alex waldrop | Horse Racing Free Tips

View From The Eighth Pole: Keeping HISA Out Of Racing’s Alphabet Soup

The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HiSA) got off to a solid start last month when Maryland attorney Charles Scheeler was elected by fellow directors to chair the nine-person board that will act as an independent oversight body on medication and safety issues for Thoroughbred racing in the United States.

The board includes some names that should be familiar to horse racing people (i.e., former Breeders' Cup and National Thoroughbred Racing Association executive D.G. Van Clief Jr., retired Keeneland president Bill Thomason, former New York Racing Association chief financial officer and president Ellen McClain, and Joseph De Francis, whose family previously owned Maryland tracks Laurel and Pimlico).

But there are others who bring major league sports experience to the Authority. Adolpho Birch spent 23 years at the National Football League's headquarters focusing on enforcement of integrity and drug issues, while Leonard Coleman served as president of Major League Baseball's National League (and is a former member of the Churchill Downs Inc. board of directors).

From the world of politics comes board member Steve Beshear, who served as Kentucky's attorney general, lieutenant governor and governor (his son Andy is Kentucky's current governor). Dr. Susan Stover from the University of California at Davis has blazed a trail of ground-breaking research on equine injuries and prevention. Scheeler played a significant role in Major League Baseball's Mitchell Report, which investigated the use of performance-enhancing drugs in that sport.

It is an outstanding group with a variety of skill sets that should work well together as the industry moves into uncharted waters with the development of national rules on medication and safety issues that will require the approval of the Federal Trade Commission in Washington, D.C.

The Authority's second step from the gate was a stumble – temporarily it is hoped – with the appointment of industry organization veteran Hank Zeitlin as interim executive director. Zeitlin is like that retread football coach with a mediocre record who keeps finding new teams to give him a chance. He's gone from management positions at The Jockey Club, to Equibase, to the Thoroughbred Racing Associations of North America in an undistinguished manner.

I'm going to take Scheeler's word for it that Zeitlin is being hired on an interim basis only – that Zeitlin's institutional knowledge will be somewhat useful as Scheeler and other board members get up to speed. He is not the person for the job long-term if the Authority is looking for a dynamic executive as its leader.

I'd almost forgotten that there still is a Thoroughbred Racing Associations of North America and that Zeitlin was collecting an industry paycheck from them. The TRA is not to be confused with the NTRA – the National Thoroughbred Racing Association. They are two distinct groups in racing's alphabet soup of organizations.

I'm not even sure what the TRA does any more, except to count and pass through the money its racetrack members earn for their ownership share of Equibase, the industry's official database that the TRA tracks co-own with The Jockey Club (TJC). Long ago, including during Zeitlin's tenure there as president, the Equibase board decided the company's primary role was to be profitable rather than to serve as a marketing and growth tool for Thoroughbred racing as almost all other sports use their historical data.

Does the industry still need the TRA? Does it really need the NTRA? Can it get by without the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association, or the Association of Racing Commissioners International?

This might be a good time for a downsized industry to look at consolidating some of these organizations and their responsibilities. TRA could probably outsource Zeitlin's current job as its executive vice president to an accountant. The Thoroughbred Racing Protective Bureau, a subsidiary of TRA that once served as an important integrity and security division for horse racing, may fulfill some role in connection with the Authority, particularly when it comes to wagering security, the primary area in which the TRPB is now involved.

The NTRA is a ghost of what it was originally designed to be when it was established nearly 25 years ago. Having long ago given up on being a “league office” for horse racing, the NTRA in recent years has focused on lobbying in Washington, D.C., running a profitable handicapping tournament, and presenting the Eclipse Awards. With NTRA president Alex Waldrop announcing that he will retire at year's end, this might be an opportune time to divvy up those responsibilities to existing groups like The Jockey Club or Equibase and save some money on salaries.

Same goes for the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association (TOBA), whose only real purpose is the grading of North American stakes. Since The Jockey Club prepares the statistical data at TOBA's behest for the annual grading process, that responsibility could easily be transferred. TOBA has been operating in the red in recent years, with its chief executive taking home roughly 30% of the organization's annual revenue.

And what about the Association of Racing Commissioners International (ARCI)? Its primary function seems to be the development of model rules for a variety of activities in racing, including medication and safety policies. With those two categories falling under the Authority's umbrella, there will be a lot less meat on the bone for ARCI president Ed Martin to chew on.

Nothing will change, of course. Some of these organizations with uninspired leadership have evolved into nothing more than jobs programs, and they're not going away. Racing cannot afford to let the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) be steered toward mediocrity and become just another ingredient in racing's bland alphabet soup. Its success is too important.

That's my view from the eighth pole.

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NTRA’s Alex Waldrop to Retire at End of 2021

National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA) President and Chief Executive Officer Alex Waldrop will retire at the end of 2021. He has been at the forefront of the NTRA for 15 years.

