OUTSTANDING NEWS FOR CA RACING!!! $100 million + to purses!

[CA Michael]

I just received this email from Senator Florez' office. HALLELUJAH!


Senator offers bold proposal to breathe new life into struggling California horse racing industry

SACRAMENTO -- California State Senator Dean Florez, D-Shafter, announced Friday that he will introduce bold new legislation to help California’s struggling horse racing tracks stay competitive nationally without the controversial addition of slot machines, by allowing tracks to retain more of their earnings and some help from the state’s gaming tribes.

Florez chairs the committee which oversees both Indian gaming and horse racing in California. He has heard repeatedly during hearings on tribal compacts from those in the horse racing industry who believe they cannot compete with out-of-state tracks which allow slots and other alternative forms of gambling, particularly with the rise of Indian gaming in the state. Florez has also heard from tribal leaders who say they do not want their success to come at the expense of a long-standing California industry which employs so many people.

While slots at race tracks have in the past been rejected by California voters, Florez believes there are other opportunities to infuse new life into the horse racing industry.

To that end, Florez is introducing Senate Bill 873, which would allow horse racing tracks to retain their license fees and use those funds to increase race purses, as well as breeders’ awards and incentives, to create renewed interest in the sport. The money would also help fund health, welfare and retirement programs for professional California jockeys and their dependents.

“This measure will allow California tracks to offer purses and venues that are on par with the best tracks in the nation, putting a product in front of the fans and the wagering public that encourage them to get excited again about California’s place in racing,” Florez said.

Horse racing tracks currently pay the state approximately $40 million dollars a year in license fees, which are deposited into the Fair and Exposition Fund to support the California fair network, the California Horse Racing Board and the Maddy Equine Research Laboratory at UC Davis. In fact, California’s agricultural fairs have operated for more than 75 years without any taxpayer support, thanks to the horse racing industry. Florez believes the time is right to return some of that support.

Additional support would come from an infusion of tribal gaming revenues which would be generated by newly-amended compacts currently under consideration in the California State Assembly. Contingent on the passage of the new compacts, SB 873 would call for the first $60 million generated by those amended compacts or future compacts to be deposited in the Fair and Exposition Fund to restore funding for those programs previously supported by the horse racing license fees. Portions of the funds deposited would also be used to fund badly-needed health and safety projects at fairs throughout the state and repay debt service for improvements at four public fairground horse racing facilities.

“The Governor and the tribes have both said they don’t want racing to become a thing of the past in California,” Florez said. “Here is their chance to put their money where their mouth is.”



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[Rokeby Forever]

Racing fans don't like to see a steady diet of four horse Grade 1 races. This proposal will do what to change that? Bring horses to California?

I'm not sure if fans are turned off from Bay Meadows because of the breakdowns or from the five horse races with Jerry Hollendorfer training three of them.

[zinn21]

The increased (very critical) purses, comprehensive medication rules and safer surfaces are exactly what California racing needs. Without previous mentioned racing, particularly in Northern California, will continue it's slow collapse.

[dray33]

I don't know much about Cali racing, what I do know is increases in purses and cash flow into our industry is a blessing for thoroughbred racing. Hate to say it, but money talks.

[CA Michael]

Money does talk, and if this bill is enacted and its promises fulfilled, all kinds of good things will begin to occur here. Bigger purses=more owners=better horses=more horses=higher reinvestment=better racetracks=better racing=more gamblers=bigger purses=more owners...........

On Santa Anita Derby day a few weeks ago, 54,000 people showed up on track to wager one of the highest handle days in history. Why? Good racing, good horses, full fields. Why full fields? Management loaded the other races on the card with large purse bonuses. When the money is down, and horsemen/jockeys are comfortable with the track surface, California can still pull off a great day of racing.

An extra $100 million or so in purses will place California's racing and breeding industry back on track. It's crucial, really, for this to happen. With training costs up to $150 a day in So Cal, and $90 in Nor Cal, owners don't have much prayer of making money.

