Friday Hound Blogging

Rut Ro. Looks like the horse overlords and the dog overlords are getting into a bit of a spat on how to divvy up the rubes.

In 1994 the state enacted a statute to ensure that both horse and greyhound racing tracks in Pima County would have their business enterprises fortified from larger racing entities and that no monopolies would exist. A current bill before the legislature, SB 1329 seeks to change the relationship between horse and dog racing operations.

Recent articles and editorials in the Arizona Daily Star show how one-sided the larger, more profitable tracks in Maricopa County plan to wipe out Tucson Greyhound Park. "They want to drive us out of business and it's completely unfair," said Chris McConnell is the general manager of Tucson Greyhound Park. "Those horse guys don't work for a living, why should we?"

"More profitable tracks? Yeah. Right. Have you seen the size of the trailer I live in?" Tim Kelly, president of the Pima County Horsemen's Association responded. "Look, the marks are dying off and no one is stupid enough to replace them We just want our share, that's all."

Agreements between Tucson Greyhound Park and the Turf Paradise and Yavapai Downs horse tracks dictate the terms of revenue dispersion. About two-thirds of the revenues go to Turf Paradise/Yavapai racetracks and their horsemen. The remaining one-third is dispersed in Pima County. "Who we going to get to help us with that math?" Kelly asked

Language in SB 1329 states that in Pima County, the greyhound permitee must get the permission from the horse permitee to operate simulcast greyhound racing before 4 p.m. "OK, I can get someone to tell me when it's 4pm, but what's a 'permitee'? Math. English. These weren't my best subjects in school," McConnell said.

No surprise there, huh Mysty.


Mysty has a very sweet, friendly and loving personality. She wags her tail non-stop and loves to play with and squeak her squeaky toys. She approaches the foster family quite freely and is very affectionate and rubs on them to be petted. For more information about this dog, and other rescued racing greyhounds looking for homes, go here. If you don't know about the plight of racing greyhounds go here