The Horsemen’s Newsletter

March 2010 Volume 20 • Number 3 Anne Arundel Maryland tracks withdrawn slots issue heads from bankruptcy auction

to referendum aryland’s track ownership took revenue for a financial settlement total- a sudden twist on March 23, ing approximately $13 million. he Maryland Club has turned when it was announced that Under the new ownership by MID, a corner in its efforts to restore Lau- M T the Maryland Jockey Club would be the MJC racing operations will be re- rel Park’s eligibility as a slots site. withdrawn from the Magna Entertain- quired to reach break-even status within It now appears almost certain that ment Corp. (MEC) bankruptcy auction three years. Anne Arundel County voters will be giv- then set for March 25 and transferred to Terms of the transfer also require any en the option of withdrawing zoning ap- Magna’s parent company, MI Develop- future gaming operations at MJC to be proval for the Cordish Cos. proposed ments Inc. (MID). developed as a co-venture with an “ex- slots site near Arundel Mills Mall. The amended plan remains subject to perienced and financially secure” com- If the Cordish plan loses its zoning, approval by the bankruptcy court. pany. it’s expected that the bidding process MID’s interest in retaining the MJC “We are cautiously optimistic,” said for the Anne Arundel slots license will apparently has been bolstered by re- MTHA President Richard Hoffberger. be reopened, giving Laurel the opportu- newed hopes for slots at Laurel Park “Ever since the issue of slots first was nity to submit another bid. (see article on Anne Arundel referen- raised, the MTHA has consistently stated Well over 40,000 signatures were col- dum at left), and by the resolution of a that we believe slots should be at the lected in the petition drive to place the continuing dispute between MEC and race track. zoning issue on the ballot in November. former MJC owners Joe and Karin De “We hope that the recent develop- As of March 11, the Anne Arundel Francis. ments will help this occur, and will cre- County Board of Elections had certified The De Francises have agreed to re- ate a situation that promotes a quality 19,054 signatures, easily exceeding the solve the dispute over potential gaming year-round racing program.” required 18,790. Several thousand signa- tures were still being processed. “Neither two blizzards nor a baseless Purse bonus among many attractions lawsuit could deter the groundswell of Anne Arundel County citizens deter- at Pimlico spring meet mined to take this matter to referendum,” said Heather Ford of Citizens Against Slots imlico’s ests start and at the Mall, which spearheaded the peti- P2010 meet Pimlico backstretch 40 percent if tion drive along with the Maryland Jock- will offer a Open for training: April 10 through May 31 12 betting in- wide array of terests start. ey Club. Training hours: 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. daily Cordish Cos., which secured the slots opportunities The bonus is license and zoning after MJC owner for horsemen, Gate schooling: Saturdays, 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. capped at 40 Magna Entertainment Corp. failed to including a percent. submit the required fee in February special purse bonus on Black-Eyed Susan “The bonus represents a cooperative 2009, has filed suit against the county Stakes Day (May 14) and Preakness Day effort between the MTHA’s Negotiating Board of Elections, alleging fraud in the (May 15). Committee and track management,” referendum effort. The bonus will apply to all dirt races, said MTHA President Richard Hoffberg- with the exception of stakes, in which er. “We urge local horsemen to support Citizen groups, the MJC and Field- more than eight betting interests start. the meet to the fullest extent possible.” Works, the company hired by the MJC A 10 percent bonus will be applied Pimlico is set to conduct 20 days of to collect signatures, have all filed mo- to the total purse if nine betting inter- live racing during a six-week span that tions to intervene in the lawsuit. ests start, 20 percent if 10 betting inter- begins on Saturday, April 17 and ends See Slots, page 2 ests start, 30 percent if 11 betting inter- on Saturday, May 22. Chick Lang left Hayden, Grecco appointments to indelible mark on Racing Commission confirmed

