By Price Bell
This weekend the baton will be handed off from our traditional summer focal points of Del Mar and Saratoga to Franklin Kentucky and the Kentucky Downs meet. Full fields, big crowds, and a vibrant atmosphere made possible by Historic Horse Racing (HHR) machines, and an ownership group willing to invest in its potential. Kentucky Downs embodies great hope for Kentucky racing and our industry's future, and it was almost taken away Feb. 10, 2021.
It was a cold, nasty February evening in Kentucky, when the Kentucky House of Representatives took up debate on Senate Bill 120, the legalization of HHR machines. The intellectual property argument, which created HHR, was brilliant as it guaranteed revenue generated from the machines would flow through the Horsemen's purse account to supplement purse money. Lessons learned from other state's “racino” experiments were applied in Kentucky and masterly played by our industry leaders, to whom I am forever grateful.
It goes without saying, we are enjoying a boom period since the passage of HHR. Purse money is sky rocketing, handle increasing with more full fields, and investments being made around the commonwealth in our racing product. This boom period is thanks to our industry leaders and lobbying organizations who spent time in Frankfort, and across Kentucky, to secure HHR's passage, and it was not a small feat.
If you recall that night, many floor speeches were given from various representatives around the commonwealth, and many were not in favor of support. Many opposing our industry, took the opportunity to declare to their constituents why they “could not support” our industry. Many who supported the passage of HHR have since been voted out by their constituents. Let me say that again…many who voted to support HHR have since been voted OUT by their constituents. I would bet that if HHR was brought to the floor today, it would not pass…how's that for sobering.
In Kentucky alone, there are dozens of newly elected people who ultimately make the rules for our industry: HHR, taxes, workers comp, etc. Expect them to support us because “we are Kentucky's signature industry,” and know this “boom period” will quickly bust. Many who supported us, in Frankfort, have been voted out. We cannot sit idly and expect their replacements to make their same choices.
We are enjoying this period of incredible growth thanks to the tireless work of our industry leaders, however, for many years we have let too few carry our water. We are harvesting their hard work and it's time for more of us to engage. We are responsible for our future. Now is the moment to get involved. Please join us at Midway University in Midway Kentucky on Tuesday Sept. 6, to learn how we continue to step forward towards a bright future.
To learn more please click here and RSVP to [email protected].
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