If the Meadowlands Racetrack and Freehold Raceway want to continue to offer sports betting, they better maintain harness racing, according to a bill signed into law.
The law requires the tracks to run a minimum of 151 racing dates, with a provision that “the annual number of scheduled standardbred race dates may be decreased to no fewer than 75, upon written consent from the Standardbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association of New Jersey.”
“The horse racing industry relies on thousands of jobs, from veterinarians to trainers and many others, and generates millions of dollars in tax revenue while also supporting open space,” bill sponsor Ronald Dancer — an assemblyman who is son of legendary harness racing driver and trainer Stanley Dancer — said in a statement.”
Assemblyman Ralph Caputo, another sponsor, told NJ Online Gambling that the bill protects the standardbred owners from any changes in the business plans of the harness racetrack owners.
The bill does not apply to the state’s thoroughbred racetrack, at Monmouth Park in Oceanport. Then again, the thoroughbred situation is not the same.
The New Jersey Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association owns the track, and former state Racing Commission Chairman Dennis Drazin runs operations. As a result, there is no incentive to end racing or limit the number of race dates.
In November, the racing commission approved 90 racing dates for the Meadowlands and 85 for Freehold, a number matching the 2021 schedule for the Meadowlands and the addition of three dates at Freehold.
Monmouth Park will have 71 race dates, up nine from last year, including 11 cards on the turf at the Meadowlands in early fall. The Oceanport race total is up seven from last year.
