Hiles Re-elected Kentucky HBPA President

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Rick Hiles has been elected to a second term as president of the Kentucky Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association.

The Kentucky HBPA, in a Dec. 1 release, said the vote was taken the previous day and was unanimous. The board of directors elects the president of the organization.

The new board was seated in late November. Hiles was re-elected to the board in this year’s membership-wide board election.

Hiles is the incumbent president and also served two terms in the 1990s.

“We have proactively addressed the (advance deposit wagering) issue to assure horsemen an equitable share of the revenue, and we will continue our efforts to pursue a slots initiative with the General Assembly,” Hiles said in a statement.

Kentucky horsemen recently signed a three-year contract with Churchill Downs on wagering revenue and purses. In 2010, they likely will continue lobbying for video lottery terminals at the state’s racetracks.

Hiles will continue as the Kentucky HBPA representative on the Kentucky Equine Drug Research Council.

In other election business, owner Frank Jones and trainer Dale Romans were elected as first and second vice president, respectively. Since Hiles is president, first alternate David England will now serve as a director.

Committee appointments are as follows: Jones, Mike Bruder, and Ken McPeek (finance); and Ann Banks, Dr. Randy Sheen, and Pete Salmen (benevolence). Backstretch Committee members are William “Buff” Bradley and Dale Romans (Churchill Downs); Bill Connelly and England (Turfway Park); Mike Bruder and R.L. Williams (Ellis Park); and Dave Banks and R.C. Sturgeon (The Thoroughbred Center).

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