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| Bally's Manager Wishing Rosecroft
A Happy New Year With $100M Suit |
Las Vegas-based Bally's Manager Inc. filed a $100M lawsuit against the owners of Rosecroft Raceway in Prince George's County (MD) Circuit Court, accusing them of "ignoring a 1997 deal that gives [Bally's] the right to control slot machines" if they are legalized at the track, according to Craig Whitlock of the WASHINGTON POST. The December 23 suit was filed three days after Rosecroft's BOD voted to sell the property to local veterinarian Mark Ricigliano. Whitlock notes the suit "could complicate efforts to sell the track and expand gambling there," with some lawmakers saying that "legal snags and hurdles lower the odds that the Maryland General Assembly will pass legislation giving Rosecroft a slot machine license" (WASHINGTON POST, 12/31).
HIGH SOCIETY: NYRA VP Bill Nader announced Monday that reserved seat prices at Saratoga Race Course will increase from $1-3 over last year "for every day but one" during the '04 meet. In Albany, Matt Graves noted the only exception is the August 28 Travers Day when all seat prices will increase $10. Nader: "This was something we felt we needed to adjust to put Saratoga more in line with prime-time sporting events" (Albany TIMES UNION, 12/30).
JAMMED UP: In L.A., T.J. Simers reported on Santa Anita's December 26 opening day and wrote, "The line to enter the clubhouse and turf club extended 200 yards into the parking lot, in part because Santa Anita kept five gates closed. Inside the lines at the concession stands were a nightmare" (L.A. TIMES, 12/30).
