The regular monthly meeting of the Virginia Racing Commission (VRC) took place July 29 at the Patrick Henry Building in downtown Richmond. Five key agenda items were addressed and approved: A day of thoroughbred racing at Great Meadow on September 20th along with continuation of owner bonuses (from the Virginia Breeders’ Fund) at that event; a four day harness meet at Nelson County’s Oak Ridge Estate in mid-October; the Virginia Equine Alliance (VEA) budget; and additional monies to go towards purses for three graded stakes races (that have been run in Virginia in the past but will be run in Maryland this fall).

Both new events, at Great Meadow and Oak Ridge, had lease agreements unanimously approved based on the financial terms with each as they conform to the VEA budget.

Licensing approvals

The VRC granted a license for one day of pari-mutuel flat racing for the Great Meadow event on September 20th, which was submitted by the Gold Cup. In addition to the annual spring and fall Gold Cup race programs, this will become the Gold Cup’s third wagering card of 2015.

The VRC also approved a four day pari-mutuel harness racing season, which will return to Oak Ridge for the first time since 2001. The fall meet will be held on Oct. 10 – 11 and Oct. 17 – 18, with purses to be provided by the Virginia Harness Horsemen’s Association (VHHA).  The VEA will lease the Oak Ridge property for a total of $80,000, or $20,000 per race day. Oak Ridge representative Heather Goodwin expressed excitement over racing’s return and her desire to work with the VEA.

Budget approvals

The VEA budget was approved after much discussion.  VEA Executive Director Jeb Hannum outlined the budget in detail which included categories like race day operating expenses, venue lease payments, event insurance, administrative expenses, re-engineering of the equestrian area at Morven Park, capital improvements at Morven (adding a paddock, inner rail, fencing, etc.), contributions to thoroughbred & harness horse retirement programs and repayment of the loan (to VEA from HBPA) among other budget items.

Grades stakes races

The final topic generated the most discussion among commissioners. At the July 1 VRC meeting, approval was granted for the HBPA to dedicate $450,000 to four open graded stakes races which had been run in Virginia previously, but are scheduled to be relocated to Maryland this year so their current graded status can be maintained. (If a stakes race is not run in two consecutive years, it loses its grade.) Since the Colonial flat meet was not held in 2014, these four stakes will be in jeopardy of losing their graded status if not held in 2015. The quartet includes a pair of Grade II stakes, the Old Dominion Derby and Old Dominion Turf Cup, and a pair of Grade III’s, the Old Dominion Oaks and the All Along Stakes. When held at Colonial Downs, the first three were respectively called the Virginia Derby, Colonial Turf Cup and Virginia Oaks.

According to VAHBPA Executive Director Frank Petramalo, the Maryland Jockey Club was going to match the $450,000 approved by the VRC to create a $900,000 purse pool for the four stakes, subject to approval of the Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association. In recent days, the Maryland horsemen have become hesitant to dedicate the $450,000 due to an overpayment of the purse account earlier this year, so a revised plan was presented at Wednesday’s VRC meeting.

The first revision results in a $50,000 purse increase for the All Along Stakes from $100,000 to $150,000. Maryland would cut three minor stakes from its fall schedule and that purse money would be redirected into the All Along purse. That stakes race would be held at Laurel on Sept. 12.

The second revision would have the VAHBPA solely fund the other three stakes in full ($800,000), and in return, Maryland would allow the VAHBPA to keep revenues from wagering on those races. Mr. Petramalo was not seeking a formal approval from the VRC on this issue, but more of a blessing to move forward, which he received. In Laurel’s proposed fall stakes schedule, the $400,000 Derby and $250,000 Turf Cup would be carded on Sept. 19th and the $150,000 Oaks would be conducted on the previously approved Virginia-bred Stakes Day on Sept. 26.

From 2005 – 2013, the VAHBPA  dedicated $13.2 million toward Derby & Turf Cup purses in order to obtain graded status and keep it. “When we hold these stakes in Virginia next year at Morven Park (in Leesburg), we want to come back with a splash,” said Petramalo. “We need to keep the current grades in order to make that happen.”

Even with the Commission’s blessing, there still is a potential snag that could hinder the move of the three stakes from Virginia to Maryland this fall and it hinges on the Virginia Derby’s registered trademark. “Colonial Downs notified the Maryland Jockey Club that by hosting the Derby at Laurel, even named as the Old Dominion Derby, it would infringe on their current trademark,” said Petramalo. That issue will be resolved sooner than later since Maryland will need to get a condition book out in the near future for their fall races.

