by Frank Angst
With talks between horsemen, Churchill Downs, and TrackNet Media moving slowly, Churchill Downs opened its spring meeting on Saturday without advance-deposit wagering, although the track does plan to take wagers on the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1).
On Saturday, Churchill-owned ADW TwinSpires posted an update informing its players that an agreement is in place for the track to accept wagers on Friday’s Kentucky Oaks (G1) and Saturday’s Woodford Reserve Turf Classic Stakes (G1) and Kentucky Derby. The site said Churchill is still meeting with horsemen on all other Churchill races.
On the site’s wagering menu for Saturday, Churchill Downs is not listed.
Through their representative, the Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Group, Kentucky horsemen are seeking an agreement to split revenues from advance deposit wagering equally between purses, the host track, and the ADW provider.
Both the Kentucky Horsemen’s Benevolent Protective Association and the Kentucky Thoroughbred Association have asked the Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Group to negotiate ADW distribution fees for them. The THG also is negotiating deals for Texas horsemen and Florida horsemen.
Lone Star Park near Dallas has been unable to export its signal to ADWs since the meet started on April 10. Lone Star President Drew Shubeck said ADW customers wagered about $7-million on last year’s Thoroughbred meeting.
Because horsemen at Calder Race Course are negotiating ADW distribution as well as a new contract, specifically how anticipated slot machine revenues will be shared, that track has been unable to send its signal to ADW outlets or out-of-state tracks since it opened on April 21.
The TwinSpires posting said meetings with horsemen continue in Florida and Kentucky.
“We are hopeful the matter will be resolved shortly in both states,” said the TwinSpires posting.
Frank Angst is senior writer of Thoroughbred Times