Gaming Commission

New York Task Force On Jockey Health And Safety

Audio of December 18, 2013 meeting

Audio of the Task Force on Jockey Health & Safety's inaugural meeting - November 20, 2013, in Roslyn, NY

The Task Force on Jockey Health and Safety was formed via Chapter 55 of the Laws of 2013 to "assess, investigate and research issues involving safety and health of jockeys who regularly race at the Thoroughbred racetracks in New York State." The Task Force is charged with issuing findings and recommendations "concerning jockey benefits including health, life, disability, pension, or other similar benefits and how such needs can best be provided through the resources of the racing industry."

The Task Force consists of seven individuals total appointed by the Governor, with at least one being a jockey or former jockey, and one member each recommended by the Temporary President of the Senate and the Speaker of the Assembly. The members of the Task Force are:

• Anthony J. Bonomo, Chair (Governor's Appointee): Anthony Bonomo, Esq. is President of medical professional liability insurer Administrators for the Professions, Inc., which has developed national, award-winning risk management programs for medical practices. A member of The New York Racing Association, Inc.'s (NYRA) Reorganization Board, Mr. Bonomo is the Chair of NYRA's Equine Safety Committee. An avid participant in the horse racing industry, Mr. Bonomo is an owner of Thoroughbred race horses under the banner of Brooklyn Boyz Stables and MEB Stables. He has also served as a Trustee of Hofstra University and founded the GAELS Foundation, which is dedicated to the development of youth through sports. Mr. Bonomo holds a B.A. and J.D. degrees from St. John's University.

• Ramon Dominguez, Former Jockey (Governor's Appointee): Ramon Dominguez is the recipient of the 2010, 2011, and 2012 Eclipse Award for Outstanding Jockey. In 2012, he set a new record for single-season earnings by a jockey. A native of Caracas, Venezuela, Mr. Dominquez began riding full time at La Rinconada racetrack at the age of 18. In June, Mr. Dominguez announced his retirement due to head injuries suffered in a fall at Aqueduct Racetrack on January 18, 2013.

• Alan M. Foreman (Governor's Appointee): Alan M. Foreman is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Thoroughbred Horsemen's Associations, Inc., which represents more than 20,000 owners and trainers throughout the United States, as well as Vice Chairman of the Racing Medication & Testing Consortium and as counsel to many horsemen's and racing industry organizations. Mr. Foreman was a member of the New York Task Force on Racehorse Health and Safety that investigated the 21 fatalities at Aqueduct in 2011-2012. He is a founding director of the National Thoroughbred Racing Association has served as National General Counsel to the Horsemen's Benevolent & Protective Association. His law practice involves all areas of equine and horse racing law representing horse owners, breeders, farms, jockeys, stables, trainers and horsemen's organizations. • Nancy C. Kelly (Governor's Appointee): Nancy Kelly is Executive Director of The Jockey Club Safety Net Foundation, which provides financial relief and assistance to needy members of the Thoroughbred industry and their families. She also serves as Vice President of Development for the Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation, Inc. and serves on the board of directors for the Belmont Child Care Association, Inc. (BCCA). In 2001, Ms. Kelly was presented with the Red Smith “Good Guy” Award from the New York Turf Writers Association for her humanitarian efforts within the Thoroughbred industry.

• David P. Leno (Temporary President of the Senate's Appointee): David P. Leno is a real estate attorney who has long been involved in Thoroughbred racing. He is currently a partner at Ruskin Moscou Faltischek, P.C., where he chairs the Zoning and Land Use Practice Group. Mr. Leno is a Trustee of the Old Westbury College Foundation and a President's Council Member of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Long Island.

• John Velazquez, Jockey (Governor's Appointee): John Velazquez recently became the all-time leading money-earning jockey in North America with more than $297 million in career purses. Mr. Velazquez also became the all-time leading rider at Saratoga Race Course and has more than 5,000 career victories. Born in Puerto Rico, Mr. Velazquez has been riding in the U.S. since 1990 and has since earned multiple NYRA meet titles and won several Triple Crown and Breeders Cup races, as well as three Eclipse Awards for Outstanding Jockey. He was inducted into the Racing Hall of Fame in 2012. Mr. Velazquez is currently recovering from a serious spill that occurred during a November 2 race.