Asbury Park, NJ – A press release from Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association of New Jersey President Mark Ford was published in Friday’s (Jan. 18) Asbury Park Press.

In the story, “NJ Legislature Must Act on $20 Million Subsidy for Horse Racing Industry,” Ford explained that horse racing in New Jersey has been at a significant disadvantage to neighboring states, New York and Pennsylvania, whose racing has been supplemented by alternative gaming revenues through legislation passed in those states.

Ford emphasizes that a bill introduced in the New Jersey Legislature four months ago would provide a $20 million subsidy to the industry to make it more competitive. But it has been stalled, and if the legislation isn’t approved soon, it could be too late.

He warns that if racing-related activities continue to leave New Jersey, the state stands to lose its premier agribusiness that generates $780 million in economic impact annually, including jobs, federal, state and local taxes and 57,000 acres of working agricultural landscape and open space.

To read the complete Asbury Park Press story, click on the link above.