Ohio HBPA Pulls Plug on ThistleDown Signal

Blood-Horse

For the second time in three years, the Ohio Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association has pulled the plug on the exporting of ThistleDown Racino’s live racing signal.

Ohio HBPA president Mark Doering said Sept. 17 that ThistleDown management is in violation of the contract both parties signed last year.

“The deal called for 1,050 stalls to be available for horsemen,” Doering said. “But we are at least 30 shy of that number and have been since we agreed on the number.”

A Sept. 15 vote in Columbus by the Ohio HBPA board of directors halted the signal. With wagering conducted only at ThistleDown, other Ohio racetracks, a simulcast parlor in Sandusky, and a handful of advance deposit wagering platforms, handle on eight races Sept. 16 totaled just $78,803.

“Our export signal has been temporarily disabled while we work through a number of issues with the horsemen,” said David Ellsworth, ThistleDown’s director of racing. “We anticipate that ongoing conversations with the horsemen will lead to a solution that benefits all involved.”

ThistleDown’s entire 2013 season wasn’t simulcast outside the state after the two parties failed to agree on a contract that included the horsemen’s share of revenue from video lottery terminals on ThistleDown’s first-floor grandstand.

Doering said an emergency conference call involving the Ohio HBPA and ThistleDown officials has been scheduled for the afternoon of Sept. 18. “Hopefully, we can resolve the matter,” he said.

The Best of Ohio, a series of five races worth a total of $750,000, is scheduled to be renewed at ThistleDown Oct. 10.