ROANOKE TIMES 

                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: FRIDAY, July 9, 1993                   TAG: 9307090011
SECTION: SPORTS                    PAGE: B6   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: PORTSMOUTH                                LENGTH: Short

RIFT DEVELOPING OVER STATE TRACK SITE

A group of Virginia investors who have worked informally with Churchill Downs to build a pari-mutuel track in the state shows increasing signs of splitting from the Kentucky group over the track's site.

The state group, Virginia Racing Associates, insisted Wednesday it still considers Portsmouth as attractive a location as Virginia Beach, where Churchill Downs has announced plans to build a $40 million track.

The Virginia investors said they might consider working with a different track developer, even though the Virginia Beach City Council approved a contract Tuesday with Churchill Downs to guarantee part of the financing for a track near the Oceana Naval Air Station.

"We're at a critical point in the scheme of negotiations," said John T. Mamoudis, a coordinator of the Virginia investors. "Portsmouth and Churchill Downs are both still options."

The Virginia Racing Commission will grant only one license to operate a track in the state. Several investors are looking at sites in Virginia Beach, Portsmouth and New Kent County.

Keywords:
HORSERACING 


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