IDAHO STATE RACING COMMISSION
SUMMARY OF PUBLIC MEETING
October 27, 2004 2:00 PM
A special meeting of the Idaho State Racing Commission was held on Wednesday, October 27th, 2002 in Classroom “C” of the Post Academy Building at the Idaho State Police Meridian Facility located at 700 South Stratford Drive, Meridian, Idaho. Those in attendance were Chairman Michael Lineberry, Commissioner Oscar Steinley, Executive Director, Jack Baker, Deputy Attorney General Stephanie Altig and Jenny Grunke, and Administrative Assistant, Ardie Noyes.
Chairman Lineberry called the meeting to order at 2:04 pm. Commissioner Carolyn Hunt has asked to be excused.
GENERAL INFORMATION DISCUSSED
CHAIRMAN – COMMISSIONER – DIRECTOR REPORTS:
Chairman Lineberry reviewed the items of the past couple of weeks regarding the purse payments to horsemen from the 2004 Live Meet. The horsemen were paid with checks mailed from the commission. The money used was from Lariat and the HBPA borrowed from the 2005 purses.
Commissioner Steinley discussed his trip to the NAPRA Conference and the interesting items that were discussed including animal health, identification program, regulations and pari-mutuel. Nonpayment of purses was very bothersome to him and he felt that the horsemen should have been paid.
Executive Director Jack Baker discussed the work the commission has put into trying to resolve this issue. The commission wants to make sure that the horsemen receive all the money they are entitled to. He then reviewed the 2004 Live Meet handles showing a decline of approximately $766,000.
Chairman Lineberry called for comments. Sam Stephenson from the HBPA wanted to discuss the payment of purses from Les Bois Park. His concern was they did not use all the money that was available and is not resolved.
Lanae Jones wanted to explain her position on the overpayment of the stakes program. Lariat asked the horseman to adjust their stakes program otherwise there would be an overpayment in purses. Stakes money is still due and horsemen money is still due. It is not feasible for LBP to pay the full costs when money is still due from the sponsors.
Chairman Lineberry stated that this will not be resolved today but it will be resolved.
Frank Edmunds from the Idaho Thoroughbred Association commented on sponsorship money for the races. When the ITA receive sponsor money it helps the organization to pay their portion of the added money. There is no such thing as sponsor money being owed.
Sam Stephenson from the HBPA wanted it known that the HBPA purse structure and stakes schedule was too aggressive. They had warned everyone from the beginning that this was going to happen.
APPROVAL OF 2005 LIVE RACE DATES:
Executive Director Jack Baker reviewed the requests for 2005 race dates. The requests are the same as 2004 with the exception of Rupert and Jerome both requested June 25, 2005. Another change was Idaho Falls requested four weeks in July instead of September and October. Frank Edmunds stated his concern about Idaho Falls running during the Idaho Cup races. Chris Cheff stated his concern they will be short in horses and jockeys and does not want to see racing go down hill.
Chairman Lineberry tabled the 2005 race dates until more representation from Jerome, Rupert and Idaho Falls.
REVIEW OF 2005 SIMULCAST LICENSE APPLICATION:
Executive Director Jack Baker stated a Simulcast Application has been received from the Greene Group for Post Falls and is sufficient and timely. No applications have been received from Les Bois Park or Sandy Downs. An incomplete license application for Les Bois Park from John Bootsma has been received.
Commissioner Oscar Steinley moved to approve the 2005 Simulcast License to the Greene Group. Chairman Lineberry seconded. Motion carried.
Chairman Lineberry asked who the principle players were for Les Bois Park’s application. Lanae Jones spoke for John Bootsma stating that he, Iron Cross Investment, was in the process of taking over the track but the track is still looking for a buyer. A meeting scheduled for Friday morning with Ada County in regards to transferring the lease. Chairman Lineberry stated that no action would be taken at this time.
STATUS REPORT OF 2004 PURSE PAYMENTS - BOISE:
Executive Director Jack Baker stated Mutuel Inspector had worked on researching the purse account. Pari-Mutuel Inspector Jacki Libengood reported that all the money available for purses was there and the overpayment of purse in the amount of $52,000 was in the stakes races.
Chairman Lineberry appreciated all the work put into trying to resolve this issue. A meeting will be held on Friday at 3:00 pm with Lariat, the HBPA, the commission and the horsemen to set an acceptable 2005 stakes schedule. Sam Stephenson wanted clarification on the over payment on the purse account. This matter is not resolved.
STATUS REPORT OF FINANCIAL AUDIT – LES BOIS PARK:
Chairman Lineberry stated after the hearings regarding Les Bois Park the commissioners agreed on a financial audit. Questions were raised about the scope of the audit. Chairman Lineberry went to Boise and met with two legislative auditors who advised us that it is often difficult to get useful information from the organization being audited without their full cooperation. Before going ahead with an external audit, which would be expensive, a letter was written October 15, 2004 asking for an audited financial statement from Lariat within 30 days.
ANY OTHER APPROPRIATE BUSINESS:
Chairman Lineberry introduced Kathy Hatch the President of the American Appendix Association. Kathy Hatch introduced a new breed organization that would like the commission to approve them as a racing breed. The appendix horse can run longer races, would bring in new money to Idaho and would also provide horses in a time when there is a shortage. The appendix horse is a cross between thoroughbred and quarter horses.
Deputy Attorney General Stephanie Altig informed Mrs. Hatch that the legislation would need to be changed in order to recognize this group.
Chairman Lineberry asked the staff to schedule a commission meeting in early December regarding 2005 Race Dates, Idaho Falls and Sandy Downs Simulcast licenses.
Commissioner Oscar Steinley moved to adjourn the meeting. Chairman Lineberry seconded. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 4:30 pm.
MOTIONS APPROVED:
Commissioner Oscar Steinley moved to approve the 2005 Simulcast License to the Greene Group. Chairman Lineberry seconded. Motion carried.
Commissioner Oscar Steinley motioned to adjourn. Chairman Lineberry seconded the motion. Motion Carried.