Opinion ID: 1913579
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Is LSA-R.S. 4:211(5) being enforced selectively?

Text: Attempting to distinguish Dukes from the instant matter, the trial court concluded that because the Racing Commission continued to issue licenses, there was no Grandfather Clause that allowed different treatment to racing associations formed after the 1986-87 racing season. His rationale was based on Livingston Downs being issued a license to replace Jefferson Downs' race dates subsequent to the year at issue. He further concluded that the Racing Commission arbitrarily and capriciously applied the statute to Livingston Downs when it applied for an offtrack wagering license because Old Evageline Downs, L.C. was formed nearly two years after Livingston Downs. The latter association was allowed the privilege of offtrack wagering. The trial court reached the same conclusion when referring to Finish Line Management. Once again, the evidence in this case proves that the trial court's conclusions were patent error. The record shows that the ownership of First Statewide Racing d/b/a New Evangeline Downs transferred to Old Evangeline Downs, L.C. in December, 1994. There was no transfer of the physical racetrack, only the association conducting racing at the facility formerly known as Evangeline Downs. A similar situation took place regarding the offtrack wagering parlors operated by Jefferson Downs. Finish Line Management is owned and operated by Bryan and Marie Krantz who are also the owners of the Fair Grounds, Corp. With this subsequent transfer of ownership there was no newly created racing facility conducting offtrack wagering because of the closure at Jefferson Downs. The only thing which transferred was the ownership of the facilities and not the facilities themselves. Under LSA-R.S. 4:211(7), in order to become a primary licensee, the licensed racing association must conduct the majority of horse races at a pari-mutuel facility. After receiving a license to offer live horse races, not only has Livingston Downs failed to conduct the majority of races at pari-mutuel facility, they failed to conduct a single race. We therefore reverse the trial court's conclusion that the Racing Commission arbitrarily enforced LSA-R.S. 4:211(5).