions.

[NIATROSS]

The races still have to be competitive. If you have full fields where only 3-4 horses can win then it's still not what it used to be. Too many other tracks close by are running the same conditions.

I agree about the competitive part.
If the day ever comes that they do get slots their pursee will surpass any other racino.That would bring back more horses and better betting also.

Do I think all this will happen ? Sadly  I do not

[pezz97]

I agree about the competitive part.
If the day ever comes that they do get slots their pursee will surpass any other racino.That would bring back more horses and better betting also.

Do I think all this will happen ? Sadly  I do not

I think they will have slots there in time for the super bowl in 2014

[careless hal]

ITS outing, Super Bowl 2014, football, horses, slots--what more could a man want?   

[Wilderness]

Pocono and Chester were alternating 60k Opens, which Yonkers never approached.

 The Meadowlands would need to sustain at lest 75k opens (or higher) for a long period of time, and even then, the PA tracks would simply increase their purses.

 Yonkers has the capability to blow them all away.

[Jeremy]

Pocono and Chester were alternating 60k Opens, which Yonkers never approached.

 The Meadowlands would need to sustain at lest 75k opens (or higher) for a long period of time, and even then, the PA tracks would simply increase their purses.

 Yonkers has the capability to blow them all away.

but by 2014 the PA tracks won't be giving as much to the horsemen. 

[Wilderness]

but by 2014 the PA tracks won't be giving as much to the horsemen.

 The VLT revenue was reduced by 34 % when the table games were added (a year or two ago).

 Is there another reduction scheduled?