Former state senator Dick Day referred to a legislature replete with representatives of the people who are “on the take.”
The reference, of course, was to elected officials more responsive to lobbyists for the state’s Indian casinos than to the individuals who elected them.Day also stressed the importance of the $200 million a Racino at Canterbury Park will generate each year, money for education, a new stadium for the Minnesota Vikings, the creation of jobs, income and revenu
e for the state.
It was Racino Day at Canterbury Park on Saturday, and there was evidence of the topic anywhere one cared to look.Day, representatives Mike Beard of District 35A and Mark Buesgens of 35B and state senator Claire Robling of District 35 also spoke briefly on the subject after Day’s introduction.
“Ask candidates in your area where they stand on this issue,” said Robling. “This is something we must have for people engaged in racing, to help this industry grow. We need people to support this.”The general theme of the day was that “Good ideas take time to happen, and that the time for a racino at Canterbury has come.”
“Jobs, jobs and more jobs,” said Day. “That’s what this means.”Throughout the grandstand t-shirts were given out bearing the logo “Racino Now” in exchange for a pledge to support the issue.Day, as he has at various times this summer, was present at a stand at the grandstand entrance offering information on the issue. Day resigned from the state senate to lead Racino Now, a project dedicated to passage of racino legislation.Brochures were available providing details on racino legislation, what it has done for job creation and tax revenues in states where it is part of the racing scene.
The horse industry, breeding and sales, would benefit throughout the state as a result of enhanced purses.Here’s what the a racino would offer, as outlined in Racino Now’s brochure:
*It would generate $200 million every budget cycle in tax revenue for Minnesota.
*The state would benefit from tax revenue on casino gaming at Canterbury, unlike the situation with Indian casinos where none is generated.
*Racinos in 12 states contributed $2.59 billion to state and local governments in communities where they operate.
*A casino at Canterbury would require no state investment.
*80 percent of Minnesotans favor a racino at Canterbury.
BIG DAY FOR MARTINEZ, ROBERTSON
Class E Holiday, a two-year-old filly by Harlan’s Holiday started it off, winning the second race on the card, a 5 ½ furlong affair for two-year-old maidens.
Then, Taconite, a five-year-old gelding by Devil His Due, came through in race four, a six-furlong dash for Minnesota-bred three-year-olds and older.Sandys Shineyshoes was next, in race five, a 5 ½ furlong dash for maiden claimers three to five years old. All three horses were ridden by Seth Martinez and trained by Mac Robertson, who retook the lead in the trainer’s race. He has 35 wins to Bernell Rhone’s 33.
*Trainer Clay Brinson saddled the winners of the late daily double. Dean Butler, the jockey leader, rode Green Secret, winner of a 7 ½ furlong sprint on the grass in race seven.Adolfo Morales was on Counter Acting, a three-year-old filly by Regent Act, in the last race, for maiden claimers three-to-five years old, at 5 ½ furlongs.
