Racetracks' licensing hinges on court ruling

A decision is expected within the next 60 days.
By LAURE CIOFFI
VINDICATOR PENNSYLVANIA BUREAU
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- It was an optimistic day for area racetrack hopefuls Bedford Downs and Valley View Downs.
"I'm optimistic we will receive a favorable decision," said Bedford Downs' Carmen Shick of the 50-minute appeal hearing before the seven judges of Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court in Harrisburg.
Shick, along with his competitors at Valley View Downs, have filed appeals with the court of a Pennsylvania Harness Racing Commission decision denying both the remaining harness track license in Pennsylvania.
Rick Kelly, Valley View Downs spokesman, said he is also optimistic.
"We have been optimistic and continue to be optimistic," he said. "If this is sent back [to the harness racing commission], we are confident we can remedy the issues raised."
Both were denied the license last year. Attorneys for the Harness Racing Commission appeared at Wednesday's hearing and asked the judges to uphold the commission's decision.
Kelly and Shick said their attorneys asked the court to remand the matter to the harness racing commission and instruct it to make another decision.
Valley View Downs' denial was based on problems with its site and design.
Basis for denial
The bulk of the denial for Bedford Downs was based on allegations that Shick's deceased grandfather, Carmen Ambrosia, lent money to organized-crime figures.
Lawrence County Commissioner Dan Vogler, who attended the hearing in support of Shick, said at least three of the judges made the comment "So what?" when the matter of the loans was brought up, indicating they disagreed with the harness racing commission's reasoning.
"A lot of our case was based on the criteria the commission used to deny us the license," Shick said. "We thought it was guilt by inheritance."
Shick said the judges appeared to be well-informed about the issues.
He said a written decision could be released within the next 60 days.
cioffi@vindy.com