from the Florida Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association
Sam Gordon was elected March 24 to serve his fifth term as president of the Florida Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association.
Board members voted unanimously for Gordon. The last Florida HBPA president elected unanimously was Scott Savin more than 10 years ago.
“Let me tell you, I am humbled by the support I have received from my board after a very trying and financially difficult 2008 for Florida horsemen,” Gordon said.
The Florida HBPA board also elected owners Phil Combest and Mike Nyman, and trainer Tim Ritvo as vice presidents. Owner John Penn was elected secretary, and trainer Barry Rose was elected treasurer.
The five individuals elected by the full membership to serve three-year terms were officially seated at the meeting. They are owners Penn and Teresa Palmer, and trainers Rose, Larry Pilotti, and Emanuel “Manny” Tortora.
The board alternates elected to one-year terms were owner Jay Kotzen and trainer Ronald Gaffney.
The Florida HBPA board agreed to tentative terms for the 2009 Calder Race Course purse agreement that, among other things, would include a minimum $10,000 purse and 2-year-old maiden special weight races that would pay about $25,000 to winning Florida-breds.
The board also voted to donate $6,000 to Pure Thoughts, a Thoroughbred-only rescue and rehabilitation facility located in Loxahatchee, Fla.