comments on - County commission votes to approve race track

[krys]

I read this on Ocala.com - I'm not thrilled - what do you folks think?

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County commission votes to approve race track

By Carlos E. Medina
Correspondent

Published: Thursday, June 17, 2010 at 2:22 p.m.
Last Modified: Thursday, June 17, 2010 at 2:24 p.m.

A proposed quarter horse race track near The Villages in south Marion County will rely heavily on residents of the retirement community for its success, an attorney seeking zoning changes for the project told Marion County Commissioners at their board meeting Tuesday evening.


“There is no coincidence in the site. The projection is that virtually all of the business for the operation will come from residents of The Villages,” said Steven Gray, who represents Larry Brown and Tom Lane, whose 66 acres of land will be used for the proposed track.

[BaylorBear]

Having seen quarter horse racing a bit in Texas, I think it is rather boring compared to thoroughbred racing.

[BlueHeronFan]

Here is my take, and it is just opinion based on some similar observations from a similar situation in another state.

I also read that this "racetrack" was to include a large poker/card room. My belief is this is early positioning for legalized casino type gaming. I'm not for or against it. It being near TV is a location, location, location issue for disposable entertainment dollars.

[BlueHeronFan]

Here is my take, and it is just opinion based on some similar observations from a similar situation in another state.

I also read that this "racetrack" was to include a large poker/card room. My belief is this is early positioning for legalized casino type gaming. I'm not for or against it. It being near TV is a location, location, location issue for disposable entertainment dollars.

I knew I read it somewhere before, so here is a link to back up my previous opinion.

http://www.casinogamblingweb.com/gambling-news/casino-gambling/florida_full_gambling_establishments_could_happen_ soon_46646.html

[redwitch]

There was an election for this last year that was voted down (with a gaming room). I'm kind of confused how it can become a reality now unless it is strictly racing.

[zcaveman]

There was an election for this last year that was voted down (with a gaming room). I'm kind of confused how it can become a reality now unless it is strictly racing.

I forget. Was that for a track/gaming rooms in Sumter county or Marion county?

I looked it up on TOTV. It was a horse park in Sumter county. Maybe Marion will vote differently.

[kaydee]

I, for one, or should I say 2 as I speak for my husband as well, at least on this topic, would greatly approve a quarter horse race track and better yet, if it also included a card/poker facility. It surely would be an OPTIONAL form of entertainment and one that we would enjoy.

[dolpterry]

This racetrack/card room is located in Marion county, not Sumter where it was voted down. Being in Marion county there will be no vote by the people ,only the county commission votes on this since there is already legalized casino type gaming in that county already.

[beartrack]

Im not thrilled about this track either. Noise, more traffic and will it draw a more rowdy element then we are used to. Does anyone know where this sixty six acres of land is located?

[Bryan]

I think some slick developer found a way to get around the Sumter County vote that disapproved a race track/card room in Oxford and is now putting it in Dallas (in Marion County). This is maybe 1/2 mile north of the original planned site in Sumter County that was voted down by Sumter voters, but it is across the line (by inches) into Marion County - different county/different rules.

That being said, if people don't support it, it will fail. Personally, if they put in a full scale casino there, I would be happy. I will probably never go to a horse race there but I may play some cards there.

Since it looks like it will happen anyway, I suspect Sumter County voters shot themselves in the foot and lost a lot of tax dollars by voting this down last year. It's going to come anyway, only now Marion County will reap all the benefits while the downside(s) will still be about the same and still fall mostly on Sumter County.

[Taltarzac]

http://www.stallionesearch.com/default.asp?section=6&story=7739

"4. 2 QH permitted tracks in Marion County (one owned by OBS and the other by Michael Goldstein of Pompano Park), one in...."

The Oxford Horse Park was the planned race track and poker room that the Sumter County voters struck down in 2008.

