Two potential track owners anxious to gain last license

It's unclear when a decision will be made.
By LAURE CIOFFI
VINDICATOR PENNSYLVANIA STAFF
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- It was another fruitless trip to the state capital for two potential harness track owners.
The Pennsylvania Harness Racing Commission did not vote on who will receive the state's last license for a harness racetrack at its regular meeting Thursday.
Bedford Downs, a track planned for Pa. Route 422 in Mahoning Township, Lawrence County, and Valley View Downs, a track planned for Pa. Route 51 in Beaver County, are vying for the track license in the state. The winner is almost assured a gaming license that will allow slot machines.
Developers of both tracks were hoping a decision would be made this month.
No specific time frame
A spokeswoman for the harness racing commission said the matter was not on this month's agenda, and no special meetings to announce a decision are planned. She added that the agenda for the next regular meeting on Nov. 18 will not be available until that week.
Lawrence County Commissioner Dan Vogler attended Thursday's harness racing commission meeting and said there was no mention of the pending license.
There was a vague reference to the matter made during a report given by Walter Remmert, director of enforcement, saying his staff has completed its work and it is now in the hands of the commission, Vogler said.
Vogler said he and Mahoning Township Supervisor Poncho Exposito attended the meeting to show their support of the Bedford Downs project.
Carmen Shick, Bedford Downs president, could not be reached to comment Thursday.
Rick Kelly, spokesman for Valley View Downs, said it is unclear when a vote will be taken by the harness racing commission.
"Obviously we'd like there to be a decision as soon as possible," he said. "We realize this is a unique situation. There has never been competition for a harness license before, and they want to do a thorough job."
cioffi@vindy.com