Breeding thoroughbreds is, of course, nothing new in Pennsylvania.
But under a state-subsidized breeding program, infused with millions of dollars from Pennsylvania's casino revenues, the Broks get to share in the winnings of the horses they breed.
If any horse they breed finishes in the money - that is, wins, places or shows - at a Pennsylvania track, the Broks get a bonus from a pool of state money called the Pennsylvania Horse Race Development Fund.
So far this year, the Broks have received about $40,000 from the fund.
"Slots have benefited my business tremendously," Glen Brok said. "They've created a great atmosphere for breeding horses in Pennsylvania."
It's no accident that breeders such as the Broks find themselves in the winners circle.
The Pennsylvania Race Horse Development and Gaming Act, the legislation that legalized the state's 14 slots-only casinos, was aimed at reinvigorating the state's sagging horse racing industry.
Purses at Pennsylvania tracks were low, and Pennsylvania-bred horses were being overshadowed by those raised in New York, Kentucky and Florida.
That's all changed because of tax revenue from the slots.
Under the gaming law, 12 percent of gross casino revenues goes to an array of programs that underwrite various aspects of thoroughbred and harness racing in Pennsylvania.
Since the first casino opened in November 2006, slots revenues have pumped $295.3 million into the state's thoroughbred and harness racing industry, according to the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board.
In 2007, the first full year of operation, the Pennsylvania Race Horse Development Fund received $128.5 million from casino revenues. As a result, purses at Pennsylvania race tracks escalated from $55 million to $144 million in 2007, a nearly 162 percent increase in one year.
Melinda Tucker, director of racetrack gaming, said the 2008 figures will give a clearer picture of the impact of slots on thoroughbred and harness racing in Pennsylvania.
The picture is pretty clear to Rich Miller, owner of Mountain Springs Arena near Shartlesville, where he runs thoroughbred auctions.
He said horse racing in Pennsylvania is doing great.
And, he predicted, it will get even better as the remaining eight casinos begin operations over the next several years.
"Purses are up, and they're going up again in January," Miller said.
"More stallions are coming into Pennsylvania, and more people are getting in the game," he said. "It's getting pretty lucrative now. The value of Pennsylvania-bred horses has about doubled."
That's pretty sickening given the major problems facing Pennsylvanians and Pennsylvania.
Look at this chart.
As a result of their 12% levy the horse racing industry in Pennsylvania has received $829,053,213,26 in revenues since 2006. Here is a link to the information.
Legislators are wondering how to fund our drastic highway repairs so sorely needed...duhhhhh.
