I never thought I'd see the day the state that is home to the NGA and the Greyhound Hall of Fame wouldn't have live racing but it appears that will be the case in about 30 days.
TOPEKA, Kan. -- The Woodlands Race Course will be closing this summer.
On Tuesday, Kansas Racing announced that it is closing the horse and dog track in Kansas City, Kan. Greyhound racing will cease at the Woodlands on Aug. 24.
In a news release, President Howard Grace said the industry has faced declining revenues for years and that the Woodlands has been operating a financial loss for some time.
Kansas Racing said it hopes it will reopen with new gaming revenue at some point in the future.
The track has been negotiating a contract with the Kansas Lottery for 800 slot machines, but no agreement has been reached.
Lottery Executive Director Ed Van Petten said Woodlands officials told him they didn't see a way to make a deal work under current state law.
The statute gives 40 percent of revenues from slots to the state; 25 percent to the track; and 20 percent to local governments and various funds to help horses, dogs, smaller tracks and problem gamblers. The other 15 percent is negotiable.
Van Petten said the state was willing to give the Woodlands the other 15 percent, but the track still didn't think it would make enough money.
Watch for updates on this story on KMBC 9 News.
Full Version: Kansas is done
I'm at a loss for words right now. Maybe more in a few days. This is where we raced our dogs. This is the second time in the last year we have had a track close out from under us. When will it all end?
That is bad news.
This makes me so sad.
| QUOTE (Fast Dog @ Jul 23 2008, 08:37 AM) |
| I'm at a loss for words right now. Maybe more in a few days. This is where we raced our dogs. This is the second time in the last year we have had a track close out from under us. When will it all end? |
Do you have racers there now FD? Woodlands is a very tough track for the money, they could easily compete at a number of other tracks.
These states are asking for outrageous percentages of slot money. When I first saw this article I thought the track might be trying to get a better percentage but then I realized that it's not a negotiable thing for the state to take less out, it would have to be approved by the KS legislature first. The states should get nothing more than their regular take out from parimutuel pools when it comes to the slots.
| QUOTE (xracers @ Jul 24 2008, 06:10 AM) |
| Do you have racers there now FD? Woodlands is a very tough track for the money, they could easily compete at a number of other tracks. These states are asking for outrageous percentages of slot money. When I first saw this article I thought the track might be trying to get a better percentage but then I realized that it's not a negotiable thing for the state to take less out, it would have to be approved by the KS legislature first. The states should get nothing more than their regular take out from parimutuel pools when it comes to the slots. |
Yes I have dogs there now.
And you are correct about KC being a tough track. If a dog can't turn 31 or less you don't have any business running KC.
I've got a B grade that turns consistant high to mid 30's and still can't break into A.
You are right that the legislature will have to approve anything other than what has been passed into law. The legislature does not reconvene until January, so it doesn't look like anything is going to get done if any until then.
What is sad is the destination casinos and the tracks are being taxed at different rates. The track owners only want to be treated fair and I don't think thats an unreasonable request. Ruffin will not consider opening Camptown or getting Wichita back on the ballot for a revote if these issues are not first resolved.
This is all still pretty tough to stomach right now and we are going to have to pull ourselves together and find somewhere else to run our dogs.
Sorry Fast Dog. I wish you the best of luck finding a good track and kennel to run your dogs.
Maybe when the legislature reconvenes things will get straightened out in KS.
Maybe when the legislature reconvenes things will get straightened out in KS.
Today's press release:
THE WOODLANDS RACE PARK TO ASSIST IN PLACING ALL GREYHOUNDS AFFECTED BY TRACK CLOSURE
KANSAS CITY, KS (July 24, 2008) – All greyhounds currently racing at The Woodlands Race Park will be transferred to another track to race, placed in adoptive homes as pets or returned to the farm for breeders or pets when the track closes.
Kansas Racing, LLC recently announced that due to declining revenues, The Woodlands will not be running a horse meet in 2008 and will cease live greyhound racing and simulcast operations effective the close of business Saturday, August 23, 2008.
“Greyhound welfare is our top priority,” said Jayme LaRocca, General Manager. “In partnership with Pups Without Partners, we will continue to work with all groups to ensure that every greyhound is placed and cared for.”
Track management will work with the Kansas Racing & Gaming Commission, Kennel Operators, National Greyhound Association, American Greyhound Track Operators Association and associated adoption groups to determine how many greyhounds will need adoptive homes. Pups Without Partners, the track’s greyhound adoption program, is spearheading the adoption effort and is being assisted by other local adoption groups. Greyhounds that are not placed in adoptive homes locally will be transported to adoption groups throughout the US and Canada who can assist in the effort.
