Backtracking on a rule amendment that one observer said "would fundamentally change the claiming game," the California Horse Racing Board tabled a proposal that would have voided a claim if the horse that was bought, due to injury or distress, was unable to return to the designated unsaddling area after the finish of the race.
4 days ago
The nine members of the California Thoroughbred Trainers board of directors gave notice they will resign when a new board is seated after an election in January 2010.
Friday, November 13, 2009
Claiming a horse would no longer be a blanket "buyer beware" scenario under a rule amendment approved for a 45-day public comment period by the California Horse Racing Board Oct. 15.
Friday, October 16, 2009
Two groups representing California trainers have reached agreement on some differences and the result could mean a new election for the California Thoroughbred Trainers, which represents trainers in the state.
Monday, October 12, 2009
Ed Halpern, executive director and general counsel for the California Thoroughbred Trainers, plans to retire after his contract expires in December, the organization announced.
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
As of Thursday, March 5, the Thoroughbred Owners of California has assumed administration of the Santa Anita Paymaster funds, according to a memo released by the California Thoroughbred Trainers.
Thursday, March 05, 2009
Trainer John Sadler says he unlikely to return to his role as board president of the California Thoroughbred Trainers and could be part of a push to form a new organization.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Requiring safety reins, a move strongly endorsed by the Jockeys' Guild, will be the subject of a public hearing to be held by the California Horse Racing Board during its regular monthly meeting at Fairplex Park on Sept. 18.
Friday, August 29, 2008
Six years after a state law was passed extending full rights to horse-owning trainers and their spouses in the Thoroughbred Owners of California, the organization is scrambling to rectify an apparent exclusion sent out as part of the current board of directors election ballot.
Friday, May 30, 2008
Santa Anita officials, considering re-installing a dirt racing surface, have delayed a decision regarding whether to replace its synthetic track, which is plagued by continual drainage problems.
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Less than two weeks from opening day, construction crews are scrambling to get Santa Anita Park's Cushion Track back in running condition.
Saturday, December 15, 2007
Owners -- along with their trainers -- whose horses have repeated medication violations are subject to tough new penalties under changes given final approval by the California Horse Racing Board April 19.
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
California's three major horse racing organizations have endorsed The Shops at Santa Anita, the outdoor, upscale shopping and dining center proposed by Caruso Affiliated at the Arcadia, Calif., track.
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
Only about 12% of horses tested for clenbuterol had measurable levels of the medication in 193 blood samples taken recently, according to Dr. Rick Arthur's report Thursday to the California Horse Racing Board medication committee.
Thursday, February 15, 2007
The head of California's trainer association labeled "ridiculous" a Jockeys' Guild petition seeking payment on a rider's behalf from a trainer whose winning horse was later disqualified because of a positive drug test.
Saturday, February 10, 2007
Santa Anita Park plans to interrupt its training schedule in mid-July to peel back and inspect the base of the main track, said Ron Charles, president of the Arcadia, Calif., facility.
Friday, June 16, 2006
A Texas Hold 'em poker tournament will be held after the races on April 15 at the Embassy Suites at 211 E. Huntington Dr., Arcadia, to benefit ailing Ross Fenstermaker, trainer Eddie Truman said.
Friday, March 31, 2006
Hollywood Park has increased overnight purses by 5%, retroactive to the Nov. 9 beginning of the autumn meet on Nov. 9. There are nine racing days remaining at the 27-day meeting, which concludes Monday, Dec. 19.
Wednesday, December 07, 2005
While steroid use by human athletes has caused a firestorm of controversy, trainers in California are being warned to avoid using anabolic steroids on their horses because of increased testing and uncertainty about withdrawal times. But the director of the state's drug-testing laboratory said the concern is misplaced.
Wednesday, August 17, 2005
Officials maintained a taut no-comment stance on reports that Churchill Downs Inc. is close to a deal with the owner of Bay Meadows for the sale of Hollywood Park, but a spokesman for California's major trainers' organization expressed comfort in the news.
Tuesday, June 28, 2005
B. Wayne Hughes, Jess Jackson, and Marsha Naify are the newest members of the Thoroughbred Owners of California board of directors, the organization announced June 24.
Friday, June 24, 2005
In the ongoing battle over Jockeys' Guild medical coverage for California riders, the state horse racing board directed its staff to begin a forensic audit of the national organization's health care records.
Thursday, March 24, 2005
The California State Fair board plans to swap its Thoroughbred meet this summer for harness racing.
Wednesday, March 02, 2005
The California Thoroughbred Trainers, in a charitable evening to benefit the Edwin J. Gregson Foundation, gathered to honor retired Hall of Fame jockeys Eddie Delahoussaye and Laffit Pincay Jr. at a dinner April 5 at the Twin Palms restaurant in Pasadena. Nearly 400 people attended the event, which raised more than $75,000.
Monday, April 12, 2004
California racing officials are hopeful that Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger will sign legislation this week that would increase the takeout on exotic wagers by a half of a percentage point to help offset rising workers' compensation insurance premiums.
