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WAGNER: HORSE RACING MUST BE SAVED

(PARAMUS) – Assemblywoman Connie Wagner (D-Bergen) released the following statement Wednesday on recommendations from Gov. Chris Christie’s gaming advisor, Jon F. Hanson, that would cripple New Jersey’s horse racing industry:

“The horseracing industry has my full support. I participated on the gaming panel and learned much about the horseracing industry. I visited horse farms, the Meadowlands and Monmouth Park. And I am saddened that our opinions on the panel have been ignored by Mr. Hanson’s additional report.
“My vision for the horse racing industry is one that will demand full cooperation from all parties, but my fear is that both Atlantic City as well as the horseracing industry will go down as an industry if there is not a reasonable compromise for all parties to succeed.
“The last thing that I want to see is further development of homes and corporate office buildings, and unfortunately that is what I fear is being advocated.
“The Meadowlands has the potential to offer so much to the area – shopping, entertainment and sporting events, including a race track building in the style of Saratoga along with video lottery terminals.
“We need to make horseracing a sporting event that people would want to attend, and that can be accomplished through new and exciting ways to wager, an attractive place to watch a race and alternate forms of entertainment at the race track.
“New Jersey is losing too much money to the other states. Wake up New Jersey!”