The Golden Years in Jersey

    Hearing the news that the N. J. Horsemen's Association is going to lease grand old Monmouth Park, and that there may be major changes afoot to the facility beginning next year, made me feel a little nostalgic for the good old days at the Oceanport oval.

    Those changes to the picturesque and historic Jersey Shore racetrack - that promise to transform it into a full-fledged resort destination - include a water theme park, a Boardwalk-style area near the current Picnic Grove, a miniature golf course, a year-round restaurant, and a concert venue. There's even talk of starting races at 4 p.m. and ending them just as a concert begins.

     Oh, for the days of Bob Weems as he called the action from high atop the Monmouth grandstand, the sight of long betting lines and a crowded apron, and the screams of both the winners and losers as the horses battled down the homestretch!

     We looked through some of our Monmouth memorabilia this week and found a few tidbits from the 1962 publicity brochure that showcased the track back in its heyday.

     The picture in the top left-hand corner of the above page always fascinated me ... such an immense rainstorm hit the Oceanport area on July 29, 1961 that there was 4 feet of water in the paddock area. Every time I stand in the paddock now, I think about that fellow swimming towards the grandstand.

     Here are four well-known jockeys at Monmouth in 1961, including Hall of Famers Steve Brooks, Walter Blum and Sam Boulmetis, the latter two who went on to become stewards at American racetracks. Boulmetis, who is still living, is the uncle of current jockey Tony Black, the all-time winningest rider at Philadelphia Park. Blum is also still living.

     Many champion distaffers competed at Monmouth throughout the years, and Primonetta was no exception. Here she is pictured winning the Miss Woodford Stakes on July 3, 1961. Primonetta, a daughter of Swaps, was voted champion older mare in 1962 and Broodmare of the Year in 1978. She was the dam of Cum Laud Laurie, Maud Muller, Prince Thou Art and Grenfall.

      This scan isn't the greatest due to the way the old brochure folded, but pictured above is Philip H. Iselin, the track's vice presient, sitting poolside with several jockeys as they were doing a spot for NBC-TV. The jockeys' Olympic-sized swimming pool was a unique feature of Monmouth Park, and you could also find many a turf writer sunning themselves there amongst the jockeys before covering a big race. Unfortunately, the pool was filled in and paved over prior to Monmouth hosting the 2007 Breeders' Cup Championships, due to age and disrepair.

         This New Jersey "Golden Triangle," a logo that appeared on the back of the 1962 publicity brochure, is a reminder of the good 'ole days ... when there was a full-fledged circuit between Monmouth Park, Garden State Park and Atlantic City. Much like Monmouth Park's swimming pool, Garden State has succumbed to the bulldozer, while Atlantic City is neglected and on the verge of collapse, running only 6 days per year. The Golden Triangle certainly has tarnished since 1961.

A deal in Jersey

            Many in New Jersey’s thoroughbred industry are celebrating the news that a deal was struck between the N. J. Thoroughbred Horsemens Association, which represents owners and trainers, and the New Jersey Sports & Exposition Authority, the quasi-governmental entity, for the lease and operation of Monmouth Park.
            But as the corks are popped and the champagne begins to flow, let’s take a close look at the nuts and bolts of the deal:

MONMOUTH PARK RACETRACK

GROUND LEASE SUMMARY

The New Jersey Sports & Exposition Authority (the “NJSEA”) and New Jersey Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association (“NJTHA”) will enter into a ground lease (the “Ground Lease”) and related documents with respect to: (i) the leasing to NJTHA of the Monmouth Park Racetrack; (ii) the assignment to NJTHA of the right to operate five (5) off-track wagering facility licenses, including the existing Woodbridge OTW; and (iii) NJTHA’s assuming responsibility (together with the Meadowlands Racetrack operator) for the operation of the account wagering system and receiving a fifty percent (50%) share of the related net income.  These terms were signed March 1, 2012.  A closing is expected by the first week in May 2012.

 LEASE OF THE RACETRACK

The lease contains customary events of default permitting the NJSEA to retake the Monmouth Park Racetrack, including if NJTHA (a) ceases to operate the track as a thoroughbred racetrack, or (b) breaches any covenant in the other related documents.  If the NJSEA retakes the Racetrack, then it is also entitled to retake possession of the OTWs and account wagering interest.  At the conclusion of the lease, NJTHA agrees to allow the NJSEA, or its operator, to run a 71 one-day meet at purse levels that the NJTHA had run in the years that it leased the track.

