CTown & Moiuntaineer Request to Shave 2015 Dates
Feb 18, 2015 2:56:08 GMT -5
Post by Jon on Feb 18, 2015 2:56:08 GMT -5
Are we now seeing the drops in breeding? Or - just too many racing days?
Charles Town Request to Shave Dates Tabled
By Tom LaMarra
Bloodhorse
The West Virginia Racing Commission Feb. 17 tabled a request by Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races to reduce the number of live racing dates it was awarded for 2015.
In November the WVRC approved Charles Town's request for 220 racing days, the minimum number required by state statute. However, Charles Town reached an agreement with the Charles Town Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association to amend the request to 193 programs for this year.
Though the racing commission received no objections to the plan, it voted to not take action pending further discussion on the broader issue of live racing dates in the state in light of declining revenue for purses and changes in the marketplace.
The request to reduce dates was predicated on an anticipated shortage of horses and an anticipated drop in available purse revenue in the wake of 2014 action by the West Virginia legislature to take 10% of the horsemen's share of video lottery terminal revenue and use it for other state programs.
Charles Town HBPA president Randy Funkhouser told the WVRC the issue isn't a shortage of horses. He said some races currently attract the maximum of 14 horses, which includes four on the also-eligible list, and that last year Charles Town averaged more than eight horses per race.
"We didn't feel it's appropriate to have 'shortage of horses' (in the language)," Funkhouser said. "The shortage of purses we agreed with."
Eric Zimny, Charles Town vice president of racing operations, said average field size in 2014 at the track "was the lowest in years," and that if Charles Town had to offer 220 or more nights of racing there "absolutely would be a shortage of Thoroughbreds to fill that number of races."
In a related development, legislation that would authorize a reduction in live racing dates at Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack & Resort to a minimum of 185 rather than 210 was introduced in the House of Delegates and sent to the House Judiciary Committee. The WVRC said the bill was urged by Mountaineer and the Mountaineer HBPA.
Along with the reduction in racing dates, the bill would revise racing commission procedures regarding requests for changes in racing dates and eliminate some restrictions on how purse money can be allocated.
Mike Vales, a horseman at Mountaineer, told the WVRC he and others are concerned the track will, like it did last year, request a reduction in dates in the latter half of the year. He noted Mountaineer was approved for 210 racing days in 2015 and hasn't submitted a request to cut that number.
"I believe anybody going into this with eyes wide open can see we're going down the same path as last year," Vales said. "Once July comes we'll hear there is only so much purse money left, and they can't race in November and December. This is what the horsemen are worried about."
Vales also said a formula shows Mountaineer could pay $80,000 a day in purses over 210 programs based on projections of $16 million in total purses in 2015.
Charles Town Request to Shave Dates Tabled
By Tom LaMarra
Bloodhorse
The West Virginia Racing Commission Feb. 17 tabled a request by Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races to reduce the number of live racing dates it was awarded for 2015.
In November the WVRC approved Charles Town's request for 220 racing days, the minimum number required by state statute. However, Charles Town reached an agreement with the Charles Town Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association to amend the request to 193 programs for this year.
Though the racing commission received no objections to the plan, it voted to not take action pending further discussion on the broader issue of live racing dates in the state in light of declining revenue for purses and changes in the marketplace.
The request to reduce dates was predicated on an anticipated shortage of horses and an anticipated drop in available purse revenue in the wake of 2014 action by the West Virginia legislature to take 10% of the horsemen's share of video lottery terminal revenue and use it for other state programs.
Charles Town HBPA president Randy Funkhouser told the WVRC the issue isn't a shortage of horses. He said some races currently attract the maximum of 14 horses, which includes four on the also-eligible list, and that last year Charles Town averaged more than eight horses per race.
"We didn't feel it's appropriate to have 'shortage of horses' (in the language)," Funkhouser said. "The shortage of purses we agreed with."
Eric Zimny, Charles Town vice president of racing operations, said average field size in 2014 at the track "was the lowest in years," and that if Charles Town had to offer 220 or more nights of racing there "absolutely would be a shortage of Thoroughbreds to fill that number of races."
In a related development, legislation that would authorize a reduction in live racing dates at Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack & Resort to a minimum of 185 rather than 210 was introduced in the House of Delegates and sent to the House Judiciary Committee. The WVRC said the bill was urged by Mountaineer and the Mountaineer HBPA.
Along with the reduction in racing dates, the bill would revise racing commission procedures regarding requests for changes in racing dates and eliminate some restrictions on how purse money can be allocated.
Mike Vales, a horseman at Mountaineer, told the WVRC he and others are concerned the track will, like it did last year, request a reduction in dates in the latter half of the year. He noted Mountaineer was approved for 210 racing days in 2015 and hasn't submitted a request to cut that number.
"I believe anybody going into this with eyes wide open can see we're going down the same path as last year," Vales said. "Once July comes we'll hear there is only so much purse money left, and they can't race in November and December. This is what the horsemen are worried about."
Vales also said a formula shows Mountaineer could pay $80,000 a day in purses over 210 programs based on projections of $16 million in total purses in 2015.