by the USTA Communications Department
Sacramento, CA — USTA members and directors from District 3 congregated on Sunday (Jan. 8) at the Hilton Sacramento Arden West to discuss the state of the harness racing industry in the Golden State, debate the current slate of USTA rule change proposals and ask questions of USTA Chairman of the Board, Ivan Axelrod, in addition to Executive Vice President, Mike Tanner.
Photo courtesy of the USTA
Chris Schick, Cal Expo general manager andoutgoing USTA director, provides an update on racing in California.
Axelrod, who was joined by fellow District 3 directors Ben Kenney and Chris Schick, led an in-depth examination of 23 rule changes proposals as well as one suggested by-law amendment.
The discussion was lively and lengthy, with special attention given to a suite of proposals submitted by the Ad Hoc Universal Rules Committee chaired by Hambletonian Society President and CEO, John Campbell. Separate proposals for reformed whipping rules also received extended consideration.
To view the 2018 proposed rule changes and bylaw alterations please click here.
At the end of the meeting, those in attendance had voted to recommend for approval 11 proposals, suggested the rejection of 10 and abstained from voting on three items. The voting summary is as follows:
1. No Vote Taken (Sex and age allowances given on claiming prices)
2. Approved (Elimination of head numbers)
3. Approved (Definition of a length)
4. Rejected (Breath analyzer zero tolerance and penalties)
5. Rejected (Prohibition against illegal use of drugs)
6. No Vote Taken (Officials required at matinee races)
7. Rejected (Revised track condition categories, variants)
8. No Vote Taken (Duties of Identifier/Assistant Paddock Judge)
9. Approved (Racing/Farm/Corporation/Stable Names)
10. Approved (Postponement of races)
11. Rejected (Fair start pole)
12. Approved (Mandatory physical examination after incident)
13. Rejected (Disorderly conduct rule book language revisions)
14. Approved (Substitution of comparable driver)
15. Rejected (World Trotting Conference whipping rules)
16. Rejected (Lines in each hand at all times/whipping)
17. Rejected (Talking on the track)
18. Approved (Reporting of gelded horses, spayed mares)
19. Approved (Penalties for owners who employ “paper” trainers)
20. Approved (Pleasure horse registration)
21. Approved (Request documentation to correct incorrect transfer date)
22. Rejected (Names of horses that have produced registered foals)
23. Approved (Embryo transfer language)
24. Rejected (Elimination of district meetings)
An election was held to replace outgoing membership director Chris Schick, who is stepping down from his USTA board responsibilities after more than two decades of distinguished service. David Siegel defeated Gary Seibel by a margin of 93-29 to earn a three-year term that will start at the 2018 USTA annual board meeting in Columbus, Ohio. Siegel previously served on the board as a track director from 2011-2015.
Chairman Axelrod recognized Schick’s accomplishments during his tenure, citing in particular his work in launching and managing the USTA’s Strategic Wagering program that has served to guarantee hundreds, if not thousands, of wagering pools coast-to-coast since its debut in 2011.
Tanner explained the planned summer rollout of microchip identification for Standardbreds and recognized the high percentage of participation shown every year by District 3 members.
“Every time I come out here, I’m impressed by how many of you take time to vote and to attend this meeting,” Tanner said. “It’s impressive and it is appreciated.”