The initial lease term shall terminate on December 31, 2016.  NJTHA has the right to extend the lease for up to three (3) 10-year terms. NJTHA and the Authority may jointly agree to extend the lease for a fourth 10-year term.

During the initial lease term, rental payment will be $1 per year.  During the first renewal term, annual rent will be either $250,000 or five percent (5%) of NJTHA’s net operating profits, whichever is greater.  During any subsequent renewal terms, annual rent will be either $500,000 or five percent (5%) of NJTHA’s net operating profits, whichever is greater.

 RACETRACK OPERATIONS AND EXPENSES

NJTHA is responsible for all operations at the Monmouth Park.

NJTHA is responsible for all costs of operating and managing Monmouth Park through the end of the lease.  NJSEA will advance $5.0 million of that amount on NJTHA’s behalf.  This $5.0 million is repaid as additional rent over five (5) years commencing in June 2015.  Repayment of the $5.0 million is secured by several forms of collateral including an escrow of $4 million.  As an incentive for the NJTHA to take over for the 2012 season, with expected operating losses in excess of $8 million, the NJSEA also agreed to provide a $4 million grant for the 2012 racing season.

NJSEA has also agreed to advance up to $2.0 million of operating losses for 2013 and up to $2.0 million of operating losses for 2014.  These amounts will also be repaid over five (5) years commencing in June 2016 and June 2017, respectively.  Repayment of these amounts is secured by various forms of collateral, including the OTW investments.

OTW AND ACCOUNT WAGERING

NJTHA will be granted the right to operate the off-track wagering facility in Woodbridge.  NJTHA will pay NJSEA ten percent (10%) of its net operating profits from the Woodbridge OTW commencing on the second anniversary of the Ground Lease.

NJTHA also has the right to construct and operate up to four (4) additional off-track wagering facilities.  NJTHA is required to commence construction of one new OTW facility within 12 months and a second new OTW facility within 24 months of commencement of the Ground Lease.  NJTHA will pay NJSEA ten percent (10%) of its off-track wagering net operating profits from any new OTWs.

NJTHA will receive 50% of NJSEA’s net operating profits from the account wagering operation.  Prior to NJTHA and the operator of the Meadowlands Racetrack assuming the account wagering operation (which is expected to occur after the closing of the Ground Lease), the Authority will retain 5% of the net operating profits.

Starting in 2013, the NJSEA will get 5% of the NJTHA’s share of account wagering revenue.

 ENVIRONMENTAL

Environmental remediation in areas of new construction is the NJSEA’s responsibility up to the first $2.0 million. NJTHA will be responsible for all costs associated with the removal of historic fill.  If the cost of remediation is over $2.0 million, then NJTHA will have the option of paying the excess costs.  If NJTHA fails to pay the excess remediation costs, the NJSEA has the option of paying the excess or terminating the Ground Lease.  The NJSEA agreed to increase this amount depending on the amount the NJTHA contributes to capital improvements.

 GAMING

If the laws relating to gaming change, then NJTHA has the right to conduct such gaming from the Racetrack.  If NJTHA elects not to exercise the available gaming rights, then the NJSEA has the right to conduct such gaming from the Racetrack.

* * * *

            We’ll have a fuller examination and opinion on this deal in a subsequent blog post, but suffice it to say it seems that the NJTHA, with no experience at running a racetrack, may be biting off more than they can chew unless they have a team of professionals ready to assist.

