Racing panel to announce license procedure

A Bedford Downs attorney urged the commission to act quickly.
By LAURE CIOFFI
VINDICATOR PENNSYLVANIA BUREAU
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- The chairman of the Pennsylvania Harness Racing Commission indicated that the group will explain next week how the agency will proceed in awarding its last harness track license.
Lawrence County Commissioner Dan Vogler and Mahoning Township Supervisor Poncho Exposito attended Friday's commission meeting in West Chester, Pa., in support of Bedford Downs, the proposed Lawrence County track.
Vogler said Commission Chairman Roy Wilt said the commission will release the information mid-week.
Legal issues
Bedford was denied the state's last harness track license last year along with its only competitor, Valley View Downs in Beaver County, but the Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court ruled earlier this week that the harness commission must reconsider Bedford's proposal. The court denied a similar request from Valley View.
Valley View officials announced Thursday that they would appeal the decision to Pennsylvania Supreme Court.
Vogler said Bedford attorney Victor Stabile read a statement at Friday's harness racing commission meeting acknowledging Bedford owner Carmen Shick respects the commission and urges it to act quickly in awarding the final license.
Exposito said there was no mention of Valley View Downs at the meeting.
The next meeting of the state harness racing commission is set for July 13 at the Pocono Downs racetrack in Wilkes-Barre, Pa.
cioffi@vindy.com