From CHRB
LOS ALAMITOS, Calif. (June 20, 2014) – The California Horse Racing Board conducted its regular meeting Thursday, June 19, 2014, at Los Alamitos Race Course. Chairman Chuck Winner presided. 2nd Vice Chair Richard Rosenberg and Commissioners Madeline Auerbach, Steve Beneto, and Jesse Choper 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 voted unanimously to allow the Los Angeles County Fair Association to move its race meet from Fairplex Park in Pomona to Los Alamitos Race Course this summer after being advised that legislation definitively giving the CHRB authority to do so is awaiting the Governor’s signature and after receiving assurances that the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors has expressed no opposition to the move. The industry also reported that one stabling issue has been resolved by keeping the Fairplex stable area open through November 5, 2014. The LACFA meet will run from September 5 through September 21 at Los Alamitos.
- The Board gave final approval to a regulatory amendment that brings California in agreement with the national uniform medication program, the most significant change being a greater restriction on the use of corticosteroid drugs. Chairman Winner described this action as “a very important step forward” in the CHRB’s continuing effort to protect horses, their riders, and the wagering public.
- The Board adopted several changes to the regulation governing the Veterinarian’s List, including restricting workouts for horses on the list for sickness and shockwave treatment and requiring increased days on the list for multiple incidents of lameness and unsoundness.
- The Board extended the suspension of authorization for clenbuterol for all horses at all tracks until such time as a related regulatory change becomes effective.
- The Board approved the application for the Humboldt County Fair race meet at Ferndale from August 13 through August 24.
- The Board approved the application for the Pacific Racing Association meet at Golden Gate Fields from August 15 through September 14.
- The Board adopted a regulatory amendment requiring the stewards to report on-track accidents involving exercise riders and employees exercising harness horses.
- The Board adopted a regulatory amendment requiring anyone on a pony on the grounds of a racetrack or auxiliary training facility to wear a safety vest.
- The Board approved the 2014-2015 agreement by which the California horse racing industry provides financial support for Board operations, as required by statute.
- CHRB Executive Director Rick Baedeker gave an executive report detailing efforts by the CHRB to obtain outside funding for a proposed continuing education program for trainers and to coordinate and improve enforcement activities by CHRB investigators and safety stewards. He also reported that staff is reviewing proposals for on-track pharmacies for the dispensing of all medications in stable areas and for the possible introduction of microchips in horses for identification and inventory purposes. And he advised that overall handle in California in up almost 3 percent for the year.