Maryland Slots Vote Today

[DickHertz]

What is the expected outcome of the slots vote today?

[Sing Mia Song]

Unfortunately, I expect it will fail.

[Glimmerglass]

The Daily Racing Form suggested it was going to win significantly a few days ago. Although you just never know if poll numbers are realistic at all.

DRF/ESPN 10-31-08 (http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/horse/news/story?id=3676012)

A recent poll conducted by the Washington Post showed that 62 percent of likely voters supported the referendum, whereas 36 percent opposed it. Supporters of the referendum have contended that it will save the struggling racing industry while shoring up the state's finances during what will almost certainly be a prolonged recession.

The referendum would guarantee that Thoroughbred and Standardbred horsemen receive $100 million in subsidies annually from the five casinos, no matter where they are located. In addition, racetracks in the state - including Laurel Park and Pimlico Race Course - would receive an estimated $40 million in subsidies for capital improvements.

Hey the flipside is that at least Maryland voters aren't being asked to kill racing off. By comparison Massachusetts voters today can cease greyhound racing in that state by virtue of their vote today.

If passed, the state's two dog tracks would be forced to close by 2010.

[Xctrygirl]

I am constantly checking our local news station websites and I'm waiting.

Our polls close at 8 pm, so we have a while to wait.

I voted for it!!! Thats the power I have to change things. So after that, holding my breath hoping that it will work.

~Emily

[DickHertz]

It's early, but right now 9:10PM EDT, it's 62% to 38%.

Click link for updates

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/nation/politics/bal-election2008-ballotissue,0,7781989.htmlstory

[Janet]

NPR just announced that "slots in maryland" passed.

[Sonic Boom]

I am so thrilled to see the current results (74%), and shocked as well; I expected it to fail. That was one thing I was very, very happy to be voting YES to today.

[Texarkana]

Thank goodness!!!

[Xctrygirl]

Wooo Hoooo.

For those not in Maryland, the ads that ran on Tv only mentioned the possible influx of millions to the Education funds. Horses were NEVER mentioned. The closest it came was the mention that "Millions of Maryland dollars are constantly leaving our state, lets bring them back"

I thought it was really well done in the sense that trying to explain the whole benefit to horsemen was overly complex and not that interesting to the 'average' person. But tacking it onto the education industry was a home run... most people get how the lack of funds in the education section affects them, their friends etc.

~Emily

[Acertainsmile]

What a relief... it just amazes me how many people in Md didnt know what was going on though... I had a guy ask me yesterday (before he voted) if the slots were planned to go in every corner store and gas station... I had some quick explaining to do!

[Laurierace]

What a relief... it just amazes me how many people in Md didnt know what was going on though... I had a guy ask me yesterday (before he voted) if the slots were planned to go in every corner store and gas station... I had some quick explaining to do!

The ironic thing is in the city around Pimlico they already do have them in every corner store and bar. At least one, sometimes three or four of them. They are supposed to be for amusement only but they do pay out on them if you are a regular customer.
I actually didn't like the fact that they left the horses out of the ads, to me that was just proof that the horses were an afterthought and they were acknowledging that it is by far the worst agreement percentage wise for the horsemen out of any of them. The percentage is so low its not even worth mentioning sort of thing. But anything is better than nothing, at least now there is a glimmer of hope.

[DickHertz]

So what happens now that this has passed?

[caffeinated]

I hope it helps. I managed to convince a couple people in line to vote Yes, so I did my part! :)

[Acertainsmile]

The ironic thing is in the city around Pimlico they already do have them in every corner store and bar. At least one, sometimes three or four of them. They are supposed to be for amusement only but they do pay out on them if you are a regular customer.
I actually didn't like the fact that they left the horses out of the ads, to me that was just proof that the horses were an afterthought and they were acknowledging that it is by far the worst agreement percentage wise for the horsemen out of any of them. The percentage is so low its not even worth mentioning sort of thing. But anything is better than nothing, at least now there is a glimmer of hope.

I agree it's better than nothing.. as far as the adds go, I think it really ticked people off that any of the money was going to go to those "wealthy" track owners... so I can see why they might have left that info out...

[Xctrygirl]

I actually didn't like the fact that they left the horses out of the ads, to me that was just proof that the horses were an afterthought and they were acknowledging that it is by far the worst agreement percentage wise for the horsemen out of any of them. The percentage is so low its not even worth mentioning sort of thing. But anything is better than nothing, at least now there is a glimmer of hope.

I spoke to my Massachusetts based grand parents today. They, as you may or may not know, had a ballot issue about the future of Greyhound racing in Mass. The ads in that state jumped all over the 'bleeding heart, animal lovers' and showed abused dogs, dead dogs, etc. So now, surprise, no more Greyhound Racing in Mass. So where are all those greyhounds going?????

I think its a much better thing that we avoided that. This could easily have come off as an elitist sport that throws horses away. Oh and bad news folks, the most famous breakdown in recent years happened.....AT PIMLICO. Tell me that wouldn't have been grabbed in a heartbeat. And we could seen Barbaro on 3 legs over and over.

We got what we needed, and we did so without having to defend our sport. That to me is a true win win situation.

~Emily

[Flash44]

So what happens now that this has passed?

We tighten the belts and wait until 2011, when hopefully, the *&%$! politicians will be finished slugging out the details and we see some of the monetary results. In the meantime, the economy will suck rotten eggs until the middle of 2010, so hopefully there will still be some horsemen in MD left standing to help get the industry moving forward again. And I'm optimistic.