Michigan horsemen to help fund meet

Michigan's Thoroughbred horsemen's group has approved the transfer of more than $170,000 from its overnight purse pool to fund 29 days of racing at Pinnacle Race Course during the state government's 2009-10 fiscal year that ends Sept. 30.

In March, the Thoroughbred racing season was reduced to three days by the state Gaming and Control Board, which said it was uanble to fund regulators at the track due to budget constraints.

Last week's action by the Michigan Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association requires approval by the state legislature, which reconvenes following an Easter recess on April 12. Approval is expected to be a formality, and representatives of the HBPA are working with Pinnacle management to determine a racing schedule.

Additional 2010 racing days in the new fiscal year beginning in Oct. 1 remain a possibility.