Spring 2011 E-Mail Newsletter
O.T.B.O. PO Box 165
“Here’s to the Winners”
Website: www.otbo.com
Miamitown Ohio 45041 (513) 574-5888 Fax: (513) 353-0652
2010 Horse of Year & Divisional Champions
Two-year-old colt: No Garlic
Two-year-old filly: Startin Something
Three-year-old colt: That's a HeckofaCat
Three-year-old filly: Correct Call
Handicap Mare: Slides Choice
Sprint Champion: Tri Uimet
Accredited Female Champion: Indian Ink
Broodmare of the Year: Slide Along
Stallion of the Year: Mercer Mill
Champion Ohio Owner: Tim Hamm
Ohio Horse of the Year, Handicap Horse
& Accredited Male Champion: Catlaunch
OTBO Board of Directors Elected
Representative Terry Blair, Dr. James Gabel
Dr. Paul Gutheil, Deborah Kopatz & Greg Verderber
Shawna, Shane, Tori, Taylor & Tim Hamm with commissioner
Will Koester. Award: Owner/Breeder 2 yr. old filly-Startin Something
Emily & Jeff Schoeny daughter of Ziba Graham
Award: Owner/Breeder: 2 yr.old colt-No Garlic
Ron Fields presents to Kim Williams
Award: O/B: Accredited Female-Indian Ink
& Stallion of the Year - Mercer Mill
Rep. Terry Blair presents award to M/M Ron Fields
Awards: O/B Handicap Horse, Accredited Male,
Ohio Horse of the Year - CATLAUNCH
Ron Fields presents to Tim Hamm
& son Shane. Award:
Champion Ohio Owner
Peter Sheppell w/commissioner
Ted Brown. Award: Breeder
3 yr .filly-Correct Call
Tim Hamm accepts award for Crawford &
Cronenwett: Awards: Hdcp. Mare- Slide’s
Choice & Broodmare-Slide Along
River Downs GM-Kevin Kaufman, HBPA ED-Dave & Jennifer
Basler, Representative Terry Blair
TDN TV Analyst, Rich Ruda with
Kim Williams, Fair Winds Farm
Beulah Park Racing Secretary-Ed Vomacka, Neva Veit, Holly & Kevin Chandler,
Kathy & Jim McKinney, BP General manager
Neva & Greg Veit (Thoroughbred Fund Registrar) Kyle & Dr. John
Mossbarger (OHHA) & Dr. Paul & Jimilea Gutheil
Karl & Nancy Frydryk, Judy Blair & Gail Aiken
TDN Director of Racing-Bill Couch, Jeff Jackson, (owner
Ranger Rob) & Bob Roberts
Mike Sullivan & Rebecca Holton
Commissioner Will Koester, Tim Hamm, Jerry Knappenberger (OHHA)
new Commission chairman, Bob Schmitz & commissioner, Ted Brown
New Faces…….
Ohio State Racing Commission
Crawford has worked for the
commission since 1996 as Chief
of Mutuals and was a racetrack
general manager before
joining the commission.
Ted Brown, Berkley Roach, Chairman-Bob Schmitz,Will Koester, Todd Book
Bill Crawford, Executive Director
Governor John Kasich has appointed three new members to the Ohio State Racing Commission for three-year terms ending March 31,
2014. Robert K. Schmitz, who resides in Bexley, was named chairman. The owner of Robert K. Schmitz Associates, a consulting firm
involved in government relations, has a vast background in horseracing, having bred and owned harness horses for many years. Schmitz
was chairman of the Ohio Standardbred Development Fund prior to his appointment. He replaces William Koester, who was appointed
chairman in 2008. Koester will continue to serve as a member of the commission along with Ted Brown.
Gov. Kasich also appointed Todd Book and B. J. Roach to the commission. Book, an attorney and former State Representative, resides
in McDermott. He graduated from the College of William & Mary Marshall-Wythe School of Law in 1993 and practices in Portsmouth
(Harcha, Book & Beck).
Roach, a Grove City native, was a business owner prior to retirement. He also taught agriculture after graduating from The Ohio State
University before becoming a realtor in 1963. Roach is a former owner of thoroughbred racehorses.
The new members replace Thomas Zaino (2004), Jerry Chabler (2007) and Gerald Holland (2007). In another personnel matter related
to the Ohio State Racing Commission, Executive Director Tom Fries Jr. recently resigned his position along with deputy director, John Izzo.
William Crawford was named interim executive director.
The OTBO would like to thank Beulah Park, River Downs & Thistledown for being table sponsors at the
OTBO Annual Awards Banquet held Saturday, April 9th at Darby House, Darby Dan Farm in Galloway, Ohio
Beulah Park
Jim McKinney, who has served as the track’s chief financial officer, took over as general manager from Mike
Weiss, who opted to leave Beulah Park after 23 years. “We are excited to resume live racing and to now be part of
the larger Penn National Gaming family of racing and gaming facilities,” McKinney said. Beulah Park brought
back its “Fortune 6” wager, & the 25-cent minimum bet, which puts a spin on the typical pick six, generated a
record $1.1 million pool in early May.
