Part of the slots proposal would dedicate 15 percent of the $100 million purse subsidy to Maryland-bred horses, an incentive that Boniface and other horsemen believe will revitalize an industry that is part of the state's legacy.
"I and the rest of the stallion operations in the state will be able to bring in more quality stallions, and the mares will follow, and the owners who are here now will stay here, rather than continue to move north of the border," said Boniface, who is also Harford County Council president.
Ron Parker, a breeder living in Southern California, said he moved five mares from Maryland to Pennsylvania about five years ago because he thought the chances of slots-subsidized purses there were greater.
Subsequently, that state approved a slots plan that pours millions into the racing industry. Parker also stables three racehorses in New York.
"Ideally, I'll move them all back to Maryland," Parker said. "Without question. I'm a native Marylander, I've been around Maryland racing all my life, and I'm really looking forward to the opportunity to bring my horses back to Maryland."
For his part, Hooke is unpersuaded that slots will boost in-state breeding, noting that in Pennsylvania the number of foals fell slightly from 2006 - when racetrack casinos opened there - to last year.
Still, despite his misgivings about Maryland's slots proposal, the analyst says he will likely cast his ballot in favor during the referendum.
"I'll probably vote for it," he said. "Because I'm tired of listening to it."
gadi.dechter@baltsun.com
Sun reporter Ray Frager contributed to this article.
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