The California Horse Racing Board conducted its regular monthly meeting Thursday, July 21, at Del Mar
. Chairman Keith Brackpool presided. Vice Chairman David Israel and Commissioners Jesse Choper, Bo Derek, John Harris, Jerry Moss, and Richard Rosenberg were in attendance.
The Board voted to reduce the levels of two authorized non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Phenylbutazone was lowered from five micrograms to two micrograms per milliliter of blood, while flunixin was lowered from 50 nanograms to 20 nanograms per milliliter of blood. Phenlybutazone (bute) and flunixin (Banamine) are two of the three non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) allowed to be administered up to 24 hours prior to racing provided they do not exceed the aforementioned thresholds at race time. The level for ketoprofen, the third NSAID, was unchanged. Only one of these NSAIDs may be present at race time. This brings California into compliance with national model rules and with graded stakes requirements. These changes will go into effect January 1, 2012. In a 4-3 vote, Chairman Brackpool and Commissioners Choper, Derek, and Harris voted for this regulatory amendment. Vice Chairman Israel and Commissioners Moss and Rosenberg voted against the motion. The Board approved by a 6-0 vote (with Commissioner Moss abstaining) changes to penalties related to these drugs, which will be implemented concurrently with the lower thresholds.·
The Board approved a regulatory amendment to void the claim (sale) of any horse that suffers a fatality during the running of the race or before the horse is returned to be unsaddled. In a 5-2 vote, Chairman Brackpool, Vice Chairman Israel, and Commissioners Choper, Derek, and Harris voted in favour, while Commissioners Moss and Rosenberg voted in opposition.·
The California Marketing Committee (CMC) provided an update on its work with the Bailey Gardner agency on the branding and marketing of California horse racing. This program began in December 2010 with research focused on consumers and horsemen followed by workshops to evaluate the gathered information and develop strategies for rebranding California thoroughbred racing. The upcoming campaign will heavily utilize social media and other innovative marketing strategies to promote California horse racing.·
The Board approve the license for the Los Angeles Turf Club to conduct a race meet at Golden Gate Fields from August 19 through October 2. Racing will be conducted three days per week on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.·
George Haines, president of Santa Anita Park, advised the Board that work on the main track should be completed by July 25 and horses should be back in training July 26. CHRB Executive Director Kirk Breed said the work conforms to the trilateral agreement between Santa Anita, the California Thoroughbred Trainers (CTT), and the CHRB. Chairman Brackpool took the opportunity to publicly thank Hollywood Park for remaining open as an auxiliary stabling and training center during this period.·
The Board approved the license application for the Los Angeles County Fair to conduct a race meet from September 9 through September 24. Fairplex will run for 13 days, two fewer than in 2010.·
The Board approved the 2010/2011 funding formula providing funding support for CHRB operations. The CHRB budget is funded by the horse racing industry, not by the California General Fund.·
The Board authorized the distribution of $42,574 in race day charity proceeds by the Los Alamitos Quarter Horse Racing Association to four beneficiaries.
The audio of this entire Board meeting is available on the CHRB Website (www.chrb.ca.gov) under the Webcast link.
(CHRB)