Columbus, OH — At their Nov. 7 meeting, Massachusetts Gaming Commission acting upon the recommendation of its Racing Division approved a five percent increase in distributions to the state’s Standardbreds from the Race Horse Development Fund, from 60 to 65 percent.

The decision will also mean a decrease of five percent from 40 to 35 percent for Massachusetts Thoroughbreds.

On Sept. 18, the Horse Racing Committee had voted 4-1 to recommend that the MGC approve the increase. The Racing Division of the MGC also voted 4-1 to support the change and made that recommendation to the Commission.

The rationale for the increase included the strong and rapidly increasing number of Standardbreds being bred in the state, the growing popularity of its sire stakes program, the increase in the size of the fields in overnight races and the overall number of race dates currently being held at Plainridge Park, which is Massachusetts’ only operating race track.

As required by Massachusetts state law, the HRC submitted their recommendation on the split of the Race Horse Development Fund to the clerks of the state Senate and House of Representatives by email on Sept. 26.

Previously, on Dec. 7, 2017, the Massachusetts Gaming Commission voted to approve a revision in the percentage split of the state’s Horse Racing Development Fund to award harness horsemen more of the RHDF money by amending the split to a 60-40 percentage split from the previous 55-45 percent division.