Abill aimed at increasing purses at racetracks in New Jersey passed out of the Assembly committee.
The piece of legislation, sponsored in the general Assembly by District 12 Assemblywoman Caroline Casagrande and Assemblyman Declan O’Scanlon, permits a reduction in the minimum number of racing dates at two racetracks. The bill passed out of the Assembly Regulatory Oversight and Gaming Committee.
Assembly bill A-2507 reduces the minimum number of thoroughbred racing dates to 71 at Monmouth Park in Oceanport and to zero at the Meadowlands in East Rutherford for the calendar year 2010. Under the current law, Monmouth Park and the Meadowlands must schedule a minimum of 141 live racing days combined.
“The horse racing industry is vital to New Jersey’s economy, and permitting fewer races with larger purses for just one year will help sustain this historic industry that is currently facing some real challenges,” Casagrande said in a press release. “The racing season for 2010 is poised to begin, so it is important that this bill continues to move forward.”
O’Scanlon said in the press release that the horse racing industry in New Jersey is not just the racetracks.
“Keeping the industry alive and viable means keeping horse farmers and trainers in business, as well as maintaining open space preservation and preventing sprawl,” O’Scanlon said. “It doesn’t matter if you partake in the sport or not, keeping our tracks in business benefits everyone who lives in New Jersey.”
District 12 Sen. Jennifer Beck sponsors this legislation in the state Senate and was a member of the Governor’s Commission on the horse racing industry.
Beck noted in the press release that New Jersey is a state with a long history of horse racing and gaming.
“And it is essential that we work to maintain that history,” Beck said. “Competition for New Jersey horse racing dollars is a reality now with tracks in Pennsylvania and Yonkers [N.Y.]. By permitting these thoroughbred tracks to increase the purses, the draw becomes stronger for people to come to the Garden State for a day at the races.”