In February, Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf signed into law a bill dissolving the existing horse racing commission and creating a new commission giving extraordinary powers to breeders and horsemen’s organizations for both the Thoroughbred and Standardbred breeds, including appointments to the new commission from a list supplied by representative organizations of owners and breeders in the state.
Today, Gov. Wolf and legislative leaders announced the appointments to the new commission:
Governor Wolf appointed the following individuals to the state Horse Racing Commission:
–Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Organization: Salvatore DeBunda
–Thoroughbred Breeder Organization: Russell B. Jones
–Standardbred Horsemen’s Organization: Thomas King III
–Standardbred Breeder Organization: Wendy Cameron
–Veterinarian: Dr. Corrinne Sweeney (non-horseman’s group)
The legislative appointees include:
–Thomas J. Ellis
–James Coyle Lokhaiser
–C. Edward Rogers
–Michelle Cummings Ruddy
According to information from the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, background checks for Michelle Cummings Ruddy and Thomas J. Ellis have been completed, making these appointments final. Background checks for all other appointments are currently in process.
Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding serves as an ex-officio member.
Within the commission will be an Office of Horse Racing, with separate bureaus for Thoroughbreds and Standardbreds, each led by a director who must have the approval of the horsemen and breeders’ representatives on the commission before being hired.
The horsemen and breeders’ representatives would also have veto power on the adoption of regulations, including medication rules, and on approval or denial of licenses to operate race meetings.
Among the appointees: DeBunda is president of the Pennsylvania Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association based at Parx Racing, and his law firm is retained by the PTHA. Jones, a longtime breeder and owner and member of The Jockey Club, formerly operated the Walnut Green bloodstock agency with his late brother, Richard. He served on the Pennnsylvania Racing Commission in the 1980s and ’90s. Sweeney is associate dean for New Bolton Center, University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine. She is a former chairman of the racing commission dissolved earlier this year.