Horsemen: Tampa Bay in Violation of Contract

The battle between Tampa Bay Downs and the local Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association continues.

In a Jan. 13 letter from attorney William Jung, the Tampa Bay Downs HBPA claims Tampa Bay Downs management is in violation of its contract with horsemen. According to the HBPA, Tampa Bay Downs has not fulfilled a clause in the contract that requires it to deduct 1% of purses for HBPA membership fees. The contract specifies the money be paid within five days following the end of each week during the live racing meet.

"It's our money, and we should have had it a month ago," HBPA president Bob Jeffries said.

Jeffries contends Tampa Bay Downs has provided him no accounting of the deductions despite contractual provisions that it do so.

Representatives from the Florida track were unavailable for comment Tuesday.