Local horse business suppliers expecting boost from racino

AUSTINTOWN

Feed, hay, straw, tack, horseshoes, supplements, ointments and veterinary checks are just some of the costs associated with horses.

Tim Hamm, president of the Ohio Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association and owner and trainer of race horses, can go on and on about the impact of bringing horse racing to the Mahoning Valley.

“It’s all good,” he said. “It’s all positive.”

How good? The economic impact of bringing horse racing back to the Valley could be $7.1 million.

Bob Tenenbaum, spokesman for Penn National Gaming, said the company typically works with vendors for feed, hay, straw and tack.

“When we talk about using local vendors as much as possible that is not only for food and beverage, but it is also for vendors for the horsemen,” Tenenbaum said. “Once the season starts out there, it is going to be like a little city between owners, trainers and jockeys.”

Racing will begin Nov. 24 at Hollywood Gaming, and Hamm will bring 30 of his horses. He has traveled through the Northeast and at times in the South for racing.

Erica Wilson already is familiar with the horse-racing community. The nutrition consultant from Agland Co-Op Inc. works with trainers who run their horses at Thistledown, Mountaineer, Presque Isle and Northfield Park. Agland has worked with 20 to 30 trainers for a long time, so it has what the horses and trainers like, Wilson said.

Wilson says the racino will impact Agland’s business, especially since a retail location is in nearby Canfield.

“The track seems to have a pretty good reputation and not everyone is going to get in,” Wilson said.

Read more about how the racino is expected to boost local supplier businesses in Sunday's Vindicator or on Vindy.com.