Jersey Purse Supplements Considered by Committee

Lawmakers in New Jersey are set to consider a bill Monday that would give
the horse racing industry an $18-million purse boost this year. The Senate Budget and Appropriations committee is expected to pass the
measure, according to Barbara DeMarco Reiche, lobbyist for the New Jersey
Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association.

DeMarco Reiche believes acting Gov. Donald DiFrancesco will sign it into law by the end of March. Of the $18 million, $11.7 would go toward Thoroughbred purses and $6.3 million toward Standardbred purses.

"This money will really put juice into the upcoming Monmouth Park meeting," DeMarco Reiche said. Purses at the Oceanport track could average $300,000 per day, some industry officials have said.

DeMarco Reiche said legislation to bring off-track and account wagering to New Jersey could be introduced in the Assembly later this week.