Thistledown signal restored on Youbet

The Ohio Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association has restored its approval for the online account-wagering company Youbet.com to take wagers on the signal from Thistledown racetrack in Cleveland, the association announced Friday.

The horsemen's association authorized betting on the signal after Youbet deposited funds in the horsemen's account related to fees the horsemen were owed, the organization said. The horsemen's group had rescinded its approval earlier this week after it contended that Youbet had failed to make purse payments for the second quarter of 2006.

"Once Youbet was made aware of the situation, they made prompt payment," said Bob Reevers, the chairman of the association's purses and wagering committee, in a release. "We appreciate their prompt attention to this matter and are looking forward to working with them in the future."

Horsemen had contended that Youbet failed to make the payments because of a dispute with XpressBet, a competing account-wagering company owned by Thistledown's parent company, Magna Entertainment Corp.