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Post-Hollywood Calendar for 2014-15 Approved

The framework for a Southern California racing calendar over the next two years with the impending closure of Betfair Hollywood Park was approved by the California Horse Racing Board May 23.

TOC Commits to Uniform Medication Program

The Thoroughbred Owners of California will join regulators from eight states in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast by committing to implement the Mid-Atlantic Uniform Medication Program in January 2014.

Equine Medical Director Term Limited by Bill

The California Horse Racing Board's equine medical director would be restricted to serving no more than two two-year terms consecutively under a state Assembly bill currently before a legislative committee.

George Krikorian Appointed to CHRB

Governor Jerry Brown appointed George Krikorian to the California Horse Racing Board. The multiple graded stakes winning owner is president and CEO of Krikorian Premiere Theatres and president of George Krikorian Stables.

Morris to Leave Golden Gate Fields for TOC

Joe Morris will step down as general manager of Golden Gate Fields to become president of the Thoroughbred Owners of California, The Stronach Group announced April 17.

Expanded Roles Seen for Santa Anita, Del Mar

With Fairplex Park announcing it is pulling back on expanding its racetrack, Santa Anita Park and Del Mar are likely to host the 2014 Southern California racing circuit should Betfair Hollywood Park shut down.

California Trainers Discuss Hollywood Options

California Thoroughbred Trainers officials met with members March 21 to update them on industry discussions for an alternative to Betfair Hollywood Park when it eventually closes for expected development.

Hollywood Takeout Will Remain 14% in Pick 5

Betfair Hollywood Park will continue to offer the Players' Pick 5 at the reduced takeout rate of 14% when the spring/summer meet begins April 25.

CTT Pushing for Consideration of Fairplex

The president of the California Thoroughbred Trainers wants a more transparent process for selecting the track that will eventually succeed Betfair Hollywood Park and is calling for renewed consideration of Fairplex Park.

Lou Raffetto Resigns as President of TOC

After less than two years on the job, Lou Raffetto announced Feb. 28 that he is stepping down as president of the Thoroughbred Owners of California, effective immediately.

Los Alamitos Proceeds With Expansion Plan

Los Alamitos Race Course officials were planning to meet Feb. 1 with the city of Cypress, Calif., to begin discussing expansion of the Orange County facility to accommodate Thoroughbred racing and training.

Fairplex Out for Now as Hollywood Alternative

Fairplex Park, one of two locations under consideration as a replacement for Betfair Hollywood Park, is out of the running for now, says the president and chief executive officer of the Los Angeles County Fair facility.

Group: Salix Effective in Treating EIPH

A group of scientists met with representatives of the Thoroughbred Owners of California Jan. 18 to discuss exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhaging and later issued a joint statement supporting use of furosemide.

Hollywood Park Commits to Fall Racing Dates

Ending much speculation about its immediate future, Betfair Hollywood Park will operate its annual fall meet in 2013, track president Jack Liebau said in an appearance before the California Horse Racing Board Jan. 17.

Hollywood Park Decision Due on 2013 Fall Meet

Betfair Hollywood Park is expected to announce whether it will conduct its fall meet later this year or shut down in preparation for development of the Inglewood property at the Jan. 17 California Horse Racing Board meeting.

California Group Modifies Workers' Comp Plan

With workers' compensation rates on the rise again in California, the Thoroughbred group overseeing the statewide pool for horsemen expects to use about $1 million from the purse account to stem a 2013 projected funding gap.

Billy Morey Elected to TOC Board

Owner and trainer William E. "Billy" Morey had been added to the board of directors of the Thoroughbred Owners of California, filling a vacancy created recently by the resignation of Ron McAnally.

CHRB to Again Consider Exchange Wagering

The CHRB could give its final approval to exchange wagering rules Nov. 15 when it meets at 9:30 a.m. PST in the Sunset Room at Betfair Hollywood Park.

Officials in Talks Over Replacing Hollywood

Like dealing with a bad tooth, California racing representatives are coming to terms with the fact that Betfair Hollywood Park will eventually have to be replaced.

Talks Continue About Hollywood Alternatives

The California Horse Racing Board and Thoroughbred Owners of California are discussing plans about what to do if Betfair Hollywood Park shuts down.

CHRB Examines New Approach to Voiding Claims

The California Horse Racing Board, looking to improve upon a rule it approved last year, is considering a change that would void the claim of a horse that is later placed on the official veterinary list for being unsound.

Exchange Wagering Rules Approved by CHRB

Rules governing exchange wagering gained initial approval from the California Horse Racing Board at its meeting Sept. 20, more than a year after the commission had announced its intention to promulgate them.

TOC Sets Annual Meeting for Members Aug. 25

Thoroughbred Owners of California invites all members to the Southern California Annual Meeting Aug. 25 at 8:30 a.m. in the Veranda Café at Del Mar.

CHRB Taking Longer Look at Exchange Wagering

Exchange wagering seems to be getting all the scrutiny it can handle from the California Horse Racing Board. Nearly two years after the concept was signed into law, the board decided to delay implementation June 28.

