At its regularly scheduled meeting on Aug. 19, 2022, the board of directors of the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association considered the following: 1. The board reviewed and approved the proposed 2023 Annual Plan for the payment of breeder, stallion and stakes awards. If approved by the state, the proposal would keep awards at the same level as 2021, with breeder awards paid at 10% of the announced gross purse on FTBOA-registered Florida-bred winners, 3% on second place, and 2% on third place, subject to specified caps. Stallion awards would be paid at 15% of the announced gross purse, with each award capped at $15,000. This portion of the board meeting was open for members of the public to provide comments and/or observe the board’s proceedings, but no public comments were offered. 2. The board received a briefing from President Valerie Dailey on the Association’s legislative efforts and the legwork put into informing state legislators about the economic impact of the Florida Thoroughbred industry. Dailey also congratulated CEO Lonny Powell on being selected as the Executive of the Year by the Florida Society of Association Executives. Further, she noted Mr. Powell’s Van Ness Award from the American Horse Council earlier in the summer and thanked him for his dedication to the Association and his lifelong service to the industry. 3. The board received a briefing from Mr. Powell, who introduced and welcomed new senior leadership staff: associate vice president for operations and development Steve Koch and office manager/executive assistant Elaine K. Ansbacher. Ms. Ansbacher replaces retiring executive assistant Becky Robinson. Powell highlighted Ms. Robinson’s career and shared how she will be missed by the entire FTBOA team and membership.
noted ongoing contract discussions with Gulfstream Park and Tampa Bay Downs on the 2023 Florida-bred Stakes program. Powell briefed the board on Florida Equine Communications’ new strategic initiatives with Kaplan Media, which include a biweekly podcast for the industry, video opportunities, and Kaplan’s professional production studio housed in the FTBOA headquarters building. 4. The board received a briefing from lobbyist Matt Bryan on the FTBOA’s legislative efforts as the 2022 mid-term elections approach. Mr. Bryan also provided an informational update on the Florida Thoroughbred PAC, explaining how recipients of breeder awards can direct 5% of those awards to the PAC and how important the PAC’s efforts are to building support for the industry at the local and state level. 5. The board received a legal briefing from Warren Husband on legal and regulatory developments surrounding the pending federal court challenge to the new Seminole Gaming Compact, the state court case brought by the Florida Standardbred Breeders to challenge the “decoupling” provisions of the 2021 pari-mutuel law, the ongoing implementation of HISA, and the early operations of the new Florida Gaming Control Commission.
Powell recognized outgoing Board members Valerie Dailey, Brent Fernung, and Phil Matthews, DVM, acknowledging their service as presidents of the Association.
6. The 2022 FTBOA board of directors’ election was discussed, per the timeline announced at the May 27 board meeting. For 2022, there are five director vacancies on the FTBOA board to be filled, for three-year terms extending until October 2025. Pursuant to the Association’s bylaws, the current board of directors nominated the following five candidates for these vacancies: (1) Jerry Campbell; (2) Mary Lightner; (3) Mike Hall; and incumbents (4) Marilyn Campbell and (5) Joe O’Farrell. Each candidate previously agreed to run and to serve as an FTBOA director.
Powell briefed the board on implementation of the federal Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act at the tracks. Powell also
In addition to the board’s authority to nominate candidates for the five available director positions, the FTBOA bylaws also
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