Aiming to spark interest in New Jersey horse racing and Atlantic City, Assembly Republicans Ronald S. Dancer and John Amodeo have advanced a bipartisan plan that would bring horse racing to a beach in Atlantic City -- paying homage to a centuries-old Italian tradition. The legislation was approved today by the Assembly Budget Committee.
“Horse racing on the beach is a unique way to put an international spotlight on both our state’s equine and tourism industries with an American version of a 700-year Italian tradition,” Dancer, R-Ocean, Burlington, Middlesex and Monmouth, said. “This is a surefire trifecta: We have a winner for horse racing and Atlantic City; we’ve got a perfect place on the beach, and we’re going to put on a show that’s never been seen before.”
The plan would permit a new annual race that would be an American version of Il Palio, a legendary race run for the past 700 years in the Town Square of Siena, Italy.
“This is an exciting new American twist on a time-honoured Italian tradition, which will bring some well-deserved attention to Atlantic City and our state’s horse industries,” Amodeo, R-Atlantic, said. “I’ll bet that this race will become an annual tradition for New Jersey.”
With bipartisan support from Assemblyman John Burzichelli, D-Gloucester, chairman of the Assembly Appropriations Committee, legislators hope to advance the bill, A-4149, this summer in time to hold the first race by Columbus Day.
The legislation would authorize the New Jersey Racing Commission to grant a special permit to hold a race on the beach --- limited to once per year, over a maximum of two days. Permit holders would be allowed to operate pari-mutuel wagering pools.
Read more about the proposal in The Press of Atlantic City.
(NJ Assembly Republicans)
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