As part of the gaming application process, the Iowa Greyhound Association recently told the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission it plans to host more than 120 racing days at the Dubuque Greyhound Park in 2015. The IGA submitted a license application last month to operate the park, following legislation approved this year that ends dog racing in Council Bluffs at the end of 2015 but allows the IGA to operate the Dubuque facility. The commission is expected to vote on the license application on November 13.
“This second chance at Dubuque does something that I think is enormously important. It gives us a chance to keep the nation’s top greyhound breeding program alive,” said attorney Jerry Crawford for the IGA.
The legislation also requires casinos that have subsidized dog racing to pay $72 million: half will go toward helping the IGA operate the Dubuque track, and the other half will help pay for a retirement fund for dog owners and breeders.
At the meeting, Dean Miner of the Filipelli/Miner Racing Kennel expressed criticism of the IGA and the legislation. “I don’t think that it serves the best interest of the families and farmers and dog owners and investors to just take half of $72 million and subsidize a handful of people to race at Dubuque for a few years. I think that’s the definition of inequality. It’s just not right,” he said.
In response, Crawford said, “Everyone involved is committed to the notion that no one will be excluded from racing at Dubuque.” Regarding the $72 million payment from the casinos, Crawford added, “First, that’s what the legislature put into law that was passed and signed. And secondly, we would have very properly come under attack if we hadn’t fought tooth and nail to figure out a way to preserve breeding and racing of greyhounds in Iowa.”
