Playfair's license revoked by state

AUBURN, Wash. - The Washington Horse Racing Commission effectively shut down Playfair Race Course on Wednesday when it denied a petition to allow the Spokane track to continue simulcasting through the end of this year.

The commission's decision allowed its original order of July 5 to stand. That order stipulated that the track's license to operate would be revoked unless certain conditions, including the filing of proof that the track's operator had secured $300,000 in new capital, were met by Wednesday. Since those conditions were not met by the deadline, Playfair's license was revoked as of Thursday, July 19.

The demise of Playfair stemmed from a disastrous 2000 season during which track's new operator, Lilac City Racing Association, lost roughly $50,000 while violating several of the conditions in its license.