Winning memories

            Over the Christmas holidays, I finally had a chance to go through an enormous amount of old photographs that I had stored away since the death of my mother in June, 2010.
            For several days, I opened shoe boxes, albums and envelopes, discovering pieces of my family history that I never knew existed.
            Hundreds of photos, many dating from 1900, took me back through time to the place of my birth, Bayonne, New Jersey, a city just across New York Bay from Manhattan and Brooklyn. My maternal and paternal great-grandparents immigrated from Poland at the turn of the century and landed at nearby Ellis Island, before finally settling in the Bergen Point area, on the city’s southern tip.
            A blue-collar, lower middle-class town, most of Bayonne’s immigrant inhabitants worked at the nearby Standard Oil Company refinery on its east side, or at other manufacturing, distribution or maritime jobs that required manual labor. My grandfather Bill drove a truck for the J. Stanley Company, and loaded it with boxes and crates of food supplies from container ships that docked at Port Elizabeth, on Newark Bay, from around the world.
             My family ties were strong in Bayonne, with scores of aunts, uncles and cousins all living within blocks of each other. The main shopping district on Broadway was full of mom-and-pop establishments with glass fronts that displayed their wares for passersby … everything from bakeries and butchers, delis and shoe shops, groceries and newspaper stands. You could find anything you needed on Broadway.
            Does this blog post have anything to do with horse racing, you might ask? Well, yes it does, in a roundabout way. You see, as I gingerly handled the faded and brittle black-and-white photographs that chronicled my family’s past, I was reminded of the love I had for my grandfather, who, in addition to being a hard-working, dedicated breadwinner who left the house before sunrise and returned home after sunset, was a racing aficionado and instilled that love in me.
            Bill would get the New York Daily News delivered to the house about 11:30 p.m. each night and mark up the entries each morning before work, drinking his coffee at the kitchen table and putting an “X” next to a horse’s name in every race that was listed, be it from Belmont Park, Yonkers, or Monticello. The next day, he’d check to see how he’d done – a crude handicapping method, at best! And I would help him, reading the names of the horses he’d checked in the previous day’s newspaper. He’d look at the results and either say, “No good,” if the horse lost, or slyly smile and say, “I got a winner!”
            If he had a particularly good week, he’d think Lady Luck was on his side, and that meant we’d ride over to Staten Island on Saturday morning to a New York City OTB parlor on Liberty Boulevard, and he’d place a few bets. In those days, there was a half-hour television show that aired at 6 p.m. every Saturday hosted by Frank Wright and Charlsie Cantey, which showed the feature race of the day from New York and also the 9^th race, and we’d always watch it to see how he “made out.”
            Those were magical trips to Staten Island … crossing the majestic Bayonne Bridge, the fourth-longest steel arch bridge in the world. It spans the Kill Van Kull, a strip of water that separates Staten Island from Bayonne, and is an important shipping channel for seagoing vessels that are headed to Port Elizabeth. In those days, I even thought the dingy, dirty OTB parlor with its scruffy clientele was a little piece of heaven, too.
            In the summer, my grandfather and I would take a trip or two to Monmouth Park, and the excitement always proved too much for me, as I was never able to sleep the night before. A day at the track was a special event, a rite of summer, not like today’s day-in-and-day-out racing cards churned out at year-round factories like Parx Racing and Penn National. Win or lose, we always had a great time.
            My grandfather died in 1984, and never lived to see my handicapping selections get published in a newspaper, or read the articles I wrote about the stakes races at Monmouth or Garden State Park. As I looked at the photographs of him from so long ago, I realized how much I miss him, and how thankful I am that he introduced me, in just a small way, to the Sport of Kings. Perhaps one day we’ll meet again, and place some bets at that big racetrack in the sky.

My grandfather Bill and I, near the Bayonne Bridge, in 1978.

Starved weanlings recovering; court date set

            Nearly two months after they were seized from a farm in Littlestown, Pa. by the Adams County SPCA, 18 thoroughbred weanlings who had been close to death are slowly but surely returning to health.
            Acting on a tip, officials with the Adams County SPCA found the starving weanlings on November 16 at a farm leased to James W. Houseman, 44, at 135 Fesser Road. Houseman, of Littlestown, has since been charged with 22 counts of animal cruelty, to which he has pleaded not guilty.
            Of the original group of 21 weanlings, three were very weak from malnutrition and died shortly after being brought to the SPCA’s facilities in Gettysburg, but the remaining 18 have responded to veterinary care and the loving attention of a legion of volunteers, who have offered their services to the SPCA after learning about their plight through local television stations, newspapers and web sites.
            “They are doing much, much better,” said arresting officer Abigail Avery, who was one of the first on the scene in Littlestown after the SPCA was alerted to the situation by the owners of the Fesser Road farm, Fred L. and Denise Dutterer. “They are starting to act like normal young horses again, and it’s wonderful to watch them finally start running around and playing. They’ve put on weight, and now we’re working on treating their rain rot. All of them are covered with pretty severe rain rot, but the first thing we wanted to do when they arrived here was to address their malnutrition and get them stabilized.”
            Here's how the weanlings look now:

(Photos of the weanlings courtesy of the Adams County SPCA web site)

            According to Denise Dutterer in a published report, Houseman began leasing the farm in mid-October, and the couple became suspicious when they were unable to communicate with him. She said she was “shocked” when she saw the condition of the horses.

