Ky. begins move toward betting on re-shown races

LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) - The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission has modified regulations to allow for “historical racing” at state race tracks in the hopes of giving the flagging industry a much-needed boost.

The change adopted Tuesday means tracks can give bettors the chance to wager on rebroadcasts of old races stripped of the names of the horses, jockeys and trainers. Handicappers would also be given limited information before placing a bet.

Racing commission chairman Bob Beck called the decision a chance for struggling tracks to bring in more revenue. Racing in Kentucky has sagged recently as trainers have taken their horses to neighboring states that have purses buoyed by expanded gaming like slot machines.

There is no timetable on when the proposed regulation could go into effect and the commission is anticipating a challenge from Kentucky anti-gambling groups.