From CHRB
LOS ALAMITOS, Calif. (Sept. 17, 2015)– The California Horse Racing Board conducted its regular meeting Wednesday, September 16, at Los Alamitos Race Course. Chairman Chuck Winner presided. Vice Chair Richard Rosenberg and Commissioners Madeline Auerbach, Steve Beneto, Jesse Choper, and Alex Solis also 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 for 45-day public notice a proposed regulation requiring third-party administration of the authorized bleeder medication furosemide, or Lasix, on race day. The regulation will require racing associations and horsemen’s groups to agree on a third-party furosemide administration program subject to Board approval. Such third-party Lasix administration conforms to the National Uniform Medication Program.
- Santa Anita Park executive Scott Daruty reported that 600 high-definition surveillance cameras will be wired into the stable area to record all those who enter and exit every stall beginning in November. Other cameras focusing on high-traffic areas are being installed prior to the September 26 opening of the autumn meet. The total cost will be $500,000. The Thoroughbred Owners of California and California Thoroughbred Trainers organizations each have pledged $150,000 for surveillance equipment and security measures throughout the state.
- The Board approved the license application for the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club to conduct a race meet commencing October 29 through November 29. The meet will mark the introduction of new, modernized totalizator equipment under a new contract with AmTote International. Del Mar has been working with the totalizator companies for a smooth transition. Pari-mutuel clerks are being trained to work on the new machines. Customer service personnel will be on the floors at Del Mar to assist customers with the self-service terminals.
- Executive Director Rick Baedeker reported that handle from all sources for California horse racing is up 2.15 percent for the year.
- The Board approved for 45-day public notice a proposed regulation prohibiting the presence of clenbuterol in a quarter-horse test sample. This permanent rule will supplant an emergency rule that is currently in effect.
- The Board approved the 2016 racing calendar for the harness industry by allocating dates to Cal Expo in Sacramento beginning December 26, 2015, through May 15, 2016, and then resuming October 1 through December 24. The actual dates for each of the two harness meets within those block-date allocations will be determined when the Board considers the license applications for those meets.
· Commissioner Auerbach, reporting on the most recent two public meetings of the Medication and Track Safety Committee, noted that California horse racing experienced only four Class 1, 2, and 3 medication violations from 40,000 samples tested during the last fiscal year. She also emphasized an ongoing Track Safety Program designed to improve safety conditions and reduce injuries, partly by developing track maintenance program based on science.