NEWS
Horsemen block NYRA simulcasts in purse dispute with Suffolk Downs
Posted: Saturday, January 29, 2011 2:41 PM
by Steve Myrick
The New England National Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association rejected the latest offer from Suffolk Downs and withdrew its consent for Suffolk and all other Massachusetts pari-mutuel facilities to simulcast racing from Aqueduct on January 28.
Under Massachusetts law, the track needs the horsemens’ consent to take wagers on other tracks.
The rancor over purse distribution began last summer.
“When gaming legislation failed to pass in Massachusetts,” a track statement said, “Suffolk Downs was forced to reduce costs, including expenses, personnel, and purses.”
Horsemen, who worked without a contract in 2010, requested that the track negotiate a new purse agreement before the end of last summer's meet. They insist the track promised to continue purses at the 2009 level, but unilaterally cut purses after gambling legislation failed. They say the track did not begin serious negotiations until the horsemen sent notice that they intended to block the New York Racing Association signal.
“Suffolk Downs declined to respond to the NEHBPA 2011 purse proposal and refused to conduct any meaningful negotiations until late December,” the group's board of directors said in an update to its members.
Suffolk officials say the track has lost more than $40-million in the last four years, and that the owners voluntarily exceeded the minimum statutory requirement for purse distribution by more than $3-million over the last four racing seasons. Despite losing money, the statement said track owners invested in improvements to the track and barn area, while restoring part of the stakes schedule.
The two sides appear far apart on monetary issues. Suffolk Downs says it has offered to pay $7.5-million in purses during the upcoming 100 day meet, but horsemen have demanded $10.6-million. The track said it would agree to a higher daily purse average if lawmakers reduced the requirement for a minimum of 100 days of live racing.
Massachusetts horsemen say the track is not negotiating in good faith and is willing to pay only the minimum percentage of the simulcast handle required by law. Racing regulations set a range of 4% to 7.5% of the simulcasting handle to be paid to purses. The New England HBPA is asking for the maximum percentage. Directors of the organization said they withdrew consent for the New York Racing Association signal, a move that puts financial pressure on the track, after exhausting all other alternatives.
The dispute, however, goes beyond a purse agreement.
“Despite Suffolk Downs' commitment, the New England HBPA has consistently advanced its own legislative agenda, at times to the detriment of Suffolk Downs operations,” the statement said.
Steve Myrick is a Massachusetts-based Thoroughbred Times correspondent
