Horsemen in New Jersey got the best of all gifts right before Christmas: the guarantee that there will be racing at the Meadowlands in East Rutherford in 2012.
The New Jersey Racing Commission awarded a license to operate harness racing at the Meadowlands to Jeff Gural and partners on Dec. 20, according to the Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association of New Jersey (SBOANJ).
“It was a long and arduous journey,” SBOANJ President Tom Luchento said. “I don’t consider us at the finish line yet, but the best news is that racing is on, beginning Jan. 6 at the Meadowlands. There could not have been a better Christmas present.”
The New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority’s Board of Commissioners ratified the 31-year lease on Dec. 23.
“I think about where we were and how hard all of this was,” Luchento said. “But from the brink of disaster last year, I think now we will be better off in the long run. We finally have something concrete.”
The agreement with New Meadowlands Racetrack LLC, headed by Gural, turned over the operations of the Meadowlands on Dec. 24.
New Meadowlands Racetrack has been responsible for all costs of operating and managing the Meadowlands since June 1, 2011.
“This is a great day for the racing industry, its fans, and the people of New Jersey as we take a tremendous stride forward in achieving Gov. Chris Christie’s goal of a self-sustaining racing industry in New Jersey,” NJSEA Chairman Mike Ferguson said. “I want to publicly congratulate Mr. Gural and his team and the tireless efforts of the NJSEA management and Governor’s Office in bringing this day about.”