During Waldrop's leadership, the NTRA transitioned from a member dues-driven organization into a self-sustaining, program-driven operation with more than 90% of the entity's revenues now derived from programs that support the industry. The organization also solidified its position as the industry's leading voice and the entity that represents all segments of the Thoroughbred industry in Washington, D.C., focusing its lobbying on legislation relating to horse racing, breeding and pari-mutuel wagering.

In addition, the NTRA under Waldrop worked to ensure that the industry was not left behind in 2020 as federal lawmakers crafted numerous important pieces of economic stimulus legislation tied to COVID-19 relief. Another major focus of the NTRA over the past two years was the ultimate passage of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA). The NTRA played a key role in bringing together various factions of the industry represented on the NTRA Board to find common ground in their support of HISA. In addition, the NTRA was crucial in the U.S. Treasury Department's formally adopted modernized regulations regarding the withholding and reporting of winning pari-mutuel wagers, which allowed horseplayers to retain more of their winnings and led to higher pari-mutuel handle.

“My decision to step down at the end of this year is driven by the knowledge that the NTRA is now financially strong and strategically well positioned to lead on key issues affecting Thoroughbred racing,” said Waldrop. “It's the right time for new leadership to take the reins and lead the organization in new and exciting directions. While I will truly miss my colleagues at the NTRA, I am certain they are prepared to meet the challenges ahead. I also have great confidence in the NTRA Board to lead the organization through this time of transition.”

Among Waldrop's other accomplishments during his tenure, he grew the NTRA National Horseplayers Championship from an event offering just over $500,000 in prize money to one that now offers purses and awards totaling nearly $4 million. In addition, the NTRA's group purchasing arm, NTRA Advantage, surpassed $1 billion in sales to the equine industry in 2019 and has provided nearly $200 million in savings to industry participants.

Waldrop has previously been president of Churchill Downs, where he led the effort to develop a master plan for renovation and modernization of the historic facility, and as chair of the equine, gaming, and entertainment practice group at the Kentucky-based law firm Wyatt, Tarrant & Combs. It was there that he served as the NTRA's general counsel before joining the organization full-time in his current role. Waldrop also serves as President of NTRA Horse PAC®, the Federal Political Action Committee of the NTRA that has raised more than $5 million through voluntary contributions to support political parties and candidates for elective office at the federal level.

“Alex was the right person at the time to lead the NTRA,” said Alan M. Foreman, chairman of the Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association (THA) and the NTRA's longest-serving director. “He stabilized the organization, refocused its mission and core functions and produced results that have and will continue to benefit our industry in the future. He led the organization's unparalleled achievements in Washington, from modernizing the law governing withholding of winnings to benefit our horseplayers, to tax reform for our breeders and owners, pandemic relief for all stakeholders and safety, health and welfare standards for our equine athletes. Most importantly, through his quiet but tireless leadership, he was able to bring consensus among competing industry stakeholders for the industry's best interests during challenging times. He deserves our gratitude and respect.”

The NTRA board of directors has begun a formal transition process and is conducting a search for Waldrop's successor.

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Alex Waldrop To Retire As NTRA President At End Of 2021

National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA) President and Chief Executive Officer Alex Waldrop announced Wednesday that he will retire at the end of 2021 after 15 years at the helm of the organization.

Waldrop has had a distinguished career in the horse racing industry, serving as President of Churchill Downs and later as Chair of the equine, gaming, and entertainment practice group at the Kentucky-based law firm Wyatt, Tarrant & Combs, where he served as the NTRA's general counsel before joining the organization full-time in his current role.

During Waldrop's tenure at the NTRA, the association transitioned from a member dues-driven organization into a self-sustaining, program-driven operation with more than 90 percent of the entity's revenues now derived from programs that support the industry.

Under Waldrop's leadership, the NTRA grew its footprint in Washington, D.C., solidifying its position as the industry's leading voice and the entity that represents all segments of the Thoroughbred industry on Capitol Hill. As the trade association for the Thoroughbred industry, the NTRA has focused its lobbying on legislation having a direct and material impact on its members and their business activities as they relate to horse racing, breeding and pari-mutuel wagering.

Throughout much of 2020, the NTRA worked to ensure that the industry was not left behind as federal lawmakers crafted numerous important pieces of economic stimulus legislation tied to COVID-19 relief. Another major focus of the NTRA over the past two years was the ultimate passage of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA), which became law in December 2020. The NTRA played a key role in bringing together various factions of the industry represented on the NTRA Board to find common ground in their support of HISA.

Support of and by horseplayers led to one of the biggest highlights during Waldrop's time at the NTRA when in 2017 the U.S. Treasury Department formally adopted modernized regulations regarding the withholding and reporting of winning pari-mutuel wagers. The new regulations were the culmination of nearly a decade of work on Capitol Hill by the NTRA, and overnight resulted in dramatically reduced reporting obligations for horseplayers and practically eliminated withholding on winning wagers, allowing horseplayers to retain more of their winnings and leading to higher pari-mutuel handle.

