The sun set last night on Governor Steve Beshear's plan to revive the horse industry by placing "video slots" at the racetrack.

Without the legislation, there doesn't seem to be a way to increase purses for races held inside the "Bluegrass" state.

One horse breeder and trainer tells WBKO, Monday's decision threatens to take away Kentucky's title as the "Thoroughbred Capital of the World."

"There's been ups and downs, but this is about as bad as I've ever seen it."

Mike Harris has been breeding horses here at Westwind Farms since he was a boy.

But times are starting to take a toll on his family's farm.

"I've lost 4 mares for clients who sent them to other states," says Harris.

So needless to say, he had a lot invested in Tuesday's Senate vote.

Harris says he's in favor of "expanded" gaming in Kentucky.

"I don't know if its the answer to all the problems that we have but if something's not done really, really quick its gonna get a lot worse."

In the past year, racetracks like Ellis Park and Turfway Park have run reduced schedules and are saying they will probably have to shut down.

Harris says its because the "billion dollar business" has fallen on hard times.

"The purses for races has either gone down or stayed the same from what was 10 or 15 years ago and expenses keep going up. So its driving a lot of owners out of the business," Harris explains.

Which means secondary businesses like feed companies and horse breeders may get cut the deepest.

"A couple more years like we've had and we won't be doing this anymore," he admits.

Right now, Harris is taking a wait-and-see approach.

He remains realistic that if something doesn't happen to speed horse racing around the track... it could all end.

"I've never done anything else. I've worked here all my life, since I was 14-years-old. It would be tough."

Yesterday, Ohio Governor Ted Strickland did an "about-face" and said he would like to put legalized slot machines at his state's seven racetracks.

Harris says he believes higher purses from states like Ohio and Indiana would surely kill Kentucky horse racing.