News from North California - Saving Bay Meadows
The appeal by the "Save Bay Meadows"Committee was heard before the
1stDistrict Court of Appeals on September 19. By all accounts, a
decision is due by the Court before the end of the calendar year of
2007. If successful, the citizens group will push that the Bay Meadows
development be put to a vote by San Mateo residents as to whether they
want the proposed project to move forward. If the appeal is denied, it
basically ends any hope that Bay Meadows will not be developed in the
near future. It seems almost certain that Bay Meadows Land Company would
start their project in the fall of 2008.
Charles E. Dougherty, Jr. CTT Deputy Director (First Published: 01 Dec 2007)
Northern California Report
As the summer fair racing circuit of 2007 starts to wind down, the
anxiety as to what Northern California's overall racing circuit will
look like starts to grow. By all indications, Bay Meadows will not race
after 2008.While many horsemen held out hope that Bay Meadows would be
spared of their development plans and continue to race, that scenario
looks less likely each day. In fact, the Bay Meadows Land Company (BMLC)
is telling the California Horse Racing Board (CHRB) that they would
only like to race until July of 2008. It is very disappointing that BMLC
has taken this position, as they made such an issue of not originally
being granted an exemption for the synthetic surface mandate. The CHRB
granted the waiver, with BMLC now saying they can't race past the summer
months. Go figure! The CTT is very involved in negotiations in trying
to get Bay Meadows to commit to a stabling program through the fall if
they do not race after July of 2008.
Charles E. Dougherty, Jr. CTT Deputy Director (01 October 2007 )
THE FUTURE OF RACING IN CALIFORNIA - A NEW SAGA
California is racing into the future, or maybe not. As of writing, there
is turmoil and uncertainty as to how racing will develop in the
immediate future. A long-term prognosis is even more uncertain. The
California Legislature has placed a stranglehold on funding for the
California Horse Racing Board.
Edward I. Halpern, CTT Exec - (01 July 2007 - Issue Number: 4)
Flunixin and Clenbuterol - changes in the CHRB rules
Two important amendments to CHRB rule 1844 became effective on October
20, 2007. The flunixin regulatory threshold was raised to 50ng/ml in
blood form the previous 20ng/ml. This should have little impact in the
day-to-day operation of most stables.
Rick M. Arthur, DVM (01 December 2007 - Issue Number: 6)