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Racing Commission weighs HISA fee relief and a Midwest circuit to bolster shrinking horse fields
Summary
At its Dec. 18 meeting the Racing Commission heard from Canterbury Park on potential credits from HISA if safety and veterinary improvements are made, and discussed a possible interstate “Midwest Racing Circuit” with Iowa tracks plus legislative options including sports betting to boost purses and industry viability.
The Racing Commission on Dec. 18 heard a detailed report from a Canterbury Park representative about efforts to reduce a federal fee increase and a proposal to coordinate racing dates with neighboring states to address a nationwide shortage of racehorses.
Canterbury Park representative Mr. Sampson told commissioners "it does appear that there may be some flexibility" in the fee increase from HISA (the industry regulator) if the track makes certain improvements, including upgraded track-testing equipment and better jockeys' quarters. He said the HISA increase this year was "about" $230,000 and that HISA indicated it could reduce the increase by about half if specified investments were made.
Why it matters: Commissioners said the combination of higher regulatory fees and shrinking horse populations is undermining purses and the long-term viability of some tracks. Mr. Sampson said working with other states could restore fuller racing cards by reducing competition for horses and creating a coordinated circuit.
Commissioners discussed a study by the Iowa Racing Commission recommending cooperation with Canterbury. Mr. Sampson described a model in which partners stagger spring, summer and fall meets across states so horses and purses move through a regional circuit, which he said could yield fuller fields and more races per week.
Several commissioners pressed for specifics on costs and legislative changes. Commissioner Goodman asked pointedly about financial exposure and said, "I do not want to be the commission that oversees the closure of horse racing in Minnesota." Commissioners discussed the need for purse parity to encourage interstate partnerships; Mr. Sampson cautioned that legislation and rule adjustments would likely be needed to permit state-by-state cooperation while preserving state-bred race funds.
The commission agreed to circulate the Iowa study to interested members before the January meeting and asked staff to draft a letter, to be discussed and possibly approved in January, expressing support for exploring interstate coordination.
Next steps: Staff will distribute the Iowa Racing Commission report and the commission will consider a draft letter at its Jan. 15 meeting; commissioners signaled interest in legislative options, including fixes to restrictions on wagering on in-state races and broader legislative support for purse adjustments.
