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National HBPA Statement: New Tax Regulations on Winning Bets Helps Entire Industry

9/25/2017

 
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The new federal tax regulations on bets triggering big payoffs help all facets of horse racing, showing the positive change that can come from pulling together, said Eric Hamelback, the National HBPA’s chief executive officer.
“It’s once again proof of success for our entire industry, through working together for a cause which we all agree benefits everyone,” Hamelback said of the long-sought changes, which could go into effect at some betting outlets as early as Thursday but must be in place by Nov. 14.

The new regulations, announced late Monday by the United States Treasury Department and Internal Revenue Service, take into account how much a bettor actually wagered to hit a big payoff. That generally happens in the multi-horse and multi-race exotic bets that did not exist when the current regulations were created and which assumed the horseplayer invested only $2 instead of possibly hundreds of dollars while betting numerous combinations.

By factoring in a bettor’s total investment — as opposed to only the base dollar amount on which the bet paid off — it will in many instances require much-higher payoffs before the player has to fill out an IRS form in order to cash the ticket. The change also will substantially reduce instances in which players have an automatic 25-percent withheld for federal taxes.
The battle to create equitable taxation regulations that address today’s betting realities has gone on for more than a decade, with organizations such as the National Horsemen’s Benevolent & Protective Association and its state affiliates joining the National Thoroughbred Racing Association’s legislative efforts. The NTRA cites independent estimates that, by allowing horseplayers to keep more of their winnings, wagering in the United States on racing could increase as much as 10 percent — or upwards of $1 billion a year.

“Without a doubt, this is a victory for pari-mutuel wagering customers, but we also see this as a potential major benefit for all owners and trainers,” Hamelback said. “We hope these regulations from the U.S. Treasury positively affect all aspects of our racing industry, from those wagering, which may in turn lead to an increase in handle, thus boosting purse accounts for horsemen and for racetracks. We appreciate all industry stakeholders who put forth efforts and the NTRA Legislative Affairs team for directing these regulations forward.”

Industry stakeholders of course include the bettors, a group that Hamelback observes includes many owners and trainers. A prime example is prominent owner-breeder Ken Ramsey, who used to be known as the “Pick Six King” as a shout-out to his gambling successes. Ramsey was among the thousands of horseplayers and horsemen who wrote and called Treasury and legislators to push for the change.

“It’s one of the greatest things that’s happened in a long time,” Ramsey said of the updated regulations. “If I have to put up a $1,000 to win the Pick Six in order to take multiple horses in different races, instead of giving me credit for betting $1,000, right now they give me credit for betting $2 on the winning (combination) I actually had. I’m not getting any of my investment back. This will put more money back in the horseplayer’s pocket, which he can in turn put back and play another race. It puts more money into the racetracks. And it gives the little guy a chance to stay in the game longer. It’s a very good thing that the horse people have put together.”

Agreed Jeff Platt, president of the Horseplayers Association of North America: “This is great news and couldn’t have come about without thousands of horseplayers letting the U.S. Treasury know that change was long overdue.”

The new rules are scheduled to be officially published in Wednesday’s edition of the Federal Register and will go into full effect by no later than Nov. 14, giving racing associations, totalizator companies and advance deposit wagering (ADW) operators up to 45 days to implement the changes. However, some betting outlets could elect to start as soon as Thursday.
Steve May, director of pari-mutuel wagering for the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission, said totalizator companies that process bets have been planning for months in anticipation of the changes to provide a seamless transition for horseplayers.

“The tireless work of all organizations involved in promoting this fair application of tax law is greatly appreciated,” May said.

May provides this example of how the updated regulations will work:
“Let us say a player invests $48 into 24 combinations of single $2 Pick-4 ticket and has one winning selection that pays $4,235,” he said. “Currently the player would have to fill out a tax form because the winnings were in excess of 300-1 odds on the base $2 wager. This is an undue burden on the horseplayer and the racetrack, and it creates a large amount of unnecessary tax forms. Under the new rules, the same ticket would have to return $14,449 to require IRS paperwork.”

Pictured: National HBPA CEO Eric Hamelback (right) spoke with Daily Racing Form‘s Matt Hegarty Tuesday after a press conference conducted by the National Thoroughbred Racing Association to discuss the long-awaited changes to federal tax regulations on winning wagers (Jennie Rees photo)
 
The National HBPA (www.hbpa.org) based in Lexington, Ky. is the largest racing horsemen’s representative organization in North America with 30 affiliate organizations and over 30,000 member horsemen. Big Dee’s Tack & Vet Supplies, Lavin Insurance Group LLC, Xpressbet, NTRA Advantage, equineline.com, Red Brand, Finish Line Horse Products Inc. and Horseman Labor Solutions are proud corporate partners of the National HBPA.


