The California Horse Racing Board (CHRB) conducted its regular meeting Thursday, May 25, at Santa Anita Park. Chairman Chuck Winner presided. First Vice Chair George Krikorian, Second Vice Chair Madeline Auerbach and Commissioners Jesse Choper, Araceli Ruano and Alex Solis also were in attendance.

The audio of this entire Board meeting is available on the CHRB Website (www.chrb.ca.gov) under the “Webcast” link. In brief:

• The Board approved the license for the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club to operate a race meet at Del Mar from July 19 through September 5. Representatives of Del Mar listed some of the steps they are taking to improve the safety of horses and riders, beginning with a delayed opening to allow more time to get their racing surfaces into excellent condition. Their dual-focus marketing plan will provide more racing-related benefits to frequent visitors, while offering more concerts, food festivals and other major events to the general public.

• The Board authorized Del Mar to write medication conditions for the Breeders’ Cup races that will be run during their fall meet, so that any horse that tests positive for any anabolic steroid or other listed prohibited substance in an out-of-competition test sample within six months of the Breeders’ Cup will be ineligible to compete in any Breeders’ Cup race.

• The Race Dates Committee reported on the previous day’s meeting where the discussion focused not so much on race dates but rather on ways to increase field sizes, which might impact on date allocations. The committee will meet again in July to further discuss some of the ideas floated at Wednesday’s meeting and to receive any other new, creative ideas that might be expressed by the industry and the public.

• The Medication, Safety and Welfare Committee reported on its Wednesday meeting, including a discussion of the new fatality review program. Executive Director Rick Baedeker stressed that the purpose of this program is to learn ways to help avoid future catastrophic injuries in horses. The Committee also received an update on a proposed regulation to require continuing education for trainers.

• The Board approved the license for the California Exposition and State Fair to conduct a horse racing meet at Cal Expo from July 12 through August 1.

• The Board authorized the Northern California Stabling and Vanning Committee to modify the distribution of revenues from advance deposit wagering in order to pay off existing debt and to properly fund ongoing vanning and stabling operations.

• Scott Daruty with Monarch Management described the functions of the company, which negotiates simulcast agreements for 15 racetracks, including all thoroughbred tracks in California.

(CHRB)