The efforts of the Standardbred Breeders & Owners Association of New Jersey has saved $600,000 in New Jersey Sire Stakes funds which had been frozen by the state’s Office of Management and Budget.

SBOANJ president Tom Luchento spearheaded a drive to reach out to nearly a dozen key state legislators to demand the release of the funding which is critical to the New Jersey Sire Stakes and Green Acres program. Those funds were restored on March 11, according to a memo to the Department of Agriculture, which oversees the accounts.

“Words will never truly convey the admiration and appreciation I have for you in bringing this to a conclusion,” New Jersey Sire Stakes executive director Christopher Castens said in an email to Luchento and SBOANJ executive administrator Leo McNamara on this morning.

“The dramatic move from where we were midday [last] Thursday to where we now are is directly attributable to the efforts you put in motion on Thursday afternoon and Friday. Your support throughout this entire ordeal has been tremendous, and I am exponentially grateful for the time and commitment you have put in. The NJ harness racing community is extremely fortunate to have you both providing direction and leadership.”

“We want to thank the many legislators we spoke to for listening to our concerns and acting on our behalf to secure the release of these funds for the New Jersey Sire Stakes,” said Luchento. “These were dedicated funds and rightfully should not have been touched by the Governor’s office. But given the budgetary concerns in Trenton, they were frozen and put at risk of being claimed for the general treasury.

“We reached out to our friends in the state Senate and Assembly as well as brought to bear our legal representation, Joel Sterns of Sterns & Weinroth, to make our case and are grateful for this successful resolution,” Luchento added.

(SBOANJ)