The meeting was called to order by president, Scott Woogen at 6:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL: Those present by phone were: Scott Woogen, Greg Trotto, Anne McDonald, Wilma Foley, Charles Robbins, Stacey McLenaghan, Randy Jackson, Tyler Shehan, Jimmy Viars, Dee Lineweaver, Jeb Hannum, Darrell Wood and Debbie Warnick. A quorum was declared.
MEETING MINUTES: The minutes from the previous meeting, June 16, 2020, were approved as written.
OLD BUSINESS:
Item 1. Race Meet
1.Jeb reported that the VEA will be able to contribute $100,000 towards our race meet purses from the cost savings associated with eliminating betting this year. The VEA will be able to contribute an additional $200,000 towards our purses. This should allow us to maintain our purse structure from last year.
2. The pros and cons of dropping the one Sunday race day that we had scheduled were discussed. It was moved and seconded to drop this date and only race on Friday and Saturday nights this year. The motion passed unanimously.
3. The dates for the Breeders’ Fund eliminations and finals was discussed. The calendar Debbie put together that showed September and October stakes race dates for surrounding states dates was reviewed. Greg mentioned that Maryland had changed their planned stakes dates so that they did not conflict with our races. After much discussion, it was moved and seconded to leave the Breeders’ Fund eliminations and finals as scheduled. The motion passed unanimously. There was discussion about changing the elimination races to prep races if the fields are eight or less horses. If this is done, horses would not have to race in the prep races, but could still race in the finals. The following motion was made and seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
“In the event that there are eight or fewer horses dropped in the box to race in a division elimination race, this race will then become a prep race. If this occurs, trainers have the option to withdraw from racing in this prep race. The horse will still be allowed to participate in the finals, as long as qualifying times are met.”
4. Dee mentioned that our saddle pads are in need of repair and/or replacement. She agreed to try to locate someone locally that could do this.
5. We discussed the structure of the aged races. It was agreed to leave them at four year old and up this year. We will look at making some changes in the format for next year.
Item 2. Fair meet post time
Tom Eshelman sent an email requesting that we change the post time for the fair races until
5:00 pm because the fair board is considering not opening the fair until 4:00 pm. After discussion, it was agreed that we should do whatever we can to help the fair succeed this year. It was moved and seconded to change the post time until 5:00 pm. Motion passed unanimously.
Item 3. Whipping rule change
We reviewed the whipping rules for both Kentucky and Ohio. These rules are virtually the same. It was agreed that Debbie will submit the Kentucky rules to Dave Lermond as our suggestion for the changes to Virginia’s whipping rules that the VRC wants to make.
As there was no further business to be discussed, Scott Woogen adjourned the meeting at
7:10 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Debbie Warnick
Executive Director