[redwitch]

I think some slick developer found a way to get around the Sumter County vote that disapproved a race track/card room in Oxford and is now putting it in Dallas (in Marion County). This is maybe 1/2 mile north of the original planned site in Sumter County that was voted down by Sumter voters, but it is across the line (by inches) into Marion County - different county/different rules.

That being said, if people don't support it, it will fail. Personally, if they put in a full scale casino there, I would be happy. I will probably never go to a horse race there but I may play some cards there.

Since it looks like it will happen anyway, I suspect Sumter County voters shot themselves in the foot and lost a lot of tax dollars by voting this down last year. It's going to come anyway, only now Marion County will reap all the benefits while the downside(s) will still be about the same and still fall mostly on Sumter County.

It will not be a full-scale casino. It will be a racetrack and cardroom by State law. And, yes, the track is simply a way to get the cardroom open -- can't have it without the track. I don't know who regulates hours, but the Sumter County cardroom was not open 24/7. I believe it had to close at 2 am.

Bryan, I think you nailed it all perfectly. When I first heard about the proposed card room, I was opposed. However, after talking to the young man who was trying to develop the track/gaming, I became a proponent. I thought then that Sumter County residents were very short-sighted in saying no -- the revenue potential for the county far outweighed the negatives. Let's hope that Sumter doesn't limp too much from the shot.

[Taltarzac]

It will not be a full-scale casino. It will be a racetrack and cardroom by State law. And, yes, the track is simply a way to get the cardroom open -- can't have it without the track. I don't know who regulates hours, but the Sumter County cardroom was not open 24/7. I believe it had to close at 2 am.

Bryan, I think you nailed it all perfectly. When I first heard about the proposed card room, I was opposed. However, after talking to the young man who was trying to develop the track/gaming, I became a proponent. I thought then that Sumter County residents were very short-sighted in saying no -- the revenue potential for the county far outweighed the negatives. Let's hope that Sumter doesn't limp too much from the shot.

From the article linked above in my post, the proposed Marion County horse park does have the option later on of bringing in slot machines.

"Each track will have to have their senator or representative to ask for legislative approval for the instant racing machines. These tracks also still have a possibility of slot machines in the future. The Indian Compact does not prevent these tracks from gaining slot machines. It does lessen the payout to the state by the Seminoles if they do get slot machines."

http://www.stallionesearch.com/default.asp?section=6&story=7739

It also sounds like it could be a 24 hour betting place.

"could all operate 24 hour no limit poker and have the ability to apply for 350 instant racing machines." From above linked story.

This looks like a horse of another color from the proposed Oxford Horse Park.

[Taltarzac]

http://www.cfnews13.com/News/Local/2010/5/23/neighbors_galloping_mad_over_horse_track.html

It does sound like it is almost a Tiger sized golf shot from the Oxford Horse Park site from the 2008 Sumter County vote. I am still not 100% this is the same developer though. The articles I have researched are quite vague about who is exactly behind each of the two horse parks in Marion County. One is OBS and the other is Michael Goldstein but I cannot tell which is which?? This is according to the stallionesearch linked article. http://www.stallionesearch.com/default.asp?section=6&story=7739

OBS is Ocala Breeders' Sales.

[redwitch]

Goldstein and his family were behind the Sumter County and Ocala proposal (both of which failed at elections). Not sure about the other entity.

If it does turn into a 24/7 joint with slots, then I truly believe we've all lost. The Sumter County proposal would have been well regulated and, from the sound of what was said, well maintained and developed. If it grows into a 24/7 cardroom with slots, you're talking a lot more traffic, a lot more undesirables, a lot more noise, a lot more ____________ (fill in the negative blank). A true shame.

[Taltarzac]

http://www.thesky973.com/pages/7479570.php?

"The 66 acre property is located west of South U.S. Highway 301 on the south side of Southeast 177th Place."

[The Great Fumar]

At least horses don't bark ....

At least I don't think they do ....:crap2::crap2::crap2:

Hi ho fumar

[Taltarzac]

...about this new race track?

[zcaveman]

I haven't seen anything yet. But then it is Marion county and they don't cover much about us.