The Associated Press

PIKEVILLE - Pikeville is the latest Kentucky entrant into the field of off-track betting.

Appalachian Racing Inc., which operates Thunder Ridge harness track near Prestonsburg and OTBs at the track and in Hazard, won approval by a 3-2 vote earlier this week. Other OTB locations are in Corbin, Maysville, Jamestown and Pineville.

Appalachian Racing director Terrell Ross of Frankfort could not be reached for comment Pikeville Mayor Frank Justice, who cast the deciding vote for the OTB, said no one from Appalachian Racing had lobbied him for his support.

City Commissioner Gene Davis said Friday that the issue was buried in Monday night's agenda and was unexpectedly called for a vote.

"The proposal's bound to have been mentioned to somebody (before the meeting), but not to me," said Davis, a city commissioner since 1990, who voted against it.

Thunder Ridge general manager Anita Ratliff told the Appalachian News-Express that no site had been selected.

Pikeville City Manager Donavan Blackburn said track officials were trying to set up on the outskirts of the downtown. He said the OTB parlor could generate $100,000 and 20 or 30 jobs for the city.

Blackburn said he had gotten mostly positive comments about the proposed OTB, which needs approval by the new Kentucky Horse Racing Authority.