Odds On Racing - Harness Racing

Notes & News From Around the Ovals....

March 20, 2007

Indiana Slots Moving Ahead
HB 1835, which includes provisions for slot machines at Indiana’s racetracks, received a hearing of the Indiana Senate Tax and Fiscal Policy Committee on Tuesday, March 20. It passed the committee on a vote of 9-3, but received a few changes, including:

- Reducing the number of slots at each track from 2,500 to 1,500;
- Increasing the initial fees for each slots franchise from $100 million to $400 million; - Allocating $600 million of the revenues the state receives for a higher education trust fund that would bolster college life sciences programs.

The committee also adopted an amendment by Sen. Robert Meeks, R-LaGrange, that would give certain tax and other breaks to existing riverboat casinos.

The next stop for the bill will be the full Indiana Senate for amendments and debate. According to the Legislative Calendar for the 2007 General Assembly, the last day for a 3rd reading of House Bills in the Indiana Senate is April 11.

California Hall of Fame Inductees
The California Harness Horsemen's Association will induct two outstanding horsemen and horses into its Hall of Fame. The inductees will be recognized during the California Harness Horsemen's Annual meeting Sunday, March 25 at the Hilton Arden West, Sacramento at noon.

Selected from a large group of nominations in 2006, driver-trainer Jim Grundy, and owner-industry maverick Marvin Shapiro will join 2005 inductees Leland Stanford, Joe O'Brien, Jim Dennis, Bobby Gordon and Steve and Vicki Desomer in the prestigious Hall.

On the equine side of the ledger, California standouts Courageous Red and Gee Gee Digger will join the 2005 inductee Electioneer.

Mister Big To Battle of Lake Erie
Trainer Virgil Morgan, Jr., has told Northfield Park’s Director of Racing Greg Keidel that he is pointing Joe Muscara’s Mister Big toward the $125,000 Battle of Lake Erie on Saturday, April 21. The son of Grinfromeartoear has won five of seven this year, winning the $74,000 Aquarius Final at the Meadowlands on February 24 and the $47,292 Willowdale Final at Woodbine on January 27.

Muscara and Morgan, who purchased the horse from the Pinske stable in early January, have given him a few weeks rest, and he will be fresh and ready to roll on Battle Night.