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March 11, 2025

The Honorable Ben Albritton
Florida Senate President
VIA EMAIL: Albritton.Ben.web@flsenate.gov

 

Dear Senator Albritton,

Ocala is the beating heart of Florida’s vital Thoroughbred industry, a place where generations of horsemen, breeders, and trainers have built a legacy that defines us. As the Horse Capital of the World®, our identity is inextricably tied to live horse racing. To decouple racing from Thoroughbred gaming facilities would threaten the very soul of our community. 

The Thoroughbred industry accounts for 22% of our county’s GDP, provides 1 in 5 jobs, and spans more than 200,000 acres. The lifeblood of our farms, training centers, and local businesses flows through the opportunities that live racing sustains. Without it, the ripple effects would be catastrophic, affecting not only our horsemen and breeders but also the veterinarians, feed suppliers, farmworkers, and countless small businesses that rely on this industry. 

Florida has long been a powerhouse in Thoroughbred racing. Other than Kentucky, no state produces more national race starters, winners, or graded stakes victories. Florida–bred Thoroughbreds are second only to Kentucky in producing Kentucky Derby winners – proof of the excellence of Florida’s breeding and training traditions, which are substantially concentrated in Ocala. Stripping away live racing will diminish our standing as a leader in Thoroughbred racing and weaken the entire ecosystem that makes Ocala the undisputed center of equine excellence. 

But this issue is about more than just numbers. It is about the generations of families who have dedicated their lives to this industry, the deep–rooted traditions that bring our community together, and the pride we take in our place on the world stage. Decoupling would deal an irreversible blow to a way of life that has shaped Ocala for decades. 

I urge you to stand with us and protect a pillar of Florida agriculture. Preserve our legacy by saying NO to decoupling. 

Thank you for your leadership and for your commitment to Florida’s future.

 

Sincerely,
Ben Marciano
Mayor City of Ocala

 

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