NEWS
Jockeys’ Guild takes battle with Churchill to Illinois
Posted: Saturday, December 03, 2011 3:14 PM
by Frank Angst
At the least, in recent weeks the Jockeys’ Guild has shown an ability to be a thorn in the side of Churchill Downs Inc. (CDI) following Churchill’s decision to discontinue contributions to jockey health and welfare at its four tracks beginning in 2012.
On Thursday, the Guild persuaded the Illinois Racing Board to delay a decision on renewing Churchill’s license to operate its profitable advance-deposit-wagering operation, TwinSpires.com, in the state pending a review. The board decided to collect information from involved parties and have its staff investigate the issue before renewing the license of any ADW operators in the state, which also includes Betfair’s Television Games Network and the Stronach Group’s XpressBet.com.
The racing board plans to review information and determine what authority it has to act on the issue before making a decision on December 20.
The Guild is concerned about Churchill Downs Inc.’s decision to discontinue contributions to jockey health and welfare insurance in 2012 at Arlington Park, in Illinois; Calder Race Course; Churchill Downs; and Fair Grounds. Churchill will pay $330,000 this year to assist in jockey life insurance, accidental death, and temporary disability benefits.
Last month, the California Horse Racing Board, a state that does not have a Churchill-owned track, agreed to review Churchill’s commitment to riders before approving its TwinSpires operation, or any ADW operation, in the state. Illinois will launch a similar review.
At Thursday’s Illinois Racing Board meeting, TwinSpires Vice President Brad Blackwell contended that Guild health and welfare payments should not be tied to a decision on licensing Churchill’s ADW. Blackwell argued that any negotiations between the Guild and Churchill tracks are a separate issue from its ADW operation.
Blackwell added that Churchill has supported jockey health and welfare by providing $1-million in on-track injury insurance at each of its four tracks, participating in the National Thoroughbred Racing Association Safety and Integrity Alliance, and contributing to the Permanently Disabled Jockeys’ Fund. Blackwell said Churchill pays about $1.8-million annually to these initiatives with total insurance costs for the four tracks of $777,000 and $1-million for the four tracks to meet standards and participate in the NTRA Safety and Integrity Alliance.
Blackwell said the insurance policies have paid out about $5-million to riders injured on the track since 2005 and participation in the NTRA Safety and Integrity Alliance helps assure rider safety.
“Churchill Downs certainly values and appreciates the contributions that jockeys make,” Blackwell said.
Jockeys’ Guild In-house Counsel Mindy Coleman said $1-million can be gone in three to four months for a rider who suffers serious spinal cord or head injuries. Guild riders, who have a median income of $38,000, contribute $4 a ride to the various health and welfare funds. In 2011, track contributions to these funds totaled about $1.4-million while riders contributed $900,000. Churchill payments account for 23.6% of track contributions this year.
Coleman said the Guild attempted to pursue private negotiations with Churchill on the matter but the track owner discontinued talks after a single meeting. Guild National Manager Terry Meyocks said regulators should look at the commitment to the industry of ADW owners before approving their business operations and he applauded the racing board’s decision to review the renewal request.
“As far as the Guild is concerned, CDI needs to show that it is a responsible company by working to do what is best for the industry and not just focus on what money it can make on ADWs,” Meyocks said. “I think that the [Illinois Racing Board’s] decision to delay approval of the licensing application sends another significant message to CDI.”
Blackwell pointed out that Churchill has not been informed what other tracks pay into jockey health and welfare and pointed out that many do not participate in the NTRA Safety and Integrity Alliance.
The Guild also wrote an opinion piece in the Florida Sun-Sentinel on Saturday, penned by Meyocks and Guild Chairman John Velazquez, pointing out that Stronach Group-owned Gulfstream Park makes payments to jockey health and welfare while Churchill-owned Calder does not.
Frank Angst is senior writer for Thoroughbred Times
READER COMMENTS
|
|
|
Posted by: veitch, mananuka, AB on December 05, 2011 at 11:58 AM
So sad about the greed and stuff our pockets until they explode mentality, exhibited on a daily basis at cdi. Wonder what they will do with the money they wont pay to help the jocks, whom have the most risk filled job in the world. Probably build the shareholders a new restroom or two , to improve their derby day fun. Maybe they are saving their loot to advertise the vlt's' that will start up soon.
Report Abuse 
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted by: Buddy, Pembroke Pines, FL on December 03, 2011 at 07:11 PM
This more of the same Slum-Lord decisions that has become Churchill Downs Inc. Lynn Stone is rolling over in his grave. It is a disgrace what this most famous name in horse racing has become.
Report Abuse
|
|
|
|
|
|