“Greyhounds make wonderful pets,” said Janie McBride from Pups Without Partners. “We encourage anyone interested in owning a greyhound as a pet to call (913) 299-9797 Ext. 427 or visit www.woodlandskc.com for more information.”
THE WOODLANDS RACE PARK TO ASSIST IN PLACING ALL GREYHOUNDS AFFECTED BY TRACK CLOSURE
KANSAS CITY, KS (July 24, 2008) – All greyhounds currently racing at The Woodlands Race Park will be transferred to another track to race, placed in adoptive homes as pets or returned to the farm for breeders or pets when the track closes.
Kansas Racing, LLC recently announced that due to declining revenues, The Woodlands will not be running a horse meet in 2008 and will cease live greyhound racing and simulcast operations effective the close of business Saturday, August 23, 2008.
“Greyhound welfare is our top priority,” said Jayme LaRocca, General Manager. “In partnership with Pups Without Partners, we will continue to work with all groups to ensure that every greyhound is placed and cared for.”
Track management will work with the Kansas Racing & Gaming Commission, Kennel Operators, National Greyhound Association, American Greyhound Track Operators Association and associated adoption groups to determine how many greyhounds will need adoptive homes. Pups Without Partners, the track’s greyhound adoption program, is spearheading the adoption effort and is being assisted by other local adoption groups. Greyhounds that are not placed in adoptive homes locally will be transported to adoption groups throughout the US and Canada who can assist in the effort.
“Greyhounds make wonderful pets,” said Janie McBride from Pups Without Partners. “We encourage anyone interested in owning a greyhound as a pet to call (913) 299-9797 Ext. 427 or visit www.woodlandskc.com for more information.”
It's not the Woodlands dogs that need to be worried about- it's the dogs at the tracks that Woodland racers go to.
Example: 30 Woodlands dogs go to Palm Beach. That means 30 Palm Beach dogs go to SOKC and 30 SOKC dogs have to either go to JCKC, adoption groups or back to the owners. Then 30 JCKC dogs have to go somewhere....and then add the pups that are on the farms that were bred on the expectation that the CO and KS tracks would be open.....
Example: 30 Woodlands dogs go to Palm Beach. That means 30 Palm Beach dogs go to SOKC and 30 SOKC dogs have to either go to JCKC, adoption groups or back to the owners. Then 30 JCKC dogs have to go somewhere....and then add the pups that are on the farms that were bred on the expectation that the CO and KS tracks would be open.....
| QUOTE (xracers @ Jul 24 2008, 04:23 PM) |
| Sorry Fast Dog. I wish you the best of luck finding a good track and kennel to run your dogs. Maybe when the legislature reconvenes things will get straightened out in KS. |
Thanks. We can sure use some prayers and some luck.
You can be sure of one thing--- When the dog people and the horse people in Kansas go to the poles this Nov. We will definitely have an agenda!
| QUOTE (xracers @ Jul 25 2008, 04:30 AM) |
| It's not the Woodlands dogs that need to be worried about- it's the dogs at the tracks that Woodland racers go to. Example: 30 Woodlands dogs go to Palm Beach. That means 30 Palm Beach dogs go to SOKC and 30 SOKC dogs have to either go to JCKC, adoption groups or back to the owners. Then 30 JCKC dogs have to go somewhere....and then add the pups that are on the farms that were bred on the expectation that the CO and KS tracks would be open..... |
I could not agree with you more.
I remember when Shoreline closed and everyone was so pleased that every dog was moved. Of course they were moved to tracks that had to make room for them, also those sent to adoption saturated adoption groups in the NE so the gradeoffs from other tracks had no place to go.
Another good one was the dogs from Mexico that were shipped to Ohio rather than out west. I remember one person involved in the move said 18 dogs taking spots normally filled by dogs from out there was no big deal. Of course to those 18 dogs it was a death sentence. But this woman was too busy patting herself on the back to be reasoned with.
So looking at this realistically, the total number of dogs coming off that track is equal to the total number of dogs who will need homes, regardless of where they actually go.
