Ohio HBPA, ThistleDown Resolve Dispute

Blood-Horse

Races from the ThistleDown Racino are back on the North American simulcast menu.

The Ohio Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association, which withdrew permission for its races to be simulcast midweek in a dispute with track management over the number of available stalls, said ThistleDown officials agreed Sept. 18 to increase backstretch capacity.

“The problem has been solved,” said Mark Doering, president of the Ohio HBPA. “(Track management) is stepping up. ThistleDown has promised to build an additional 30 stalls. I’m hoping it’s even more stalls, but details are to follow.”

The Ohio HBPA claimed that ThistleDown was in violation of the contract both parties signed last year that called for a minimum of 1,050 stalls. It said there were about 1,000 stalls, depending on who was doing the counting.

“We are pleased that the Ohio HBPA agreed to reinstate ThistleDown’s export signal in the coming days,” said David Ellsworth, director of racing at ThistleDown.

Doering was hopeful the signal could be reinstated for racing Sept. 19.

A Sept. 15 vote by the Ohio HBPA board of directors halted the signal, which was lost Sept. 16 and Sept. 18. With wagering conducted only at ThistleDown, other Ohio racetracks, a simulcast parlor in Sandusky, and a handful of advance deposit wagering platforms, handle on the eight races totaled just $59,941 Friday. Wednesday’s handle was $78,803.

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 at ThistleDown.

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