Uh-oh, Marc Dunbar: Barrel racing is not a sport, administrative judge says

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A judge’s ruling released Monday has invalidated barrel racing in Florida as a pari-mutuel activity.

 The 85-page Final Order from Administrative Law Judge John G. Van Laningham states that the Florida Division of Pari-Mutuel Wagering was incorrect in granting the license for racing at Gretna.

The judge determined Florida barrel racing to be an unadopted rule, which puts the existing licenses in question. So what happens next will likely involve some more legal wrangling.

Those pointing to the convoluted state of Florida gambling have been using Gretna as the poster case. Gretna, 25 miles west of Tallahassee, has had track owners operating barrel-racing to fulfill the pari-mutuel requirement that is a prelude to slots. The track was the first in the world that offered wagering on an event most often performed at rodeos. A track in Hamilton County followed.

To read the order, go here.

To read to more about this ruling, continue reading Nick Sortal’s story here.

Peter Schorsch is the President of Extensive Enterprises and is the publisher of some of Florida’s most influential new media websites, including SaintPetersBlog.com, FloridaPolitics.com, ContextFlorida.com, and Sunburn, the morning read of what’s hot in Florida politics. SaintPetersBlog has for three years running been ranked by the Washington Post as the best state-based blog in Florida. In addition to his publishing efforts, Peter is a political consultant to several of the state’s largest governmental affairs and public relations firms. Peter lives in St. Petersburg with his wife, Michelle, and their daughter, Ella.