Dog track owners hope to begin simulcasting races by late this month

Wednesday, May 10, 2000 | 3:38 a.m.

Officials at Wichita Greyhound Park, which bought Camptown last year, are working with the Kansas Racing Commission for approval to offer simulcasting from horse and dog tracks around the country.

"We have submitted all the required elements and are waiting for approvals from the commission on track officials we have nominated," said W. Kip Keefer, executive manager for Camptown and Wichita Greyhound Park.

Camptown, located on U.S. 71 just north of Pittsburg, opened in 1995 but closed six months later.

Michael Holton has been named manager of Camptown, pending the commission's approval.

Holton is currently director of racing at Mile High Kennel Club in Denver and has an extensive background in parimutuel operations. He has served in mutuels and marketing capacities at a number of tracks, in addition to his racing department background.

"Michael was an ideal candidate and we are delighted with the prospect of his coming aboard," Keefer said. "He will be able to step in and do a tremendous job in all facets of track operations as well as becoming immediately an excellent addition to the Pittsburg-Frontenac community."

The racing commission already has approved the opening for live racing on July 1. The track's operators had hoped to open for simulcasting well before that, but ran into a legal situation apparently unique to Kansas.

"There was no provision in Kansas law that addressed this particular scenario," Keefer said. "Simulcasting is relatively new on the scene in the racing industry, so all statutory provisions were written in as additions to existing track operations. The commission has worked toward allowing us that opportunity to open as soon as possible."

The racing commission meets May 19 and could approve opening pending a test of the simulcast system on May 23.

"We would love to be able to set a starting date like a normal business," Keefer said. "However, there are a number of factors that enter into this process, and it's the racing commission's decision as to giving the actual go-ahead.

"They have a difficult job to do, and part of those responsibilities is to make certain we have provided everything necessary."

The park opened in May 1995 and closed about six months later because it was losing $250,000 a month. Track owners declared bankruptcy in 1997.

Two of Camptown's original stockholders bought back the track for about $3 millon in 1998 and sold it to Wichita Greyhound Park owner Phil Ruffin Sr. last October for an undisclosed sum.

Ruffin, who also owns casinos in the Bahamas and Las Vegas, has said he wants to add slot machines at the Camptown track. Current state law allows slot machines only at casinos owned by Indian tribes.