Paradise found in the Arizona desert

9/25/2017

 
In 1954, Walter Cluer had a dream fueled by pure passion.
Cluer had purchased 1,400 acres of barren desert and entertained aspirations of building a first-class racetrack in the Phoenix area. Cluer was an experienced horseman but most locals thought his plan was too ambitious, ill-timed and destined for failure.

Last week: The winners at Saratoga are ...

The only route to the future racetrack was a series of poorly maintained dirt roads and, being 25 miles from downtown Phoenix, Cluer had his work cut out for himself. He forged ahead with his project, anyway, and on Jan. 7, 1956, Turf Paradise opened its doors. Success has followed.

In 1980, Herb Owens took the reins from Cluer and Turf Paradise was renovated. A seven-furlong infield turf course was added, the clubhouse was expanded and an outdoor patio made its debut. Owens ran the racetrack until 1989, when Robert Walker purchased the track.

Walker successfully lobbied the Arizona Legislature to legalize off-track-betting. The in-state OTB network is perhaps Walker's biggest contribution to the Arizona racing industry. What started out as a single OTB betting parlor in 1991 has now grown to 55 OTBs in Arizona, plus more than 900 out-of-state locales.
The new millennium provided Turf Paradise with yet another owner, Jerry Simms. He purchased the racetrack on June 16, 2000, for a reported $53 million. Simms renovated the main track and turf course and installed an equine swimming pool for advanced horse therapy.

More Eighth Pole: Horse tales: What would you do to get to the track?

This year’s Opening Day at Turf Paradise will be on Oct. 14, with races running through May 6, 2018. The 132-day meet will see 35 stakes races — highlighted by the $75,000 Phoenix Gold Cup on Feb. 10 and the $50,000 Turf Paradise Derby on Feb. 20.

I must admit, when I first glanced at a few races at Turf Paradise several years ago, I thought it was a joke. Spoiled by the New York racing ovals, I couldn't appreciate the charm of a smaller venue.
More Eighth Pole: Don't you know, horses can't read

But this track is no joke. Turf Paradise is now the third-largest sports attraction in Arizona and hosts one of the longest seasons of thoroughbred racing in the country. This track has given the average horse enthusiast some hope in a sport that doesn't give much back. They continue to acknowledge the average horse player and put millions back in track maintenance and renovations. Turf Paradise and the people involved with the operation of this racetrack get a big thumbs-up from me and a pat on the back.

The first post is 12:55 p.m. on Wednesdays through Sundays. Grandstand admission is $3 and parking is free.
Although the meet doesn't kick off for a few weeks, you might want to plan a trip in advance. With the mountain-range view, perfectly manicured landscaping and live racing, it just might be Paradise!

Want to talk horse racing? Email Pete at eighthpolepete@yahoo.com.

Article of The Spectrum read it here: www.thespectrum.com/story/sports/mesquite/2017/09/15/turf-paradise-arizona-desert/672384001/?hootPostID=435818e1b5e3e8e2713b06ede85395d1

Horseracing & Family Fun Are Red Hot

9/19/2017

 

Turf Paradise is Ready for 62nd Season of Excitement

Racing fans and families alike will have plenty to cheer about as the 62nd season of Turf Paradise gets underway. The season features the return of wiener dog racing, as well as camel ostrich and zebra racing, and a long list of special events during the season that runs from October to May.
 
Opening Day is October 14th as live horseracing returns to the Valley. In addition to live horseracing, live music and a family fun park, there will be free t-shirts for the first 5,000 paid admissions. The featured race is the $30,000 Bienvenidos Stakes. Grandstand admission is $3 and General Parking is free.
 
All season long there will be special Fiesta Sundays featuring Mexican food and music. Fiesta Sundays happen the last Sundays of the month except for December. The first one is October 29th which features the AQRA Futurity for Quarter Horses.
 
On November 3rd and 4th racing fans will gather at our Two Day Breeders Cup Party November 3rd and 4th. There’s also an all-day buffet on the 4th at the Turf Club and Clubhouse. It’s a chance to watch, wager and win on the Breeders Cup simulcast races as well as live local horse racing at Turf. 
 
Thanksgiving Weekend at Turf Paradise is an Arizona tradition. Friday November 24th is $2 Day where admission, popcorn, sodas, ice cream, and hot dogs are just $2. Saturday the 25th the first 5,000 paid admissions will get free sweat shirts. There’s also a family fun park, live music, and a BBQ tent. The featured races are the $30,000 Walter Cluer Memorial Stakes and the $30,000 Queen of the Green Stakes. Grandstand admission is $3 and General Parking is free. The Sunday after Thanksgiving is a Fiesta Sunday. In addition to Mexican food and live music, there’s also the Louis Curtis/ Robert Kieckhefer stakes for Quarter Horses.

