The Horsemen’s Newsletter

February/March 2011 Volume 21 • Number 2 Penn National Penn National may buys sell its interest in MJC Rosecroft aryland’s track ownership took that operates successful racinos in two osecroft Raceway, the bankrupt har- another turn in late February, neighboring states—at Charles Town in Rness track in Oxon Hill, Md., is Mwhen Penn National Gaming, West Virginia and Penn National in poised to begin a new life under the Inc. (PNG) acknowledged that it is con- Pennsylvania—PNG had been intent in ownership of Penn National Gaming, sidering selling its interest in the Mary- securing slots at Laurel. Inc. land Jockey Club. Penn National spent approximately Penn National completed the pur- PNG representatives met with state $7.4 million in an attempt to defeat last chase for approximately $11 million on officials in Annapolis on February 23 to year’s Anne Arundel County referen- February 28. discuss a plan to divest its MJC holdings. dum that ultimately cleared the way for Rosecroft has not conducted live rac- The prospective sale raises the possi- a casino at Arundel Mills Mall. ing on a regular basis since the summer bility that ’s two major Thor- With the Anne Arundel County slots of 2008. However, Penn National report- oughbred tracks, Laurel and Pimlico, license now firmly bound to the Mall edly plans to work with harness horse- along with Bowie Training Center, site, Laurel’s chances for slots appear men and the Maryland Racing Commis- could soon be under complete control nonexistent. sion “to develop a plan to resume live of Frank Stronach. Penn National, thus faced with the racing at Rosecroft this year.” Under a pending deal made on Febru- prospect of continuing to operate Laurel Penn National’s long-range goal in- ary 1, MI Developments Inc. (MID), at a financial loss, became a major im- volves development of a racino at Rose- which owns the MJC in a 51/49 percent pediment late last year in negotiations croft, although such a move would re- partnership with Penn National, has for a viable live racing schedule for 2011. quire a change in the state constitution, agreed to transfer all of its racing assets The MJC has agreed to preserve the which currently limits slots to five speci- to Mr. Stronach, who currently serves as current 146-day calendar for this year, fied locations, none of them in the area MID’s chairman and CEO. In return, Mr. pending receipt of $3.5 million to $4 surrounding Rosecroft. Stronach will give up control of MI De- million from slots revenue originally ear- A group led by Nathan Landow, for- velopments. That deal is set to close on marked for capital improvements at the mer state Democratic Party chairman, June 30. tracks, and a $1.7 million expense con- was the underbidder in the Rosecroft A world-leading gaming company tribution from horsemen and breeders. bankruptcy auction, which took place earlier in the month. Work resumes on Slots update Arundel Mills Mall casino Thoroughbred purses received a to- tal of $435,907.87 in January from lthough groundbreaking has taken improved roads and additional stop- Maryland’s two operating slots facili- Aplace for the Arundel Mills Mall casi- lights, among other upgrades. ties, Casino at and Holly- no, the project has continued to spawn Meanwhile, Cordish is seeking $600 wood Casino Perryville. legal challenges. million in damages from the Maryland Ocean Downs, which opened to the Work on the site was halted for sev- Jockey Club and a former Cordish busi- eral weeks in February after two local general public on January 4, generated ness partner in Indiana. $3,305,421.74 in gross revenue during groups submitted complaints regarding traffic management. The lawsuit claims the two compa- January. nies conspired to falsely harm Cordish’s For a complete financial accounting, The issues were resolved when The reputation and prevent it from securing visit http://slots.mdlottery.com/finan- Cordish Cos., which is developing the cial-reporting/. casino and entertainment complex on the slots license for the Arundel Mills the Mall parking lot, presented plans for Mall casino. Notes from the Maryland Equine Census shows Racing Office economic value of industry • Stall applications for spring/summer Results of Maryland’s 2010 Equine are devoted to equines and 88,000 acres are due by Monday, March 14. Census affirm the economic impact of are enrolled in land preservation pro- horses in the state. grams. • Pimlico will open for training on In total, the horse industry has assets The 2010 equine census is the sec- March 21. You must turn in a stall valued at $5.6 billion and expenditures ond official count of all breeds (horses, application if you want to stable at just under $513 million. Approximately ponies, donkeys, mules and burros) in Pimlico for the meet. 81,000 equines are located in more than Maryland. The first census results were • Trainers, please fill out and turn in 16,040 locations around the state. The announced in 2002. your 2011 badge list so your owners counties with the largest equine popula- The Maryland Horse Industry Board can receive their passes. tions are Prince George’s (9,000) and commissioned the U.S. Department of • The horsemen’s bookkeeper must re- (8,950). Agriculture National Agricultural Statis- ceive payment before a horse can be Race horse breeds (Thoroughbreds tics Service field office in Annapolis to tattooed. and Standardbreds combined) account conduct both efforts. • Reminder: If you are stabled at a for 39 percent of all breeds. For a copy of the census data, visit Maryland Jockey Club facility, you Equine operations cover a total of www.mda.state.md.us/pdf/equinecen are expected to support the Mary- 587,000 acres, of which 188,000 acres sus10.pdf. land program and race in Maryland. Laurel Museum commemorates Committee track’s 100th anniversary “And They’re Off! 100 Years at Laurel through December 2011. bulletins Park,” an exhibit commemorating the Hours are Sunday, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., track’s 100th anniversary, is on display and Wednesday and Friday 10 a.m. to 2 Bowie at the Laurel Museum, 817 Main Street p.m. Group visits are available through- Backstretch co-chairman Linda in Laurel. out the week by appointment, and the Gaudet reported: The timeline begins with the track’s John Brennan Research Library is open • Plans are underway for a clothing origins in 1911 as part of a Four County Monday from 10 a.m. to noon and by ap- distribution center at Bowie. Details to Fair with high-wire acts, and continues pointment. For more information call follow. to the present day. (301) 725-7975 or visit www.laurelhis • The mobile food wagon remains The exhibit will remain in place toricalsociety.org. popular. • The racing surface has been well maintained. • Potholes will soon be under repair. Tune in to Maryland Horse Radio— Laurel Tuesdays at 6 p.m. Backstretch chairman Larry Murray reported that exercise rider Shelly Stone Maryland Horse Radio is back on the Nigh and Megan Forshey. Laurel Park is is making good progress in her recovery air. Hourlong shows featuring up-to-the- the title sponsor. from injuries sustained in a training acci- minute racing news and commentary Listeners may call the show live at dent on February 18. begin at 6 p.m. every Tuesday night on (410) 481-1300, or listen at www.Mary The MTHA, along with her many Baltimore’s ESPN RADIO 1300. landHorseRadio.com. friends on the backstretch, sends its Host Stan Salter is joined this season The schedule will continue through very best wishes to Ms. Stone. by the Maryland Jockey Club’s Jacqui May 24. Hoofprints

