Drew Couto

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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.

ADW Agreement Reached in California

ADW Agreement Reached in California

An impasse in California over fee rates for interstate advance deposit wagering that has had a negative impact on Hollywood Park's fall meet ended Nov. 21 with the announcement that one-year deals with the four licensed providers in the state have been reached.

Hollywood's ADW Dispute Unresolved

Out-of-state account wagering bettors remained locked out of Hollywood Park races as a contract dispute between the Thoroughbred Owners of California and the four advance deposit wagering companies showed no sign of resolution Oct. 30, the second day of the fall meet.

California Defers ADW Rule Change

California Defers ADW Rule Change

After more than a year of discussion, the California Horse Racing Board has deferred any action on a proposed rule that would prohibit advance deposit wagering companies from making exclusive wagering agreements with Thoroughbred racetracks in the state.

Hollywood, Horsemen Reach Tentative Pact

Hollywood, Horsemen Reach Tentative Pact

California horsemen and Hollywood Park reached a tentative agreement Oct. 10 that allows the track to operate its 40-day autumn race meet, but a stalemate over host fees to be paid by account wagering companies for interstate bets remains unresolved.

ADW Model: Who's Right, Who's Wrong?

Support for reform of the revenue model for advance deposit wagering continues to increase, but as evidenced Sept. 30 during the International Simulcast Conference, it's looking more and more like a long-term project.

Hollywood, Horsemen Squabble Over ADW

With horsemen and Hollywood Park unable to come to agreement on revenue splits from account wagering sources for the upcoming autumn meet at the Inglewood track, the California Horse Racing Board agreed to conduct a special hearing to settle the impasse.

TOC to End Exclusive ADW Pacts

The elimination of exclusive account deposit wagering contracts and meeting the challenges of racetrack closures were among the subjects addressed at the Thoroughbred Owners of California's annual membership meeting Aug. 16 at Del Mar.

THG to Negotiate for California Horsemen

The Thoroughbred Owners of California board of directors has unanimously endorsed the negotiating model created by the Thoroughbred Horsemen's Group, and has authorized the THG to represent the TOC in future simulcast negotiations, including in advance deposit wagering negotiations.

State Lawmakers Urged to Take ADW Action

As the popularity of advance deposit wagering increases, states need to take action to protect their horseracing industry, the president of the Thoroughbred Owners of California told a group of legislators meeting June 13 in Northern California.

Time for Peace Pipe, Shapiro Says

Now that voters in California have decisively approved a massive increase in Indian gaming for four large Southern California tribes, the chairman of the state's horse racing board says it is time for the tribal casinos to help out his ailing industry with financial mitigation.

TOC: Partial Signal Consent Given

TOC: Partial Signal Consent Given

The Thoroughbred Owners of California has given limited consent to New York's off-track betting corporations to accept wagers on California races, but is holding firm on its stance against allowing wagers from the companies'out-of-state account deposit wagering customers.

Expanded Fairs Offered as Option for California Racing

California fairs offer a realistic option for horse racing's future at a time when two major racetracks in the state are facing redevelopment and other privately held venues are pressured by stockholders for greater revenue returns amid escalating property values.

Bay Meadows Could Race in 2008

With State Sen. Leland Yee in attendance at its May 22 meeting in Sacramento, the California Horse Racing Board threw open the possibility that Bay Meadows could resume racing in 2008.

Santa Anita Plan Endorsed by Racing Organizations

  • News

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.

California ADW Rivals Near Signal Agreement

California customers of rival account deposit wagering companies TVG and XpressBet would be able to play any track in the state with their preferred carrier under an agreement being negotiated on a one-year experimental basis.

Account-Bet Dispute Lingers; CHRB May Act

The simmering dispute between the organization representing California's horse owners and the racing television and wagering network TVG appeared unlikely to be resolved heading into the Oct. 26 meeting of the California Horse Racing Board.

Reducing Races, Not Days, Goal of CHRB Committee

Reducing the number of racing events without the loss of a significant number of actual racing days in the North was the goal of the California Horse Racing Board's Strategic Alliance Planning Committee, which met for the final time Oct. 12 before making a final 2007 dates recommendation to the full board.

TVG, California Horsemen Deadlock Over Hub Fees

Account wagering in California remains mired in a dispute between horsemen and TVG over setting hub fees, officials from both sides told the California Horse Racing Board on Aug. 17, with no guarantee the stalemate will be resolved soon.

TOC Acts on Northern California Recommendations

  • News

As part of an effort to address concerns raised by several Northern California members, the Thoroughbred Owners of California held an open forum July 28 at Golden Gate Fields and pledged to act on several recommendations.

Fairplex Expansion Project Aired for CHRB

Fairplex Park gave an extensive presentation of a proposed $100 million project to expand and greatly enhance the racetrack facility located on the Los Angeles County Fairgrounds during the California Horse Racing Board's meeting June 22.

Fairplex Expansion Project Aired for CHRB

Fairplex Park gave an extensive presentation of a proposed $100 million project to expand and greatly enhance the racetrack facility located on the Los Angeles County Fairgrounds during the California Horse Racing Board's meeting June 22.

California Industry Backs 'Instant Racing' Bill

The California horseracing industry has thrown its weight behind "Instant Racing" video games in the drive to offset declining economic fortunes, but a representative of the state's major casino tribes say it's nothing more than a smokescreen to break the Indians' monopoly and give the tracks slot machines.

Northern California Horsemen Consider Breakaway Organization

About 200 Northern California horsemen have signed a petition supporting the formation of a new trainer/owner organization to represent them in negotiations with racetrack associations and others, saying they believe their affiliation with the Thoroughbred Owners of California is no longer adequate.

Interruption of Hollywood Signal on TVG Averted

A dispute between TVG and the Thoroughbred Owners of California was resolved Wednesday afternoon allowing transmission of Hollywood Park's signal on the racing network just minutes before the track's first race of the 2006 season.

Interruption of Hollywood Signal on TVG Averted

A dispute between TVG and the Thoroughbred Owners of California was resolved Wednesday afternoon allowing transmission of Hollywood Park's signal on the racing network just minutes before the track's first race of the 2006 season.

Del Mar Execs Take Polytrack Plan to Agricultural Board

Executives with the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club have taken a first step toward installing Polytrack at the popular seaside racetrack when they made a presentation to the 22nd District Agricultural Association during its board meeting Jan. 10.

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