FREDRICKSBURG, TX—AUGUST 30, 2017—The management of Gillespie County Fair informed the Texas Racing Commission of their intent to cease live racing and simulcasting operations today (Aug. 30).

In a letter to the commission the racetrack said they won't pay license fees for the upcoming fiscal year, which starts Friday (Sep. 1).

"The management of the track acknowledges that such will result in a lack of authorization to continue operations and, therefore, all operations requiring a racing commission license at each referenced facility will cease at or before the close of business on Aug. 31, 2017," G.C.F.A. attorney William Moltz wrote in an Aug. 25 letter.

The commission requires licensing for live racing and simulcasting.

The commission is facing a budget shortfall for fiscal year 2017, with enough funding to operate through the end of September, according to agency spokesman Robert Elrod. The agency also is looking at a shortfall for 2018 after Saddle Brook Park, Laredo Race Park and Longhorn Downs decided not to renew their licenses. None of those tracks were operational, but they paid fees to maintain their licenses that totaled $690,000.

The commission is expected to discuss proposals to make up for the deficit at a meeting Sept. 20 in Austin.

Gillespie County Fair in Fredericksburg conducts a mixed meet for Thoroughbreds and Quarter Horses. The track lost its final day of live racing Sunday due to inclement weather. The stakes carded on the final day will run on Friday and Saturday at Retama Park in Selma.

The Class 1 horse tracks in Texas are all operational: Lone Star Park near Dallas, Retama Park near San Antonio and Sam Houston in Houston.