N.J. senate approves purse-funding bill

The New Jersey Senate on Monday unanimously approved a bill providing $20 million in subsidies annually to the state’s racing industry for the next five years, including $10 million a year for purses at Monmouth Park.

The 40-0 vote signals strongly that the bill will find support in the state’s House, where the bill is expected to be brought to the floor early in 2019. The bill is has been pushed by the state’s racing constituencies and the owner of the Meadowlands, the real estate developer Jeff Gural.

Under the bill, Monmouth Park will receive half of the annual outlay for its purses, while the Meadowlands will receive $6 million in purses. The state’s other harness track, Freehold Raceway, will receive $1.6 million, with the rest devoted to breeder awards.