Thoroughbred Racing Back In The City Of Detroit At The Fairgrounds?

Now that Pinnacle Race Course has made its decision.

I addressed this issue on somebody else’s blog in early March.

These are just excerpts:

Longshot
March 2, 2011 at 7:25 am

I totally disagree with moving the Thoroughbreds west. They belong in the Metro Detroit area. That is where the Horse Players want them and that is where the action will always remain. Personally I’d like to approach Gov. Snyder Detroit with the Idea of bringing the T.B.s back to where it all started. The Fairgrounds.

As of this moment 165 acres there are just sitting deserted, all buildings there are still viable. The Coliseum alone seats 5,600 people. Along with Horse Racing there I’d have concerts going. They could use some of the Revenue to bring back the State Fair at the end of August. A lot of events could take place simultaneously with Horse Racing throughout the year.

Detroit would welcome even more revenue with open arms. I’d push for slots at the tracks and I believe if the T.B.s were back at the Fairgrounds I’d believe implementing further gaming to the Tracks would gain much-needed support from Detroit that already houses 3 Casinos. The Race Track if a Racino would be the fourth source of Casino Revenue for the city.

It would be a Win-Win-Win deal for not only the Thoroughbreds but the State & Detroit.

As the saying goes whats old is new again. Governor Snyder said let’s RE-INVENT Michigan. I’d think putting the Thoroughbreds back into a Detroit Arena would be a start. I can’t think of one Horsemen that would object. The place would be packed and If they ever get the rail system in future going to carry people from Pontiac to Detroit. Even further packed.

Western Michigan will never support a Horse Racing Track like the Horse Players from the Detroit & surrounding areas. This was our base at the start and this should remain our base for the future.

I’d love to see Pinnacle go, get finished and fly. But if it can’t. Then I’d fight for The Fairgrounds with the proposals I sited.

***
Longshot
March 3, 2011 at 11:44 am

Hudson sold the land to the Michigan State Agricultural Society for one dollar on April 18, 1905.

In 1904, Joseph L. Hudson, together with three of his associates, decided to give the State Fair its permanent home. They formed the State Fair Land Company, which acquired 135 acres (0.55 km2) between 7½ and 8 Mile Roads, east of Woodward Avenue. Because Hudson had no interest in running the fair, he sold the land to the Michigan State Agricultural Society for one dollar on April 18, 1905. The Agricultural Society accepted the land then purchased an additional 32 acres (130,000 m2), extending the fairgrounds to 167 acres (0.68 km2). Throughout the following years, additional land was purchased and sold. The present size of the fairgrounds is 164 acres (0.66 km2).

Horse Racing was under Agriculture until Granholm decided to dissolve the ORC and place us under Gaming. If you don’t think that Agriculture doesn’t want us placed back under them. Think Again. They would fight along side the Horsemen to get the T.B.s back at The Fairgrounds.

But reality is Michigan gave the State Fairgrounds to Detroit.

September 23, 2010 5:01 PM
State to give 160-acre fairgrounds site to city of Detroit

http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article/20100923/FREE/100929910/-1
( From Article Above ) And The Huron-Clinton Metropolitan Authority voted against taking over the Michigan State Fairgrounds as a metropark.

http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article/20100513/FREE/100519929/board-votes-against-taking-over-michigan-state-fairgrounds-as-metropark

So Detroit still owns the State Fairgrounds.

If Michigan gets a brain and gives the tracks what so many other States around us have done and give them full-blown gaming. It benefits ALL. Including Agriculture: The reason why that Fair was put into place to begin with.

The first official Michigan State Fair was held in 1849, which is claimed by the state of Michigan to be the oldest state fair in the United States. The first fair was held in Detroit, Michigan. Subsequent fairs were held in other cities until it received its permanent home in 1905 at the Michigan State Fairgrounds in Detroit.

It has endured as an institution in Michigan agriculture because it has served an important purpose and played an interesting and useful role for more than one-and-a-half centuries.

