The battle for Iowa racing
Mixing humanity with economics, the Iowa Greyhound Association made its presentation to the Council Bluffs Chamber of Commerce Tuesday, Jan. 24, as part of its ongoing battle with Harrah’s to keep greyhound racing alive at Bluffs Run.
Mixing humanity with economics, the Iowa Greyhound Association made its presentation to the Council Bluffs Chamber of Commerce Tuesday, Jan. 24, as part of its ongoing battle with Harrah’s to keep greyhound racing alive at Bluffs Run.
The presentation was an effort to counter Harrah’s bid to earn the Chamber’s support to eliminate the sport.
While the five IGA members made their feelings known to the Chamber board, another group approaching 60 from the greyhound families in the area stood outside the meeting room in support.
Bob Hardison, president of the Iowa Greyhound Association, started the comments, speaking on behalf of the “58 active state licensed greyhound farms in Iowa.”
It is these farms which form the basis of an industry that generates up to $77 million yearly and creates 1,237 jobs. Those numbers, Hardison explained, come from a study the IGA commission done at Iowa State University.
“The money is created in Iowa,” said Hardison, “and spent in Iowa. We do have greyhounds that are sent out-of-state to race, but their purse prizes returned to Iowa.”
Greyhound racing is an industry that has created industries.
Jon Stidham of McClelland, who has been breeding greyhounds for 25 years, saw money leaving the state to Kansas for vitamins and other greyhound products. Stidham formed Kennel Supply, LLC, which is now close to a $1 million business.
“That’s money,” said Stidham, “that’s staying in Iowa and being spent in Iowa.”
The human side of the sport mixes in with the economics when Darcy Butts, a Glenwood veterinarian, spoke.
Butts, who has worked with the greyhounds at Bluffs Run for upwards of 15 years, saw greyhound racing as a “significant part of this community.
“There are injuries as there are in any sporting event. But what I see is the love the greyhound community has for their greyhounds as much as the economic interest they have to take care of them.”
It is that love that Joreen King, from Heartland Adoption, has seen.
“We are always, said King, “having to correct misconceptions that greyhounds are mistreated. The greyhounds we receive that are being retired from racing are well treated and loved. The owners often want pictures of them and we’ve seen tears in their eyes at giving up their greyhounds for adoption.”
The core of the greyhound industry is the family farm. Gail Shook told of relocating her family’s farm this past year as the old property was put underwater by the 2011 floods.
“All of the purse money comes back to Iowa,” said Shook. “It’s a family business. Our children plan to stay in the business.”
In the meantime, Bluffs Run continues to operate. To come to a race day is difficult, the entrance is poorly mark. There is no advertisement of about the racing activities, from a day’s race card right up to the $500,000 Iowa Breeders Classic, the richest greyhound race in the nation. One can only wonder what would happen if Bluffs Run were allowed to operate like any other successful business.
Submitted by Steve Sigafoose 712-322-2144 or slsig1@cox.net
For additional information and/or questions, contact Bob Hardison at 712-423-3010 or bob.hardison@yahoo.com
I'm a native of the Washington, D.C., area and a graduate of the University of Maryland. I'm now retired after a two-decade plus stint as the sports editor of the Council Bluffs, Iowa, Daily Nonpareil. Contact me at slsig1@cox.net
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