LA Racing Comm Grants 1 Yr Conditional License to CDI
Apr 29, 2014 15:29:03 GMT -5
Post by cait on Apr 29, 2014 15:29:03 GMT -5
Will CDI carry out the terms? What happens if next year, CDI's license isn't renewed?
From The Times-Picayune
By Katherine Terrell
Louisiana Racing Commission grants Churchill Downs Inc. one-year license on conditional basis
The Louisiana Racing Commission has granted Churchill Downs Inc. a one-year license on a conditional basis for both quarter horse and Thoroughbred racing. The New Orleans Fair Grounds' 2014-15 season will run Nov. 21, 2014 through March 29, 2015.
Churchill Downs Inc. applies annually for a 10-year license, but must go to the Commission on a yearly basis to be awarded its racing dates. While the license is usually rolled over without dissension, the Commission was stricter this year.
The Commission awarded Churchill Downs Inc. a one-year license, but warned it could be taken away if the company does not meet the conditions agreed to during the meeting.
"I think you’re aware now that Churchill has a major perception problem, that Churchill has no interest in racing but an interest in gaming," said commissioner Dr. Thomas Grimstad. "Austin Miller was down here last week. He's the vice president of gaming. Is there still a vice president of racing at Churchill? Is there any equality?
"I intend to vote for (the license,) but I will say ... if I find myself still on this Commission a year from now with the same problems, I’m going to vote against Churchill. I hope that we can make progress. I’ve said this before, I think Thoroughbred racing is part of our culture here. I think people care about it, I think it’s important."
Fair Grounds president Tim Bryant has outlined an improvement plan for the track.
"We are dedicated to the Fair Grounds and the integrity of the horse racing industry," Bryant said. "We have listened to you concerns and heard your collective feedback. It was very difficult to put together a long-term plan. As a publicly traded company, we have to be careful about how much info we provide about the future.
"However, we are prepared to provide a commitment up to $1 million over the course of the next two years."
Below is the improvement plan for the Fair Grounds as stated by Bryant:
TURF COURSE
•Approximately $200,000 will be spent in improvements to the turf course, beginning in late May.
•Churchill Downs Inc. will spend up to $690,000, if deemed necessary by consultants, to overhaul the turf course in 2015 if it does not show "marked improvement to normal rain events" this season. The company spent $200,000 last year in repairs and maintenance on the turf course. Bryant said the consultants have not yet recommended a complete overhaul.
CUSTOMER SERVICE
•Up to $200,000 will be spent on an infield video board to replace or repair the broken screen.
•Plans for more customer appreciation events
•Improved timeliness and repair in off-track betting parlors
•Plans for mobile betting, which would allow tellers to walk around the grandstand and clubhouse to take bets, something that was previously available at the track but is not currently
•Better tracking of live mutuel tellers and increased staffing
MARKETING
•Increase efforts to market the horse racing and pari-mutuel side, instead of just slots and video poker
•Will hold regular handicapping tournaments
•TV ads will indicate the presence of live racing instead of just slot promotion
FACILITIES
•Work order process for backstretch repairs was implemented in January, will continue to next season
•Automated work order process under consideration
•Enhanced checklist of backstretch repairs requiring employees to sign off on when completed
TERMS OF THE LICENSE
•In order to retain the license, the Commission said Churchill Downs Inc. must agree to several terms, listed below:
•Churchill must submit monthly reports on their expenditures and repairs to the turf course, with a promise to commit to the full $690,000 in repairs if deemed necessary.
•Additionally, the Commission will request an audit of all off-track betting (OTB) machines from the Louisiana State Police, and Churchill Downs Inc. must commit the necessary repairs.
•Churchill Downs must also provide the Commission with any incentive programs currently in place or plans for the programs relating to the pari-mutuel customer, separate from the gaming customers.
•Churchill Downs must submit a comprehensive and specific monthly report on its marketing plan to the Commission.
•Churchill Downs must also provide the Commission with a current report detailing the number of mutuel tellers at OTBs and the racetrack, with their hours and times they work.
•Additionally, the Commission has requested the Louisiana Horsemen's Benevolent & Protective Association provide them with individuals willing to sit on a joint committee that would inspect the back-side facilities at the track and president their concerns to Churchill Downs Inc. The company must respond to the concerns within 30 days.
•Churchill Downs Inc. must provide the racing commission a list with what specific work and improvements be done within the next 60 days.
