Whenever there's a popular horse like Smarty Jones making a run for the Triple Crown, it's good news for the gambling industry. But Smarty could shake things up beyond the off-track betting parlors and sports books.
People in Pennsylvania have gone crazy for the horse. About 8,000 went to Philadelphia Park last weekend to watch Smarty gallop around his home track. His trainer has been deluged with requests for endorsements and hoofprints (apparently, that's the horse version of an autograph, the track's press agent told a newspaper reporter) .
Democrats in Pennsylvania hope to parlay Smarty's popularity into legalizing slot machines at the state's racetracks. Gov. Ed Rendell, a Democrat, was elected in 2002 after promising to cut property taxes and offsetting the loss of revenue by expanding legalized gambling.
The Legislature couldn't pass a racino bill last year. Now that Smarty has renewed interest in horse racing, the bill may have an easier time, because racetrack slots are seen as crucial to keeping the sport of kings alive.
"Smarty Jones may not know it, but his efforts on the track could soon lead to more jobs and lower property taxes for Pennsylvanians," according to an e-mail sent to House Democrats and quoted in The Philadelphia Inquirer.
AP News story.
People in Pennsylvania have gone crazy for the horse. About 8,000 went to Philadelphia Park last weekend to watch Smarty gallop around his home track. His trainer has been deluged with requests for endorsements and hoofprints (apparently, that's the horse version of an autograph, the track's press agent told a newspaper reporter) .
Democrats in Pennsylvania hope to parlay Smarty's popularity into legalizing slot machines at the state's racetracks. Gov. Ed Rendell, a Democrat, was elected in 2002 after promising to cut property taxes and offsetting the loss of revenue by expanding legalized gambling.
The Legislature couldn't pass a racino bill last year. Now that Smarty has renewed interest in horse racing, the bill may have an easier time, because racetrack slots are seen as crucial to keeping the sport of kings alive.
"Smarty Jones may not know it, but his efforts on the track could soon lead to more jobs and lower property taxes for Pennsylvanians," according to an e-mail sent to House Democrats and quoted in The Philadelphia Inquirer.
AP News story.
