Thoroughbred Racing Advisory Committee Meeting

John Izzo attended the Ohio Thoroughbred Racing Advisory Committee Meeting held on January 8, 2014.  The Committee approved a budget for 2014.  It also approved a stakes schedule for 2014, with eight more stakes races than were run last year.  The stakes season begins April 5^th at Beulah Park and is expected to end December 20 at Mahoning Valley Race Course.  Purses range from $50,000 for most stakes to $150,000 for the Best of Ohio series to be run at Belterra Park in October.  Stallion registration is up but staff was still unable to tell Racing Commission Chairman Schmitz how many active broodmares are in Ohio.  Chairman Schmitz told the Committee to request $50,000 for promotions and they will get it.  The Committee needs to advertise its program.