That was the confident boast of MI Developments CEO Dennis Mills in a story by Daily Racing Form’s Matt Hagerty on Mills announcing that Magna’s Gulfstream Park was installing lights, despite the fact that Florida law calls for a 7:00 p.m. cutoff for thoroughbred racing operation.
Hegarty quoted Mills as saying, “We’re so confident (the law will be changed) we’re going to set the lights up. You find me the legislator who is going to oppose something that creates jobs and sustains an industry.”
Mills went on to say night racing at Churchill Downs inspired the move toward nights at Gulfstream, which provide direct competition for horse players who currently patronize Pompano Park racing and racino.
As for night racing at Churchill, Mills said, “It’s like a bar with 35,000 people in it.”
(With files from Harness Tracks of America)