Decoupling Threatens Florida Racing, Other Tracks

There is unrest in Florida as Gulfstream Park’s owner and the horsepeople are at odds over a bill that could allow for decoupling.

Florida HB 105 seeks to undermine that partnership by allowing Thoroughbred permit holders to cease live racing while retaining their gaming licenses. This move — known as decoupling — would sever the critical link between live horse racing and gaming, increasing our society’s separation from agriculture and jeopardizing an industry that has contributed significantly to Florida’s identity and economy.

The Stronach Group’s 1/ST then issued a press release stating that it had reached an agreement with the Florida Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association (not associated with the HBPA) to support the measure.

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“The basis for the agreement, unique and designed to address the needs of Florida and consistent with similar gaming entities in the region, allows 1/ST to pursue necessary opportunities for development at Gulfstream Park,” the statement continued. “The agreement ensures purse revenues are unaffected and provides for additional contributions by Gulfstream Park to horsemen’s workers’ compensation premiums and meangingful increases to Thoroughbred aftercare efforts in Florida.”

Belinda Stronach went on national TV following the Pegasus World Cup and commented that perhaps racing in an urban area was not the best idea. That raised the ire of the majority of members of the horse racing industry.

This column, written in 2016 by Ray Paulick in Canadian Thoroughbred magazine, states decoupling is a dangerous trend.

Thoroughbred owners and trainers in Florida are mobilizing to establish a new organization, the South Florida Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association (SFHBPA), to replace the current representative body and negotiate with Gulfstream Park and state legislators. Spearheaded by Carlo Vaccarezza, the SFHBPA aims to gain majority support from the state’s 6,500 horsemen, seeking affiliation with the National HBPA and recognition from legislators. With no racing commission in Florida to certify representation, the group plans to present a petition to lawmakers in Tallahassee. Vaccarezza anticipates major industry figures will join SFHBPA’s leadership and warns legal action may follow against the current organization’s board for alleged breaches of fiduciary duty.