Minutes of Public Meeting - September 20, 2018

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 September 20, 2018 at 12:30 p.m. at the Great Frederick Fair, Frederick, Maryland. Chairman Mike Algeo welcomed the public to the meeting and thanked Colby Hubble for her hospitality and inviting the Commission to the Fair. As President of the Frederick County Agriculture Society and the Great Frederick Fair, Colby Hubble thanked everyone for coming to the Fair.

Minutes – June 28, 2018.

The Commission waived a reading of the minutes of its meeting of June 28, 2018 and voted unanimously to approve them.

Maryland Jockey Club – Racing Facility Redevelopment Fund.

J. Michael Hopkins, Executive Director of the Commission, presented the Commission with a request from the Maryland Jockey Club for reimbursement of $2,166,095.00 for capital improvements at Laurel and Pimlico. Mr. Hopkins also informed the Commission that the request had been reviewed by the Commission’s Certified Public Accountant and found to be an appropriate request. Hearing no objection, the Commission unanimously approved the request.

Maryland Jockey Club – Ratify Fall Racing Meet and Stake Schedule and Rosecroft Fall Race Meeting.

The Commission was asked to ratify their previous electronic mail approval of a number of standard requests from the Maryland Jockey Club for the Fall race meet at Laurel Park and Rosecroft, which included 61 days of live racing at Laurel and 28 days of live racing at Rosecroft. Also included in the requests, was a request to import and export the races they find marketable as well as the Fall Stake schedule for Laurel. Hearing no objection, the Commission unanimously ratified the request.

Maryland Bred Race Fund – Ratify Fall Stake Schedule and Award Disbursements including Bonus’s paid on Maryland Million Day.

The Commission was asked to ratify their previous approval of the Fall Maryland Bred Fund Stake Schedule and the bonus percentages paid to owners, trainers and stallion owners of Maryland Bred horses. The Commission was also asked to ratify the bonus structure for Maryland Million Day. Hearing no objection, the Commission unanimously ratified the requests.

Backstretch Employees’ Pension Plan.

The Commission was informed that every year since 1988 the Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association (MTHA) requested the Commission approve a deduction from the Purse Account to fund the Backstretch Employees’ Pension Fund, which is provided to all backstretch workers who have met the criteria set forth via statute. For 2019, the MTHA is asking for a deduction of $500,000.00, which is $100,000.00 more than what was asked for in 2018. Hearing no objection, the Commission unanimously approved the request.

Cecil County Breeders’ Fair, Inc.

J. Michael Hopkins, Executive Director of the Commission, advised the Commission that he had received a request from the Cecil County Breeders’ Fair for two race days in 2019, May 24th and May 25th. Mr. Hopkins further explained that the race day of May 24th would only be used if sufficient purse money was available. Hearing no objection, the Commission unanimously approved the request.

Public Comments.

Gerry Brewster representing the Maryland State Fair thanked all of the industry partners for their help in making the recent race meet a success. Mr. Brewster stated that the new paddock was well received and wanted to thank Chairman Algeo for his help in having Governor Hogan visit the track. Mr. Brewster also commented that an estimated 60,000 people went through “Horse Land” during the Fair. Hearing no other Public Comments, the meeting was adjourned.

Next Commission Meeting.

The next Commission Meeting will be held on October 25, 2018 at 12:30 P.M. at Laurel Park, Laurel, Maryland 20725.

J. Michael Hopkins
Executive Director