By Angeljean Chiaramida
SEABROOK — Their amazing vision, blazing speed and exceptional hunting instincts once made greyhounds the hunting dog of preference for many medieval monarchs.
Those same skills also turned greyhounds, the fastest breed known, into the primary coursing or racing dog, whether in the Middle Ages or modern times. Gamblers have traveled to greyhound race tracks nationwide for decades to watch and bet on dogs that can reach speeds of more then 40 mph, as they instinctively pursue their prey, often an automated rabbit known as "Yankee" at Seabrook Greyhound Park.
But greyhound racing in New Hampshire became a part of history yesterday, no longer part of current events, after the state's two remaining tracks — in Seabrook and Belmont — won permission on Monday to stop live dog racing. The state budget that went into effect yesterday lets the tracks drop live dog racing from their offerings but continue to host betting on simulcast races from other tracks, as well as charity gambling, like Seabrook's Poker Room.
"I feel very bad about ending live dog racing here at Seabrook," said Karen Keelan, president of Seabrook Greyhound Park. "We've had live racing here since 1973 when we opened and went to seasonal live racing four years ago.
"This was a strictly financial decision, made especially because the (New Hampshire) Legislature failed to pass the expansion of gambling this year and because they passed an onerous tax," she said.
Racing venues across the state have pleaded with the state to let them add slot machines at the tracks, to keep up with race tracks elsewhere, like Rhode Island, and offer gaming options that could draw new attendance to Granite State parks. But even with the dim financial picture the recession has caused, New Hampshire legislators decided on raising taxes, fees and tolls, while laying off state workers, instead of expanding gambling.
One new tax, the 10 percent tax on any winnings over $600, will drive bettors away from New Hampshire's three remaining racing venues — Seabrook, Belmont and Salem's Rockingham Park — Keelan said, whether they were betting on live racing, simulcast racing or the hundreds of charity poker games offered daily in the Poker Room at Seabrook.
"I was sorry to hear live racing is being dropped at Seabrook, and, of course, I was in favor of adding the slot machines at the race tracks," Seabrook Selectman Bob Moore said. "(Seabrook Greyhound Park) has always been a good neighbor to the town. They've provided a lot of money for scholarships and jobs for our residents. I can never remember them ever saying 'no' when we've asked them for something."
The scholarship money will remain, according to the agreement the track has with the town, Town Treasurer Oliver Carter Jr. said yesterday. The track pays Seabrook $300 a day Monday through Saturday and $400 on Sunday for every day there's wagering at the track, Carter said, live or simulcast. On days when the "handle," or total wagered, is more than $300,000, Carter said the track pays an additional $50. That's $2,200 most weeks, and more on weeks when famous races take place, like the Kentucky Derby, Preakness or Belmont Stakes.
"Last year it totaled $113,000," Carter said. "It all goes for scholarships."
However, as for jobs, there unfortunately will be losses, Keelan said. She estimated about 15 to 20 people will be laid off, as the track no longer needs those who work at the kennels or on the track itself.
"We'll be open now just with simulcast and the Poker Room with a minimal crew," Keelan said. "We should be all right financially, but we were losing revenue during the beginning of 2009."
Keelan, a second-generation racing professional who owns a majority share in Seabrook and a one-fifth share at Salem's Rockingham Park, said a combination of things led to the decline in racing profitability over the past two decades.
"It started early in the 1990s," she said. "We saw a decline start in 1992, when Foxwoods Casino opened in Connecticut and people were going down there to gamble more and more. Also, young people have not gravitated to race tracks as they did before. Now there are a lot more things offered to young people for entertainment."
And animal rights activists, who portray dog racing in general as being cruel to animals, have hurt racing, discouraging people to go to watch the sport, Keelan said.
Although the state also allowed Rockingham Park to drop live racing — in this case live horse harness racing — Keelan said the park plans to continue its harness racing program until the end of the season. After than, the owners will meet to determine the future of what once was a racing venue considered a small jewel in the industry, she said.
Keelan said those wondering if there are any greyhounds available for adoption won't find any available in Seabrook. All the greyhounds at the park, a breed known for being loving family pets, are spoken for. The four remaining will go to good homes soon.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.
