Bill To Aid Jersey Racing Approved by Senate Panel

A bill that would give $18 million to New Jersey's racing industry for purses this year unanimously passed a state Senate committee Thursday. The bill appropriates $11.7 million to the New Jersey Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association and $6.3 million to the New Jersey Standardbred Breeders and Owners' Association.

"Today we are one step closer to ensuring that New Jersey racing will receive the support it needs to survive," said Bud Keegan, president of the NJTHA

The bill will be merged with its Assembly counterpart in the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee and is scheduled to be heard on Feb. 26.

It then is expected to pass the Senate in March and be signed into law by Gov. Donald DiFrancesco. When passed, the supplement will boost purses at the upcoming Monmouth Park and Meadowlands meetings to nearly $300,000 per day.