At some point logical thinking has to kick in. And I think from all perspectives The Fairgrounds is our best bet. But my proposal to Detroit would be id the T.B.s go back there. They must support the Race Tracks efforts to get Slots. Like I stated why wouldn’t they. It would be the fourth source of Casino Revenue for them, but in the form of a Racino.

I don’t know I was born and raised in Detroit. I go down by the Riverfront all summer long, so going to 8 mile & Woodward isn’t a big deal to me.

*****

Longshot
March 3, 2011 at 11:54 am

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michigan_State_Fairgrounds_Coliseum

Michigan State Fairgrounds Coliseum (also Hockeytown State Fair Coliseum) is a 5,600-seat multi-purpose arena in Detroit, Michigan. It is home to the Wayne State University Warriors ice hockey team. The arena was also host to the 2006 men’s and women’s College Hockey America conference tournament. Wayne State played its first collegiate hockey season in 1999 at the arena following the coliseum’s renovation. Wayne State played its next three seasons at the Great Lakes Sports City Superior Arena in Fraser and then two seasons at the Compuware Sports Arena in Plymouth before returning to the Coliseum in 2005.

Between early 1999 and mid 2000, the Michigan State Fairgrounds Coliseum was the site of three different Extreme Championship Wrestling house shows.

In 2006 the Royal Oak-Shrine Catholic High School Knights ice hockey team began playing at the State Fairgrounds Coliseum. The team left in 2007 and is returning for the start of the 2008-2009 season for their first varsity season.

To this day still very viable.

A lot of things could be going on that 166 acres along with Horse Racing.

****

To read all of the comments for yourself in their entirety click onto that blog.

I cannot see one reason why the Thoroughbred Horsemen & Women of Michigan should not approach Detroit about bringing Thoroughbred Racing back to where it all started at the Michigan State Fairgrounds. It would benefit everyone. As I stated in my comments to others on another blog, it would generate even more revenue to Detroit. But my proposal and main stipulation would be that Detroit backs our efforts in gaining slots and other forms of gaming for the Race Track. And I also cannot see why they wouldn’t. It would bring in their Fourth Casino but in the form of a Racino.

God knows other States surrounding Michigan are enjoying the revenue brought in from Racinos.

States with Racinos

Delaware  Racetrack Casinos

Current # of Operating Racinos		3
Public/Private Arrangement		Publicly run video lottery terminals with distributions to operators
Racino Employees		2,3631
Gross Racino Gaming Revenue		$564.24 million
Distributions to State/Local Government		$227.55 million
Percentage of Revenue Retained by Operator		43.1%
How Taxes Spent		General fund
Legalization Date		1994
First Racino Opening Date		1995
Mode of Legalization		Legislative action
Source:Delaware Lottery, individual properties

 

Florida  Racetrack Casinos

Current Number of Operating Racinos		4
Public/Private Arrangement		Privately operated facilities with slot machines
Racino Employeese		2,156
Gross Racino Gaming Revenue		$216.74 million
Distributions to State/Local Government		$108.37 million
Revenue Retained by Operator		50%1
How Taxes Spent		Statewide education
Legalization Date		2006
First Racino Opening Date		2006
Mode of Legalization		Statewide referendum, local option vote, legislative action
Source:Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation, individual properties

 

Indiana  Racetrack Casinos

Current # of Operating Racinos		2
Public/Private Arrangement		Privately operated facilities with slot machines
Racino Employees		1,847
Gross Racino Gaming Revenue		$420.10 million
Distributions to State/Local Governments		$115.27 million
Revenue Retained by Operator		54.7%
How Taxes Spent		Property tax fund, horse racing industry, local government and French Lick Resort
Legalization Date		2007
First Racino Opening Date		2008
Mode of Legalization		Legislative action
Sources: Casino Association of Indiana, Indiana Gaming Commission

 

