EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) - Harness racing in New Jersey isn't going to die without a fight.

That's the message the head of the state's harness racing industry told about 150 supporters of the sport who attended an informational meeting in the paddock at the Meadowlands Racetrack on Thursday night.

The gathering came less than a week after Gov. Chris Christie backed a task force report recommending that the state revitalize Atlantic City and its casinos while pulling the plug on state support of horse racing.

Tom Luchento told harness trainers, drivers and horsemen at the racetrack that while the Hanson Report was difficult to swallow and offered racing unacceptable options, racing was not going to go quietly.

The head of the Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association of New Jersey called for members to unite and attend a meeting of the New Jersey Gaming Summit in Atlantic City next week.

``Notwithstanding the governor's report prepared by Jon Hanson, we are not folding, fading or leaving,'' Luchento said. ``Let me dispel the rumors. We are not done here. We are not close to closing the doors here or at Freehold.''

About 10 people at the meeting either spoke or posed questions to Luchento, with a couple wondering why the state refused to allow slot machines at the track.

``This is it,'' trainer George Anthony said. ``This is the battle for survival and the horsemen at this point have to unite. I think we have been divided for many years and now the time has come to show the people of New Jersey that this decision and this report is bogus.''

Dr. Karyn Malinowski, director of Rutgers' Equine Science Center, said the loss of racing would have dire effects on the state.

Malinowski said horse racing is the economic driving engine of agricultural business in the state, generating $1.1 billion annually, with $780 million coming directly from racing.

If racing died, much of the 57,000 acres of land now devoted to the industry would be lost, she said.

``The bottom line, you have $160 million in taxes, $115 million due to racing, 57,000 acres, 700 farms, 7,000 jobs and $780 million gone from the state of New Jersey if racing leaves New Jersey,'' Malinowski said.

Hall of Fame driver John Campbell was angry with both the report and the governor's decision. He said pressure has to be applied to politicians to get them to support racing.

``This is not a lost cause,'' Campbell said. ``There is a lot of potential here if we can change the culture of the grandstand food and services and upgrade our technology. There is a lot of room for potential and they are not giving us the opportunity to do that.''

Earlier Thursday, Christie met with 12 lawmakers who represent Monmouth and surrounding counties that form the heart of New Jersey's horse racing industry. The area is home to Monmouth Park race track and picturesque farms for thoroughbred and standardbred horses.

A legislator who attended the meeting said the governor urged those with a vested interest in the viability of the racing industry to devise a plan for long-term survival that doesn't include state subsidies.

That plan would include additional off-track wagering parlors, which each bring in an estimated $7 to $8 million a year, and renegotiated contracts with companies that provide the broadcast signal for races from other states, according to the lawmaker, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the meeting was private.

Mike Gulotta, the owner of Deo Volente Farms, believes racing can be successful with the harness track in private hands.

``I think privatization is the key to returning the Meadowlands to its position of pre-eminence as the world's greatest harness racing venue,'' he said.

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Associated Press Writer Angela Delli Santi in Trenton contributed to this report.