Agency
May 2010 Minutes
VIRGINIA RACING COMMISSION
In Attendance
Commission Members:
Peter C. Burnett, Chairman
Clinton Miller, Vice Chairman
Mark Brown
David C. Reynolds
Stuart Siegel
Commission Staff:
Victor I. Harrison, Executive Secretary
David S. Lermond, Jr., Deputy Executive Secretary
Kimberly M. Carter, Office Administrator
C. Richard Harden, DVM, Equine Medical Director
Jean Chalk, Thoroughbred Steward
Attorney General’s Office:
Amy K. Dilworth
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At 9:40 a.m., the monthly meeting of the Commission was called to order by Chairman Burnett.
Commissioner Siegel moved to approve the minutes of March 17, 2010, seconded by Chairman Burnett. The motion carried; four for, none opposed. Commissioner Brown arrived shortly after the approval of the minutes.
Executive Secretary Harrison gave an overview of the EZHP Agreement. Acting on the recommendation of Mr. Harrison, Chairman Burnett moved to approve the EZHP Agreement, seconded by Commissioner Brown. Chairman Burnett amended the motion to approve the EZHP Agreement to include the recommendations of the VRC staff regarding the licensing requirement of Loomis Armored US, Inc., the implementation of a notification process for impending ADW locations, the implementation of an ADW terminal location malfunction reporting form, and that consideration be given to rule and Code changes regarding the regulation of ADW. This was seconded by Commissioner Brown. The motion carried five for, none opposed.
Darrell Wood and Tyler Picklesimer gave updates on the upcoming Colonial Downs 2010 Thoroughbred Meet. Mr. Wood stated the theme for this year’s meet is ‘Eight Weeks of Winning’. Colonial Downs and the Virginia Lottery are introducing the “Winner’s Circle” Instant Lottery (scratch-off) game that offers two ways to win. The July 17th, “Hoot on the Hill” on Virginia Derby Day will be presented by Hooters and the Richmond Ski Club in an area of the track spacious enough to accommodate 10,000 patrons.
Mr. Harrison commented that the Final Order for the 2010 thoroughbred racing days was completed but the 2010 standardbred Final Order has not been executed because Colonial Downs and the VHHA, while they agree on the 28 days, are still not in agreement on the starting date, ending date and the days of the week.
During the ensuing discussion of the Standardbred Race Dates, Chairman Burnett moved to award starting and ending dates of September 17 and November 6 respectively. Racing will be run 4 days a week, Saturday, Sunday, Tuesday and Wednesday. This was seconded by Commissioner Brown and carried unanimously. There will be a 1:00 p.m. start time except for Saturdays which will begin at 5:00 p.m. The issue of opening sections of the grandstand during the weekday race days remains unresolved.
Commissioner Brown moved to approve the VHHA’s Standardbred Management Contract at the same rate as the previous year. This was seconded by Chairman Burnett and carried unanimously.
After a motion by Commissioner Brown and a second by Chairman Burnett, the Benevolence Fund budget of $135,000 was approved unanimously.
There being no further business, Wednesday, June 16th was set as the date of the next meeting to be held at the Horsemen’s Building, Colonial Downs, 10700 Horsemen’s Road, New Kent, VA.
It was moved, seconded, and carried to adjourn the May, 2010 monthly meeting of the Commission.