Contact Information:
Bob Roberts (216-662-8600)
May 21, 2009
www.thistledown.com
Tuesday's Time To Be Heard Rally Draws Large Statehouse Crowd
Cheered by more than 500 horsemen, vendors, and tracks officials -- many of them carrying homemade signs urging prompt action --- Ohio's pari-mutuel racing industry held its "Time To Be Heard," rally on the South Plaza of the State House in Columbus Tuesday morning.
Under sunny skies, a series of speakers, including five members of the Ohio Legislature, urged horse racing to convince their state senators and representatives to include expanded gambling or casino type games at the seven Ohio tracks in the next biannual budget.
"The money that is leaving Ohio is killing us," said William Koester, chairman of the Ohio State Racing Commission, which has presented a plan for slot machines at Buckeye tracks. "We're talking $1.2 billion to other states. It's madness. We need a level playing field with the Indianas, Pennsylvanias and West Virginas of the world, states that have video lottery terminals.”
"Our proposal is unprecedented. We're talking about $350 million just alone in license fees. That's about $25,000 a machine. I doubt if any bar or bowling alley would be willing to pay that. And 50 percent of the profits will go to the state of Ohio. All we're asking for is the tools. Other states don't laugh at us. They know that we will run right past them if we get those tools."
Tuesday's rally was organized by Lisa Schwartz of Washington Court House. She is the wife of Bob Schwartz, a veterinarian at Midland Acres in Bloomingburg; one of Ohio's top standard bred breeding farms. Schwartz believes the rally could prove key to Ohio racing gaining relief.
"This was a great day and a great turnout," she said. "But our fight is just beginning. We must make sure all the legislators hear our story. Without help, we are pretty much doomed as a racing state."
Sam Zonak, the executive director of the Ohio State Racing Commission, echoed Schwartz's words with facts and a warning. "Over the last few years, we have lost 4,000 licensees. Without a plan, we'll be down to one or two tracks."
Koester added, "Nobody has done anything wrong here. It's just that other states have been more progressive. Why run your horse for a ham sandwich when you can run for a more attractive purse outside the state? And let's bring our stallions and mares home."
Elected officials who spoke included State Representatives Ray Pryor, Terry Blair, Dan Stewart, Lou Blessing and Ron Maag. Representing the State Senate was Bill Seitz.
"It's important for you to tell your story," said Stewart.
"As for the number of (harness) stallions in Ohio, we have gone from 500 in the 1980's to just 18 or 19," said Maag.
"I have felt the industry's pain," said Blair. "I own both thoroughbreds and standardbreds."
"We're not asking for tax dollars, we are asking to bring tax dollars to the state," said Blessing.
In attendance at the rally was former Cleveland area newscaster Doug Adair, a longtime owner of harness horses. "Racing is a great sport, but it needs help," said Adair.
HOLIDAY WEEKEND STAKE --- A total of 15 Ohio-bred and accredited fillies and mares have been nominated for Saturday's $55,000 Ted Classen Memorial Stakes at Thistledown. Among the distaffers named are Money Card, Goodys Summer, and Sybles Angel, the one-two-three finishers in last year's Classen. The six- furlong dash honors the memory of Dr. Ted Classen, who raced Ohio Horse of the Year Brent's Prince, winner of the 1975 Ohio Derby.
KING OF THE HILL --- Bert Cline's Meisterwerk, a four-year-old gelding who won at Thistledown last Thursday (May 14) is not only six-for-six this year, but the winningest horse in North America. Cline claimed him for $7,000 at Beulah Park on March 23. "The people who lost him tried to buy him back for $10,000. I told them 'no deal.” Cline, 43,who has only been in the racing business for a little more than a year following a career as a salesman, says Meisterwerk, a winner of nine of 22 career starts, will next be seen in a distance racing series at Mountaineer Park.
FEED BAG --- Condolences go out to Thistledown marketing director Heather McColloch, whose father, William Cvengros, died last week . . All 12 of the Thistledown's racing dates so far this season have started with a track listed as fast. Just once, on opening day (April 30) was the strip anything other than fast, and that program saw the last five races run over a good track. The fast footing is a testimony to superintendent John Banno and his crew, with an assist from the weatherman . . . Smooth Air, winner of last year's Ohio Derby, is set to run in Monday's Grade I Metropolitan Handicap at Belmont Park . . . Susan Waszak, an assistant to trainer Joe Shuman, recently graduated summa cum laude from Cleveland-Marshall Law School.
BELMONT BRUNCH --- Race fans looking for a front row seat for the June 6 Belmont Stakes and the probable showdown between Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird and Preakness winner Rachel Alexandra, can make a reservation for Thistledown's Belmont Stakes Brunch. It is priced at $19.95 per person and can be made through Thistledown's switchboard (216-662-8600).