Jenna
Jenna
| QUOTE (Jenna @ Jul 26 2008, 04:24 AM) |
| So looking at this realistically, the total number of dogs coming off that track is equal to the total number of dogs who will need homes, regardless of where they actually go. Jenna |
Yep, and the pups bred to replace the ones at the track now that are on the farms. Most pups are 16-18 months old when they go to the tracks. Now those pups have nowhere to go too. Same as the pups that were bred to replace CO racers. You can't see them but they're there on the farms.
Do you know if a lot will go to Caliente?
Hey guys, it's been a while since I've posted, but I used to be blameitonrio. Anyway, We live not far from KC and Rio raced there, so the woodlands has been near and dear to my heart. I've spoken with Janie, the director of their adoption group, Pups Without Partners, on several occasions in the past and think she's great.
As soon as the news broke about the woodlands closing, I went to PWP's website and discovered that KC REGAP is helping Janie place the large number of dogs that are now going to need to be placed and is in charge of screening the new applications. As many of you may know, KC REGAP, aside from being very AR, has VERY strict adoption rules--no dogs to homes with children under 5 yoa, no consideration for someone without a fence, etc. None of these were the rules at Pwp when it was just Janie. I know that the point of this is to get the best possible home for the dogs and to minimize returns, but it definitely will limit the # of available homes for these pups.
As soon as the news broke about the woodlands closing, I went to PWP's website and discovered that KC REGAP is helping Janie place the large number of dogs that are now going to need to be placed and is in charge of screening the new applications. As many of you may know, KC REGAP, aside from being very AR, has VERY strict adoption rules--no dogs to homes with children under 5 yoa, no consideration for someone without a fence, etc. None of these were the rules at Pwp when it was just Janie. I know that the point of this is to get the best possible home for the dogs and to minimize returns, but it definitely will limit the # of available homes for these pups.
Why the hell did they team up with KC REGAP? They don't come more AR then KC REGAP. What about using her head and teaming up with GPA MoKan?
I have no idea. I was pretty shocked when I read that on their website. Like I said, I've talked with the director several times and she always seemed really reasonable in terms of being pretty race neutral, and she always spoke highly of some of the trainers and owners at the Woodlands, and I always found her adoption rules to be pretty reasonable. So when I went to the PWP site on Friday and say that she had teamed up with REGAP, I was actually speechless. So then I clicked on the like she provided for the adoption app, and it was REGAP's app, with all the same REALLY strict rules, though on REGAP's front page I no longer see the pictures of the starving dog that used to be on there, so maybe they had to remove some of that overtly AR stuff from their front page at least. I have no idea how this came about, but I agree GPA MO-Kan would have been my first choice.
I know alot of the kennel owners, dog owners and farm owners out in KS got out of their way and hold dogs longer just so they don't have to give them to KC REGAP- it's just outrageous that KC REGAP is involved with this at all. It's just asking for trouble and lie's.
It's one thing to give them a couple of dogs to shut them up but it almost looks like they're taking over the closing. They have big ties to Grey2k.
It's one thing to give them a couple of dogs to shut them up but it almost looks like they're taking over the closing. They have big ties to Grey2k.
And we all know Grey2K SUCKS!!!!
Maybe they are the only ones who can help.
Jenna
Jenna
| QUOTE (xracers @ Jul 26 2008, 04:40 AM) |
| Same as the pups that were bred to replace CO racers. You can't see them but they're there on the farms. Do you know if a lot will go to Caliente? |
I haven't heard anything yet but I imagine there will be.
Jenna
| QUOTE (Jenna @ Jul 27 2008, 07:40 PM) |
| Maybe they are the only ones who can help. Jenna |
Jenna their are at least 10 other groups that could help. Somethings going on here, why would the track even think about having a Grey2k associated group practically take over the adoption of the dogs?
Either the track is using them so no one wants to leave dogs(then they don't have to pay out to much money for upkeep on the dogs) or something else is up.
I just saw a posting from another group who says they have the situation under control..... "business as usual".
Jenna
Jenna
Don't know for sure, but heard through the grapevine that KCregap was one group that stepped up to help, and the group the is moving the dogs out on the haul was called by the Kansas Gaming comission to help wtih the closing. Maybe the other group in town has not stepped up to help. Who knows.
You don't sleep with the enemy without a reason that will benefit you. KC REGAP activily fought the tracks on many issues including the slots. They have already put out ridiculous emails that make racing look bad. Now how could the track benefit from that? Well, seeing as the track states that it has been losing money for years with the dogs having to be there, maybe this is their way of getting a proposal like the one in Mass that lets the track have the slots without the dogs. You never know......
