House Bill 158

The Kentucky Equine Education Project is supporting House Bill 158 introduced by Representative Greg Stumbo, Speaker of the House of Representatives.  The bill allows for the installation of video lottery terminals at Kentucky racetracks.  If approved into law, it is estimated by the bill's supporters, it would raise $700 million in revenues, to be distributed to Thoroughbred and Standardbred purses and purse supplements, improvements of backside facilities, provide funds for the Kentucky Quarter Horse Purse Program, the Kentucky Thoroughbred Breeder Incentive Fund and the Kentucky Standard Breeders Incentive Fund, and the creation and funding of the Kentucky Breed Authority to oversee the enhancement of equine interests for all non-racing breeds in Kentucky.

House Bill 158 is aimed at improving every aspect of the Kentucky horse industry. The horse industry in Kentuckyis under threat from other states who are wooing one of the major Kentucky industries. If you doubt it, compare the race purses of the various races tracks with video lottery terminals or casinos with Ellis Park, Kentucky Downs, Turfway Park, Thunder Ridge, and the Red Mile.

I’m not an expert in the horse industry, but my guess is, if I am in the racing and breeding businesses and my goal is to make money at it, I am going to go where the purses and breading incentives give me the best return on my investment. Am I missing something?