We interviewed most of the “new shooter” candidates for the board of directors of the Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association (MTHA). In no particular order, here’s what they told us:
ON THE ISSUES
ROBERT T. MANFUSO
“Wouldn’t it be wonderful to have owner participation at Maryland tracks as at Saratoga or Keeneland? I think it’s an important issue, and I think it should be.”
H. GRAHAM MOTION
“I think uniform medication rules are a huge step in the right direction.”
HARRY KASSAP
“I think these are precarious, intriguing, and exciting times… There’s a window that won’t remain open forever that could be incredible for Maryland racing… There’s an issue I’m hearing over and over: workers’ comp.”
DAMON DILODOVICO
“Getting the barns [at Laurel] done is an important issue… If we’re trying to unite to get everything moving forward and it falls apart at the first instance, that doesn’t paint a pretty picture.”
A. FERRIS ALLEN, III
“The big thing we need to do is re-evaluate to put some summertime racing in our program. It’s hard to have a vibrant horse population when you’re closed for three months.”
BRENT JOHNSON
“From a large framework, if you can keep that [slots] revenue stream, and keep that support in Annapolis, that sets the table for everything else you want.”
JOANN HAYDEN
“The main thing is to show our legislators we’re working together to maintain the slots money.”
JESSICA RYLEY HAMMOND
“The two biggest issues — they go hand in hand — are the ethics issues, like medication, and the marketing, which needs to be more focused and updated.”
MICHAEL TROMBETTA
“We need racing dates that are good for everyone. What program works the best? We have to take a hard look at the schedule in general, and maybe get some use out of Laurel’s turf course.”
PHILIP SCHOENTHAL
“We have to keep all the stakeholders committed to the 10-year agreement and continue to develop the breeding program; we should have a Maryland-bred [racing] program.”
MARK LAPIDUS
“Not being dependent on slot money — We have a window of opportunity that is now open, [and it’s important that we are] standing on our own two feet before that window is shut… [I am also] seeking Group Workers’ Compensation Policy for trainers.”
ABOUT THE MTHA and THEIR MOTIVATION
MARK LAPIDUS
“ I love horses, the hardworking people that work with the horses and the challenge of the game itself… [The MTHA needs] more open meetings… and to spend the horsemen’s funds much more wisely.”
PHILIP SCHOENTHAL
“I feel like I bring a lot of experience and expertise to the table… There are very good reasons for term limits, which ought to be in place.”
MICHAEL TROMBETTA
“It’s a good time for Maryland racing. I think we’ve undergone some pretty good changes in the last couple years, in terms of purse structure and getting a deal with the Stronach Group.”
JESSICA RYLEY HAMMOND
“The same sense of urgency I feel in our business needs to be brought to the MTHA.”
JOANN HAYDEN
“I’d like to think about today and tomorrow. I want to start fresh with a new group of people [on the board]… We can make our own fate right now — it’s a matter of doing what’s best for everybody.”
BRENT JOHNSON
“The main purpose to be on this is to see the board is run in a more transparent and a more ethical manner.”
A. FERRIS ALLEN, III
“I think it’s pretty clear from the uprising of the last few years that the power on the board has been too centralized and the leadership needs to be spread a little more.”
DAMON DILODOVICO
“If people in racing don’t see eye-to-eye on things, what can you get accomplished? Who knows what happens in Annapolis if they see that?”
HARRY KASSAP
“We need to run an organization with full transparency and the highest ethical standards. We have to remember that any money we take in belongs to each and every horseman.”
H. GRAHAM MOTION
“I believe change is healthy. I’m not sure it’s healthy to have people on the board forever… I think we at Fair Hill should have a bit of a voice [on the board].”
ROBERT T. MANFUSO
“You’ve got to be prepared to be innovative and creative. You want to encourage participation and bright ideas… [We need a] review of the bylaws in a professional and prudent way… I think there should be some rotation among board members, like on the horse breeders board.”