Iowa  Racetrack Casinos

Current # of Operating Racinos		3
Public/Private Arrangement		Privately operated facilities with slot machines and table games
Racino Employees		2,586
Gross Racino Gaming Revenue		$435.62 million
Distributions to State/Local Government		$101.13 million
Percentage of Revenue Retained by Operator		76.8%
How Taxes Spent		Infrastructure improvements, local government, general fund, schools and universities, the environment, tourism projects, cultural initiatives
Legalization Date		1994
First Racino Opening Date		1995
Mode of Legalization		Local option vote, legislative action
Source: Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission

 

Louisiana  Racetrack Casinos

Current # of Operating Racinos		4
Public/Private Arrangement		Privately operated facilities with slot machines
Racino Employees		2,260
Gross Racino Gaming Revenue		$402.65 million
Distributions to State/Local Government		$74.29 million
Percentage of Revenue Retained by Operator		74.29%
How Taxes Spent		General fund, local parishes
Legalization Date		1994
First Racino Opening Date		1994
Mode of Legalization		Local option vote, legislative action
Source: Louisiana Gaming Control Board, individual properties

 

Maine  Racetrack Casinos

Current # of Operating Racinos		1
Public/Private Arrangement		Privately operated facility with slot machines
Racino Employees		303
Gross Racino Gaming Revenue		$59.20 million
Distributions to State/Local Govt		$29.08 million
Revenue Retained by Operator		50.9%
How Taxes Spent		Education, health care, agriculture, gambling control board administration and city of Bangor
Legalization Date		2004
First Racino Opening Date		2005
Mode of Legalization		Local option vote, legislative action
Source: Maine Gambling Control Board, Penn National Gaming, Inc.

 

New Mexico  Racetrack Casinos

Current # of Operating Racinos		5
Public/Private Arrangement		Privately operated facilities with slot machines
Racino Employees		1,446
Gross Racino Gaming Revenue		$243.94 million
Distributions to State/Local Government		$63.42 million
Percentage of Revenue Retained by Operator		54%
How Taxes Spent		General fund, problem gambling treatment
Legalization Date		1997
First Racino Opening Date		1999
Mode of Legalization		Legislative action
Source: New Mexico Gaming Control Board, individual properties

 

New York Racetrack Casinos

Current # of Operating Racinos		8
Public/Private Arrangement		Publicly run video lottery terminals with distributions to operators
Racino Employees		3,180
Gross Racino Gaming Revenue		$1.019 billion
Distributions to State/Local Government		$455.48 million
Percentage of Revenue Retained by Operator		35.0%
How Taxes Spent		Education
Legalization Date		2001
First Racino Opening Date		2004
Mode of Legalization		Legislative action
Source: New York Racing and Wagering Board, New York Lottery

 

Oklahoma  Racetrack Casinos

Current # of Operating Racinos		2
Public/Private Arrangement		Privately operated facilities with slot machines
Racino Employees		1,0972
Gross Racino Gaming Revenue		$94.13 million
Distributions to State/Local Governments		$13.78 million
Revenue Retained by Operator		58.2%
How Taxes Spent		Education
Legalization Date		2004
First Racino Opening Date		2005
Mode of Legalization		Statewide question on ballot
Source:Oklahoma Horse Racing Commission, State of Oklahoma – Office of the State Auditor and Inspector

 

Pennsylvania  Racetrack Casinos

Current # of Operating Racinos		6
Public/Private Arrangement		Privately operated facilities with slot machines
Racino Employees		5,799
Gross Racino Gaming Revenue		$1.579 billion
Distributions to State/Local Governments		$742.69 million
Revenue Retained by Operator		45%
How Taxes Spent		Property tax relief, economic development, tourism, horse racing industry, host local government
Legalization Date		2004
First Racino Opening Date		2006
Mode of Legalization		Legislative action
Source: Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board, individual properties

 

