Committee on Culture, Youth, Aging, Sports, and Parks

The Committee on Culture, Youth, Aging, Sports, and Parks has scheduled a hearing for Friday, August 25, 2023, 10:00 AM at the Fritz E. Lawaetz Legislative Chambers on St. Croix to receive testimony and updates status of the horse racing in the territory. Bills 35-0073 & 35-0083 will also be presented to the Committee for consideration.

BLOCK I
10:00 A.M. – 12:00 P.M.

The committee will be receiving updates on the status of horse racing in the territory. This update will include, but not be limited to facilities construction, funding allocations, projected timelines, achievements, challenges, potential opportunities, and prevailing needs.

Invited Testifier:
The Honorable Calvert White, Commissioner, Virgin Islands, Sports, Parks, and Recreation
Robert E. Huckabee, III, President and CEO, Southland Gaming
Shaine Gaspard, Executive Vice President, Southland Gaming
Elroy Bates, Jr., President, Flamboyant Park Horsemen Association
Hugo Hodge, Jr., Chairman, USVI Horseracing Commission
Jason Williams, General Manager, Racing Operations, VIGL Operations, LLC
Andrew Dubuque, CFO/Managing Partner, VIGL Operations, LLC
Clinton Hedrington, President, St. Thomas Horsemen Association
Betty Wilson, Former Member, USVI Horseracing Commission
Jay Watson, Former Member, USVI Horseracing Commission

BLOCK II
1:30 P.M. – 3:00 P.M.

The committee will be receiving testimony on following bills, presented for consideration.

Bill No. 35-0073 An Act amending title 32 of the Virgin Islands Code to establish powers and duties for the horse racing commissions for each district and relating to antidoping of racehorses to provide for regulation by district and joint horse racing commissions.

Bill No. 35-0083 An Act amending title 32 of the Virgin Islands Code, chapter 11, subchapter I, section 201 to establish separate horse racing commissions for each district.

Invited Testifier:
The Honorable Calvert White, Commissioner, VI Sports, Parks, and Recreation
Elroy Bates, Jr., President, Flamboyant Park Horsemen Association
Hugo Hodge, Jr., Chairman, USVI Horseracing Commission
Jason Williams, General Manager, Racing Operations, VIGL Operations, LLC
Andrew Dubuque, CFO/Managing Partner, VIGL Operations, LLC
Clinton Hedrington, President, St. Thomas Horsemen Association
Betty Wilson, Former Member, USVI Horseracing Commission
Jay Watson, Former Member, USVI Horseracing Commission