April 25, 2007

LANSING - Want to get into the excitement of the Kentucky Derby without going to Louisville?
On May 5, bring your family and friends to one of Michigan's six horse race tracks to see the Derby simulcast live. These tracks are also the only places in Michigan where you can wager on the Derby.

"If you haven't been to a live horse race before, there is no better time than on Kentucky Derby Day. You will be swept up in the thrill of it all," said Christine White, Michigan Racing Commissioner. Visiting Michigan racetracks is a great opportunity for them to showcase their facilities and welcome new customers to the sport of horseracing.

After the simulcast broadcast, Great Lakes Downs in Muskegon and Mount Pleasant Meadows in Mount Pleasant will kick-off their live racing season. Hazel Park and Jackson Harness Raceway begin live racing at the end of April and will be running live races on May 5. These four plus Northville Downs and Sports Creek offer year-round simulcast racing.

In 2006, 1.2 million Michigan horse racing fans wagered more than $281 million-generating approximately $9 million in state wagering tax revenue and providing local communities $1.1 million for police and fire protection costs. Horse racing remains an important part of Michigan's agriculture industry providing 26,000 related jobs and $1.2 billion for the state economy.

The Office of Racing Commissioner is the official state agency charged with regulating, promoting and serving the horse racing industry in Michigan. For more information about Michigan horse racing, the six tracks or to obtain the 2007 racing schedules, visit www.michigan.gov/horseracing.