There are a lot of reasons the horse industry's video-gambling bill died a brutal death in the Kentucky General Assembly, succumbing before it was even called for a vote.

        In fact, the reasons line up like thoroughbreds listed in the Daily Racing Form.

        Johnny Come Lately. Once they finally came together and began working, lawmakers in Frankfort, the horse-racing industry representatives and lobbyists did a good job pushing their argument in Frankfort — that the tracks need video slots to compete against riverboat casinos in Indiana and Illinois.

        But the industry seemed to have waited too long to begin the hard sell for the bill. Lining up the votes should have started last summer or fall. On such a complicated, controversial bill, by the time the gavel drops on the session's first day, it's already too late to get a lot of lawmakers to take a serious look.

        Fightin' Words. The battles between the Republican-controlled Senate and the Democrat-dominated House were more intense than usual in the Capitol. Heck, lawmakers still haven't settled on a budget and there is just one day left in this year's session.So it's easy to see how the bill got caught up in partisan squabbling and couldn't find support from leadership for a vote.

        King David. Elements of the racing industry are convinced that Senate President David Williams, R-Burkesville, helped kill the bill by letting it be known it would never be called for a vote in the Senate.

        Mr. Williams was reportedly angry at members of Gov. Paul Patton's administration for recruiting a candidate to run against him. So he pledged to sit on the bill, which was sponsored by one of Mr. Patton's top legislative allies, House Majority Caucus Chairman Jim Callahan, D-Wilder.

        Paul Be Gone. Gov. Patton tried to rally support for video gambling at race tracks in 1999 but all he found was opposition. So this time around he kept an exceptionally low profile during the debate, working the issue privately but not getting out front publicly.

        Would the bill have had a better shot if he had taken a stronger leadership role? Some lawmakers and horse-industry folks think so.

        Holier Than Thou. A poll done in March by the Louisville Courier-Journal found that 72 percent of Northern Kentuckians favored legalizing video gambling.

        But only two of Northern Kentucky's 13 lawmakers — Mr. Callahan and Rep. Jon Draud, R-Crestview Hills — openly supported the bill. Some lawmakers, most notably Rep. Charlie Walton, R-Florence, worked overtly against it. That despite the fact that Turfway Park — where attendance and wagering continue to dwindle because of riverboat competition — is in Mr. Walton's district.

        Republicans like Mr. Walton make no secret of their close ties to the religious right.

        But the March poll showed that most people want the opportunity to gamble at racetracks like Turfway. Maybe it's time some legislators started listening to more of their constituents, not just the ones they see at church.

        We're Coming Back. Gambling is dead for now. But the tracks and Northern Kentucky developers Jerry Carroll and Bill Butler — who want to pursue a casino on Covington's riverfront — vow to continue the fight.

        Patrick Crowley covers Kentucky politics. He can be reached at (859) 578-5581, or e-mail pcrowley@enquirer.com.

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