Minutes of Public Meeting - October 21, 2014

In accordance with the Notice of Public Meeting, as required by State Government Article, §10-506, Annotated Code of Maryland, the Maryland Racing Commission ("Commission") met in open session on October 21, 2014 commencing at 12:30 p.m. at Laurel Park, Laurel, Maryland.

Minutes - September 16, 2014.

The Commission waived a reading of the minutes of its September 16, 2014 meeting and voted unanimously to approve them.

Regulation - Final - 09.10.01.07 Claiming.

Executive Director J. Michael Hopkins presented the Commission with a request for final approval of 09.10.01.07, which permits a claim to be voided up to one hour after a race is official, if the horse is vanned off the track. Hearing no objection, the Commission unanimously approved the request.

Regulation - Final 09.10.01.49 Rewards to Breeders.

Executive Director J. Michael Hopkins presented the Commission with a request for final approval of 09.10.01.49, which amends the regulation to coincide with the Breeder Bonus program agreed to in the fall of 2013. Mr. Hopkins further advised that the regulation would not be effective until January 1, 2015. Hearing no objection, the Commission unanimously approved the request.

Satellite Simulcast Betting Permit Renewals.

Executive Director J. Michael Hopkins advised the Commission that he had received a request from the Maryland Jockey Club to renew its Satellite Simulcast Betting permit for Pimlico Race Course. Mr. Hopkins further stated that he was informed that Penny Flanagan, the owner of the River Boat Satellite Simulcast Betting Facility in Colonial Beach, Virginia, had mailed her request to renew the River Boat permit. Hearing no objection, the Commission unanimously renewed the permits for both the Maryland Jockey Club as well as the River Boat, subject to receiving the River Boat letter requesting renewal.

Health and Safety Committee.

Chairman Bruce Quade reported that prior to the public meeting, the Health and Safety Committee, which consists of industry representatives, met to discuss a variety of topics. Chairman Quade advised that issues discussed by the Committee included jockey safety, uniform medication, Cobalt testing, an update on the Maryland Racing Commission's Laboratory, updates from the Fatality Review Committee, a request to review the minimum age of an Apprentice Jockey and information relating to the Racing Medication and Testing Consortium. Chairman Quade further reported that the Committee has resolved some issues, such as a quarantine facility, a catch shoot for loose horses and expanded ambulance services.

Ocean Downs 2015 Racing Requests.

Executive Director J. Michael Hopkins reported that he has received a request from Ocean Downs to offer 48 days of live racing in 2015 as well as a request to import and export the races they find marketable from January 1, 2015 through December 31, 2015. Commissioner Tammy Lafferty commented that the current contract contained approval from the Horsemen and Breeders. Hearing no objection, the Commission unanimously approved the request.

Rosecroft - Racing Under Saddle.

Executive Director J. Michael Hopkins informed the Commission that he had received a letter from Rosecroft informing the Commission that Rosecroft would be holding an exhibition race on October 25, 2014, similar to the race held at Ocean Downs this past summer. Chairman Quade commented that the race at Ocean Downs had generated a lot of interest and was well received.

Prince Georges' Racing Ventures, LLC 2015 Racing Requests.

Executive Director J. Michael Hopkins reported that he has received a request from Prince Georges' Racing Ventures, LLC (Rosecroft) to offer 54 days of live racing in 2015. Mr. Hopkins further commented that he has also received approval from Cloverleaf Standardbred Owners' Association (CSOA) and the Maryland Standardbred Breeders Association for the import and export of the signals they find marketable. Mr. Hopkins further commented that the current contract with the thoroughbred industry expires on December 31, 2014. Alan Forman, representing the Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association, commented that the current contract required ongoing negotiations through January 31, 2015. If the parties could not come to a resolution by January 31, 2015, an arbitrator would be jointly selected to resolve any potential impasse. Mr. Foreman further noted that under this circumstance, the current import and export signals at Rosecroft would not be modified until the arbitration was completed. The Commission unanimously approved the request, subject to a successor agreement or a final decision by an arbitrator.

Standardbred Preferences and Qualifying Times.

Chairman Bruce Quade commented that a number of mutual discussions between the Standardbred Horsemen and Ocean Downs had been held regarding the qualifying times for Standardbred horses and that it appeared the issues have been resolved. He noted that Ocean Downs has agreed to allow additional training time and the cost would be split between the Standardbred Horsemen and Ocean Downs.

Commissioner Tammy Lafferty asked Sharon Roberts to describe the Maryland preference system. Chairman Quade commented that he would like to hear form Lisa Watts, representing Rosecroft, for the track's position on preferences. Ms. White deferred to Ms. Roberts. Tom Cooke, President of CSOA, commented that the preference system in place by contract has stimulated breeding in Maryland. Commissioner Ulman commented that he did not understand the reason that Virginia owned horses received a preference, to which Mr. Cooke commented that that the Virginia preference would most likely be removed from the current preferences. Chairman Quade commented that the current preference system would require an amendment to the regulations. Bill Fasy, representing Ocean Downs, commented that he believed the preference system in place at Rosecroft was unfair, since Ocean Downs draws horses from Maryland, Delaware and Virginia. Sharon Roberts responded that the CSOA would like to implement the Rosecroft preference system at Ocean Downs in 2015. Chairman Quade requested the Standardbred Horsemen and tracks to provide the Commission with its suggested amendments to the regulations by the November 11, 2014 Commission meeting.

Video Lottery Revenue - Report.

Executive Director J. Michael Hopkins provided the Commission with the September 2014 VLT report. Mr. Hopkins further commented that the Horseshoe Casino in Baltimore City would need to be operational for an additional two months before its impact could be fully estimated.

Public Comment.

Chairman Bruce Quade commented that Sandy McKee, who was a writer for the Baltimore Sun, had contacted him and asked him to mention that the "Maryland State Athletic Hall of Fame" was inducting the horse Native Dancer into the Hall of Fame on November 13, 2014. Chairman Quade noted that this was another example of the impact of the horse industry in Maryland. Chairman Quade also recognized Cricket Goodall, Executive Director of the Maryland Horse Breeders Association, for having a successful Maryland Million Day on Saturday October 18, 2014. Frank Vespe, from the Racing Biz, commented that the annual Maryland Racing Media Association Crab Feast will be held on November 8, 2014.

Next Commission Meeting.

The next Commission meeting will be held on November 11, 2014 at 12:30 p.m. in the Clubhouse at Laurel Park, Laurel, Maryland.

J. Michael Hopkins
Executive Director