SUMMARY OF CHRB ACTIONS AND DISCUSSIONS 5-26-11
ALBANY, CA – The California Horse Racing Board conducted its regular monthly meeting Thursday, May 26, at Golden Gate Fields. Chairman Keith Brackpool presided. Commissioners Jesse Choper, Bo Derek, John Harris, and Richard Rosenberg were in attendance.
The audio of this entire Board meeting is available on the CHRB Website (
www.chrb.ca.gov) under the Webcast link. In brief:
• The Board approved a rule to allow random drug testing of jockeys, apprentice jockeys, and drivers in a step to ensure the safety of all race participants. Under the new program, an unannounced, random drawing of no more than nine names will be conducted by the stewards – once during most meets in California, twice during meets lasting more than six months. The jockeys and drivers whose names are drawn will be tested for marijuana, cocaine, opiates, and phencyclidine (PCP). Chairman Brackpool indicated the Medication and Track Safety Committee could at some future meeting begin the process of considering whether other categories of track personnel and racing officials also should be subject to random drug testing. The Board also approved a rule to require drug screening during the annual mandatory physical examination for jockeys, apprentice jockeys, and drivers.
• The Board approved the license application for the Sonoma County Fair to conduct a race meet in Santa Rosa from July 27 through August 14.
• The Board approved the license application for the California Exposition and State Fair to conduct a race meet in Sacramento from July 13 to July 24.
• Representatives of Cal Expo and Sportech testified that problems with the totalizator board at Cal Expo have been corrected and that additional improvements are being made to provide for the proper functioning of the equipment.
• In order to provide continued service to patrons in Santa Maria following the announced May 31 closure of the simulcast facility operated by the 37th District Agricultural Association, the Board approved an application for a minisatellite to begin operating June 1 in the same location. The minisatellite will be operated by Southern California Off-Track Wagering Inc. (SCOTWINC) until the anticipated opening of a separate, privately run minisatellite in Santa Maria.
• The Board put over until June approval of service, steward, and official veterinarian contracts after the chairman requested additional information on these items.