Virginia Racing Commission

MINUTES OF THE WORKING SESSION

Tuesday, June 9th, 2015

Virginia State Capitol House Room 1 1000 Bank Street Richmond, Virginia 23219

Commission Members In Attendance:

• J. Sargeant Reynolds, Jr.
• Chairman D.G. Van Clief, Jr.
• Vice Chairman Carol G. Dawson I.
• Clinton Miller Charles Steger, PhD

Commission Staff:

• Bernard J. Hettel, Executive Secretary
• Rich Harden, Equine Medical Director
• Courtney C. Reid, Program Support Technician Office of Agriculture and Forestry
• Sam Towell, Deputy Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry

The meeting was called to order by Chairman Reynolds at 12:41PM; all of the Commission members were present. The first agenda item was the continued discussion of the designation of a majority Horsemens group for both the Standardbreds and Thoroughbreds. After discussion, it was decided that criteria for defining a horsemen, will include, any owner or trainer that started a horse or maintained 1 or more horse(s) in training in Virginia the last three years. There was extensive discussion about the electoral process of board members for both Horsemens groups. The Commissioners requested for the process to be explained in writing as a part of the groups review for the APA hearings. The APA hearings for recognizing the majority Horsemens groups and the industry nonprofit stakeholder will be at the next Racing Commission meeting on July 1st, 2015.

The next agenda item was discussion of the industry nonprofit stakeholder. Jeb Hannum, Executive Director of the VEA, informed the group he as working to deliver the requested documentation for his group and is in preparation for the July 1st hearing. He also updated the group on potential racing sites throughout the Commonwealth. The Committee assignments were put on the table for a later meeting.

Bernard Hettel, Executive Secretary, informed the Commission of discussions he has had with ADW companies seeking possible expansion of participation in the Commonwealth. A review of Administrative Regulations to include current statutes will be done by VRC staff and the Attorney General’s Office; changes will be presented at a future Commission meeting. Several members of the public made comment, including Tom Eshelman from the Shenandoah County Fair; Mr. Eshelman reported on the success of the Wine and Trotter Festival on June 6th and his hopes to get pari-mutuel racing at the site in the near future.

The working session was adjourned at 2:20 p.m.

Virginia Racing Commission

MINUTES OF THE WORKING SESSION

Thursday, May 28th, 2015

Patrick Henry Building East Reading Room 1111 East Broad Street Richmond, VA 23219

Commission Members In Attendance:

• J. Sargeant Reynolds, Jr., Chairman
• D.G. Van Clief, Jr., Vice Chairman
• Carol G. Dawson I. Clinton Miller Charles Steger, PhD

Commission Staff: Bernard J. Hettel, Executive Secretary Rich Harden, Equine Medical Director David S. Lermond, Deputy Executive Secretary/Fiscal Officer Kimberly C. Mackey, Office Administrator Courtney C. Reid, Program Support Technician Office of Agriculture and Forestry Sam Towell, Deputy Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry Attorney General’s Office: Joshua Laws, Esq.

The meeting was called to order by Chairman Reynolds at 9:59 AM; all Commission members were present. Chairman Reynolds explained to the group the necessity of this working session to be prepared for the July 1st VRC meeting. The first item for discussion on the agenda was the designation of a majority Horsemens group for both Standardbred and Thoroughbred groups. Several people added input into what they believe the definition of a horseman should entail. Vice Chairman Van Clief suggested a horsemen be a current license holder and also have had started a horse or maintained 1 or more horses in training in Virginia within the last thirty six months and going forward it would be 12 months.

Josh Laws, Assistant Attorney General, reminded the group that as of July 1st , in the Code of Virginia §59.1-365 , the ‘recognized majority horsemen group’, is “the organization recognized by the Commission as the representative of the majority of owners and trainers racing at race meetings subject to the Commission’s jurisdiction.” Mr. Laws informed the group of a required APA hearing must be held for recognizing both the Horsemens groups. After discussion, it was decided that this could be done before the meeting on July 1st . Commissioner Miller suggested the criteria needed for recognition should be put in the notice for the meeting and a deadline for submission should be made in order for review.

At 11:27 Chairman Reynolds suggested a quick break; the group reconvened at 11:47.

