The California Horse Racing Board conducted its regular meeting Thursday, July 19, at the Surfside Race Place in Del Mar.
Chairman Keith Brackpool presided. Vice Chairman David Israel and Commissioners Steve Beneto, Jesse Choper, Bo Derek, Richard Rosenberg, and Chuck Winner were in attendance.
The Board allocated racing dates for harness racing at Cal Expo from November 2 through December 22. This allocation completes the 2012 racing calendar. Directors at Cal Expo have agreed to terms of a multi-year agreement for European Wagering Services to operate harness meets at Cal Expo. Representatives of Cal Expo and EWS indicated a license application for the fall meet would soon be submitted to the CHRB.
Following a lengthy discussion of critical matters involving marketing and the distribution of the race signal, the Board approved the license for the Los Angeles Turf Club II to operate a race meet at Santa Anita Park from September 28 through November 4. Santa Anita will host the Breeders’ Cup on Friday, Nov. 2, and Saturday, Nov. 3. Much of the marketing discussion focused on adequately promoting the five weeks leading up to the championship event. Concerning the race signal, representatives of the Stronach Group and the Thoroughbred Owners of California (TOC) reported their willingness to allow both HRTV and TVG to broadcast the races from Hollywood Park, Santa Anita, and Golden Gate Fields for one year but they indicated Hollywood Park has not yet agreed to this proposal. A TVG representative said Hollywood Park’s consent is essential. No one from Hollywood Park was in attendance. The critical issue appears to be 2013 racing dates at Hollywood Park. The Board will be considering the 2013 racing calendar at the August 23 meeting.
The Board adopted a regulatory amendment adding ractopamine and zilpaterol to the prohibited veterinary practices list. The change allows for the prosecution of those administering these two drugs even if the horses are not yet entered to run.
The Board approved license applications for race meets at Fairplex Park in Pomona (from September 7 through September 23) and the San Joaquin County Fair in Stockton (Sept. 19 – 30).
The Board approved an amendment to the Twinspires license allowing the ADW company to offer an additional wagering service. The new Luckity.com Website will offer pari-mutuel wagering that simplifies the handicapping process by encouraging wagers based on such factors as colours and numbers.
The Board authorized the Los Angeles Turf Club to distribute $301,455 in race day charity proceeds to 32 beneficiaries and authorized the Los Alamitos Racing Association to distribute $41,274 in race day charity proceeds to five beneficiaries.
The Board approved the nominations of Robert Bean, Ed Halpern, Dr. Victor Levine, and Amy Zimmerman to the Board of Directors of the California Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Foundation. The CTHA provides medical, dental, and vision services to racing industry workers.
The audio of this entire Board meeting is available on the CHRB Website (www.chrb.ca.gov) under the 'Webcast' link.
(CHRB)