I'm a near 71 year old ARMY retired man originally from New Hampshire, but I have now lived in Virginia for 40 years. You can imagine that I have seen alot of changes in the horse racing business in my lifetime. I can remember helping my brother train his Harness horses in my early years and all the lifelong friends we made. However, the most dishearten change in my home state is the fact that there are no longer any open race tracks due to a stagnant State Legislature. Thank God our Virginia Legislature has voted to be take a progressive path by approving the Historical gaming machines. Hopefully our Racing Commission will take a close look at the actions and rules the Commonwealth of Kentucky have taking as it petains to these Historical gaming machines. Based on our current and future technically smart generations, these machines are much needed to keep these fast passed generations satisfied between the 20-30 min delays of live horse racing and the funds generated will provide a subsidy that will help ensure (hopefully) that Colonial Downs will never close again once live racing is resumed. As a side note, I would love to own and race a Va. breed horse in my state for years to come.

Regards

Wendall Howard