by Marty Evans, for the Ohio State Racing Commission

Columbus, OH — At its monthly meeting on Nov. 20, Ohio State Racing Commissioners upheld the ruling by judges at Dayton Raceway fining Jeremy Smith $1,000 and suspending him for 10 days in December.

Smith violated the rule related to whipping — 3769-17-17(a) — on Oct 13, for the fourth time in six months. Each violation resulted in a horse being cut by a whip.

Chairman Robert K. Schmitz said a driver is rarely called before the commission. He warned Smith that further infractions of this type will not be tolerated. He added that the commission would conduct hearings on racing violations, including rules related to whipping, in upcoming months.

Medication rules are scheduled to receive even more scrutiny, from industry participants, horsemen’s representatives, chemists and scientists. Input from the Racing Medication & Testing Consortium will also be sought.

Among other things, the commission considered submissions of racing officials, wagering formats, the number of live races daily and simulcasting schedules by three racetracks where live racing begins in January. Each was approved.

The commission has authorized a total of 770 live days in 2015 at commercial racetracks. A summary of live dates at the seven racetracks follows.

Commercial Racetrack–Starting/Ending Dates–Live Days
Hollywood Gaming at Mahoning Valley Race Course–Jan. 5–April 25 and Oct. 30–Dec. 29–100
Belterra Park–May 1–Oct. 11–93
Thistledown–April 27-Oct. 24–100
Thoroughbred Sub Total–293

Hollywood Gaming at Mahoning Valley Race Course–April 15 and Oct. 31–2
Belterra Park–August 9 and Sept. 13–2
Quarter Horse Sub Total–4

Miami Valley Gaming and Racing–Jan. 2–May 3–89
Northfield Park–Jan. 1–Dec. 30–214
Hollywood Gaming at Dayton Raceway–Sept. 14–Dec. 30–75
Scioto Downs–May 5–Sept. 12–95
Harness Racing Sub Total–473

At the October meeting of the commission, live days at Scioto Downs were approved contingent upon the racetrack gaining approval of its permit applications at a later date. This was granted after the commission approved Resolution 2014-29.

Resolution 2014-30 was also approved, permitting the commission to begin the process of changing administrative rule 3769-20-02.

While no action was necessary, the commission heard Miami Valley Gaming and Racing General Manager Jim Simms list the improvements that will be in place when the racetrack begins its 2015 season. Most involve improvements to the paddock, including the availability of heat and hot water.

Another development did not require the commission to take action at this time. Steve McCoy and Luther Heckman, representing the Ohio Harness Horsemen’s Association and Northfield Park, respectively, said each party has agreed to a ten-year contract.

Beside governing racing conditions at the racetrack, a portion of the contract relates to the amount of revenue that will accrue to horsemen for purses and other uses as a result of Video Lottery Terminal play.