Tampa Bay signal shut out of Twinspires.com

The signal from Tampa Bay Downs in Oldsmar, Fla., has been unavailable on Twinspires.com, the largest account-wagering operation in the United States, since the track opened its meet on Saturday because of a contractual dispute between the two parties, officials said on Monday.

Peter Berube, the general manager of Tampa Bay, said that the track has been unable to reach an agreement with Twinspires.com to carry the signal, but he said that negotiations are ongoing in the hopes of reaching a contract before the track’s next live racing day on Wednesday. Tampa’s signal has been available on competitors of Twinspires.com, which is owned and operated by Churchill Downs Inc.

“Right now we’re in negotiations,” Berube said. “I don’t want to comment any further because I don’t want to negotiate in the press.” Berube declined to discuss the issues that separate the two parties.

Churchill officials did not immediately return phone calls.

Twinspires.com became the largest account-wagering operation in the Uinter States this year after it purchased Youbet.com and folded the company’s operations into its own.