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President Steve McCoy called the meeting to order at 1:10 pm. The following Directors and employees were in attendance: Tom Blankenship, Richard Brandt, Robert Cain, Scott Cox, Joe Ewing, Jim Florio, Randy Haines, Amy Hollar, Don “Skip” Hoovler, Jerry Knappenberger, Suanne Kochilla, John Konesky III, Steve McCoy, Dr. John Mossbarger, Linda Nance, William Nibert, Sam Noble III, Kim Rinker, Dayle Roof, Daryl Sherman, Brad Wallace, Carl Wick. President Steve MCoy asked for a motion to approve the minutes of the 4-17-08 Board meeting. John Konesky made the motion to approve the minutes and the motion was supported by Dayle Roof. Motion passed. Daryl Sherman gave the financial report, he stated the track revenues are down by 10.9% overall with Lebanon at 18.3%, and Toledo at 12.8% with Lebanon being down the most. Income from On-Track Insurance is also taken out of membership expenses which makes that item a wash. Banquet expenses are down $1,700.00 year to date, with membership dues down $5,294 year to date. Administrative expenses are down $1,593 year to date. Membership expenses for field rep salaries, fair meetings, health and life insurance, Legislative Rep, Asst. GM salary are down. Promotions are up $794 year to date and trailer expense is up $735. There is a $36,925 total deficit year to date, but net increase to assests for the month of May is $9810. Balance sheet currently shows $195,000 in checking account and CD’s. Prepaid dues are prorated each month along with insurance posted as an income and expense. Fair insurance fees and the Ohio Breeders Stakes nomination fees collected and not paid out at this time have increased the cash by $36,000. Commercial on-track accident insurance to be paid in June and October and sick day liability and retirement funds to be paid as earned are included on the balance sheet. Unearned revenues which are spread throughout the year are down 11% and excludes prepaid 2009 dues. Daryl Sherman asked what OHHA can do for the industry in regards to contacting the Governor’s representatives and the Department of Agriculture, along with involving the membership of OHHA to get them to contact their legislators, informing all these people on the impact of revenue and jobs in the State of Ohio which are provided by the horse racing industry. Also informing them of the impact the Pennsylvania expanded gaming revenue has had on that state and the significant reduction of real estate tax for their citizens. He also questioned of Ohio is receiving any internet gambling income. Something needs to be worked on soon, as the MYOHIONOW group is actively working to get the casino approved. Daryl Sherman made a motion to create a committee to contact key legislative people concerning the agriculture impact on the state of Ohio. Dr. John Mossbarger supported the motion. The motion was withdrawn by Daryl Sherman to be discussed at a later date. Jerry Knappenberger discussed internet and telephone account wagering stating Ohio racetracks and horsemen are receiving some source market fees from internet wagering however, it does not equal what the racetracks and horsemen would receive if those wagers were placed at an Ohio racetrack. He also discussed expanded gaming, stating that OHHA was working with several groups on the issue. He stated there was information in the packets on the decline of thoroughbred and standarbred racing with facts and figures to use for board members to use when contacting state legislators. He also said the OSRC approved a Request for Proposal to study the Ohio horse racing industry. Dr. John Mossbarger spoke on Equine Health Advisory Committee meeting and the Ohio Department of Agriculture. The selection has been made for an equine task force to study the industry and is waiting on the Governor’s announcement. Robert Boggs, the Director of Ohio Department of Agriculture stated at the meeting the equine industry needs strengthened and it should be later this summer that the task force begins its work and must put a plan in place. Jerry Knappenberger stated the OHHA Legislative Committee needs to become more active, to plan strategy for an expanded gaming campaign. OHHA board and members need to talk with their Senators and State Representatives during fair season. Check with your fairs to see when their legislative days are scheduled. Dr,John Mossbarger stated that Clinton County Commissioners are promoting the casino for their county, pushing along with large business in their county. The issue is only a one sided story at this time, but assumed the referendum will be on the ballot. Dr. Al Gabel stated the Dean of The Veterinary College at The Ohio State University has resigned. He also stated OHHA needs to act now on referendum because there is zero chance of casino passing because of 70% of revenue off the top to owners. He is writing 131 Democrats letters opposing distribution of money. President McCoy stated he has appointed Skip Hoovler to chair an ad hoc committee on Advance Deposit Wagering and is still an ongoing project. The political timing for ADW’s is more approachable right now for proposing a more equitable solution, than expanded gaming. Throughbred Horsemen Group (THG) is negotiating ADW contracts with a more equitable money distribution and we need to see what thoroughbred horsemen accomplish