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Minutes of Public Meeting - June 16, 2015

Commission Members Present:

Bruce Quade
Tammy Lafferty
John McDaniel
Charles Tildon
Mary Louise Preis
David Hayden
Lou Ulman
Dr. Thomas Bowman

Members Absent:

Ernest Grecco

Staff Present Representing the Maryland Racing Commission:

J. Michael Hopkins

Executive Director
Eric B. London
Assistant Attorney General

In accordance with the Notice of Public Meeting, as required by §10-506, State Government Article, Annotated Code of Maryland, the Maryland Racing Commission (“Commission”) met in open session on May 19, 2015 commencing at 12:30 p.m. at Laurel Park, Laurel, Maryland.

Minutes - May 19, 2015.

The Commission waived a reading of the minutes of its May 19, 2015 meeting and voted unanimously to approve them.

Maryland Jockey Club - Update.

Tim Ritvo, representing the Maryland Jockey Club, reported that the second barn and wash pad at Laurel Race Track will be constructed during the week of June 21, 2015 and that the second barn with 150 stalls will be finished by November 1, 2015. Mr. Ritvo advised that there will be installation of additional flat screen televisions and redeveloping of the Carriage Room. Sal Sinatra, General Manager of the Maryland Jockey Club, commented that the Pimlico race meeting was very successful, with wagering up 25% over the previous year and increased field sizes. Mr. Sinatra also commented that the Rainbow Pick 6 bet attracted $800,000.00 in handle on the last day of the Meeting and total wagering on the last day of the meet was $5,000,000.00 dollars. Mr. Sinatra also commented that the Horseshoe Casino handled over $100,000.00 on Belmont Day and the Off Track Betting Facility is meeting projections.

Maryland Jockey Club-Transfer of Race Days and Summer Requests.

Assistant Attorney General Eric London, Counsel to the Commission, informed the Commission that the Maryland Jockey Club requested to transfer part of the Pimlico meeting to Laurel Park, which would begin on July 1, 2015 and go through August 27, 2015, with 24 days of live racing. Mr. Ritvo commented that the Maryland Jockey Club has adjusted the live racing schedule for the balance of the year. In addition, the Maryland Jockey club requested a post time of 3:40 PM on Fridays and 1:30 PM on Saturdays and Sundays, along with all of the other standard requests including simulcasting. Hearing no objection, the Commission unanimously approved the transfer and requests.

Maryland Jockey Club - Racing Facility Redevelopment Fund.

Assistant Attorney General Eric London informed the Commission that the Maryland Jockey Club requested reimbursement of $717,444.00 from the Racing Facility Redevelopment Fund for work done at Laurel Park for Phase 0, which generally encompassed the soft expenses for permitting and wetland relocation. In addition, Mr. London advised the Commission that the request had been reviewed and approved by the contracted Certified Public Accountant. Hearing no objection, the Commission unanimously approved the request.

Maryland State Fair – 2015 Race Meet Requests.

Andy Cashman, General Manager of the Maryland State Fair, submitted a request for its August 2015 race meeting, which includes 7 days of live racing including simulcasting. In addition, Becky Brashear Assistant General Manager of the State Fair described a number of activities that relate to enhancing the experience of horse racing at the Maryland State Fair. Hearing no objection, the Commission unanimously approved the request.

Maryland Bred Fund.

David Hayden, Chairman of the Maryland Bred Fund Advisory Committee, reported that the Committee recommended to include 3 Stakes races on the same day” in either August or September, but was not ready to announce a “Maryland Bred Day” until the Horsemen and Maryland Jockey Club had the opportunity to discuss the matter in detail . Mr. Hayden further commented that the Committee was recommending that for the balance of 2015, the Committee was recommending reducing all Maryland Bred stakes to $50,000.00 and eliminate the 10% Maryland-sired bonus. Mr. Hayden noted the justification for these reductions is directly attributable to the below level performance from the VLT facilities. Mr. Hayden also commented that the Committee is recommending the current 30% Breeder bonus and 10% Stallion bonus remain in effect for the balance of 2015. Hearing no objection, the Commission unanimously approved the request.

Jockeys – Request for Regulation Change – Double Jocks Mount

Assistant Attorney General Eric London introduced Mindy Coleman of the Jockeys’ Guild. Ms. Coleman requested that the Commission amend its regulation to incorporate the model rule adopted by the Association of Racing Commissioners International, which requires an owner to pay the amount earned by a rider to a rider that had been taken off their mount by either the owner or trainer. After a number of comments from Commission members and interested parties, Chairman Quade recommended that the issue be tabled for further discussion until the July meeting.

Breathalyzer Testing.

Chairman Quade reported that the Cloverleaf Standardbred Owners’ Association (CSOA) requested that every person who goes on a racetrack be subject to alcohol testing, including the officials. Tom Cooke, President of CSOA, reported that most standardbred tracks do test all individuals who go on the track, including the officials. Chairman Quade commented that Executive Director had implemented alcohol testing on two races per night on a random basis throughout the Ocean Downs meet. After a thorough discussion of the issue, Chairman Quade recommended that the issue be tabled until July, when more information can be reviewed and a collective decision can be made to create a policy that would be implemented at both harness tracks.

Video Lottery Revenue - Report.

Assistant Attorney General Eric London reported on the May VLT revenues. Commissioner John McDaniel expressed his concern over the reduction of slot machines.

Public Comment.

Chairman Quade recognized Commissioner Lou Ulman for his many years of dedicated service to the Commission, including his stewardship of the Commission as Chairman. . Commissioner Ulman thanked Chairman Quade along with former Governors Parris Glendenning and Martin O’Malley and indicted that he was proud of the many accomplishments of the Commission during his tenure.

Next Commission Meeting.

The next Commission meeting will be held on July 21, 2015 at 12:30 p.m. in the Clubhouse at Ocean Downs, Berlin, MD, 21811.

J. Michael Hopkins
Executive Director