January 13 Turf Paradise celebrates its 62nd Anniversary Party with free long sleeve t-shirts for the first 5,000 paid admissions, live music, a kids fun park, a BBQ tent, free birthday cake, the $75,000 Cotton Fitzsimmons Mile  and the $30,000 Glendale Handicap. The Fitzsimmons Mile is named after the late Phoenix Suns Coach Cotton Fitzsimmons who was a dedicated horseracing fan and beloved regular customer at Turf. Grandstand admission is $3 and General Parking is free.  Monday January 15th is MLK Day and $2 Day admission, popcorn, sodas, ice cream, and hotdogs are just $2. Fiesta Sunday is January 28th featuring live Mexican music and food along with trials for the AQRA Turf Paradise Open and the Quarter Horse Derby.

Super Saturday is February 10th is Super Saturday. In addition to free t-shirts, live music, a BBQ tent, and a family fun park there are also three stakes races;  the $75,000 Phoenix Gold Cup, the $30,000 Sun City Handicap, and the $50,000 Turf Paradise Handicap. Grandstand admission is $3 and General Parking is free. February 19th is President’s Day $2 Day. February 25th is Fiesta Sunday.
 
March brings its own brand of madness to Turf Paradise as wiener dogs race and camels, ostriches and zebras compete in two over the top events.
 
Wiener Mania is March 3rd. In conjunction with Arizona Adopt a Greyhound, this event features a day of racing wiener dog competitions in addition to a full card of live horseracing. It has become the premier wiener dog racing event in Arizona. While you can’t bet on the wiener dogs you can still bet on the horses. The day also features live music, a BBQ tent, and vendor booths catering to wiener dog fans.  Grandstand admission is $3 and General Parking is free. Click here for a look at last year’s wiener dog races.
 
Alternative Racing Day is March 17th featuring Camel, Ostrich, and Zebra racing in addition to a full card of live horseracing, a family fun park, live music, and a BBQ tent, and an exotic animals petting zoo. The event is in conjunction with the HBPA. Grandstand admission is $3 and General Parking is free. Click here for a look at last year’s races.
 
March 25th and April 29th are Fiesta Sundays featuring live music and Mexican food.  There will be free T-Shirts for the first 2,500 paid admission on the 25th. The 29th features three AQRA Challenge races, featuring some of the best Quarter Horse racing in Arizona

The biggest and best Kentucky Derby Party in Arizona is May 5th which also happens to be Cinco de Mayo. There will be a family fun park, live music, a BBQ tent. The first 5,000 paid admission will get free Kentucky Derby glasses. The day features an over the top fashion show with cash prizes. Categories include best Derby ensembles, best hats, best dressed couples, best dressed gents, and best dressed kids. For those who want to kick it up a notch, there are all day buffets in the Turf Club and Club House. The day also offers the Derby Day Club for guests who want to party trackside in luxury climate controlled tents featuring food, drinks, and live DJ’s. Grandstand admission for Derby Day is $5 and General Parking is free.

May 6th is closing day.  Grandstand admission is free. The featured race is the $30,000 Hasta La Vista Handicap.
 
Turf Paradise General Manager Vincent Francia said, “Turf Paradise has an established track record of providing the Valley with affordable family fun and this year there are plenty of options and plenty of opportunities for fans and families to enjoy a day at the races. We hope to see you here at Turf Paradise where the horses are cool and the racing is red hot.”
 
Turf Paradise’s 62nd season runs from October 14th to May 5th. Turf Paradise, located at 19th Ave and Bell Road, first opened its doors in 1956 and has operated at the same location ever since. It has maintained Arizona’s horse racing tradition for more than six decades.
 

Record Number of Horses Expected for Turf Paradise’s New Season

9/11/2017

 
The first of over 1,980 expected horses arrived today (Sept. 12) to fill the 2,046 available stalls as Turf Paradise Race Course prepares to open its 62nd season in mid-October.
 
A 132-day race meet will run from October 14 thru May 6, 2018. Racing will be conducted primarily on five-day a week basis, Saturday thru Wednesday with a first race post of 12:55 pm.
There will be three special live race day Fridays: Nov. 1, the first day of the two-day Breeders’ Cup Championship simulcasts; the day after Thanksgiving, Nov. 24 and May 4, to accommodate the Kentucky Oaks simulcast.
 
“This has been a record response from horsemen and issuance of stalls,” said Director of Racing, Mike Harlow. “In addition to our regulars coming back, we’ve also had an increase of trainers who’ve raced here before and are now returning after a few years absence plus an influx of new trainers, racing here for the first time.”
 
There are seven returning trainers and a half-dozen new trainers, representing over 200 new horses. “It should be a good race meet,” Harlow added. 
 
The Top 10 trainers are expected back, headed by the 60-horse stable of Robertino Diordoro, who will be seeking his fifth consecutive trainer’s title. Others among the Top 10 trainers returning are, Miguel Silva, Jeff Metz, Joe Toye, Dan McFarlane, Kevin Eikleberry, Molly Pearson and Stetson Rushton.

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