Ohio Harness Horsemen's Association

Stickland Offers Support for Horsemen

June 6, 2010

In a rare show of unity, horsemen from the thoroughbred and harness racing communities gathered at Eutrophia Farms in Chesterland on Sunday night to meet with Gov. Ted Strickland. Their goal was to push for economic aid for the beleaguered Ohio horse racing industry in the form of video lottery terminals (VLTs), or slots.

Strickland couldn't promise the quick addition of VLTs for the seven Buckeye tracks. The machines, or slots, are considered the primary means of survival for the state's horse racing industry, and Strickland promised a crowd of about 400 he wouldn't waste time in approving them.

"We still need to clarify the issue," said Strickland. "When I have authority under current law, I'll move forward with [the VLTs]."

The horse racing industry celebrated Strickland's approval of slots in 2009, which would have been a financial boost for Strickland's budget and for the tracks. The slots were sidelined in court last fall by a referendum petition by LetOhioVote.org, and Strickland obviously holds a grudge against the supporters of that group. He wouldn't say who was behind the effort, or if rumors were true the group would drop the referendum effort.

"I can read between the lines," said Strickland. "Because of the cost of the [petitions], someone had to pay for it. I have a good idea where the money came from. I don't know if it will come off the ballot. If not, we'll work to do the best we can over time."

Noted horsewoman Betty Alexander of Hunting Valley, the owner of Eutrophia Farm, said she felt that Strickland got the horsemen's message, and the perilous shape of an industry that employs more than 15,000 Ohioans.

"I think he understands," said Alexander. "But it's two different tunes for him."

Alexander said as Methodist minister, she's reluctant to promote the appeal of gambling. Strickland did say that he wasn't in favor of casino gambling, and that new forms of gambling should be at race tracks, where gambling already exists.

Strickland admitted he needed a few lessons on Ohio's horse racing industry, and the diverse group that it employs. He said he did not know that 80 percent of the people in the industry did not work at the tracks, something he thinks that Ohio legislators don't understand, as well.

~this story originally appeared on Cleveland.com

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Stickland Offers Support for Horsemen