SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Oct. 22, 2022) — The California Horse Racing Board conducted a public meeting at Cal Expo on Thursday, October 20, 2022. Chairman Gregory Ferraro chaired the meeting, joined by Vice Chair Oscar Gonzales and Commissioners Dennis Alfieri, Damascus Castellanos, Brenda Washington Davis, and Thomas Hudnut.
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 another in a long series of steps to protect racehorses by unanimously voting to restrict multiple joint injections. Approved for public notice, the proposed rule will establish a limit of two intra-articular injections in the same joint within 60 days. A third such injection will put the horse on the Veterinarian’s List, unable to race for at least 30 days. Chairman Ferraro explained his proposal: “If you’ve put two injections in a joint (with any agent) and you’re thinking about doing a third, you’re not going to do it under this legislation because you know you’re going to be on the vet’s list. We’re hoping this will eliminate the factor of multiple injections. It’s fair and it’s in the best interest of the horse.”
- The Board approved an agreement between the California Thoroughbred Trainers (CTT) and the major thoroughbred racing associations that establishes a strict procedure when racetracks move to expel any trainer from their facility. The racetracks must give trainers an opportunity to defend themselves. In a clearly defined process, the tracks and CTT have agreed that the exclusion must be based on reasonable grounds and not discriminate. The parties disagreed about technical language relating to the burden of proof, should any dispute reach final arbitration, following the preliminary process. The Board voted 5-1 in favor of the racetracks on this matter, with Commissioner Hudnut in support of the CTT position. The final decision resolving any dispute will be made by a neutral arbitrator if the matter gets that far.
- The Board allocated 2023 thoroughbred and fair dates for Northern California but only after hearing testimony on two issues. One issue involving contested dates for Golden Gate Fields and the Humboldt County Fair was put over until December. The Board dealt with the second issue by awarding three weeks of racing for the State Fair at Cal Expo, while indicating its intent to award a third week to the Sonoma County Fair in 2024. As approved, the northern calendar will begin December 21 (2022) at Golden Gate, through June 13, followed by the Alameda County Fair (June 14-July 11), the State Fair (July 12-August 1), the Sonoma County Fair (August 2-August 15), the Humboldt County Fair (August 16-August 22), back to Golden Gate (August 30-October 3), the Big Fresno Fair (October 4-October 17), then finally ending back at Golden Gate (October 18-December 19). The Board will decide the status of the week August 23-August 29 at a later date. These are allocated dates for both racing and simulcasting purposes. The actual racing dates for individual race meets within these allocations will be determined when each license application if considered.
- The Board voted to request an exemption from the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority’s (HISA) incoming prohibition against the administration of furosemide to any thoroughbred in a race. The Board prefers to continue limiting the restriction only to 2-year-olds and in most stakes races.
- In his report, Executive Director Scott Chaney welcomed incoming Chief of Enforcement Marc Shaw and thanked outgoing Chief Shawn Loehr for his years of service. Turning to HISA, Chaney reported, “We received our assessment for calendar year 2023. This assessment includes the ADMC (anti-doping and medication control) part that will begin January 1. It is quite a large number as it represents the amount it would cost the Authority should California opt out, requiring the Authority to implement the entire program. However, the CHRB, UC Davis and California stakeholders are proud of the work we have done in racing safety and testing and would like to continue to do as much of the work as possible in collaboration with HISA. We will now begin negotiations to do such tasks as sample collection, testing, and investigations, and we will receive credits toward the assessment for performing those functions for HISA. To that end, (HISA and drug testing) leadership will be present at Santa Anita to observe the test sample collection, OOCT (out-of-competition testing), and post-work drug sample collection, among other activities. I would like to thank Deputy Executive Director Cynthia Alameda and Equine Medical Director Jeff Blea for planning the itinerary and hosting (the visit). Additionally, I would like to extend appreciation in advance to Santa Anita, the regulatory vets, receiving and test barn personnel, stewards, and investigators, including their new Chief, for helping in the visit. This will be the first step in negotiating credits toward the assessment.”
Continuing the HISA dialogue, Dr. Blea, giving his first report since being reinstated following administrative leave, said he has reestablished his involvement with the drug testing and medication aspects of federal oversight and will continue working with both HISA personnel and trainers to help ensure a smooth transition after January 1 and full compliance with HISA rules.
- The Board approved the license for the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club for a thoroughbred race meet that will operate from November 11 through December 11.
- The Board approved license for the Pacific Racing Association for a thoroughbred race meet that will operate at Golden Gate from October 21 through December 4.
- The Board approved the license for Watch and Wager LLC for a harness race meet that will operate at Cal Expo from November 18 through April 30, 2023. This action combines two meets that had previously been licensed separately.
- The Board voted to support the introduction of legislation to redirect some revenue from Advance Deposit Wagering to one program benefitting jockey health and welfare and another program providing medical and dental services to racetrack workers.