Page 18 - December 2005 The Game
P. 18

18 The Game, December 2005
Your Thoroughbred Racing Community Newspaper
HBPA Update
HBPAAdministrativeOffices:135Queen’sPlateDrive,Suite370,Toronto,ON,M9W6V1 phone:416-747-5252
President’s Report - from HBPA of Ontario’s Annual General Meeting - September 28, 2005
There have been many accomplish- ments over the last year as well as many new initiatives which have been thrusted in 2005.
Industry Changes
Several changes have occurred in our industry in 2005 which will mark a new era and a new perspective for years to come.
Ministry of Consumer and Business Services - the new Minister is Mr.Phillips. Minister Phillips recently replaced Minister Watson in the recent cabinet shuffle. This ministry is of course responsible for the horse racing industry and specifically, the Ontario Racing Commission. Ted McMeeken MPP
has been assigned by this ministry to act as the liaison with our industry. I can report to you that we have had several meetings with Mr. McMeeken over the last several months addressing our concerns.
Industry Board/Councils/Committee Representation
The HBPA has continued to represent the thoroughbred horsemen on several external industry Boards/Councils and Committees in 2005. The HBPA Board and Administration has participated in:
OHRIA and their committees which include: Drug and Alcohol advisory, Biosecurity and Horse Health Care, Thoroughbred Review, Thoroughbred Breeding Task Force, Equine Guelph, National HBPA committees and task forces, RTCA council, Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame, OLGC Product Marketing Committee, Jockey Club of Canada, National HBPA of North America and the National HBPA of Canada, to name just a few.
Racetrack Capital Improvements
Several considerable and important racetrack capital improvements have taken place or are in the process of taking place at both racetracks, Woodbine and Fort Erie, in 2005.
At Woodbine, approximately $18 million has been invested by WEG to upgrade the backstretch and barns. This construction is on-going and will continue this winter and beyond until completed.
We have finalized an agreement with WEG management to expand our current dorm capacity. A 36 room (72 bed) expansion will be built this winter to the new dorm ready for occupancy in the spring of 2006. Without question, an initiative which has been pushed by the current HBPA Board that has come to realization. Affordable accommodation for backstretch workers is always at the forefront of our goals.
At Fort Erie, approximately $3 million was invested last winter to re-build the race track surface. This project has turned out to be a resounding success. Without question, we may have the safest racetrack in North America in Fort Erie. In addition at Fort Erie, the HBPA financed the building of a
1/2 mile sand ring last win- ter located across from Bans 11 and 12 which has exceeded the expectations of all local horsemen stabled at the boarder oval.
Medication
The "Split sample at
source" testing protocol has
been approved in principle
by the CPMA. The logistics
for its implementation is
now being addressed with
Vita-Tech Laboratories.
This reflects the Canadians
HBPA's long standing commitment to and support for a procedure of handling sam- ples that encourages and provides the high- est degree of integrity and fairness for all participants in the Canadian horse racing industry.
We have recently been informed that the cost of "Furosemide" testing would be increased from $34.00 to $40.00 for thor- oughbreds effective September 1, 2005.
The HBPA has applied to the ORC and CPMA for a change in regulations regarding the mandatory "scoping" a horse before it can be placed on the "Furosemide" list. We have requested that "after the horse's licensed trainer and licensed veterinarian determine that it would be in the horses'
best interest to race with furosemide they shall notify the official veterinarian or his/her designee, using the prescribed form, that they wish the horse to be put on the furosemide list". This procedure was recommended by the NTRA Medication and Testing consortium and adopted by NAPRA and ARCI.
Positive Tests: Probably one of the most devastating aspects in racing is the positive test, negatively effecting the entire industry. We also know many honest horsepeople have had the misfortune of a positive occurance.
On behalf of our members the HBPA has paid for the re-testing and quantifying positive urine samples. What we have discovered in many cases are residues of therapeutic medication legal in training, not drugs used by cheaters. Further investigations of these trace levels evaluated by expert
scientific opinion have determined that such low levels could not have effected the performance of a horse or the outcome of a race! It is therefore the opinion of the HBPA when this occurs that no penalty should be declared in the best interest of racing. To overcome the problem we will continue to lobby our regulators to address this industry concern by implementing more "Stated Threshold limits" in blood and urine for commonly used therapeutic medications.
