The bankrupt company that owns Remington Park wants to sell it at auction, a process the general manager of the racetrack and casino said Friday would not immediately affect the facility’s operations.
In a filing in federal bankruptcy court in Delaware on Tuesday, Magna Entertainment Corp. asked a judge to approve the procedures for the auction, which would include other tracks and assets owned by the Aurora, Ontario-based company.
Magna Entertainment, the largest horse-track owner in the U.S., filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on March 5, saying it has between $500 million and $1 billion in liabilities and more than $1 billion in assets.
In the court filing, the company has proposed a July 8 deadline for bids, with the auction set for July 30 if qualified bids are received. A hearing about the company’s auction proposal is set for April 3.
"Our operations continue as normal,” said Scott Wells, Remington Park’s general manager. "We expect that to continue to be the case if we are purchased by another company or whatever the case may be.”
Bucking the industry trend, Remington Park has been profitable in recent years, he said.
"Our business levels picked up during 2008, even when the economy went in the tank and most gambling venues have seen downturns,” Wells said. "It’s even increased into 2009.”
Wells said officials from Miller Buckfire & Co., listed in court documents as the "financial advisor” to Magna Entertainment, will visit Remington Park in early April to assess the property and operations.
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