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St. Peters Track Dependent on Change in Simulcast Legislation

April 22, 2002
By: Brian Connolly
State Capital Bureau
Links: HB 1679

Missouri lawmakers are considering a bill that could give the state its first horse racing track.

Brian Connolly has that story from Jefferson City.

Live horse racing has been legal in Missouri for 15 years. But Rep. Wayne Crump says limits on how often tracks can offer simulcast racing stand in the way.

Actuality:CRU1
RunTime: 11
OutCue: and that won't work
Contents: The betting on just live racing on a track will not support a track, the law is now one day of simulcasting for one day of racing and that won't work.

A group that wants to build a track in St. Peters says their plans hinge on removing the simulcast restrictions.

In Jefferson City, Brian Connolly.

The fate of live horse racing in St. Peters is in the hands of Missouri lawmakers.

Brian Connolly has that story from Jefferson City.

Current law keeps horse racing tracks from offering simulcast racing more often than live racing. Louis Cella says if legislators lift those restrictions his family won't waste any time moving forward with plans for a track in St. Peters.

Actuality:CELLA5
RunTime: 20
OutCue: IN MISSOURI AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
Contents: WE'D WORK WITH THE GAMING COMMISSION, CITY OF ST PETERS AND BUILD THE TRACK AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

Missouri voters approved horse racing in 1984, but right now there are no tracks operating.

In Jefferson City, Brian Connolly.

Developers planning a horse racing track within driving distance of St. Louis are looking for help from the Missouri General Assembly.

Brian Connolly has the story from Jefferson City.

Louis Cella says simulcast racing is a requirement before his family proceeds with plans to build a track in St. Peters. Cella is asking lawmakers to elminate current restrictions on how often tracks can offer simulcast racing.

Actuality:CELLA3
RunTime: 12
OutCue: WHAT DRIVES THE RACING INDUSTRY.
Contents: GENERATES REVENUE FOR THE STATE AND PURSE MONEY FOR THE HORSEMEN.

Right now tracks can only have one day of simulcasts for each day of live racing.

Some say that restriction is why Missouri currently has no tracks in operation.

In Jefferson City, Brian Connolly.

Plans for a horse racing track in St. Peters depend on a win down the back stretch of Missouri's legislative session.

Brian Connolly has the story from Jefferson City.

Current Missouri law limits horse racing tracks to one day of simulcast racing for each day of live racing. Louis Cella says his family's plans for a track in St. Peters hinge on allowing unlimited simulcasting.

Actuality:CELLA2
RunTime: 16
OutCue: BUT THEY HAVE TO GO OUT OF STATE.
Contents: THE BOTTOM LINE IS IT'S STILL HORSE RACING, WHICH IS ALREADY LEGAL IN MISSOURI.

The House passed a bill that would remove the limit on simulcasting.

A Senate committee will discuss it again on Thursday.

In Jefferson City, Brian Connolly.

The fate of live horse racing in St. Peters is in the hands of Missouri lawmakers.

Brian Connolly has that story from Jefferson City.

Louis Cella says his family's plans to build a track in St. Peters depend on simulcasting.

Actuality:CELLA4
RunTime: 11
OutCue: be interested in anything without that
Contents: Simulcasting is a must if they're going to build a track

Curent law limits tracks to one day of simulcast racing for each day of live racing.

A bill allowing tracks to have unlimited simulcast racing has already been passed in the House.

A Senate committee will continue hearing the bill Thursday.

In Jefferson City, Brian Connolly.