Waldrop also serves as President of NTRA Horse PAC®, the Federal Political Action Committee of the NTRA that has raised more than $5 million through voluntary contributions to support political parties and candidates for elective office at the federal level.

In 2008, Waldrop and the NTRA led an industry-wide effort that resulted in the creation of the NTRA Safety and Integrity Alliance, an entirely new program and self-regulatory body that for more than a decade has identified and implemented national safety and integrity standards at many of the nation's leading racetracks. Since its inception, the Alliance has helped spearhead reforms in the areas of improved medication and testing policies; guidelines for injury reporting and prevention; safety research; providing a safer racing environment; and post-racing care for retired race horses.

During Waldrop's tenure, the NTRA National Horseplayers Championship grew from an event offering just over $500,000 in prize money to one that now offers purses and awards totaling nearly $4 million.

The NTRA's group purchasing arm, NTRA Advantage, realized unparalleled success during Waldrop's tenure. Advantage surpassed $1 billion in sales to the equine industry in 2019 and has provided nearly $200 million in savings to industry participants. Longtime Advantage partner John Deere is among the industry's longest-running sponsors through its support of Churchill Downs, the Breeders' Cup and the Advantage program.

Earlier in Waldrop's career, as President of Churchill Downs racetrack, he led the effort to develop a master plan for renovation of the historic Churchill Downs, which led to a $126 million modernization of the facility and paved the way for future capital investments on the property that continue to this day.

“Alex was the right person at the time to lead the NTRA. He stabilized the organization, refocused its mission and core functions and produced results that have and will continue to benefit our industry in the future. He led the organization's unparalleled achievements in Washington, from modernizing the law governing withholding of winnings to benefit our horseplayers, to tax reform for our breeders and owners, pandemic relief for all stakeholders and safety, health and welfare standards for our equine athletes. Most importantly, through his quiet but tireless leadership, he was able to bring consensus among competing industry stakeholders for the industry's best interests during challenging times. He deserves our gratitude and respect.”

Alan M. Foreman, Chairman of the Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association (THA) and the NTRA's longest serving Director.

“On behalf of the Breeders' Cup, we want to thank Alex for his time and dedication to the NTRA and the overall Thoroughbred industry, including his commitment to equine safety through the Safety and Integrity Alliance and support for the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act.”

Drew Fleming, President and Chief Executive Officer, Breeders' Cup and NTRA Board Director

“Under Alex's leadership, Del Mar has been a longtime supporter of all of the major NTRA programs—the Safety and Integrity Alliance, NTRA Advantage, the National Horseplayers Championship ― and the NTRA's federal legislative activities in Washington that are so vital to all segments of the horse racing industry. Each of these programs has realized sustained growth while providing ongoing value to members like Del Mar.”

Josh Rubinstein, President of Del Mar Thoroughbred Club and NTRA Board Director.

The NTRA board of directors has begun a formal transition process and is conducting a search for Waldrop's successor. Interested candidates are invited to send their resume to CEOposition@NTRA.com.

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Additional H-2B Visas Available For Second Half Of Federal Fiscal Year

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) issued a joint temporary final rule that was published today in the Federal Register and offers 22,000 additional H-2B visas to employers for the second half of the federal fiscal year that ends on September 30, 2021. These visas are used by employers, such as racehorse trainers, who seek seasonal guest workers. They are capped at 66,000 annually, with an even split of 33,000 available for each half of the federal government's fiscal year. Six thousand of these supplemental visas will be reserved for nationals of the Northern Triangle countries of Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala.

“The 22,000 H-2B visas offered through this rule issued by the DHS and DOL will be helpful to employers who rely on the H-2B visa program, including trainers, but many more of these visas are ultimately required to satisfy the need,” said NTRA President and CEO Alex Waldrop. “For that reason, the NTRA, through its involvement in the H-2B Workforce Coalition, supports additional relief from the burdensome annual H-2B visa cap through a permanent returning worker exemption.”

Employers can find eligibility and filing details here.

This past December, the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 became law and included a provision that provides the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) with the discretionary authority to release an additional 64,176 H-2B visas when significant need is demonstrated. The NTRA supports all efforts to make additional visas available to seasonal businesses struggling with labor issues.

The H-2B visa guest worker program is a nonimmigrant visa program used by many industries that need temporary non-agricultural help when domestic workers are unavailable. For the horse racing industry, trainers rely heavily on the H-2B program to fill various backside positions.

Demand for H-2B visas often exceeds their availability and the cap level is quickly reached, leaving employers in need. For the second half of federal fiscal year 2021, DHS announced that by February 12 it had received enough H-2B worker petitions to reach the congressionally mandated cap of 33,000 visas allotted.

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