Transitioning retired race horses The guidelines are available on the The Online Fact Book is a statistical and informational guide to Thorough- The American Association of Equine AAEP Web site at http://www. aaep.org/images/files/Transitioning bred breeding, racing and auction sales Practitioners has developed guidelines Guidelines2011.pdf. and includes some state and provincial for transitioning retired race horses. analysis. In addition to criteria for physical as- Jockey Club Fact Books State fact books provide detailed sessments, the guidelines include esti- The Jockey Club has posted the 2011 breeding, racing and auction sales infor- mated cost-of-care data from CANTER, a editions of the Online Fact Book and mation specific to each of 34 states and non-profit organization that provides re- state fact books in the Publications & Canadian provinces. tiring Thoroughbred race horses with Resources section of www.jockey The Online Fact Book and state fact opportunities for new careers. club.com. books are updated monthly. Laurel Commons Thoughts, from page 4 has rooms “I am glad that you ‘still wish to be- “There is good business that we can lieve in Maryland Horse Racing.’ As in do together and we should pursue those available the past, I am more than willing to meet opportunities. I believe it would be pos- with you and/or any members of your itive for both of us, our organizations Laurel Commons, the housing com- team to discuss the various issues facing and the racing community. plex in the Laurel Park stable area adja- us. I do not think that it is appropriate “As always, I look forward to meeting cent to Whiskey Bottom Road, is accept- that we set restraints on our future dis- with you in the future. All of our previ- ing applications from backstretch em- cussions, and therefore I would not ex- ous discussions have been cordial, ployees. clude Alan Foreman from any such sometimes entertaining and often pro- Rooms have been updated with new meetings. With over 30 years in the rac- ductive.” carpeting and paint. ing business, Alan serves as a great re- The full text of Mr. Stronach’s letter Monthly rent is $200 for single occu- source to the industry both locally and is posted at www.mdhorsemen.com, pancy and $75 per person for double oc- nationally, and has been productive in along with responses from Mr. Hoff- cupancy. moving projects forward. berger and Mr. Foreman. For more information see Lt. Francis- co Saez or call (301) 725-0400, ext. 5682. Recreation report From Dan Mangum, MTHA Mock poker IN MEMORIAM Recreation Director. For information The MTHA will sponsor a mock or to sign up for programs, Texas hold’em tournament on Monday, Cary W. Jackson, a long-prominent call Mr. Mangum at (410) 802-5798. March 28 at noon in the track kitchen at owner/breeder, died on February 7 at Basketball at Bowie. the age of 88. Sign up in the track kitchens. Albert F. (Bert) Allen, Jr., a long- William Wilkens’s Bowie Allstars de- time owner/breeder at his home near feated J. C. Harrington’s Laurel Team 72 Donations Richmond, Va., died on January 9 at to 65 to win the MTHA’s Basketball The following generous people re- the age of 87. Mr. Allen was the father Tournament. cently donated clothing, reading materi- of Maryland trainer A. Ferris Allen, III. Darnell Snead from the Bowie team al and/or other items for distribution on Jamie (Stickman) Cornwell, a for- took the Most Valuable Player award, the backstretch: Jack Adamecz, Mike mer Maryland jockey, died on Febru- scoring 23 points in the final game. ary 19 following an extended illness. Dalton, Mike Donlan, Gene Gilhooly, He was 35. The Coach of the Year award went to Sylvia and Arnold Heft, Jack Nims and Charles W. (Teddy) Ambrose, 81, Brian Parker of the Allstars. Kathryn Size. who operated the barber shop at Mary- land tracks for more than 35 years, died on January 19. Gary R. (Babe) Dunlevy, 65, a Lady Legends to return West Virginia-based owner/trainer The highly popular Lady Legends For The returning lineup consists of An- who campaigned throughout this re- the Cure Race™ is set for its second run- drea Seefeldt-Knight, Mary Russ-Tortora, gion, died on February 1. ning at Pimlico on Black-Eyed Susan Mary Wiley-Wagner, Patti “PJ” Cooksey, Day, Friday, May 20. Barbara Jo Rubin, Jennifer Rowland- Last year’s Lady Legends event was Small and Cheryl White. the first-ever pari-mutuel race showcas- The event raises funds for the Mary- The Horsemen’s ing retired female riders. Seven of those land affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the participants will be back for another try, Cure® community outreach programs Newsletter along with new contender Abby Fuller. and breast cancer research. Published monthly by the Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen’s calendar RACING Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company Horsemen’s Spring Two-Year-Olds in Training, Laurel Park...... Now through March 26 Association, Inc...... Sept. 10 through Dec. 17 Ocala, Fla. (352) 237-2154. . . . April 18-21 6314 Windsor Mill Road, Pimlico...... April 1 through May 21 Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company Two-Year- Timonium...... Aug. 26 through Sept. 5 Olds and Horses of Racing Age, Baltimore, Md. 21207; Ocala, Fla. (352) 237-2154. . . .June 21, 22 (410) 265-6842; FASIG-TIPTON MIDLANTIC AUCTION Fasig-Tipton Kentucky July Fax: (410) 265-6841; AT TIMONIUM (410) 392-5555 Selected Yearlings , Ky. E-mail: [email protected] Two-Year-Olds in Training...... May 23, 24 (859) 255-1555...... July 12, 13 Web site: www.mdhorsemen.com OUT-OF-STATE AUCTIONS Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Selected The Horsemen’s Newsletter Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company Yearlings Saratoga Springs, N.Y. reports on issues and events of interest Selected Two-Year-Olds in Training, (516) 328-1800...... Aug. 8, 9 to owners and trainers in Maryland. Ocala, Fla. (352) 237-2154. . March 15, 16 Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company Your suggestions are welcome. Keeneland Two-Year-Olds in Training, Selected/Open Yearlings Lexington, Ky. (800) 456-3412. . .April 11 Ocala, Fla. (352) 237-2154. . . . Aug. 23-25 MTHA’s Backstretch Pension Plan Registration

