In the repeating story, plans to develop a new live Thoroughbred racetrack in Massachusetts have come to fruition.
At the Selection Board meeting in the town of Hardwick, Mass on the evening of November 9, the council voted 2-1 to reverse a unanimous 3-0 vote on October 27 to disallow the road. race.
Citizens in the large gathering presented a petition signed by 427 registered voters supporting a proposal from the Commonwealth Horse and Agriculture Center for development development of a new Thoroughbred racecourse and equestrian center in the community. There is still a group of residents in the town who oppose the racetrack, and under state law they now have the right to collect a petition against 12% of the town’s registered voters, about 250. , signed to protest the 2-1 vote.
In the event that the opposition gets the verified signatures needed to appeal the council’s latest decision, it will force a townwide referendum at the ballot box and that could happen. no later than the beginning of January.
“We’re back in the game,” said Paul Umbrello, executive director of the New England Riders’ Protection and Mercy Association. “With 427 people signing the petition to have a new racecourse in their town, tonight it shows that there is local support for the project. We are moving forward and we are. hopefully we’ll race next year.”
Meanwhile, principals at Commonwealth Equine and the Agricultural Center that have applied have completed an application for a license to host live thoroughbred races in 2023 with the Massachusetts Game Commission, which also regulates all races and simulations in the state, by the required October 1 deadline. Under state regulations, the MGC has a November 15 deadline to make its decision.
But when the Hardwick Selection Board approved the track proposal on October 27, the license application became controversial. BloodHorse could not receive confirmation on Wednesday night, but there is likely to be an emergency session now called on November 14 or 15 so the game commissioners can vote on the Commonwealth Equine license application and Agriculture Center.
Also at stake is the Thoroughbred riders share of the Racehorse Development Fund, fueled by a percentage of revenue from casinos and full slot machine rooms in Massachusetts. With no direct race in the state and the few ranchers left holding on with their fingernails, the RHDF is in great danger of being stripped by the legislature. Currently, nearly $30 million goes to Thoroughbred riders for wallets, breeder prizes, and supporter benefits held in an escrow account.
