Purse Supplements on Agenda in New Jersey

An Assembly committee in New Jersey on Thursday is expected to consider purse supplements for 2002 for the state's racing industry. The measure already passed the Senate.

The measure calls for $18.2 million in supplements, $11.7 million of it for Thoroughbred racing. This year, daily purses at Monmouth Park and Meadowlands were worth $300,000 to $400,000, depending on the program.

Also Thursday, the New Jersey Racing Commission will meet to consider 2002 racing dates. Horsemen and the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority, which operates Monmouth and Meadowlands, are said to have a deal in place.