County closing gate on racing?

The Flathead County commissioners could decide next week to eliminate horse racing at the Northwest Montana Fair.

Races have been a popular form of entertainment throughout the fair's 103-year-history.

However, they're also a financial drain, having cost the county $194,000 in the last four years alone. Consequently, the commissioners think it's time to cut the practice loose.

"I know we're going to get plenty of criticism when this comes out, but we're stewards of the county taxpayers," said Commissioner Gary Hall, during a meeting with the Fair Board on Thursday morning. "The biggest issue for us is economics. I think there are other things the fair can do that make money."

County budget figures indicate that it typically costs about $100,000 to $150,000 per year to put on the races, which are held for five days in conjunction with the fair.

That includes about $10,000 for race officials, $30,000 to $50,000 for other purchases services, and $35,000 for racing purses.

These expenses are offset by about $60,000 in profits from the pari-mutuel betting. Nevertheless, the races lose almost $10,000 per day of entertainment.

Since 2003, roughly 20 percent of the fairgrounds' entire property tax support has gone to subsidize horse racing.

Fair Manager Jay Scott said a decision to shut down racing here would potentially affect the whole state.

"There used to be 22 to 27 racing tracks in the state," Scott said. "Now there are five. There aren't enough racing days left to make it work."

Consequently, if Flathead County cancels its event, that may be the last straw for professional horse racing in Montana.

(Earlier this year, the Montana Board of Horse Racing said it was considering the possibility of consolidating all the remaining races at one track - most likely in Billings - in an effort to shore up the sport.)

"Racing has been here for 103 years," Scott said. "Once we stop it, it's going to be hard to restart. I'm glad it's your decision; I'd hate to see it stop."

Commissioner Bob Watne was not in the office Thursday.

Commissioner Joe Brenneman said he wouldn't have a problem with the races, as long as the county didn't lose any money.

For example, he suggested that the people or organizations who support racing could simply rent the fairgrounds track and put on the event - keeping whatever revenue came in from betting, while accepting the risk that they would lose money.

"If they aren't willing to do that, then there's our answer," he said.

Scott didn't like that idea.

"One of the reasons we do as well as we do is because we manage the races ourselves," he said.

Brenneman reminded him that the county lost $19,000 this year.

"Yes, but that was better than any of the other [five] tracks," Scott said.

Missoula, for example, reportedly lost about $40,000 on its horse races. Great Falls reportedly lost about $60,000.

Butch Wollard and Monte Long were the only Fair Board members at Thursday's meeting.

Both acknowledged that horse racing would always be a money-loser. They didn't advocate shutting it down, but said if that was what the commissioners' wanted, then they would work to find other entertainment for the fair crowds.

Motorcycle races, motorcycle jumping contests, chuckwagon races and chariot races were mentioned as possible replacements. Wollard also suggested enhancing the rodeo.

Moreover, a decision to cancel horse racing might not apply to the Indian relay races, because they don't incur the same costs.

If horse racing is canceled, Wollard emphasized that the fair budget needs to stay the same, so the Fair Board has enough money to attract other forms of entertainment.

"If you take our racing budget away, then we have no money to fill the void," he said.

Brenneman said that was fine, but whatever replaces racing needs to bring in enough revenue to offset the cost.

After discussing this issue for almost an hour, the commissioners said they would take action on a resolution of intent early next week.

Based on Thursday's comments, the resolution is expected to say that the county intends to cancel horse racing. There may or may not be a formal public comment period associated with the decision.

"I think the public has a right to comment, [but] I'm not going to change my mind based simply on support for racing," Hall said. "It's an economic issue."

Reporter Bill Spence may be reached at 758-4459 or by e-mail at bspence@dailyinterlake.com