Bill Text: NJ AR71 | 2010-2011 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Calls for continuation of support for holding Hambletonian triple crown event in New Jersey at Meadowlands Racetrack.
Sponsorship: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 2-1)
Status: (Passed) 2010-03-23 - Filed with Secretary of State [AR71 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2010-AR71-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Assemblyman RONALD S. DANCER
District 30 (Burlington, Mercer, Monmouth and Ocean)
Assemblyman FREDERICK SCALERA
District 36 (Bergen, Essex and Passaic)
Assemblywoman CONNIE WAGNER
District 38 (Bergen)
SYNOPSIS
Calls for continuation of support for holding Hambletonian triple crown event in New Jersey at Meadowlands Racetrack.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Assembly Resolution calling for the continuation of support for the holding of the Hambletonian triple crown event for trotters in the State of New Jersey at the Meadowlands Racetrack.
Whereas, The Hambletonian stakes is the premier American harness horse race and named in honor of Hambletonian 10, a foundation sire of the Standardbred horse breed; and
Whereas, Ninety-nine percent of all trotters and pacers racing in North America today trace their bloodline to the descendents of four of Hambletonian's sons; and
Whereas, The Hambletonian Society was formed in 1924 to encourage and promote the breeding of standardbred horses; and
Whereas, A slice of traditional Americana, the Hambletonian race is one of America's oldest sporting events, dating back to 1926; and
Whereas, The Hambletonian is held annually for three-year old trotting Standardbreds and is the richest and most coveted North American race for trotters; and
Whereas, The race is the richest, and most prestigious, event in the United States Trotting Triple Crown races and is the only trotting triple crown horse racing event that occurs in New Jersey, either Thoroughbred or Standardbred; and
Whereas, The Meadowlands, in East Rutherford, Bergen County, has been the site of the Hambletonian since 1981; and
Whereas, The Meadowlands Racetrack is perfect for the Hambletonian because it must be completed on a one mile track and the Meadowlands track is one mile; and
Whereas, The Meadowlands is the longest running host of the Hambletonian in its 85-year history and will continue to be its host until at least 2012; and
Whereas, After May 17, 2010, the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority holds the exclusive right to renew the contract for the stakes for an additional five years, and if the contract is not renewed the Hambletonian Society may advertise for bids for the stakes beginning in 2013; and
Whereas, The Hambletonian has been a television sports staple since 1964 and it has been broadcast from the Meadowlands live on national television for 27 of the 28 years that the venue has hosted the event, with its current broadcasting contract with NBC to continue through 2011; and
Whereas, In 2010, the Hambletonian will occur at the Meadowlands on Saturday, August 7, 2010 and carry a purse of $1.5 million; and
Whereas, The race is an international event among Standardbred racing fans and breeders, with race participants and spectators coming to the State from around the world to both watch and wager on the race; and
Whereas, The Hambletonian is of singular importance to Standardbred racing, the horse breeding and racing industry in this State, the Meadowlands, and those residents of this State interested in such racing; and
Whereas, Given these considerations, it is fitting and proper for this House to call for the continuation of support for the holding of the Hambletonian triple crown event for trotters in the State of New Jersey at the Meadowlands Racetrack; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. This House calls for the continuation of support for the holding of the Hambletonian triple crown event for trotters in the State of New Jersey at the Meadowlands Racetrack.
2. Duly authenticated copies of this resolution, signed by the Speaker of the General Assembly and attested to by the Clerk thereof, shall be transmitted to the Hambletonian Society, the Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association of New Jersey and the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority, which oversees the operation of the Meadowlands Racetrack in East Rutherford, Bergen County.
STATEMENT
This Assembly resolution calls for the continuation of support for the holding of the Hambletonian triple crown event for trotters in the State of New Jersey at the Meadowlands Racetrack.
