By Bill Finley
Starting with the Jan. 10 card, purses will be cut at Sam Houston Race Park as there is uncertainty about funding mechanisms going forward for purses.
Bryan Pettigrew, the vice president and general manager of Texas Racing Operations, contacted horsemen Thursday to give them advance warning of the cuts. Due to legal issues involving HISA, the Texas Thoroughbred tracks can no longer send their simulcast signal out of state. While that has decimated handle, purses have held their own thanks to the Texas Thoroughbred Association receiving funds from something called the Horse Industry Escrow Account (HIEA). Each year up to $25 million from sales tax on purchased horse-related items (feed, tack, etc.) is deposited into the HIEA and up to 70% of the funds can be spent on purses. It covers all racing breeds in the state.
According to Pettigrew's email there is “uncertainty” over the Texas Thoroughbred Association continuing to receive money from HIEA and it appears that money will not be available when Sam Houston opens Jan. 3. The matter cannot be resolved until a February meeting of the Texas Racing Commission.
Purses will be adjusted for races during Week 2 (Jan. 10-12), through Week 7 (ending Feb. 16).
Maiden special weight races will be reduced from $40,000 to $33,000. There will also be a reduction in purses for “non-winners” allowance races from $40,000 to $33,000. In addition, there will be one less race a day through Feb. 16, for a total of 18 fewer races.
Pettigrew wrote that once the February Texas Racing Commission meeting is completed further adjustments may be made.
Outspoken owner Karl Broberg took to X to express his opinion, tweeting “Late Christmas gift courtesy of the amazing leadership we have seen since Texas Racing Commission went off the rails in their quest to make Texas racing irrelevant. #ExcellenceStartsHere.”
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