The day has come. Either today or tomorrow, Plainridge Racecourse and its horsemen will know the future of harness racing in Massachusetts as the committee deciding which of three proposals will be given the go ahead to open a slot parlor. With the public hearings thus far, it appears it is between Penn National (Plainridge) and the Cordish Cos. as the Raynham Greyhound Park didn't win any categories.
With Raynham's proposal, which provided for 40 days of harness racing at a fairground likely dead, harness racing's survival depends on Plainridge winning the contest. While the commission has recognized racing would continue should Plainridge win the license, there is no specific rule which requires the commissioners to take that into consideration; it falls under the category of economic development.
By the end of tomorrow, we will learn who the victor will be. Will we be hearing cheers of victory or the cries of despair? Time will tell.
UPDATE: Plainridge Racecourse won the slot license by a vote of 3-2. Further coverage of this will be forthcoming.
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