Calder Race Course opened its 38th season of Thoroughbred racing Monday afternoon without a signed contract between the racetrack and the Florida division of the Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association to distribute purse money.

As a result, the Florida HBPA denied Calder Race Course permission to distribute its simulcast signal to inter-state (ISW) and advance-deposit wagering outlets (ADW). The signal was only made available intra-state (ITW) to off-track betting facilities in Florida.

“It’s unfortunate that the Florida horsemen have chosen to not discuss a contract with us until all issues with advance-deposit wagering and future slot machine revenue splits are resolved because we are willing to provide our simulcast signal to off-track betting facilities and horseplayers nationwide,” said Churchill Downs Incorporated Executive Vice President Steve Sexton. “We’ve communicated to the Florida HBPA that we do not know when slot operations will commence. Our discussions are ongoing and we hope to resolve our differences expeditiously.”

Live racing at Calder Race Course is scheduled to resume Friday, April 25.

Calder Race Course, located on South Florida’s Miami-Dade / Broward county line, offers Thoroughbred horse racing and wholecard simulcasting during two consecutive meets. The track is home of the Festival of the Sun and the Florida Stallion Stakes. A wholly owned property of Churchill Downs Incorporated (NASDAQ: CHDN), Calder also operates the Tropical at Calder Meet. Information about Calder Race Course can be found on the Internet at www.calderracecourse.com.