LEX18.com - Lexington, KY

Posted: Mar 17, 2010 8:24 AM

FRANKFORT (AP) - Supporters of legislation meant to bolster Kentucky's racing industry were sent backtracking Tuesday to revamp a key provision before it goes before the Senate.
     
Sen. Damon Thayer, the proposal's lead supporter, said a new version being drafted would drop legislative authorization of Instant Racing at Kentucky's race tracks. It would retain a 1.5 percent fee on Instant Racing wagers should the new form of gambling on old horse races be approved through a gubernatorial executive order or by action from the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission.
     
Thayer, R-Georgetown, said the revision was set to be considered Wednesday by the Senate committee that he leads as chairman. If the committee approves the changes, he was hopeful that the full Senate would take up the measure later in the day.
     
Thayer said the changes were made after Senate President David Williams, R-Burkesville, indicated to him that a compromise was needed for it to move.
     
"I believe Instant Racing is another form of pari-mutuel wagering," Thayer said. "Not everybody agrees with me. I've struck a compromise to try to keep the issue moving foward so that we can provide some sustainable and immediate relief for the horse industry."
     
Instant Racing is a game in which gamblers bet on past races without knowing the names of the horses. Thayer has said it has been a big success at Oaklawn Park in Arkansas, where track officials credit the game with helping make millions in extra prize money for living racing.
      
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