wendy mitchell | Horse Racing Free Tips

California Horse Racing Board Accepts Trainers’ Plan For Accident Prevention Task Force

During the California Horse Racing Board's regularly scheduled meeting on Oct. 20, the board accepted a plan to handle catastrophic breakdowns without the implementation of mandatory trainer penalties, reports bloodhorse.com. The plan, which includes an accident prevention task force, was presented by the California Thoroughbred Trainers during yesterday's teleconference committee meeting.

“Since our tracks and regulator now conduct reviews of the most serious accidents with those professionals and connections involved, what may be missing is a way to systemize these findings,” CTT executive director Alan Balch said in the committee meeting. “To evaluate them all together, and take definitive action where indicated, including not only the possibility of referrals or penalties for any licensees who might be found to be responsible, but more important, recommendations for improved conditions, safety, or regulation that may arise.”

CHRB commissioner Wendy Mitchell expressed her gratitude for the CTT's proposal.

“I just want to say that I'm really appreciative that the trainers came forward with constructive ideas and suggestions instead of bringing lawyers and trying to counter the work that we're doing,” Mitchell said. “So I'm really impressed and excited about that and other folks should take a lesson from that.”

After Blip, CHRB Commissioner Mitchell Reappointed

In a session Thursday, the California State Senate voted to reappoint commissioner Wendy Mitchell to the California Horse Racing Board (CHRB).

Mitchell was reappointed by a vote of 23-7, needing 21 votes to succeed.

Thursday's vote follows Mitchell's prior failed bid for reappointment earlier in the month, when, after a period of extensive lobbying on the senate floor, she lost the vote on a 17-20 denial.

Mitchell has served on the CHRB since 2019 and has been principal of WM Consulting Inc. since 2006. Prior to her tenure on the CHRB, Mitchell served on the California Coastal Commission from 2011 to 2016 and the Los Angeles South Valley Area Planning Commission from 2009 to 2011.

The latest iteration of the board, which has undergone a drastic reshuffle in recent years, has been split on a number of recent controversial issues, including whether to grant Los Alamitos a truncated six month license in response to questions raised over its welfare record.

After an extended debate, the board granted the facility its typical 12-month operating license. Mitchell voted with commissioners Oscar Gonzalez and Brenda Washington Davis against issuing the facility a one-year license.

More recently, the panel has been divided over the issue of whether to implement even tighter whip reforms than currently exist in California, with the board eventually voting 4-3 to table the motion for the time being. Again, Mitchell voted with commissioners Gonzalez and Davis against tabling the motion.

A CHRB term lasts four years.

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California Senate Rejects CHRB Appointment Of ‘Woman Who Is Not Beholden To The Old Boys’ Network’

In an event that hasn't occurred in over 20 years, Monday saw the California State Senate reject the governor's reappointment of Wendy Mitchell to the California Horse Racing Board. According to the Los Angeles Times, Mitchell had a 29-5 vote for confirmation at 2:30 p.m. that turned into a 17-20 denial by 3:30 p.m.

No individual senator claimed responsibility for the lobbying that occurred in that intervening hour, though one anonymously speaking senator indicated Mitchell's role as a consultant was a concern. However, she has no clients connected to horse racing.

“Change is hard,” Mitchell told the Los Angeles Times. “I get that. It's slow and sometimes painful for those accustomed to the status quo. Sadly, it would appear that [Monday's] confirmation vote was the old guard of the industry fighting back against reform — reform of horse racing and reform of being implemented by a woman who is not beholden to the old boys' network.”

Mitchell's case is expected to again be taken to a vote at an undetermined time in the future. She has served on the CHRB since 2019.

She is the principal of WM Consulting, described on its website as a firm which “translates how government operates to companies that are working to achieve specific business goals.”

Brenda Davis Appointed To California Horse Racing Board

California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced the following appointments on Thursday:

Brenda Davis, 65, of Sacramento, has been appointed to the California Horse Racing Board. Davis has been Principal at the Brenda Davis Law Group since 2007. She was managing counsel at the California Farm Bureau Federation from 1999 to 2007. Davis was a Legislative Advocate and Negotiator in the Executive Office of the Attorney General at the California Department of Justice from 1996 to 1999. She is a member of the California State Bar, New Mexico State Bar, Mercy Foundation Board of Trustees, Forest Foundation Board of Directors, and the Arden-Arcade Community Planning Advisory Council. Davis earned a Juris Doctor degree from the University of California, Berkeley School of Law. This position requires Senate confirmation and the compensation is $100 per diem. Davis is a Republican.

Wendy Mitchell, 49, of Los Angeles, has been reappointed to the California Horse Racing Board, where she has served since 2019. Mitchell has been principal of WM Consulting Inc. since 2006. She served on the California Coastal Commission from 2011 to 2016 and the Los Angeles South Valley Area Planning Commission from 2009 to 2011. Mitchell was Vice President of Public Policy for the National Association of Women Business Owners from 2008 to 2010 and served on the Board of Directors for the California League of Conservation Voters from 2007 to 2018 and the Women's Political Caucus in 2018. She was Chief of Staff for State Senator Denise Ducheny from 2003 to 2005. Mitchell earned a Master of Public Administration degree from the University of Southern California. This position requires Senate confirmation and the compensation is $100 per diem. Mitchell is a Democrat.

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