Washington Horse Racing Commission
Meeting Minutes
September 25, 2006

Present were: Carol Smith-Merkulov, Chairperson; Jeff Colliton, Commissioner; Paul George, Commissioner; Hartly Kruger, Commissioner; Susan Carlson, Assistant Attorney General; Robert Leichner, Executive Secretary; Patty Sorby, Confidential Secretary. A. L. Hallowell, DVM, Commissioner was excused.

Item #1. Hearings:

a. Doug A. Carlson.
b. Ricky Lee Frazier.

Mr. Carlson and Mr. Frazier were not present and their hearings were moved to later in the morning.

c. John Rochabrun.

Chairperson Smith-Merkulov opened the hearing for John Rochabrun at 10:04 AM. Chairperson Smith-Merkulov introduced WHRC members. Susan Carlson, Assistant Attorney General representing the Commission. Michael S. Tribble, Assistant Attorney General representing staff. John Rochabrun represented himself.

Mr. Tribble moved for the introduction of Exhibits 1-6 and the Commission admitted them. Scott Saito, WHRC Clerk of Scales, and Doug Moore, WHRC Presiding Steward, provided testimony. The Commission unanimously found Mr. Rochabrun violated the rules of racing and imposed a fifty-dollar fine. Hearing closed at 10:55 AM.

a. Doug A. Carlson

Chairperson Smith-Merkulov opened the hearing for Doug A. Carlson at 10:56AM. Chairperson Smith-Merkulov introduced members present. Susan Carlson, Assistant Attorney General representing the Commission. Michael S. Tribble, Assistant Attorney General representing staff. Doug A. Carlson did not appear.

Mr. Tribble offered Exhibits 1-14 which were admitted. Mr. Tribble said this hearing was continued from September 14, 2006, due to a need to provide notice to an updated address for Mr. Carlson. Walter E. Roderick, WHRC Investigator, and Doug Moore, WHRC Presiding Steward, provided testimony. The Commission considered the evidence and permanently revoked the license of Doug. A. Carlson. Hearing closed at 11:13 AM.

b. Ricky Lee Frazier.

Chairperson Smith-Merkulov opened the hearing for Ricky Lee Frazier at 11:14 AM.. Chairperson Smith-Merkulov introduced the members present. Susan Carlson, Assistant Attorney General representing the Commission. Michael S. Tribble, Assistant Attorney General representing staff. Ricky Lee Frazier did not appear.

Mr. Tribble offered Exhibits 1-7 which were admitted. Doug Moore, WHRC Presiding Steward provided testimony. The video of the riding incident involving Mr. Frazier was reviewed. After considering all evidence the Commission found Mr. Frazier in violation of the rules and imposed a fine of $500.00. Hearing closed at 11:30 AM.

d. Mario Antonio Noriega-Aguayo.

Chairperson Smith-Merkulov opened the hearing for Marion Antonio Noriega-Aguayo at 11:31 AM. Chairperson Smith-Merkulov introduced the members present. Susan Carlson, Assistant Attorney General representing the Commission. Michael S. Tribble, Assistant Attorney General representing staff. Mario Antonio Noriega-Aguayo did not appear.

Mr. Tribble offered Exhibits 1-11 which were admitted. Richard K. Smith, WHRC Investigator provided testimony. The Commission unanimously revoked and permanently denied the license of Mario Antonio Noriega-Aguayo. Hearing closed at 11:50 AM.

Commission took a five minute break. 11:50 AM. Reconvened at 11:55 AM.

e. Francisco Ramos-Castro.

Chairperson Smith-Merkulov opened the hearing for Francisco Ramos-Castro at 12:07 PM. Chairperson Smith-Merkulov introduced members present. Susan Carlson, Assistant Attorney General representing the Commission. Michael S. Tribble, Assistant Attorney General representing staff. Francisco Ramos-Castro did not appear.

Mr. Tribble offered Exhibits 1-8 which were admitted. Walter E. Roderick, WHRC Investigator, and Doug Moore, WHRC Presiding Steward provided testimony. The Commission unanimously permanently revoked the license of Mr. Ramos-Castro license and required that prior to being considered for reinstatement, he must provide a clean urine sample, proof of legal status and proof of completion of a drug and alcohol rehabilitation program. Hearing closed at 12:24 PM.

Special meeting was adjourned at 12:25 PM.

____________________________________
Robert M. Leichner, Executive Secretary
   
 

Washington Horse Racing Commission
6326 Martin Way Suite 209, Olympia, WA 98516
Telephone: 360.459.6462

In 2004, the Washington Legislature authorized advance deposit wagering and placed regulatory responsibility under the Washington Horse Racing Commission (WHRC). The bill, ESSB 6481, was signed by Governor Gary Locke on April 1, 2004, and became law immediately (RCW 67.16.260). The WHRC adopted new administrative rules, Chapter 260-49 WAC on May 13, 2004. On May 19, 2004, the WHRC received the first application to conduct advance deposit wagering from TVG. On June 10, 2004, the WHRC granted a license to TVG to conduct advance deposit wagering. On November 18, 2004, the WHRC also granted a license to XpressBet, Inc. to conduct advance deposit wagering.

Listed below are the only advance deposit wagering firms licensed by the WHRC to conduct business in the state of Washington:

TVG The Interactive Horseracing Network
6701 Center Drive West, Suite 160
Los Angeles, CA 90045

XpressBet, Incorporated
200 Race Track Road
Washington, PA 15301

Youbet.com, Inc.
5901 De Soto Avenue
Woodland Hills, California 91367

  
 
   

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6326 Martin Way Suite 209, Olympia, WA 98516
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