The California Horse Racing Board conducted a meeting by teleconference on Wednesday, Nov. 17. The public participated by dialing into the teleconference and/or listening through the audio webcast link on the CHRB website. Chairman Gregory Ferraro chaired the meeting, joined by Commissioners Dennis Alfieri, Brenda Washington Davis, Wendy Mitchell, and Alex Solis.
The full audio of this entire Board meeting is available on the CHRB Website (www.chrb.ca.gov) under the Webcast link.
In brief:
· Alan Balch, the executive with California Thoroughbred Trainers who is spearheading the formation of a broadly based industry committee designed to develop regulations and procedures to further decrease equine injuries, reported there is widespread interest among all elements of California horse racing. He said the full committee and the smaller steering committee are in the process of being formed. Balch promised to give the Board reports every one or two months.
“I hope to have something very concrete by February,” he added.
· The Board approved two license applications for racing at Los Alamitos. The traditional night Quarter Horse meet conducted by the Los Alamitos Quarter Horse Racing Association will open Dec. 26, 2021, and run through Dec. 18, 2022. More immediately, a short, daytime Thoroughbred meet conducted by the Los Alamitos Horse Racing Association will run from Dec. 3 through Dec. 12.
· Pertaining to those two meets at Los Alamitos, the Board approved agreements between the meet operators and the horsemen's groups for those two breeds allowing the racing secretaries to set entry conditions limiting certain medications and procedures.
· The Board approved the license application for Watch and Wager LLC to conduct a harness meet at Cal Expo that will open Dec. 26, 2021, and run through May 1, 2022. General Manager Chris Schick said they will offer an expanded stakes schedule for this meet.
· The Board approved an amended license for NYRAbets, LLC, to provide Advance Deposit Wagering services, necessary because of a partial ownership change. NYRAbets President Tony Allevato reported that Fox Sports has acquired a minority interest of 25 percent in the company.
· CHRB Executive Director Scott Chaney reported on the Breeders' Cup that was run at Del Mar on Friday, Nov. 5, and Saturday, Nov. 6.
“Much of the press has centered on a premature scratch in the Juvenile Turf race, which was the last race on Friday's card,” said Chaney. “The CHRB is conducting an investigation, which will determine whether any regulations were violated and will offer suggestions with respect to how such mistakes can be avoided in the future. I also expect to convene a meeting of the Parimutuel Committee to determine if our rules relating to wagering can be improved or updated.
“On a more positive note, the Breeders' Cup achieved another record handle, which seems to be the case when it comes to California, but more importantly all races on both days, including undercard races, were conducted without Lasix or any other medication, and were completed without significant injury. Our restrictive crop rule was also in effect for the event, as it is on every racing day in California.”
· Public comments made during the meeting can be accessed through the meeting audio archive on the CHRB website.
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