The meeting was called to order by president, Scott Woogen at 6:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL: Those present by phone were: Scott Woogen, Charles Robbins, Betsy Brown, Billy Carter, Stacey McLenghan, Tyler Shehan, Anne McDonald, Leon Harris and Debbie Warnick. A quorum was declared.
MEETING MINUTES: The minutes from the meeting held on November 5, 2022 were reviewed and approved as written.
TREASURER’S REPORT: The treasurer’s report for December 2022 was reviewed.
There was no old business
NEW BUSINESS:
Item 1. Breeders’ Fund Races & Rules
a. Leon Harris suggested that we change the Breeders’ Fund races to have two elimination legs instead of just one. There was a lot of discussion on the pros and cons of adding the second elimination leg. Betsy moved and Anne seconded that we add the second leg of elimination races starting this fall. The motion passed with a vote of five to three.
b. Dates for the added leg of eliminations was debated. It was moved by Betsy and seconded by Scott that the dates be 3 yo trot Sept 30 & Oct 7; 3 yo pace Oct 1 & Oct 8; 2 yo trot Sept 14 & Sept 21; 2 yo pace Sept 15 & Sept 22. Finals for 2 yo, 3 yo and aged will be held Oct 29. The motion passed unanimously.
c. The Early Closer rules will be changed to reflect the point system for the elimination legs that was previously discussed and posted in 2019.
Item 2. Virginia bonuses for overnight races
a. There was discussion about the bonus on overnight races that has previously been given. It was moved by Tyler and seconded by Betsy that we give a 50% bonus to horses that are owned 100% by Virginia residents, Virginia sired or Virginia foaled. 50% bonuses will continue to be given to drivers and trainers that are Virginia residents. The motion passed unanimously.
Item 3. Certified Residency Bonus Program
a. We discussed what the amount of the certified residency program bonus pool for the foals of 2023 should be set at. It was moved by Scott and seconded by Tyler that this amount remain at $400,000 for the two year old season and $400,000 for the three year old season. The motion passed unanimously.
b. Now that we have two years of horses that have been part of the Certified Residency Bonus program, it was agreed that we should schedule races for these horses. Anne moved and Betsy seconded that we have a trot race and pace race for these horses to be run as overnight races during the spring meet with a purse of $25,000 each. If there are more that eight horses in a class, they will be split into sex and/or age. The motion passed unanimously.
Item 4. Blue Ridge & Alleghany races
a. It was agreed that these races will be moved to the spring meet and that the purse for each will remain at $25,000.
As there was no further business to be discussed, Scott Woogen adjourned the meeting at 7:25 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Debbie Warnick
Executive Director