Tampa Bay Downs Commits to Live Racing in Florida

• HB 105 would eliminate the requirement for Florida racetracks to offer a quota of live racing  
• Bill is supported by Gulfstream Park’s Stronach Group
• Tampa Bay Downs says it did not “initiate” the bill and commits to live racing for “years to come”

Florida thoroughbred racetrack Tampa Bay Downs has affirmed its commitment to offering live racing in response to a bill that would scrap its requirement to do so as a condition of its gambling license.

The bill, HB 105, currently wending its way through the Florida legislature, would allow Tampa Bay Downs and the state’s only other remaining live racetrack, Gulfstream Park, to “decouple” from live racing. Under the current rules, the tracks must offer a quota of races in order to operate other gambling activities such as slots or poker.

The state’s last harness track, Caesars-owned Pompano Park, ceased live racing in 2022, less than a year after the state passed enabling legislation.

Threat to Racing

HB 105, which is supported by Gulfstream Park, has been denounced by large sections of the state’s thoroughbred industry, including the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders and Owners Association, and the National Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association.

The organizations pointed out that the thoroughbred industry generates an estimated $3.2 billion in economic impact and supports more than 33K jobs.

In a statement Friday, Tampa Bay Downs, which will celebrate its 100th anniversary next year, emphasized that it didn’t initiate the legislation, and didn’t say whether it supported it in principle.

The racetrack employs hundreds and impacts the employment of thousands more. Its management team and employees are dedicated to providing safe and competitive thoroughbred racing and are proud of their achievements in providing races on dirt and turf racing surfaces, which have attracted owners, trainers, and horses from Florida and beyond,” the statement read.

“Very meaningful support has been provided by the Florida legislature in recent years and Tampa Bay Downs will continue its efforts to achieve enhancement of purses to remain competitive on a national scale and to support live racing of thoroughbreds in Florida for many years to come,” it added.

Stronach Pressure

Keith Brackpool, a representative of Gulfstream, which is operated by the Stronach Group’s 1/ST Racing, reportedly told a closed meeting of South Florida horsemen last month that his company could only commit to live racing until the end of 2028 – and that’s only if Gulfstream’s trainers support the decoupling bill.

The Stronach Group ultimately wants a casino license at Gulfstream without the live-racing requirement.