No BLB, no $$ for racehorse owners

RACEHORSE owners, trainers and grooms are left holding an empty bag because there is no Betting Levy Board. To date, four race days have been run off since the term of office of the last board headed by Roop Chan Chadeesingh expired. And according to a source close to the BLB, over $744,000 is sitting at the bank but cannot be paid out because no one has the authority to sign the cheques. The well-placed source claims the BLB pay out approximately $186,000 per race day. But it is understood, the money has accumulated while owners continue to race their horses not knowing when they will get their cheques. And by extension, it is only when owners collect prize money trainers, jockeys and other workers down to the farriers get paid. The BLB which was headed by Chadeesingh has been “out of office” since May 7 this year. Horseracing and the BLB falls under the portfiolio of Trade and Industry Minister Kenneth Valley, who is also a Minister in the Ministry of Finance. Only a week ago, Chadeesingh promised should he be returned to the chairmanship of the BLB, the history of late payments will be something of the past. He also indicated he had submitted a three-year plan to Minister Valley, which was well received. Among Chadeesingh’s plans is the establishment of an entertainment centre at Santa Rosa Park, Arima, to generate revenue for horseracing. Chadeesingh noted Woodbine Race Track in Canada pay the best stakes in North America, mostly because revenue collected at their entertainment centre, which includes slot machines and other games.