Florida Thoroughbred industry fights end of racing at Calder
{{monthName}} {{day}}, {{year}} {{hour12}}:{{minuteTwoDigit}}{{dayPeriod}}
Photo:
Eclipse Sportswire
Calder Race Course in Miami Gardens, Fla., could see another transformation come its way. After gaining slot machines and losing stables and its grandstand, owner Churchill Downs Inc. is attempting to convert the racetrack to a jai alai fronton, according to a statement from the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association (FTBOA).
To divert CDI’s attempts, FTBOA, the Stronach Group’s Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Fla., and the Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company filed pleadings on Thursday with Florida’s Division of Pari-Mutuel Wagering. If CDI is successful, the company will no longer have to contribute slot machine revenue to Florida Thoroughbred race purses and breeders’ awards.
The Florida Thoroughbred industry organizations hope a united front will prevent economic harm to the state’s Thoroughbred racing, breeding and sales programs, which they believe would come from Calder Race Course’s conversion to a jai alai fronton.
“Now, Churchill Downs apparently sees the opportunity to pull a ‘bait-and-switch’ in the interests of increasing its profits, with little regard for the economic harm its moves will cause to the faithful Florida trainers, owners, and breeders that have long supported its racing program, as well as the other Florida tracks and participants in Florida’s Thoroughbred industry,” FTBOA said in a statement.
OBS also commented in the statement, contrasting CDI’s hopes of increased purses and breeder and owner incentives in Kentucky from Derby City Gaming with the continuous changes of Calder Race Course.
“However, Calder’s Florida mission is illustrated by its past performances which include bulldozing over half of the barn area, taking a wrecking ball to the grandstand, and supporting decoupling,” the sales company said of CDI. “Its latest attempt to exit racing via Jai Alai is a backdoor effort to continue operating slots and reopening its cardroom without horse racing. If Churchill gets its wish, the implications will stretch far beyond the Florida borders and ripple effects will be felt nationwide in the sales ring, on the racetrack, and in the breeding shed.”
Gulfstream Park also provided the following comment: “Although the agreement with Calder / CDI has benefitted the industry in Florida, we are obviously worried about the unlevel playing field and advantage Calder would have, along with the loss of breeders’ awards and purse money that has helped grow the industry. The ability just to change the use of a license after being granted slots under a different license would undermine all the growth we have achieved.”
Calder Race Course opened in 1971 and was bought by CDI in 1999, with Calder Casino opening in 2010. The Stronach Group and CDI worked out a lease agreement in 2014 in which the Stronach Group would conduct an eight-week meet at Calder Race Course though 2020 and the racetrack was renamed to Gulfstream Park West. The grandstand was demolished in 2016, leaving only the track apron for patrons. Gulfstream Park West is scheduled host live racing Oct. 3-Nov. 25 this year.
Read More
In the 10 days since the Breeders’ Cup Classic, word has filtered out about which runners will return...
If Whit Beckman was disappointed with Regaled 's third-place finish in the Breeders' Cup Distaff, you wouldn't know...
This week's Prospect Watch showcases young horses with elite bloodlines making their racing debuts and early career starts....
Nevada Beach returned to the work tab Monday, just nine days after finishing seventh in the Breeders' Cup...
Grand Slam Smile posted Sunday's highest Horse Racing Nation speed figure with a 142 at Del Mar in...