User talk:Ahlicks456

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unblock|As per Netsnipe's Decline notice to my earlier unblock request, I have posted "a significant improvement to a pre-existing article by copy and pasting my proposed edits" in my discussion page, directly below this unblock request. I ask that this contribution be reviewed, and my ban be reconsidered. I completely understand if this unblock is declined, and will leave in peace. Thank you for taking the time to review this unblock request. Ahlicks456 07:30, 11 March 2007 (UTC)

Proposed Contributions RE: UnBlock - Revisions to Magna Entertainment Corporation
(The information below is copied from the original main page of Magna Entertainment Corporation):

Magna Entertainment Corporation is a gaming and horse racing company in North America with several holdings in Europe and Australia.

History
Magna Entertainment Corporations's (MEC) original parent company, Magna International Inc., is an automotive parts maker and supplier. In the late 1990's Frank Stronach, the president of Magna International Inc. began to try to acquire many race tracks in North America. In 1999, a corporate decision was made to separate the auto parts business from other holdings.

In March, 2000 MEC officially spun off from Magna International by way of a special dividend. Magna Entertainment is traded at the Toronto Stock Exchange and the Nasdaq. It is listed as MECA on the exchange. MEC own or operates eleven Thoroughbred, one Standardbred race track (in the process of being sold) and three mixed tracks (both quarter horse and thoroughbred). MEC is North America's largest thoroughbred racing company, based on revenue and holdings. MEC also owns Xpress Bet, an Internet wagering system. Another holding is Horse Racing TV™ (HRTV), a network supplied to 11 million cable and satellite subscribers which allows them to wager and watch races from home.

MEC operates AmTote International as a wholly-owned subsidiary, one of the racing industry's major tote companies. It also owns thoroughbred training centers and porduces a product called StreuFex™, a straw based horse bedding material. MEC employs about 5,300 people.

MEC Racetracks
MEC owns the following tracks:
 * Golden Gate Fields
 * Great Lakes Downs
 * Gulfstream Park
 * Laurel Park Racecourse
 * Lone Star Park
 * Magna Racino
 * The Meadows (in process of being sold)
 * Pimlico
 * Portland Meadows
 * Remington Park
 * Santa Anita Park
 * Thistledown

Recent performances and the future
Several tracks have recently received permission for slot machines and casinos from voters or legislators. The company has consistently lost money and is unable to make a profit, this has led to discussion that MEC will sell some of its holdings to make money.

(Below I have assembled my proposed edits to bring this article up to Wikipedia standards. There are many small problems with the original article, including the use of weasel words, spelling errors, grammatical  errors, poor organization, direct copying from Magna Entertainment's website withiout citations, and a general lack of references in the current article.)

Magna Entertainment Corporation is a gaming and horse racing company in North America with several holdings in Europe and Australia, and is North America's largest thoroughbred racing company, based on revenue and holdings.

History
Magna Entertainment Corporation (MEC) was created in 1999 by parent company Magna International Inc. Magna International, a major automotive supplier based in Ontario, Canada, underwent a corporate reorganization in which its non-automotive businesses and interests were transferred to MEC. In March, 2000, Magna International distributed shares in its new division to its current stockholders, establishing MEC as a separate public company.

MEC Today
MEC currently owns or manages twelve racetracks in North America, and one racetrack in Austria, including eleven thoroughbred tracks and two mixed (thoroughbred and standardbred) tracks. MEC also operates the simulcasting venues at these tracks, as well as OTB (Off Track Betting) facilities.

Other ventures include XpressBet™, a wagering business that allows customers to wager on over 100 horse racing tracks via internet or telephone, and Horse Racing TV™, a premium television network featuring racing both MEC tracks and other participating tracks.

MEC also owns thoroughbred training facilities in conjunction with its racetracks in California, Florida, and Maryland, and owns and operates facilities that manufacture a straw-based bedding product, StreuFex™.

MEC has recently moved to add additional gaming attractions, such as slot machines, to several of its tracks. In 2004, voters in Oklahoma approved legislation that allowed MEC to incorporate slot machines at Remington Park racetrack in Oklahoma City. Remington Park opened its casino, featuring 650 Class II gaming machines, in November 2005. Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Florida, followed suit in November 2006, with 516 slot machines and poker. Magna Racino in Austria also features alternative gaming.

MEC Racetracks
MEC owns the following tracks:
 * Golden Gate Fields, Albany, California. Acquired December 1999.
 * Great Lakes Downs, Muskegon, Michigan. Acquired February 2000.
 * Gulfstream Park, Hallandale Beach, Florida. Acquired September 1999.
 * Laurel Park, Laurel, Maryland. Acquired February 2002.
 * Lone Star Park, Grand Prairie, Texas. Acquired October 2002.
 * Magna Racino, Ebreichsdorf, Austria. Opened April 2004.
 * Pimlico, Baltimore, Maryland. Acquired November 2002.
 * Portland Meadows, Portland, Oregon. Acquired 2001.
 * Remington Park, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Acquired 2000.
 * Santa Anita Park, Arcadia, California. Unknown Acquisition Date.
 * Thistledown, North Randall, Ohio. Acquired November 1999.

Recent Transactions
MEC recently sold all interests in The Meadows, its standardbred-only track in Meadowlands, Pennsylvania, to PA Meadows, LLC. MEC will continue to manage racing operations.