by John Pawlak, the U.S. Trotting Association

Yonkers, NY — More than 100 U.S. Trotting Association members attended Saturday evening’s (Jan. 16) annual District 8-A meeting, conducted at Yonkers Raceway.

On the agenda was a report of USTA activities in 2009, a discussion and vote on several rule and by-law changes, a report on activities at Yonkers Raceway, a general question and answer session and the announcement of the results of a membership election.

The result of the election, for the only seat open this year on the District 8-A board, saw the incumbent, Joseph Faraldo, defeat horse owner William Bohnenberger, 303-68. Faraldo, in a vote among the district directors, was also elected chairman of the district for 2010.

Those in attendance, in discussing 11 rule and by-law changes, asked the USTA Board to approve adding a rule that would mandate the noting of hobbled trotters in past performance records, give the Association the ability to use microchips as a means of permanently marking foals, and ensure that the original, signed copy of leases be forwarded to the USTA. The members also suggested that the USTA by-laws be amended to permit USTA directors not to be to be a voting member of the district they seek to represent, and track directors need not be domiciled in the district where their track is located.

The members also asked that the USTA report the results of the final deliberations surrounding the passage or defeat of the proposals that will be discussed at the USTA Board of Directors meeting in March.

Bob Galterio, chief operating officer at Yonkers Raceway, spoke about recent increases in handle, due in part to the “slotting” of post times by presiding judge Cami Haughton among those of other simulcast tracks, and announced that free race replays will soon be appearing on Yonkers’ Web site.

“To follow state law, we can’t show the races live,” Galterio said. “But, they will be available very soon after they become official.”

There was also a report on the success of Yonkers’ Fall Harvest Festival, which drew a very large crowd to see racing and learn more about Standardbreds and their place in New York’s agricultural economy. Galterio revealed that planning for this year’s Festival will begin in the very near future.