Maryland racing Governor Martin O’Malley has reappointed Mary- land Racing Commission member David Hayden. Mr. Charles J. (Chick) Hayden’s appointment was confirmed, along with Lang, a major figure that of Ernest Grecco. within Maryland racing Each appointment is for a four-year term. for the past half century, Mr. Hayden, a prominent Maryland owner/breed- E

U died on March 18 at the er, joined the Commission in 2009, filling an unex- C C David Hayden Ernest Grecco pired term. Mr. Grecco, an avid racing fan and presi- M age of 83. M I J Born and raised next dent of the Metropolitan Baltimore Council AFL-CIO to Pimlico Race Course, Mr. Lang began Unions, also gained appointment to the Commission last year. his career as a hotwalker and eventually The Commission has its full complement of nine members, with the others being became the track’s general manager John Franzone (chairman), Frank Favazza, John McDaniel, Mary Louise Preis, Charles known as “Mr. Preakness.” Tildon, Lou Ulman and Tom Winebrener. Before joining race track manage- ment in 1960, Mr. Lang was a successful Al Karwacki, longtime Bowie executive, jockey’s agent, handling the book for Bill Hartack among many others. Mr. Lang retired from Pimlico in 1987, was “one of the good guys” but continued to work as a national rac- Al Karwacki, who MTHA President Richard Hoffberger. ing consultant until several years ago. had continuing rapport “He is recalled fondly by many people In his retirement he also worked as a with horsemen during from all walks of this industry.” racing analyst for WBAL Radio, earning his many years as a After Bowie closed for racing in several awards as a journalist and pro- Bowie Race Course ex- 1985, Mr. Karwacki helped to organize ducer, including two Eclipse awards. ecutive, died on March 7 Southern California Off-Track Wagering Mr. Lang belonged to a family with in Brunswick, Ga. He was 78. Inc., a company that he ran for 14 years long-running connections to the sport. Mr. Karwacki worked at Bowie for while based at Los Alamitos race course. He was a great-grandson of Kentucky 26 years, serving as controller and trea- He retired to Georgia in 2002. Derby-winning trainer John Mayberry. surer before moving up to general man- A Korean War veteran, Mr. Karwacki His father, Chick Lang, Sr., rode to victo- ager. is survived by his wife of 60 years, Lor- ry in the 1928 aboard “Al was one of the good guys,” said raine Karwacki. . And his late son, Chickie Lang, was publicity director at Pimlico before becoming an executive at Oak- Hoofprints lawn Park and Retama Park. Grandson Bart Lang is currently director of racing Turf racing starts March 31 horses, purchased and placed in service at Lone Star Park. Maryland’s turf racing season will be- through 2010. Mr. Lang asked to have his ashes For more information contact the spread at Pimlico in the Preakness win- gin on March 31 at Laurel Park, weather permitting. American Horse Council at (202) 296- ner’s circle near the cupola. A ceremony 4031, www.horsecouncil.org. is expected to take place either on the Horse tattoos AHC’s Horse Industry Directory opening day of the Pimlico spring meet, Trainers needing to have horses tat- April 17, or during Preakness week. tooed are asked to call Frank Saumell at The American Horse Council’s 2010 (410) 419-5872. Horse Industry Directory, a comprehen- Slots, from page 1 sive listing of breed and sport organiza- New jobs bill benefits owners tions, equine publications, state re- The groups and individual represen- Congress has passed a second jobs sources and racing and gaming organiza- tatives have also filed a motion contend- bill, the Hiring Incentives to Restore Em- tions, is now available. ing that Cordish’s parent company vio- ployment Act (HIRE Act), extending the To purchase a copy ($25), call (202) lated a state statute that “prohibits merit- expense deduction for assets, including 296-4031 or visit www.horsecouncil.org. less suits brought by large private inter- ests, often real estate developers, to de- Committee bulletins ter ordinary citizens from exercising their political or legal rights.” Bowie • Hopefully, electrical power will be The slots law enacted in 2008 allows Backstretch chairman Phil Capuano installed in the viewing stand to allow for one slots site within each of five ju- reported: for air conditioning this year. risdictions: in Allegany, Anne Arundel, • The track is in good condition. Laurel Cecil and Worcester Counties and Balti- • Maintenance has done a good job Backstretch chairman Larry Murray more City. Only two race tracks—Laurel of keeping the backstretch clean. said that the collapsed roof on the re- Park and Ocean Downs—are eligible to • The water leak in the Hacienda has ceiving barn was repaired promptly. become slots facilities. been repaired. IN MEMORIAM Maryland’s equine census will

