Large Fields - A History Lesson

Harnessracing.com reports that some of the regular drivers at the Meadows are refusing to drive in the seventh and fifteenth races on Monday, December 20, citing the races may be unsafe.  I can understand Aaaron Merriman's concern just coming off a major accident but large fields have happened before.

An eleven horse field was scheduled to meet the starter
in the Hudson Filly Trot back in 1987.

 Back in 1987, if not for the scratch of Icefolly, eleven three year old trotting fillies were due to meet the starter in The 1987 Hudson Filly Trot at Yonkers Raceway.  The exact year, I can't remember but I recall seeing sixteen two year old colt and gelding trotters meeting the starter at the Meadowlands during Historic week; a time when these horses were extremely green and surprise surprise, perhaps a breaker or two but nothing out of the usual.

At one point the USTA rules allowed twelve horses to start on half mile tracks; fourteen on a 5/8th mile tracks; sixteen starters on a mile track and the world was fine.  Yes, the USTA has reduced the number of starters in the second tier so not as many starters can begin in the second field buts second tier horses are still allowed..

For those drivers who fear a twelve horse field at the Meadows, think about what your predecessors had to face in the 1980's; fourteen horses.  It can be done, safely.  As long as the horses are safe, there should be no problem with races like this.  Perhaps if anything, a rule should be made that if a horse is deemed somewhat unsafe, it must draw into the second tier.to avoid interfering a majority of the field; this is a prudent proposal (something done down under).

Gunning for Freehold and ACRC too?

A puzzling item on the NJRC agenda for December 22nd has the NJSEA attempting to deny a renewal of the licenses of the Toms River and Vineland OTWs.  The question needs to be asked why would the NJSEA be attempting to deny licensure for 2011 of these two OTWs owned by competitors?

Could it be the NJSEA is gunning for Freehold Raceway and Atlantic City Race Course?  A susbtantial amount of Freehold's revenue comes from their Toms River OTW and ACRC races six days a year to maintain the racetrack as an all year simulcast site and to maintain their Vineland OTW.  With these two OTWs closed, thre is a reasonable chance Freehold Raceway will close as will ACRC.

Why would the NJSEA lead the charge to get these two OTWs closed?  One must remember the NJSEA board is comprised of political appointees (otherwise known as hacks).  No doubt if these two OTWs were closed, how long would it be before the NJSESA seek to reopen them under their control?  If Freehold and ACRC were to close, all the commissions on wagers owed horsemen would go to Monmouth Park.  Also, down the road, if Monmouth doesn't survive, the state which wants to get out of the horse racing industry may become a bookie state.

Paranoia you say?  Perhaps, but in a year where the governor is seeking to destroy horse racing, nothing is too paranoid to consider?

Jeff Gural to the Rescue? Don't Count on It.

It is now reported that Jeff Gural is interested in leasing the Meadowlands racetrack.  That would be the best option for the Meadowlands to give it a chance to make it successful.  If anyone know hows to run a racetrack, it is Jeff Gural.

Unfortunately, I don't see it happening.  No disrespect to Mr. Gural.  Not that I don't want to see Mr. Gural take possession of the Meadowlands, but for him to do it; he would need to overcome a fixed negotiating system; a system which has been set up to fail.

The fact is, up to now, all these lease negotiation sessions have been is political cover for the Christie Administration.  Early last week, SBOANJ President Tom Luchento was complaining about not being able to talk to the Governor's office.  Later in the week, Luchento mentioned he had some conversations so let's give everyone the benefit of the doubt and say lease negotiations began on December 6.  Now we are told the state demands lease negotiations be essentially completed by tomorrow (a two day extention; should we kiss the governor's ring in gratitude?)  This with Gural allegedly coming to talk to the Governor on Friday.  So basically, harness racing has been given two weeks to complete negotiations on a complex lease of the Meadowlands; a whole ten days (this is the government, work on weekends?).  If it takes more than two weeks with lawyer review to complete a lease agreement to build your local fast food franchise, what chance is there to complete a complex lease for a racetrack in the same amount of time?

Unless Gural hits a grand slam at first asking and the state is firm on their deadline tomorrow, the Meadowlands is toast (perhaps except for a six day race meet this year).  Should the state extend the deadline there may be (the NJSEA next board meeting is Wednesday morning to be followed by a NJRC meeting later in the day) a chance, but the cynic in me still believes the Governor will be saying "We offered to lease the Meadowlands but we couldn't get someone to lease the track"; a statement he has been planning to give for a long time.

Since Saturday may be the last race card at the Meadowlands, the "B" track tour will take a week off to cover what may be the last race card ever at the Meadowlands.

T Minus Two Days?

In a Harness Racing Update Exclusive, SBOANJ President Tom Luchento has reported the biggest problem with obtaining a lease of The Meadowlands is the state's demand that a deal to lease the track be completed by Friday so they can present it to the Governor.  The assumption is if a deal is not in place by the end of Friday, the state will walk away from the negotiations.  Racing dates were supposed to be assigned today by the NJRC.  Since the Governor will not allow dates to be issued prior to an agreement is in place, that racing commission meeting has been delayed until next Wednesday, hoping an agreement will be in place.

Problem is investors who have experience running race tracks are coming in on Friday to talk with the SBOANJ and State Officials..  That gives them one day to come to an agreement under the current deadline.  Luchento thinks a deal could be accomplished if the clock is stopped but with advisor Jon Hanson involved, who knows if the clock will stop,.

Friday may be an interesting, long  day. 

The Dismantling Has Begun

While Harnessracing.com is reporting that negotiations for a lease of the Meadowlands is progressing with a  time deadline being the major factor, we are beginning to see what the 2011 stakes program will look like at the Meadowlands should a deal be made.  At this point, I'm not sure there will be a Meadowlands meet until the ink is dry on the agreement and nothing less.

The Historic Grand Circuit meet which traditionally has been raced at the Meadowlands in late June since parimutuel racing at Goshen stopped is on the move with the Historic Grand Circuit meeting moving to central New York at Tioga Downs and Vernon Downs.  The two year old events; The E.H. Harriman Cup, Acorn Stakes, Goshen Cup and Debutante Stakes will be moving to Vernon Downs while the three year old events such as the Historic-Dickerson Cup, Coaching Club Trotting Oaks, along with the Ladyship Stake and now mis-named Jersey Cup moving to Tioga Downs. 

There are the first races to be moved from the Meadowlands,  Assuming there is racing at the Meadowlands it is fair to assume some more stakes will be on the move or cancelled and this is what the major breeders are fearful of.  What good is a Meadowlands meet to the breeders if it becomes basically an overnight meet?  You are not going to attract those people who will be interested in high price stallions. With the move of these  races, I suspect races like the Yonkers Trot will be growing in importance again.

The dismantling has begun, it will be interesting to find out what the stakes schedule will look like nationwide in 2011...