Rhode Island  Racetrack Casinos

Current # of Operating Racinos		2
Public/Private Arrangement		Publicly run video lottery terminals with distributions to operators
Racino Employees		1,3001
Gross Racino Gaming Revenue		$461.17 million
Distributions to State/Local Government		$292.09 million (FY 2009)
Percentage of Revenue Retained by Operator		27.3%2
How Taxes Spent		General fund
Legalization Date		1992
First Racino Opening Date		1992
Mode of Legalization		Legislative action
Source:Rhode Island Lottery, individual properties

 

West Virginia  Racetrack Casinos

Current # of Operating Racinos		4
Public/Private Arrangement		Publicly run video lottery terminals with distributions to operators; table games in three locations
Racino Employees		4,688
Gross Racino Gaming Revenue		$905.59 million
Distributions to State/Local Governments		$408.37 million
Revenue Retained by Operator		43.3%
How Taxes Spent		Education, senior citizens, tourism
Legalization Date		1994
First Racino Opening Date		1994
Mode of Legalization		Local option vote, legislative action
Source: West Virginia Lottery, individual properties

These sources tell how the taxes are spent. Well if this Thoroughbred Race Track & Racino materialized some of the revenue could be put towards bringing back the State Fair at the end of August. Two pieces of History Re-Invented in Governor Snyder’s inauguration speech about Michigan. It is fact at some point in the very future a mass transit system will be built from Pontiac to Detroit. And on this route what would be the first Casino they’d come to?  Only just not a Casino but a Race Track where both types of Gambling would be able to be played. And you tell me how this would not be a Win-Win-Win situation for Thoroughbred Racing, the City of Detroit and the entire State of Michigan.

Detroit owns the Fairgrounds, let us ask them?

1933 at The Detroit Fairgrounds … when there was no Lottery or Casino… Only Horse Racing that generated revenue to the State. This is Michigan’s real roots.

 

The Michigan State Fairgrounds holds the distinction of being the home of one of horse racings most famous accomplishments.  In 1933 a horse named “Seabiscuit”, was born.  The grandson of the famous Man ‘o War, Seabiscuit was considered a mediocre racehorse at best, until  September 7, 1936, before a crowd of 28,000 people at the Detroit Race Track located at the Detroit Fairgrounds, Seabiscuit won his very first race, The Governor’s Handicap.  It was the 50th race of his career.  Seabiscuit and jockey, John (Red) Pollard repeated the feat on September 26, 1936 at the Fairgrounds, winning the Hendrie Handicap.  This incredible racehorse quickly became a national hero due in part to his accomplishment at the Fairgrounds, and in 1938 Seabiscuit  was named Horse of the Year.  In 1958, he was voted into the National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame.   

This Governor wants reinvention. Well here you go.

This hard-working 7 day a week Thoroughbred Industry doesn’t deserve to be left behind.

Note:

Val Clark of WXYZ covered the story of Pinnacle Race Course with a joke in the background speaking, Richard Kalm.

Saying this and that. If WXYZ and Val Clark want to do a complete story of Horse Racing and especially the Thoroughbred aspect of it then address what is truth.

This same director of the MGCB who was stating how unusual and sad and how he hopes Thoroughbred Racing can continue in the future. Ask and investigate why Michigan is the only State with Horse Racing that dissolved The Office of Racing Commissioner then took us from Agriculture where Horse Racing has been since it’s beginning and put us under an entity that only had or wanted the responsibility of Casinos. The Michigan Gaming Control Board.

Richard Kalm isn’t sad about anything. But once again after having our throats cut in 1998 by vindictive people, again 13 years later we sit here with the same fate. It is the Thoroughbred Horsemen & Women that lose. We got in the cross fire in 1998 between Gov. Engler & Ladbroke and they destroyed one of the best mile tracks ever built. The Detroit Race Course.

And other States that are also in financial ruins but NONE who have horse racing tracks have dissolved their ORC’s, and placed Horse Racing under Casino Gaming. Richard Kalm made it crystal clear how he felt about Pinnacle Race Course when The Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians purchased land there telling the Detroit Free Press, Gaming facilities there or in Port Huron would compete directly for local customers with Detroit’s three casinos, which count on exclusivity to fuel their business. The Detroit casinos are an important source of revenue for the City of Detroit.