Dr. Philip J. Torsney, the Red provide a resource for the industry Bank, N.J., physician who cam- paigned multiple stakes winner and Horsemen are urged to respond to tor, jobs, economy and land base. With leading Maryland sire Horatius, died equine census forms that will be mailed the 2010 count, we will learn how the on March 7. He was 77. Dr. Torsney out in April. industry has changed, which can in turn was a longtime client of the late Mary- The USDA’s National Agricultural Sta- help us determine what policy or eco- land trainer James W. (Jimmy) Mur- tistics Service is conducting the census nomic development activities might be phy. on behalf of the Maryland Horse Indus- needed.” Hermen Greenberg, a prominent try Board. By law, all census information is owner/breeder and proprietor of Rut- “The first equine census eight years strictly confidential. ledge Farm in Middleburg, Va., died ago gave us an important baseline for Anyone involved in equine activities on February 28 at the age of 89. Mr. measuring the size of our equine indus- who does not receive a questionnaire Greenberg bred 1993 Belmont Stakes try,” said Maryland Agriculture Secre- by May 1 is asked to call (800) 675-0295 winner Colonial Affair and cam- tary Buddy Hance. “It reinforced that (toll free) to request a questionnaire. paigned numerous stakes winners, in- horses of all kinds are remarkably im- For more information visit www.mary- cluding Maryland Million Distaff win- portant to Maryland’s agricultural sec- landhorseindustry.org/census.shtml. ner Ms. Rutledge. Margaret Pearce (Peggy) Smith, 77, a lifelong Maryland horsewoman, Recreation report died on February 28. For many years, Mrs. Smith worked side-by-side with From Dan Mangum, MTHA Basketball her former husband, William McKin- Recreation Director. (410) 802-5798. J.C. Harrington’s Terps won the league ley (Linky) Smith. Orioles tickets tournament by defeating William Brooks James P. (Jimmy) Fay, who was and Derrick Slouranoy’s Laurel Bombers employed for many years on the back- The MTHA will conduct a series of 86 to 77 in the championship game. stretch and as a parking attendant at drawings for Orioles tickets, with the Maryland tracks, died on February 14. first drawing scheduled for Saturday, MVP Jermaine “Moose” Young led the April 3 at noon in the Bowie track Terps with 39 points and 14 rebounds. kitchen. Brian Parker was the leading scorer for the Bombers with 24 points. Each drawing will offer a set of four Also, William “Fats” Brooks was cho- Free rabies Orioles tickets (two tickets to two sen Coach of the Year for leading his team games) and parking passes for both into the championship. vaccinations for cats games. The first two games in the series are Softball Dr. James M. Casey, a veterinarian as well as a trainer, provides free rabies Monday, April 12 vs. the Tampa Bay Individuals or teams interested in soft- vaccinations for cats. Rays and Thursday, April 29 vs. the New ball are asked to call Dan Mangum as soon To arrange for this service, contact York Yankees. as possible. Dr. Casey at Barn D in the International Sign up at the track kitchens or call Donations Village at Laurel Park. Dan Mangum. The following generous people re- Baysox tickets cently donated clothing, reading material Free tickets to Bowie Baysox games and/or other items for distribution on the The will be available in the near future. Look backstretch: J.D. Brown, Gene Gilhooly, for information in the track kitchens or Prima Groves, Gail Mangum, Sylvia and Horsemen’s call Dan Mangum. Arnold Heft and Carmen Roig, Newsletter Horsemen’s calendar Published monthly by the Maryland Thoroughbred RACING Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company Spring Two-Year-Olds in Training Horsemen’s Laurel Park...... Now through April 10 Ocala, Fla. (352) 237-2154. . . . April 19-22 Association, Inc. Pimlico...... April 17 through May 22 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky July Selected Yearlings Lexington, Ky. 6314 Windsor Mill Road, JIM MCKAY MARYLAND MILLION DAY (859) 255-1555...... July 13, 14 OCT. 2 AT LAUREL PARK Baltimore, Md. 21207; Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Selected (410) 265-6842; FASIG-TIPTON MIDLANTIC AUCTIONS Yearlings Saratoga Springs, N.Y. Fax: (410) 265-6841; AT TIMONIUM (516) 328-1800...... Aug. 2, 3 (410) 392-5555 E-mail: [email protected] Two-Year-Olds in Training. . . . May 17, 18 Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company Web site: www.mdhorsemen.com Selected/Open Yearlings Eastern Fall Yearlings...... Oct. 4, 5 Ocala, Fla. (352) 237-2154. . . . Aug. 24-27 The Horsemen’s Newsletter (Entries close July 12) reports on issues and events of interest Keeneland September Yearlings to owners and trainers in Maryland. OUT-OF-STATE AUCTIONS Lexington, Ky. (800) 456-3412. . .Sept. 13-26 Your suggestions are welcome. Keeneland Two-Year-Olds in Training Fasig-Tipton Kentucky Fall Yearlings Lexington, Ky. (800) 456-3412. . . . . April 5 Lexington, Ky. (859) 255-1555. . . Oct. 25-27 MTHA’s Backstretch Pension Plan Registration