The next agenda item discussed included criteria for recognizing an industry nonprofit stakeholder. Jeb Hannum, Executive Director of the Virginia Equine Alliance (VEA), echoed the importance of recognizing this group on July 1st due to the necessity to distribute the source market fee paid by ADW companies. Mr. Laws added that an APA hearing is required for recognition of the industry nonprofit stakeholder and the VEA will need to provide supplemental documentation prior to the hearing, in addition to being able to show intentions to promote, sustain and advance horse racing in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

The next agenda item was a review of standing and potential VRC committees, which include a facilities committee, legislative review committee, and stakeholder committee. Chairman Reynolds suggested he and Vice Chairman Van Clief review the participation in the current committees at a separate time and then make changes. Administrative regulations needing to be amended will be submitted to Josh Laws for review and will be an agenda item at a future VRC meeting for approval. Discussion of an economic study occurred, it was suggested that this topic return to discussion in the Fall when more funding is available.

Lastly, during the public comment period, Nick Hahn advised the group of the importance of jobs the horse industry and the economic impact it has in the Commonwealth. Also, Tad Burman suggested if the OTBs open in the future, they need to make more incentives for bettors to come to the OTBs and participate.

The working session was adjourned at 1:05 p.m.

THOROUGHBRED CHARITIES OF AMERICA ANNOUNCES MAY AWARD OF MERIT WINNERS

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Thoroughbred Charities of America has announced the recipients of its Award of Merit honored at breeders associations’ awards ceremonies in May.

Launched in January, in celebration of its 25^th anniversary, nearly 20 recipients will be honored throughout the year. Recipients are nominated by the leadership of various state Thoroughbred owners and breeders associations.

Anne Tucker was honored at the Virginia Thoroughbred Association’s Awards Banquet on May 1 and Midwest Thoroughbreds was named the Award of Merit recipient at the Illinois Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Foundation’s Awards Banquet on May 9.  The Retired Racehorse Project and Turning for Home will be honored by the Maryland Horse Breeders Association on May 28 and Pennsylvania Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association on May 30, respectively.

Tucker is the immediate past president of the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation’s Second Chances program at James River Correctional Facility.  The program offers inmates vocational skills training through the care of 22 off-track-Thoroughbreds. Tucker is also involved with various community initiatives that work to raise awareness about the Second Chances program. She appears at many equine-related events throughout Virginia to promote the off-the-track Thoroughbred.

Richard and Karen Papiese’s Midwest Thoroughbreds is a supporter of numerous charitable organizations that provide rehabilitation, retraining and rehoming services to Thoroughbreds at the conclusion of their racing careers. They provide care for many of their retired racers, mares and yearlings at their Thunder Ranch in Florida. The top racing stable is also a supporter of many racetrack chaplaincy organizations.

The Retired Racehorse Project (RRP), headed by Steuart Pittman, works to facilitate the placement of Thoroughbred ex-racehorses in second careers by increasing demand for them as pleasure and sporthorses in the marketplace. RRP offers online directories, educational resources, clinics, videos and public events including the popular Thoroughbred Makeover contests.

Established in 2008 by the Pennsylvania Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association of Parx Racing, Turning for Home, Inc. has provided over 1,000 racehorses with a safe retirement. Conveniently located directly on the grounds of Parx Racing, horses enrolled with Turning for Home receive a veterinary evaluation and any necessary treatment before being placed with one of several partner farms for rehabilitation, retraining and rehoming.

Award of Merit nominees consist of individuals or organizations working to provide a better life for Thoroughbreds or the people who work with them, either on the backstretch or on the farm.  Both achievements are reflective of TCA’s all encompassing mission to help Thoroughbreds and the people who care for them.

Other recipients honored earlier this year include Kip Elser, Elizabeth MacDonald, Russ Rhone, Bowman Second Chance Thoroughbred Adoption, Emerald Downs’ the Prodigious Fund, Amy Tarrant, Akindale Thoroughbred Rescue, Dennis Miller and Hope After Racing (H.A.R.T.).

Subsequent award winners will be announced monthly.

TCA was formed in 1990 to raise and distribute funds for charities in the Thoroughbred industry which provide a better life for Thoroughbreds both during and after their racing careers by supporting retirement, rescue, research and by helping the people who work with them. Over the last 24 years TCA has distributed over $20 million in grants to more than 200 Thoroughbred-related organizations. TCA is the charitable arm of the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association (TOBA).

