It must have come as somewhat of a shocker - I know it did for me - the innocuous press release from Tampa Bay Downs yesterday that announced that the track in Oldsmar and the Tampa Greyhound Track: "are parties to a contract for the sale of assets of Tampa Greyhound Track, including the pari-mutuel permit and all real property located in the City of Tampa."

    And here are the logistics of the deal: Tampa Bay Downs will continue to operate the Tampa Greyhound Track facility with live dog racing held at Derby Lane (in St. Petersburg) and simulcast and poker operations located at the Nebraska Ave. location in Tampa."

    There was no further clarification as to why Stella Thayer would want to own the Tampa operation, but there will be much speculation. Such as, Rick Scott's monetary deal with the Seminole Tribe that prevents any other pari-mutuel facilities from having slots is set to expire in the not-too-distant future. It's entirely possible that the governor who has done nothing to improve anyone's life in this state in the last four years is thinking about ending the relationship with the Tribe, since several strategically-located casinos around Florida would potentially bring into the state's coffers much more revenue than the Hard Rocks currently provide via the deal. Maybe Mrs. Thayer is just getting herself in a better position regarding slots. Granted, that's just speculation, but without any further word from her, that's all we can do for now.

    The Division of Pari-Mutuel's activity report for poker rooms is current through Nov. 30, if current is the key word. In the five months since the fiscal year began, the Tampa Greyhound poker room's gross receipts come to $915,835, as compared to Tampa Bay Downs with $1,684,497. Derby Lane's number is better than both combined - $3,554,930.

    The No. 1 poker room in the state belongs to the Jacksonville Kennel Club, which is sailing along with $6,281,181 in gross receipts, followed by Isle Casino and Racing at Pompano Park with $5,312,226. Ocala Poker and Jai Alai is the top jai alai producer with $1,503,327, and Hialeah Park leads the South Florida racetracks with $3,285,999. Gulfstream Park is at $2,221,844, and Calder Casino and Race Course is no longer a poker destination - since its racing deal with Gulfstream, its poker room is closed, leaving only the casino. Hialeah also leads Flagler Greyhound ($2,888,404), Miami Jai Alai ($1,017,516) and Mardi Gras (Hollywood dogs, $2,185,275). Dania Jai Alai closed a few weeks ago and will be shuttered for about a year making extensive renovations.

    The total gross receipts for all the poker rooms in the state through November come to $54,125,160.

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