BILL ANALYSIS Ó
SB 187
Page 1
SENATE THIRD READING
SB
187 (Hall)
As Amended April 21, 2015
Majority vote
SENATE VOTE: 35-0
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|Committee |Votes|Ayes |Noes |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
|----------------+-----+----------------------+--------------------|
|Governmental |20-0 |Gray, Linder, | |
|Organization | |Achadjian, Alejo, | |
| | |Bigelow, Campos, | |
| | |Cooley, Cooper, Daly, | |
| | |Cristina Garcia, | |
| | |Eduardo Garcia, | |
| | |Gipson, | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | |Jones-Sawyer, Levine, | |
| | |Mayes, Perea, Salas, | |
| | |Steinorth, Waldron, | |
| | |Wilk | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
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SB 187
Page 2
SUMMARY: Adds the "Wood Memorial" to the group of stake races
in Horse Racing Law which are exempt from the 50 race per day
limit on imported races.
EXISTING LAW:
1)Provides that the California Horse Racing Board (CHRB) shall
regulate the various forms of horse racing authorized in this
state.
2)Limits the number of races that may be imported by
associations and fairs to no more than 50 races per day on
days when live thoroughbred or fair racing is being conducted
in this state, with specified exceptions.
3)Exempts from that 50 race per day limit races imported that
are part of the race card of certain prominent races,
including the Kentucky Derby, the Kentucky Oaks, the Preakness
Stakes, the Belmont Stakes, the Jockey Club Gold Cup, the
Travers Stakes, the Arlington Million, the Breeders' Cup, the
Dubai Cup, the Arkansas Derby, the Apple Blossom Handicap or
the Haskell Invitational.
4)Authorizes thoroughbred racing associations or fairs to
distribute the audiovisual signal and accept wagers on the
results of out-of-state and international thoroughbred races
during the calendar period the association or fair is
conducting live racing, including days on which there is no
live racing being conducted by the association or fair.
FISCAL EFFECT: Unknown. This bill is keyed non-fiscal by the
Legislative Counsel.
SB 187
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COMMENTS:
Purpose of this bill. This bill provides that all races
imported by a thoroughbred association or fair that are part of
the race card of the overall Wood Memorial day would be exempted
from the 50 race per day limit, as defined in current law. Over
the years, this provision of law has been amended to allow
specific notable races to be imported outside of this cap for
promotional and financial reasons.
The author's office notes that this bill is intended to help
increase public interest and participation at California
racetracks and satellite wagering facilities. The satellite
importation of this historic and prestigious race will allow
California racetracks to remain competitive, increase the
wagering handle on this specific race day and will lead to
increased purses, racetrack revenue, and breeders' awards in
this state.
Wood Memorial Stakes. The Wood Memorial is a Thoroughbred horse
race for three-year-olds held annually in April at Aqueduct
Racetrack in Queens, New York. It is a Grade I race run over a
distance of nine furlongs (1-1/8 miles) on dirt. The Wood
Memorial is one of five races run as preps for the United States
Triple Crown. Eleven winners of the Wood Memorial have won the
Kentucky Derby. Four of them also won the Triple Crown.
Prior/Related Legislation. AB 650 (Perea) of the current
legislative session. Adds the "Blue Grass Stakes" to the group
of stake races in Horse Racing Law which are exempt from the 50
race per day limit on imported races. Pending on the Senate
Inactive File.
AB 2655 (Hall), Chapter 149, Statutes of 2014. Added the "Apple
SB 187
Page 4
Blossom Handicap" to the group of stake races in Horse Racing
Law which are exempt from the 50 race per day limit on imported
races.
AB 2693 (Governmental Organization Committee), Chapter 350,
Statutes of 2012. Among other things, added the "Arkansas
Derby" to the group of stake races in Horse Racing Law which are
exempt from the 50 race per day limit on imported races.
AB 707 (Garrick), Chapter 84, Statutes of 2011. Increased from
32 to 50, the limitation on the total number of out-of-state
thoroughbred races that may be imported per day by a
thoroughbred association or fair that is conducting a live race
meet with approval by the CHRB.
AB 2790 (Governmental Organization Committee), Chapter 141,
Statutes of 2010. Added the "Arlington Million" to the list of
imported races not subject to the limitation of 32 races per
day.
SB 899 (Denham), Chapter 279, Statutes of 2010. Deleted the
statewide cap on the number of out-of-country thoroughbred races
that a thoroughbred racing association or fair may import,
simulcast, and on which wagers may be accepted statewide in any
given year.
AB 763 (Chesbro), Chapter 122, Statutes of 2009. Authorized the
Humboldt County Fair to offer satellite wagering on eight
out-of-state races during the August days when the fair is
offering live racing, if specified conditions are met.
SB 379 (Denham), Chapter 443, Statutes of 2007. Added the
"Dubai World Cup" to a specified day of races that would be
SB 187
Page 5
exempted from the 23 race day limit on imported races for
satellite wagering.
Analysis Prepared by:
Eric Johnson / G.O. / (916) 319-2531 FN:
0001436