The defeat of the slots-at-tracks bill in Kentucky last night by a 10-5 vote in the senate budget committee not to recommend consideration by the full senate, had almost immediate repercussions.

To ensure his determination to kill slots held up, senate president David Williams ruled out any possibility of the issue surfacing again in conference committee. The special session called by governor Steve Beshear to consider the issue could end as early as today, but the impact of the vote was even speedier.

Owner Ron Geary of Ellis Park confirmed that he will close the track after the last race on United States' Labour Day, saying, “My goal was to save it. It’s a very sad day for Ellis Park, a very sad day for the thoroughbred horse industry in Kentucky.”

President and CEO Bob Elliston of Turfway Park in Kentucky, just south of Cincinnati, said his track could close next year with the combination of no slots in Kentucky and the approval of slots at Ohio tracks by Ohio governor Ted Strickland over the weekend. Turfway, is just eight miles from Ohio’s River Downs.

(Harness Tracks of America)