Skip to Content Accessibility Information

Minutes of Public Meeting - November 30, 2017

Commission Members Present:

Michael Algeo, Chairman
Ernest Grecco
David Hayden
Dr. Thomas Bowman
Tom Winebrener

Members Absent:

Clarissa Coughlin
Tammy Lafferty
Konrad Wayson
Ronald Thomas

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 §3-302, General Provisions Article, Annotated Code of Maryland, the Maryland Racing Commission (“Commission”) met in open session on November 30, 2017 at 12:30 p.m. at Laurel Park, Laurel, Maryland. Chairman Mike Algeo welcomed the public to the meeting.

Minutes – October 26, 2017.
The Commission waived a reading of the minutes of its meeting of October 26, 2017 and unanimously voted to approve them.

Hampstead - Satellite Simulcast Betting Facility.
Executive Director J. Michael Hopkins reported that the public meeting held at Hampstead on November 29, 2017 was very short and was attended by approximately 15 people, including the Mayor of Hampstead and a County Commissioner. There were no objections to the permit being issued and the Commission voted unanimously to approve the application. Mr. Hopkins advised that the facility is expected to open around January 1, 2018.

Proposed Regulation 09.10.01.07 - Claiming.
The Commission was provided with a proposed regulation that would prohibit a trainer who also held an owner’s license from claiming a horse while their trainer’s license was suspended.

Maryland Jockey Injury Compensation Fund, Inc. - Policy Renewal.
The Commission was advised that the premium for the 2018 workers compensation policy for licensed jockeys would be $846,239.00. This is $14,012.00 less than 2017. The Commission was also advised that the contract with Willis Insurance will decrease the cost of the policy by $80,393.00. In addition, Executive Director J. Michael Hopkins requested approval to assess each license thoroughbred owner and trainer $100.00 for calendar year 2018 to help pay for the policy premium. Hearing no objection, the Commission unanimously approved the request.

Riverboat on the Potomac.
The Commission was advised by Executive Director J. Michael Hopkins that the Maryland Jockey Club requested approval that the permit to operate the Satellite Simulcast Betting Facility at the Riverboat on the Potomac be transferred to the Maryland Jockey Club. Hearing no objection, the Commission unanimously approved the request.

Racing Facility Redevelopment Fund – Maryland Jockey Club.
Executive Director J. Michael Hopkins provided the Commission members with three requests from the Maryland Jockey Club to be reimbursed specified amounts from the Racing Facility Redevelopment Fund. Mr. Hopkins further commented that all three requests had been properly reviewed by the Commission’s accountant. The Commission thanked Mr. Hopkins and unanimously approved each of the following amounts individually:

$857,591.00 for New Barn #3 at Laurel Park;
$908,167.00 for interior renovations at Laurel Park; and
$106,854.00 for the Bowie fence project.

Maryland Standardbred Race Fund.
Executive Director J. Michael Hopkins presented the Commission with a tentative schedule for the 2018 Maryland Sired and Maryland Foaled stake races for their approval. Mr. Hopkins also advised that he had received a request from the Maryland Standardbred Breeders nominating Sharon Roberts as their representative on the Maryland Standardbred Race Fund Advisory Committee for a four year term beginning June 1, 2017. Hearing no objection, the Commission unanimously approved the requests.

VLT Report.
Executive Director J. Michael Hopkins presented the Commission with a VLT report from the month of October.

Public Comments.
Hearing no public comments, the Commission adjourned the meeting.

Next Commission Meeting.
The next Commission meeting will be held on January 25, 2018, at 12:30 P.M. at Laurel Park, Laurel, Maryland.

J. Michael Hopkins
Executive Director