HOLLYWOOD PARK : OK for Five Simulcasts Is Rescinded

After an objection from the California Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Assn., the California Horse Racing Board rescinded its earlier approval that would have allowed Hollywood Park, Golden Gate Fields and satellite locations throughout the state to simulcast five stakes races from Churchill Downs on its Kentucky Derby program today.

Betting will still be offered on the Derby, while the other races will be shown, but not for wagering purposes.

Permission had been given by the CHRB on Wednesday to simulcast the races, but the CHBPA’s board of directors voiced its disapproval Friday, saying the simulcasting of the five races wasn’t legal. After the state attorney general’s office agreed, the CHRB rescinded its approval. A CHRB law does not permit the simulcasting of a thoroughbred race from out of state with a purse less than $100,000. None of the races had a purse greater than $75,000 added.

In a press release issued late Friday afternoon, the CHRB said its decision to rescind its approval came after the CHBPA contacted the board early Friday to object to the simulcasts. This objection prompted the CHRB’s staff to review the matter and it was determined that “a misunderstanding had occurred” when the original permission had been granted.

“No matter how anyone wants to color it, the thing (the simulcasts) is illegal,” trainer and CHBPA board member Darrell Vienna said. “The CHRB put a stop to it, not the CHBPA. We pointed out the rules and regulations of the CHRB to the CHRB and they’re abiding by their own rules. There are rules and regulations and they are supposed to be enforced.”

Vienna also said there should have been discussion with horsemen before the decision was made to simulcast the races. “Horsemen are partners in the enterprise of racing and we’re not being treated as partners,” he said.

Said R.D. Hubbard, Hollywood Park’s chairman and chief executive officer: “We had received approval from the CHRB to carry the other five stakes from Churchill Downs, which we felt would be an innovation that the fans would enjoy and which would make this one of the biggest days ever in parimutuel wagering in California.

“The approval was rescinded at this late hour solely because of the objections raised by the CHBPA. They show no regard for the late racing fans this industry depends on and they are hurting the owners, who will lose an estimated $150,000 in purse money that would have been generated by the wagering on these five races. I know many horsemen, even members of the CHBPA, are angry at this latest move by the organization’s leaders.”

Ed Friendly, one of the founders of the recently formed Thoroughbred Owners of California, was also upset by the cancellation.

“We were able to get in touch with seven of our nine (TOC) directors and they unanimously and enthusiastically supported the simulcasts because it looked like it would lead to an additional $125,000 in purse money,” Friendly said. “I was at a CHBPA board meeting Thursday night and I never heard any discussion about the economic (benefits). The CHBPA continues to say they represent (horse) owners, but they don’t represent owners.”