W.Va. Breeders Say Budget Cuts Hurting Ractracks

Thoroughbred and greyhound breeders say that budget cuts to state racing subsidies are hurting the industry.

The Charleston Gazette reports the two groups made their cases to a legislative committee Wednesday.

Most recently, the state chopped racing subsidies for the current budget year by 10 percent.

Mardi Gras racetrack in Charleston showed purses for greyhound racing dropped from $98,000 for the first week of Sept. 2010 to $61,700 this year. The weekly share going to greyhound owners dropped from $34,700 in 2010 to $18,200 this year.

West Virginia Greyhound Owners and Breeders Association President Sam Burdette said three of 17 kennels at Mardi Gras made enough to cover expenses last week.

Thoroughbred breeders expressed similar financial concerns.

Representatives from the tracks did not attend.