NOVEMBER 19, 2014 RACING COMMISSION OFFICE 140 EAST FRONT STREET, 8Th FLOOR TRENTON, NEW JERSEY
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NEW JERSEY RACING COMMISSION WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2014 RACING COMMISSION OFFICE 140 EAST FRONT STREET, 8th FLOOR TRENTON, NEW JERSEY A meeting of the New Jersey Racing Commission was held on Wednesday, November 19, 2014, in the Racing Commission office located at 140 East Front Street, in Trenton, New Jersey. The following were present: Pamela J. Clyne, Chairman Anthony T. Abbatiello, Commissioner Manny E. Aponte, Commissioner (by phone) Michael J. Arnone, Commissioner (by phone) Peter J. Cofrancesco, III, Commissioner David C. Gruskos, Commissioner Francis X. Keegan, Jr., Commissioner Peter T. Roselle, Commissioner (by phone) Frank Zanzuccki, Executive Director DAG Judith A. Nason The following were absent: Anthony G. DePaola, Commissioner Executive Director Frank Zanzuccki read the following statement: “This meeting today conforms with Chapter 231, P.L. 1975, called the “Open Public Meeting Law,” and as per the requirements of the statute, notification of this meeting has been filed with the Secretary of State and with the following newspapers: Daily Racing Form, Bergen Record, Asbury Park Press, Courier-Post and the Newark Star Ledger. Minutes of November 19, 2014 2 WHEREAS in order to protect the personal privacy and to avoid situations wherein the public interest might be disserved, the Open Public Meetings Act permits bodies to exclude the public from that portion of a meeting at which certain matters are discussed. NOW, THEREFORE, be it resolved that consistent with the provision of N.J.S.A. 10:4-12(b), the New Jersey Racing Commission will now adjourn to executive session to obtain legal advice protected from disclosure by the attorney-client privilege on the following matters: 1. Legal advice concerning the allocation of racing dates for thoroughbred and standardbred permit holders for 2015 for the following: Standardbred Racetracks: New Meadowlands Racetrack FR Park Racing, L.P. Thoroughbred Racetracks: New Jersey Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association Inc./Meadowlands New Jersey Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association, Inc./Monmouth Park Atlantic City Race Course a) Consider whether to approve: Sportech Racing, Inc. to continue (for calendar year 2015, to provide totalisator and related services for the racetrack permit holders (live racing) at the Mount Laurel Data Center; and the renewal of Sportech’s Racing Commission license for such purpose (for calendar year 2015); 2. Legal advice concerning the request of Darby Development Inc., on behalf of the NJTHA, to cancel races on September 25, October 4, 11, 24, 25 and November 1, 2014 due to inclement weather; 3. Legal advice concerning the distribution of the Casino Simulcasting Special Fund accumulated in 2013, pursuant to N.J.S.A. 5:12-205d; 4. Legal advice concerning Exchange Wagering: a) Consider report form Exchange Wagering Committee, proposed summary of comments and proposed responses; b) Consider adoption of summary of comments, responses and adoption of proposed Exchange Wagering rules N.J.A.C. 13:74C (Exchange Wagering); Minutes of November 19, 2014 3 5. Legal advice concerning a Settlement Agreement in the matter of Keith Evringham, DVM v. NJRC, OAL Docket No. RAC 17440-2013S; and 6. Other legal advice and/or status of pending litigation. Discussion of the above matters fall within the exceptions under the law; specifically matters falling within the attorney-client privilege, to the extent that confidentiality is required in order for the Commission’s attorney to exercise her ethical duties as a lawyer and/or matters involving pending or anticipated litigation.” It was noted that Commissioner Aponte, Commissioner Arnone and Commissioner Roselle are participating by telephone. Commissioner Aponte motioned to adopt the resolution to adjourn. Chairman Clyne seconded the motion. The Commission then adjourned to Executive Session. The Commission ended the execution session and Commissioner Cofrancesco moved to reconvene the public session. Chairman Clyne seconded the motion and the Commission concurring, the public session resumed. CONSIDER APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE PUBLIC AND EXECUTIVE SESSIONS OF THE SEPTEMBER 17, 2014 COMMISSION MEETING Chairman Clyne made a motion to approve the public and executive minutes of the September 17, 2014 public meeting. Commissioner Keegan seconded the motion and all Commissioners voted yes, with the exception of Commissioner Grusko who abstained, and Commissioner Aponte and Commissioner Roselle who had not yet joined the conference call. Executive Director Zanzuccki welcomed Commissioner Gruskos to the Racing Commission. CONSIDER THE ALLOCATION OF RACING DATES FOR THOROUGHBRED AND STANDARDBRED