The California Horse Racing Board conducted a meeting on Thursday, June 29, 2023, at Cal Expo in Sacramento. Chairman Gregory Ferraro chaired the meeting, joined by Vice Chair Oscar Gonzales and Commissioners Dennis Alfieri and Brenda Washington Davis.
The audio of this entire Board meeting is available on the CHRB Website (www.chrb.ca.gov) under the Webcast link. In brief:
- In his report to the Board, Dr. Jeff Blea, the CHRB equine medical director, advised that equine fatalities due to musculoskeletal injuries have declined by a third in FY 2022-23 (which concluded June 30) from the previous fiscal year. He reported on several new rules going into effect to protect horses – the latest in a long list of safety initiatives – and he credited those rules and procedures introduced at California racetracks with the decline in racing and training injuries. (The CHRB will be providing more details on FY 2022-23 fatalities in an upcoming news release.)
- The Board approved the license for Pacific Racing Association to run a thoroughbred meet at Golden Gate Fields (GGF) that will operate from Aug. 26 through Oct. 2. In a departure from the historical schedule, GGF will be racing on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday during the meet, with Monday replacing Friday. GGF has been closed for the early summer without any racing or training. GGF Vice President and General Manager David Duggan reported significant improvements to the Tapeta racing surface since the track closed, including the addition of tons of new materials. The CHRB will continue monitoring all maintenance activities on that surface. Eric Sindler, counsel for the California Racing Operations arm of 1/ST, reassured Vice Chair Gonzales and the Board that the corporation's minor investment in some horses owned by Myracehorse.com is purely for marketing purposes and poses no conflict of interest in racing at 1/ST racetracks.
- In his report to the Board, Executive Director Scott Chaney advised that 57 recommendations for the improvement of horse racing in California have been implemented, as detailed at http://www.chrb.ca.gov/RecommendationsPOAM.aspx
- The Board approved the license for the California Exposition and State Fair for a fair meet at Cal Expo in Sacramento that will operate from July 14 through July 30. This State Fair meet has moved its first post to 3:45 p.m. – later in the day to help avoid excessive heat. The Board thanked Fair executives for being considerate of horses, workers, and fans.
- The Board approved the license for the Sonoma County Fair for a fair meet in Santa Rosa that will operate from Aug. 3 through Aug. 13.
- The Board authorized the use of some Advance Department Wagering revenue generated by Santa Rosa racing for a marketing program.
- The Board approved the license for the Humboldt County Fair for a fair meet in Ferndale that will operate from Aug. 18 through Aug. 27. Fair executives discussed their efforts to deal with safety concerns about the grandstand before opening day. The Board asked them to work on contingency plans.
- The Board approved the FY 2023-24 agreement providing funding support for the CHRB.
- The Board authorized California Thoroughbred Breeders Association to conduct a horse sale at the Alameda County Fairgrounds on August 15.
- The Board authorized Los Alamitos Equine Sales Company to conduct a horse sale at Los Alamitos on September 30 and October 1.
- The Board renewed the license for The Tilted Kilt in Thousand Oaks to continue wagering operations as a mini-satellite.
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