by Frank Angst

Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear has made several changes to the regulatory board that oversees racing in the state.

On Thursday, Beshear signed an executive order reorganizing and renaming the Kentucky Horse Racing Authority the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission. Beshear, a Democrat who replaced Republican Governor Ernie Fletcher this year, said horse racing needs leadership.

“Kentucky’s signature industry is in crisis and immediate, aggressive action is necessary to preserve its integrity,” Beshear said. “The actions I have taken reflect my continued commitment to strengthening horse racing in the commonwealth.”

Robert Beck, a Lexington attorney who was chairman of the authority, will continue in that role on the new commission. Prominent Thoroughbred owner and breeder Tracy Farmer of Midway, was named to the commission and will serve as vice chairman.

Connie Whitfield, who had served as the authority’s vice chairman, was not named to the commission. Whitfield is the wife of Congressman Ed Whitfield (R-Kentucky), who is the ranking member of a subcommittee that conducted a hearing on horse racing last month in Washington, D.C.

Other commission members who were serving on the just disbanded authority include Ned Bonnie, Prospect; Jerry Yon, Lexington; Foster Northrop, Crestwood; Tom Ludt, Lexington; Elizabeth (Betsy) Lavin, Goshen; and Alan Leavitt, Lexington.

New to the commission board are Francis Conway, Louisville; John Ward Jr., Paris; Frank Jones Jr., Louisville; Burr James Travis II, Ft. Mitchell; Michael Pitino, Louisville; Thomas Gaines, Lexington; and Wade Houston, Prospect.

“I look forward to working with the governor to address issues facing the horse racing industry,” Beck said. “The governor has assembled a talented group with diverse experiences, and I’m confident we’re up to the challenge.”

Other authority members besides Whitfield not invited to serve on the commission include: Kerry Cauthen, Dell Hancock, Franklin Kling Jr., Doug Hendrickson, and Richard Knock.

The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission will be an independent agency of the state government charged with the responsibility of regulating the conduct of horse racing and pari-mutuel wagering on horse racing and related activities. The commission is composed of 15 gubernatorial appointees along with the secretary of the Tourism, Arts, and Heritage Cabinet, the secretary of the Public Protection Cabinet, and the secretary of Economic Development serving as ex-officio members of the commission.

In January 2004, Fletcher disbanded the Kentucky Racing Commission and formed the authority.

Frank Angst is senior writer of Thoroughbred Times