N.J. horse industry feels betrayed by Gov. Christie's support of Atlantic City, but not Meadowlands
"The whole industry in New Jersey will be gone, including Perretti Farms," said Anthony Perretti, general manager of Perretti Farms in Cream Ridge, the state’s largest breeding farm.
"The governor and his team are willing to support Atlantic City, but not the Meadowlands? Give us support, so we can reinvent as well."
Horses are big business in New Jersey. According to a Rutgers University report from 2007,
horse racing and racing-related operations generate more than $780 million in economic activity each year. Some 3,800 of the industry’s 13,000 jobs are tied to racetracks. Horse farms represent one-fifth of the state’s 790,000 agricultural acres, and house upwards of 12,500 standardbreds and thoroughbreds.New Jersey is a national leader, too. In 2007, the state was second only to Kentucky for horse sales as a percentage of agricultural sales, said Paul Gottlieb, associate professor at Rutgers University. And it ranked second, after Rhode Island, for total breeding per acre of land, he said.
"We are one of the top equine states in the country," said Gottlieb, who noted potential race track closings will have far-reaching implications. "The impact is likely to be felt by agricultural suppliers, including hay growers who do not keep horses themselves, veterinarians, trainers, farriers, and so on."
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