PERMIT HOLDERS FOR 2015 Executive Director Zanzuccki read the following statement: In preparation for this day, all interested parties were invited to forward comments in writing to the Commission for consideration. All the 2015 applications have been filed Minutes of November 19, 2014 4 and requested dates have been announced. Each Commissioner has been supplied with the law of date allocations and the history and statistics of prior racing seasons and written comments received from the industry. You will now have another opportunity to summarize your positions. The meeting, in terms of the presentations of the applicants and horsemen’s groups, will proceed in the following manner: We will begin with the thoroughbred date request. A representative from Atlantic City Racetrack will present their application. Following this presentation, a representative of the NJTHA will present its 2015 Monmouth Park proposed thoroughbred schedule, followed by the Meadowlands thoroughbred schedule. Comments from the THA and the members of the public will follow the racetrack presentations. The Commission will then consider a motion concerning thoroughbred dates and vote on the requested dates. Following the vote on thoroughbred dates, the Commission will then hear the presentation from Freehold Racetrack, followed by presentations from representatives from NMR, LLC concerning its proposed 2015 Meadowlands’ standardbred racing schedule. Comments from the SBOA and members of the public will follow. Once again, following this presentation, the Commission will consider a motion and vote on the requested dates. In considering the allocation of 2015 racing dates for both thoroughbred and standardbred racing, the Commission will give due consideration to the public interest factors enumerated in the statute. Briefly, those factors are: 1. Protect the State’s revenue. 2. Provide for continuity of racing and year-round racing so as to promote the racing industry and maintain and enhance the employment which is provided to this State. 3. Provide recreational opportunity for residents. 4. Maintain and improve this State’s competitive position with regard to neighboring racing states. While these are the main factors, the Commission must also recognize and address such issues as stabling, horse availability, the effect of overlapping racing dates, the financial situation of the various racetracks, the erosion of live racing dates, and the overall status of the racing industry. Minutes of November 19, 2014 5 THOROUGHBRED RACE DATES Atlantic City Race Course Mary Jo Couts of Atlantic City Race Course (“ACRA”) indicated that requesting six days of racing on April 23 through April 29 and being dark on Monday, April 27. The meet will include all turf racing with six races being conducted per day. Ms. Couts indicated that ACRA may be adding a race each day. Monmouth Park and Meadowlands Racetrack (thoroughbred) Dennis Drazin, Esq., on behalf of the NJTHA, asked for approval of the Monmouth Park dates as submitted to the Commission which consists of 49 days. He stated that he consents to the Commission tabling the date request for the Meadowlands’ meet at this time. Mr. Drazin indicated that the THA has been discussing with Mr. Gural about the cost of turning over the track at the Meadowlands and has also been exploring the cost of adding synthetic track to eliminate rain-out days, upgrading the turf and perhaps adding an inner track. Mr. Drazin advised the Commission that Mr. Gural has requested that notwithstanding the THA’s date request, he would like to start his Meadowlands’ meet on the 15th even if the THA continues with its current date application. Mr. Drazin indicated that he will work on this start date with him even if the thoroughbreds run beyond the Breeders’ Cup and that racing will be conducted on the turf only so both breeds can be conducted simultaneously. Mr. Drazin indicated that in the final analysis, the THA will be requesting a full 71 days. Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association Michael Musto, on behalf of the THA, stated that the horsemen are in support of the dates requested. There were no further comments on the thoroughbred race dates. Executive Director Zanzuccki read the following proposed motion: Minutes of November 19, 2014 6 The Racing Commission has received 2015 race date applications for thoroughbred racing for Monmouth Park at the Meadowlands Racetrack, Monmouth Park and Atlantic City Race Course. The Racing Commission has also considered materials from staff and any commentary offered. The application of the NJTHA for the Meadowlands Racetrack - thoroughbred, proposes a 22-day schedule, from September 11 through November 21, 2015. The application for Monmouth Park submitted by NJTHA encompasses a 49-race dates request, commencing May 9, 2015 and ending September 7, 2015. The application of Atlantic City Racecourse for 2015 consists