FROM THE BOARDROOM

1) FTBOA President Phil Matthews and CEO Lonny Powell reflected on the passing of former FTBOA Executive Director Dick Hancock and highlighted the integral role he played in the Association and the industry for more than 22 years. 2) Powell also updated the board on several legislative initiatives the FTBOA is pursuing in advance of the 2021 Legislative Session, which formally begins on March 2. The board received a briefing from Matt Bryan (outside lobbyist) on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the state budget. He noted that a new gaming compact with the Seminole Tribe of Florida may have become more likely as the Legislature struggles to find revenue to address critical budget shortfalls. The compact may address sports betting, a few new casino games for the Seminoles, and the possible elimination of some card games currently operating at parimutuels. This legislation would give parimutuels, breeders, and horsemen the opportunity to pursue additional operating hours, tax breaks, and night racing, among other things.

FTBOA will continue to oppose the “decoupling” of thoroughbred tracks, which would allow the tracks to offer other types of gaming without also offering live thoroughbred racing. Conversations with legislators are ongoing, but Bryan noted the industry must remain vigilant and continue to work hard to educate legislators about the economic impact of the industry and its benefits to the state. Importantly, the Legislature may also finally address Advance Deposit Wagering (ADW) this session. The FTBOA’s focus will be on ensuring that a fair share of ADW revenue goes to purses and breeder awards, which currently get short-changed as more and more betting migrates from the track to online platforms.

The Legislature may create a state gaming commission to act as the industry’s regulator, which has been discussed for many years. The general consensus is that such a move would improve the environment for pari-mutuels, racinos, breeders, horsemen, and newly decoupled dog tracks. (Note: Bryan’s expanded briefing is available at www.ftboa.com under Legislative Update). 3) The board received a briefing from Warren Husband (outside general counsel) on the status of a variety of legal and legislative matters, with a focus on the FTBOA’s efforts surrounding ADW. 4) The board received a briefing from Charity Chair Valerie Dailey about the Horse Fever 2020 public art project, a component of which includes the sale of Clockwork Fury, donated by Journeyman Stud, at the end of the first day of the March Ocala Breeders’ sale. The funds raised will benefit the TRF Second Chances Florida Thoroughbred Retirement Farm at the Lowell Correctional Institution and the Marion Cultural Alliance arts program. The project also honored Dick Hancock as a pioneering Horse Fever Champion. 5) The board received a briefing from FTBOA’s Tammy A. Gantt regarding upcoming deadlines. Gantt also highlighted the current marketing campaign focused on Florida stallions. The campaign includes a commercial airing at Florida tracks and via their simulcasting systems and a segment on Horse Capital Television showcasing new stallions at their farms, along with last year’s champion stallions. The print campaign highlights impactful past stallions that were embraced by breeders their first year and a showcase of new stallions. The ads appeared in the Pegasus and Eclipse awards programs. The goal was to give stallions more exposure since some breeders may not see the stallions in person this year. ■