"We want to thank the Louisiana State Racing Commission for their patience and we look forward to working diligently on the proposed conditions in order to ensure that racing continues at one of the most historic tracks in the country," Bryant said in a statement. "We look forward to making improvements and to everyone coming back to Mid-City for racing this fall."
From The Times-Picayune
By Katherine Terrell
Louisiana Racing Commission grants Churchill Downs Inc. one-year license on conditional basis
The Louisiana Racing Commission has granted Churchill Downs Inc. a one-year license on a conditional basis for both quarter horse and Thoroughbred racing. The New Orleans Fair Grounds' 2014-15 season will run Nov. 21, 2014 through March 29, 2015.
Churchill Downs Inc. applies annually for a 10-year license, but must go to the Commission on a yearly basis to be awarded its racing dates. While the license is usually rolled over without dissension, the Commission was stricter this year.
The Commission awarded Churchill Downs Inc. a one-year license, but warned it could be taken away if the company does not meet the conditions agreed to during the meeting.
"I think you’re aware now that Churchill has a major perception problem, that Churchill has no interest in racing but an interest in gaming," said commissioner Dr. Thomas Grimstad. "Austin Miller was down here last week. He's the vice president of gaming. Is there still a vice president of racing at Churchill? Is there any equality?
"I intend to vote for (the license,) but I will say ... if I find myself still on this Commission a year from now with the same problems, I’m going to vote against Churchill. I hope that we can make progress. I’ve said this before, I think Thoroughbred racing is part of our culture here. I think people care about it, I think it’s important."
Fair Grounds president Tim Bryant has outlined an improvement plan for the track.
"We are dedicated to the Fair Grounds and the integrity of the horse racing industry," Bryant said. "We have listened to you concerns and heard your collective feedback. It was very difficult to put together a long-term plan. As a publicly traded company, we have to be careful about how much info we provide about the future.
"However, we are prepared to provide a commitment up to $1 million over the course of the next two years."
Below is the improvement plan for the Fair Grounds as stated by Bryant:
TURF COURSE
•Approximately $200,000 will be spent in improvements to the turf course, beginning in late May.
•Churchill Downs Inc. will spend up to $690,000, if deemed necessary by consultants, to overhaul the turf course in 2015 if it does not show "marked improvement to normal rain events" this season. The company spent $200,000 last year in repairs and maintenance on the turf course. Bryant said the consultants have not yet recommended a complete overhaul.
CUSTOMER SERVICE
•Up to $200,000 will be spent on an infield video board to replace or repair the broken screen.
•Plans for more customer appreciation events
•Improved timeliness and repair in off-track betting parlors
•Plans for mobile betting, which would allow tellers to walk around the grandstand and clubhouse to take bets, something that was previously available at the track but is not currently
•Better tracking of live mutuel tellers and increased staffing
MARKETING
•Increase efforts to market the horse racing and pari-mutuel side, instead of just slots and video poker
•Will hold regular handicapping tournaments
•TV ads will indicate the presence of live racing instead of just slot promotion
FACILITIES
•Work order process for backstretch repairs was implemented in January, will continue to next season
•Automated work order process under consideration
•Enhanced checklist of backstretch repairs requiring employees to sign off on when completed
TERMS OF THE LICENSE
•In order to retain the license, the Commission said Churchill Downs Inc. must agree to several terms, listed below:
•Churchill must submit monthly reports on their expenditures and repairs to the turf course, with a promise to commit to the full $690,000 in repairs if deemed necessary.
•Additionally, the Commission will request an audit of all off-track betting (OTB) machines from the Louisiana State Police, and Churchill Downs Inc. must commit the necessary repairs.
•Churchill Downs must also provide the Commission with any incentive programs currently in place or plans for the programs relating to the pari-mutuel customer, separate from the gaming customers.
•Churchill Downs must submit a comprehensive and specific monthly report on its marketing plan to the Commission.
•Churchill Downs must also provide the Commission with a current report detailing the number of mutuel tellers at OTBs and the racetrack, with their hours and times they work.
•Additionally, the Commission has requested the Louisiana Horsemen's Benevolent & Protective Association provide them with individuals willing to sit on a joint committee that would inspect the back-side facilities at the track and president their concerns to Churchill Downs Inc. The company must respond to the concerns within 30 days.
•Churchill Downs Inc. must provide the racing commission a list with what specific work and improvements be done within the next 60 days.
"We want to thank the Louisiana State Racing Commission for their patience and we look forward to working diligently on the proposed conditions in order to ensure that racing continues at one of the most historic tracks in the country," Bryant said in a statement. "We look forward to making improvements and to everyone coming back to Mid-City for racing this fall."