Attention All Backstretch April 11 through April 15 Employees (Assistant Failure to register will Pimlico MTHA Office, Trainers, Exercise Persons, result in the loss of 10 a.m. to noon Grooms, Hotwalkers, Stable April 18 through April 22 Foremen, Trainers, etc.) your 2010 benefit Bowie Track Kitchen, Office Next Door, Pension Plan Registration for the year ended 2010 will take place at March 28 through April 1 9:30 a.m. to noon the following times and locations. Bowie Track Kitchen, April 25 through April 29 Bring your Maryland Racing Com- Office Next Door, Laurel Track Kitchen, mission Badge and W-2, 1099, or tax 9:30 a.m. to noon 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. return for 2010. April 4 through April 8 May 2 through May 6 For more information call the Laurel Track Kitchen, Pimlico MTHA Office, MTHA office at (410) 265-6842. 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. 10 a.m. to noon

MTHA 6314 Windsor Mill Road Baltimore, Maryland 21207 February/March 2011

Thoughts and comment MTHA Board of Directors Richard J. Hoffberger by Richard Hoffberger, Mr. Stronach ignores the fact that the President MTHA President MTHA, along with other industry Richard J. Meyer Vice President n February 15, Frank Stronach, groups, had met with MJC representa- Ochairman of MI Developments Inc., tives on numerous occasions and had John V. Alecci which co-owns the Maryland Jockey virtually daily conversations with Mr. Howard M. Bender Club (MJC), issued an “open letter to Stronach’s office prior to December 21. Dale Capuano the Thoroughbred horse racing commu- Those meetings included representa- Phillip L. Capuano nity of Maryland.” tives of Mr. Stronach as well as direct William T. Fitzgibbons, Sr. conversations with Mr. Stronach. Linda S. Gaudet In his letter, Mr. Stronach laments H. Neil Glasser what he called MTHA counsel Alan He proposes a meeting “without Christopher W. Grove Foreman’s “confrontational approach” lawyers, to have a candid and construc- Arnold A. Heft during the December 21 Maryland Rac- tive exchange of views.” Timothy L. Keefe ing Commission meeting (at which the Following are excerpts from my let- Lawrence E. Murray Commission rejected the MJC’s propos- ter of response to Mr. Stronach: John J. Robb al for 77 live racing days in 2011 and de- Katharine M. Voss nied the MJC its license). See Thoughts, page 3