The CPMA's threshold limits for Salisylic acid, penicillin, G Procaine, and Furosemide are not enough, however since
there implementation, positive declarations for these 3 therapeutic medica- tions have become almost extinct.
Maintaining the testing Status Quo only denigrates our industry, the cost of implementing "Stated Thresholds Limits" is mini- mal compared to the greater cost of racing by losing credibility in the minds of our fans. We must not lose their trust or racing is
Marketing
Racetrack Events: We have spearhead- ed and or participated in:
Woodbine - HBPA day at the races, Backstretch Picnic, Owner's Appreciation Day, Backstretch Boat Cruise, Long Run Gala September
On a joint marketing basis with WEG, we have co-sponsored Breakfast Work outs at the Tent throughout the summer time which became a very popular event for racing fans on Saturday mornings.
In addition, our joint participation with the Media Golf day prior to the Queen's Plate this year gave our industry much needed recognition with all forums of the press.
We, as an industry, must continue to expose our great sport to all media outlets relentlessly.
Fort Erie - Opening Day Mug Giveaway, HBPA day at the races, Owner's Appreciation Day, August HBPA T-Shirt promo, Backstretch Picnic August, Awards Presentation Day
On a joint marketing basis with Fort Erie, the concert series we co-sponsored with Fort Erie and the OLGC this summer was a great success as it had a direct positive impact in a very competitive marketplace. The three concerts were well attended by a population that would not normally visit the property. That is an accomplishment in itself.
Charities Supported
The HBPA OF Ontario has continued in 2005 its commitment to being a good corporate citizen by supporting such non profit charities as:
Long Run, CARD, Hurricane Katrina Horsemen's Fund, Terry Fox Foundation, Leukemia Foundation of Ontario, Local Ontario Hospitals, Toronto Firefighters, Toronto Police
FORT ERIE-CONTRACT
Earlier this year, the HBPA and Nordic Gaming (Fort Erie Racetrack) entered into a substantive three year contract. The con- tract, effective January 1, 2005, expires on December 31, 2007. The term, unless terminated by either party, will be automatically renewed for successive one year terms.
Practically speaking, if all goes well,
this could be a very long term deal.
HBPA National Convention 2005
The HBPA of Ontario hosted this year's summer convention at the beautiful Westin Harbour Castle Hotel in downtown Toronto. This is the first time in over 10 year's that Ontario was chosen as the host and over 200 horsemen from throughout North America attended this great conference. There were several discussions and panels on education, medication, and of course, the state of the industry and where we are going in the future. I would like to thank our administrative staff for putting on one of the best conventions in the history of the HBPA. Job well done.
Fraud Detection
As you may be aware, late last fall, we became aware of some banking irregularities involving the Owners' Awards Program which led to a thorough internal investigation of our banking transactions. We then immediately contacted the ORC and the OPP compo- nent of the ORC investigative unit which initiated a third party investigation. The result of an extensive seven-month investi- gation by the ORC/OPP in cooperation with the Toronto Police Services has led to the arrest of Leslie Smith, a former employee. Ms. Smith has been charged with one count of Criminal Breach of Trust and one count of Fraud over $5,000.00.
Since this case is in front of the courts at this time, no other details can be made available at this time since it could jeopardize the current proceedings. We will fully disclose all details to our membership once the trial is completed.
Race Dates for 2006
The HBPA Board and the two Ontario racetracks have agreed to 2006 thorough- bred race dates as follows (subject of course to ORC approval):
Woodbine - 168 days, with opening day set for Saturday April 1 and closing day set for Sunday December 3rd. Ship in date will be February 12 with the track opening on the 13 of February for training.
Fort Erie - 104 days, with opening day set for Saturday April 29 and closing day set for Tuesday October 31. Weather permitting, ship in will be 45 days prior to opening day.
The above 2006 racing schedule ensures a viable racing product in Ontario which will allow our membership the opportunities to provide an income stream for them and their families.
Conclusion
It has been a very active year for your board. The board met faithfully each month. The Fort Erie Advisory committee met each month.
In conclusion, I would like to sincerely thank you, our members, for your past support and look forward to continue working on your behalf for a better racing industry in Ontario.
HBPA President Conrad Cohen
doomed.


































































































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