From CHRB
CYPRESS, Calif. (Dec. 14, 2018) — The California Horse Racing Board conducted its regular meeting Thursday, December 13, at Los Alamitos Race Course. Chairman Chuck Winner presided. Vice Chair Madeline Auerbach and Commissioners Fred Maas 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 rules and regulatory amendments establishing procedures, prohibitions and penalties for the CHRB’s already robust out-of-competition testing (OOCT) program consistent with the model rule adopted by the Association of Racing Commissioners International. The changes establish specific regulations for OOCT, thereby providing a greater deterrence for any administrations of unauthorized, prohibited substances and grounds for the prosecution of findings of violations in any OOCT biological samples.
· In significant developments in the CHRB’s enforcement division, Executive Director Rick Baedeker announced the appointment of Shawn Loehr as Chief of Enforcement and Licensing, along with the retirement of Special Investigator James Hamilton, after 18 years with the CHRB on the Southern California thoroughbred circuit.
· The Board voiced a hard line on the continuing problem of illegal match races that are being conducted on private property in rural areas in the state, endangering horses, riders and spectators. Encouraged to help stem the problem by Dr. Ed Allred, owner of Los Alamitos Race Course, the Board will place on the January agenda a proposal to support legislation to elevate the illegal activity from a misdemeanor to a felony.
· In a related discussion, the Board asked staff to propose regulatory language mandating that a horse is ineligible to start in a race unless it has been stabled within a licensed stable area and in the care of licensed trainer for a minimum number of days prior to the upcoming race. The matter will be on the agenda for the January meeting.
· The Board approved the license application of the Derby Room, Sport Grill & Turf Club, in Norco to operate as a mini-satellite. The Derby Room becomes the 12th mini-satellite in the state offering wagering on horse racing in sports bars, restaurants, card clubs, and other existing businesses.
· The Board approved the short-term renewal of Lien Games’ license as an Advance Deposit Wagering (ADW) operator. This and all other ADW licenses must be renewed in February 2019.
· The Board approved a request from Southern California Off Track Wagering Inc. to continue with the ongoing modification of revenue distributions from ADW, as permitted by statute.