WXYZ should have gotten the 1999 Fiscal Report on the challenges of Michigan Horse Racing that went completely ignored by the House and Investigated the answer of why it went ignored. And again in 2002.

WXYZ should of  looked at this Data then asked some tough questions of this State and of our Governor with these statistics why we aren’t worth it. Val Clark reported a Track voluntarily gave up their license and did a MGCB hack job press release without telling Ms. Clark that it was the MGCB that allotted us 84 days of racing in 2010, then cut us to 31, to 8,  to just 3 days.

3 Days WXYZ

They sited no funding, there is only one Thoroughbred Race Track yet three Harness Tracks running four separate meets. You can say all of them got the days cut as well, but total up the number of those harness race days for those four separate meets that Michigan did have the funding for. Stewards, State Vets, Clockers. The Thoroughbreds don’t use anything the Harness doesn’t use as far as officials. Mt. Pleasant runs a mixed breed with the majority being Quarter Horses.

September 10, 2010  This after the HBPA had already given almost a million dollars to fund their own meet to start the 2010 meet.

On Friday, September 10, 2010, the Michigan Gaming Control Board (“MGCB”) received payment needed for weekend thoroughbred races to be held at Pinnacle Race Course. The MGCB had notified the horse racing industry that it needed over $57,000 in funding for track officials and that, if not paid by noon on Friday, September 10, 2010, an order to not race would be issued. The Michigan Horseman’s Benevolent and Protective Association (“MHBPA”) filed an emergency motion to stay the proposed shutdown order so that live racing events at Pinnacle Race Course could be held. The motion was filed in the Wayne County Circuit Court late Thursday, September 9. The court denied the motion and thereafter the MHBPA made payment to the MGCB so that three of the five weekend races could be held.

Yes Post It Stables chalked up the Bills, we paid their water bill as well in 2010. But instead of doing a half assed story on a track that gave up their license, why not do one that gives 150% total facts of why Michigan and this MGCB Director have made it completely impossible to exist here.

I’m not on the board of the HBPA, but if I were. I would be approaching the City of Detroit to go back to where it all started and how they would financially gain from it. And how if this State we live in would finally come out of the dark ages and join the States above with implementing slots to make the Tracks Racinos along with a mass transit system bringing in folks from Pontiac? Detroit could really hit the jackpot. In Windsor across the River people can take their pick at the same facility. Bet Horses, or Pull Slots, Shoot Craps, play Roulette or Black Jack. Here in Detroit they want to know whose jobs they can cut next.

Lets bring back Thoroughbred Racing at the Fairgrounds and lets tell Governor Snyder it’s time to come out of the dark ages. We have Lottery, we have Tribunal Casinos, we have Commercial Casinos. Is it not time to finally give the first Industry that was here before all the rest generating the revenue solely for Michigan something to allow them to survive as well and not be left behind in this State? I Do.

Time for Gov. Snyder and the MIHBPA to step up to the plate here. Because the HBPA are afraid of their own shadows and we are all FED UP. How much more time is the HBPA going to waste on attempting to work with people who don’t care about you? How Long? You are in the position you are in because you have waited yourself to death. How many more repeated mistakes are you willing to compromise this Thoroughbred Industry.

Your dedication is to the Thoroughbred Horsemen and only the Thoroughbred Horsemen PERIOD. Because the other Breeds do not care about us. Get that through your brains.

And all the Thoroughbred Members will have their chance to voice their opinions on June 12, 2011 at 2:00pm. For Gods sake Show Up! Because if you don’t care about your own Industry sure as hell ain’t nobody else is going to care either.

But as far as Richard Kalm, Shut Up that lying mouth of yours already. And Val Clark and WXYZ next time tell the WHOLE STORY.