EKB News

It seems several options in the horse racing industry have been given serious thought for quite some time now. While lawmakers consider whether to allow expanded gambling, racing officials are also considering moves of their own. One option is to cut back on the number of race days or changing their schedules to accommodate night-time racing. A Kentucky Horse Racing Commission subcommittee met earlier in the week to present a proposal to ban "past-post" bets, an idea which sparked fierce debate from those who oppose it due to potential lost revenue. Virtually all major racing jurisdictions allow bettors to place bets after the listed post time but before the horses break from the gate. Kevin Flanery, President of Churchill Downs, home of the Kentucky Derby, says he fears more than 20% of his track's betting revenue would be lost under such a ban. A public hearing is set for November, before the full commission makes a decision.