On a day in which gambling opponents are protesting the idea of slots in Kentucky’s capital, the Jockeys Guild is sending legislators a message that should be hard to ignore.
In a letter signed by national manager Terry Meyocks and eight board members and active jockeys, the Guild is urging passage of the slots legislation as essential to the future of racing. Each person who signed a letter was quoted, including jockey Orlando Mojica, who said he’s not the only one in racing moving to Indiana.
The rest of the quotes read like a sad testimony for why the racing business is about to pack up and leave the state.
Churchill Downs distributed the letter on behalf of the Jockeys Guild. Check it out after the jump:
Read the Letter After the Jump…
June 16, 2009
Members of Kentucky State Senate
702 Capital Annex
Frankfort Kentucky 40601Members Kentucky State House
702 Capital Annex
Frankfort Kentucky 40601Dear Sir or Madam,
As the representative organization for the Jockeys nationwide and an active supporter of the Thoroughbred racing and breeding industry, the Jockeys’ Guild, Inc. urges Kentucky legislators to support expanded gaming to benefit Kentucky’s racing and breeding industry. We request your support for legislation to allow Video Lottery Terminals at Kentucky racetracks during the current special session.
Kentucky remains one of only a handful of states in which current law prohibits racetracks from installing slot machines at racetracks and is adjacent to states that have gaming. Neighboring Indiana has allowed multiple casinos to be built along the border it shares with Kentucky, three of which are in close proximity to Kentucky racetracks. As a consequence, Kentucky racing has seen a serious decline in the number of horses racing in the state and gambling money is flowing from Kentucky into other states. The Kentucky breeding industry, the backbone of Thoroughbred racing internationally, cannot afford a collapse of the state’s racing industry. Revenue is being lost and jobs are at stake.
Churchill Downs racing officials were forced to omit an entire racing card from its weekly program due to lack of entries. Other tracks in the state such as Ellis Park in Henderson and Turfway Park in Florence are on the verge of collapse. Ron Geary, owner of Ellis Park, states that unless expanded gaming legislation is passed, Ellis Park will be forced to shut down permanently.
For many jockeys who call Kentucky home, the closure of Ellis Park and the decreased racing dates proposed by Turfway Park for its fall and winter meeting would have a direct effect on their ability to compete on the Kentucky racing circuit year-round.
Our Kentucky-based Guild members offer the following comments in support of VLT legislation in their own words:
“Churchill Downs and Keeneland are two of the top tracks in the country, but we shouldn’t underestimate the importance of Kentucky Downs, Ellis Park and Turfway Park. Together, these tracks provide a year-round racing circuit that keeps horses in Kentucky. Without access to racing, horses and the people that depend on this circuit for their livelihood will have no choice but to go where they can make a living. We need to make sure Kentucky’s Thoroughbred industry stays ahead of the curve.” — Jon Court
“I moved two weeks ago from Erlanger, Kentucky to Greenfield, Indiana. I used to look forward to the Keeneland and Churchill meets. Now I look forward to the Indiana Downs and Hoosier Park meets. The purses are much better and I still get to ride for the same people. Everyone from Kentucky is coming here because the money is better.” – Orlando Mojica
“I’ve called Kentucky home since 1995 and I say now is the time to act. I think people just assume since we are the home of the Kentucky Derby we are safe, but the mobility of this industry leaves Kentucky in a very dangerous position if we fail to keep pace with the other racetracks.” – Calvin Borel
“Kentucky’s Thoroughbreds are second to none. However, with other states using expanded gaming to lure horses and farms away, Kentucky could lose a significant advantage. Once it’s gone, it would be nearly impossible to bring back. Kentucky needs to do something to help keep its racing on top.” – Julien Leparoux
“Every state around us is seeing its racing improve because of expanded gambling. The list of owners, trainers, and breeders that are leaving Kentucky for other states is growing. Kentucky needs to enable its tracks to compete or Kentucky will no longer be known as the horse capital of the world. I love it here. This needs to happen.” – Shaun Bridgmohan
“I moved here from Louisiana for the opportunity to ride better horses. Now those horses are leaving for states with better purses. We have to do something so the tracks here can compete and Kentucky racing can continue to attract the best horses and the best horsemen. I have made my home here and love Kentucky, I want Kentucky to remain on top.” — Jamie Theriot
Beyond the racetrack, the budget deficits in the state of Kentucky have forced cuts in many social programs throughout the state. One rider in particular has first-hand knowledge of the hardships posed by cuts in these programs. Robby Albarado, one of Kentucky’s most notable and established jockeys, founded the Robby Albarado Foundation three years ago with the intention of reaching out to the underprivileged in the Louisville area.