Attention All Backstretch April 12 through April 16 Employees (Assistant Failure to register Pimlico MTHA Office, Trainers, Exercise Persons, will result in the loss 10 a.m. to noon Grooms, Hotwalkers, Stable April 19 through April 23 Foremen, Trainers, etc.) of your 2009 benefit Bowie Track Kitchen, Pension Plan Registration for the Office Next Door, year ended 2009 will take place at March 29 through April 2 9:30 a.m. to noon April 26 through April 30 the following times and locations. Bowie Track Kitchen, 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 2009. April 5 through April 9 May 3 through May 7 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 March 2010

Thoughts and comment MTHA Board of Directors rainers who are stabled in Maryland worked with the MTHA to maintain a rel- Richard J. Hoffberger Tare expected to run their horses in atively strong program of overnights, as President Maryland. It’s that simple. well as a reasonable number of live race Richard J. Meyer Of course there are reasons why days—including the popular August Vice President horsemen travel out of state every now mini-meet at Laurel, which is expected John V. Alecci and then. And that’s understood. But to return this year. Howard M. Bender when 55 horses are scheduled to ship Horsemen who take advantage of our out of Laurel and Bowie in a three-day stabling facilities without supporting the Dale Capuano period, to race and return from Charles racing program should be aware that Phillip L. Capuano Town and Penn National—as happened they are hurting our already struggling William T. Fitzgibbons, Sr. on March 19, 20 and 21—we have a seri- industry. Linda S. Gaudet ous problem. Loyalty counts. Hopefully, by this time H. Neil Glasser Obviously, our overall purses are no next year, some revenue will be available Christopher W. Grove longer on par with nearby tracks. But in from slots and purses will begin to in- Arnold A. Heft some instances, Maryland trainers chose crease. Meanwhile, we need horsemen’s Timothy L. Keefe to leave even though an identical race, full cooperation and support. Lawrence E. Murray with a higher purse, was carded here at /Georganne Hale John J. Robb Laurel Park. Director of Racing, Katharine M. Voss The Maryland Jockey Club has Maryland Jockey Club