Tampa Bay Downs affirmed its commitment to conducting live racing as the Florida Legislature continues to debate eliminating a requirement that Thoroughbred tracks run live racing in order to operate slots machines or card rooms.
House Bill 105 and Senate Bill 408, if adopted, would result in what is known as "decoupling." The legislation is supported by Gulfstream Park, which initially had the support for the change from the local horsemen's association. The Florida Thoroughbred Horsemen's group has since withdrawn its support.
When HB 105 was being reviewed Feb. 5 by the Industries & Professional Activities Subcommittee, an amendment was adopted that applied the decoupling to card room licenses, while in the bill's initial form had addressed only pari-mutuel businesses with a slot machine license. This amendment pulled Tampa Bay Downs into the discussion because it operates only a card room. The subcommittee approved the bill and referred it to the Commerce Committee. No committee on the Senate side has voted on its version of the bill yet.
Acknowledging there is considerable concern about decoupling—the legislation has been strongly denounced by several organizations including the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders and Owners Association and the National Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association—Tampa Bay Downs issued a statement Feb. 13 reinforcing its dedication to running live meets.
"This legislation was not initiated by Tampa Bay Downs, which intends to continue live Thoroughbred racing," the statement said. "The track will celebrate its 100th anniversary next year in 2026 and is proud of its longevity in providing Thoroughbred racing a winter meet on the west coast of Florida … The racetrack employs hundreds and impacts the employment of thousands more. Its management team and employees are dedicated to providing safe and competitive Thoroughbred racing and are proud of their achievements in providing races on dirt and turf racing surfaces, which have attracted owners, trainers, and horses from Florida and beyond.
"Considerable effort has been made in conjunction with the Florida Thoroughbred industry including the breeders, owners, and trainers to work with the Florida legislature to support an industry which has a $3.24 billion impact in the state," the statement continued. "Very meaningful support has been provided by the Florida legislature in recent years and Tampa Bay Downs will continue its efforts to achieve enhancement of purses to remain competitive on a national scale and to support live racing of Thoroughbreds in Florida for many years to come."
While noting it was not involved in initiating the legislation, Tampa Bay Downs' statement also did not say specifically whether it opposed decoupling. Track executives declined to comment further after the press release was distributed.
Mike Dini, president of the Tampa Bay Downs HBPA, said he was glad the track voiced its commitment to racing.
"I think it will give the state legislators something to think about," he said.
Regarding the amendment that added card rooms to decoupling, Dini did not find that concerning.
"I think the track just had to get on the bus because it did not want to be the only pari-mutuel without decoupling if this passed," he said. "(Stronach Group CEO) Belinda Stronach is just not committed to racing even though racing has never hurt Gulfstream over the years. Who knows what will eventually happen but without Gulfstream, maybe Tampa runs more days and we develop a premier winter meet from November to June here. We are already attracting top trainers."
The Stronach Group's 1/ST Racing, which operates Gulfstream, continues to insist it has never said it plans to sell the racetrack. Track representative Keith Brackpool told South Florida horsemen during a Jan. 15 meeting, however, that Gulfstream would only commit to racing through 2028 even with decoupling in place because the land is too valuable.
"We've never said we were going to stop racing," 1/ST Racing's president Aidan Butler said Jan 21 in an interview with racing broadcaster Nick Luck. "The end of 2028 was introduced to the breeders as a way of giving them some assurance that we were not going to immediately close down upon decoupling being allowed. Shutting down in 2028 has never been said, never been echoed internally or externally."
Butler did add that decoupling is important going forward if Gulfstream is to grow its casino business and essential to attract partners solely focused on gaming. He said no casino partners are willing to invest if they are tied to a business that has to negotiate with a horsemen's group.
During the 2023-24 fiscal year, Gulfstream Park reported net slot revenue of more than $57.9 million, according to the Florida Gaming Control Commission.
Bulter also noted that a letter sent to the FTBOA did say between now and 2028 it would be determined if Gulfstream Park "remains the appropriate location" or if 1/ST Racing should consider alternative sites within the state for a new facility.
"As much as it's beautiful and we love it, it is probably not optimal that this should remain the racing center for South Florida," he said.
