Just a week after announcing plans to establish a new organization aimed at representing owners and trainers in South Florida’s horse racing industry, owner Carlo Vaccarezza has decided to abandon the effort.
Vaccarezza cited legal hurdles in Florida statutes and the necessity of securing a contract with Gulfstream Park’s owner, 1/ST Racing, as key reasons for putting the initiative on hold. Despite gathering “hundreds and hundreds” of signatures through an online petition in just a few days, he has opted not to move forward.
His push to create the organization stemmed from dissatisfaction with the Florida Thoroughbred Horsemen’s board of directors, particularly their response to last year’s workers’ compensation crisis. The board had chosen not to oppose 1/ST Racing’s efforts to pass decoupling legislation, which would allow Gulfstream Park’s casino to operate without hosting live racing. Similar decoupling measures, approved in 2021, resulted in the end of live racing at Pompano Park, Hialeah Park, and various jai-alai venues.
In response to growing concerns, the Florida Thoroughbred Horsemen recently issued a statement asserting their unanimous opposition to decoupling legislation in a Feb. 3 vote. However, on Wednesday, a Florida House subcommittee advanced the legislation with a 12-4 vote—without any representatives from the Florida Thoroughbred Horsemen speaking against it.
Rather than continuing to challenge the existing organization, Vaccarezza now seeks to secure six seats on its board for owners and trainers aligned with his vision.
