More Cal distress: SLR apparently closing

[Kasept]

This press release from the Cal Trainers (CTT) is making the rounds... Closing SLR would be another crippling blow to small outfits.


San Luis Rey Downs Closure Imminent

Citing economic circumstances, Magna Entertainment Corporation has announced their decision to close San Luis Rey Downs as a thoroughbred training center by March 15, 2010. San Luis Rey Downs has been designated an approved auxiliary training facility by the California Horse Racing Board since 1984. Over the years, San Luis Rey Downs has been the home for thousands of thoroughbreds contributing to California’s racing industry.

Recent reallocation of SCOTWINC Stabling and Vanning funds have, no doubt, contributed to the economic conditions which have led to the decision to close San Luis Rey Downs. Previously, Stabling and Vanning funds had been proportionately distributed to Santa Anita, Hollywood Park, Fairplex, and San Luis Rey Downs. Last year, the SCOTWINC Stabling and Vanning Committee voted to cease funding offsite stabling at Fairplex and San Luis Rey Downs. Shortly thereafter, Fairplex closed its stable area to offsite stabling.

The California Legislature passed laws to sustain and encourage the growth of California’s Thoroughbred Industry. An amount of up to 1.25% of handle of southern and central satellite wagering was set aside to reimburse costs from offsite stabling and vanning. Decisions regarding the allocation of this fund were placed in the hands of the SCOTWINC Stabling and Vanning Committee, a committee composed of Thoroughbred racing associations, racing fairs, and the organization representing horsemen. The horsemen’s vote was transferred from the CHBPA to the TOC following the dismantling of the CHBPA. Consequently, the organization representing California trainers, the CTT, has had no representation and no enforceable rights under the current SCOTWINC formula. The CTT has, however, recently formed a strong working relationship with TOC and intends to meet with TOC to discuss the current San Luis Rey Downs closure.

We invite the comments and suggestions of any interested members regarding this issue. Please contact the CTT at newsletters@caltrainers.org

[freddymo]

Is there a tear emoticon?

[richard burch]

is hollywood park also in trouble?

there was a reference to that on tvg the other night when they were talking to Vic Stauffer.

[MisterB]

To many tracks open anyway.

[Left Bank]

Originally Posted by richard burch

is hollywood park also in trouble?

there was a reference to that on tvg the other night when they were talking to Vic Stauffer.

Did you just wake up from your six year sleep?

[alysheba4]

Originally Posted by Left Bank

Did you just wake up from your six year sleep?

......

[Kasept]

Originally Posted by MisterB

To many tracks open anyway.

This is a training facility and it houses outfits that are generally too small to get stalls at DMR, HOL, SA... It would be very bad if it were to close.

Some positive news though today.

San Luis Rey Downs may close on March 15
By Steve Andersen

http://drf.com/news/article/110859.html

ARCADIA, Calif. - The San Luis Rey Downs training center in Bonsall, Calif., faces closure within a month after officials with the company that owns the facility notified trainers earlier this week that they do not intend to keep the facility open beyond March 15.

But a group of trainers at San Luis Rey Downs are working on a potential business plan with training center owner Magna International to preserve the year-round facility, according to trainer and facility manager Leigh Ann Howard.

Howard said discussions are ongoing with Magna International, the parent company of Santa Anita Park owner Magna Entertainment, but that no resolution has been reached.

"We're working to put a business plan together for" Magna International, Howard said. "They would like us to stay open. They're hoping that we can make a business plan that would satisfy their need as land owners. We don't have to make a lot of money, but we have to break even. That's our goal. We want to get in a break-even situation."

This year, San Luis Rey Downs lost a primary source of funding when the Southern California Off-Track Wagering Inc.'s stabling and vanning fund stopped providing financing for offtrack stabling. The stabling and vanning fund has experienced significant shortfalls in recent years as offtrack wagering has migrated away from satellite locations at racetrack and county fairgrounds to account-wagering platforms, such as telephone and Internet betting.

Fairplex Park in Pomona, which hosts the Los Angeles County fair meeting each September, closed as a year-round training facility last November when it was notified it would no longer receive money from the stabling and vanning fund. Some Fairplex Park-based horses are now based at Hollywood Park, which does not have a full stable area. The stable area at Santa Anita is near capacity.

San Luis Rey Downs, located in northern San Diego County, has been authorized as a training facility by the California Horse Racing Board since 1984.

Trainers based at San Luis Rey Downs include some small operations that race in Southern California as well as stables that prepare horses for other trainers, such as 2-year-olds beginning their careers or horses returning from layoffs. The most famous horse based at San Luis Rey Downs in recent years was Azeri, the 2002 Horse of the Year.

Trainers at San Luis Rey Downs pay $7 stall rent per day, but the number of horses based at the facility has dropped within the last 10 years from approximately 600 horses to 260, Howard said. San Luis Rey Downs has capacity for 530 horses, and Howard said she borrowed portable stalls from Del Mar to accommodate the overflow in past seasons.

Howard said San Luis Rey Downs has "a ton" of 2-year-olds on the grounds currently, and that more could arrive in coming weeks, if a resolution can be reached with Magna International.