More Drama from California: California Trainers Pursue Merger With Owners

[andymays]

http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/60318/california-trainers-pursue-merger-with-owners

Excerpt:

In a Dec. 8 letter to the membership asking for responses, Sadler said TOC restrictions on trainers that are owners amount to "discrimination" and must end.

"Horsemen have a right to choose a new organization that provides fair representation, rather than be forced into an organization that excludes some owners, or limits their representation, simply because they also have a trainer's license," he wrote.

In the letter, Sadler also made reference to charges by horse owner Jerry Jamgotchian that the TOC misused marketing funds refunded by the National Thoroughbred Racing Association to pursue the purchase of Santa Anita Park after track owner Magna Entertainment Corp. declared bankruptcy last year. Jamgotchian contends the TOC violated the state's business and professions code by failing to return the money, two checks totaling more than $1.1 million in 2006, to horsemen purses and instead created a separate account.


Read more: http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/60318/california-trainers-pursue-merger-with-owners#ixzz17woVAfwq

[andymays]

Just got this via email

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CTBAboardwatch
December 13, 2010 Now in our sixth year of watching out for you


We believe the time has come for California's three horseman's groups---TOC (owners), CTT (trainers) and CTBA (breeders)---to coalesce into a single organization.

Never in California's history has the need for a unified force for change been so compelling. Our fragmented industry often finds itself at odds with itself; as a result few forward steps are accomplished. What should be a single voice in the halls of Sacramento and in board room negotiations with racetracks is instead a disorganized cacophony. In contrast to the focused efforts of our gaming competitors, the California Thoroughbred industry is seen by many legislators as an amorphous disassociation of special interests without a clear cause.

We were pleased to learn last summer of the CTT's efforts to merge with the TOC. Unfortunately, TOC leaders nixed the idea. So CTT president JOHN SADLER and his board are pursuing the decertification of the TOC as the official owners representative. Sadler's plan is to create a new umbrella organization unifying both groups.

According to the Blood-Horse: (
http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/60318/california-trainers-pursue-merger-with-owners )
"Sadler said California racing is facing a number of serious issues, including a major revamping for the annual calendar and the futures of the Oak Tree Racing Association and Del Mar--which is potentially for sale by the state--and that horsemen need to "pool resources" to be effective.

"The point is we need to have everyone working together to push the ball up the hill," he said. "Would you rather have 20 people pushing it or 40? They (the TOC) are trying very hard, but we think a combined organization would be better for everyone."

We think Sadler is on the right track. Strength in numbers works. And to add to his reasoning, wouldn't the support of the (remaining) California breeders aid in pushing that same ball up the hill?

We don't doubt that a 'Thoroughbred Horsemen of California Association' would benefit all parties. The synergistic power of a brand new force---if it's run professionally and competently---is just what the doctor ordered for our ailing business.

But whether the CTT and TOC want the CTBA as a co-founder is problematic. After all, not only has the CTBA racked up a $350,000 operating debt, it is well-known throughout the country as something of a joke. It's current president admitted in writing to illegally using Artificial Insemination for years; it has systematically (and we think illegally) paid board members and their friends out of PAC funds; and it's overpaid General Manager DOUG BURGE is, simply put, an incompetent but dedicated puppet for CTBA head honcho JOHN HARRIS.
The California Thoroughbred industry needs a strong battalion to fight for it's resurgence. We encourage Sadler and the CTT board in their efforts to decertify the TOC on its way to incorporating a new group. We also strongly urge it to decertify the CTBA as the official registering agency---which will end the CTBA's annual $700,000 state subsidy. We believe by assuming this relatively simple responsibility the new horseman's group will be a more effective, honest and reliable leader.

NOW is the time for action.


CTBAboardwatch is a Grass Roots movement supported by more than 600 horsemen and women who are vitally concerned about California 's struggling Thoroughbred industry. Former CTBA and CHRB chairmen are among us. More than 4,500 industry participants receive this newsletter. We have no membership applications, dues or fees. You're a member if you say you are! Please send all questions and comments to ctbaboardwatch@yahoo.com and we will respond asap. WRITE TO US!
"What are YOU doing today to improve our industry?"

[andymays]

HANA: What is the true TOC membership? Paulick Report

http://www.paulickreport.com/news/the-biz/hana-what-is-the-true-toc-membership/

Excerpt:

The Paulick Report received the following public letter from HANA (Horseplayers Association of North America) challenging the TOC (Thoroughbred Owners of California) over the true size of their membership rolls.

The TOC in California is having difficulty with their true membership numbers. We understand that the current law says that all horse owners with a license in California are automatic members of the TOC.

[DJofSD]

So, to be a member of the TOC, you just need to hold a license as an owner. Does not mean that you necessarily actual own a T'bred, or, if you are an owner of a registered T'bred that it has competed over a California race track.

Edited to correct a spelling error.

[andymays]

So, to be a member of the TOC, you just need to hold a license as an owner. Does not mean that you necessarily actual owner a T'bred, or, if you are an owner of a registered T'bred that it has competed over a California race track.

Nothing is what it seems in California. The good news is that all the shady stuff is being exposed. This is a good piece by Roger Way (rwwupl) and it will be helpful in the meeting tomorrow.