More than 40 people gathered Sunday at the Arden Hilton in Sacramento for the annual USTA District 3 meeting. 

USTA photo

Chris Schick at the podium.

Welcomed by District 3 chairman and USTA Chairman of the Board Ivan Axelrod, the gathered audience enjoyed a buffet breakfast and learned from USTA Communications Director Nicole Kraft about the numerous activities that were undertaken by the organization in 2009, including the redesign of the Web site, www.ustrotting.com, and the expanded multi-media offerings. (For a video on 2009 USTA Activities, visit www.youtube.com/watch?v=e6afWKZK8N4.)

New track director David Seigel address the group wearing two hats—one representing Cal Expo and the other with his views as a fan and racing participant. On the good news front, Cal Expo was pleased that an investment of funds in a “new horse incentive” program did get new horsemen to the Golden State for winter racing, improving the field size and race quality. On the bad news side, Siegel acknowledged there has been a $600,000 overpayment to the purse pools that will hopefully not lead to a purse reduction.

On a personal note, Siegel sought elimination of the 12-horse field recently introduced at Cal Expo, which he and other drivers considered unsafe. He also outlined three areas where he said California horsemen must make changes to “slow down” or turn around the sport’s demise:

1. The presentation of the viewed simulcast product must be improved with better technology, equipment and formatting.
2. Horsemen must be more accepting of change.
3. The Cal Expo racing reputation must be improved to make it more competitive with other markets.

USTA Photo

USTA Chairman of the Board Ivan Axelrod, his wife, Nikki, and David Siegel.

He noted that after an upcoming break in the schedule, the track will soon switch from Sunday to Wednesday racing, a move he feels will enhance its marketability among bettors.
 
The meeting also included a debate of the USTA’s nine rule change proposals and two by-law changes, with the most discussion centering around a proposal to increase to 18 the age at which a Standardbred must stop racing. A motion to approve the rule passed, and that and the other recommendations will be passed on to the full board.

The meeting, which convened at 11:30 a.m. PST, was adjourned at 1:30 p.m. PST.