Bally

Cloverleaf Enterprises, Inc., a corporation formed by an organization of approximately 1,400 owners and trainers of harness horses in Maryland, Delaware and Virginia, officially took over ownership yesterday of Maryland's two trotting tracks -- Rosecroft and Delmarva raceways -- with a major assist from Bally's Casino Holdings, Inc., one of the country's primary casino gambling firms.Under what is considered an unusual agreement, Bally is lending the horsemen $10.6 million to buy the tracks and is being given free rein by Cloverleaf to run them.

When the Cloverleaf Standardbred Owners' Association board meets tonight, it will be deciding how to gamble on the future of harness racing in Maryland.One board member, trainer Bibb Roberts, is placing his bet with a casino operator, Bally's. Another board member, breeder Joe Thomson, is putting his money on Cloverleaf. They represent opposing viewpoints on whether the Rosecroft and Delmarva tracks should be sold to a casino operator or to horsemen."I'm going with Bally's," Roberts said.

WMS Industries to acquire BallyIn a development that disappointed investors, WMS Industries Inc. said yesterday that it had reached a definitive agreement to acquire Bally Gaming International in a stock swap valued at about $116 million. The price is not only lower than the original bid by WMS, but it is also well below an offer made earlier this week by Alliance Gaming Corp.Under the terms of the revised offer by Chicago-based WMS, Bally shareholders will receive 0.55 share of WMS for each share of Las Vegas-based Bally.

Hard by Interstate 95 like some futuristic spaceship come to eastern Baltimore County, the new Bally's Holiday Health Spa at White Marsh is "just like a billboard," says a company official."

A new player has emerged in the sale talks surrounding Rosecroft Raceway and Ocean Downs.William Rickman, owner of Delaware Park Race Course, has offered Cloverleaf Enterprises, Inc., an organization of Maryland standardbred horsemen, $13.5 million to purchase outright both of the struggling tracks."

Maryland Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller Jr. said yesterday he opposes opening casinos at the state's two harness racing tracks.The comments by Mr. Miller, one of the state's most powerful legislators, are the first sign of political opposition to a proposal by Bally Entertainment Corp. to build casinos at Delmarva and Rosecroft Raceways.Mr. Miller said he opposes a casino at Delmarva Downs, in Berlin in Worcester County, because politicians in nearby Ocean City have long been against such an operation.

WHEN THE MARYLAND Racing Commission convenes today, it should not rush to judgment on the knotty question of who profits from simulcasting out-of-state races at new off-track betting parlors. Too much harm could be done if the panel makes the wrong decision.Instead, the commission should follow the suggestion of Attorney General J. Joseph Curran Jr. -- let the General Assembly decide.Bally Entertainment Corp., the giant gambling company, wants permission to build a fancy OTB facility in Hagerstown and keep the racing proceeds for itself, without sharing profits with Maryland's thoroughbred track owners.

How do you tell an owner that he lost a race because his horse stepped on a goose?That's the unlikely scenario that occurred at Laurel Park yesterday when Lizzie of Live Oak, nearing contention about halfway through the $20,500 feature, ran into a flock of geese that had wandered onto the track's turf course.These are not the graceful flamingos of Hialeah Park, but a band of fat Canada geese that normally hang near the infield pond and are usually content to stay there.But yesterday, hidden from the stewards' view by an infield willow tree, about a dozen of them had strolled onto the course near the five-eighths pole.

When the Maryland Million celebrates its 10th anniversary on Oct. 14, thoroughbred horsemen will be running for the first time for purse money sponsored by a casino company.Richard Wilcke, executive director of Maryland Million, Ltd., said the organization has reached a tentative agreement with Bally Entertainment Corp. that will add the gaming firm to the Million's list of race sponsors.It's likely, he said, that Bally will sponsor two of the 11 races -- the Maryland Million Turf and one of two starter handicaps.

With 220,000 square feet of gaming areas, Bally's is Atlantic City's largest casino. If you're searching for the extravagance of Las Vegas on the East Coast, Bally's is likely the spot. Casino hours: 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Games to play: Live table games include blackjack, roulette, craps, card games and a separate baccarat room called Baccarat Palace. There are more than 5,000 slot machines. Entertainment: "The Legends" tribute series - featuring impersonators of Whitney Houston, Adele, Elvis and more - kicks off this weekend, with performances taking place every night except Mondays.