By: CHRB

The California Horse Racing Board conducted its regular meeting Thursday, October 20, at Santa Anita Park. Chairman Chuck Winner presided. Commissioners Steve Beneto, George Krikorian and Alex Solis also were in attendance.

The audio of this entire Board meeting is available on the CHRB Website under the Webcast link. In brief:

  • In discussing 2017 race dates allocations for Northern California, all attempts to negotiate an agreed-upon solution failed and all motions failed to garner the required four votes for adoption. Therefore, the matter was moved to the November agenda. Chairman Winner implored the stakeholders to try once again to reach an accord.
  • The Board approved the license application for the Los Alamitos Quarter Horse Racing Association to conduct a race meet commencing December 30, 2016, through December 17, 2017.
  • The Board approved for 45-day public notice proposed amendments to regulations that would allow racing secretaries, racing associations and fairs to write medication-based race conditions, subject to CHRB final approval.
  • The Board approved for 45-day public notice a proposed rule to require ADW companies to identify those wagers placed by account holders located within California racetracks and simulcast facilities, so that racetracks and horsemen would get a larger share of revenue from the takeout on those wagers.
  • A proposed regulatory amendment governing use of the riding crop in races was rejected when three of the commissioners voted no and the fourth, Commissioner Solis, recused himself.
  • In his executive summary, Executive Director Rick Baedeker reported that the stewards and normal licensing, enforcement and veterinary staffing levels will be greatly supplemented for the Breeders’ Cup being hosted by Santa Anita Park on November 4 and 5.
  • The Board authorized the Pacific Racing Association to distribute $39,573 in race day charity proceeds to nine beneficiaries.
  • The Board approved a license application for NewCo Ventures North America, doing business as NYRAbets.com, to provide ADW wagering services to California account holders for the rest of this year. All ADW licenses must be renewed for 2017.