            Houseman’s court date is set for Tuesday, Feb. 14 in Adams County, where he will face Magesterial District Judge Daniel S. Bowman in Bonneauville (phone 717-334-7810). Houseman’s attorney is Steve Rice, Esq., in Gettysburg (phone 717-339-0011). The District Attorney in Adams County is Fawn Elizabeth Smith, Esq., in Gettyburg (phone 717-337-9840).
            You can read Houseman’s court information, including the date, time, charges and attorney information, here: http://ujsportal.pacourts.us/DocketSheets/MDJReport.aspx?district=MDJ-51-3-02&docketNumber=MJ-51302-NT-0000654-2011
            Avery said of the 18 weanlings, four are owned by a person in Florida, who wants them returned, while two more are owned by a father and daughter in Kentucky, who also wants them back.
            The remaining 12 came from Star Barn Thoroughbreds in Grantville, Pa., but Avery said the Adams Co. SPCA intends to ask Judge Bowman for custody of them, as “we do not want them going back to Star Barn,” she said.
            Avery described the scene at the farm on Fesser Road the day the weanlings were seized.
            “There was a smell of death as soon as you walked in the barn,” recalled Avery. “Two of the weanlings were down, and there was a dead mare lying underneath some hay. Unfortunately, we lost those two weanlings shortly after seizing them.
            “There was a very eerie feeling in that barn,” she continued. “Usually, when you have a group of that many weanlings, there is a lot of movement and sound. These weanlings were very lethargic, and even though they were all trying to crowd around us, looking for food, there was no noise. When we first brought them here (to the SPCA), they were very calm, and all you could hear was the sound of them eating and chomping on hay.”
            Houseman had also been under investigation by officials in Frederick County, Md., for suspected neglect of 34 horses, primarily broodmares, in Thurmont.
            Avery said the Adams County SPCA is “very, very blessed” for the financial support from the community, as well as the daily help from many volunteers.
            As for Star Barn Thoroughbreds, whose principals are Paul Truitt, DVM and Dr. Robert S. Barr, Avery said any charges brought against them would have to be made by SPCA officials in Lebanon County. It is unknown at this writing whether any animal cruelty charges have been brought. Star Barn is currently up for sale with Suburban Realty in Annville, Pa.
            For more information on the weanlings and the Adams County SPCA, here are some links:
            http://meyersshelter.org/
            http://www.abc27.com/story/16228054/caretaker-of-seized-horses-charged-with-animal-cruelty
            http://www.emmitsburg.net/archive_list/articles/ce/emmitsburg/2011/horse_abuse.htm

           

           

Highs and Lows of 2011 at Parx Racing

As we reflect back upon the past 12 months at Parx Racing, there were many memorable moments, both good and bad. Here are a few of our favorites:

High – The Cotillion Stakes for 3-year-old fillies was bestowed Grade 1 status by the American Graded Stakes Committee. From DRF: http://www.drf.com/news/two-bc-races-cotillion-among-four-new-grade-1-stakes-2012

Low – The track publicized that this is the “first” Grade 1 race in Pennsylvania, but in reality it is not.  The Cotillion enjoyed Grade 1 status in 1973, when Lilac Hill won, and was downgraded thereafter. Here's one of the articles with the wrong information: http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/12/07/2535632/purse-upgrade-for-cotillion-stakes.html

Here’s the video of this year’s Cotillion, won by Pennsylvania-bred Plum Pretty:

 * * * *

High – Juan Carlos Guerrero dominated racing for the 2^nd year in a row, maintaining a 40 percent win clip and completing 2011 nearly 40 winners ahead of runnerup Ramon Preciado.

Low – Guerrero gets booted off track for 10 years the week of December 19^th after being charged with sexual assault.  Read more here: http://www.drf.com/news/parx-racing-bans-leading-trainer-guerrero-10-years

* * * *

High – Apprentices Rosario Montanez and Kyle Frey end 2011 as the top 2 bug-boys in the country while based at Parx.

Low – Veteran Eriluis Vaz, the infamous participant in the jockey fight versus Ademar Santos during a race at Parx in 2010, gets the hook by track security after a mysterious shower incident in the women jockey’s room the week of December 5. It’s rumored he’s been barred for seven years.
You can see Vaz’s saddle slugfest here:

* * * *

High – Parx Casino launches a multi-million dollar expansion of the main building in order to create more elbow room for table games customers.  Read more: http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2011/10/24/parx-casino-is-expanding-again/

Low – Attendance and handle at the racetrack shrink, while the new casino expansion encroaches upon the lone parking lot for racetrack patrons.

