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Those of us that have been involved in
the breeding and racing industry in Pennsylvania have
long anticipated legislative relief to enable farms,
trainers, owners and everyone involved in horse racing
to continue to exist in a difficult business
environment. We have received such relief, but there
could be a far better formula for the use of the funds
allocated to racing that result from alternative
gaming. A better formula would provide greater commerce
benefiting the state and all of those involved in racing
and breeding.
The expansion of racing has caused a
shortfall in funding for the Pennsylvania Racing
Commissions and this threatens to adversely affect the
breeders’ fund. There is also inadequate opportunity
for our Pennsylvania bred and Pennsylvania sired horses
to earn a living in the state in the face of ship-ins
that are taking more and more of our purse money out of
state. Pennsylvania bred young horses have little value
in that they are presented with the dilemma of having to
compete with the onslaught of out-of-state horses coming
to Pennsylvania to race for the large purses. This is
difficult for any state bred program and it has become
increasingly true in Pennsylvania. The smaller training
stables, in particular, are struggling with the same
problem. Making matters worse, as purses have increased
to historic levels, wagering on horse racing is
decreasing at an alarming rate.
It is a time for a panel of enlightened
and interested parties, in collaboration with the
Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture and legislative
leaders, to begin to address these issues. The hope
would be an outcome enabling money flowing from
alternative gaming to create the kind of agricultural
commerce that the gaming legislation and those that
supported it intended. |
