From CHRB
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Mar. 24, 2021) — The California Horse Racing Board conducted a meeting by teleconference on Tuesday, March 23. 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 Vice Chair Oscar Gonzales and Commissioners Dennis Alfieri, Damascus Castellanos, Brenda Washington Davis, Wendy Mitchell, and Alex Solis.
The audio of this entire Board meeting is available on the CHRB Website (www.chrb.ca.gov) under the Webcast link. In brief:
- By a 4-3 vote, the Board temporarily tabled the agenda item calling for tougher penalties for jockeys misusing the riding crop. By that slim majority, the Board approved a motion by Chairman Ferraro to delay consideration of proposed changes to CHRB Rule 1688 in order to provide more time to review all aspects of the rule, particularly the proposed requirement for stewards to impose a fine equivalent to 50 percent of the jockey’s earnings in a graded stakes race. Commissioner Solis, the Thoroughbred Owners of California, and the Jockeys’ Guild were among the individuals and organizations recommending the delay. Chairman Ferraro said he was making the motion to “give us more time to study. I would ask Alex Solis to maybe have a discussion with the jocks and come up with ways we can ensure the rule (as currently written governing use of the crop) is more strictly adhered to, and we can get their input and discuss this later. I think the first part of this (proposed) rule is fine in terms of trying to make it consistent through the state, but I am concerned after this discussion that the rule concerning stake races/graded races may be a little harsh.”
- The Board conditionally approved a five-year license for the Sahara Dunes Casino (Lake Elsinore Hotel and Casino) to operate as a minisatellite offering wagering on horse racing. The minisatellite license is contingent on the California Gambling Control Commission approving a separate gaming license for the casino, which is currently being adjudicated.
- The Board authorized four northern fair meets in Pleasanton, Sacramento, Ferndale, and Fresno to be considered as one combined meet solely for the purpose of allowing the carryover of certain wagering pools from one location to the next.
- Executive Director Scott Chaney said several regulations will be going into effect on April 1 that will involve “tighter restrictions on the practice of program training, enhanced penalties for multiple medication violations (including those from out of state), more strict regulation of shockwave therapy, the racing veterinarian reporting to the official veterinarian, and a seven-day requirement for stabling prior to racing.”
- Public comments made during the meeting can be accessed through the meeting audio archive on the CHRB website.