Texas thoroughbred racetracks bracing for shutdown

ksat.com

SAN ANTONIO – A letter from the Texas Racing Commission makes clear that it will not be approving any simulcasting agreements after Sept. 31, which is when its funding through the Legislative Budget Board runs out.

For racetracks like Retama Park in Selma, that is a frightening thought because without racing regulation, there may be no way to have racing at all.

“On the 31st, the commission in Austin will shutter its doors. All the racetracks will shut down because there will be no regulatory people to oversee the racetracks,” warned Dr. Mike Martin, a commissioner who does not see any way around it.

He blames a group of conservative lawmakers who took offense to the Racing Commission approving the use of Historical Racing Terminals at Texas tracks. The machines look much like slot machines, but instead of a game of chance, they are actual races from years past, which betters can wager on using racing forms and other materials provided at the terminal.

“We have been surrounded New Mexico, Oklahoma and Louisiana that have slot machines at their racetracks, and people are leaving Texas to go to other states because the purse money is so much better in those other states. With historical racing, which are not slot machines, it would certainly help improve the purse structure here in Texas,” Martin said.

Racetracks like Retama will have problems simply existing if the commission shuts its doors as planned. The trainers, the farriers and others who support the industry may have to find work elsewhere until the political battle is worked out.

Many feel it will be the last nail in the coffin of thoroughbred racing in Texas.