Columbus, OH — Directors and members from the United States Trotting Association’s District 3 met Sunday (Jan. 13) at the Cal Expo Fairgrounds clubhouse to debate 26 rule change proposals, discuss pertinent industry issues, and, in conjunction with the California Harness Horsemen’s Association, celebrate Golden State harness greats of past and present. District director (and USTA Chairman of the Board) Ivan Axelrod presided over the festivities. He was joined by fellow director David Siegel and USTA Executive Vice President Mike Tanner.

USTA Chairman Ivan Axelrod addresses the District 3 meeting at Cal Expo Sunday. USTA Photo.

Immediately prior to the USTA portion of the program, the CHHA held its 56th annual membership meeting. Jimmy Perez, the CHHA’s executive director, served as the event’s emcee. Perez inducted into the California Harness Racing Hall of Fame two new members, the legendary announcer Robin Burns and Hi Ho Silverheels, a million-dollar earner on the track in the 1990s before a lengthy and successful career at stud. Burns, who flew in with his wife, Kate, from their Orlando, FL home to receive his honor, delighted the crowd with a humorous yet touching acceptance speech, recalling affectionately his time at the microphone at both Hollywood Park and Cal Expo.

Longtime California owners Larry and Eileen Brodbar were saluted with a Lifetime Commitment Award, which was presented by Robin Clements. Donna Newman summarized the 2018 California Sires Stakes season and recognized the divisional champions. Also speaking was the indefatigable Chris Schick, Cal Expo general manager, who thanked the assemblage for their support of California racing and briefly touched upon several legislative matters pertinent to the state’s harness racing industry.

The meeting, which was attended by approximately 50 USTA and CHHA members, featured lively and interactive discourse.   In the end, the district voted to recommend the acceptance of 13 proposed new rules, advised the rejection of 11, and tabled two others for further discussion. The district voted on each issue as follows (to read the full rule change proposals, click here).

Proposal #1 (Racing terminology and definitions): Rejected
Proposal #2 (Paddock rules): Accepted
Proposal #3 (Horses entering track): Rejected
Proposal #4 (Pari-mutuel, non-extended meet wins): Rejected
Proposal #5 (Persons eligible to claim): Accepted
Proposal #6 (Non-extended meet trailers): Accepted
Proposal #7 (Purse distribution for DQ’d horse): Rejected
Proposal #8 (Secure entry process): Accepted
Proposal #9 (Electronic display of entry): Accepted
Proposal #10 (Outside/inside post draws): Rejected
Proposal #11 (Come to gate no nearer than 1/4-mile prior): Rejected
Proposal #12 (Speed of gate): Accepted
Proposal #13 (No charging the gate): Rejected
Proposal #14 (Penalties for violation of starting rule): Accepted
Proposal #15 (Deletion of “Holding Horses Before Start”): Accepted
Proposal #16 (Single trailer – second tier): Accepted
Proposal #17 (Definition of amateur driver): Rejected
Proposal #18 (“P” drivers for amateur races only): Tabled
Proposal #19 (Distance of lead horse from pylons): Tabled
Proposal #20 (Black whips): Rejected
Proposal #21 (Extended break placings): Accepted
Proposal #22 (Mud aprons): Rejected
Proposal #23 (Total number of mares bred): Accepted
Proposal #24 (Deadline of lists of mares bred): Accepted
Proposal #25 (Restriction on reuse of names): Rejected
Proposal #26 (License trainers/active USTA membership): Accepted