Horse Racing In Brief 8


There was a lengthy Idaho Racing Commission meeting yesterday afternoon. This group has been stalled and has failed to take appropriate action for almost a year now to get horse racing back on track at Idaho Downs (formerly known as Les Bois Park). All it would take is a simple rule change that would allow groups other than the Idaho Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association to enter into an agreement with the operator of the racing facility. Yes, it really is just that simple. At this time, the HBPA has a monopoly on the right to negotiate an agreement, which has effectively shut down racing in Ada County.

Near the beginning of yesterday’s meeting, the current Chair read a letter into the record from a fellow Commissioner, Dr. Ted Hoffman. In his letter, Dr. Hoffman detailed his concerns about Chair Mike Bosen’s leadership – or lack thereof. I thought Mr. Bosen would have the foresight and decency to resign then and there, but instead, he acted hostile and defensive.

I would add my endorsement to Dr. Hoffman’s thoughts. The group of teenagers I recently had the pleasure of working with at Girls’ State conducted themselves far more professionally and, frankly, made far better decisions than this group has managed to muster in recent years. Like Dr. Hoffman, I believe Mr. Bosen has acted with prejudice and has disrespected various members of his audience, myself included, and the audience as a whole.

At this time, I would call upon Governor Otter to review Dr. Hoffman’s letter and the recording of yesterday’s meeting, and begin the proceedings to remove Mr. Bosen from the Idaho Racing Commission. I believe removal of Mr. Bosen would lead to far greater professionalism and, hopefully, would allow for the necessary leadership to get the group – and horse racing in Ada County – moving forward again.


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8 thoughts on “Horse Racing In Brief

  • Thomas J.

    I think the monopoly is what the inept Ada County Commissioners have in controlling the lease. You constantly blame the HBPA when in fact it was your own doing when you gave the lease to Eric Spector. The horsemen know he is a crook and a fraud (see Wyoming Downs)but for some reason the Ada County Commissioners cannot. It is COMPLETELY obvious, you don’t want racing and your plan working to perfection. Wait for it…..Wait for it…..here comes the spin.

  • sharonu Post author

    Thomas J. ~ If we had been trying to do away with horse racing at Idaho Downs (Les Bois Park) all we had to do was not put out an RFP, or not announce that we would look at other operators, or not sign a contract with an operator. We did all of those things in an effort to keep horse racing at the site. You might recall that I was also accused of trying to end horse racing when I was the only person who fought against allowing Lariat Productions from taking over the lease for the facility. The industry, including horsemen, got what they asked for and paid the price then as well.

  • Craig

    How’s this for a new idea that will get racing back? It’s sort of like “what’s good for the goose is good for the gander.” It’s “when the shoe is on the other foot.”

    Ullman is so hot on a rule change, so why doesn’t she make a “simple rule change” to allow different operators to negotiate with the HBPA?

    Why should Idaho Entertainment have a “monopoly on the right to negotiate an agreement,” anyway?

    Oh? What’s that you say? Rules that prevent that?

    And BTW, thanks for bringing up Lariat. Do you really think the horsemen would have chosen Lariat? Don’t you know that some of the rules that you want to change are in place because the lessons learned from Lariat?

    It is not the HBPA that is holding up racing in Ada County, it is the very poor choice that Ullman made in operators.

    There would have been racing last year and this year if either one of two things had happened:

    1) The horsemen had chosen an operator.
    2) Idaho Entertainment was willing to negotiate. If they were willing to negotiate, we would have racing. Instead, they are only willing to threaten to close it down unless he horsemen give in and give up. They have not proven that they even want racing. In fact, if you look at Wyoming (19 days in 2006 down to 16 days in 2008 down to 8 days last year down to ZERO days this year), you just might get the impression that they do NOT want racing. All they want is to break down the rules and laws that are in place in Idaho. Where does it end?

    And who wrote that letter from Dr. Hoffman, anyway? Was it you or was it Eric Spector?

  • Jodi

    No Sharon,
    It seems more likely you did all of those things to make it look like you made an effort to keep horse racing in Boise. Tom is right, anyone who had any knowledge of Spector’s history would know the outcome of this situation. The various horsemen’s groups have been backed into a corner due to the desperate situation the commissioners’ decisions have put them in. All of the fighting amongst them is the effect of the problems the commissioners have caused. So either you did no reserch at all or you did and knew what woud happen. Maybe, you just don’t care. Either way you’re covered, right? After all you did put out an RFP and sign a contract.

  • Peter Bianconi

    You keep playing the Lariat Productions card over and over. Comparing Lariat to the Green Group, who the horsemen wanted the track to go to this time, is completely rediculous. Green Group was without a doubt the best qualified applicant but you blew a few minor discrepancies with their Coeur d’Alene Bingo operation way out of proportion to put a negative light on them. Also, you never did a second RFP so Idaho Entertainment basically got the lease without it properly being re-bid. Then on top of that you let the last group take many, many items that did not belong to them after they left. The entire Ada County Commissioners Board screwed this up. Not the HBPA and not the ISRC. Take the responsibility you so much deserve and face the fact that horse racing in the Treasuure Valley will NEVER return. If you were not trying to save face you would not be showing up at all the ISRC meetings trying to tell them how to do their jobs. I would be interested to know how many ISRC meetings you attended prior to Idaho Entertainment being awarded the lease. My guess would be it is about the same as the economic impact Les Bois Park is having on the community right now. ZERO!!

  • Paul

    Sharon, you and the other commissioners have effectively killed racing in Ada County and are direclty responsible for the loss of $24 million in economic benefits. I am sure there will be a contract signed between the Spector and a group, probably the IQHA but the majority of owners have moved on to greener pastures. Look what Spector has done in Montana and Wyoming. He’s killed live racing there as he pockets a couple of million dollars a year from simulcasting. Can’t you see this?

    Speaking for myself, I would have 60 to 70 starts per season during the Gridner era but will not return here to play politics with you and Spector.

    Perhaps Mr Tillman should look at the real reason why he is being retired and why you will be retired in 2012. Perhaps then we can truly have racing again.

  • J DIANE ECKHOUT

    SO IN OTHER WORDS YOU ARE PUNISHING ALL THE HORSEMAN FOR THE FEW WHO WANTED LARIAT…BELIEVE ME NOT EVEYONE WAS HAPPY WITH THE DECISION AND MISTAKES WERE MADE BUT WHY IN THE WORLD ARE YOU HOLDING IT AGAINST EVERYONE FOR WHAT A FEW PEOPLE MADE MISTAKES AT!!! I BELIEVE IT’S A REAL SHAME THAT SOOO MANY PEOPLE LOST JOBS BECAUSE OF THIS AND STILL YOU DON’T SEEM TO CARE.. THE LAST THING THIS STATE NEEDS IS MORE UNEMPLOYMENT.. IF YOU PEOPLE WOULD HAVE LOWERED THE FEE FOR THE LAST PEOPLE WHO HAD IT THERE WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ANY INERUPTION…THEY PROBABLY WOULD HAVE STAYED!

  • sharonu Post author

    J. Diane ~ The last thing Ada County needs is to invite organized crime here, particularly on county property. Believe me, folks in Alabama are laughing at us right now, for having allowed the Greene Group to come operate here.