HORSEPLOP.COM
General Category => Harness Racing => Topic started by: stanetelman on July 27, 2026, 04:45:28 PM
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On July 16, Darin Zoccali posted the following comments from Jeff Gural in the DRF harness digest.
"I believe I am the only track owner who shares revenue from sports betting with the horsemen,"
"Last year the purse subsidy bill included $3.5 million to aid operational costs for the track but so far this year the budget passed eliminated money for operating losses. I expect that to change as I am not wealthy enough to cover the $10 million we expect to lose."
"We have a huge disadvantage being the only major Standardbred track in North America that is operating without slots as a funding source,"
He acknowledges that a casino referendum will not be on the ballot in New Jersey in 2026.
"I am committed to do everything possible to get a referendum on the ballot next year, but first we need the state to once again give Dennis (Drazin from Monmouth Park) and I money to cover operating losses,"
"Our polling shows a casino at the Meadowlands will pass easily."
Darin Zoccali says, "Of course, I don't agree with everything he says and everything the Meadowlands does. When I worked for Jeff, we had disagreements like any employer/employee relationship, I asked him for more money and he refused so I quit."
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On July 16, Darin Zoccali posted the following comments from Jeff Gural in the DRF harness digest.
"I believe I am the only track owner who shares revenue from sports betting with the horsemen,"
"Last year the purse subsidy bill included $3.5 million to aid operational costs for the track but so far this year the budget passed eliminated money for operating losses. I expect that to change as I am not wealthy enough to cover the $10 million we expect to lose."
"We have a huge disadvantage being the only major Standardbred track in North America that is operating without slots as a funding source,"
He acknowledges that a casino referendum will not be on the ballot in New Jersey in 2026.
"I am committed to do everything possible to get a referendum on the ballot next year, but first we need the state to once again give Dennis (Drazin from Monmouth Park) and I money to cover operating losses,"
"Our polling shows a casino at the Meadowlands will pass easily."
Darin Zoccali says, "Of course, I don't agree with everything he says and everything the Meadowlands does. When I worked for Jeff, we had disagreements like any employer/employee relationship, I asked him for more money and he refused so I quit."
swing and a miss for many plopsters on this one tmbz1
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On July 16, Darin Zoccali posted the following comments from Jeff Gural in the DRF harness digest.
"I believe I am the only track owner who shares revenue from sports betting with the horsemen,"
"Last year the purse subsidy bill included $3.5 million to aid operational costs for the track but so far this year the budget passed eliminated money for operating losses. I expect that to change as I am not wealthy enough to cover the $10 million we expect to lose."
"We have a huge disadvantage being the only major Standardbred track in North America that is operating without slots as a funding source,"
He acknowledges that a casino referendum will not be on the ballot in New Jersey in 2026.
"I am committed to do everything possible to get a referendum on the ballot next year, but first we need the state to once again give Dennis (Drazin from Monmouth Park) and I money to cover operating losses,"
"Our polling shows a casino at the Meadowlands will pass easily."
Darin Zoccali says, "Of course, I don't agree with everything he says and everything the Meadowlands does. When I worked for Jeff, we had disagreements like any employer/employee relationship, I asked him for more money and he refused so I quit."
You never cease to amaze with your lying....... you are just a sad excuse for a human being!
https://www.drf.com/news/meadowlands-gural-remains-optimistic-about-casino
actual article.
"Darin Zoccali says, "Of course, I don't agree with everything he says and everything the Meadowlands does. When I worked for Jeff, we had disagreements like any employer/employee relationship, I asked him for more money and he refused so I quit."
What Darrin actually said............
"I am consistently amazed at the backlash and lack of support that Jeff Gural faces. Of course, I don't agree with everything he says and everything the Meadowlands does. When I worked for Jeff, we had disagreements like any employer/employee relationship, but that doesn't matter. I don't agree with anyone 100 percent of the time. For 15 years Gural has tried. He has introduced new wager types and has experimented with the video content the Meadowlands puts out. Despite being entirely dependent upon wagering handle, he experimented in a post-time drag reduction, an initiative he knew would cost him money but he wanted to try. He introduced his own out-of-competition testing that he has paid for. Despite no money from slot machine revenue, for 15 years the Meadowlands still carries the largest stakes program in the country. People forget, Gural also owns two other racetracks that would not exist if not for him. Yet, despite all of that, he is somehow met with resistance at every corner.
The industry can constructively criticize decisions the Meadowlands makes if they wish while still providing Gural and the Meadowlands with support. Those two things do not have to be binary. They are trying and should be applauded for their efforts and supported in any way possible."
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I had the honor of having dinner with Jeff and a mutual friend a few years ago. GREAT GUY!!