Sunday, January 18, 2004
Southern California-based trainers will ask the California Horse Racing Board to establish a detention barn for "in-today" horses. For the past month, trainers have circulated a petition for the detention barn, which supporters say is needed to combat an uneven playing field caused by horsemen who are allegedly using illegal and untested-for medications to enhance the performance of their horses.
Monday, November 24, 2003
Partisan wrangling in the California State Assembly on the final day of the 2003 legislative session kept an urgency bill mandating a 0.5% increase in the exotic wagering take-out from gaining final approval Sept. 12. It will likely return for consideration in January.
Saturday, September 13, 2003
It was only a single day on the proposed 271-day Thoroughbred racing circuit in Southern California in 2004. But for representatives of the state's owners and trainers appearing Thursday before the California Horse Racing Board, it was meaningful.
Thursday, August 21, 2003
California owners will begin receiving a $100 per starter credit on Wednesday, opening day at Del Mar, to help offset the cost of workers' compensation insurance for jockeys.
Tuesday, July 22, 2003
A group of nearly 50 Southern California-based Thoroughbred trainers met at Hollywood Park Tuesday to discuss the specifics of their new workers' compensation policies, one day after all trainers were required to renew with either the state-run State Fund insurance program or insurance giant American Insurance Group.
Tuesday, July 01, 2003
Southern California Thoroughbred trainers waking up to workers' compensation insurance increases effective July 1 are planning to meet Tuesday at Hollywood Park to consider a possible boycott of the entry box to get the attention of track management and the state legislature.
Monday, June 30, 2003
Financially strapped California Thoroughbred trainers will be able to borrow money to help them make their initial workers' compensation insurance payments due on July 1 under a plan approved by state racing
associations.
Monday, June 23, 2003
California racing has "definitely turned a corner" on the workers' compensation insurance crisis, the leader of the state's trainer association said, but a reduction in premiums is at least a year away.
Friday, June 13, 2003
In the face of dwindling fields, Hollywood Park won approval from the California Horse Racing Board to penalize trainers for late scratches.
Thursday, March 27, 2003
The idea of an industry-owned insurance company was floated during a major meeting on issues such as workers' compensation. Meanwhile, the chairman of the Jockeys' Guild called on the industry for financial support to alleviate a "crisis."
Tuesday, December 10, 2002
California horsemen remain on the verge of finalizing a deal for lower workers' compensation insurance rates, but the program is unlikely to launch by the projected Nov. 15 starting date, the head of the state's trainer organization said Nov. 11.
Monday, November 11, 2002
A new workers' compensation insurance program for California racing might be implemented by Nov. 15, according to the head of the state trainers' association.
Friday, November 01, 2002
Trainers John Sadler, Art Sherman and Gil Matos have been added to the board of directors of the Thoroughbred Owners of California.
Sunday, October 27, 2002
The California Horse Racing Board Wednesday opened the door for tracks to pursue a workers' compensation insurance agreement that would bring relief to racing operations throughout the state.
Thursday, September 26, 2002
California racing officials were unable to come to an agreement Monday on a formal proposal for a statewide workers' compensation insurance plan, but a representative for horse owners said progress was made following an afternoon-long session at Santa Anita.
Monday, September 23, 2002
California racing officials are examining the latest workers' compensation insurance proposal submitted by a major company, one that would significantly reduce rates paid by trainers.
Tuesday, September 17, 2002
California racing officials are hoping for a breakthrough on their longstanding workers' compensation insurance roadblock.
Tuesday, September 03, 2002
A new deal for workers' compensation insurance in California may go into effect as soon as Sept. 1, but many trainers in the state remain unconvinced is the ultimate answer.
Monday, August 26, 2002
Representatives from two private insurance companies are scheduled to meet Tuesday with California horsemen and racetrack executives on a plan to insure workers against injury liability.
Monday, July 29, 2002
Trainers unhappy with soaring workers' compensation insurance costs refused to enter any horses for the July 3 races at Hollywood Park following a 90-minute meeting with Southern California racing association officials June 29.
Sunday, June 30, 2002
California horsemen and racetracks could create a workers' compensation insurance fund with purse money diverted from marketing programs as well as their vanning and stabling program under legislation headed for the state Senate.
Wednesday, June 26, 2002
Trainers in California who own horses will occupy three seats on the board of directors of the organization that represents Thoroughbred owners under an agreement hammered out shortly before a state Senate committee hearing on the issue June 25.
Tuesday, June 25, 2002
Negotiations that would allow trainers who also own racehorses to join the Thoroughbred Owners of California are in progress. A state Assembly bill authorizing such a membership change is nearing a committee hearing as well.
Monday, June 17, 2002
California racing officials pondering what to do about a building workers' compensation insurance crisis are closer to submitting legislation that would increase pari-mutuel takeout in the state.
Monday, April 15, 2002
Given the state's mandate that trainers at racetracks must carry current workmens' compensation policies, horsemen whose policies expire March 1 were scrambling to find alternatives this week. The crisis threatens to force some trainers out of the business.
Thursday, February 28, 2002
