Muckleshoots Up Ante In Bid To Run Playfair

With the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe’s plan to assume operations at Playfair Race Course still on hold Monday, the Tribal Council moved to sweeten the deal.

Responding to criticism that their project to revive racing in Eastern Washington may be underfinanced, the Tribe agreed to add $300,000 to the initial estimate of capitalization.

New Playfair Park Inc. president Phil Ziegler said the Tribe is willing to spend $710,000 to capitalize, up from the originally announced $410,000.

“It was felt that $410,000 was enough, but this is an even stronger commitment from the Tribe that answers questions of what might happen if improvements cost more than anticipated,” Ziegler said.

The Washington Horse Racing Commission met privately Friday but made no announcement on the Muckelshoots’ application for a license to operate the Spokane track.

If the commission gives the goahead, improvements to the front and back sides of the state’s oldest racing facility will begin, Ziegler said.

Testimony at the Aug. 6 racing commission meeting in the Seattle suburb of Normandy Park included concern over what Playfair will really cost to operate and the Tribe’s likely reaction to it.

“We have answered all their questions,” Ziegler said, referring to the racing commission, Northwest Racing Associates, which operates Emerald Downs, and others, mostly based in Western Washington, who have questioned whether the Muckleshoot have the best interests of horse racing at heart.

The Tribe operates a casino 7 miles from Emerald Downs in Auburn. Opposition forces cite the conflict between gaming and racing interests.

Eastern Washington racing interests contend the Tribe has the best - and most would say only - plan to keep Playfair from going dark.

, DataTimes