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What's Going On Here: Tough Sell Ahead

Kentucky's chances at a casino bill in 2013 appear slim.

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In Kentucky, Major Progress Despite Defeat

Though the gambling amendment was defeated, there are signs of positive change in the Kentucky legislature.

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Kentucky Senate Kills Gambling Amendment

A measure authorizing a constitutional amendment on expanded gambling in Kentucky was defeated by the state Senate on a 21-16 vote the afternoon of Feb. 23. One senator was absent.

KY Senate Panel Approves Expanded Gaming Bill

An amended bill that would authorize a constitutional amendment on allowing up to seven casinos in Kentucky was approved Feb. 22 by the Senate Committee on State and Local Government and will be sent to the full Senate.

KY Legislation: Up to 5 Racetrack Casinos

Legislation introduced in the Kentucky General Assembly Feb. 14 authorizing a constitutional amendment on expanded gambling calls for up to seven casinos--up to five at racetracks--if it becomes law.

Thayer Supports RCI Position on Medications

Republican Kentucky state senator Damon Thayer said he will push for Kentucky to adopt the ban on race-day medications that have been proposed by the Association of Racing Commissioners International.

National Racing Compact Bill Clears KY Senate

Following testimony by horse racing officials, legislation authorizing Kentucky to join a proposed National Racing Compact passed through the Senate State and Local Government Committee and the full Senate Feb. 9.

KTA Discusses Ways to Increase Purses

Several Thoroughbred industry officials met in Frankfort, Ky., Jan. 14 to discuss a 2011 legislative plan for increasing purses and breed development funds.

KY Panel Continues to Look at Breeders' Fund

A panel of the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission looking into possible changes in the state's breeders' incentive fund met again Nov. 22 and discussed various options but came to no solid conclusions.

KY Out-of-Competition Penalties Divisive

An effort to finalize proposed regulations on out-of-competition testing of horses in Kentucky erupted into a lively debate over penalties when two panels met in joint session via teleconference Aug. 31.

Politics Colors Breeders' Cup Announcement

When Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear and representatives of Breeders' Cup and Churchill Downs announced the track was selected to host the World Championships in 2011, the lawmaker who pushed for tax breaks wasn't on hand.

Thayer Delays Committee Vote on Gaming Bill

Saying his bill for a constitutional amendment on expanded gambling in the state is gaining support from some members of the Kentucky horse industry, Republican Sen. Damon Thayer put action on the bill on hold Jan. 13.

Second Kentucky Gaming Bill Introduced

A bill requiring a constitutional amendment for expanded gambling in Kentucky has been introduced in the state General Assembly by Republican Senate President David Williams.

Kentucky VLTs, Gaming: More Talk Than Action

A hot topic when the Kentucky General Assembly convened Jan. 5, expanded gaming and racetrack video lottery terminals generated much talk but no action during the first week of the legislative session.

KY: Instant Racing Legal But Not Permissible

The Kentucky attorney general's office has issued an opinion stating that although there is nothing in state law prohibiting a form of electronic gaming called Instant Racing, it is not currently permissible.

KY Racing Industry: Still Hope for Slots

When Republican Jimmy Higdon soundly defeated Democrat Jodie Haydon in the special state Senate election Dec. 8, it signaled challenging times ahead for Kentucky's horse industry.

KY Senators Seek Public Vote on Gaming

During a presentation to members of the horse industry at the Kentucky Horse Park Oct. 20, Kentucky Senate President David Williams and Sen. Damon Thayer, both Republicans, proposed constitutional amendments regarding the future of the state's horse industry.

Breeders' Cup Incentive Package Secured

Kentucky Sen. Damon Thayer announced that a Breeders' Cup Incentive package had been secured as part of the economic development incentive Package that was passed by the House and Senate in Frankfort June 24.

KY Senator Suggests Instant Racing

Kentucky Sen. Damon Thayer, who sponsored the legislation that resulted in Kentucky's Breeders' Incentive Fund, has inquired about another method of garnering funds for the state's Thoroughbred industry.

