Harness: New Jersey purse subsidy moves along

On Monday, the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee advanced proposed legislation that will provide a $20 million subsidy to New Jersey’s horse racing industry by a vote of 13 - 0.

The proposed legislation will be divided equally between the Thoroughbred and Standardbred industries. The state's funding would benefit not just racetracks but everyone involved in racing.

"The horse racing industry has had a long road to recovery, and we feel this purse supplement money, as well as the ability to enter into agreements with sports book operators at the racetracks, would provide a necessary shot of adrenaline into the horse racing industry," said AJ Sabath, a lobbyist representing the Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association of New Jersey, to the committee before the vote.

The SBOANJ and TrotPac have been and will continue to work with AJ Sabath on behalf of New Jersey horsemen and women to see this legislation through to the end.

Lawmakers want to give the horse racing industry a $100M state subsidy over five years.

-edited release (SBOANJ)