Ohio HBPA & Belterra Park Sign New Track Agreement Signal Export to Resume Tuesday

The Ohio HBPA and Belterra Park entered into a new track agreement on Monday, September 14 replacing the old agreement which was signed in 1996.

Highlights of the agreement include; a training and stabling schedule that will go from April 15th through October 31st each year, with training to be conducted 6 days per week before and during the live meet and 5 days per week after the live meet concludes each year; a 50/50 division of all export simulcast revenues which is how most racing states operate but is not the case by statute in Ohio unless the parties agree ; a minimum of 80% of the 1015 assignable stalls at the track must be allocated to trainers who have stabled at an Ohio track in that year or the preceding year; locks in dorm room fees at the current rates throughout the contract term; requires that any racing or training days that are cancelled be made up; requires that the horsemen’s share of VLT proceeds at the track be held by the OHBPA with a minimum of 80% of those funds being held in a segregated account to be used solely for thoroughbred purses at Belterra Park; reduces the amount which can be used from the purse account for open stakes races each year which allows for more purse money for the overnight program (this is only open stakes, the Ohio stakes program remains the same).

The agreement runs through December 31, 2023 and renews on a year to year basis thereafter unless either party opts out at least 90 days prior to the renewal date.

The Ohio HBPA has granted export approval for Belterra Park through the end of the meet and the signal should be available at all wagering outlets that it was previously available at beginning Tuesday, September 15th.