Vernon gets temp license

The New York State Racing and Wagering Board Monday gave Vernon Downs a temporary license to resume racing this year, according to a story in the Syracuse Post-Standard. While the owners of the racetrack, Nevada Gold and Jeff Gural, have set an opening date of Aug. 3, there are still a series of hurdles the track must clear before obtaining its permanent license.

One of the first obstacles to settle is a signed contract with a horsemen’s representative. According to the newspaper account the Racing and Wagering Board refused to recognize the newly formed Vernon Downs Harness Horse Association as the track’s horsemen's representative, saying the group did not represent enough horsemen at the track. The Racing and Wagering Board did recognize the long-standing Harness Horse Association of Central New York.

Ken Jacobs, president of the Vernon Downs Harness Horse Association, said his group will take action agaisnt the Racing and Wagering Board's decision.

"We’re meeting with our lawyer and we’re going to be suing the Racing and Wagering Board,” Jacobs told harnessracing.com. “They’re making the decision based on false information, and in my opinion, misinterpreting the law. There isn’t any association that has 51 percent of every horsemen that raced at every track. And that’s how they’re interpreting the law. I am interpreting the law as 51 percent of the members that are in and around and race at that particular track. And that’s what we’re going by."

Jacobs said his organization has 305 members and that the Harness Horse Association of Central New York has 216 members.

Before the Board grants a permanent license the track must satisfy several conditions, which include signing an agreement with a horsemen’s group, having all racing buildings inspected by the board, and justiingy why the track plans to hold fewer race dates in 2006 (49) than the minimum set by law. In thae case of Vernon Downs, the minimum is 75 percent of the total dates raced in 1985 or 1986, whichever is the fewest. In this case it was 160 dates both years, and that would make 120 dates the minimum number allowed. But according to Board rules a corporation or association can justify to the Board why it can't reach the minimum.

Once Vernon obtains a racing license it can make an application to the state lottery division to operate a casino at the track which will hold 900 video gaming machines. According to estimate made by Gural the casino could generate total revenues of approximately $47 million a year. The track would stand to keep about 40 percent of the total and make a profit of approximately $7 million, the Post-Standard said.

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