SBOANJ asks racing commission to sanction Freehold

The Standardbred Breeders & Owners Association of New Jersey (SBOANJ) Thursday called on the state’s Racing Commission to take sanctions against the owners of Freehold Raceway for actions highly detrimental to racing by refusing to sign the current casino purse supplement agreement.

SBOANJ president Tom Luchento noted that the supplement agreement would provide $1.6 million in additional purse money for the rest of this year and an estimated $2.6 million in both 2009 and 2010.  His criticism is aimed at Pennwood, the Pennsylvania-based corporate partnership which consists of Penn National Gaming and Greenwood Racing, but noted that it is Penn Gaming that is refusing to sign.

“The Racing Commission should withhold approval of 2009 race dates at Freehold for this license holder until this matter is settled,” Luchento said. “And if track ownership still refuses to sign, the track should be sold to other interests who would sign the purse supplement agreement.”

Luchento said the SBOANJ would be very interested in bidding for the track license to protect the horsemen racing there.

The casino supplement agreement provides $30 million a year for three years to racetrack purses, $15 million for Standardbred racing and $15 million for Thoroughbreds. The agreement includes a provision that recipients of the supplement money cannot pursue alternate gaming outside of Atlantic City during the three years it is in effect.

“Penn Gaming is more concerned about its casino investments and properties elsewhere in the United States than it is about harness racing at Freehold,” Luchento said. “The Racing Commission should look seriously at the refusal to sign as an act detrimental to racing and jeopardizing the current racetrack ownership to operate Freehold’s license in 2009.” (SBOANJ)

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