On Tuesday, June 9, officials with the Meadowlands Racetrack announced that the track would consider leasing the track to horsepeoples' associations to add a few race cards, provided the associations could fund the purses from their purse or sire stakes accounts. The announcement has come after 777 horses were entered to race at the 'Big M' this coming weekend.
The Meadowlands stated that the agreement would have to be contingent on receiving approval from the state and the New Jersey Racing Commission.
A release from the track -- which appears below -- states that the number of horses entered for the weekend draw at the Meadowlands was a staggering 777.
According to the release, "With the purse account under duress from compromised revenue streams this year, the number of races will remain at 13 for each day, which leaves more than 500 horses with no place to race. There is simply not the revenue in the Meadowlands' purse account to fund the addition of more racing days."
The contents of the Meadowlands release appear below.
Gural Offers Meadowlands To Horsemen's Associations
The number of horses entered this morning for the weekend draw at The Meadowlands was a staggering 777.
With the purse account under duress from compromised revenue streams this year, the number of races will remain at 13 for each day, which leaves more than 500 horses with no place to race. There is simply not the revenue in The Meadowlands' purse account to fund the addition of more racing days.
Recognizing that the hardship continues to increase for owners and trainers as more time passes time passes without an answer on how to get horses raced and when the various sires stakes will get underway, Jeff Gural has a thought to try and give more horses a chance to race.
Pending NJ Commission and state approval, The Meadowlands would consider leasing the track to horsemen's associations to add a race card beginning next week for a few weeks as necessary until more tracks open, provided they could fund the purses from their purse or sires stake account.