Or, we could wait five years to see how many owners quit the sport, to finally admit we've got a problem.

[zinn21]

Michael states: "With training costs up to $150 a day in So Cal, and $90 in Nor Cal, owners don't have much prayer of making money."

That about says it in a nutshell. It's a major factor why we have fewer owners and fewer horses. What we currently have is a slow moving train wreck. A purse structure that virtually assures losses; fewer owners; fewer horses; pressure for exisiting horses to start; bad racetracks; more injuries; fewer horses; fewer owners etc. etc. etc.

[Rokeby Forever]

Michael states: "With training costs up to $150 a day in So Cal, and $90 in Nor Cal, owners don't have much prayer of making money."

That about says it in a nutshell. It's a major factor why we have fewer owners and fewer horses. What we currently have is a slow moving train wreck. A purse structure that virtually assures losses; fewer owners; fewer horses; pressure for exisiting horses to start; bad racetracks; more injuries; fewer horses; fewer owners etc. etc. etc.

Gee, I just feel like singing:

All the leaves are brown,
And the sky is gray;
I've been for a walk,
On a winter's day;
I'd be safe and warm;
If I was in L.A.......

[turf]

Michael states: "With training costs up to $150 a day in So Cal, and $90 in Nor Cal, owners don't have much prayer of making money."

That about says it in a nutshell. It's a major factor why we have fewer owners and fewer horses. What we currently have is a slow moving train wreck. A purse structure that virtually assures losses; fewer owners; fewer horses; pressure for exisiting horses to start; bad racetracks; more injuries; fewer horses; fewer owners etc. etc. etc.

trainig in So Cal is more like $100 less in No Cal please be reasonable dont through out BS to make your point

[CA Michael]

turf, yes you can find $100 a day trainers in So Cal. But you can't find them on any trainers' list, either. $150 a day is not uncommon, and at the rate of growth they've been on, that will be the low range in a few years.

BTW, when the Workmen's Comp issue was solved (at least temporarily) a few years ago, how many trainers dropped their rates to reflect their huge savings? Less than a handful from what I have been told. Most decided that they needed to keep it more than their owners needed it returned.

[turf]

turf, yes you can find $100 a day trainers in So Cal. But you can't find them on any trainers' list, either. $150 a day is not uncommon, and at the rate of growth they've been on, that will be the low range in a few years.

BTW, when the Workmen's Comp issue was solved (at least temporarily) a few years ago, how many trainers dropped their rates to reflect their huge savings? Less than a handful from what I have been told. Most decided that they needed to keep it more than their owners needed it returned.

no most trainers are at $80 to $90 some are $60 a few are $110 no trainers are at $150 also by the time W Comp came down trainers cost had gone up with inflation most trainers try to keep their day rate at break even they are not trying to run owners out of the biz the owners are where how they make their living

[LITF]

turf did you get my message?

[turf]

turf did you get my message?

yes LOL

[CA Michael]

[/quote] no most trainers are at $80 to $90 some are $60 a few are $110 no trainers are at $150 also by the time W Comp came down trainers cost had gone up with inflation most trainers try to keep their day rate at break even they are not trying to run owners out of the biz the owners are where how they make their living[/quote]


And just when I thought the B.S. spreaders were gone!

[zinn21]

Regardless if it's $60 or $150 with the current purse structure, a loss is virtually guaranteed for the majority of owners. Hell it's a loss for a trainer rubbing and galloping his own horse.

[louis finochio]

When those Tb of yesteryear were making 35 oe more lifetime starts the fans and owners would look forward to seeing their favorite Tb run.

In todays time were lucky, fans and owners if outr Tb make 6 lifetime starts. Thats the reason the attendance and handle is in a downward spiral.

Long live The Tin Man 9 Years Old and is about ready to resume racing. Lava Man has become a Calif. legend because he has the soundness to keep him going.

For those students of pedigree have a look at the pedigrees of the Tin Man and Lava Man and you will find the missing puzzle that creates soundness. Have Fun Louis.