Drazin: Monmouth to do it again in 2011

[The_Knight_Sky]

Officials Bullish on Future Monmouth Meets - By Tom LaMarra
http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/58989/officials-bullish-on-future-monmouth-meets?source=rss


Drazin said despite recommendations in a controversial report commissioned by Republican Gov. Chris Christie, he believes the administration and members of the General Assembly “want racing to survive, and want to create ways for racing to increase revenue. We’ve given them a reason.”

The options being discussed include a build-out of off-track betting parlors, Internet wagering, and exchange wagering, all of which hinge on legislative action. Alternative gaming is off the table—for now.

“I think we can grow revenue to support the industry,” Drazin said. “We’ll need some temporary assistance, which I think will be forthcoming. A state subsidy isn’t going to happen, but I’m convinced they’ll find the revenue. I’m optimistic we’ll find a way to repeat the meet next year.

“Five years from now we may be talking about an extremely different picture with things that politically aren’t feasible right now.”

Monmouth vice president and general manager Robert Kulina said it was easier to sell the horsemen on the concept of racing fewer days for higher purses than it was to convince the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority, which operates Monmouth.

The general assumption was average daily handle of $6 million was a stretch;
the almost $8 million a day that materialized :eek: was completely unexpected.

[Charlie D]

The options being discussed include a build-out of off-track betting parlors, Internet wagering, and exchange wagering, all of which hinge on legislative action. Alternative gaming is off the table—for now.


No interest in lowering the take then.

[The_Knight_Sky]

No interest in lowering the take then.


http://i54.tinypic.com/n6aqlw.gif Charlie, we don't want to tip our hand to the casino factions, just yet.


But seriously, Dennis A. Drazin is one of the architects of the 3 day/week meet and now the chairman of the NJ Racing Commission.

Any news of lowering the takeouts would have to come from VP/GM Kulina. There should be some added incentive for next summer since the Monmouth Park folks won't be able to sell the $1 mill/day concept.

Takeout reductions in some form would do wonders to bring back the folks to the track. And Monmouth certainly needs to continue rebuilding that live audience, and woo those who have chosen to stay at home or at the OTW's.

[onefast99]

The number of claims greatly increased this year at Monmouth because of the purse structure and wide variety of classes. On one occasion there was a 20-way shake for a $7,500 claimer; on another day almost 20 horses were claimed.

That was Indy's forum the whole track wanted her!

[Kelso]

"'This plan saved racing in New Jersey,' said Dennis Drazin, a longtime Thoroughbred owner and breeder who now chairs the New Jersey Racing Commission. 'We wanted to make a statement. Now it’s up to the politicians to go find money for the future.'”


In other words ... "the horsemen took down windfall purses this year, now it's time for the hacks to find some more taxpayer cash with which to feed us next year."

And, of course, ALL analyses of "success" are measured in terms of what puts the most money in the pockets of selfish horsemen ... the taxpayers and bettors be damned.


Does anybody else see a NJ-sized conflict of interest with this jerk holding a state appointment to a body that regulates his own business?

The NJRC is under the NJ Department of Law and Public Safety. From it's page on the official state web site: "Our mission is to govern, direct & regulate horse racing & pari-mutuel wagering."

So Dennis Drazin is endowed with the authority to manipulate both the conduct and the pricipal revenue source of his own lucrative business.

There's little reason to believe him when he pleads that he and his ilk "saved racing in New Jersey." But they sure as hell saved all that casino loot for their own bank accounts.

[thespaah]

"'This plan saved racing in New Jersey,' said Dennis Drazin, a longtime Thoroughbred owner and breeder who now chairs the New Jersey Racing Commission. 'We wanted to make a statement. Now it’s up to the politicians to go find money for the future.'”


In other words ... "the horsemen took down windfall purses this year, now it's time for the hacks to find some more taxpayer cash with which to feed us next year."

And, of course, ALL analyses of "success" are measured in terms of what puts the most money in the pockets of selfish horsemen ... the taxpayers and bettors be damned.


Does anybody else see a NJ-sized conflict of interest with this jerk holding a state appointment to a body that regulates his own business?

The NJRC is under the NJ Department of Law and Public Safety. From it's page on the official state web site: "Our mission is to govern, direct & regulate horse racing & pari-mutuel wagering."

So Dennis Drazin is endowed with the authority to manipulate both the conduct and the pricipal revenue source of his own lucrative business.

There's little reason to believe him when he pleads that he and his ilk "saved racing in New Jersey." But they sure as hell saved all that casino loot for their own bank accounts.
You have legitimate beefs with regard to protecting taxpayers from government.
In this case however, your comments make no sense.
The state wishes to build out OTW's in NJ and use other racing related methods to help the racing industry.
The article clearly states there will be no state subsidy of purses.
Where's the problem? Or is it you just want your pound of flesh?
Complaining for the sake of complaining is counterproductive.
Judging by your avatar, you do a lot of complaining.
Perhaps you should add another entity to your list of things to be boycotted....How about Pace Advantage?

