July 20, 2022
WTBOA Board Members Present:
In Person: Mary Lou Griffin, Dana Halvorson, Henry Leong, Petra Lewin, Debra Pabst.
Over Zoom: Melodie Bultena, Pam Christopherson, Nina Hagen.
WTBOA Board Members Absent: Jim Engstrom, Dr. Duane Hopp, Greg Luce, Jenny Webber.
WTBOA Staff Members Present: Ann-Kathrin Zemann.
The meeting was called to order at 12:44 p.m. by President Halvorson.
Previous Board Minutes: Minutes from the June 17, 2022, meeting were presented and reviewed. Leong moved to approve the minutes as presented. Halvorson seconded the motion. The minutes were approved.
Finance: Pabst reported that the Finance Committee discussed the general financial situation of the WTBOA. The financial situation needs to be revisited after the sale, which will also determine the things we will have to cut in the future. Furthermore, the track dues, which the WTBOA receives from Emerald Downs are higher than last year with an amount of $13,622.00, compared to last year’s $9.533.03. Pabst also mentioned that the WTBOA has to work on writing Steve McPherson/Blue Chip Thoroughbred’s debts off. The WTBOA handed McPherson over to a collection agency but the case was closed as uncollectible. Lewin inquired about why the WTBOA did not file a lawsuit against McPherson. Pabst explained the it is not economically viable.
Northwest Race Series: The first two races in the Northwest Race Series had been held: the Angie C. Stakes and the King County Express on July 10, 2022. There were two additional supplemental fees for $5,000 in the Angie C. Stakes and none for the King County Express. The next two races that will be held are the Barbara Shinpoch Stakes and the WTBOA Lads. Both will be held on August 7, 2022.
Sales: Zemann reported that there is still no confirmed veterinarian for this year’s Summer Yearling and Mixed Sale. It is mandatory to have a veterinarian on the grounds when the sales horses are present. Pabst recommended asking the students of veterinary medicine that received a scholarship through the Washington Thoroughbred Foundation. As of now, there are 85 yearlings nominated for this year’s sale in August. 75 of these horses were within the Early Bird Nomination deadline, that ended March 25, 2022. 13 yearlings were nominations for the Yearling Summer Session that closed April 29, 2022. Additionally, 19 broodmares and one weanling were nominated for the Mixed Sale Session. The deadline for the paddock session entries is on July, 27, 2022. The next sales committee meeting is scheduled for July 7, 2022.
Publications: The sales catalog was sent to the printer. Anne Sweet, Sue van Dyke and Zemann are now working in the summer issue of the magazine.
WHRC/Emerald Downs update: Halvorson reported that the jockey Kevin Radke got called in by the Stewards. He supposedly hit his horse more than six times during one of the races last weekend. According to the rules of the newly created Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA), the use of the whip on the horses’ hind end is only allowed six times. Pabst explained that the whip strikes only count when the jockey takes one hand off the reigns. Using the whip to tap the horses shoulder, while both hands are on holding the reigns, does not count as whip strike according to HISA. Christopherson mentioned two jockeys on Oregon were fined for the same reason.
Goals and Initiatives: Nothing to report.
New Business
Changing SIP-Rules for next live-racing season: Zemann reported on a situation that occurred in regards to the SIP (Sales Incentive Program) bonus payments. Runnin out of Days, a horse that is owned by Blaine Wright, Shawn Sudo and Abel Pulver, won the King County Express. Neither one of the owners was a member of the WTBOA. It is a requirement to be a member of the WTBOA before the opening of Emerald Downs, to receive SIP bonus payments. This requirement is also published in the 2022 condition book of Emerald Downs, on the WTBOA purchase contract of a yearling, on our website and is also announced over the loudspeaker at the Emerald Downs barn area by racing secretary Bret Anderson. Moreover, former and current members of the WTBOA are also getting notified twice before Emerald Downs opening day to ensure that they are eligible for the bonuses. Pabst added that only one owner has to be a member with the WTBOA. Going forward, the WTBOA staff will put the membership fee on the invoices of this year’s sale horses as optional. Possible changes in the SIP rules are up for further discussion.
No meeting in August.
September 8, 2022, Meeting Minutes
Pending approval at next meeting
Next Meeting Date
September 8, 2022
