Page 27 - February 2005 The Game

Your Thoroughbred Racing Community Newspaper
The Game, February 2005 27
HBPA Update
Change in HBPA Track Office Hours
For the month of February the HBPA Backstretch Office at Woodbine will be open from 7:00 am to 3:00 pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The office can be reached at 1-800-268-9967 ext 2249 or 416-675-3802.
If the track office is unavailable please contact the HBPA Administration Office which is open from 8:30 am to 4:30pm Monday to Friday. The office can be reached at 416-747-5252.
The HBPA Backstretch Office at Fort Erie is closed until March. Call the Woodbine Backstretch Office or the Administrative Office for assistance.
Attention Pension Plan Holders
Do You Turn 65 This Year and Want to Start Receiving Pension Benefits?
Then this is what you must do:
The HBPA Pension Plan is designed to provide you with a life income at retirement, which is in addition to any benefits payable under the Canadian Pension Plan, Quebec Pension Plan, or Old Age Security Act (Canada).
Should you be turning 65 during the year, your pension benefits will begin on the next January 1 date following your 65 birthday.
However you must contact the HBPA Backstretch offices at either Woodbine 416-675-3802 or Fort Erie 905-871-3200, ext.3249 or the HBPA Administrative Office at 416-747-5252. You will be required to fill out a request for calculation form to start your retirement proceedings. Your benefits will not automatically start, you must contact the HBPA to let them know of your plans to retire.
(Example: If you turn 65 on September 5, 2005, after contacting the HBPA to let them know that you wish to retire, your pension benefits will begin being paid on January 1, 2006. You can continue to work if so desired.)
There is a provision in the Pension Plan for early retirees who can start collecting reduced benefits after age 55.
As with any other pension plans, you need to inform the HBPA and apply to start receiving your pension benefits.
William (Bill) Daley December 21, 1946 - December 2, 2004
Report from the Executive Director
The 2005 National HBPA winter convention was held in beautiful San Antonio, Texas. If you have never been to San Antonio, I urge you to take the trip and see the riverwalk as well as the Alamo. It is truly sensational.
This year’s winter convention
dealt with several key issues
facing North American horsemen
in this ever changing technological environment. At the forefront of
discussion of course, was the issue
of simulcasting. To say that simulcasting is a complex and
diverse issue, would of course be an understate- ment. After a long period of discussion and debate, the National HBPA, championed by Mr. John Roark (President), in conjunction with its Wagering and Alternative Gaming Information Committee (which I have been a member of for the last three years) felt that the horsemen’s views must be updated through a second position paper, an update to our 2003 paper. True to its “living document” intentions, the White Paper has undergone change and revision as new information in the areas of on and off shore simulcasting, account wagering and alternative gaming has become available.
“According to the Jockey Club Online Fact Book, pari-mutual handle wagered on Thoroughbred racing in the United States during 2003 increased 0.8% to nearly $15.2 bil- lion, while combined North American handle advanced 0.5%. Gains continue to come exclusively from the off-track sector, which account for 87.5% of U.S. handle.” In 1999, simulcasting accounted for more than 82.5% of the North American handle. There has been an astounding 5% increase in the last four years. If this increase does not hit home with the
traditionalists, nothing will. Our industry, like many other industries, has and will continue to change in the wake of technologi- cal advancements. This statistic further supports my report from last month which encourages our industry to listen to the CUSTOMER and react to change in a way which will enhance our revenue streams.
As a general policy, the National HBPA endorses simulcasting and its byproduct of enhanced revenue back to the
racing industry. The National HBPA realizes that simulcasting as a category in the overall scheme of the racing industry offers great potential in improving purses. However, clear strategies need to be implemented to allow the industry to adapt to the changes associated with simulcast wagering. The objectives must always ensure that a) a fair distribution of simulcast revenue between horsemen and sending tracks are maintained, and b) promot- ing expanded legal and authorized wagering opportunities are explored.
Instead of relying on the “slots at racetracks” program to grow our industry, our focus as horsemen should be to continue on a joint effort basis with our tracks to endorse reasoned methods of developing simulcast policy. Simulcast signals must be marked in a way that allows fair distribution of revenue to both the track and horsemen, and that the security of each signal is guaranteed.
I cannot overstate that SIMULCAST REVENUE LIABILITY IS TOP PRIORITY.
For a copy of the Simulcast White Paper released in January 2005, please visit the HBPA head office or call me directly.
Executive Director Nick Coukos
Horse Rescue Efforts Applauded
By now, a lot of you have heard about the abandoned thoroughbred farm in Caledon; 35 horses were left without food and water. 2 horses died of starvation and 1 had to be euthanised. It’s easy to go on and on about the horrendous condition of the horses and barn but instead I want to focus on the individuals who made a difference.
When word of the abandoned horses came to the attention of Cathy MacLean of LongRun she, without hesitation, called the OSPCA and the OPP. The SPCA did not have the resources to handle a situation of this magnitude. Consequently, Cathy Maclean picked up the reins and organized with the assistance of backstretch volunteers; the care and dispersal of these rejected animals. Woodbine volunteers went everyday and worked selflessly to save the horses. Individuals and companies hearing the sad story donated their time, supply, craft and money. It is amazing to see how tight and
caring the horse racing community is. Without their effort, be assured that the outcome would have been one of complete tragedy.
On behalf of the HBPA Board of Directors and Staff, I would like to thank all the volunteers who helped and all of those who generously donated time, services and supplies.
Cathy Maclean, Darrin Chedu, Greenhawk, Debbie Lewis, Blane Jaremia, Tom Cosgrove, Flo Fergusson, Aline Allain, Robert Gerl, Ron Wollens, Terry Levi, Frank A. Belanger, Rob Lindeman, Ross Pollock, Peter Carr, Howard Pottins, Stacie Roberts, Linda Reid, Eddie Dyer, Sunnymede Farms, Marie Cocklin, Becky Sutherland, Davis Feed, Jaqueline Goddard, Wendy Hudson, Nobleton Feeds, Jennifer Unger.
And a special thank you to those who fostered these horses.
Nick Coukos Executive Director
Longtime horseman, and resident of Fort Erie; Bill Daley will be greatly missed by his many friends. He always had a story to share. He is survived by his daughter Jose, grandson Marc-Antoine and friend Cathy.