New Jersey

New Jersey's horse racing industry may get a financial boost in the form of bigger purse subsidys from Atlantic City's casinos when the current deal expires after the 2008 season. The casinos have put up $86 million over the past four years to increase purses at Monmouth Park and the Meadowlands (in exchange for keeping slot machines out of the tracks).

According the the article linked above, the casinos may double the subsidy to continue the monopoly on slot machines in the state. This would be great for New Jersey. They currently have the most attractive state bred program in the region, and doubling subsidy's would only make it better. In addition to increased purses, New Jersey could use the money to increase stallion and breeders bonuses to reinforce the agricultural side of the industry.

I have been following this story very closely over the past few months, as I have a financial interest in New Jersey bred horse. When I looked at the condition book for Monmouth Park, I was so impressed with the purses available for state bred races. I live in Maryland, and enjoy Maryland racing, but it would be silly for me or any owner to pass over a New Jersey, or Pennsylvania bred horse and purchase a horse eligible for the Maryland bred package. The states with slots offer owners much greater opportunity, and Maryland is surrounded by slots friendly states.

Weekend Update

I am all amped up this morning. I don't know if it is because the great weekend of racing coming up, or the 48oz coffee and hand full of Sudafed I took this morning (I have allergies). My horse racing weekend begins today at Laurel Park with the Overnight Stakes, and continues locally with the Smart Halo Stakes running tomorrow. The rest of the weekend will be filled with Dubai racing fun, and a little race down in Florida.

In other news, Monmouth Park opens for training tomorrow, and I am planning a few weekend trips up to the Garden State.

After her first win, I thought Polliana Oliveira would start getting a few more mounts, but I guess she is busy working horses in the morning.

Quick Hits 3/9/07

- If you like stats, than this is an absolute treat! The Jockey Club has released the 2007 On-Line Stat Book. I spent a good amount of time surfing around the book, and it will probably lead to some good posts, or at least some good research for not so good posts!

- For my friends in New Jersey, Monmouth Park opens for training on April 1, and the racing cards run from May 12 through September 2. The condition book is not yet available online, but I have been told that the will have New Jersey bred races on almost every weekend card. It has also been rumored that the Wednesday and Thursday before the Breeders Cup, racing will return to Monmouth Park with a boat load of New Jersey restricted races. Lets hope all this is true for you NJ bred fans!

- Don't forget to cheer for Birdbirdistheword this weekend, and check out all the happenings on the BirdBirdBlog.