CHRB Meeting Summary

Nov 20, 2020 Posted by In Announcement

From CHRB

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Nov. 20, 2020) — The California Horse Racing Board conducted a meeting by teleconference on Thursday, November 19. 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:

  • The Board took four steps to protect racehorses and ensure the integrity of horse racing by furthering regulations to limit certain procedures and medications:
  • The Board approved for 45-day public notice a proposed rule to severely restrict the use of  thyroxine (levothyroxine sodium). The regulation requires a specific laboratory-confirmed diagnosis of hypothyroidism, which must be reviewed and approved by the official veterinarian or equine medical director before thyroxine can be prescribed, as well as other restrictions.
  • The Board gave final approval to a regulatory amendment establishing separate, additional penalties for multiple medication violations, including those that take place in other racing jurisdictions.
  • The Board gave final approval to a regulatory amendment clarifying the penalties relating to the use of extracorporeal shock wave therapy, as they apply to trainers, veterinarians, and other licensees.
  • The Board voted to participate in Washington State University’s research study on the effects of racing and furosemide on the immune system of 2-year-old thoroughbreds.
  • Executive Director Scott Chaney reported on the outbreak of COVID-19 that has caused the cancelation of racing at Golden Gate Fields at least through the end of November. Representatives of the track described the steps being taken to isolate those infected by the virus and to protect others.
  • Chaney reported on dialogue with Ed Allred, the owner of  Los Alamitos Race Course, who also spoke on the continuing effort to stem the number of equine fatalities at that racing facility. While encouraged by new procedures being implemented and proposed at Los Alamitos, commissioners indicated they would withhold approval of licensure pending the presentation of Los Alamitos’ complete equine health and safety package at the December 17 meeting. 
  • While the Board-approved rule requiring continuing education for trainers and assistant trainers makes its way through the final review and approval process at other state agencies, the Board proceeded to approve the initial curriculum for this program. Dr. Rick Arthur, equine medical director, explained that some courses that meet the program criteria already are online and others are planned. Fourteen webinar courses are planned for 2021. He said he would be working closely with trainers’ organizations to develop a broader curriculum as the continuing education program develops.
  • The Board completed the allocation of 2021 racing dates by approving the calendar for Northern California. Allocated dates include those for simulcasting. The precise dates when racing will be conducted will be determined when the Board considers each license application. As allocated, the Northern California circuit will begin at Golden Gate Fields on December 23, 2020, through June 15, followed by the Alameda County Fair (June 16 through July 13), the State Fair in Sacramento (July 14 through August 3), the Sonoma County Fair (August 4 through August 17), the Humboldt County Fair (August 18 through August 31), back to Golden Gate (August 25 through October 5), the Big Fresno Fair (October 6 through October 19), and then culminating at Golden Gate (October 20 through December 21. The Board and racing executives acknowledged that this schedule could change due to COVID-19. At this time there are no plans to allow the public to attend any of these meets.
  • Vice Chair Gonzales, who Chairs the Race Dates Committee, noted that due to the cooperation of Sonoma County Fair in developing the 2021 calendar, the Race Date Committee intends to accommodate the Sonoma County Fair when the Board allocates race dates in 2022. Commissioner Gonzales also added that if Santa Rosa does not race at its facility in 2022, then the State Fair will retain its three weeks of racing similar to 2020 and 2021. 
  • The Board approved the license application for Watch and Wager LLC to conduct a harness meet at Cal Expo. Racing is scheduled for Friday and Saturday nights, beginning December 26 through April 24.
  • The Board went through the usual process of renewing authorizations for Advance Deposit Wagering (ADW) companies to operate in California. The Board approved applications submitted by NYRAbets, Game Play Network, Twinspires, WatchandWager.com, Xpressbet, TVG, and Lien Games Racing. The Board conditioned all approvals on expectations that those companies would discuss agreements with Pari-Mutuel Employees Guild Local 280 if and when the companies hire personnel in California.
  • Public comments made during the meeting can be accessed through the meeting audio archive on the CHRB website.

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