Chuck Swings Free at Legislator Conclave

[Kasept]

More than 100 people who make their living in the Kentucky horse industry made their case to three Northern Kentucky legislators Feb. 16, and the message was clear: The economics must change or the state will lose a valuable asset.

The focus of the meeting was legislation to authorize video lottery terminals at Kentucky tracks. The bill cleared the House Committee on Licensing and Occupations Feb. 12, and could be heard by the House Committee on Appropriations and Revenue during the current General Assembly session, which ends in late March.

KY Horsemen Make Case to Legislators
http://news.bloodhorse.com/article/49247.htm

Trainer Chuck Simon, who owns a farm in Central Kentucky, said racing at Turfway has “deteriorated rapidly” in the past 10 years. Simon moved to Kentucky in 1999 and has more than 25 employees.

“I’m the type of person you need to attract to this state,” Simon told the legislators. “Nobody is coming here anymore. I have owners leaving the state because the money isn’t there. It’s unbelievable the state of Kentucky has to beg politicians to save horse racing.”

Simon noted the growing divide between racing at Churchill Downs and Keeneland, and racing at Turfway and Ellis Park. Churchill and Keeneland purses average $400,000-$600,000 a day; at Turfway and Ellis Park, the average is $130,000-$140,000.

Of horsemen who ship to Kentucky for the lucrative meets, Simon said: “After the first Saturday in May, they hightail it out of here and don’t come back.”