The Iowa Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protecting Affiliation and the Horseracing Integrity and Security Authority are working towards an settlement that might fulfill either side’ considerations over the annual evaluation payment at Prairie Meadows.
The entire evaluation payment for the monitor this yr is $1,187,942. That’s earlier than credit for fee duties achieved on behalf of HISA are factored into the equation. The evaluation quantity is decided utilizing a method incorporating begins and purse cash per monitor. The evaluation payment for Prairie Meadows is cut up 50-50 between the monitor and state HBPA.
In keeping with Jon Moss, govt director of the Iowa HBPA, the 2024 evaluation payment for the horsemen is roughly $420,000. Proprietor Allen Poindexter, who serves as an proprietor/director of the Iowa HBPA, stated the dispute has been ongoing since final yr.
“We didn’t pay our ’23 evaluation deal and now we have not paid something in ’24,” Poindexter stated.
HISA has assessed the racing states $77.5 million for 2024 to function its Racetrack Security Program and the Anti-Doping and Remedy Management Program. If a state fee declines to pay the evaluation, the expense is handed on to the racetracks.
“Behind the scenes, many, many alternative racetracks and horsemen’s teams have been negotiating on no matter payment they have been assessed. So we’re in the course of doing the identical,” Moss stated.
Prairie Meadows’ vp of racing Derron Heldt stated the monitor is present on its portion of the evaluation payment.
A priority for Iowa horsemen is that HISA may implement a further payment per starter on the monitor to start out recouping the HBPA’s share of the state evaluation, however either side expressed optimism that this may be prevented. HISA confirmed to BloodHorse {that a} starter payment at Prairie Meadows shouldn’t be imminent.
As for a timeframe by which he would anticipate a decision, Moss stated the dearth of 1 for the reason that sides started discussing a decision has been a part of the problem.
“There are issues within the guidelines. I believed with HISA that a few of these issues are alleged to be achieved, but it surely’s readily obvious to us at this level that, primarily based on what we have seen with different racetracks and different racing associations, it is you simply want to barter, work in good religion and proceed to maneuver ahead, and that is what we’re attempting to do,” stated Moss.
Prairie Meadows’ meet started Could 10 and runs via Sept. 28.
Earlier than factoring in credit, Gulfstream Park has the very best evaluation payment for 2024 at $5.6 million, adopted by Parx Racing at $4.3 million, Santa Anita Park at $3.4 million, Churchill Downs at $3.3 million, and Laurel Park at $3.1 million.
By state, New York ($9.05 million), Kentucky ($8.50 million), California ($7.67 million), and Pennsylvania ($7.06 million) have the very best 2024 evaluation totals.
