HB 105 aims to eliminate the requirement for Florida racetracks to offer a quota of live racing Bill supported by Gulfstream Park’s Stronach Group Tampa Bay Downs assures continued live racing for “years to come”
Florida thoroughbred racetrack Tampa Bay Downs has affirmed its commitment to offering live racing in light of a bill that would remove its requirement to do so as a condition of its gambling license.
The bill, HB 105, currently making its way through the Florida legislature, would allow Tampa Bay Downs and Gulfstream Park, the state’s only other remaining live racetrack, to “decouple” from live racing. Under current rules, the tracks must offer a quota of races to operate other gambling activities such as slots or poker.
There are concerns that decoupling could spell the end of thoroughbred racing in Florida, much like it did for harness racing. The state’s last harness track, Caesars-owned Pompano Park, ceased live racing in 2022, less than a year after enabling legislation was passed.
Threat to Racing
HB 105, supported by Gulfstream Park, has faced opposition from large sections of the state’s thoroughbred industry, including the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders and Owners Association and the National Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association. These organizations point out that the thoroughbred industry generates an estimated $3.2 billion in economic impact and supports more than 33,000 jobs.
In a statement on Friday, Tampa Bay Downs, which will celebrate its 100th anniversary next year, emphasized that it did not initiate the legislation and did not express support for it in principle.
“The racetrack employs hundreds and impacts the employment of thousands more. Its management team and employees are dedicated to providing safe and competitive thoroughbred racing and are proud of their achievements in providing races on dirt and turf racing surfaces, which have attracted owners, trainers, and horses from Florida and beyond,” the statement read.
“Very meaningful support has been provided by the Florida legislature in recent years, and Tampa Bay Downs will continue its efforts to achieve enhancement of purses to remain competitive on a national scale and to support live racing of thoroughbreds in Florida for many years to come,” it added.
Stronach Pressure
Keith Brackpool, a representative of Gulfstream, operated by the Stronach Group’s 1/ST Racing, reportedly told a closed meeting of South Florida horsemen last month that his company could only commit to live racing until the end of 2028 – and that’s only if Gulfstream’s trainers support the decoupling bill.
The Stronach Group ultimately seeks a casino license at Gulfstream without the live-racing requirement.
