I totally agree that people who own horses have an economic impact on the state's economy. If that is the justification for receiving a handout, then the broader picture should be considered.

Does Ohio have more racehorses or non-race horses? How much of this handout, which is intended to promote economic growth, actually leaves the state?

According to the USTA, only 5,534 separate horses started races in Ohio in 2025. I do not know how many of those horses were owned by people from out of state. Clearly, the non-race horse population in Ohio is much larger. I can say that because of the AQHA annual report.

People who own non-race horses also contribute a tremendous amount of money to the economy. All horse owners buy hay and grain, pay veterinarians and farriers, and many own trucks and trailers as well.

This is like claiming that food stamps are great for the economy simply because people spend them on food. That line of thinking does not justify handouts when one group of horse owners requires no subsidies while representing a much larger portion of the horse industry.

Giving the money to almost anything would boast the economy. Using it for infrastructure has a similar but larger direct impact AND a secondary impact of making business easier. On top of that, people want infrastructure much more than they care about racing. I would propose using the money to reduce taxes.  If racing cannot stand on its own, why should it exist? Why should a private business )casino) be required to keep a business (racing) they lose money on? All that land used by racetracks could be put to more valuable uses. The racing industry better figure out a way to support itself or at somepoint it will become much smaller or disappear.  Wake up!

Spot on Brown Jug.

I totally agree that people who own horses have an economic impact on the state's economy. If that is the justification for receiving a handout, then the broader picture should be considered.

Does Ohio have more racehorses or non-race horses? How much of this handout, which is intended to promote economic growth, actually leaves the state?

According to the USTA, only 5,534 separate horses started races in Ohio in 2025. I do not know how many of those horses were owned by people from out of state. Clearly, the non-race horse population in Ohio is much larger. I can say that because of the AQHA annual report.

People who own non-race horses also contribute a tremendous amount of money to the economy. All horse owners buy hay and grain, pay veterinarians and farriers, and many own trucks and trailers as well.

This is like claiming that food stamps are great for the economy simply because people spend them on food. That line of thinking does not justify handouts when one group of horse owners requires no subsidies while representing a much larger portion of the horse industry.

presently 5 race horses

7 broodmares 
6 in foal..i aborted last month,,

my first breed filly i sold at hoosier sale has won 6 outta 7 races at the fair circuit in indy,,,her name BELLA NOTTE

2 weanling colts on the ground

2 yearling fillies on the ground..

bad yr for myself racing ,,many issues

THATS MY BAND

American Power has the 8 hole but after seeing him race live at the Zweig he should make it very interesting.

it's called business Kenny. They're not government handouts,, you can't have a casino without a racetrack it's the price of doing business.

That is false. That is a government stipulation that can disappear with a signature. I would love to see it put to a referendum of the VOTERS most of whom could care less about racing. There is nothing about a casino that needs a racetrack. In fact, casinos would be better off without racetracks because they could use all that land for more valuable businesses. A few slot machines taking up a few square feet can make as much revenue as all that racetrack land. You need to wake up!