FROM THE BOARDROOM

From the FTBOA Boardroom

The FTBOA Board of Directors met via Zoom on Aug. 21, 2020. The first portion of the meeting, during which the board considered the proposed 2021 Annual Awards Plan, was open to the public for observation and comment, but no public comments were offered. The proposed Plan would establish breeder awards at 10% of the purse for first-place finishers, with stallion awards also set at 10%.

After board review and discussion, the board voted to accept the proposed 2021 Annual Awards Plan as presented, after which the public portion of the meeting concluded.

Warren Husband, general counsel, provided the board with a legal/regulatory update focused on the pending litigation surrounding Calder’s plans to halt thoroughbred racing but to continue operating slot machines under Calder’s summer jai alai permit.

The board then received a briefing on the FTBOA annual meeting, which will be held on Oct. 23 at 1 p.m. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the meeting will be held via Zoom only. Regular members will receive notice by e-mail with instructions on how to register for the meeting. Members are required to keep their email addresses on file with the FTBOA current at all times. The annual meeting has been noticed previously in trade publications and member communications.

In conjunction with the annual meeting, there are five director vacancies on the FTBOA board to be filled, for three-year terms extending until October 2023. Pursuant to the association’s Bylaws, the board of directors nominated the following five candidates for these vacancies — Fred Brei and Milan Kosanovich, as well as incumbents Bobby Jones, Frances Vanlangendonck, and Dr. Fred Yutani. Each candidate agreed to run and to serve as an FTBOA director. No petitions were filed by members seeking to qualify as a candidate. As provided in the Bylaws, because there are only five candidates for the five director vacancies, members will not be required to cast ballots and these five candidates will be deemed elected to office upon the presiding officer calling the FTBOA’s annual meeting to order.

The board also recognized outgoing directors, president Greg Wheeler and Barry Berkelhammer, for their service to the association.

The latest FTBOA industry impact video and Florida thoroughbred history moment commercials were highlighted, both of which were produced during the pandemic.

The board was reminded that the Florida Sires Stakes continues at Gulfstream Park with the second leg on Aug. 29 and the finals on Sept. 26. Two $25,000 FSS Win stakes are also on the schedule for Sept. 6 as part of the Florida-bred day at Gulfstream.

The board received an update on Florida Thoroughbred Charities fundraisers. Due to the pandemic, FTC will not be hosting a golf tournament and dinner in 2020, but FTC has replaced this fundraiser with the sale of a donated Horse Fever horse in early 2021. The Horse Fever public art project began 20 years ago thanks in large part to the support of the FTBOA. The sale of the horses to the community throughout the year funded the Marion Cultural Alliance, which issues grants to arts and cultural organizations.

The board was briefed on the award of FTC scholarships to students for the 2020-2021 academic year. Students who are FTBOA members, the children of FTBOA members, or the employees or children of employees of FTBOA members are eligible to apply annually.

Finally, the board received a report regarding the FTBOA’s Horse Capital of the World ® trademarks, and the FTBOA’s efforts to protect and use those trademarks. ■