Second North Florida Pari-Mutuel Seeks Wagering on Barrel Racing

A second North Florida county may be moving toward having a gaming facility featuring slot machines.

Hamilton Downs Horsetrack in Jasper has asked the Florida Division of Pari-Mutuel Wagering (DPMW) for permission to use its Quarter Horse racing permit to hold pari-mutuel barrel racing, according to Bloodhorse.com, which covers the thoroughbred and equine industry.

The application for the Hamilton County facility is the second application submitted for pari-mutuel barrel racing -- timed rodeo events where riders quickly round barrels in a cloverleaf pattern.

In Gadsden County, barrel racing is being used as a stepping stone toward the possibility of bringing in slot machines.

On Nov. 1, Gadsden County commissioners agreed to let the residents decide Jan. 31, 2012,if slot machines could be installed at Creek Entertainment Gretna Racing. Gretna is about 25 miles west of Tallahassee.

Hamilton Downs, north of the I-75/I-10 interchange, is about 90 miles eastof Tallahassee.

A provision in state law allows referendums to be held on slot machines for pari-mutuel facilities that hold a minimum number of events over a two-year period.

Gretna Racing intends to hold the minimum number of barrel racing events between Dec. 1 and Jan. 15.

The Florida Quarter Horse Racing Association, the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders and Owners Association and six other groups have filed a challenge to the Gretna license, questioning the legality of barrel racing as a pari-mutuel event under Florida law.

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