Companies vie for last harness racing license

There is no time frame for
the commission’s decision.

By LAURE CIOFFI

VINDICATOR PENNSYLVANIA BUREAU

HARRISBURG — And they’re off — again.

The principals for Bedford Downs and Valley View Downs submitted applications for Pennsylvania’s last harness racing license Friday.

The submission of two applications quashed rampant rumors in Lawrence County that the two companies had joined forces and were applying for one license to be used in Lawrence County.

Carmen Shick, owner of Bedford Downs, the proposed harness track and slots casino in Lawrence County, said earlier this week that his company was moving along with its single application for the harness track license on his property five miles west of New Castle off of U.S. Route 422.

His chief competitor is Valley View Downs, a proposed track and casino planned for Beaver County, Pa., by Indiana-based company Centaur Inc.

Both applicants were rejected for the license by the Pennsylvania Harness Racing Commission in 2005, but court appeals that went to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court required that the commission reconsider both applicants.

Anton Leppler, executive director of the harness racing commission, said he received amended applications from both groups Friday and his staff was working to redact any private information from the voluminous documents.

He said it’s unclear how long it will take the commission to review the documents and make a decision.

Statement

Valley View Downs spokesman Rick Kelly released a statement Friday via e-mail noting that Valley View and Bedford are competing for the last license. He stated that Valley View submitted an amended application but would not comment further on the matter.

Shick said his team used the Supreme Court and harness racing decisions as guidelines for amending Bedford’s application. He would not offer any specifics.

“We’ve got a great location and a great plan. We have done our absolute best to make it even better,” Shick said.

In their original decision, harness racing officials denied Valley View’s application because of problems with its location and track design. The Lawrence County company’s application was denied because of alleged organized crime ties Shick’s deceased grandfather may have had more than 20 years ago, and questions about the project’s financing.

cioffi@vindy.com