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Pennsylvania Developer Conflict Heats Up

HARRISBURG, Pennsylvania – As reported by the Pittsburgh Tribune: "The conflict is accelerating between two developers jockeying to create a glitzy racetrack and gambling palace in Western Pennsylvania.

"Centaur Inc., which wants to build Valley View Downs, a $240 million harness track and slot machine casino along Route 51 in Beaver County, has asked the state Harness Racing Commission to throw out the track application of its competitor, Ambrosia Enterprises of New Castle, Lawrence County.

"If Centaur gets its wish, it would be the only applicant left for the state's fourth and final harness racing license. Getting that license would make Indianapolis-based Centaur eligible for one of the 14 lucrative casino licenses authorized by Pennsylvania's new slots law enacted in July.

"Ambrosia President Carmen Shick insists he'll press ahead with his proposal for Bedford Downs, a $175 million racetrack/casino along Route 422 in Lawrence County, west of New Castle and near the Ohio line.

"Shick is appealing a recent ruling by a racing commission hearing examiner, who set last Dec. 28 as the deadline for both sides to submit evidence in the racetrack application competition. The full three-member commission must decide whether to uphold or overrule the deadline set by Edward Finkelstein.

"…Last month, Shick ended his association with his previous financing partner, Mississippi-based Isle of Capri Casinos, and now he is seeking to substitute two other financial entities, Merrill Lynch and Innovation Capital. But he won't be able to do that if Dec. 28 remains as the cutoff date for submission of information.

"Centaur has filed papers with the commission saying it met the Dec. 28 deadline and Shick should have also.

"…The commission hasn't said when it will decide whether to uphold the Dec. 28 cutoff date for submitting information…"

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