Pinnacle Reacts to Economic Conditions

Economic conditions have led the operators of Pinnacle Race Course in Michigan to put some expansion plans on hold, but the track's inaugural meet in 2008 exceeded expectations, officials said.

Thayer Named Consultant for Pinnacle

Damon Thayer, who owns Thayer Communications & Consulting and is a Kentucky senator, has officially been named general consultant/adviser for Pinnacle Race Course, the new Michigan racetrack scheduled to open July 18.

2007 Breeders' Incentives Announced

Republican Sen. Damon Thayer announced Feb. 8 award amounts for the 2007 Kentucky Breeders' Incentive Fund.

Monmouth Not Typical First-Time Breeders' Cup Host

The first two-day World Championships has created opportunities and challenges for Breeders' Cup and first-time host Monmouth Park.

Legislators Voice Opinion on Task Force Recommendations

Even though preliminary recommendations on self-regulation for the auction industry have been released by the Sales Integrity Task Force, the Kentucky legislature still has several months before it will act on them.

Sales Integrity Task Force Report Draws Mixed Reviews

State legislators hearing the second report by the Sales Integrity Task Force on transparency issues in the Kentucky equine auction industry expressed mixed opinions about the group's progress during a public meeting held Sept. 13 in the Lexington Room at Keeneland Race Course.

Design Firm Works to Get Monmouth Ready for Cup

To help ensure the proper design and execution of temporary facilities such as bleachers, tents, mutuels, and concessions, Monmouth Park hired the well-known firm HOK Sport, which in turn also brought onboard M Group Scenic Studios, to prepare for the Breeders' Cup World Championships.

Thayer Now Consultant in New Breeders' Cup Role

Damon Thayer, vice president of Breeders' Cup event management and an employee since 1999, has taken a consultant's position with Breeders' Cup Ltd.,

Breeders' Cup Official: All Systems Go for Monmouth

Breeders' Cup officials visited Monmouth Park in New Jersey for a tour Nov. 28, but they said it wasn't because the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority-operated racetrack was in danger of losing the 2007 Breeders' Cup World Championships as published reports had suggested.

Churchill Downs Gets Push as Top Host Site

The Breeders' Cup board of directors has made no decision on limiting the racetracks that could be considered as future host sites for the World Championships, but during an Oct. 31 luncheon in Louisville, Ky., officials couldn't say enough about having the event at Churchill Downs.

Tuesday Morning Line at the Breeders' Cup

Rev. Ed Donally is standing outside Barn 36 with an armful of new halters, watching as Lava Man cools out from his morning gallop. Donally, with the Race Track Chaplaincy of America, is in from California to coordinate the White Horse Award Luncheon.

McCarron Unveils NARA at Kentucky Horse Park

As several of his students hot-walked horses in a barn at the Kentucky Horse Park near Lexington Oct. 16, Hall of Fame jockey Chris McCarron unveiled the North American Racing Academy, the first and only national jockey training academy in the United States.

Tax Equity Short on Time

The short length of the 2007 General Assembly session in Kentucky may be the biggest hurdle tax relief for the horse industry will face. Additionally, there is a gubernatorial election, and during off year sessions, tax issues must be passed with a two-thirds supermajority.

Fletcher Distributes First Breeders' Incentive Fund Check

Just days before the Run for the Roses, Gov. Ernie Fletcher made a trip to Churchill Downs to present the first Kentucky Thoroughbred Breeders' Incentive Fund check. The recipients were Mike and Jeanne Owens, owners of Kentucky-bred Sinister Minister, winner of the Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (gr. I) April 15.

Kentucky Racing Authority's Operating Budget Cut

The 2007-08 operating budget for the Kentucky Horse Racing Authority will be a little lighter after 40% of its funding was removed by the state General Assembly.

Equine Scholars Program Launched

In the warmth of a sunny spring morning March 29 in Georgetown, Ky., Kentucky Horse Park executive director John Nicholson and Georgetown College president William Crouch cut the ceremonial ribbon to open the Equine Scholars Center, a recently acquired facility for the college's Equine Scholar Program.

