Posted: 15 Jun 2010 06:34 AM PDT

Horse Tracks Consider Fighting Ohio Casino Bill

COLUMBUS, Ohio—Horse racing tracks in Ohio are considering a push for a 2011 ballot issue that would ask voters to repeal the casino bill recently signed by Gov. Ted Strickland.

The bill sets rules for the state's four planned casinos, which the financially struggling tracks fear will further hurt their business.

Putting the matter on the ballot could stall the opening of the casinos, which were approved by voters last year for Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati and Toledo.

The tracks would need 240,000-plus signatures to get the issue before voters. The bill signed by Strickland Thursday does not become law for 90 days, giving the tracks a window to circulate petitions.

"We're exploring all of our legal and constitutional options," said David Paragas, a lobbyist for the Equine Agricultural Coalition who represents four of Ohio's seven horse tracks.

A separate proposal before voters this November seeks to stop a plan Strickland proffered last year to place lottery-run video slot machines at the racetracks in an effort to plug an $850 million budget hole. The track owners hope to convince the group behind that referendum to withdraw it by an Aug. 24 deadline so the racetrack slots plan can move forward.

Horse tracks would rather work with casino supporters than against them, said Jack Hanessian, general manager of the River Downs track in Cincinnati.

"I don't think it's the wisest thing to do," he said, referring to the possible 2011 ballot issue, "but it's a way of delaying what they are doing. It's leverage to get them to give up their referendum."

If racetracks try to fight the casino rules, it could lead to delays in the licensing and opening of the casinos as well as a delay in the creation of the Ohio Casino Control Commission, which is to regulate the casino industry, Hanessian said.

Strickland spokeswoman Amanda Wurst said the governor intends to ask a common pleas court for a judgment that would place slot machines at tracks if necessary.

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Racing UK extends World Cup offer

Posted: 14 Jun 2010 10:40 PM PDT

15 June, 2010

By Matt Eley

Broadcaster gives fans a chance to cash in on potential penalty misery

Horse racing channel Racing UK has extended a World Cup promotion for pubs and clubs until the start of England's final group fixture.

Racing UK will refund any new commercial annual subscriptions taken out before the England v Slovenia clash on June 23 - should England qualify for the knock-out stages and crash out through the dreaded penalty shoot-out.

The current odds on such an outcome are 3-1 with bookmakers.

Nick Mills, Racing UK commercial director of, said: "The offer should appeal to those with a gloomy outlook on England's chances, and after their stuttering start against the USA, their chance of World Cup glory looks a fairly distant one at present.

"Racing UK can provide the perfect accompaniment to the World Cup coverage, by supplying continuous sporting coverage when the football isn't on, and we are showing 77 race-fixtures during the World Cup."

For more details, please visit racinguk.com/pubs or call 0870 351 8834.

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Horse racing officials mull future

Posted: 15 Jun 2010 07:42 PM PDT

Executives with Texas' three financially struggling horse racing tracks met Tuesday in Austin with horsemen to discuss proposed changes to the state's 2011 racing schedule for thoroughbreds and will meet today with thoroughbred breeders to discuss the same issue.

Representing the tracks at the meeting with the Texas Horsemen's Partnership were Bryan Brown, CEO of Retama Park in Selma; Drew Shubeck, president and general manager of Lone Star Park in Grand Prairie; and Andrea Young, president and CEO of Sam Houston Race Park.

Among proposals advanced by track operators is a plan to transfer thoroughbred race dates and purse funds from Retama and Sam Houston to Lone Star for a single 65-day meet next spring. Other suggestions would preserve limited "festival" racing weekends for Sam Houston and Retama.

The statement described Tuesday's meeting as productive and said horsemen were expected to present a counterproposal for consideration by the tracks.

The tracks say the consolidated meet, for 2011 only, would enable promoters to increase daily purses to about $280,000 and help Texas tracks compete against tracks in Oklahoma, Louisiana and Arkansas that offer gaming options banned by Texas law.

The Texas Racing Commission at its July 7 meeting will begin the process of setting racing dates for 2011.

david.barron@chron.com

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