The California Horse Racing Board (CHRB) conducted its regular monthly meeting Thursday, November 17, at Hollywood Park
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Chairman Keith Brackpool presided. Vice Chairman David Israel and Commissioners Jesse Choper, Bo Derek, Jerry Moss, and Richard Rosenberg were in attendance.
The Board approved the settlement agreement between the Thoroughbred Owners of California (TOC) and the California Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association (CTHA) as it was announced Wednesday. Now that the Board has approved TOC bylaw amendments, the TOC will begin disseminating ballots to its current membership on November 23 for approval of the bylaw changes. If those bylaws are approved by the current membership by December 27, an open election for all 15 seats on the TOC Board will begin February 1, 2012, with votes accepted through March 1.·
The Board presented a resolution to John Harris thanking him for his lifelong participation in the California agriculture industry, for his 40-year commitment to thoroughbred horse racing, and for his 11 years of service as a racing commissioner.·
The Board agreed to wait until the December 15 meeting to fully consider the 2012 license applications of the three ADW operators currently licensed in California – TVG, XpressBet, and Twinspires – to allow for a more thorough review of each applicant’s commitment to the health and welfare of jockeys.
· The Board approved retirement plans changes requested by the Jockey’s Guild and the CHRB Executive Staff designed to facilitate the distribution and investment of funds to the accounts of qualified jockeys licensed to ride in California.·
The Board scheduled for the December 15 meeting a discussion of the ambulance services provided for jockeys and exercise riders during training hours and during racing.·
The Board approved four license applications for race meets. The Los Angeles Turf Club will conduct a thoroughbred meet at Santa Anita Park from December 26 through April 22; the Pacific Racing Association will conduct a thoroughbred meet at Golden Gate Fields from December 26 through June 17; the California Exposition and State Fair will conduct a harness meet at Cal Expo from December 26 through June 30; and the Los Alamitos Quarter Horse Racing Association will conduct a quarter horse meet at Los Alamitos from December 30 through December 23.·
The Board authorized the distribution of $160,436 in race day charity proceeds by the Pacific Racing Association to 12 beneficiaries.·
The Board approved the appointment of Jorge Gutierrez, as nominated by the California Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Foundation, to the CTHF Board for a two-year term.·
The Board asked representatives of Northern California thoroughbred and fair racing to meet again to attempt to resolve a disagreement over the precise summer dates for the thoroughbred meet at Golden Gate and the fair meet in Ferndale. This matter will be placed back on the agenda for the December 15 meeting.·
The Board received an update on the status of a proposed regulation to require the submission of veterinary information for horses that die at California racing and training facilities. This matter will be placed on a future agenda.
The audio of the entire Board meeting is available on the CHRB website (www.chrb.ca.gov) under the 'Webcast' link.
(CHRB)