FHBPA/Calder Race Course
Meeting Summary Notes
Present: John Marshall, Phil Combest, Barry Rose, Larry Pilotti, Larry Bates, Richard Root, Gene Stevens, David Fawkes, Ron Spatz, Kathy Davey
- The Paddock Circle will be resurfaced with white sand, as it is currently, down the middle lane.
- A rodent extermination “experiment” is currently being conducted in a few barns on the backside. If successful, it will be extended to all the barns.
- The specialist was recently hired to assess how to improve the turf course; two damaging weed types were recently removed and the fertilizer has been changed to include more Nitrogen.
- Several new flat screen TV monitors have been added to the grandstand on the simulcasting walls.
- Print and radio advertising has been increased moving up to the meet opening.
- The Calder Derby purse has been increased to $250,000 and the plan is to increase it again in 2014 in hopes of having the race included in the Derby point system.
- The Calder Hall of Fame will announce shortly two new inductees in each category of Horse, Trainer, Owner, and Jockey.
- Condition Book 1 is online and the books will be available Monday, March 11th. The stakes schedule will be finalized after input from the FHBPA.
- Running at Gulfstream – In light of the disagreements surrounding racing dates between Calder and Gulfstream, Calder proposed the possibility that, beginning March 16, if horses leave to run at Gulfstream, pre-approval would be required from Mike Anifantis to bring horses back into their stalls at Calder. Without the pre-approval, they would not be allowed back in. All those present at the meeting expressed strong opposition and explained the very serious damaging and negative effect such a decision would have. Calder decided to hold off on a definite decision at this time.