New Jersey horsemen negotiated more than $1.6 million in supplementary purse money for Freehold Raceway but may have to pursue legal options to force the track to accept the funds.
The Standardbred Breeders & Owners Association of New Jersey (SBOANJ) will take action this week to prod Freehold Raceway to accept more than $1.6 million in purse supplements. Freehold's corporate entity, Pennwood Racing, has, so far, refused to accept the funds.
"We still have hope for a settlement but Pennwood has, thus far, refused to sit down with us and accept these funds which the Freehold horsemen so desperately need," said SBOANJ President Tom Luchento.
"We're prepared to utilize the state and federal laws available to us, including the Interstate Horse Racing Act, which could shutdown simulcasting at Freehold and its Toms River off track wagering facility," Luchento noted.
"All we want is for the Freehold horsemen to receive what they are entitled to through the supplementary purse money that we obtained through the good faith efforts of the New Jersey Sports & Exposition Authority from the Purse Enhancement Agreement with the Atlantic City casinos," he added.
The funding, which is between $1.6 to $1.7 million for November 2008 through January 2009, would go directly into the purse account for Freehold horsemen.
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(SBOANJ)