Thoroughbred Owners of California
Recently, TDN published a data set illustrating how the racing industry in California has undergone a dramatic shapeshift, both before and during the pandemic. New betting patterns have constituted a quarter-billion-dollar boon for the advance deposit wagering (ADW) industry at the expense of the California horsemen's purses. In a nutshell, as compared to a comparable period in 2018, the number of races this year has declined 30%. Although the overall handle has declined 18.8%, purses have dropped more than 26%. To discuss these findings, we spoke with Thoroughbred Owners of...
Del Mar's seventh fall race meeting--starting Saturday, Oct. 31--will provide horsemen with a 10% blended increase in their overnight purses and the highest bonuses ever tied to the popular "Ship & Win" program. Despite the ongoing pandemic situation, the track was able to hold firm on its recently announced stakes schedule that offers 16 events with $2.25 million in purses. The track's minimum purse has increased from 2019's $17,000 to this fall's $20,000. Additionally, the track's "Ship & Win" program--now in its 10th year--will provide its richest incentive ever with...
The Thoroughbred Owners of California announced that horse owners will be allowed on grounds for racing at the Alameda County Fairgrounds, beginning immediately. Owners must follow these guidelines on the grounds: Owners will be permitted one guest per owner. Owners will be permitted to watch only the race their horse is entered in. Owners must abide by the safety protocols of the Alameda County Fair (including wearing a face mask and social distancing). Owners will be restricted to access only the apron and paddock areas. The Alameda County Health Department...
According to a release from the Thoroughbred Owners of California, Santa Anita will allow a limited number of CHRB-licensed owners to attend morning workouts at the track. Because attendance will be capped in line with county COVID-19 protocols, owners must work with their trainers to reserve space on a first-come, first-served basis. The area has been established in the clubhouse section of the grandstand overlooking the far turn and will contain tables and chairs spaced appropriately to conform with social distancing constructs. There will also be coffee service available. The...
At one point in Wednesday's California Horse Racing Board (CHRB) teleconference meeting, as discussion of yet another agenda item spiraled wildly off-topic and devolved into argumentive cross-talk, chairman Gregory Ferraro, DVM, attempted to restore order by firmly declaring "chaos is not allowed." For some industry participants who vocalized frustration Apr. 22 at how CHRB meetings have become increasingly dominated by anti-racing proponents using allegedly obstructionist tactics to muddle the hours-long monthly proceedings, the chairman's assertion must have seemed like the figurative equivalent of trying to cram toothpaste back into the...
The longer live racing is suspended in California the deeper the economic toll, which is why the industry continues to push hard for that suspension to be lifted: that was the main takeaway from a broad-sweeping conference call Friday morning, organized by the Thoroughbred Owners of California (TOC), for industry heads to outline and discuss the impacts from the coronavirus pandemic on racing and training in California. The call was presided over by TOC Chairman Nick Alexander, Greg Avioli, TOC president and CEO, The Stronach Group (TSG) CEO Craig Fravel,...
The Thoroughbred Owners of California issued the following updates to its members Saturday related to the COVID-19 pandemic and current closures of Santa Anita Park and Golden Gate Fields: Racing Cancelled at Golden Gate Fields In accordance with an order received Thursday, Apr. 2 from the Alameda County Public Health Officer, Golden Gate Fields has temporarily closed for live racing in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. While there is no specific time frame for return of racing, stabling and daily training will continue at Golden Gate for the approximately 1000...
A conference call among a variety of California industry stakeholders Tuesday brought further clarity to a state-wide California Horse Racing Board (CHRB) rule change, which went into effect Mar. 1, concerning what can be administered to a horse after the time it has been entered to race. The rule changes--which the CHRB adopted on an emergency basis in January, then formally approved Feb. 20--had caused confusion and concern among certain trainers about how it would impact their training programs. Tuesday's conference call brought clarity to two of the main sticking...
The Sunshine Bonus, a program coordinated by Santa Anita and Thoroughbred Owners of California to attract out-of-state horses, will pay an additional 50% to the owners of horses who finish first through fifth, and have not raced in California during the previous 12 months. In addition to the 50% bonus, all eligible horses also will earn a guaranteed $3,000 bonus for their first starts at the track. The Santa Anita Sunshine Bonus will begin in April and be in effective through the remainder of the current winter/spring meeting. First time...