VIRGINIA HORSEMEN CALL MEETING AMID RUMORS OF NEW HORSEMEN’S
Oct 1, 2014 20:26:10 GMT -5
Post by Evelyn on Oct 1, 2014 20:26:10 GMT -5
I don't know enough about Va racing but this seems very unfair to the resident horsemen. I did enjoy the turf racing there and some of the big payoffs! Does anyone know if MD can extend their dates or how their agreement read to not run during Colonial? (Shooter? Cait? Gary?)
VIRGINIA HORSEMEN CALL MEETING AMID RUMORS OF NEW HORSEMEN’S GROUP
by Natalie Voss
PR
The power struggle in Virginia’s Thoroughbred industry continued this week, as the Virginia Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association called a meeting for Oct. 8 amid rumors that a new horsemen’s group has been organized.
Colonial Downs and the horsemen have been at odds for many months regarding the state’s racing schedule. The war got so heated that the state did not hold any Thoroughbred racing in 2014, and it appears the two sides are again locking horns over the 2015 season.
In an open letter, the VHBPA stated that it had made numerous proposals for 2015 dates with the aid of the Virginia Racing Commission, but its suggestions have all been rejected in favor of a schedule with a handful of major race days for ship-ins. The VHBPA also claimed that the track is planning a 10-year contract with a new organization called the Old Dominion Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association, which it said was incorporated by attorneys with Colonial Downs.
“Its President is Tim Valente, a person no one seems to know,” said VHBPA executive director Frank Petramalo. “To the best of our knowledge he is not a Virginia horseman and has never been licensed as an owner or trainer by the VRC. We are also unaware of any horseman who is a member of this new organization.”
The VHBPA is asking members to attend an informational meeting Oct. 8 at 6:30 p.m. in the Summer House at Great Meadow in The Plains, Va. The horsemen believe Colonial wants the racing commission to approve a decade-long contract with Old Dominion at the commission’s meeting one week later in Richmond
Read the full letter at the Virginia Thoroughbred Association: www.vabred.org/virginia-horsemens-meeting-scheduled-for-october-8th/
VIRGINIA HORSEMEN CALL MEETING AMID RUMORS OF NEW HORSEMEN’S GROUP
by Natalie Voss
PR
The power struggle in Virginia’s Thoroughbred industry continued this week, as the Virginia Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association called a meeting for Oct. 8 amid rumors that a new horsemen’s group has been organized.
Colonial Downs and the horsemen have been at odds for many months regarding the state’s racing schedule. The war got so heated that the state did not hold any Thoroughbred racing in 2014, and it appears the two sides are again locking horns over the 2015 season.
In an open letter, the VHBPA stated that it had made numerous proposals for 2015 dates with the aid of the Virginia Racing Commission, but its suggestions have all been rejected in favor of a schedule with a handful of major race days for ship-ins. The VHBPA also claimed that the track is planning a 10-year contract with a new organization called the Old Dominion Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association, which it said was incorporated by attorneys with Colonial Downs.
“Its President is Tim Valente, a person no one seems to know,” said VHBPA executive director Frank Petramalo. “To the best of our knowledge he is not a Virginia horseman and has never been licensed as an owner or trainer by the VRC. We are also unaware of any horseman who is a member of this new organization.”
The VHBPA is asking members to attend an informational meeting Oct. 8 at 6:30 p.m. in the Summer House at Great Meadow in The Plains, Va. The horsemen believe Colonial wants the racing commission to approve a decade-long contract with Old Dominion at the commission’s meeting one week later in Richmond
Read the full letter at the Virginia Thoroughbred Association: www.vabred.org/virginia-horsemens-meeting-scheduled-for-october-8th/