Times-Picayune report on CDI's business practices at Fair Grounds
 

Series of articles began today.
http://www.nola.com/horseracing/inde...03/post_9.html

Sad but true. FG used to be my second favorite winter track for many years.

Now it is turd.

Churchill will respond to these baseless allegations by opening The Plantation in the Fall of 2016.

the article makes some excellent points, ala a lot of the revenue from other properties gets funneled into Churchill for 2 days, and if they don't make their nut on those two days.... it's a problem.

CDI really needs to rid itself of Calder, its clearly an inferior product which i don't think will change especially now going head to head with gulfstream.

but even then, i really don't see this company putting money back into anything, except those 2 days in May

-bt-

CDI promises to make changes at Fair Grounds
 

CDI will do the absolute minimum for racing that lets them stay in the slot game--and not one thing beyond.

CDI Fairgrounds agreement
 

And in the future they want to raise takeout too, which has to go to the state legislature, which had voted 94-0 on a measure before the agreement.

http://www.theneworleansadvocate.com...t-fair-grounds

It is remarkable to me that they were able to move such political might in the state. I'm unfamiliar with the state politics, but good for them getting some of their demands addressed.

But as an old politician once told me, "Addressed ain't the same as done."

Horse racing is such a part of the culture in Louisiana that you rarely come across a state rep or similar who isn't, in some way, connected to the horse racing industry. To say that horse racing is a powerful lobby in the state is an understatement. It's more powerful than the casino lobby there.