SBOANJ spearheads Hanson Report opposition

A large crowd gathered in the Meadowlands back paddock on Thursday, July 29, to attend a meeting called by the SBOA of New Jersey to discuss a response to the Hanson Report, which called for selling off or closing of the Meadowlands.

SBOA president Tom Luchento and members of the board of directors as well as other industry reps were in attendance, as was a concerned crowd of owners, breeders, drivers, trainers and caretakers. In addition to Luchento, speakers included Dr. Karyn Malinowski of Rutgers University Equine Program, Mike Gulotta, owner and CEO of Deo Volente Farms, and trainer George Anthony.

All-time leading driver and long-time New Jersey resident John Campbell was one of many in the audience and said that those in attendance were ready to take action and had many questions on how to most effectively make their voices heard.

"We were told to do all we could to make our voices and opposition to the Hanson Report and the closing of the Meadowlands be heard by our legislators," he said.

"This is not by any means a done deal and there is reason for hope, but we are in for a very difficult fight. We all need to make the governor and the state and everyone in racing, whether in New Jersey or across the industry understand how much the loss of the Meadowlands, live racing and simulcast, would mean to racing and the economy."

Campbell added that the SBOANJ is gathering support for an entourage of concerned members of the horse racing industry to attend an upcoming summit on gaming and horse racing in New Jersey beginning on Friday, Aug. 6, at the Atlantic City Convention Center, Room 411, One Convention Boulevard, Atlantic city, which could include a much more comprehensive study of the contributions of the racing industry to the state than the recent Hanson report, and ideas on how to save both.

To that end, the SBOANJ is chartering buses to transport members of the racing industry who intend to make their voices heard.

"The SBOA encourages everyone to attend," said Campbell. (harnessracing.com)