The walking death of pari-mutuel racing in Tennessee, Part 7
by Frank Cotolo
Part 1 is here.
Part 2 ishere.
Part 3 is here.
Part 4 is here.
Part 5 is here.
Part 6 ishere.
In 1987 the state of Texas resurrected legal pari-mutuel racing with a statewide referendum. This included betting on greyhound racing. The bill making pari-mutuel gambling legal required county residents’ approvals. The public reacted with positive reactions for thoroughbred racing. The first track was Manor Downs. Next came Lonestar Park and Retama Park and Sam Houston. No harness racing tracks were built. Greyhound racing was not as popular and after the next few decades the tracks devoted to betting on dogs “closed following catastrophic financial losses” according to state reports.
The sneaky pari-mutuels law passing in Tennessee circa 1987 did not ignite plans to build a “pari-mutuel facility” anywhere in the Volunteer State until one day when I heard news from Racing Commissioner Conrad.
“A project in Memphis is underway,” he said.
“Define ‘underway.”
“Property has been acquired with a letter of intent from investors.”
“Anyone I can talk to about it?”
“No.”
“Any details about the property aside from size? You know? A blueprint or business plan.”
“I’m not at liberty to share that with anyone not involved in the proposal.”
That moment was the moment I knew Commissioner Conrad was not going to share the most important information about any project proposal. I understood the situation. He had a good job. For the time being. He wanted to keep the job probably more than he cared a hoot or holler about getting a pari-mutuel racetrack built. He told me he would keep me posted on any further activity. I thanked him and returned to writing “Wolfman Jack’s Classic Rock,” a Nashville Network TV show.
Bouncing from radio to TV production with Wolfman in and out of town regularly I collected some brief comments about the new pari-mutuels law with influential people (executive and celebrity) in the country music community; it was based on a caveat of trust – that I would not identify anyone in return for honest responses.
“I don’t think anything like that is happening.”
“I’d love it personally. But I don’t imagine I’m in the majority of folks wanting lots of open gambling in Opryland.”
“Damned that would be something mighty exciting.”
“Don’t bet on that coming to any good conclusion.”
“We are already seeking a repeal of the law.”
A lot of others did not care one way or the other but no one I spoke with was ready to openly endorse a racetrack where folks “could get their livelihoods in a whole big mess losing money on betting on horses.”
The initial excitement for the sport in Texas did not inspire the Tennessee powers that be to make any serious moves on the 1987 passed law. Back then the full breadth of the internet was not realized as a strong pathway to online betting on any sport. And as of this writing even Texas is yet to legalize online sports betting; my sources say legislative leaders and many conservatives will reject it.
Speaking of rejections. Joe told me that the Wolfman Jack book idea was rejected outright by every publishing house we pitched. No specifics were given. Just not interested.
“Good handicapping there,” Natasha said.
“A talent lost in its money-making applications.”
“We’ll be fine,” she said in support of our Southern lifestyle.
I agreed and for a while she and I embraced a routine limited to our rented house in a neighborhood where we did not see signs of life in any house on the block; and the broadcasting center in the Opryland Hotel; and our bike rides with our two dogs around the local high-school stadium; and limited exploration in the suburban areas. A few of my cohorts at work warned us of driving too deep into the surrounding hills where there was still “bootleggin’ an unfriendly folks.”
Commissioner Conrad eventually called to tell me there was activity in the Memphis pari-mutuel track project.
“A few investors are supporting a track.”
“Is Memphis a good spot in your opinion?”
“Big population. Home of Elvis gets plenty of tourists.”
“How much activity makes the plan look like it can work?”
“Just between you and me?”
“Always, Mr. Conrad. No leaks from me to my pari-mutuel connections in the rest of the country.”
“It can work if the backers find a way to satisfy the strongest opposition.”
“Religious folks?”
“Among them, yeah. You getting the Jones to play the ponies again?”
“Not so much. I’d love to see a track for pacing and trotting for lots of reasons. I think it would catch on more than thoroughbreds. You know, it’s a lot more American in a way.”
“Don’t matter if a track runs pacers or trotters or dogs or donkeys. Someone’s got to make sure if there’s betting that the power folks are satisfied.”
