VOLUME 6 ISSUE 8
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It's Southeastern Youth Fair Time. Pg A7 FEBRUARY 21 - 27, 2025
Decoupling bill threatens thoroughbred horse racing industry
Local veterans can get cancer test at no cost
Veteran Steve Petty, director of the Vet Resource Center. [File photo by Bruce Ackerman]
Those who served “boots on the ground” in the Vietnam War, Gulf War and Global War on Terrorism may be eligible for the Galleri screening. By Andy Fillmore andy@ocalagazette.com
V “This bill prioritizes corporate interests over horsemen, breeders and our industry’s huge agri-business and tourism contributions,” O’Farrell said. “We must take a stand now to ensure thoroughbred racing has a future.” The committee will partner with Ocala Breeders’ Sales, the leading seller of 2-yearolds in training worldwide, which also issued a letter staunchly opposing the bill and encouraging other industry leaders to do the same. “Owners, breeders, trainers and all horsemen have options when considering where to race and breed. Hence, it is vital that Florida continues to support Thoroughbred racing and breeding and not force businesses and jobs to flee Florida to more welcoming states,” wrote OBS. OBS said if the bill passes it would have the potential to create impacts nationwide—not just in Florida.
eterans exposed to life threatening carcinogens from sources such as Agent Orange and burn pits can now get the $950 Galleri blood test, which detects more than 50 types of cancer, for free at the Vet Resource Center in Ocala. The website for the parent company of the Galleri blood test, GRAIL, Inc. Healthcare, in Menlo Park, California, states that the “Galleri test can be taken annually as a simple blood test and screens for a ‘fingerprint’ of many of the deadliest cancers before they become symptomatic…” VRC leaders hope, as well as individual veterans, that local law enforcement and first responder agencies, as well as businesses owners, will encourage those who work with them who are veterans to get a Galleri blood test if they qualify. Providing the Galleri blood test locally through the VRC was made possible by a $300,000 grant from the Marion County Hospital District and a $50,000 Marion County Community Development Block Grant. Marion County commissioner Craig Curry, liaison with local veterans organizations, was involved
See Horse racing, page A8
See Veterans, page A5
Super Ana, Hip 340, a Chestnut Filly by Palace Malice and consigned by C&J Stable, is breezed across the wire during the Under Tack Show at the Ocala Breeders' Sales Company in Ocala, Fla. on Monday, Jan. 24, 2022. The OBS Under Tack Show was held the day before the start of the OBS Winter Mixed Sale, which is being held on Tuesday, Jan. 25 and Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2022. The thoroughbred sale includes horses of racing age. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2022.
By Caroline Brauchler caroline@ocalagazette.com Equine industry stakeholders in Marion County are expressing concern after a bill advanced through a subcommittee of the Florida House that would affect the requirements of thoroughbred permits. If signed into law, House Bill 105 would authorize thoroughbred permitholders to elect not to conduct live racing, effectively decoupling the casino and gaming industry from the thoroughbred racing industry. This would allow a racetrack to operate a stand-alone casino, with no requirement to fund the breeders and racers through the gambling permits. “This decoupling of gaming from live horse racing will eliminate the 33,500 jobs supported by Florida's worldrenowned Thoroughbred industry and may well be the death knell for Thoroughbred racing nationwide,” wrote the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and
Owners’Association. Locally, the bill could pose a huge threat to Marion County’s economy as the horse capital of the world. The horse industry in Ocala-Marion County generates about $4.3 billion in revenue to the economy annually, which accounts for about 22% of the nationwide gross domestic product, according to a 2023 study by the FTBOA. “The industry also supports 28,500 jobs, about one in five in Marion County, with 56% of those jobs related to thoroughbreds.” according to FTBOA. The bill relates specifically to the Gulfstream Park and would allow Tampa Bay Downs to decouple live racing from casino operations. The bill is currently in the Commerce Committee of the Florida House of Representatives. On Feb. 18, FTBOA announced that it has launched a committee named the Thoroughbred Racing Initiative, that will be chaired by David O’Farrell of Ocala Stud.
Marion County bird watchers set 2024 records Tom Hince was the first to record 300 species locally; Tami Reece documented 253 species to top the prior record. By Michael Warren Special to the Gazette
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ocal birders soared past previous records in 2024 for the number of species spotted in Marion County. Tom Hince of Dunnellon spotted 268 species during the
year and became the first person to record 300 species in the county. "Tropical storms that roared through the county totally changed the game," Hince said. "It brought a bounty of 15 or more additional species, greatly increasing everyone's year totals."
To date, 310 species of birds have been recorded in Marion County on eBird, an app from Cornell Lab of Ornithology that maintains a database of bird sightings. In addition to the storms, See Bird watchers, page A6
Lesser scaup passing the moon [Photo courtesy Tom Hince]
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Habitat Fest................................... A6 OCALA Gateway.......................... A8 Cold Case Chief............................. B1 Reilly Gala...................................... B3 Calendar......................................... B4
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