Voters Approve First Step Toward New East Texas Track

A group of investors took their first major step Nov. 5 toward establishing a new racetrack in East Texas when the residents of Jefferson County approved two ballot measures.

The two propositions on the Jefferson County ballot asked voters to decide on legalizing pari-mutuel wagering on horse racing and on legalizing pari-mutuel wagering on simulcasts.

Proposition A, asking to allow pari-mutuel wagering on live racing, passed 54.9% to 45.1%, while Proposition B, on simulcasting, passed 52.9% to 47.1%.

"Now the state of Texas will officially be able to open the process, which is about a four-to-six-month process," Kevin Johnson, a consultant working with the racetrack investors, told ABC/NBC affiliate 12News following the election. "We hope that by June of next year that we have everything in place."

A specific location of the racetrack has not been set, though Johnson told 12News the investors are looking for approximately 14 acres southwest of Beaumont, the county seat, along Interstate 10 between the city and Highway 365.

While the racetrack investors have not submitted a license application yet to the Texas Racing Commission, state racing industry leaders familiar with the project indicated the group will request a Class 2 license. State law does not restrict the number of Class 2 licenses that may be issued, like it does with Class 1 tracks, which are Lone Star Park, Sam Houston Race Park, and Retama Park.

A Class 2 license is required to provide "reasonable access" to all racing breeds, including Thoroughbreds, Quarter Horses, Arabians, and Paints. 

For the new Class 2 license to be approved, the Texas Racing Commission must first open an application period that is not to exceed 60 days. Any interested party can submit an application during this period, though the commission will specify the general geographic location and the license class for which it will consider a license application.

Once the application period is open, the Jefferson County racetrack investors can submit their application that requires paying $98,000 up front to cover the cost of processing. All applications are first reviewed by TRC executive director Chuck Trout, who determines if the application is complete. If all the paperwork is in place and application is accepted, then it is processed, which involves conducting criminal background checks on all individuals associated with the license.

After the completion of these administrative requirements, the license is scheduled for discussion and consideration during a regularly scheduled TRC meeting, open to the public for comment.

Robert Elrod, TRC spokesman, said the timetable on every application varies, with much of it determined by the applicants involved. He said an expectation of having a license approved in four to six months is "probably very optimistic."

If the Beaumont racetrack gets built, it will sit at the crossroads of several active racetracks. It will be 38 miles from Delta Downs and 152 miles from Evangeline Downs in Louisiana and about 100 miles from Sam Houston Race Park in north Houston.