Thursday, July 10, 2008

Still no deal for horsemen at Keeneland & Turfway!

Kentucky Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association officials said yesterday that they do not have deals yet on sharing account-wagering revenues with Keeneland Race Course in Lexington and Turfway Park in Florence.

HBPA Leaders met Monday with officials from Keeneland, which is one of two owners of Turfway.

HBPA President Rick Hiles, who on Monday said the agreements had been reached, said that financial data still needs to be seen on account wagering -- the bets made online or by telephone.

"I would venture to say that Keeneland's in good shape and Turfway is close," Hiles said.

Keeneland, which is a nondividend-paying corporation, probably contributes more to purses than the one-third of account-wagering revenues that horsemen want, Hiles said.

Keeneland President Nick Nicholson said yesterday he had a positive meeting with the horsemen.

Turfway President Bob Elliston said he believes the agreement that his track has with TVG meets horsemen's demands.

The disputes over account-wagering revenues have led to disruptions at other tracks, including Churchill Downs in Louisville, where horsemen blocked races at those tracks from being made available to national account-betting services like Churchill's TwinSpires.com.

The dispute nearly closed Ellis Park in Henderson, delaying its opening by a week, until Friday.