Panel approves legislation for less NJ race dates

The Assembly Tourism and Gaming Committee unanimously approved today legislation sponsored by Assemblyman Ronald S. Dancer that aims to draw more interest in horse racing by allowing the Meadowlands Racetrack and Freehold Raceway to hold fewer standardbred racing dates.

“This would inject some much-needed supply and demand into our state’s horse racing industry,” Dancer, R-Ocean, Burlington, Mercer and Monmouth, said. “Reducing the required number of dates for standardbred racing would mean more races per day and increased field sizes, which would preserve jobs by creating more interest in wagering and larger purses for horsemen.

“This is truly a case where less is more,” Dancer added.

The legislation, A-3879, would permit the two venues to hold fewer dates with permission from horsemen’s organizations. The minimum number of standardbred dates could be lowered from 151 to 141 at the Meadowlands and 192 to 168 at Freehold upon agreement from the tracks and horsemen organizations. Both groups support the legislation, which has bipartisan support from Dancer and Assembly Tourism chairman John Burzichelli, D-Gloucester.

Freehold Raceway estimates the reduction could generate $7.5 million more in wagers when it is losing horsemen to increased competition from other states such as New York, Pennsylvania and Delaware.

“We must provide the tools for New Jersey horse racing to remain competitive before it becomes yet another chapter in New Jersey’s history of businesses that have left for other states,” Dancer said. “It is too important to our state’s economy and heritage.” AREP can be reached via email at ARepOffice@njleg.org.

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