California Thoroughbred Farm Managers Association.MacDonald is 28, a native of Prince Edward Island, which also produced Joe O’Brien, for whom Canada’s year-end championship honors for drivers, trainers and horses are named. The former mark of 643 was set five years ago by Chris Christoforou. In Canada, Mark MacDonald won five races on Saturday - three at Woodbine and two at Flamboro - to end 2006 with 739 Canadian wins, 96 more than the previous record. is the only other driver ever to reach that mark, having won 1,077 in 1998. 1,004 WINS FOR MORGAN IN 06 Driver Tony Morgan, formerly operating in the midwest and now racing out of Dover Downs in Delaware, became the second driver in harness racing history to win 1,000 races in a single season when he reached that number at Northfield Park in Ohio last Friday night while Dover was closed for the holidays, then added four more at Dover Saturday night to close out the year with 1,004 driving victories. New York prepared, meanwhile, to expand account wagering to the Internet and other electronic platforms, as the Racing and Wagering Board adopted rules and regulations. New York City’s OTB senior VP for marketing, Ron Ceisler, said he was aware of the situation but reserved comment for the time being. The HBPA says New York’s OTBs do a billion dollars in business on Gulfstream’s signals, which it calls the most lucrative in the country during the winter. The Florida division of the Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association says it intends to withhold permission for simulcasting of Gulfstream races to all New York state OTB outlets unless it receives 2.85% of handle in place of the 2.55% currently received. JanuTROUBLE FOR RUNNERS, TOO Dissension was not limited to harness racing as the new year got underway. Flynn blocked an extension in the House, but now says he will file an amendment to restore the simulcast signals so the tracks can reopen and avert a costly employment shutdown. David Flynn, in whose district Carney’s track is located, refused to go along. Three tracks, including Plainridge Racecourse, are in accord, but the Raynham-Taunton dog track, owned by George Carney and championed in the House by Rep. Walzak called the earlier concessions “a show of good faith to get the thing off the ground.” In Massachusetts, racing may be shut down entirely at all four tracks in the state, after the House refused to go along with the Senate on an extension of the present simulcasting agreement. He and Georgian thought that had been acceptable to OHHA during negotiations, but OHHA members rejected the terms. “We want the status quo until we get our bearings,” Robert says, noting that the previous deal saw races doubled from 60 to 120. It also is not willing to guarantee 120 days of live racing, which is another of OHHA’s conditions. Georgian Downs’ contract, now expired, gave the track between 40 and 45% of handle, and Roberts wants that number extended as Georgian stabilizes its operation under Great Canadian ownership. 6 races and will continue with rolling cancellations until we have a deal.” John Walzak, speaking as chief operating officer of the Ontario Harness Horse Association, said members would not provide horses for racing at Georgian until the dispute is settled. Chris Roberts, director of operations for Great Canadian at Georgian, said, “We have cancelled our Jan. A contract dispute at HTA’s member Georgian Downs has forced cancellation of the first week of racing at the Innisfil, Ontario, track. Bergstein, Editor 2007 STARTS WITH TROUBLE Like its predecessor, the year 2006 kicks off with trouble. HARNESS TRACKS OF AMERICA Executive Newsletter A daily fax and e-mail report on racing and gaming developments in North America and beyond Stanley F.
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