Youbet/TrackNet: Bettors Shafted/Trouble brewing

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Youbet.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:UBET - News) said today that unless TrackNet Media drops its requirement that Youbet forego other premier races to carry the 2007 Kentucky Derby and other TrackNet controlled content, customers of the industry's largest ADW will not be able to use its website or phone facilities to wager on the first leg of this year's Triple Crown. TrackNet Media is a joint venture of Churchill Downs, Inc. and Magna Entertainment Corp.

"Instead of the broader, more inclusive distribution formula the industry has been promised, TrackNet presented us with an unreasonable either-or scenario," said Youbet CEO Charles F. Champion.

"To carry this year's Kentucky Derby and its other content, TrackNet wants us to forego races from, among others, Aqueduct, Belmont, Saratoga, Del Mar, Keeneland, Oak Tree at Santa Anita, Saratoga Harness, Turfway Park, Turf Paradise, and Los Alamitos.

"It ought to be obvious to everyone with a major investment in horse racing that we should not have to choose one content group over another when we are prepared to pay fair prices for both," said Champion. "Under these circumstances, we think the industry needs to assess the ramifications of the two most dominant content providers in our business coming together to dictate content alignment and economics by forcing choices on us and others that are sure to limit competition, thwart innovation, frustrate customers and stifle growth."