“The reduced spending in education and social services we have seen recently has severely undermined the opportunities made available for young people to break the cycle of poverty. I fear that unless we come up with a solution to the budget deficits we are currently facing, the problems I see on an everyday basis will worsen. Expanded gaming will not only help the horsemen and racetracks and provide jobs in the Louisville area, but it will also fund education programs and other services that are essential to ensuring that those who live below the poverty line are given every opportunity to rise above it.” — Robby Albarado
Thanks you for your consideration of this important matter.
Respectfully,
Terence J. Meyocks (National Manager)
Jeff Johnston (Regional Manager)
Robby Albarado (Board Member)
Jon Court (Board Member)
Orlando Mojica
Calvin Borel
Julien Leparoux
Shaun Bridgmohan
Jamie Theriot
5 responses so far ↓
1 Steve Magruder (I, not D or R) // Jun 16, 2009 at 11:39 pm
Human cruelty (gaming screws the poor and mathematically challenged) to save KY’s 19th century animal cruelty industry. Nope. Sorry.
2 Meleen Drewery // Jun 17, 2009 at 12:08 am
I am a currently a Texas resident who wants to relocate to Kentucky. I am 100% behind expanded gaming movements in Kentucky. I hope the people of Texas follow suit the next opportunity they get. Racing may have roots in the 19th century, but that is what is called a legacy and it is a historic and beautiful thing.
3 Carter Burger // Jun 17, 2009 at 7:33 am
I guess it’s my cynical side, but anytime someone (particulary politicians) say we MUST do something quickly in order to save something else I have my doubts. For a long time, a certain sect of people have wanted gambling in Kentucky. Now of course the jockeys are in on it because bigger purses at the tracks mean higher pay for them.
I like Joni Jenkins take on it from WAVE’s news last night. Let’s figure out how this will effect the rest of Kentucky before we rush into it. There is always the law if unintended consequences on things like this.
4 Jim // Jun 17, 2009 at 12:12 pm
I have to question their need for slots when how much of this is going to benefit the whole state. Its going to benefit the Louisville to Lexington corridor at the best and maybe up to Turfway and down to Ellis Park. However, at Ellis Park just a few miles away is a casino. Near Turfway, Indiana has a couple of casinos not far from the IN-OH-KY border. Plus Horseshoe.
I’m not sure that this applies to the entire state in that one can open a casino in say Burkesville by the river so David Williams can tell us all on the news about corruption. I find it obsequiously hilarious that David Williams of all people was talking about how passage will corrupt the morals of Kentuckians. I find it to be corrupted already especially in a lot of areas with their teenage drug problems, alcoholism, theft, and rampant issues. Gambling isn’t going to worsen morality any more because obviously those who gamble aren’t so worried about preaching. They can preach all they want but the fact is that sinners will always be here and you can count on that. Gaming isn’t going to do anything to change that situation.
Maybe if KY worried about getting living wage jobs and educational opportunities, this state could really take off but that takes the power away from the local good old boy network in so many places. They don’t want an educated and articulate population because they would have to pay up and they would also have to dismantle their good old boy system. Because people would be the wiser for it. Which is what this state truly needs.
5 Steve Magruder (I, not D or R) // Jun 17, 2009 at 8:07 pm
Jim, along the lines of what you’re saying, it would definitely be a good thing if Kentucky worked on developing 21st century industries (and the jobs that go with them) rather than ignoring that, and expending all this energy to prop up old, dying industries.
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