January 24, 2017
Board Members Present: Pam Christopherson, Mary Lou Griffin, Nina Hagen, Dana Halvorson, Dr. Duane Hopp, Greg Luce, Debra Pabst and Jennifer Webber. Absent: William P. Brewer, Jim Engstrom, Tim Floyd and Keith Swagerty. Staff present: M. Anne Sweet.
The meeting was called to order at 12:35 p.m. at the WTBOA offices by President Halvorson.
Previous Board Minutes: Minutes from the December 15, 2016, meeting were presented and reviewed. Webber moved to approve the minutes as presented. Hopp seconded the motion and the minutes were approved.
New Board members Pam Christopherson and Greg Luce were introduced. Newly-elected Board member Jim Engstrom had planned to attend, but was called away at the last minute to aid in emergency disaster relief.
Halvorson noted that longtime industry participant and former WTBOA auction ringman (bidspotter) Dale Rouk had passed away. Also, longtime WTBOA auction ringman Pete McCormick had suffered a heart attack and was recovering from open heart surgery. Christopherson noted that Charles Landell had passed away due to cancer. Webber noted that Bob Meeking had also undergone open heart surgery.
Finance Committee Report: Treasurer Pabst gave an end of the calendar year report. The actual versus budget report shows a negative $40,000 bottom line (actual) versus a negative $11,000 bottom line that had been budgeted. The year-end bottom line for 2016 versus 2015 was a negative $40,000 (2016) versus a positive $18,000 in 2015. The negative $40,000 for 2016 includes a $21,760.97 overpayment in B&O taxes that has been held by the Department of Revenue (DOR) while they conducted an audit, as well as $11,500 that is still owed to the WTBOA from two buyers at last year’s summer sale. Therefore, that negative $40,000 number is actually less than it appears.
In 2016, the WTBOA absorbed a $4,000 one-time fee for setting up the online Stallion Register with The Jockey Club, as well as absorbing the prorated monthly fee per stallion for weekly updates ($150 per stallion per year prorated monthly). In 2016, there were 23 stallions so the monthly cost for all stallions was $300. This year there will be no set-up fee, plus there are fewer stallions (15), so the monthly cost will be less ($187.50 per month).
In late January, the DOR completed their audit. They refunded the amount of $16, 084.78, which included $6,093 that they deducted for additional taxes that were owed, plus $416.81 in interest that they paid to the WTBOA.
Northwest Race Series (NWRS): Chairman Pabst reported that the NWRS is in good condition with a $21,000 carry forward. As of today’s date, there is a balance of $139,360 for 2017. Pabst called for a brief NWRS meeting to follow today’s Board meeting and asked that those who were interested in discussing how to allocate the funds for 2017 please stay for that meeting.
It was noted that Emerald Downs has added two $25,000 overnight stakes on Longacres Mile day and that the purse for this year’s Gottstein Futurity is $65,000. Other than the addition of the overnight stakes, the Emerald stakes schedule is similar to last year’s schedule. There was an overpayment of $50,000 in purse money for 2016 which will come out of this year’s purse account, but will not be taken out of the stakes purses.
Sales Committee Report: Chairman Griffin reported a committee meeting will be scheduled for February. After discussion, a date of Tuesday, February 14, was set. A discussion of the past due accounts from last year’s sale will be on the agenda – how to deal with them now, as well as going forward. Halvorson stated that he would talk to Washington Horse Racing Commission Executive Secretary Doug Moore about both past due accounts. It was noted that these individuals will be required to establish credit and/or provide agent authorization and credit information for anyone they may be buying for if they wish to purchase at this year’s sale. Griffin noted that Northern California is aware of our sale date, which has been set for Tuesday, August 22. She also noted that the Washington Thoroughbred Foundation will again offer a Breeders’ Cup trip to Del Mar to be auctioned off prior to Hip 1. The funds raised will benefit the Foundation, but the selling of a trip prior to Hip 1 has proven to be beneficial in getting the sale started.
Publications Report: Sweet reported that Stallion Register was now out. There will be a Publications meeting following the NWRS meeting, which will follow today’s Board meeting. This will include a discussion of topics for upcoming and future articles.
Washington Horse Racing Commission (WHRC)/Emerald Downs: Sweet report on the most recent Commission meeting. A PowerPoint presentation had been made by Dr. Thomas Gilliom (tgilliom@agr.wa.gov, 360-725-5655), who is the Southwest Washington Field Veterinarian for the Washington Department of Agriculture. Gilliom spoke on the topic of infectious diseases, in particular Equine Piroplasmosis (EP) and Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA, tested for with Coggins tests). He stated that Piro is on the rise and they see many horses that are dual-infected with EP and EIA. Both are transmitted by “blood chewing” insects (such as deer and horse flies), and the virus can survive in the chewing parts for up to four hours. Piro can also be transmitted by ticks in Washington. However, the trends they see seem to indicate that infections are more likely transmitted by needles and/or contaminated blood, including possibly tattoo equipment if not handled properly. Out of 331 positive tests, 293 of those have been in racehorses, and out of those 280 were Quarter Horses. He stated that the best preventative measure is “one horse, one needle, one syringe.” He also emphasized the need to take a close look at paperwork (such as Coggins reports for EIA) to make sure that the report is within the proper time period and that it was done by a reputable laboratory. In addition, he emphasized the importance of tracking quarantines if there are positives, because they often seeing “clusters” of positives, and there is a latency period of 45-60 days.
The WHBPA reported that they are in the process of negotiating and finalizing the contract and stakes schedule with Emerald Downs.
Commissioner Colliton reported on the results of the ARCI Town Hall meetings that had been held around the country, including at Emerald Downs, on medications and thresholds. As a result of those meetings, they are asking for a zero tolerance on clenbuterol in Quarter Horses.
It was note that there is currently $76,928 in the Class C racing purse account. A total of $94,000 is needed in order to provide the $15,500 per day in purse money. Class C racing dates and funding will be on the agenda for the next Commission meeting.
Annual Awards Banquet: Sweet provided a list of the items procured so far for the silent and live auctions and reported that more help is needed with procurements. Christopherson will provide a gift basket from Bar C Racing Stables. Pabst and Blue Ribbon Farm, as well as one of their syndicate members, will donate desserts for the dessert auction. Pabst had previously donated 30 days board. Additional desserts are needed. Webber will be donating a Kentucky Derby wreath and a vest, as well as assisting with additional procurements. Griffin Place will donate 30 days board. Hagen will provide a foaling service and will procure the same items as in the past. Floyd and Halvorson had procured trainer and other services.
Bylaws Amendment: Pabst has proposed an amendment to the Bylaws which would add language stating that 10 of the 12 WTBOA Board members shall be residents of Washington State. She asked if the Board members present were in agreement with this suggestion. There being no dissenting comments, Pabst will work on language to present at the next Board meeting.
Nominations for WTBOA Officer Positions: Nomination forms were handed out, along with a description of duties and responsibilities for each position. Once the nomination forms have been returned, nominees will be contacted regarding their willingness to accept (or decline) the nomination. Voting will take place at the February Board meeting.
Next Meeting Date: The next meeting is scheduled for Friday, February 17, 2017.
The meeting was adjourned at 1:40 p.m.
February 17, 2017, Meeting Minutes
Pending approval at next meeting
Next Meeting
Friday, March 17, 2017
