By Gene Robbins, Managing Editor
The horses are nearing the starting gate.
Owners of the new off-track wagering facility on Route 206 South in Hillsborough plan a grand-opening ceremony for Saturday, Oct. 24.
The first bets may be placed a day or two earlier in an invitation-only “soft” opening planning by Darby Development.
Bill Knauf, vice president for business operation for Darby Development, said Tuesday the facility, which will be called “Favorites,” will initially carry televised races from about 20 tracks in the U.S. and Canada. The first big racing day could be Oct. 24, when the Breeder’s Cup will be held in Keeneland Racetrack in Kentucky. Triple Crown winner American Pharaoh is expected to race.
“We’re excited,” he said. “Once we open we hope people from the area come and check us out. I’m sure they will be impressed with the facility and restaurant.”
On Sundays, the facility will feature sports and NFL football — with no betting, of course, he said.
On Oct. 6, the OTW was approved by the state’s acting Attorney General in the final legal step for approval in a nearly two-year long process.
The off-track horse wagering parlor and McLoone’s restaurant will be in the former Maestro 206 restaurant just south of Brown Avenue.
N.J. Racing Commission Executive Director Frank Zanzucki said he saw no hangups, as long as Darby passes a final inspection of the working of the betting equipment and can provide certification for the facility and employees.
Favorites is accepting walk-in applications for food and beverage jobs, like servers and bartenders, and some mutuel clerks and security positions.
Mr. Knauf said Manville Mayor Angelo Corradino will be a manager of the OTW side of the business. He has been training at Darby’s Woodbridge facility for quite a while, said Mr. Knauf.
Officials, including Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli, a Hillsborough resident, and the local governing body expressed disappointment with the process that they said hamstrung their ability to vet the application.
“Given current law, we knew that this was an uphill battle,” said Mr. Ciattarelli. “We did our very best to advocate as to why the application should have been rejected. I know our advocacy was successful in causing the Acting Attorney General a most thorough review and extra careful consideration. In the end, it is still very disappointing to hear of the approval.
“Throughout the process, we have vigorously maintained that OTWs belong in densely populated, urban areas desperately in need for economic development. That is not Hillsborough,” Mr. Ciattarelli said.
Hillsborough Mayor Doug Tomson said, “Permitting an OTW facility to operate in Hillsborough, or any town, should be decided by the municipality, not the racing commission. This may work in some towns, but I don’t think it is a fit for Hillsborough.”
Darby Development is also clearing up another problem related to its opening — the validity of its liquor license. The Township Committee rescinded the license in August because it had lapsed for lack of use. The state Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission granted a special ruling on Sept. 15 to allow the license application to proceed. The Township Committee on Tuesday reapproved the license.