Racing supporters will make bus trip to fight decoupling

A busload of racing supporters will travel from Ocala to Tallahassee, Fla., on Tuesday to urge the state Senate regulated-industries committee to reject a controversial decoupling bill that is seen as a threat to the Thoroughbred industry.

The Thoroughbred Racing Initiative, an industry collaboration supported by Ocala Breeders’ Sales and created to fight for live horse racing in Florida and all through the United States, is sponsoring the bus trip.

The bus is limited to 50 people and will depart from the OBS grounds at 11:30 a.m. EDT Tuesday with an expected return by about 9:30 p.m. There is no cost for individuals wishing to make the trip to support the fight against the decoupling bill.

The committee hearing is scheduled for 4-6 p.m. EDT on Tuesday in the Knott Building at the state-capitol complex in Tallahassee.

Senate bill 408 would allow racetracks to separate their racing and gaming licenses. The TRI said it would eliminate the minimum racing requirements and funding for purse and breeder awards in the statutes that Gulfstream Park supported when the state approved its slot machines in 2005.

Details about the bus trip are on the OBS website, which also has petitions available for signing. Anyone wanting to join the trip has been asked to register by Monday at noon EDT.