BY SENAIT GEBREGIORGIS (Wesh 2 News)
MARION COUNTY, Fla. (Wesh 2)—A new bill in Florida is sparking debate over the future of the state’s horse racing industry.
House Bill 105 wants to allow the two remaining horse tracks in Florida to stop offering live horse races and instead have the freedom to explore other gambling options, such as slot machines and card rooms.
Marion County is home to the third-largest thoroughbred industry in the U.S. and is a key player in the state’s equine economy. However, the proposal has raised concerns about the potential economic fallout, including the loss of thousands of jobs and billions in revenue.
The Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ & Owners’ Association, based in Ocala, warns that the bill could have devastating effects on the industry.
Lonny Powell, CEO of the association, argued that stopping live racing would hurt Florida’s competitive standing in the horse racing world. He pointed out that the state’s thoroughbred industry generates an estimated $3.2 billion in economic impact and supports more than 33,000 jobs.
“Our horses move back and forth between states like New York, Kentucky, and Florida,” Powell said. “We are part of each other’s economies.”
Powell also expressed concern that, if Florida abandons live racing, breeders and trainers might choose to do business in other states.
“Other than Kentucky, we lead in wins, we lead in earnings, we lead in the championship level races whether it’d be the Triple Crown races, the Breeders’ Cup races,” Powell said. “Tearing down a village or a community or a lifestyle or tradition or culture, What is the costs of losing that?”
In a statement, Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company said in part: “Having a vibrant horse industry in Florida that is competitive with other states protects an established, signature industry that not only provides a tremendous economic impact but promotes and preserves greenspace.”
Rep. Adam Anderson, the sponsor of House Bill 105, defended the bill in a statement to WESH 2.
He said in part: “I’m committed to supporting the continuation of racing in Florida. HB-105 applies the core principles we value in The Free State of Florida to the Thoroughbred community. This legislation will help horse tracks make better business decisions to invest in their parks. Anyone fearmongering across the industry is being disingenuous at best.”
The two horse tracks affected by the bill, Tampa Bay Downs and Gulfstream Park Racing, declined to comment on the proposal.
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