Thoroughbred Idea Foundation Pat Cummings's comment on Pa. Governor Tom Wolf's plan to divert the bulk of funding from the Race Horse Development fund (representing about 90% of all purse monies in the state) was both courageous and spot on. For too long Pennsylvania racetracks and horsemen's organizations alike have focused their efforts almost exclusively on procuring annual revenues from slot machine proceeds, while doing little or nothing to build the racing business or promote the sport.
In the long run, no state is going to prop up a dying industry with revenues that most voters would rather see go towards health care, education, and other needed public services. While it's easy to appreciate the anguish expressed by people like Bob Hutt, who stands a stallion in the state and depends on the development fund, the cold reality for our industry is that sooner or later the gravy train is going to come to an end, not only in Pennsylvania but in other states where slot machine revenues are being used as a lifeline for the racing industry.
States need to follow the innovative approach shown by racetracks like Monmouth Park, Oaklawn Park and Keeneland, who have utilized alternative gaming revenues to enhance purses, while never losing sight of the fact that racing is their primary business. A sensible approach for Pa. would be to tie future payments from slot revenues directly to efforts to build racetrack handle. A dollar for dollar match from slots of all purse monies generated by wagering on racing would encourage Pa. racetracks and horsemen alike to revitalize the racing industry, instead of counting on lobbying the state legislature to keep an industry afloat that has shown no interest in promoting its own business.
H. Robb Levinsky
Kenwood Stables
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