It didn't take Standardbred Breeders & Owners Association of New Jersey President Tom Luchento much time at all to respond to the news that a supplemental report by the Hanson Commission has recommended the discontinuation of live harness racing at the Meadowlands Racetrack
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Among many other aspects, the supplemental report suggests that Monmouth Park should host both live thoroughbred and standardbred racing in 2011, and that the only live harness racing at the 'Big M' in 2011 would be a six-day meet in which the Hambletonian would take place. To read the supplemental report, click here.
"It’s completely and utterly a death sentence," Luchento was quoted as saying in an article by The Star-Ledger. "The harness and thoroughbred and breeding and other industries such as the pleasure horses depend on us. They will go down, too. When the veterinarians and the farmers leave and even the hay people and blacksmiths, they fold up, too, in the state. They will all fold."
A video report which accompanied The Star-Ledger article gauged reaction from regulars at the Meadowlands Racetrack that didn't seem to understand the logic behind the proposed move.
"It's very bleak right now. There is a whole industry at stake. There are a lot of jobs," Anthony Altomonte said during the video report.
In regard to the State of New Jersey taking over control of the ailing Atlantic City, Altomonte was very tongue-in-cheek with his response. "That'll be a good move. They'll lose more money with Atlantic City. That's a smart move," said Altomonte, who also said that governor Chris Christie should be focusing on installing alternative gaming at the Meadowlands and Monmouth.
Altomonte continued to be very tongue in cheek in his conclusion, when he stated that the State of New Jersey is "just betting on another loser" when it comes to taking over Atlantic City at the sacrifice of the horse racing Industry.
"Atlantic City is surrounded by exactly what they have; and now they have table games in Pennsylvania -- they just put table games in," Altomonte said. "So basically, they're (Atlantic City is) just dead anyway. So, we (the State of New Jersey) might as well take them over (Atlantic City casinos), lose more money there, and let the horse industry go in the ground. Very good. Good job."
(With files from The Star-Ledger)
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The most amazing thing is
The most amazing thing is that the people in New Jersey aren't in an uproar about this. The amount on money that is lost daily because of the lack of slots and card tables at the Meadowlands is incredible. Everyone that lives here complains about the high real estate taxes and we have all this money being lost to New York and Pa operations. Horse Racing needs to go on Tv and Radio to let everyone know exactly whats happening. The only hope is to get the public involved, mainly the ones with no interest in racing but care about the money being lost that could help save them money.
Only the public can change this by letting Christie know that if it's not taken care of he will be gone from office.
isn't it ironic -- the
isn't it ironic -- the people writing this recommendation to Christie are the sames ones that made the decision to not re-invest in the Meadowlands back when the track was creating huge surpluses.....crazy...