and determine what standardbred horsemen can do in the future. Jerry Knappenberger stated The American Horse Council (AHC) July 16th meeting agenda includes discussion of ADWs. He also said the HHI Executive Committee is monitoring THG activity to determine what HHI can do on the ADW issue in the future. Steve McCoy stated other states with expanded gambling not noticing the effects of loss of revenue caused by ADWs and only states like Ohio without expanded gaming are experiencing low purses at this time. Jerry Knappenberger introduced new OHHA employee Kim Rinker as the OHHA Director of Public Relations, stating she would produce the newsletters and magazines, be the webmaster and help organize the annual awards banquet. He also introduced Tom Blankenship as the new track representative at Scioto Downs. While Tom is currently still training a few horses, he will not be permitted to race those horses in pari-mutuel races at Scioto Downs. Both new employees were approved by the Executive Committee during a conference call. Jerry Knappenberger discussed anabolic steroids, stating that use of medications in horse racing is now being investigated by congress. OSRC commissioner and medication committee chairman Ted Brown stated the medication committee will meet in August to discuss and develop rules on steroids which will implemented by January of next year. The use of steroids in horses is a major issue nationally. Therefore because of the perception factor, the racing industry will probably lose the use of steroids. Dr. John Mossbarger stated The Ohio Department of Agriculture Testing Laboratory is preparing to start testing for steroids in blood plasma and is studying therapeutic use and what a normal level for steroids in a horse would be. Jerry Knappenberger discussed OHHA hospitality tent during the Delaware County Fair, stating the OHHA budget currently includes no allocation for the hospitality tent. Last year, three thousand dollars sponsorship money was pledged and at this time one thousand dollars has still not been received. The OHHA employees who worked the tent are no longer full time employees and their current compensation does not include working at Delaware. The Delaware County Fair needs to find a replacement for Beth Cain, who worked for the Ohio Breeders Championship, the co-sponsors of the hospitality tent. Marketing Director Phil Terry proposed OHHA do a $2,000 tent sponsorship and split an additional $1,000 food cost with the OBC. Jerry Knappenberger estimated an additional $1,000 would be needed to fund supplies, mileage and wages for OHHA part-time employees to work the tent during the week. He further said that Beth Cain, Phil Terry and he decided after last year, that they would suggest the tent would be open all day during the races, but no food would be served after the races begin. Dr. John Mossbarger stated the exposure is good for OHHA and Ohio Breeders and that he would seek sponsorship from suppliers. Dayle Roof suggested doing a silent auction to help pay for cost of tent. No action taken at this time, General Manager to put together a plan and Executive Committee to make final decision. Jerry Knappenberger stated the OSRC rule mandating the use of safety lines beginning 7-1-08 has been changed to delay the mandatory use until ARCI does more research and then adopts a model rule. Therefore safety lines are not mandatory as of 7-1-08. Dr. John Mossbarger reported the progress of the Ohio Equine Industry Coalition (OEIC). He stated OEIC is in the process of filling 15 board seats and 12 are filled at this time. OEIC is looking for people in the industry who can network throughout the community. He said the Equine Task Force and OFB are starting a lead team for networking in agriculture and Brock Schmaltz was asked to fill the position. OEIC needs help with grassroots and legislation platform in each county. Jerry Knappenberger said the Ohio Breeders Stake entries were less than anticipated and both 2yo trotting events and 3yo colt trot had to be cancelled and all entry fees for those events have been refunded. He stated that the five remaining events will race for approximately $10,000 due to the low number of entries. Suanne Kochilla stated she hopes next year there will be more advertising and more entries. Joe Ewing Co-Chairman of the OFMA/OHHA Fair Racing Advisory Committee spoke on the guide to “Best Practices of County Fair Harness Racing”. The booklet which was finished May 23rd for distribution is also available in disc format and will be available on the OHHA and USTA websites. The guide was designed for both fair board members and horsemen who race at Ohio fairs. He stated the committee will meet on November 18th to review and recap the racing season and plan what the committee can accomplish going forward. The guide may have to be revised in approximately two years. Skip Hoovler stated TC Lane has been given the additional responsibility of the Fair Liasion for the USTA. Jerry Knappenberger spoke about the Fair Officials Meeting at the OHHA office. This year’s meeting was by invitation only to presiding judges, starters, associate judges, clerks/charters and circuit secretaries. It was decided by OSRC, USTA and OHHA that a smaller group would provide the opportunity to work closer with the approximately 45 people in attendance. Jerry Knappenberger discussed