Northview Stallion expands to Pennsylvania

In a sign that Pennsylvania's slot-machine revenue is helping fuel investment in the state's breeding industry, Maryland's prominent Northview Stallion Station announced plans Wednesday to expand into the Keystone State.

Northview has purchased 171 acres in Lancaster County, Pa., about 40 minutes' drive from the Maryland facility in Chesapeake City, Md. Northview stands four of Maryland's top 10 active stallions, including the state's top sire, Not for Love. Plans call for the Pennsylvania division to open in time for the 2009 breeding season.

"The initial phase of construction calls for an eight-stall stallion barn, state-of-the-art breeding shed, and three large broodmare barns," Northview owners Dr. Tom Bowman and Richard Golden said in a release.

Golden said Wednesday that slot revenue that accrues to the state breeding program and purses was "the reason" for the expansion. Pennsylvania legalized slots in 2004, and the first machines came on line last November. Pennsylvania's state breeding fund grew to $9,268,210 through the end of August, up from $6,856,445 last year.

The state's newest track, Presque Isle Downs in Erie, Pa., featured slots at its inaugural 25-day meet in September. It handled $585,680 daily and distributed $432,074 in daily purses. It expects to average $300,000 in purses at a 100-day meet next year.