Kentucky Horse Racing Authority Approves Breeders' Incentives Plan

After much debate and discussion, the Kentucky Horse Racing Authority approved the structure of a five-tier Kentucky Thoroughbred Breeders' Incentive Fund Nov. 21. The program will reward breeders of Kentucky-breds that win in maiden special weight, allowance, and stakes company, both in-state and nationally.

Kentucky Horse Farmers Could See Tax Equity Bill in '06

Republican state Sen. Damon Thayer said he will be working in the next two months on legislation for the 2006 Kentucky General Assembly that would exempt horse feed and other supplies from state sales and use taxes.

Kentucky Horse Racing Authority Subcommittee Proposes Components for Breeders' Incentive Fund

A Kentucky Horse Racing Authority subcommittee has proposed a state, national, and bonus component for the state's new breeders incentive program based on mare residency.

Analysis Supports Breeders Incentive Fund

An economic study supports a nationwide/international breeders incentive program that would reward breeders of Kentucky-breds that win a maiden special weight race anywhere in the nation or world.

Horse Industry Groups to Fund Economic Study

Three Kentucky horse industry groups have agreed to finance an economic impact study to help determine how a new state breeders incentive fun should be crafted.

Implementation of Kentucky Breeders' Incentive Program Discussed

What to do with an estimated $12 million in Kentucky Breeders' Incentives money was the topic of discussion during a May 18 meeting of Central Kentucky breeders at Fasig-Tipton Kentucky's Newtown Paddocks near Lexington.

Breeders' Cup World Thoroughbred Championships Logo For 2005 Introduced

Breeders' Cup Limited, along with the National Thoroughbred Racing Association, has released the official event logo for the 22nd Breeders' Cup World Thoroughbred Championships, to be held Oct. 29 at Belmont Park in Elmont, N.Y.

Fletcher Signs Kentucky Breeder Incentive Bill

With representatives of the Kentucky Equine Education Project on hand, a new incentive program for all breeds was signed into law by Gov. Ernie Fletcher March 18.

For Keeps

By Ray Paulick -- The horse industry now has a strong voice in Frankfort that will be heard.

NTRA Alters Roles of Some Personnel

The National Thoroughbred Racing Association has altered the roles of several staff members to reflect priorities for 2005 as well as its long-term strategy, commissioner D.G. Van Clief Jr. said in a Dec. 20 release. The changes take effect Jan. 1.

Thayer to Co-Chair Economic Development Task Force

Kentucky Sen. Damon Thayer, also an executive with the National Thoroughbred Racing Association and Breeders' Cup, has been appointed Senate chairman of the state Task Force on Economic Development.

Ominous Clouds

By Dan Liebman -- Fletcher was very polished in congratulating Smarty Jones' owners, trainer, and jockey. But his ears had to be ringing from Churchill CEO Tom Meeker's comment that, "The sun wasn't shining too bright in Kentucky today but I have a slight feeling it was shining in Pennsylvania."

Ky. Legislators: Sales Tax Must Go and Purses Need to be Increased

A bloodstock agent, a trainer, and an auction company representative told Kentucky legislators during a Nov.12 subcommittee hearing at the state capitol that the 6% sales tax charged to Kentucky residents on horse purchases should be repealed and that purses distributed at Kentucky racetracks needs to grow along with other states if Kentucky expects to remain the central point of the Thoroughbred industry.

Cup Sets Handle Records; Ultra Pick 6 Pays $2.6 Million

The 2003 Breeders' Cup World Thoroughbred Championships was a record-setter in terms of handle, both on track at Santa Anita Park and throughout the world via simulcasting. Meanwhile, despite several longshots, there was one winning ticket worth more than $2.6 million in the Breeders' Cup Ultra Pick 6.

Logo Unveiled for 2004 Breeders' Cup at Lone Star Park

Breeders' Cup Limited and the National Thoroughbred Racing Association released the official event logo for the 21st Breeders' Cup World Thoroughbred Championships, which will be held on Saturday, Oct. 30, 2004 at Lone Star Park in the Dallas suburb of Grand Prairie, Tex.