Last Thursday, the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association took a step toward converting its quarter horse racing permit to a thoroughbred racing permit, as the association continued to look into establishing a thoroughbred racing meet in Marion County.
The FTBOA submitted an application Thursday with the Florida Division of Pari-Mutuel Wagering to transfer its quarter horse permit to Ocala Thoroughbred Racing Inc., which was established this year as a nonprofit affiliate of the FTBOA. A state law passed last year allows for the creation of a nonprofit entity that could explore holding a thoroughbred meet with wagering in Marion County after converting the quarter horse permit to a thoroughbred permit.
A proposed meet would have be run only between May 1 and Nov. 30.
“A thoroughbred meet in Ocala, regardless of the number of days, would create a lot of excitement and help the industry,” said FTBOA Executive Director Richard E. Hancock. “But our first obligation is to make sure we help our current racetracks – Gulfstream Park, Calder Casino & Race Course and Tampa Bay Downs – be as successful as possible.”
If the quarter horse permit is transferred to Ocala Thoroughbred Racing, then that entity would have to apply to have it converted to a thoroughbred permit within a year. But there would be no deadline for holding an initial thoroughbred meet. Ocala Thoroughbred Racing would be responsible for choosing a location and dates for the meet.
