With state lawmakers in Florida considering legislation that would decouple casino licenses tied to Thoroughbred tracks, opponents of such a plan are digging in for a fight.
Supporters of the decoupling legislation include Gulfstream Park owner 1/ST Racing and the track's local horsemen's group has signed on, although it's clear that many members of that organization oppose the plan, and national horsemen's groups also oppose decoupling. The Florida Thoroughbred Breeders and Owners Association also opposes the decoupling legislation.
1/ST Racing has attempted to suggest there's consensus support for the legislation to decouple—removing the state law that requires a casino license holder tied to a Thoroughbred track to offer live racing. 1/ST Racing posted a Jan. 6 release saying it had an agreement with the local horsemen's organization to back the legislation.
As Tampa Bay Downs doesn't have a casino, Gulfstream would be the one track affected by a change to the state law. Florida has decoupled casino licenses that previously were tied to Greyhound racing, Standardbred racing, and jai alai. But thanks to efforts by the FTBOA and others, casino licenses tied to Thoroughbred racing were not included in that decoupling legislation.
A current bill being considered by Florida lawmakers would remove that exception. Florida House Bill 105, which has been sent to Florida's Subcommittee on Industries and Professional Activities, would remove the requirement that a casino permitholder tied to Thoroughbred racing must conduct live racing. The bill is sponsored by Florida State Rep. Adam Anderson (a Republican from Tarpon Springs).
The current Florida law on decoupling reads: "A jai alai permitholder, Thoroughbred permitholder, harness horse racing permitholder, or Quarter Horse racing permitholder may elect not to conduct live racing or games." But then the following sentence protects Thoroughbred operations: "A Thoroughbred permitholder must conduct live racing."
The proposed bill to decouple Thoroughbred racing has a line through that final sentence. The bill says it would go into effect July 1.
Daily Racing Form and other outlets reported Jan. 15 that Keith Brackpool represented 1/ST Racing in a contentious meeting with horsemen Wednesday. BloodHorse has confirmed with numerous sources that the meeting took place and further discussions with horsemen are planned.
Those sources said DRF's reporting was accurate that Brackpool outlined a plan to have live racing continue at the track for the next three years if horsemen supported 1/ST Racing's efforts to remove Thoroughbred racing's protection under the current law on decoupling. Brackpool previously served as a regulator as he was chairman of the California Horse Racing Board from 2010-13, then worked for the Stronach Group (which has evolved into 1/ST Racing), and has owned horses.
Brackpool did not return a call from BloodHorse about the Wednesday meeting.
In its Jan. 6 release, 1/ST Racing said the legislative change would allow it to "pursue necessary opportunities for development at Gulfstream Park," while ensuring that "purse revenues are unaffected and provides for additional contributions by Gulfstream Park to horsemen's workers' compensation premiums and meaningful increases to Thoroughbred aftercare efforts in Florida."
FTBOA CEO Lonny Powell said his organization will talk with 1/ST representatives to fully understand their plan but he has a hard time seeing a day where the FTBOA would support decoupling.
"It's been our long-time position that we as breeders and owners who care about this industry will not support decoupling," Powell said. "We're more than happy to have discussions with Keith Brackpool and 1/ST Racing but they'll need to get past decoupling. We won't support decoupling, and we won't support any plan that's not in writing."
Powell noted that the proposed plan to race through 2028 would add great uncertainty for breeders in the state.
"How do you breed horses under these circumstances?" Powell noted of the uncertainties that 1/ST Racing's proposal would add to racing in South Florida.
Powell said he is encouraged to see that the industry realizes decoupling has become a national issue.
The future of a state that in 2024 accounted for the third-most mares bred, 1,301, and third-most active stallions, 57, could hang in the balance. Along with Florida's prominent standing in Thoroughbred breeding, Gulfstream is a stalwart in Thoroughbred racing as it races all year as the final active South Florida track.
Trainers and owners reached by BloodHorse Wednesday expressed shock that their horsemen's group had agreed to side with 1/ST Racing's efforts to support the decoupling efforts. Owner Carlo Vaccarezza said he and other members plan to file litigation that the local horsemen's organization did not carry out its fiduciary duties.
The local horsemen's group's executive director, Herb Oster, previously told DRF that its board of directors voted to support the decoupling legislation because it was the best option to save racing while allowing the track owner to invest in the property. BloodHorse has been unable to reach leadership in that horsemen's organization, which is not affiliated with either of the leading national horsemen's groups: the National Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association or the Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association.
Both of those national horsemen's groups have put out releases noting that they do not support decoupling and are not affiliated with the local horsemen's group.
National HBPA CEO Eric Hamelback said the Florida situation points to the need for local horsemen's groups to be tied to national groups.
"There is power in numbers," Hamelback said, noting a national affiliate could have provided the Florida horsemen's group's board more information on the decoupling issue and support during any negotiating process.
