July 1, 2018
Board Members Present: Melodie Bultena, Pam Christopherson, Jim Engstrom, Tim Floyd, Mary Lou Griffin, Nina Hagen, Dana Halvorson, Dr. Duane Hopp, Debra Pabst, Keith Swagerty, and Jennifer Webber. Absent: Greg Luce. Staff present: M. Anne Sweet.
The meeting was called to order at 12:10 p.m. at the WTBOA offices by President Halvorson.
Previous Board Minutes: Minutes from the June 1, 2018, meeting were presented and reviewed. Bultena moved to approve the April minutes as presented. Christopherson seconded the motion. The minutes were unanimously approved.
Finance Committee Report: Treasurer Pabst reported that the association finances look pretty good. Additional maintenance expense had been incurred due when the motor in one of the units for the HVAC system had seized up and needed to be replaced. Also the coils in the air conditioning units needed a deeper cleaning prior to the sale to insure that the air conditioning would not be overworked and/or taxed beyond limits due to high temperatures prior to or during the sale. It was also noted that the new TV monitors have been installed for the new readerboard system, and a sound system rental has been secured.
Two proposals – one from Heritage Bank and one from a representative from Sharp Business Systems for a FP Postage Meter – had been received, but both were declined due to poor reviews. Also, regarding the bank proposal, we had just changed banks just a year and a half ago and all has been going well; and regarding the postage meter, we are about halfway through the current lease, and we have not been having any problems with that either.
Northwest Race Series (NWRS): Chairman Pabst reported that the funds available for 2018 are up to $151,422, with $160,000 committed. The first two races – the Angie C. Stakes and the King County Express – will take place on Sunday, July 15. Pabst further noted that a primary draw for nominating to the series should be the big money that is added to the Gottstein Futurity, which is $40,000 this year (in addition to the $50,000 purse), making a $90,000 purse for NWRS-eligible horses.
Sales Committee Report: Chairman Webber reported that the next Sales Committee meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, July 31. Sales barn manager Floyd Hughes and his crew will begin working on Monday, July 23. There were 102 yearlings nominated, with one out, so 101 are in, paid, and will be cataloged. Pabst noted that she had heard that there may be some Paddock Session horses entered. Sweet reported that the catalog pedigree pages will be online within the next couple of days.
Publications Report: Sweet reported that staff is working on the print version of the sale catalog, which is scheduled to go to the printer on July 9, with an anticipated mailing date of July 18. The summer/sale issue of the magazine is scheduled to go to the printer in late July and mail in early August. The Farm and Service Directory has been put on hold until after those publications have been completed.
Washington Horse Racing Commission (WHRC)/Emerald Downs Report: Halvorson noted that renewals for TVG and NYRA Bets had been approved at the recent WHRC meeting on Friday, June 8. The Indian Relay Races, which were to take place that weekend, were also discussed. There was discussion regarding the National Uniform Medication Compact that is being considered, which industry stakeholders need to be aware of and which could eliminate the use of lasix.
It was also noted that the Washington HBPA had held their annual membership meeting on June 23. There had been interesting and informative presentations made by veterinarians. It was noted that the horsemen seem happy with the racetrack surface so far this year. Horsemen are dealing with the new rules regarding medication, but so far there haven’t been too many problems. This year there is a grace period and no fines will be implemented as long as any overages that do occur are not over the previous levels. Most of the problems have been with phenylbutazone (“bute”), in order to stay under two grams. Giving bute in pill form is more problematic than by injection.
Annual WTBOA Membership Meeting: The Annual Membership Meeting is scheduled for this evening, Sunday, July 1. Dr. Claude Ragle will be the keynote speaker and will speak on the topic of airways and cryptorchism/standing ridgeling castration. The meeting will take place in the Emerald Room on the 4th Floor. We have access to the room for setup at 5:30 p.m., with guest arrival scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Food service will begin at 7:00 p.m., and the meeting will start around 7:30-7:45 p.m. Door prizes will be given away.
Goals and Initiatives: It was noted that Emerald Downs has been doing the claiming differential (for Washington-bred versus non-Washington-breds) and it seems to be working. Pabst continues to make suggestions and is still on the Condition Book committee.
Next Meeting Date: The next meeting was scheduled for Friday, September 7, 2018, at noon.
Webber moved to adjourn the meeting. Floyd seconded the motion. The motion was unanimously approved, and the meeting was adjourned at 12:50 p.m.
September 7, 2018, Meeting Minutes
Pending approval at next meeting
Next Meeting
Friday, October 19, 2018
