The Horse Racing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) has summoned Churchill Downs Incorporated (CDI) to a board hearing on March 11, 2026, for allegedly failing to pay 2025 assessment fees for its racetracks. If unresolved, CDI could face prohibitions on conducting races at its facilities. The action stems from disputes over fee calculations, separate from ongoing litigation for prior years.
On February 18, 2026, HISA issued a notice of hearing to CDI, accusing the company of violating rules by not remitting 2025 assessment fees for Churchill Downs, Turfway Park, Ellis Park, and Presque Isle Downs. The notice states that CDI has refused to pay any fees for these tracks, even under its preferred formula based solely on racing starts.
HISA seeks payment of amounts calculated using CDI's own methodology for the 2025 fees, totaling approximately $5.2 million across the tracks: $2.5 million for Churchill Downs, $1.49 million for Turfway Park, $761,000 for Presque Isle Downs, and $465,000 for Ellis Park, including accrued interest. The hearing, set for March 11 before a panel chaired by Joe De Francis with members Bill Thomason and Terri Mazur, requires payment within 10 days of any board order. Non-compliance would prohibit CDI from conducting covered horseraces starting on the next scheduled race day.
The notice describes CDI as 'freeloading' by benefiting from HISA services like drug testing, track inspections, and safety platforms without contributing. 'CDI promotes the benefits of HISA with its investors while at the same time failing to pay its fair share–or any share at all,' it states.
This enforcement action is distinct from federal litigation over 2023 and 2024 fees, where CDI paid using its starts-only formula, leaving an alleged $1.7 million deficit. CDI's December 4, 2024, lawsuit argues HISA lacks authority to adjudicate disputes internally, insisting such matters belong in federal court. HISA maintains that CDI owes at least the sought amount regardless of the lawsuit's outcome.
CDI executive director of racing Gary Palmisano Jr. did not respond to requests for comment by the publication deadline.
