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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Playfair Extension Sought

An amendment to the proposed state budget aimed at lengthening the horse racing season in Spokane is still alive.

The amendment attached by State Sen. Jim West, R-Spokane, stipulates no money goes to the Washington Horse Racing Commission unless the state’s three major racing associations, including Playfair, receive at least 60 days with state-wide simulcasting.

Playfair is scheduled to open for a 50-day season on Sept. 6.

Playfair opened for training Saturday and serves as an off-track betting site for races from Yakima Meadows until the on-site season.

Local horse people have organized in an attempt to win additional warm-weather racing days. West said he hopes his amendment will lead to that.

“It’s still on the budget but, we’re a long way from being done,” he said.

Commission executive secretary Bruce Batson referred comment to commission chair Barbara Shinpoch. Attempts to reach her Wednesday were not successful.

Her initial reaction, West said, was that Playfair’s extra days could come in December.

“She wasn’t happy, but I’ve talked with her since then,” West said. “I’ve asked her to meet with the affected parties to see if they can’t reach some kind of accommodation. I’m not willing to change that language in the budget until they’re ready to do something.”

Playfair general manager Dan Hillyard said he hasn’t heard from Shinpoch.

Elsewhere, construction is under way on the track at Auburn despite another legal hurdle.

The completion date remains April 26. Western Washington has been without a race track for three seasons after Longacres closed.

The Associated Press reported Wednesday that the Citizens Alliance to Protect Our Wetlands (CAPOW), a group of 35 Auburn residents, filed suit in U.S. District Court in Seattle. The group is seeking to invalidate a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers permit allowing the filling of 17.4 acres of wetlands at the Auburn site.

Arguments are to be heard on May 8. Until then, construction will continue, said Jack Hodge, one of the investors in the track.

The Corps issued the permit April 7, after months of study.

Workers already have filled about 2.8 acres of wetlands on the site, said CAPOW’s lawyer, Jeffrey Eustis. He estimated another 2.5 acres would be filled before the hearing.

Eustis said that under the federal Clean Water Act, wetlands can’t be filled if there is a practical alternative, including non-wetland sites. He said a site in Lacey, where another group wants to build a track, has no wetlands.

The commission passed over Lacey in favor of Auburn.

Meanwhile, the recommendation from administrative law judge David G. Hansen in the case of jockey’s agent LeRoy Nelson could take up to 90 days.

Hansen has, by statute, that long to issue his recommendation on Nelson’s appeal for a state license.