Horsemen negotiations stalled; wagering available on Turf
Classic and Derby through TwinSpires
Although discussions continue between Churchill Downs Inc. officials and the
Kentucky horsemen, there was no agreement as of 11 a.m. (EDT) Saturday. As a
result, TwinSpires.com, the official advanced-deposit wagering (ADW) site for
Churchill Downs Inc., has notified customers that it will accept wagers only on
Saturday’s Kentucky Derby (G1) and Woodford Reserve Turf Classic (G1) unless the
situation is remedied.
“We are disappointed that the Kentucky horsemen have chosen to prevent horse
racing fans from wagering on Churchill Downs Racetrack races during the most
important weekend for the horse racing industry,” Churchill Downs President
Steve Sexton said. “Wagering on the Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky race day cards
helps to supplement purses throughout the year at Churchill Downs Racetrack. The
action of the horsemen’s representative today will have a negative impact on
purses for the entire year.”
Kentucky Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association (KYHBPA) and the
Kentucky Thoroughbred Association (KTA) have blocked distribution of the signal
to ADW providers, including TwinSpires.com and Xpressbet.com. They’ve instructed
Churchill Downs that any further discussions be conducted with the Thoroughbred
Horsemen’s Group (THG), an alliance of horsemen’s groups from around the
country. The THG is led by Bob Reeves, who serves on the board of the Ohio
Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association.
“Kentucky takes great pride in billing itself as the horse capital of the
world,” Sexton said. “On Tuesday, we were encouraged by the discussions with
KYHBPA representatives. On Wednesday, our offer was rejected, but neither the
KYHBPA nor the KTA could tell us what was needed to resolve this issue. Today
(Thursday), the Kentucky horsemen have told us that if we want to send our ADW
signal to the rest of the country, then we have to negotiate with and get the
permission from horsemen representing them in Ohio.”
TwinSpires.com will offer wagering and FREE past performances on the Derby
and Turf Classic. In addition, the Kentucky Oaks/Kentucky Derby Double Wager was
available on TwinSpires.com. The company will alert its customers if the
situation changes.
The ongoing dispute is also affecting Calder Race Course, as KYHBPA is
preventing Calder from offering wagering on the Kentucky Derby and the Kentucky
Oaks. The Florida Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association (FHBPA) had
previously denied Calder permission to distribute its simulcast signal to
inter-state (ISW) and ADW sites when the track opened its meet on April 21.
Horsemen’s groups in Ohio, Delaware, Maryland and Kentucky subsequently
blocked their state’s racing signals from coming into Calder and its in-state
network for simulcasting. The action of the Kentucky horsemen includes blocking
Calder from accepting wagers on this weekend’s Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby
race cards. All other races from Churchill Downs will be unavailable at Calder
as well.
“It’s very disappointing that fans in the South Florida marketplace are being
denied the opportunity to wager on the Kentucky Derby, the country’s most
important horse race,” Sexton said. “We have an impressive race day and wish the
horsemen would allow Calder’s patrons to enjoy it.”
Because of the FHBPA’s refusal to approve the distribution of Calder races to
out-of-state wagering outlets, including ADW sites, the racetrack was forced to
cut purses by 30 percent, effective with the April 27 race card.
“We have attempted to discuss a purse contract with the Florida horsemen, but
they refuse to do so without a slots agreement, on which we have diligently
tried to reach resolution over the last several months,” Sexton said. “This
demand is especially frustrating since 2008 purses will not be affected by the
slots agreement. At a time when our sport’s visibility is at its highest, the
horsemen have chosen to alienate new fans and abandon existing fans.”