by Gina Maybee, for the Cloverleaf SOA

Temple Hills, MD — On Thursday, March 25, harness racing industry leaders of Maryland testified on behalf of Senate Bill 1051 and the cross-filed House Bill 1517. Outlined in these bills is the need for a Maryland Harness Racing Commission and a change in the video lottery terminal revenue split.

The current Maryland Racing Commission is dominated by the Thoroughbred industry in Maryland and that has put the Standardbred industry in peril. The Maryland Business Code states that “at least three other members shall be knowledgeable or experienced in an aspect of harness racing.” The leaders within the Maryland Harness industry believe that there is only one commissioner filling such requirement.

The Maryland Business Code also states that “The chairman may not serve more than two consecutive terms as chairman,” and “The term of the chairman is one year.” In packets handed out to the Senate Finance Committee and House Ways and Means Committee was a Maryland Racing Commission Meeting minutes dated October 23, 2007 to show that Chairman John B. Franzone has held the position for over two years.

Since the committee hearings, State Senator C. Anthony Muse (26th District) wrote a letter to Governor Martin O’Malley requesting the immediate removal of John Franzone as chairman and that he also be removed as commissioner for willingly and knowingly violating Maryland Business Code.

Senator Muse also asked “for an investigation as to how this blatant violation of the code was allowed to happen under the watchful eyes of support staff of the Maryland Racing Commission,” who have more than 30 years of experience in the area of racing in the state of Maryland and the requirements of the Maryland Business Code. Senator Muse also asked for help resolving the issue with the composition of the Maryland Racing Commission from the Governor.

Also during the testimony given March 25, the industry leaders presented evidence and opinions of the need to re-evaluate the revenue split from video lottery terminals from 80-20 to 70-30. Dan Myer, on behalf of the Maryland Standardbred Breeders’ Association, and Thomas Cooke, president of the Cloverleaf Standardbred Owners’ Association, presented well rounded cases.

Supporting documents also showed how Cloverleaf Enterprises, Inc., operating as Rosecroft Raceway, tried to work with the Thoroughbred industry to resolve the current dispute. Previous statements of Thomas Chuckas, Jr., President of the Maryland Jockey Club, were also presented before the Senate Finance and House Ways and Means Committees. The statements of Chuckas were from when he was the Chief Executive Officer of Rosecroft Raceway.

The Standardbred leaders of Maryland are working diligently to bring live racing back to Rosecroft, and secure a future for the Standardbred industry in Maryland.