CHRB Approves Track-Backed Race Meet Agreement With CTT

Ending an impasse related to race meet agreements between California Thoroughbred Trainers and racetrack operators Del Mar and 1/ST Racing, the California Horse Racing Board supported a track-backed agreement in a 5-1 vote during its monthly meeting Oct. 20. Compared to the CTT-backed plan, the approved agreement gives more protection to private property operators when a dispute arises with a trainer.

The track operators and the CTT came to terms on many aspects of the RMA, with an exception being burden-of-proof considerations for an arbitrator under the protocols outlined.

At issue were the fair procedures for a trainer should a track wish to bar him or her from their facility, such as 1/ST Racing did when it prohibited Hall of Fame trainer Jerry Hollendorfer from competing at its tracks after he had a spate of breakdowns at Santa Anita Park and Golden Gate Fields in the early part of 2019. 1/ST Racing operates those two tracks in the state.

Both track and CTT representatives suggested they anticipate few conflicts involving horsemen.

"I mean, we're not just out to get rid of people," said Craig Fravel, 1/ST Racing CEO of racing operations. "We need their horses; we need their cooperation; we need their goodwill. In 99 out of 100 cases, we're on the same team. We want races with full fields and competitive wagering and all of that."

The entities have not come to terms on agreements for the past three years, which had previously left the CHRB to award race dates by applying old agreements. Commissioners stated last month that they would not do so any longer and bypassed approving race dates during last month's meeting. Following the Thursday vote on the approval of the RMA, the CHRB approved race date applications this fall for Golden Gate and Del Mar.

CHRB commissioner Thomas Hudnut dissented with the CHRB majority who approved the track-backed agreement. He noted recent conflicts involved high-earning trainers with the means to offer legal challenges.

"I worry about the little guy and whether he or she has the same opportunity," Hudnut said.

Hollendorfer sued 1/ST Racing after his banishment, and the case was ultimately settled out of court in what officials said in last month's CHRB meeting was multimillion-dollar litigation. Specific terms have been kept confidential.

Also during Thursday's meeting, commissioners delayed approving Northern California fair dates to give tracks in the region an opportunity to come to terms or reach a financial settlement that could prevent an overlap of race dates that includes profitable simulcasting considerations. 

"This all turns on that simulcast revenue, the source market fees from imports in the northern zone and who gets it," Fravel said.

In other action, the CHRB approved requesting an exception from the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority regarding the use of Lasix for Thoroughbreds other than 2-year-olds and those competing in stakes races; authorized staff to pursue 2023 legislative proposal to amend health and welfare funding mechanisms for jockeys and backstretch workers impacted by changes in wagering trends; and approved a motion for horses treated with a third intra-articular joint injection within a 60-day period to be placed on the veterinarian's list (a group of horses ineligible to start) for a 30-day period.

CHRB executive director Scott Chaney noted a rise in handle in September at Del Mar, which hosted the TVG Pacific Classic (G1) last month, later than its usual date in August. Field size swelled in California this summer at Del Mar.

Equine medical director Dr. Jeff Blea also was welcomed back to the CHRB after resuming work after going on administrative leave related to widely criticized state veterinary board action.