Posted by Paul Navratil
on 2/15/2003, 10:38 pm, in reply to "Re: Green Mountain"
205.188.208.168
Steve's reply is dead on. Here's some more filler. The Green Mountain track and all 149 acres has been for sale for a number of years. One year ago the facility could have been bought from Mr. Tiegtens for $1,000,000 - I spoke to him to him on the phone at his home in Naples. The problem is the entire state of Vermont is so backwards. Several years ago I believe it was one of the major gaming operators (Anchor??) put down an entire new racing surface (leasing the facility from Mr. Tietgens) but when the locals caught wind of their long term intentions (expanded gaming) along with a connection to some unscrupulous individuals (mob types from New York) they ran them out of town. The facility is gorgeous and in great shape (needs new barns) in need of minimal repairs. If (and it will happen) they can get year round simulcasting then the track will likely reopen. You don't want to show up in a 3 piece suit trying to polish these people over or they'll run you right out of town. It's a tight knit community almost Amish(ish) Mother Earth types. Ever since they banned dog racing at the track/State of Vermont as a result of cruelty issues the state has had real reservations about gaming but the inevitable will happen. The people of the state/locals need to be the ones reopening the track being that outsiders aren't that desired...former leading jockey at the Pownal track and great person John Donahue has been trying for years to reopen. However, he needs a capable savy frontman. In addition to the need for simulcasting there's been talk about turning it into a feeder training facility for Saratoga and other Northeastern tracks.
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