Horse Racing

The $1.4 million saved would have paid for track veterinarians, equine drug tests and track stewards to umpire races. Without it, 101 horse-racing dates across Michigan are to be canceled, including all in August and September, said state racing commissioner spokeswoman Liana Bennett, whose job ended Friday due to the cut.

Officials in towns with tracks said the cut actually works against a balanced budget because it will slice state income from a 3.5% tax on Simulcast wagers, in which track fans bet on horse races running elsewhere. The tax raised $7.45 million last year.