Harrisburg, PA — The Pennsylvania Horse Racing Commission at its July 25 meeting approved $1.982 million for local and statewide marketing programs in fiscal 2023-24.

The funding comes from one percent of gross terminal revenue from slot machines as part of the Race Horse Industry Reform Act of 2016. Most of the money goes to the Pennsylvania Horse Racing Association for a statewide marketing program and to the six organizations that comprise the Pennsylvania Equine Coalition.

Though the PHRC approved the expenditure, which comes from the Pennsylvania Race Horse Development Fund Trust, the money won’t be released until a state budget impasse is resolved. “Until the budget is resolved, this money is not going out,” PHRC Thoroughbred Bureau director Tom Chuckas said.

The amount for fiscal 2023-24 is down 4.6 percent, Chuckas said. Before the funds are divvied up between the PHRA and the six PEC members, $100,000 is reserved for the Pennsylvania fair circuit and $20,000 for the annual Pennsylvania Farm Show. After that, the PHRA gets 50 percent and the PEC members share in 50 percent based on slots revenue in their markets.

The following are the allotments on the Standardbred side: Pennsylvania Harness Horsemen’s Association (Harrah’s Philadelphia and Pocono), $219,880; the Meadows Standardbred Owners Association, $112,230; and the Standardbred Breeders Association of Pennsylvania, $66,438. The Thoroughbred allotments are $271,537 for the Pennsylvania Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association (Parx Racing); $172,537 for the Pennsylvania Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association (Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course and Presque Isle Downs & Casino); and $88,827 for the Pennsylvania Horse Breeders Association.

The PHRA, which oversees statewide campaigns, a website (pennhorseracing.com) and supplements marketing programs at the state’s racetracks, was allotted $931,406.

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Hanover Shoe Farms president and chief executive officer Russell Williams told the Pennsylvania Horse Racing Commission that the historic farm was successful in placing close to 1,800 acres of farmland into a preservation program.

Williams said it was a two-year process — involving federal, state, county and township government — to get easements for 11 parcels of farmland that will be permanently protected from development. Williams, who also serves as president of the United States Trotting Association, noted that Hanover Shoe Farms is home to an average horse population of 900, which includes 100 retired broodmares.

Hanover Shoe Farms in Adams County near Gettysburg is only eight miles from the Maryland border and not that far from major metropolitan areas. Williams said the farm and other agricultural establishments are under development pressure, but Hanover Shoe Farms was able to “strategically preserve an area of green space that will be permanently agriculture. It was a very satisfying, rewarding process.”

Williams noted the Pennsylvania horse racing industry has repeatedly stated the importance of agriculture, green space and the resulting jobs to the state’s economy, and the permanent preservation of land for those purposes demonstrates that importance and commitment to the industry.

Cheryl Cook, deputy secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, which oversees horse racing, called the Hanover Shoe Farms efforts “an inspiration” for the state’s entire agriculture industry.