Horsemen Back Southland Racetrack Deal, but Vialet Warns No Signed Live Racing Agreement Is in Place

Horsemen from St. Thomas-St. John and St. Croix largely urged lawmakers Monday to approve the proposed Southland Gaming racetrack agreement, warning that another opportunity to revive the sport could disappear without it, while another industry representative argued that the package is fundamentally a gaming measure and questioned whether it addresses the structural failures that have repeatedly undermined horse racing in the territory. The competing positions were entered into the record during Monday’s Committee of the Whole discussion of Bill 36-0313, along with complaints from some horsemen that lawmakers waited until late in the process to raise concerns about portions of the agreement. Senators pushed back, saying the Legislature has been examining the proposal for months and has a responsibility to scrutinize its provisions before voting. Clinton Hedrington, representing the St. Thomas-St. John Horsemen Association, said members are “ready to welcome a permanent promoter on bo...