COVINGTON DENTIST SEEKS HORSE TRACK

                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, March 18, 1993                   TAG: 9303180502
SECTION: SPORTS                    PAGE: B6   EDITION: STATE 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: RICHMOND                                LENGTH: Medium
COVINGTON DENTIST SEEKS HORSE TRACK
A Covington dentist told the state Racing Commission on Wednesday that he wants to build a pari-mutuel race track in Virginia.
Dr. Jeffrey Taylor joins at least four other investor groups with interest in building a track since Virginia voters approved horse race betting in 1988.
Taylor, who owns four horses but has no experience in racing, said he began wondering a few months ago why a track had not been built.
"It became a dream. I decided that I wanted to do that, I wanted to build the track myself," he said.
He declined to say whether or not he has financial backers.
"I have a financial plan," Taylor said. "I know my costs. I've got projections. I know what I'm dealing with."
Taylor said he likely would build the track in New Kent County, where the Chesapeake Corp. has offered to donate 345 acres to the investor who wins the racing license.
Fred G. Pollard, a commission member, told Taylor a successful track would cost at least $40 million.
Donald Price, the commission's executive director, said he expects an application to be filed shortly. Once the first application is filed, competing groups have 90 days to send their proposals to the commission. State racing officials have said only one major track is likely to be approved.
Since voters passed the pari-mutuel referendum, the General Assembly has eased several regulations to make a track more attractive to investors. A bill awaiting Gov. L. Douglas Wilder's signature would lift restrictions on the number of races the Virginia track can simulcast from other tracks.
Arnold Stansley, owner of race tracks in Ohio and Texas, said he plans to file his application this spring.
Others interested in building a Virginia track include Joe De Francis, president of the Maryland Jockey Club; Churchill Downs in Kentucky; and Virginia Racing Associates.
Keywords:
HORSE RACING

by Archana Subramaniam by CNB