M.J.C. slashes purses/stakes

[ALostTexan]

And the parking lots are full of vehicles with Ohio plates.

Totally disgusted me that we could not get Issue 3 passed in Ohio last year, especially with the amount of money that would have gone to secondary education. I was a huge supporter of the bill there, even had a slot of ATRAB to try to drum up support, but our bill was eventually killed, not as much by the religious supporters but by the notion that "7 wealthy racetracks would only benefit". Those being places like Beulah, Scioto Downs, and River Downs (none of which I would call wealthy tracks).

I wish Maryland all the luck in the world in getting the slot machines at their tracks, as they should have the chance to compete with surrounding states on a level playing field...

ALostTexan

[Danzig]

in the long run, those who are able to get slots will be right back where they started, with everyone fighting for the gambling dollars....getting slots doesn't mean one will succeed, but by the same token, maryland without them is fighting an uphill battle.
louisiana really siphoned off a lot of arkansas breeders when they got slots, oaklawn turned around and got their instant racing machines, which helped...

[phystech]

Byalip,

You may live in Maryland but you clearly don't have a grasp on the slots situation, i.e., why they haven't been passed. A few here have it right - it is purely a political issue that has been firmly obstructed by the Speaker of MD's House - Michael Busch. The Senate President, Mike Miller, claims to be a "friend" of Md racing and has supported slots and has pushed a few bills through his chamber the last few years only to be rebuffed by The Obstructionist. With a Republican Gov the previous 4 years, and the Democrat Obstructionist, slots were never going to get passed - MD Dem's simply would never allow a Republican Gov to accomplish anything.

Your highlighting of the bible thumping crowd really doesn't play into the deal. Yes, the church will always cry out against gambling and there are some MD church leaders decrying the evils of slots - and then they call their next bingo number. The church, some civic leaders, etc are but a small vocal minority - ankle biters, I call them. But the main roadblock, until now has been the Obstructionist Busch.

But, a new Dem Gov was just elected so now the tide seems to be changing for the call for slots. The state is facing a huge budget deficit next year so suddenly, Ob Busch finding slots much more palatable. No doubt, giving a Dem Gov the chance to claim victory in the slots issue make them more tasty too.

In the end, it's the shortsighted leadership and failings of the Maryland horsemen and the MJC that is to blame. The horsemen's refusal to shorten their meets substantially to preserve purses is a major downfall. All the past few years there has been tremendous resistance by a number of the elected directors (owners, trainers) that sit on the MD Horsemen's Association to reduce racing dates. Their cry was that they needed to have year round racing to preserve there family life. Funny thing is, most of those whiners are the ones that were first to start taking stalls at Delpark, Gulfstream, FairGrounds, etc. - they couldn't wait to jump ship.

MJC shares the blame too. They are the poorest bunch of managers ever to see the face of the earth. They spent millions to rebuild the Laurel dirt and turf course, especially the turf course. But, when does the bulk of the Lau meet run? During the winter. So, what Einstein is responsible for that great decision? Each year since the turf course has been open, the fall meet has done tremendous business and their handle has greatly improved. But as soon as they come off the turf for the winter, the bottom drops out. Seems to me an adjustment of racing dates is in order to capitalize on the turf course.

MJC could exploit the OTB market in MD by requesting a repeal of the OTB law that prohibits an OTB be placed within a 30 mie radius of any racetrack. That means no OTB's anywhere except the eastern shore, far south MD, of west of Frederick. They should have one or two tv's, and an autotote machine, in every bar and restaurant in the state broadcasting live racing. They have a stupid computer generated horse racing keno game in every place so why not live racing? Because they are too stupid to do it.

They'll never do any of this though - they are all too busy standing on the street corner with their hands stuck out waiting for slot money.