Horse racing proposal filed in Senate

The FTBOA, based in Ocala, holds trademark rights for “Horse Capital of the World” and “Ocala, Marion County, Horse Capital of the World” designations. [Photo courtesy ftboa.com]

A Senate Republican on Friday (Jan. 9) filed a proposal that would eliminate a requirement that Florida’s two remaining thoroughbred horse tracks hold races to be able to offer other types of gambling.

The proposal (SB 1564), filed by Sen. Nick DiCeglie, R-Indian Rocks Beach, is similar to a bill (HB 881), filed last month by Rep. Adam Anderson, R-Palm Harbor. The bills are filed for consideration during the legislative session that will start Jan. 13.

In a concept known as “decoupling,” the bills would erase a requirement that Gulfstream Park and Tampa Bay Downs hold live races to be able to operate cardrooms and, in the case of Gulfstream, slot machines.

A version of the proposal during the 2025 legislative session drew fierce opposition from the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association and other critics who said it posed a threat to areas such as Marion County, which is a major player nationally in horse breeding.

The bills would lead to thoroughbred tracks being treated similarly to former greyhound and harness-racing tracks that do not hold races but have been able to continue other forms of gambling.

“Gazette” editor’s note: On Friday, FTBOA posted this on its Facebook page: “The FTBOA built Florida’s protective framework. A Senate companion is how these bills move, and we are prepared,” said Lonny Powell, FTBOA CEO. “Regardless of the confounding provisions, this is decoupling. Alongside our fellow horsemen, breeders, owners, trainers, and industry partners, we have defeated every decoupling attempt. HB 881 and SB 1564 are the latest threats. They will not be the last. And like every threat before, we will oppose them.”