Governor Christie spoke yesterday about the plight of horse racing in New Jersey. Christie explained why there will be no slots at the Meadowlands at this time. The Governor echoes comments I have been saying for a while; the issue of slots was for all practical purposes settled before Christie even took office, a victim of politics.
The Governor denies he or even the Hanson Report is anti-racing. The fact is the state is broke and doesn't have the luxury of subsidizing an industry even if he wanted to. Of course, he is technically correct. The problem racing has is very few, if any, investors will invest in an industry which refuses to make the tough decisions necessary to right its own boat. New Jersey is the first state to say 'no' to racing; it won't be the last.
The sad truth is if racetracks got together to set up short seasonal meets as the thoroughbred industry does, there would be a number of tracks such as Balmoral who would be offering quality race meets that gamblers would be happy to wager on. Instead, we have an industry which refuses to right-size itself offering a product so watered down that few want to wager on it; with only one track worthy of wagering in the opinion of the majority of serious gamblers. Now that the foundation has a crack, the industry needs to decide if it wants to repair the crack or keep on doing what its doing and wait for the whole foundation to collapse.
With Tioga Downs being dark this coming Friday, a special matinee race card is scheduled for this Wednesday, August 17 with a first post scheduled for 1:30pm. There are a couple of races for amateur drivers on the card; the second and tenth race. While I am not a big fan of amateur driving races being on the betting card, the second race is a very competitive field with some interesting prospects which makes the race potentially interesting for gamblers.
1st Pace - $4,000; FM $4-$5,000 Claiming Handicap 8th Trot - $4,200; Non-winners 1 race lifetime
3 - Dragonali Outofbed (8-1) 9 - Yoou'll Miss Allot (4-1)
6 - Canaco Pimne (5-2) 1 - Over The Limit (10-1)
4 - The Sophinator (7-2) 6 - Revferee (10-1)
2nd Pace - $5,000; Tioga Amateur Driving Club 9th Pace - $4,000; FM Non-winners $1,501 last five starts
7 - Reasontocelebrate (4-1) 1 - Debs Lady Fortune (5-2)
1 - Raging Cam (8-1) 7 - Sportabella (9-2)
3 - Shania Twain (5-1) 2 - Beyond Perfection (8-1)
3rd Trot - $3,500; Non-winners $1,001 last five starts 10th Trot - $5,000; Billings Amatuer Driving Series
4 - Four Starz Motor (4-1) 5 - Slated For Success (7-2)
1 - Edgewood (9-2) 7 - Pilgrims Kassie (8-1)
3 - Latest Fashion (8-1) 6 - Rally By The River (5-2)
4th Pace - $5,200; FM Non-winners $2,501 last five starts 11th Pace - $4,200; Non-winners 1 race lifetime
1 - DVC Freewaytofame (8-1) 4 - Draftmania (2-1)
4 - Silverdollar Shark (5-1) 2 - Iputaspellonyou (5-1)
2 - Lovely Maginc (4-1) 7 - Ludi Jasper (4-1)
8 - Wrinkle Hanover (5-1)
5th Trot - $3,600; $4,000 Claiming 12th Pace - $3,700; Non-winners $1,300 last five starts
7 - Chautauqua Jam (9-2) 8 - Harold Greene (4-1)
6 - Lost Weight (8-1) 1 - Haties Jim Bob (8-1)
5 - CR's Gift (5-2) 5 - My Time Hanover (3-1)
6th Pace - $3,600; FM $4,000 Claiming 13th Pace - $4,000; $5,000 Claiming
3 - Splenda (5-2) 4 - Village Blizzard (5-2)
8 - Talia's Character (6-1) 6 - Maken Trax NZ (12-1)
7 - World Queen (7-2) 5 - Coronet Hanover (6-1)
2 - National Archive (5-1)
7th Pace - $5,200; Non-winners $2,501 last five starts
1 - Gaelic Thunder (2-1)
3 - Funny Guy (10-1)
5 - Gotapikapoketortwo (20-1)
2 - Lookinforasign (4-1)
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