[onefast99]

Does anybody else see a NJ-sized conflict of interest with this jerk holding a state appointment to a body that regulates his own business?

The NJRC is under the NJ Department of Law and Public Safety. From it's page on the official state web site: "Our mission is to govern, direct & regulate horse racing & pari-mutuel wagering."

So Dennis Drazin is endowed with the authority to manipulate both the conduct and the pricipal revenue source of his own lucrative business.

Dennis Drazin is President of Drazin and Warshaw, P.C., a full-service New Jersey law firm practicing personal injury, medical malpractice, and workers compensation and commercial law. A graduate of Ohio State University (B.A., 1972) and Dickinson School of Law (J.D., 1975), he is certified as a Civil Trial Attorney by the Supreme Court of New Jersey and is admitted to practice in New Jersey, New York, and the Federal Courts in New Jersey and New York. Mr. Drazin is a member of the Association of Trial Lawyers of America, now ASAJ (Member, Board of Governors; former Chairman, current ATLA PAC Trustee) as well as the Monmouth, State, and American Bar Associations. He is a frequent lecturer for ATLA, AJAJ, ICLE, and the Monmouth Bar Association. The firm has four offices in Monmouth and Ocean Counties.

Before writing something you should do a bit of research, each and every time you have posted on the subject of NJ racing you fail to bring any truth or facts to the conversation. You continue to call the horseman in this state "selfish" and once again you do not back up anything you say with fact. You have the right to be mad at the horse racing industry for the high takeout percentages but please go start a thread on that instead of hijacking every thread on NJ racing and making it your platform to be heard.

[The_Knight_Sky]

The negativity from some posters here is astounding. http://i27.tinypic.com/2q9krau.gif
At least give Mr. Drazin a fair shot as the new chairman of the NJRC instead of stepping on the pedal.

If it weren't for Mr. Drazin and Mr. Forbes rapport with the horsemen
the Elite Summer Meet never would have happened. Well it's over now
and there is hope for future meets. That was the goal.

Rome wasn't built in a day. Nor 50 days of racing in NJ.
Patience people !

Unlike the Texas horsemen, the NJ horsemen must be given credit for buying into this concept. There's a lot of work to be done still. But NJ is moving forward, while Texas racing is content to flounder while waiting for slots revenue.

[onefast99]

The negativity from some posters here is astounding. http://i27.tinypic.com/2q9krau.gif
At least give Mr. Drazin a fair shot as the new chairman of the NJRC instead of stepping on the pedal.

If it weren't for Mr. Drazin and Mr. Forbes rapport with the horsemen
the Elite Summer Meet never would have happened. Well it's over now
and there is hope for future meets. That was the goal.

Rome wasn't built in a day. Nor 50 days of racing in NJ.
Patience people !

Unlike the Texas horsemen, the NJ horsemen must be given credit for buying into this concept. There's a lot of work to be done still. But NJ is moving forward, while Texas racing is content to flounder while waiting for slots revenue.
Well said.

[lamboguy]

the one thing i must say about this meet is that it was a level playing field for all the participents. it brought alot of interest to the game along with more people at the track. they did something right in that place this year, maybe they take it to the next level and then someone else copy's them and the sport grows.

[OTM Al]

They will need to find about $25 million, the $20 mil from the subsidy and they lost about $5 mil on top of that for the meet. Hope they have success with this but not holding my breath.

[The_Knight_Sky]

They will need to find about $25 million....




That would be great, but I don't think anyone is planning for a $1 million/day concept next year. Perhaps half of that amount or a bit more to keep the purse levels tops in the mid-atlantic during the summer season.

The key ingredients should be:

a) 3 day racing / week
b) "only" $1,000 starter payment (mdn/clmg/allowance only)
c) reduction of NJ-bred purses that is commensurate with the racing talent
d) lowering of takeout rates in the win and exacta pools
(what the nation's customers want)

Hit the Grand Slam and you can't lose next year. ;)

[onefast99]

c) reduction of NJ-bred purses that is commensurate with the racing talent

Don't tell the NJ-breeeders that!http://www.smileyshut.com/smileys/new/Animals/tiny-horse-014.gif (http://www.smileyshut.com/get-smileys-huts-free-smiley-code/2568.html)

[The_Knight_Sky]

c) reduction of NJ-bred purses that is commensurate with the racing talent

Don't tell the NJ-breeeders that!


I think the NJ breeders are smart enough to realize what their horses are worth on the open market.

If they wish for more NJ bred racing opportunities, I'd twist and shout
for Atlantic City race course to provide a four weekends of racing action
down south in the autumn. It is time that racetrack starts to pitch in.

Monmouth Park cannot (and should not) shoulder the entire load of the NJ thoroughbred racing industry.

2011 is a very critical period of time. To shun both Atlantic City race course and The Meadowlands for thoroughbreds is to deny growth of the NJ racing and breeding industry. The seeds must be planted for the future by getting the other racetracks involved in a small but significant way.