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Award-winning columnist Tom Archdeacon — an old-school storyteller in a brand-new venue — writes about sports, the city, southwest Ohio and anything else that catches his fancy… or yours.Home > Blogs > Through the Arch > Archives > 2009 > July > 19 > Entry
Horsemen say slots will save Ohio’s racing
Paul Ciambro remembers his trip several years ago from Toledo to the Montgomery County Fairgrounds. with two race horses in tow:
“I needed two stalls and couldn’t find any. More than 200 stalls here and they all were full.”
The 66-year-old Ciambro was sitting along the mostly deserted shedrow on the backside of the fairgrounds the other day, his three standardbreds stabled behind him.
There’s no problem finding a stall now. Just a handful of small time horseman keep just over two dozen horses there.
The place serves as a microcosm of Ohio harness racing: Tracks are in financial trouble, racing dates have been reduced, purses are small and many of the best owners. trainers, drivers and horses have moved to states were the racing is more lucrative.
“We’ve got about five top drivers who started their careers at Lebanon now racing in Pennsylvania,” said Tom Gray, another horseman. “Over in Indiana they’re racing for more than twice the money we are….It’s because they’re all racinos.”
Those are race tracks with casinos which funnel back a percentage of their take into the sport.
Just recently the Ohio legislature approved a budget that allows video lottery terminals at Ohio’s seven race tracks.
While it’s a polarizing issue — Warren County officials won’t allow slot machines at Lebanon Raceway, prompting the owners of the cash-strapped track to look at building a new track possibly in Montgomery County — the fairgrounds horseman have some definite ideas.
They shared them — along with a symbolic story of a hypnotized pig — the other day and that’s the subject of my column in today’s newspaper, a story that’s also found on this sports web page.
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January 9, 2011 2:45 PM | Link to this
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December 20, 2010 12:43 AM | Link to this
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By GooftBifahBic
October 22, 2009 2:01 PM | Link to this
Может это банально, но просто хотелось выразить благодарность автору. Обычно комментаторы заваливают своими проблемами и вопросами, а спасибо нынче не в ходу, чтобы не посчитали комментарий за спам. Но поверьте, спасибо иногда говорить надо.
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September 3, 2009 10:53 PM | Link to this
По-моему, у Вас украли эту статью и поместили на другом сайте. Я её уже видела.
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August 18, 2009 5:55 AM | Link to this
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August 11, 2009 2:24 PM | Link to this
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August 9, 2009 7:17 PM | Link to this
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By Usenet Trial
July 29, 2009 5:59 PM | Link to this
Thanks for this post!
By JohnP
July 20, 2009 1:24 AM | Link to this
Why should the horse racing busines have exclusivity on video slots? It’s a goverment bailout if they do. Should be voted on by Ohio electorate. If approved by voters the video slots should be put in every business that wants them and then lower everyones’ property taxes not make a few people rich. The anti-gambling groups are going to court to stop video slots, saying no Governor has the executive authority it must be voter approved. Gambling ruins peoples lifes, former UK and NBA basketball star A. Walker just arrested in Las Vegas for $800k in bad gambling debuts.
By DEB
July 19, 2009 6:16 PM | Link to this
People in Ohio need to stop being such prudes. It is really stupid to keep sending the bucks across state lines. Adults should be able to choose what they want to do with their spare time and not worry about holier than thous dictate what they “should” be doing. BTW up north the Catholics make out big time on festivals. You can gamble and drink your heart out there. I never met a Catholic I didn’t like!
By DEB
July 19, 2009 6:12 PM | Link to this
Gambling on horse racing is way more exciting than pumping quarters into a hole over and over. I would say it is probably the oldest form of gambling. At least you are gambling on something that lives and breathes instead of going up against a machine that is preset.
By DEB
July 19, 2009 6:06 PM | Link to this
I think it would enhance the racetrack to have the slots. But harness racing needs some serious marketing. If only Hollywood could come out with a great movie on harness racing. The movies helped put poker back on the map.
By Roni Alleno`
July 19, 2009 4:45 PM | Link to this
Just do it!
By Jim
July 19, 2009 4:08 PM | Link to this
All of the 3 Ohio thoroughbred tracks are also eligible to install slots, so this will end up helping the entire horse racing business.
By jake
July 19, 2009 3:37 PM | Link to this
any chance they could have it serve thoroughbreds as well as harness?
By Jack
July 19, 2009 2:05 PM | Link to this
My comment was disallowed and I have never made a comment. I guess you just didn’t like my comment
By jack
July 19, 2009 2:04 PM | Link to this
We are horse folks and we know many of our friends who depend on this business for their livlihood. The slots will hopefully bring back some stability for these folks. Why let all of it go across the border. Ohio was once the hub of all harness racing.
By Bill, Jimmy & Tommy
July 19, 2009 1:45 PM | Link to this
Tom Gray an expert at everything, just ask him. Only thing he’s not good at is paying his bar tab.
By John
July 19, 2009 12:37 PM | Link to this
$1billion and a half are spent by Ohio people in neighboring state’s that now will be spent in Ohio
By Jim
July 19, 2009 12:05 PM | Link to this
It’s not about having to have a gimmick. It’s about the times changing. With so many entertainment options now, partnerships end up helping everyone. Do you really think the Dayton Dragons would would see out every game if it was just about baseball? And gambling “trashy?” Stay away from it if you don’t like it, and stop telling other people how they should live their lives.
By Hugh Jaynis
July 19, 2009 12:02 PM | Link to this
Yes, I’m sure those who hang out at the track all day are real economists. Is it really necessary to save the racing and add something as trashy as gambling? no.
By Tom
July 19, 2009 11:15 AM | Link to this
If the main purpose of a business needs a sideshow gimmick to survive, then something is wrong with the core business. If I went to the fairgrounds to play the slots, drop the horses, and rebuild the place into a casino. Whatever you do, make it state-of-the-art.