Churchill Downs Simulcast Network and the MidAtlantic Cooperative LLC have reached an agreement that authorizes MidAtlantic member tracks to accept simulcast and pari-mutuel wagering on CDSN products. The joint announcement was made by today by CDSN President Karl F. Schmitt Jr. and Martin Lieberman, executive director of the MidAtlantic Cooperative.The one-year agreement applies to signals originating from all six racetracks owned entirely or in partnership by Churchill Downs Incorporated: Arlington Park, Calder Race Course, Churchill Downs, Ellis Park, Hollywood Park and Hoosier Park at Anderson. The 17 MidAtlantic member tracks are Atlantic City Racecourse, Charles Town Races, Colonial Downs, Delaware Park, Dover Downs, Freehold Raceway, Harrington Raceway, Laurel Park, Pimlico, Meadowlands, Monmouth, Ocean Downs, Penn National, Philadelphia Park, Pocono Downs, Rosecroft Raceway and The Meadows.As part of the agreement, MidAtlantic member tracks will simulcast and accept wagers on the 129th running of the Kentucky Derby, the first leg of the Visa Triple Crown Challenge, scheduled for Saturday, May 3, at Churchill Downs. The historic racetrack in Louisville, Ky., opens its 2003 racing season today.
"We are pleased to have reached an agreement that allows us to achieve our short-term objectives and look forward to a long-term partnership with the MidAtlantic member tracks, which have been our valued simulcast partners for many years," said Schmitt. "We realized our goal of reaching an agreement between CDSN and our 17 member tracks prior to the start of Churchill Downs' 2003 Spring Meet," said Lieberman. "We look forward to more great racing from the Churchill Downs family of racetracks."