The Iowa Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association and the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority are working toward an agreement that would satisfy both sides’ concerns over the annual assessment fee at Prairie Meadows.
The total assessment fee for the track this year is $1,187,942. That is before credits for commission duties done on behalf of HISA are factored into the equation. The assessment amount is determined using a formula incorporating starts and purse money per track. The assessment fee for Prairie Meadows is split 50-50 between the track and state HBPA.
According to Jon Moss, executive director of the Iowa HBPA, the 2024 assessment fee for the horsemen is approximately $420,000. Owner Allen Poindexter, who serves as an owner/director of the Iowa HBPA, said the dispute has been ongoing since last year.
“We did not pay our ’23 assessment deal and we have not paid anything in ’24,” Poindexter said.
HISA has assessed the racing states $77.5 million for 2024 to operate its Racetrack Safety Program and the Anti-Doping and Medication Control Program. If a state commission declines to pay the assessment, the expense is passed on to the racetracks.
“Behind the scenes, many, many different racetracks and horsemen’s groups have been negotiating on whatever fee they’ve been assessed. So we’re in the middle of doing the same,” Moss said.
Prairie Meadows’ vice president of racing Derron Heldt said the track is current on its portion of the assessment fee.
A concern for Iowa horsemen is that HISA might implement an additional fee per starter at the track to start recouping the HBPA’s share of the state assessment, but both sides expressed optimism that this would be avoided. HISA confirmed to BloodHorse that a starter fee at Prairie Meadows is not imminent.
As for a time frame in which he would anticipate a resolution, Moss said the lack of one since the sides began discussing a resolution has been part of the issue.
“There are things in the rules. I thought with HISA that some of these things are supposed to be done, but it’s readily apparent to us at this point that, based on what we’ve seen with other racetracks and other racing associations, it’s you just need to negotiate, work in good faith and continue to move forward, and that’s what we’re trying to do,” said Moss.
Prairie Meadows’ meet began May 10 and runs through Sept. 28.
Before factoring in credits, Gulfstream Park has the highest assessment fee for 2024 at $5.6 million, followed by Parx Racing at $4.3 million, Santa Anita Park at $3.4 million, Churchill Downs at $3.3 million, and Laurel Park at $3.1 million.
By state, New York ($9.05 million), Kentucky ($8.50 million), California ($7.67 million), and Pennsylvania ($7.06 million) have the highest 2024 assessment totals.
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