Thoroughbred Racing Advisory Committee Update

John Izzo attended a meeting of the Ohio Thoroughbred Racing Advisory Committee.  Over half of the Racing Commission’s office staff was present (Executive Director Bill Crawford, Investigator Joe Crugnale, Thoroughbred Fund Registrar Greg Veit, and Lisa Monteleone), along with interested members of the public, the race secretaries from Belterra Park, Beulah Park, and Thistledown.  Much discussion was held about the proposed conditions for the 2014 Race Fund season.  It was pointed out to staff that the conditions cannot contradict the Commission’s rules.  Chairman Schmitz pointed out to the staff that this Committee recommends a program to the Commission and that staff must let them do so.  Chairman Schmitz also chastised staff for holding this meeting without discussing the proposed conditions with the Committee members prior to the meeting.  Proposed condition changes include changing the scratch time; entry into only one stakes race per day; and mandating that a horse must have published works, a gate card, and a tattoo prior to being entered into a race.  Another meeting will be held once the Committee has had the opportunity to review staff’s recommendations and discuss it with them.