|
          |
 2007 Claiming Crown Now Available to Larger Audience July 26, 2007 -- Lexington, KY -- Heeding the call from National HBPA President and Chairman Joe Santanna during a July 20 speaker forum, TrackNet Media Group (TNM), Television Games Network (TVG) and Youbet.com (YB) on July 26 have agreed to a content sharing arrangement that will benefit horsemen and bettors and will make the August 4 Claiming Crown races – being run at Ellis Park in Henderson, KY for the first time – available to a wider audience than ever before. The discussions formally began on July 23 between TNM, TVG and National HBPA, working with The Thoroughbred Breeders Association (TOBA). National HBPA and TOBA are partners in Claiming Crown, Ltd. Both TVG and Youbet.com proposed that profits from their distribution of the 2007 Claiming Crown would revert to Claiming Crown, Ltd. Early on Tuesday, July 24, TNM – which through Ellis Park’s simulcasting distribution agreement with Churchill Downs controls the rights to the Ellis Park signal and, thus, this year’s Claiming Crown races - had formally offered to the Kentucky HBPA (the horsemen’s group representing Ellis Park horsemen) and National HBPA/TOBA to provide both wagering and video rights to the Claiming Crown. TNM committed that all major industry commercial advance deposit wagering distribution outlets - including TNM’s own outlets such as TwinSpires.com and XpressBet – would pay the same fee. Both TVG and Youbet.com have agreed to purchase the Claiming Crown rights from TNM for their distribution/wagering networks and have committed to donate any profits – an idea first proposed by TVG - back to Claiming Crown, Ltd. in support of the event. First run in 1999, the Claiming Crown brings together those “blue collar” horses that have become favorites of fans and horsemen alike. In 2007, the 9th renewal of the Claiming Crown will feature a new title sponsor – Old National Bank – and will offer $600,000 in purses for seven races offered to horses that have started at least once in the past year for a claiming tag ranging from $7,500 (or less) to $35,000 (or less). Joe Santanna, President and Chairman of the National HBPA said, “Our horsemen in Kentucky and across the country couldn’t be happier that TrackNet Media responded to our request to share the Claiming Crown with all commercial advance deposit wagering companies. I commend both TVG and Youbet.com for stepping up and buying those rights for their customers and offering to contribute any profits back to Claiming Crown, Ltd. While this may only be a small step forward toward solving the larger issues we’ve been addressing, such as content sharing, exclusivity and sublicensing fees, it certainly is a very big step forward for Claiming Crown.” “This is a very positive and encouraging decision by TrackNet Media, TVG and YouBet.com and we hope that it leads to more meaningful and decisive discussions on content sharing in the future,” said TOBA president Dan Metzger. “We have witnessed a tremendous commitment by horsemen and Ellis Park to this year’s Claiming Crown and the participation of all advance deposit wagering companies will broaden the distribution of the event and ensure all of our customers have access to the races." Click Here to Return to News Page
|