The U.S. Trotting Association, in conjunction with the Minnesota Racing Commission, Running Aces Racetrack, Kentucky Racing Commission, and Red Mile Racetrack, announced Monday (May 17) the introduction of a new Official’s Internship Training Program kicking off on May 30.
The first participant will be longtime Illinois harness horseman John Zawistowski, known as “Johnny Z” to many in the industry, who comes highly recommended by Meadows Standardbred Owners Association Executive Director and former USTA Director Kim Hankins.
At the conclusion of the Official’s Internship Training Program, Zawistowski will immediately join the staff of judges at Red Mile as an associate judge under the supervision of Red Mile Presiding Judge Tim Schmitz.
The Kentucky House of Representatives passed Senate Bill 120 Friday to legalize historical horse racing machines, a small win in the battle for the Oak Grove Racing, Gaming & Hotel in Christian County. The bill previously passed the state senate and now goes to Gov. Andy Beshearâs desk.
âSB 120 ensures that the facilities will remain open and resume operations as they are.â said Christian County Chamber of Commerce CEO Kelli Pendleton.
Pendleton testified at the Senate Licensing and Occupations hearing on Feb. 4 in support of the bill.
Last year, the Supreme Court of Kentucky unanimously ruled that the various forms of wagering on historical horse racing didnât meet the stateâs standards of pari-mutuel wagering. Some historical racing facilities closed after the ruling, but the facility in Oak Grove remained open.
Senate Bill 120, which would change the pari-mutuel wagering definition to include historical horse racing machines, passed in the Kentucky House of Representatives on Thursday.
Kentucky House passes bill aiming to legalize historical horse racing machines
Senate Bill 120 now awaits Gov. Beshear to sign into law
Kentucky House passes bill aiming to legalize historical horse racing machines By Keaton Eberly | February 11, 2021 at 7:22 PM CST - Updated February 11 at 11:48 PM
KENTUCKY (WFIE) - After nearly three hours of discussion Thursday, the Kentucky House of Representatives passed Senate Bill 120, which aims to legalize historical horse racing machines across the commonwealth.
The final vote was 55-38.
This comes after the Kentucky Supreme Court deemed the machines illegal weeks ago.
Ellis Park officials told 14 News that without the HHR machines, the track would not be able to stay open.