Columbus, OH – According to the (Minneapolis) Star-Tribune, “The owners of the state’s two horse-racing tracks expressed misgivings and strong concerns Monday (June 24) about Gov. Tim Walz’s appointment of two tribal leaders to the Minnesota Racing Commission.”

According to reporter Rochelle Olson, “Late Friday, Walz appointed Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe chief executive Melanie Benjamin and Johnny Johnson, former president of the Prairie Island Indian Community. Both tribes run casinos in Minnesota.

“The state’s two horse-racing tracks, Canterbury Park in Shakopee and Running Aces in Columbus, were not pleased. In recent years, the struggling tracks have been pushing to offer additional gambling options to their customers as a means of survival and to boost the purses for live racing.”

Running Aces President and CEO Taro Ito called the appointments to the Racing Commission, “a slap in the face to the Minnesota horse racing industry.” Linked In photo.

President and CEO of Running Aces Taro Ito said that the appointments are “‘a slap in the face to the Minnesota horse racing industry and the thousands of people employed in this $500-plus million a year agricultural sector.’

“Ito said Benjamin and Johnson run casinos that compete with the tracks and they lack horse racing experience. He said they replace two commissioners with ‘extensive equine and racetrack operational experience.'”

To read the complete story in the Star-Tribune, click here.