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Minutes of Public Meeting - January 25, 2018

Commission Members Present:

Michael Algeo, Chairman
Konrad Wayson
David Hayden
Clarissa Coughlin
Tom Winebrener
Tammy Lafferty
Ronald Thomas

Members Absent:

Thomas Bowman
Ernest Grecco

Staff Present Representing the Maryland Racing Commission:

J. Michael Hopkins

Executive Director
Eric B. London
Assistant Attorney General

In accordance with the Notice of Public Meeting, as required by §3-302, General Provisions Article, Annotated Code of Maryland, the Maryland Racing Commission (“Commission”) met in open session on January 25, 2018 at 12:30 p.m. at Laurel Park, Laurel, Maryland. Chairman Mike Algeo welcomed the public to the meeting.

Minutes – November 30, 2017.
The Commission waived a reading of the minutes of its meeting of November 30, 2017 and unanimously voted to approve them.

Maryland Jockey Club – Rosecroft Spring Meet.
The Commission was presented with a number of requests for the 2018 spring race meeting at Rosecroft Raceway, which begins on February 18, 2018 and runs through May 30, 2018. Live racing will be held on Sundays and Wednesdays, with a few exceptions for Easter, Kentucky Derby and Preakness. Also included were requests to import and export races Rosecroft finds marketable and common pool wagering. Hearing no objection, the Commission unanimously approved the requests.

2018 Proposed Legislation.
Executive Director J. Michael Hopkins advised the Commission of several proposed legislative initiatives that would be introduced during the 2018 legislative session. Those proposals would include the employment of an Equine Medical Director with the costs associated with the position being paid for by the industry; a medication compact; clarification on workers’ compensation coverage for jockeys during training hours; modifications to the “Maryland International;” and a study group to examine the construction of a horse facility in Baltimore County that could be used to run the Preakness. Not having the specific language for the proposals, the Commission instructed Mr. Hopkins to inform them of the specific language of the proposals, before taking any positions on the proposals.

Backstretch Employees’ Pension Fund.
The Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association made their annual request to provide a $400,000.00 contribution to the Backstretch Employees’ Pension Fund. The Commission was also advised that the Commission did have the latest financial statement for the Fund and that it was available for their review, if requested. Hearing no objection, the Commission unanimously approved the request.

Phase 2 of Pimlico Study.
Executive Director J. Michael Hopkins informed the Commission that in their folders was the proposal from the Crossroads Consulting Firm to perform Phase 2 of the study, which will identify an ideal Preakness Stakes Venue and evaluate potential non-racing development on the Pimlico site. Mr. Hopkins also informed the members that the cost of the study would be $426,335.00 and that funding for the study had been committed by the Maryland Jockey Club, Baltimore City, Baltimore Development Corporation and the Maryland Stadium Authority (pending authorization from their respective budget committees in Annapolis). Mr. Hopkins also noted that before moving forward with Phase 2 of the study, the Commission is required to have the approval from the Secretary of Labor, Licensing and Regulation. A motion to request the Stadium Authority to move forward to Phase 2 of the study, subject to the Secretary’s approval, was unanimously approved.

Public Comments.
Cricket Goodall reminded those in attendance that Horse Industry Day in Annapolis would be taking place on January 30, 2018 and encouraged everyone to participate. Hearing no other public comments, the Commission adjourned the meeting.

Next Commission Meeting.
The next Commission meeting will be held on February 22, 2018 at 12:30 P.M. at Laurel Park, Laurel, Maryland.

J. Michael Hopkins
Executive Director