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Sports in Society

Monmouth Looks To Bring Justify Back To Track, Draw More Betting

Monmouth Park will likely need to add about $750,000 to the Haskell Invitational purse to attract Justify GETTY IMAGES

Monmouth Park officials are "already mapping out strategies" to bring Justify to the Haskell Invitational on July 29, and the additional money sports betting is "expected to provide would go a long way in the effort to put the Oceanport racetrack back on the national stage, as happened three years ago when Triple Crown winner American Pharoah ran," according to Stephen Edelson of the ASBURY PARK PRESS. While sports betting delays by state lawmakers over the past month have "cost Monmouth Park dearly in terms of missed opportunities to drive much-needed revenues on events like the NBA Finals, denying local fans a chance to see one of the greatest horses ever run at the Jersey Shore, along with the resultant positive economic impact to the area, would be unconscionable." Monmouth Park President & CEO Dennis Drazin said, "At the end of the day, sure, we need that money to attract Justify." In '15, behind-the-scene assurances were "made to American Pharoah owner Ahmed Zayat" for the Haskell. A record crowd of 60,983 "showed up at Monmouth Park, and more money was wagered on the Haskell than ever before." While it "wasn't necessarily a financial windfall for the track, which eyed it as part of a long-term strategy to bring new fans to the game, it was an event that put the Jersey Shore in the national spotlight." Drazin: "With American Pharoah we added $750,000 to the purse, and that is probably the cost of a bonus right now to attract Justify. The truth of the matter is if we had the revenue we probably would have put together the bonus before the Belmont, which would have been less expensive than it's going to cost now. But we'll go out, we'll get another quote and evaluate the cost" (APP.com, 6/10).

OPPORTUNITY MISSED: In Newark, Paul Mulshine notes New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy this past weekend had a "perfect opportunity for a photo op at Monmouth Park." The picture "would have shown the governor doing a grip-and-grin with the racetrack officials as they celebrated the opening of a sports-betting operation." All he had to do was "sign the bill that passed both houses of the Legislature Thursday unanimously." Now he "could face the same sort of reception" former Gov. Chris Christie got when he "showed up there" in '15 for the Haskell Invitational. Christie was "roundly booed." This is a "real embarrassment for the new governor" (Newark STAR-LEDGER, 6/11).

WAITING GAME: In N.Y., Alan Blinder notes Alabama "seems far more likely to start a lottery than legalize sports betting." The state has "steadfastly resisted legalizing gambling for generations," but the resistance is "now openly fraying." State Rep. Rich Wingo said, "I dread going back into session, if I’m re-elected, knowing that there’s probably going to be fantasy sports, there’s going to be the lottery, there’s going to be sports gambling, the Vegas-type gambling." Former Gov. Don Siegelman said, "There’s been a change in attitude, a slight change in attitude, maybe an unwitting change in attitude. I don’t think the evangelicals would organize and execute a plan to defeat sports betting with the same passion and enthusiasm that they mustered in 1999" (N.Y. TIMES, 6/11). In Baltimore, Amanda Yeager noted Live Casino & Hotel Owner David Cordish "sees a long road ahead for legalization of sports wagering in Maryland." Cordish said, "Most of the country will have sports betting before we do." But Yeager noted with this year's General Assembly session done and primary elections coming up at the end of the month, it is "unlikely they will decide to take action before the legislature reconvenes" in January. Legislators will also "need to work out who should be allowed to host wagers." A battle for the privilege is "shaping up between casinos and race track operators, who both want a cut of the action" (BIZJOURNALS.com, 6/10).

READY TO ROLL? In West Virginia, Brad McElhinny noted plans, rules and rooms are "already taking shape for West Virginia’s dip into sports betting." West Virginia Gaming & Racing Association President John Cavacini said, "Thirty days down the road, hopefully we’ll have the rules in place." Casino operators "had a meeting this past week at West Virginia Lottery to map out progress." Cavacini said that the "big hope is to be up and running by the time football season kicks off." It is "not yet clear if that goal can be reached." He noted that West Virginia "aims to be ready for betting on-site at casinos as well as through mobile apps administered by the casinos" (WVMETRONEWS.com, 6/9). 

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