The Kentucky Derby -- the center attraction for horse-racing fans -- is planning on expanding its gambling offerings .
A percentage of slots revenue would go to boost racing purses.
"With Maryland voters just approving slots there this week, Kentucky is now the only one of the three states that conduct racing's storied Triple Crown without legislation allowing slot machines," Evans said.
The Maryland law allows slots at Laurel Park, although not at Pimlico Race Course, where the Preakness Stakes is held.
New York allows gambling at tracks. Aqueduct Racetrack has been allowed to add slots, but does not have a facility in operation. Aqueduct is run by the New York Racing Association, which also oversees Belmont Park -- the site of the Belmont Stakes.
Evans also said the company will pursue expanded gambling at Arlington Park in suburban Chicago.
Evans didn't specify what form that expanded gambling would take. Churchill supported amending Kentucky's constitution to allow casinos at racetracks and other locations, but the legislation died in the House.
Rep. Greg Stumbo, D-Prestonsburg, has said he will file a bill for the 2009 session to legalize video slots at racetracks.
Churchill spokesman Kevin Flanery said the company is in an ongoing process of listening to legislators' thoughts on "what they think is both practical and achievable" on gambling expansion .
"In Kentucky what we obviously need to do is level the playing field between Kentucky's racing product and the races in other jurisdictions like Indiana, like West Virginia and like New York and Maryland as we move forward," he said.
Gov. Steve Beshear, a supporter of expanded gambling to provide more money for state programs, was noncommittal.
Maryland's vote "certainly increases the competition that we already face in the racing industry," Beshear said.
Beshear said that for now he must concentrate on a fix for the state's immediate financial problem -- balancing this year's budget.
Frank Stronach, Magna chairman and chief executive officer, said that the company's earlier efforts to sell noncore assets such as real estate to eliminate debt have been hurt by the credit markets.
"As a result, we are evaluating MEC's core operations with a view to possibly selling or joint venturing one or more of MEC's core racetracks," Stronach' said.
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