According to the most recent approved minutes of the Pennsylvania State Racing Commission: “Joe Wilson, Chief Executive Officer, reported the Pari-mutuel handle from all sources for the month of October, 2011 was $34.9M.  Year to date handle was $390.5M compared to $454.6M from 2010; reflecting a decrease of 14.1%.  Purses paid an average of $317K per day compared to $367K per day in 2010.  Mr. Wilson explained the underpayment was $1.8M.  The underpayment continues to be monitored with the PTHA. Total attendance on track for October, 2011 was 18,926 compared to 21,109 in October, 2010.”

Perhaps the most disturbing fact contained in that Commission report was this: “The Thoroughbred handle at the Pennsylvania locations are down nearly $42M.”

* * * *

High – Aggressive ad campaign for Parx Casino blankets tri-state area with TV, print and Internet ads. Check this one out:

Low – Parx Racing gets little, if any, marketing support from Greenwood Gaming & Entertainment.

* * * *

High – Parx Racing creates a “Hall of  Fame,” whose purpose should have been to honor important people and horses of its past. Scroll down in this link to see the pics: http://www.patha.org/pdfs/Press%20release%20H%20of%20F.pdf

Low – The track’s longtime first announcer, Jack Lamar, is snubbed by the “nominating committee,” while a member of that nominating committee is voted into the Hall of Fame, bringing into question its legitimacy.

You can read all about Lamar’s legacy in the Bensalem announcer’s booth here: http://www.pathoroughbred.blogspot.com/2011/09/giving-jack-his-due.html

* * * *

All in all, another year of very interesting news emanating from the “Big Box on Street Road,” the former Philadelphia Park.  Happy New Year from Pennsylvania Thoroughbred!

Before we sign off, here's a chuckle courtesy of the suits at Parx Casino:

Our Christmas Wish List

On this Christmas Eve, we’ve created a list for Santa that we’re going to leave under the tree tonight, hoping he can grant these wishes for the wonderful sport of thoroughbred racing, which we have loved since the days when we were just a foal:

* For Monmouth Park to find a new owner that cares about carrying on its proud tradition, mindful of its historic past while promising to keep her sparkling as the true “Jewel of the Jersey Shore.”

* For Atlantic City Racecourse to get cleaned up, fixed up, and run more than just a handful of days not only in 2012, but in the future.  It’s obvious that fans in South Jersey want it to happen, judging from the outstanding attendance figures the last few years.

* For Parx Racing to make a concerted effort to market and promote horse racing and not just the casino.

* For there to be less reliance on slot revenues to sustain thoroughbred racing, and more revenue from pari-mutuel wagering. We realize we’re asking a lot here, Santa, but see what you can do.

* For there to be sunny skies and warm breezes every day of the 2012 Saratoga season.

* For the sport to continue the trend of making available to the public not only statistics and data about horses and races, but rulings and disciplinary actions taken against owners, trainers and jockeys. Transparency is vital in attracting new fans and keeping the old ones.

* For the sport to develop a foolproof way to detect and punish those horsemen who rely on blood-doping agents (such as Micera®) to win races. Not only are they ruining the health of their horses, but their blatant cheating is destroying whatever confidence the public may have had in the honest outcome of races.

* And as part and parcel to the above, let’s phase out the use of Lasix, as it is used to hide and mask a multitude of illegal substances and treatments.

* Finally, let’s hope that there are far fewer unwanted, abandoned and forgotten thoroughbreds in 2012, as their numbers have swelled disturbingly high as owners and breeders leave the game due to disinterest or financial distress.  May Santa reward all those who have worked tirelessly and unselfishly throughout the past year to help them.

Happy holidays from Pennsylvania Thoroughbred!

The many faces of Philadelphia Park

As quickly as a slot machine picks your pocket, management of Greenwood Gaming and Entertainment Inc. have thrown up an addition to the stand-alone casino that lies adjacent to the Parx Racing grandstand on the Street Road property.

An additional 195,000 square feet of space for table games has been tacked onto the existing building, which totals about 165,000 square feet, and a four-story parking garage with 2,000 spaces is on the drawing board. Here's what the scene looked like last weekend:

And here's another view ... this addition is now encroaching on the small parking area for racetrack fans:

The same schizophrenic color scheme used for this casino has now been applied to the track grandstand. Here's how the building looked in early 2010, when it housed all the slot machines, and before the new construction began in the front parking lot:

And here's how it looked earlier this year, when the patchwork quilt began to be applied:

A view of the newly-painted grandstand from the backstretch:

All photos in this blogpost were taken by me.