BloodHorse.com | Horse Racing News

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.

Del Mar Adds Players Pick 5, Head-to-Head Bet

Del Mar will continue the so-called "Players Pick 5" bet instituted by Hollywood Park this spring and will add a few new twists to its wagering menu for the meet that begins July 20.

In California, Politics Colors Takeout Fight

An ongoing battle over pari-mutuel takeout rates in California isn't only a major issue in the war over horsemen's representation, but it also has moved horseplayers' involvement in political issues in racing to a new level.

Dedomenico to Chair TOC Medication Committee

Dr. Mark Dedomenico has been selected chairman of the Thoroughbred Owners of California's medication and integrity committee by the organization's board of directors, it was announced May 28.

Horsemen's Group Takes First Step to Oust TOC

A newly formed horsemen's group announced April 28 that it is formally seeking to replace the Thoroughbred Owners of California as the official representative.

Hollywood to Offer Pick 5 With 14% Takeout

After receiving approval from the California Horse Racing Board and the Thoroughbred Owners of California, Hollywood Park will offer a reduced takeout Pick 5 on its wagering menu when the Spring/Summer meet begins April 21.

TOC Chairman Owens Responds to Critics

Divisiveness among horsemen's groups in California "seems to me a terrible waste of industry resources," said Jack Owens, chairman of the Thoroughbred Owners of California, during an interview April 2.

New California Horsemen's Group Moving Ahead

The Thoroughbred Owners of California isn't talking, but a spokesman for a recently formed rival horseman's group wants to make sure the state's owner representative knows the new organization means business.

California Group Seeks to Represent Horsemen

A group of horsemen in California has formed a new organization whose goal is to become the official representative of horsemen in the state.

Pegram Among Ownership Seminar Speakers

Two introductory seminars on horse ownership, 'Derby Fever!' are being offered by the Thoroughbred Owners of California free of charge at Golden Gate Fields and Santa Anita Park April 2.

Pablo Suarez to Represent TOC on NTRA Board

California horse owner Pablo Suarez has been selected by the Thoroughbred Owners of California to fill its seat on the National Thoroughbred Racing Association board of directors.

Mark Dedomenico Appointed to TOC Board

Dr. Mark Dedomenico has been added to the board of directors of the Thoroughbred Owners of California to fill a vacancy created by the recent resignation of Arnold Zetcher.

Mosses, Zenyatta Take Top TOC Awards for 2010

For the third consecutive year, Jerry and Ann Moss were named Owners of the Year and their mare Zenyatta Horse of the Year by the Thoroughbred Owners of California.

Santa Anita Allocated Fall Race Dates by CHRB

The California Horse Racing Board allocated Santa Anita Park the fall racing dates previously operated by the Oak Tree Racing Association at its meeting Feb. 17.

Jack Owens Elected to Fill TOC Chairman Term

Jack B. Owens was unanimously elected interim chairman of the Thoroughbred Owners of California by the organization's board of directors during its meeting Feb. 16.

TOC Chairman Zetcher to Step Down From Board

Arnold Zetcher, chairman of the Thoroughbred Owners of California, will resign from the board Feb. 16. He has served as chairman for about six months.

ADW Companies Get California Extensions

Satisfied that owners were getting as much as possible for purses from a recent state increase in takeout, the California Horse Racing Board granted three advance deposit wagering companies one-year extensions Jan. 20.

Ownership Seminars Hosted by TOC Jan. 22

The Thoroughbred Owners of California is offering a free seminar, on racehorse ownership at both Santa Anita Park and Golden Gate Fields Jan. 22, each beginning at 8:30 a.m.

California Trainers Pursue Merger With Owners

Unable to convince the Thoroughbred Owners of California to consider unifying with its organization, trainers in the state are pursuing plans to form a new representative group.

Aaron Vercruysse Added as TOC Consultant

Aaron Vercruysse has been retained by the Thoroughbred Owners of California to assist in the development and execution of initiatives dealing with wagering and purse improvements, the organization announced Nov. 30.

Jack Owens Returns to TOC Board of Directors

Jack B. Owens has been appointed to the board of directors of the Thoroughbred Owners of California to fill a vacancy created by the departure of David Bloom.

2011 Oak Tree Race Dates Remain Undecided

A decision on what to do with autumn race dates traditionally held by the Oak Tree Racing Association was put off by the California Horse Racing Board until a meeting next month.

Oak Tree Changes Post Time for Final Thursday

After experimenting with night racing on Thursdays during the Oak Tree Racing Association meet, Hollywood Park announced Oct. 23 that it will return to the afternoon for its final Thursday card of the meet.

Jamgotchian Turns to Court in TOC Dispute

Horse owner Jerry Jamgotchian filed a court petition Oct. 7 seeking to force the Thoroughbred Owners of California to turn over the email addresses of its 9,512 members to him.

TOC Offers Two Conformation Clinics Oct. 9

The Thoroughbred Owners of California is offering two free "conformation clinics" to the public at Hollywood Park and the Big Fresno Fair Oct. 9.

Model Rules Committee OKs New Bute Standard

The Model Rules Committee of the Association of Racing Commissioners International has voted 12-0, with one abstention, to recommend lowering the threshold of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug Phenylbutazone.

TOC Not Pursuing Merger With Trainers' Group

The Thoroughbred Owners of California is not pursuing a merger with the California Thoroughbred Trainers, the chairman of the official owners' organization said following its annual meeting Aug. 21 at Del Mar.

Mick Peterson to Undertake Santa Anita Study

The California Horse Racing Board has arranged for Dr. Michael "Mick" Peterson, a well-known professor of engineering at the University of Maine, to inspect the main track at Santa Anita Park this coming week.

Santa Anita Track Repair Discussed at Meeting

Amid concerns about track safety, horsemen representatives and Santa Anita management met the morning of Aug. 6 to discuss progress on renovation of the Pro-Ride synthetic racing surface that began July 26.

TOC to Hold Ownership Seminar at Santa Rosa

The public is invited to learn about racehorse ownership at a free seminar hosted by Thoroughbred Owners of California on Aug. 7 at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds in Santa Rosa.

Horseplayer Group Battles Calif. Takeout Hike

A national horseplayer's group is hoping to head off a takeout increase of 2% to 3% for exotic wagers on California races being discussed by Thoroughbred interests and the speaker of the state Assembly.

Zetcher Elected Chair of TOC

Arnold Zetcher was elected the new chair of the Thoroughbred Owners of California during a meeting of the board of directors July 23 at Del Mar.