Tampa Greyhound to suspend racing, keep poker

The track GM cites low attendance for what one trainer calls "a major, major bombshell."

By DON JENSEN, Times Correspondent
Published August 11, 2007

Greyhounds dart around the bend, getting closer to the finish line.
	[Jim Stem | Times]

ADVERTISEMENT [Thomas M. Goethe | Times] Burt Bernstein checks his hand in a game at the Tampa Greyhound Track in Tampa.

TAMPA - This is one diamond anniversary that isn't for everyone.

Tampa Greyhound Track, in its 75th season, is ending live racing Aug. 18, only 49 days after beginning its first year-round meet.

It will continue to have simulcast wagering on greyhounds, thoroughbreds, standardbreds and jai alai, and the poker room will remain open. Operators of the 12 kennels were notified at a meeting Thursday facilitated by racing secretary Theresa Hughes.

The future of live racing beyond December remains unclear.

In a prepared statement, general manager Mike Hater said, "Since opening our card room on July 1, it has become clear that poker is where we need to focus our efforts. Low attendance for greyhound racing and the popularity and growth of poker made this an obvious business decision due to recent legislative changes."

At the Thonotosassa compound, a majority of the kennel owners forewarned of legal implications based on the arrangement being made between Tampa and Derby Lane in St. Petersburg.

Although both tracks were granted live year-round racing permits for the 2007-08 season by the state Department of Business and Professional Regulation's division of Pari-Mutuel Wagering, Derby Lane spokeswoman Vera Filipelli said the facilities have filed applications to amend those dates.

"We've agreed to assist Tampa (with dates) through this calendar year ending Dec. 31," she said. "Nothing is changing at Derby Lane. We'll still be racing year-round with poker and simulcast wagering."

Hughes declined to comment, referring all questions to Hater and Hillary Fellenz, Tampa's director of marketing. Neither returned telephone calls Friday night. Derby Lane management -- president and chairman of the board Vey Weaver, vice president Richard Winning and chief of operations David Tiano -- was unavailable for comment.

Two weeks ago, operators were urged by Tampa Greyhound to upgrade the quality of their kennels, and this week, Hughes began expanding the cards.

"Everyone was happy, and things seemed to be going well," Dickinson Farms Kennel trainer Gene Cram said. "This is a major, major bombshell."

Dave and April Beeler said they have a lawyer looking at their one-year contract.

"I'm contracted to run the 2007 live greyhound season for Tampa Greyhound Track," Dave Beeler said. "It doesn't say it has to be (at Tampa), and it's not exclusive to (Tampa Greyhound). If (Derby Lane) is going to run their dogs as a Tampa program ... then we're the dogs that are required to show up there to run those races."

Grey Thunder Kennel's Pat Moran said Tampa has not offered financial assistance.

"They're only going to pay for the dogs' food and water while they're here. That's it," he said.

Ron Williams, a trainer for Shamshad Kennel, said dogs will be allowed to stay at the Thonotosassa compound until suitable housing is obtained.

Tampa kennel operators said they believe a financial agreement between the tracks was struck. But Filipelli said, "It's a no-win, no-gain situation for us. The two tracks have had a good relationship through the years, something that is continuing."

MJG Greyhounds trainer Larry Ruip said there are more than 700 greyhounds at Tampa. Operators will seek bookings at other tracks, but few openings exist. Individual dogs could be sent to other facilities, including Derby Lane. The remaining greyhounds are expected to be put up for adoption with Tampa caring for them, ensuring they will be spayed and neutered before being placed in homes.

Affected employees will be absorbed into other track operations, according to the track.

A change in state law (Senate Bill 752 and Statute 849-086) took effect July 1, allowing parimutuel facilities to operate card rooms without live racing. The state requires a greyhound track to hold a minimum of 100 live program during a year to maintain its permit for simulcast rights and poker rooms.

The Tampa move is similar to one at Melbourne Greyhound Park, which suspended its live season until Dec. 26. Also in July, Sanford-Orlando Kennel Club in Longwood was purchased by Penn National Gaming, one of the nation's largest gaming companies. Penn National also secured a right of first refusal with respect to a majority stake in the Sarasota Kennel Club.

[Last modified August 11, 2007, 00:15:34]