by T.J. Burkett, managing editor, Hoof Beats

Columbus, OH — Horsemen and others concerned about the state of racing in New Jersey met Thursday night (March 25) at the Meadowlands to get an update on a concerted grassroots effort to convince lawmakers to install Video Lottery Terminals at the state’s racetracks.

“This grassroots effort is essential to our success,” said Mike Gulotta, co-owner of New Jersey’s Deo Volente Farm and the lone horse racing representative on Gov. Chris Christie’s transition team. “We are “all in” in New Jersey at this point. We have to convince the decision makers that it is in the best interests of the taxpayers to generate revenue for the state from VLTs.”

Gulotta said the campaign will consist of three phases. The first phase will be an organized effort to blanket New Jersey newspapers with letters to the editor touting the benefits of VLTs at racetracks as a way to alleviate the state’s budget woes. Campaign workers will put together notes and talking points for writers to use when submitting their letters.

The second phase is an effort to place calls to NJ 101.5 FM’s radio show, “Ask the Governor,” which is held on the first Wednesday of each month. Volunteers will call into the show and ask the governor about the budget crisis and whether VLTs at tracks might help alleviate the problem. Additionally, volunteers would continuously call into the station and raise awareness about the benefits of slots at tracks.

The third phase would be a rally in Trenton, the state’s capitol, with a date to be determined.

VLTs have been blocked at racetracks by state lawmakers sympathetic to casino interests in Atlantic City, according to Tom Luchento, president of the Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association of New Jersey. He said that state tax revenues from Atlantic City casinos, which are taxed at an 8-percent rate, have been in decline as those same companies have built casinos in neighboring states such as Pennsylvania and New York.

“That ground is not fertile anymore,” he said. “You’ve got to rotate the crops, and north Jersey is the place to be. What we need is a visionary in Trenton who understands what’s at stake.”

Gulotta said that those interested in helping to send letters, make phone calls or volunteer in other ways should contact Scott Fellin via e-mail at srfellin@yahoo.com, and include your name, city/state, phone number and e-mail address. He specifically asked for more help from horse owners, or those who have a significant financial stake in the state of New Jersey racing.

“We just want to get the word out there to politicians, and any public media outlet that we can, about what racing means to New Jersey, and what putting slots at tracks would mean to New Jersey,” said driver John Campbell.