Tracks throughout state facing uncertain future
Senate funding bills bog down in House as adjournment nears
Another shutdown crisis looms for Texas horse and dog tracks.
The Texas Senate recently approved two bills that would have boosted racing in Texas. However, the House has demonstrated no urgency in acting before the 85th Texas Legislature adjourns Monday.
Mike Lavigne, a spokesman for Texas racing interests, anticipates no House action prior to adjournment.
Andrea Young, Sam Houston Race Park’s president and COO, declined comment on what might happen at SHRP if the House does not follow up on Senate action.
“I don’t speculate on future matters like that,” Young said.
Asked if House inaction would wipe out Sam Houston
Race Park’s 2018 live racing season, Young said, “That’s a possibility.”
Texas Racing Commission executive director Chuck Trout did not respond to three requests to address the funding crisis. A TRC spokesman said Trout “does not respond to media requests.”
One racing official not authorized to speak publicly on the matter said, “I can tell you what will probably happen without funding. TRC will cease to operate this summer. And that will shut down Texas racing.”
Though SHRP offers year-round simulcast racing, its 2017 thoroughbred and quarter-horse seasons have ended. In the Dallas area, Lone Star Park is barely into its thoroughbred season, to be followed by its quarter-horse season. San Antonio’s Retama Park has yet to begin its 2017 thoroughbred or quarter-horse seasons.
The crisis adds a chapter to what seems like a funding soap opera.
More than a year ago, TRC approved “historical racing,” a slot-like game. On electronic gaming devices at Texas horse and dog tracks, bettors could wager on recent or long-ago races. Machines masked basic information to keep outcomes unpredictable.
Texas legislators objected, terming historical racing a new, unauthorized form of gambling. They asserted that TRC had acted without authority to initiate historical racing.
The Legislature threatened to withdraw TRC funding. Since Texas tracks cannot operate without TRC supervision, the dispute would have ended Texas racing at least temporarily.
An 11th-hour agreement ended the dispute. Advocates of historical racing halted their initiative. The Legislature responded by approving TRC funding through Aug. 31 of this year.
However, Lavigne said unanticipated demands on TRC funds “created a shortfall.” He believes TRC can’t operate until Aug. 31.
The Texas Senate chose a path more supportive of racing interests.
Senators last week approved SB1971 by a 23-7 vote with one abstention. That bill would provide the racing industry $25 million over two years. Senators also approved SB1972 by a 27-3-1 vote. That bill would have added support for the state’s breeding interests.
Absent House action, neither bill will become law.
Dissenting House members say they represent districts that resist any form of gambling.
“While we had a banner year in terms of legislative support, it appears our efforts to stabilize our industry have fallen short,” Marsha Rountree, the Texas Horsemen’s Partnership executive director, said in a written statement.
Texas horse tracks attracted more than $300 million in wagers each of the past two years, with about $140 million coming from betting at Sam Houston Race Park. A decade ago, SHRP’s annual handle was $265 million.
Sam Houston Race Park employs about 500 people, including 300 during live racing seasons.
A suspension of, or end to, Texas racing would serve to alter trainers and jockeys’ itineraries. Most already compete in Louisiana, Oklahoma, Arkansas and New Mexico. Taking Texas off their schedules would thicken their calendars in other states.