Jersey Purse Supplements Head to Senate Floor

The $18-million purse supplement bill being considered by lawmakers in New Jersey cleared another legislative hurdle Monday when it breezed through the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee.

Senate Bill 2076, which will provide $11.7 million for Thoroughbred purses at and $6.3 million for Standardbred purses, now moves on to the floor of the Senate, which is scheduled to next meet on March 19. The extra cash could mean daily average purses of $275,000 to $300,000 at Monmouth Park this year.

Barbara DeMarco Reiche, lobbyist for the New Jersey Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association, said the bill would then go to the Assembly for concurrence. Acting Gov. Donald DiFrancesco could get the bill on his desk by March 27.

DeMarco Reiche said that, while she had hoped a bill to legalize off-track and account wagering in state would be introduced this week into the Assembly, March is more realistic.