Horse Racing
In Protest, MJC Cancels Races
|
TOOLBOX
   Resize
COMMENT
 Discussion Policy
 CLOSE
Comments that include profanity or personal attacks or other inappropriate comments or material will be removed from the site. Additionally, entries that are unsigned or contain "signatures" by someone other than the actual author will be removed. Finally, we will take steps to block users who violate any of our posting standards, terms of use or privacy policies or any other policies governing this site. Please review the full rules governing commentaries and discussions. You are fully responsible for the content that you post.
Who's Blogging  |
The Maryland Jockey Club announced Thursday live racing and simulcast wagering would be canceled Nov. 2 to highlight the plight of the state racing industry and allow horsemen, track employees and fans to rally that morning in Annapolis.
[an error occurred while processing this directive]Facing unrelenting competitive pressure from neighboring racing states that subsidize their programs with slot machine revenue, racing in Maryland has suffered greatly in recent years, forcing the tracks to cut race days, purses and the stakes program.
Buses will leave at 8:30 a.m. from Laurel Park, Pimlico and the Bowie Training Center to a rally in Annapolis as the state legislature prepares to begin a special session that likely will include debate over the legalization of slot machines at the racetracks.
"This is about the horsemen, management and employees sacrificing on this day to support our industry to make sure we can save Maryland racing and keep the Preakness in Maryland," said Maryland Jockey Club President Lou Raffetto.
The MJC helped stage a similar rally two years ago in Annapolis during one of many failed attempts to help push through slots legislation.
"Everyone's disappointed because no one's paying attention to us," said Mike Pons, business manager at Country Life Farm in Bel Air. "We really have to scream fire. All they have to do is flip the switch [for slots], and we go from black and white to Technicolor. We haven't gotten cooperation from any of the governors. Everyone talks a good game, but we don't see any action."
-- John Scheinman
