November 13, 2013 G. Herb Sheheane, FHBPA Lobbyist   Leadership representatives from Florida’s most prominent racehorse owners, trainers and breeders associations will be on hand to testify at both Florida Senate Gaming Committee public hearings this week, Thursday, November 14 in Pensacola, and Friday, November 15 in Jacksonville.   Scheduled to speak at both hearings...Read More

G. Herb Sheheane, FHBPA Lobbyist October 28, 2013   Proudly standing as an unforgettable monument to Florida horse racing, a real Thoroughbred and jockey greeted Florida Senators this past week as they arrived to participate in the first of several upcoming statewide public hearings on a proposed overhaul of Florida’s gambling and pari-mutuel laws.  ...Read More

Next Florida Senate Gaming Committee Meeting is Wednesday, October 30 in Lakeland, Florida October 26, 2013   Attention Horsemen!  The NEXT edition of the Florida Senate Gaming Committee public hearings is scheduled for THIS WEDNESDAY, October 30 in Lakeland, Florida from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.!  We need as many of you there as possible!...Read More

By Kathy Davey   Next meeting: Thursday, November 7.   Approximately 30 people attended today’s meeting.   Paraphrasing Tim Ritvo’s opening remarks; The year round racing meet is going well.  We have learned a lot and still want to improve in all aspects of the game.  Our goal is to enhance the racing experience in...Read More

Kathy Davey, FHBPA Secretary   Next meeting: Thursday, October 24.   Approximately 28 people were in attendance at today’s meeting.   Horsemen’s Backstretch Committee meets every other Thursday; the members are: Leo Azpura, Joe Calascibetta, Phil Combest, Greg Griffiths, Barry Rose, Peter Walder.  Bring your concerns to them and they will meet with Tim for...Read More

PRESENT:   Calder- John Marshall, Mike Anifantis and Dr. Helena Carroll   FHBPA- Phil Combest, Kent Stirling, Bill White, Larry Bates, Gene Stevens, Ron Pellegrini and Phil Arnold   Secretary, Kathy Davey, was not present to take notes so that chore fell to me (Kent), and I’m sure these notes will not be as well written or...Read More

G. Herb Sheheane, FHBPA Lobbyist   October 3, 2013   The following memorandum is from Florida Senate President Don Gaetz on the October 2, 2013 release of the draft “Part 2” of the long-anticipated Spectrum Gaming Study:   “As you know, the House and Senate commissioned a two-part gambling impact study to lay the groundwork...Read More

By Phil Combest, FHBPA President   Some people out there would like to see Florida Horse Racing hang up our tack.  It’s TIME to show these special interests that Horsemen are NOT going to take it!   Horsemen–We MUST take an active role in the future of our industry. If you do business–ANY horse business–in...Read More

By G. Herb Sheheane, FHBPA Lobbyist September 23, 2013     Statewide, racehorse owners, trainers and breeders—watched closely today, September 23, 2013, as the Florida Senate Gaming Committee held its first interim meeting of the 2013-2014 Legislative Session in Tallahassee.   “Horsemen were pleased to hear today that the Senate has acknowledged the substantial contribution...Read More

G. Herb Sheheane, FHBPA Lobbyist   The Florida Senate Gaming Committee held its first meeting of the 2014 Legislative Session on September 23, 2013.  Legislators discussed the Spectrum Gaming Survey, the goal of which is to provide information that will guide them in making laws and policy decisions about Florida’s future pari-mutuel and gaming market. ...Read More