Maryland legislator trying to help save Rosecroft

Legislation calling for separate Thoroughbred and Standardbred racing commissions in Maryland is facing opposition from the state’s Thoroughbred industry, according to the sponsor of the bill.

 

C. Anthony Muse, a Maryland state senator for the 26th legislative district—where Rosecroft Raceway is located—wrote a letter to Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley on March 26, asking for him to remove the current racing commission chairman from his post.

 

Muse’s letter states that the present chairman of the commission, John B. Franzone, is in the process of serving his third consecutive term as chairman of the commission, which is a violation of Maryland Business Code. The Business Code states that the term for the chairman of the Racing Commission is one year and not more than two consecutive terms.

 

In addition, Muse notes that only one member of the current commission has “significant Standardbred experience and participation in the Standardbred industry,” and asks that this situation be corrected immediately.