Jim McKinney
General Manager
This year, the Kentucky Derby will be held this Saturday, May 7, 2011, Beulah’s closing day. Beulah Park is
planning both a Tent Party and a buffet in the Upper Clubhouse. They will re-open in the Fall October 10 and run
through December 21. Summer events include the July 30 Epilepsy Foundation, 26th Annual Mud Volleyball and
August 26 & 27th Balloons & Tunes. www.beulahpark.com
River Downs’ new management took advantage of the first flood related closure and racing fans are being treated to a new look in the
Kevin Kaufman
General Manager
Randy Fozzard
Controller
River Downs RaceBook. The lower level has a new open-air feel to it with enhanced sightlines
to the televisions surrounding the room. Twenty-four large flat screen T.V.'s have replaced
decade-old sets allowing race fans excellent views without having to crowd together for a
good angle of their favorite tracks. A new coat of paint brightens the entire facility. The west
side of the RaceBook features a countertop with self-serve machines on either end and live
tellers to take your action in the middle. The Keno Kiosk is located to the right and the racing
silks of former Cradle winners hang colorfully on the wall. Carpets have been replaced and
the bathroom facilities upgraded. The "making lemons out of lemonade" attitude of the
staff to upgrade the facility during its downtime is making things better for the bettor at River
Downs. During the second flooding the horses have been moved from the race track and
opening day of April 29 will be delayed. Mr. Kaufman comes to RD after spending almost a
decade as the Vice President & General Manager of Pinnacle’s Belterra Casino & Resort in
Indiana. Mr. Fozzard hails from Turf Paradise in Arizona. Stay updated, visit
www.riverdowns.com
Thistledown
Lee Dillard is now serving a duel role for Harrah’s as both the general manager of Thistledown as well as the Vice
President of Finance of the company’s Horseshoe Casino that is currently under construction in downtown
Cleveland. He had previously served as VP of Operations for Harrah’s at Louisiana Downs racetrack & casino.
Thistledown will open their 122-day live racing season April 23 & run through November 5, racing 4 days a week M,
W, Fr, Sat. thru September when Thursdays will be added. TDN will also offer numerous wagers such as the 10-cent
Fortune 6; 50-cent Pick 5; a second Pick 4; popular 10-cent Superfecta along with the $1 daily double, exacta &
trifecta wagers. The June 4, $100,000 G3 Ohio Derby & the October 15 Best of Ohio Championship Series highlight
the racing season. Race fans can keep up with all the news by visiting TDN new Facebook page:
www.facebook.com.ThistledownRacing
Lee Dillard
General Manager
News Notes……..
OTBO Board
Meetings
Congratulations to Dr. Paul Gutheil & Ron DeWolf . Cryptolight (KY) by
Fantastic Light out of multiple Ohio Champion, Crypto's Redjet won a
$46,000 race at Oaklawn.
11:00AM
Keeneland Two-Year-Olds in Training Sale…….Ohio-bred colt by War Front
out of LaPrada by El Prado was purchased by Stonestreet Stables for
$485,000.
All Members Welcome
Wed. May 4 Beulah Park
Wed. Aug. 10 Hilton Garden Inn
Grove City, Ohio
Willie Koester, of the Ohio State Racing Commission was appointed
Chairman of the Association of Racing Commissioners International
(ARCI) for 2011-2012.
Wed. Nov. 2 Beulah Park
The ARCI has called for a five-year phase-out of equine medication in a
release issued at the conclusion of their annual convention.
The Ohio Department of Administrative Services has hired Spectrum
Gaming Group (New Jersey) & Moelis & Co. (LA) to provide a comprehensive
analysis on how best to harmonize & optimize gaming's benefit to Ohio.
They will be paid $400 an hour.
Please call the OTBO office
if you plan to attend.
(513) 574-5888
STAKE WINNERS 2011
Royal North Stake -SCHOOL LASS (Private School/Forbes Diamond) O/B: Robert Reeves
2nd Startin Something 3rd Holleran
Howard Noonan Stake-TROPHY BOY (Medallist/Mighty Cute Girl) O/B: Meadow Springs
2nd Subtle Irony 3rd No Garlic
FOAL PICTURES
Now is the time to
submit your 2011 foal
pictures to the OTBO.
Send pictures to
gb.otbo@fuse.net
to have your pictures
placed on the OTBO
website.
Breeder License Application
Time to renew your breeders’ license for $10
with the Ohio State Racing Commission in order
To receive broodmare & stallion awards.
“Here’s to the Winners” Film
Visit www.otbo.com & click on history heading
To watch the 2010 film.