The meeting was called to order by Chairman Reynolds at 10:00 AM; all Commission members were present.

Chairman Reynolds read a statement regarding the failure of source market fee payment from Colonial Downs and EZHorseplay to the Majority Horsemens group, Virginia Horsemens Benevolence and Protective Association (VAHBPA). In the statement, he relayed the disappointment in the circumstances and the opinion of the Commission holds that the money owed should be paid to the horsemen.

Next, the Commission reviewed the 2015 Standardbred Breeders Fund budget, which consists of administrative costs and is identical to years past. The 2015 Standardbred Breeders Fund budget was approved unanimously.

Chairman Reynolds requested to have a working session with the Commission and stakeholders, in order to discuss in more detail, the designation of the majority Horsemens group, determine the criteria for the non-profit industry stakeholder, and the VRC Committee structure. Suggested new committees will include a legislative review committee, a stakeholder committee, and a facilities committee. Chairman Reynolds requested other Commissioners and Stakeholders suggest any additional agenda items for the working session.

Next, Chairman Reynolds asked the Stakeholders to give comments. Frank Petramalo, Executive Director of the VHBPA, suggested the Commission explore hiring an economist to review the economic impact of the racing industry in the Commonwealth. Charlie Dunavant, President of the VHHA, reported there will be two weekends of racing at Oak Ridge on Saturday October 10th and 17th 2015. Debbie Easter, Executive Director of the VTA, informed the Commission of the hard work the alliance has been doing. Also, she praised the success of the Virginia Gold Cup on May 2nd and is looking forward to racing at other location in the state. Dr. Will Allison, President of the Virginia Gold Cup Association, reviewed the Gold Cup races held on Saturday, May 2nd. He reported crowds of over 75,000 spectators and praised the success of both the Flat and Steeplechase races. Tom Eshelman, Shenandoah County Fairgrounds, invited the Commission to the Wine and Trotter festival on June 6th 2015 in Woodstock, VA. The fairgrounds are interested in more harness racing at the venue and potential pari-mutual events. Scott Woogen informed the Commission his group approves of the planned racing at Woodstock and Oakridge. If recognized as the majority group, his organization envisions 7 weekends of harness racing. Leann Hester conveyed her disappointment of not having any racing for two years and hopes for the Commission expand dates.

The first working session will be held on Thursday May, 28th at 10:00 AM and the second working session will be on Tuesday, June 9th at 10:00 AM. The next Commission meeting was set for Wednesday, July 1st, 2015 at 10:00 AM. Lastly, each Commissioner provided comments on the topics discussed in the meeting. With no further business set forth on the agenda, the meeting was adjourned at 10:42 A

Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation to Hold Open Barn at Correctional Facility

Sunday, April 26, 2015, 10-2

“Adopt a Thoroughbred Day”

Del. Peter Farrell to Make Presentation

The Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation at James River will be holding an Open Barn at the James River Work Center on Sunday, April 26, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. There will be a program recognizing the participants at noon. The event is open to the public.

Among the honored guests will be Del. Peter Farrell, who will be presenting a resolution of commendation by the Virginia General Assembly to officials of the TRF. Visitors will be able to tour the facilities and meet the horses and their caretakers. The TRF and the men will honor the sponsors of the horses with the planting of a tree.

The TRF, which is the oldest and largest equine sanctuary of its kind in the world, saves Thoroughbreds no longer able to compete on the track from possible abuse neglect and slaughter. The TRF-James River operates in partnership with the Department of Corrections a rehabilitation and re-entry program for non-violent offenders using rescued ex-racehorses that are housed at the facility – one of the TRF’s 10 Second Chances programs nationally.

The local chapter was established in 2007 and currently maintains about 20 horses, most of which are available for adoption or sponsorship. More than 60 men have graduated from the six-month training program in equine management. Many have gone on to successful careers in the horse industry. Others have taken the professionalism and maturity they have gained in the program and applied it to other fields.

James River Work Center is located at State Farm, Virginia, on Route 6 (Patterson Avenue) approximately 11 miles west of the intersection of Rt. 6 and Rt. 288. Look for banner on the south side of Rt. 6 just west of Crozier, VA.

For more information, email statefarmhorses@AOL.com. Additional information, including directions, can be found at www.jamesriverhorses.org.

– 30 –

Robin Traywick Williams

www.robintwilliams.com