TOC Moves Harshly Criticized by Betfair TVG

The Thoroughbred Owners of California June 1 tabled action on exchange wagering for one year and endorsed a deal proposed by The Stronach Group, leading to a strong response from Betfair TVG.

CHRB Severely Restricts Use of Clenbuterol

The bronchodilator clenbuterol, possibly being misused for its anabolic steroid properties, will be severely curtailed for the next year at all California racetracks.

TOBA Latest to Submit Salix Comments in NY

The Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association is the latest organization to respond to the New York State Racing and Wagering Board with its opinions on the use of the anti-bleeding medication furosemide on race day.

Incumbents Mostly Re-Elected to TOC Board

Eight of 10 incumbents are among the 15 individuals that won election to the Thoroughbred Owners of California board of directors.

Santa Anita Moves San Luis Rey to March 25

Due to a forecast calling for heavy rain over the weekend of March 17-18, Santa Anita racing officials have made the decision to postpone the $150,000 San Luis Rey Stakes (gr. IIT) on turf until March 25.

CHRB Eyes Licensing of Stronach Companies

A proposal by Frank Stronach to publicly offer shares in six racing companies, each with a 20-horse stable, can legally conduct business in California, a staff report for the state's horse racing board concludes.

Choper Appointed to Oversee TOC Election

The California Horse Racing Board has appointed commissioner Jesse Choper to oversee the current election for the Thoroughbred Owners of California board of directors.

Shirreffs to Chair CHRB Advisory Panel

Trainer John Shirreffs has been named to chair a newly created medication advisory panel for the California Horse Racing Board to provide consultation with the agency's medication and track safety committee.

Exchange Wagering Grilled at CHRB Meeting

Exchange wagering in California drew some strong opposition from The Stronach Group and several horsemen's organizations during its first California Horse Racing Board committee hearing Feb. 9 at Santa Anita.

Six More Candidates Added to TOC Election

The Thoroughbred Owners of California announced Feb. 2 that six additional persons have qualified to run for the revamped TOC Board of Directors through the nomination-by-petition process.

TOC Has 24 Candidates for Board Thus Far

The Thoroughbred Owners of California Jan. 27 identified 24 nominees for its 2012 election for the board of directors, though others may be nominated through a petition process that ends Jan. 31.

Stronach Says He Wants to Protect Santa Anita

The California Horse Racing Board received a surprise visit Jan. 19 from Santa Anita owner Frank Stronach, who told the board he wants to guarantee Santa Anita's long range future.

TOC Membership Approves Major Bylaw Changes

Thoroughbred Owners of California members have given wide support to bylaw amendments that will clear the way for a full board election early next year, according to a Dec. 29 press release from the horsemen's organization.

Pegram Sues Jamgotchian, Alleges Defamation

Thoroughbred Owners of California board chairman Mike Pegram has filed suit against California Thoroughbred owner Jerry Jamgotchian, alleging defamation and false light.

Golden State Series Nominations Due Feb. 15

Owners of California-bred foals of 2010 have until Feb. 15 to pay a $300 fee for eligibility in the new Golden State Series, a program of stakes and purse enhancements totaling more than $2.3 million in its initial year.

Go for the Gold - By Lenny Shulman

California needs enlightened and innovative leadership if its Thoroughbred industry is to thrive in, or even survive, these desperate times.

read blog

Board OKs California Horsemen Settlement

With no discussion, the California Horse Racing Board approved an eleventh-hour settlement between rival horsemen's groups Nov. 17 aimed at heading off a decertification vote of the Thoroughbred Owners of California.

Agreement Reached Between California Groups

A bitter dispute between two Thoroughbred owners' groups in California has apparently come to an end after the organizations reached an agreement with the California Horse Racing Board.

California Owner Mace Siegel Dies at 86

Mace Siegel, whose racing operation was one of California's most prominent for decades, died Oct. 26 at the age of 86.

CHRB Approves Race Dates for 2012

A 2012 race dates calendar was approved by the California Horse Racing Board Oct. 6, with only minor changes from its 2011 version.

CHRB Will Not Count Trainers in TOC Petitions

The California Horse Racing Board threw a monkey wrench into a horsemen group's attempt to decertify the Thoroughbred Owners of California, saying it will not validate petition signatures of owners who are also trainers.

California Horsemen Group Submits Signatures

The California Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association announced Aug. 20 that it has submitted more than 1,100 signatures to the state horse racing board seeking an election to decertify the current horsemen's representative.

Dennis Cardoza Joins TOC Board

Dennis Cardoza, who represents the 18th district of California in Congress, has joined the board of directors of the Thoroughbred Owners of California.

CHRB OKs Lower Bute Level, Claiming Rule

A reduction in the allowable level of the common pain reliever phenylbutazone in post-race tests was approved on a split vote by the California Horse Racing Board July 21 over the objections of horsemen.

Lou Raffetto Named TOC President

Lou Raffetto, formerly the chief operating officer and president of the Maryland Jockey Club, has been named president of the Thoroughbred Owners of California.

TOC: Takeout Hike Unpopular But Necessary

Faced with criticism and a move to decertify it as the official horsemen's organization in California, the Thoroughbred Owners of California held a public forum at Hollywood Park June 25.