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HorseRacing

The Poarch Band's Bid to Buy Birmingham Racecourse

2024-11-18

In a significant move on Monday, a company affiliated with the Poarch Band of Creek Indians announced its intention to acquire Birmingham Racecourse. Currently, this racecourse is owned by the family that also holds VictoryLand in Macon County. The Birmingham Racecourse provides a unique blend of historic horse racing games along with dog and horse race betting. For a long time, it has been seen as a potential candidate for a casino, especially if Alabama were to legalize such gambling activities in the future.

President's Perspective

Lewis Benefield, the president of both the Birmingham Racecourse and Victoryland, expressed his views in a statement. He mentioned that the McGregor family, who own the property, have faced numerous challenges due to the complex patchwork of laws and enforcement related to gambling. Benefield emphasized that the people of Birmingham have a strong desire for the same types of entertainment offered at other facilities in and around Alabama. However, the differing state laws and enforcement actions regarding gaming have severely limited the racecourse's ability to compete effectively. As a result, the McGregor family will now shift their focus towards Victoryland in Macon County and actively advocate for unified gaming legislation in Alabama. This, they believe, would bring in much-needed revenue for the people of Alabama.

Historical Significance

Birmingham Racecourse holds a special place in the history of Alabama. It has been a hub for horse racing and betting for many years, attracting both local and international visitors. The racecourse's rich history and traditions make it a significant asset in the state's entertainment landscape. Despite the legal challenges it has faced, the racecourse continues to operate and offer its unique services. The potential acquisition by the Poarch Band could bring new opportunities and a fresh perspective to this historic institution.

Legal Landscape

Alabama's constitution strictly prohibits lotteries and games of chance. However, parimutuel betting, which involves betting on horse and dog races, is allowed. In the past, local amendments have permitted some forms of gambling, such as electronic bingo. But the Alabama Supreme Court has interpreted these amendments narrowly, putting the legal existence of those gaming facilities in jeopardy. The Poarch Band of Creek Indians, as a federally-recognized tribe, operates under federal law and is legally allowed to offer electronic bingo. However, they are not permitted to operate slot machines or traditional table games without a compact with the state government. Over the past quarter century, numerous legislative efforts to legalize a lottery and limited casino gambling have failed. One such attempt to offer a "comprehensive" gambling package, which included a lottery and some casino-type gaming, collapsed during the last session after the Senate significantly limited the legislation initially passed by the House of Representatives.

Future Plans

The release stated that the sale of Birmingham Racecourse to Wind Creek Hospitality, owned by PCI, is expected to be completed by early 2025. Wind Creek has assured that parimutuel and historical horse racing games will continue to be offered at the facility. This move is seen as a positive step towards the future of the racecourse and could potentially lead to further developments in the gaming and entertainment industry in Alabama. The acquisition by Wind Creek also brings in a new entity with expertise in the hospitality sector, which could enhance the overall experience for visitors. It remains to be seen how this transaction will shape the future of Birmingham Racecourse and the gambling landscape in Alabama.

A 6-year-old gelding named Elector met a tragic end after succumbing to a training injury at Del Mar, as confirmed by track officials on Sunday. This incident has raised concerns about horse safety at the racetrack. Elector endured an “inoperable right front ankle injury” and was euthanized on Saturday morning. A Del Mar spokesman provided this account to City News Service on the same day.

Elector's Racing Career and Achievements

Elector had an impressive 17 career races under his belt and achieved three first-place finishes. One of his notable victories came at Del Mar on August 18. These achievements highlight his potential and talent on the racetrack. However, his life was cut short by the unfortunate training injury.The fact that Elector was a 6-year-old gelding adds another layer of sadness to this story. Geldings are often highly regarded in the racing world for their calm and consistent nature. Elector's early departure is a loss not only for his owners and trainers but also for the racing community.

Del Mar's Horse Safety Policies and Changes

Del Mar Racing claims that a series of changes made to their horse safety policies has led to a decrease in the injury rate at their racetrack. These changes include more veterinary inspections, increased testing, and the hiring of a racetrack surface consultant. In 2014, an unusual number of race-related horse injuries prompted the track to make significant modifications to its turf track. These efforts demonstrate their commitment to ensuring the well-being of the horses.However, despite these measures, Elector still suffered a fatal injury. This raises questions about the effectiveness of these policies and whether more needs to be done to prevent such tragedies. It is essential to continuously evaluate and improve horse safety measures to protect these magnificent animals.

Comparison with Previous Years' Data

According to data voluntarily reported by the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club to The Jockey Club’s Equine Injury Database, Elector is the fifth horse to die from a racing or training injury at Del Mar this year. This is the highest number seen at the track in the last six years. In 2017, there were six race-related deaths reported, followed by a significant drop in subsequent years. Since then, three or fewer deaths have been reported each year, which is well below the national average among tracks that report to the database.It is interesting to note that in 2023, the last year for which data was published, Del Mar Racing saw zero fatalities. This shows that the track has made progress in improving horse safety. However, the recent death of Elector serves as a reminder that there is still work to be done.

Impact on the Racing Community

The death of Elector has had a profound impact on the racing community. Horses are not just animals used for entertainment; they are beloved members of many families and the racing industry. The loss of a horse like Elector is felt deeply by those who work with and care for them.It also highlights the importance of ensuring the safety of these animals. Racing should be a sport that celebrates the beauty and strength of horses, not a place where they suffer injuries and lose their lives. The racing community must come together to address these issues and find ways to prevent future tragedies.

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