From CHRB
DEL MAR, Calif. (Nov. 21, 2014) – The California Horse Racing Board conducted its regular meeting Wednesday, November 19, in the Del Mar Surfside Race Place. Chairman Chuck Winner presided. 1st Vice Chair Bo Derek, 2nd Vice Chair Richard Rosenberg and Commissioners Madeline Auerbach, Steve Beneto, Jesse Choper and George Krikorian were in attendance.
The audio of this entire Board meeting is available on the CHRB Website (www.chrb.ca.gov) under the Webcast link. In brief:
· The Board approved significant changes to the rule governing use of the whip in California horse racing by prohibiting a jockey from using the whip more than three times in succession without giving the horse a chance to respond. Also, the word “whip” is replaced by the term “riding crop.” Violations will not lead to disqualifications of horses in races. These changes received the endorsement of the Jockeys’ Guild, and Vice Chair Bo Derek thanked Guild President John Velazquez as well as jockey Gary Stevens for their support. Procedurally, the regulatory amendment must be reviewed by the Office of Administrative Law, so it cannot go into effect before early 2015.
· The Board opened discussion of CHRB Rule 1699 (Riding Rules) to determine whether the rule can be improved as it pertains to interference and disqualifications. This public discussion will continue at the next meeting of the Legislative, Legal, and Regulations Committee, as yet not scheduled.
· The Board approved applications for the five currently licensed Advance Deposit Wagering (ADW) companies to continue offering account wagering services through 2016, subject to Twinspires.com, XpressBet, TVG, Watch and Wager.com and Lien Games Racing completing their applications by providing required documentation.
· The Board authorized the Los Angeles Turf Club to distribute $190,658 in race day charity proceeds to 12 beneficiaries, all racing related organizations.
· The Board authorized the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club to distribute $138,009 in race day charity proceeds to seven beneficiaries, all racing related organizations.
· The Board heard an industry proposal for a regulation to require geographic location tracking of wagers placed through mobile devices, so as to identify wagers made inside of California racetracks and simulcast facilities through outside betting services. The purpose would be to reallocate revenue distributions more favorably to racetracks and horsemen. The matter was referred to the Pari-Mutuel, ADW, and Simulcast Committee for further discussion.
· CHRB Executive Director Rick Baedeker reported on a continuing review of camera surveillance systems that could be introduced into stable areas. He said CHRB staff members recently saw a demonstration of one such system, which impressed them to the point of referring it to the Ad Hoc Backstretch Security Committee for further review.
· Baedeker also reported on the previous day’s meeting of the Stewards’ Committee and continuing efforts to hold owners more accountable when they are wholly or partly responsible for medication violations. He also described steps being taken to better identify and enforce the chain of custody of horses entered in races, including increased out-of-competition testing.