historical horse racing | Horse Racing Free Tips

Kentucky Governor Signs Historical Horse Racing Bill Into Law

The Kentucky Equine Education Project (KEEP), Kentucky's equine economic advocate, released the following statement today regarding Governor Beshear's signing of Senate Bill 120:

“We thank Governor Beshear for signing Senate Bill 120 into law, which ensures the future of our equine industry while protecting thousands of local jobs. Kentuckians and the legislators who represent them have made clear that they support historical horse racing and the many benefits it brings to our communities. We are optimistic about the horse industry's road ahead and remain committed to keeping Kentucky a world-class racing destination for many years to come.”

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Phillips: Let Kentucky’s HHR Fight Be A Warning To Others; Forge Contacts With Legislators Now

Racing interests across the country should pay close attention to what almost happened in Kentucky. A state supreme court ruling in September on historical horse racing (HHR) nearly shut down the entire Kentucky racing industry. The ruling said a legislative fix was needed. Racing interests had to scramble — it was a legislative scramble could happen to any racing jurisdiction.

Such a panic in other places would not on the scale as it was in Kentucky, where 60,000 direct and indirect jobs, $5.2 billion in economic impact, and $15 million in fiscal year 2020 for the Kentucky Thoroughbred Development Fund purses were at stake.

To avoid a legislative scramble, building relationship with legislators and policy makers should be in the DNA of everyone associated with racing. It is hard to believe in a place with iconic tracks like Churchill and Keeneland plus the home base of major racing organizations that relationship-building was not an ongoing activity.

Being unprepared is not an option. In today's environment where everything is controversial, it is vital that an infrastructure is in place to influence the outcome of legislative, regulatory or policy issues.

Preparation is the key to success. The absolute first step is to make certain everyone involved from the front office of a racetrack to the backstretch knows who their own legislators are.

A few quick ideas to build legislative relations I have used over the years: introductory meetings, staying in touch, working in political campaigns, attending fundraisers, town hall meetings and other events honoring the legislator. Seek out their opinion, look for ways to mention/publicize the legislator, invite them to meetings and events, give them awards, send out photos to local and social media.

The final important point: do not wait until you need something to get in touch.

Bill Phillips operates Phillips Strategy a consulting firm and he is a former West Virginia Racing Commissioner, Chief of Staff to WV Governor & Members of Congress. Phillips also served as an executive to professional associations, managing their legislative relations.

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Kentucky Commission Approves New Conditions For HHR, Facility For Kentucky Downs Expansion As Bill Awaits Governor’s Signature

After the passage of Senate Bill 120 last week by the Kentucky House of Representatives, the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission breathed a sigh of relief that historical horse racing (HHR) would become part of the state's legal definition of permitted gambling. At Tuesday's commission meeting, the body began dealing with the next steps for HHR in the state.

SB120 has not yet been signed by Gov. Andy Beshear, only because the state senate recessed before forwarding it on to the governor's office. Once the body reconvenes, Beshear will sign the bill. The governor appeared via video conferencing at the start of Tuesday's meeting to assure commission members he was looking forward to signing the legislation. His signature is expected sometime next week.

Meanwhile, the commission unanimously approved several rule language changes clarifying language related to HHR so it will be in compliance with SB 120. It approved a set of conditions for facilities to conduct HHR in 2021, which among other things will require operators of HHR to present written reports from an independent testing laboratory confirming that the machines are in compliance with state code and constitute parimutuel wagering. The commission must approve the number of terminals, game themes, facility layout, security protocols, and hours of operation.

The association offering HHR will also have to create a initial seed pool to fund a wagering pool, and seed pools cannot be commingled without written authorization by the commission.

Further guidelines were approved to give commission executive director Marc Guilfoil the authority to approve some administrative changes that HHR operators may request. Some of those requests may later be ratified by the full commission depending upon statute, although more minor requests may be approved without the commission members' approval.

The commission also ratified Guilfoil's approval of a request from Kentucky Downs to expand its license to an extension facility in Bowling Green, Ky. The final location for the extension facility and a timeline for its opening have not yet been finalized by the track, but by state regulation it must be within 60 miles of Kentucky Downs without being within 60 miles of another association's racetrack or 40 miles of a simulcast facility. The request will allow the facility to host simulcast wagering and “exotic wagers yet to be determined,” which could include HHR.

The commission approved a request from Keeneland to begin its fall meet on April 2, rather than April 1 as originally requested.

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KHRC Awards $14.3 Million to Kentucky Breeders for 2020

The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission has awarded $14.3 million to qualified breeders through the Thoroughbred Breeders' Incentive Fund for Kentucky Thoroughbreds' wins in 2020. The incentive fund requires owners to board mares in Kentucky from the time of breeding until the birth of the foal. Incentive payments are based on the foal's eventual winnings on the racetrack. Last year, nearly 3,500 races were won by a Kentucky-bred receiving a breeder award.

Kentucky-breds won over 245 graded stakes in the United States and 18 group races in Canada, England, France and Ireland last year, victories that included Authentic's (Into Mischief) success in the GI Kentucky Derby, Shedaresthedevil's (Daredevil) win in the GI Kentucky Oaks and Swiss Skydiver's (Daredevil) win in the GI Preakness S.

“We need the commonwealth's signature horse industry to stay strong and engaged as we sprint out of the COVID-19 pandemic. On top of being part of our history, the industry supports many Kentucky families today and will continue to draw new visitors to the state in the future,” said Governor Andy Beshear. “Thanks to Kentucky breeders and a strong racing circuit enhanced by historical horse racing, Kentucky remains a leader in breeding with more stallions than any other state, and representing 42% of the foal crop in North America.”

Since its inception in 2006, more than $184 million has been awarded to Kentucky breeders for winning eligible races across the globe. The fund receives 80% of the 6% sales tax paid when breeding a stallion to a mare in the commonwealth. In addition, the 2020 fund received $1.1 million from wagers on historical horse racing.

The post KHRC Awards $14.3 Million to Kentucky Breeders for 2020 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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