Reduces minimum number of annually required thoroughbred horse racing dates under certain circumstances.

This bill reduces the minimum annual thoroughbred horse racing dates required for Monmouth Park and Meadowlands Racetrack (combined) from 141 to as few as 25 or 40, depending on state funding for purse subsidies. It allows a drop to 25 days if the state fails to fund the required subsidy or with written consent from the New Jersey Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association, and to 40 days if funding is below $10 million but above $5 million. For standardbred races, the bill lowers the minimum from 151 days at Meadowlands and 192 days at Freehold to 75 days each, with consent from the Standardbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association. The changes directly affect these racetracks and their industry stakeholders by adjusting operational requirements based on budgetary conditions.