the status of purse pools saying Lebanon racing 14-15 races per card has depleted the purse pool down approximately $100,000. He stated OHHA will meet with the Lebanon horsemen to discuss the purse pool later this summer before the fall meet begins. Raceway Park shows approximately an $80,000 increase over last year at this time. Scioto Downs purse pool has increased $100,000 compared to this time last year. Northfield Park purse pool is down about $100,000 compared to the same date last year. Steve McCoy stated he had been monitoring the weekly pari-mutuel handle report, hoping to see the decline in handle level off. He also mentioned Scioto’s daily average is higher than Northfield’s. Dayle Roof asked if Beulah Park and Scioto Downs have a contract between the tracks. Jerry Knappenberger stated the agreement between the two tracks is year to year and that track promotions, at Scioto Downs, are bringing up attendance. Steve McCoy reported he has appointed John Poppe as a Breeder Section Director, replacing Dr. David Steiner. He also announced he had appointed Carl Wick to the Executive Committee and Carl has accepted the appointment. Steve said he will match up to $1,000 for any P.A.C.E.R contribution made by an OHHA Director within the week. Jerry Knappenberger stated the Marion County Fair had added an overnight race to be in compliance with Ohio Fairs Fund rules. He also mentioned that effective 7-1-08 finger printing costs will increase by $7.00. John Konesky asked about tentative date for board of directors first quarter meeting and suggested changing date. Jerry Knappenberger stated the board will have the opportunity to discuss and finalize the date at the October meeting. He also stated a contract for the 2009 OHHA/USTA Awards Banquet had been signed with The Columbus Marriott Northwest Hotel. John Konesky reported the Driver/Trainer section discussed track ratings and stated the section suggested the OSRC redefine what constitutes a good, sloppy or fast rating of a race track. He also stated the section had discussed lasix administration. Jerry Knappenberger spoke on blood gas testing saying the first time a horse tests high, the trainer and/or owner may choose to retiree the horse with no fine or penalty for the trainer. If the horse should ever race again, the trainer could then be fined and/or suspended. Suanne Kochilla reported the Owners Section is concerned about steroid testing and the public perception of use of steroids in horse racing. Public needs to be educated on whipping as it has a bad perception. In general the public needs to be better educated on all facets of horse racing so there is a better understanding. Jerry Knappenberger announced the Governor had appointed William Koester as the new OSRC Chairman replacing Charlie Luken. Mr. Koester is involved with throughbred horses and also is a lobbyist for the pipefitters union. John Mossbarger gave the Breeders Section report saying they had discussed the stallion auction for next year. He said the section also discussed other options that could be implemented for breeders to enhance harness racing. John Konesky gave Raceway Park report stating everything is going smoothly, the horsemen like working with the new General Manager Bill McLaughlin. Raceway Park promotions are going well and they are having bands each week which attract good crowds. Amy Hollar gave Northfield Park report, saying they had Ohio Sire Stakes races on June 14th, and the Cleveland Classic was scheduled on June 21st. She said a lot of 2 year olds were qualifying on Thursday. Director of Racing Greg Keidel will be back at Northfield Park after the meet in Minnesota closes. Jim Florio gave Lebanon Raceway report saying simulcasting is doing well at this time. Jim’s calculation for the upcoming season is that there will be a need to either cut purses or cut the number of races per day. Tom Blankenship gave Scioto Downs report, also saying that many 2 year olds are now qualifying. He said the new OSRC Chairman William Koester spent several days at Scioto, observing blood gas testing procedures. Jerry Knappenberger stated several promotions are going on at Scioto Downs and the restrooms have been renovated. He also said that General Manager Stacey Cahill, has been very good to work with at the track and is doing a very good job. Jerry Knappenberger discussed the 24hr. accident insurance through the USTA and Van Gundy Insurance. He encouraged all licensed drivers and trainers to sign up for this outstanding plan which provides great coverage at a reasonable cost. The insurance company has lost money on this plan every year and without more participation, the company will be forced to drop the plan. Daryl Sherman stated we need to promote 24 hr. accident insurance participation through the OHHA track representatives encouraging all drivers and trainers to complete the paperwork and pay the premium. Kim Rinker will continue to highlight the insurance plan in the OHHA newsletters and web site. John Mossbarger announced the Ohio 4-H Center is holding an open house on September 5, 2008. He encouraged board members to visit and see OHHA’s $15,000 donation to help build the center. No Old Business No New Business John Konesky made the motion to adjourn the meeting, motion supported by Dayle Roof And motion passed |
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