BloodHorse.com | Horse Racing News

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.

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.

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.

Calif. Track Execs Ask For Lower Takout

The presidents of Santa Anita and Hollywood Park have asked the Thoroughbred Owners of California to reduce takout on Daily Double, exacta, quinella, and Pick 5 wagers.

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.

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.

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.

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.

CA Boycott Getting Noticed, Organizer Says

As California racetracks struggled into their second month of the 2010-11 season, the president of a horseplayers' group that is leading a boycott of the tracks said racing officials in the state are getting the point.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Naify Loses Chairmanship in TOC Voting

The Thoroughbred Owners of California will be looking for a new chairman after Marsha Naify, who has headed the organization's board of directors since May 2007, was not re-elected to the post.

Keith Pronske Named North's TOC Vice Chair

Keith Pronske, who joined the board of directors of the Thoroughbred Owners of California (TOC) in December, has been appointed vice chair for Northern California.

Mick Peterson to Discuss Racetrack Surfaces

Dr. Michael "Mick" Peterson will address "Assessing Track Surfaces" at a seminar for horsemen to be held in Arcadia, Calif., March 14. Peterson is the executive director of the Racing Surfaces Testing Laboratory.

Mosses Named Top California Owner in 2009

Jerry and Ann Moss were named Owners of the Year for the second straight year in 2009 and their mare Zenyatta Horse of the Year by the Thoroughbred Owners of California.

Race Surfaces Dominate California Summit Talk

At a Thoroughbred Owners of California summit meeting Feb. 13 at Santa Anita, the subject of racetrack surfaces dominated all other issues.

Steve Schwartz Resigns TOC Position

Resigns from his position as president Feb. 5 after just being named to the post Nov. 15.

California Owners to Address Concerns

An industry summit meeting will be held by the Thoroughbred Owners of California on Feb. 13 in the Baldwin Terrace Conference Room at Santa Anita.

California Trainers Elect New Board Slate

A slate of new board members for the California Thoroughbred Trainers is set to take over next week following a special election demanded by members who are unhappy with the state of racing and the organization's direction.

Keith Pronske Named to TOC Board

Northern California owner Keith Pronske has been appointed to the board of directors of the Thoroughbred Owners of California to fill a vacancy created by the resignation of Tom Bachman.

Schwartz to Take Over as President of TOC

Steve Schwartz, a prominent trial lawyer specializing in equine veterinary and medical issues, has been named president of the Thoroughbred Owners of California effective Nov. 15. Schwartz replaces Drew Couto, who left the position earlier this year.

Santa Anita Bid Timetable Set; Talks Continue

After failing to attract a qualified bid for Santa Anita Park this summer, bankrupt Magna Entertainment Corp. is prepared to try it again early next year. Meanwhile, a committee of horse owners from the Thoroughbred Owners of California is continuing to negotiate the purchase of the picturesque 303-acre racetrack, site of the 2009 Breeders' Cup.

Drew Couto Resigns as TOC President

Drew Couto, who helped form the Thoroughbred Owners of California in 1993 and served for the past five years as president, has decided to step down.

TOC Among Interested Santa Anita Bidders

The Thoroughbred Owners of California is among the interested bidders in Santa Anita Park, an organization official confirmed.

TVG, Hollywood in Broadcast Fee Dispute

Advance deposit wagering provider TVG did not accept bets on Hollywood Park races April 22 as the Inglewood track opened its 65-day spring/summer meet.

CHRB Moves to Rescind Anti-Rebate Stance

Rebates to wagering customers have become so widespread that the California Horse Racing Board is preparing to rescind its rule against the practice.