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Minutes of Public Meeting - December 16, 2014

Commission Members Present:

Bruce Quade
Tammy Lafferty
John McDaniel
David Hayden
Ernest Grecco
Mary Louise Preis
Charles Tildon
Louis Ulman

Members Absent:

John Franzone

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 State Government Article, §10-506, Annotated Code of Maryland, the Maryland Racing Commission ("Commission") met in open session on December 16, 2014 commencing at 12:30 p.m. at Laurel Park, Laurel, Maryland.

Minutes - November 11, 2014.

The Commission waived a reading of the minutes of its November 11, 2014 meeting and voted unanimously to approve them.

Maryland Jockey Club.

Chairman Bruce Quade introduced Tim Ritvo, Chief Operating Officer of the Stronach Group, to the Commission. Mr. Ritvo advised the Commission concerning his background as a trainer, jockey and executive. Mr. Ritvo noted that the Stronach Group's mission is to re-focus Maryland racing and move the sport forward. Mr. Ritvo also advised that Maryland was the next frontier, after the Stronach Group transformed Santa Anita and Gulfstream Park. Mr. Ritvo stated that he was looking forward to working with the Commission, Horsemen and Breeders. Chairman Quade thanked Mr. Ritvo for introducing himself to the Commission and noted that he was looking forward to the future of racing in Maryland. Mr. Ritvo introduced Mr. Sal Sinatra, who will be the General Manager and Vice-President for the Maryland Jockey Club and oversee the day to day operations. Mr. Sinatra advised the Commission of his background in racing, having spent the last 16 years at Parx. Mr. Sinatra echoed Mr. Ritvo's vision of growing the sport in Maryland.

Maryland Standardbred Race Fund - 2015 Race Dates.

Executive Director J. Michael Hopkins presented the Commission with a request from the Maryland Standardbred Race Fund for its 2015 racing dates to be held at Ocean Downs and Rosecroft. Hearing no objection, the Commission unanimously approved the request.

Cloverleaf Standardbred Owners Association.

Tom Cooke, President of the Cloverleaf Standardbred Owners Association, presented the Commission with an overview of standardbred racing in 2014. Mr. Cooke's advised the Commission that there were increases in purses and breeding production compared to previous years. Mr. Cooke further commented that Cloverleaf had signed a contract with Penn National solidifying Standardbred racing at Rosecroft through 2020, subject to certain conditions. The Commission thanked Mr. Cooke for the report.

Proposed Regulation - Equine Infectious Anemia.

Executive Director J. Michael Hopkins advised the Commission that the request to amend the current regulation was withdrawn.

Video Lottery Revenue - Report.

Executive Director J. Michael Hopkins provided the Commission with the November 2014 VLT report.

Public Comment.

Bobby Lillis of the Maryland Horsemen's Assistance Fund commented that he wanted to thank the first responders at Pimlico, when a hot walker collapsed from a heart attack. Mr. Lillis also commented that there was a need to have emergency contact information for all backstretch workers at a central location, so that when incidents occur, easy access to that information would be available. The Commission agreed and responded that the matter would be discussed by its Safety and Welfare Committee.

Ms. Ursula Ayd, a standardbred owner, wished Cheri Stambaugh, the Administrator of the Standardbred Race Fund, a Happy Belated Birthday and commended her for the work she does for that program.

Next Commission Meeting.

The next Commission meeting will be held on January 20, 2015 at 12:30 p.m. in the Clubhouse at Laurel Park, Laurel, Maryland.

J. Michael Hopkins
Executive Director