The California Horse Racing Board (CHRB) conducted its regular meeting Thursday, August 22, in the Surfside satellite facility at Del Mar.
Chairman David Israel presided. Vice Chairman Chuck Winner and Commissioners Steve Beneto, Jesse Choper, Bo Derek, George Krikorian, and Richard Rosenberg 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:
Those involved reported significant progress in resolving stabling issues for the Southern California thoroughbred circuit. Santa Anita Park, Los Alamitos Race Course, Fairplex Park, and San Luis Rey Downs all will be used for stabling and training as needed, and Hollywood Park has agreed to remain open for auxiliary stabling at least until January 31. The Board put stabling and the final 2014 and 2015 racing calendars over until the September 19 meeting at Fairplex Park.
The Board adopted the Breeders’ Cup policy prohibiting the administration of bleeder medication to 2 year olds competing in championship races November 2 and 3 at Santa Anita. The Board also ruled that in other Breeders’ Cup races, bleeder medication must be administered only by specified veterinarians. The Board endorsed plans by the Breeders’ Cup to have all horses thoroughly checked for internal bleeding after they race.
The Board approved for public notice a proposal to make all jockeys and apprentice jockeys subject to alcohol breath testing before every racing program, as recommended by the Jockey and Driver Welfare Committee in its report on the July 19 committee meeting.
The Board approved for public notice an option for buyers to indicate they want their submitted claim to be valid even if the horse is placed on the Veterinarian’s List as lame or unsound, as recommended by the Medication and Track Safety Committee in its report on the July 19 committee meeting.
The Thoroughbred Racing Protective Bureau reported on a new Tote Security System that soon will be introduced at various tracks around the country, including Golden Gate Fields. Separate from the wager processing systems that will remain in place, the new system will provide improved transaction and odds information.
The Board approved the license for the Big Fresno Fair Meet in Fresno from October 2 through October 14.
The Board approved the license for the Pacific Racing Association’s thoroughbred meet at Golden Gate Fields from October 16 through December 22, conditioned on submission of outstanding documents and an agreement with the California Thoroughbred Trainers.
The Board approved the license for Watch and Wager LLC’s harness meet at Cal Expo from October 5 through December 21, conditioned on submission of required financial information.
Representatives from the University of California, Davis, provided updates on continuing efforts to reduce equine injuries through a Track Safety Program and by utilizing information gained from the postmortem examinations of horses that suffer catastrophic injuries.
Santa Anita submitted its marketing plan for the upcoming fall meet, emphasizing capital improvements to the grandstand.
Following the public meeting, CHRB Counsel Robert Miller advised the commissioners during closed session that all hearing officers will be instructed to define the terms of any license suspension and submit a proposed ruling in their proposed decisions.
(CHRB)