SBOANJ holds annual meeting

MANALAPAN, NJ — November 22, 2024 — The SBOANJ held its annual harness racing meeting on November 20th. During the meeting, the 2024 election results were announced.

The only election held this year was in the owner category where incumbent, Thomas Pontone was reelected.

In the breeder’s category, incumbent Mike Gulotta and newcomer Julie Meirs were elected. Julie Meirs ran uncontested and replaced her uncle Rich Meirs who retired after serving many years as a director.

After the election results were read, the SBOANJ’s legislative representative AJ Sabath joined the meeting via Zoom to discuss the recent announcement of Freehold Raceways closure in December. Sabath explained the importance of the Legislation that is being drafted to allow state appropriation funds allocated to Freehold Raceway for 2025 to be reallocated to the Meadowlands. Currently, the legislation states that the funds are to be released to Freehold Raceway in 2025.

Executive Administrator Al Ochsner informed the audience that the SBOANJ presented a strong case to the New Jersey Racing Commission that those funds should not be released to Freehold Raceway. The New Jersey Racing Commission agreed and approved the $1.6 million allocated for Freehold to be held by the commission until further notice.

SBOANJ President Mark Ford stated that; “the SBOANJ has had meetings with the Meadowlands management and the NJRC to try and find a resolution. At this time there are no finalized plans, there are many moving parts to the current situation that must be resolved before any announcements can be made. The legislation must first reallocate the purse funds before anything can move forward.”

The board of directors made it clear that their focus now and in the foreseeable future is on finding a suitable solution for all parties involved.

We appreciate all the members who attended the meeting to gain firsthand factual knowledge of the SBOANJ proceedings.

From the SBOANJ