Racing Proviso Could Be Lifted

Gov. Phil Batt could support repeal of an existing requirement for at least some live racing at tracks taking bets on dog and horse races televised from other locations, a spokeswoman says.

Amy Kleiner said that kind of legislation could surface in the coming weeks after lawmakers convene next Monday.

The governor “would like to see simulcasting without live dog racing,” Kleiner said.

The comments came after owners of Les Bois Park in Boise leased Coeur d’Alene Greyhound Park to keep the financially-strapped track from going under.

The lease, effective New Year’s Day, will keep about 50 of the park’s 200 employees at work running the simulcasting operation. But to comply with current state law, Les Bois also plans a weekend or two of live racing.

Dog racing in Post Falls began over Batt’s objection as a legislator to expanding the state’s parimutuel wagering law from horses and mules to dogs. But park operators finally gave up late last year after losing $21 million over seven years.”It could be good, and it could be bad” was all Didericksen said.

In addition to simulcasts, the Les Bois group wants to try marketing the park’s clubhouse for conventions and other events.