Conflict of Interest Shadows Rillito Park Horse Racing Proposal

Pima County has canceled its request for proposals (RFP) for a new horse racing operator at Rillito Park after uncovering a potential conflict of interest involving a member of the Horse Racing Commission. Concerns were raised when it was discovered that a commission member had participated in drafting the RFP and later intended to submit a response through the commission’s associated nonprofit.

Due to the compromised procurement process, there will be no horse racing at Rillito Park for the 2025 February through March season. The county initially issued the RFP on July 1, with the aim of securing a new operator for the Tucson-based track. However, administrators swiftly canceled the process to maintain fairness and integrity in the selection.

Commission member Timothy Kelly, who helped draft the RFP, recused himself from the evaluation committee after realizing that the commission’s nonprofit planned to bid. His involvement raised concerns that he had access to privileged information not available to other potential bidders, compromising the competitive nature of the process.

Pima County Administrator Jan Lesher stated that the cancellation allows them to thoroughly assess the current condition of Rillito Racetrack. She highlighted that the track may not meet Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority standards, citing the need for a new rail system and the impact of recent storm damage.

Significant repairs are necessary, including the reconstruction of temporary barns that were damaged during the storms. The county will develop and issue a new RFP once it fully understands the required renovations and timelines. Given the extent of the needed repairs, horse racing at Rillito Racetrack will not take place during the 2025 season.

Beyond the track’s physical condition, the county’s decision was also influenced by the previous operator’s failure to submit financial audits for three consecutive years. This prior mismanagement added urgency to finding a new operator that could meet all regulatory and operational standards.

While the commission’s fundraising arm was not the only group interested in managing the track, its involvement in the drafting and evaluation process made the original RFP untenable. The commission may still operate county fair horse racing days and could collaborate with other Arizona racetracks to achieve this.