Fair Meadows track in Tulsa out of the running in the new state horse racing compact

Governor Brad Henry says, "everyone's a winner" in the state's compact with the horse racing industry and Oklahoma's Indian tribes. <br><br>But some people affected by the agreement are wondering

Thursday, January 22nd 2004, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

Governor Brad Henry says, "everyone's a winner" in the state's compact with the horse racing industry and Oklahoma's Indian tribes.

But some people affected by the agreement are wondering just what they've won. Tulsa's Fair Meadows is the only Oklahoma racetrack that was left out of the negotiations.

The county-owned facility negotiated with the Creek and Cherokee tribes to receive annual payments of $2.5 to $3-million, as long as Fair Meadows install casino-style gaming. Fair Meadows wasn't the only group surprised by the governor's announcement.

Win Ingersoll with the Oklahoma Horsemen's Association: "And we don't have any idea what is in it. We just get rumors and that's why we would like to be included, you know. We represent about 400 workers of our own in the breeding and racing industry, and I think we need to be in on it."

Win Ingersoll says the Oklahoma Horsemen's Association made several requests to take part in negotiations. He says the state wouldn't allow it.