The members of the Texas Thoroughbred HBPA have re-elected Terry Blanton and Susan O'Hara to the Board of Directors as owner representatives, and they elected Danny Pish to represent trainers.

The TTHBPA mailed out a total of 3,512 ballots to individuals that started a Thoroughbred horse in the last year. That is the largest number of ballots ever mailed for the Thoroughbred election.

"We now have the most comprehensive database for our members that we have ever had," stated Tommy Azopardi, executive director for the Texas Horsemen's Partnership. He continued, "We still are struggling with addresses for our members that move frequently, but we are staying on top of that problem and it is getting much better."

Azopardi also encouraged all horsemen to make sure they notify the THP each time they change their address so that the organization can keep them informed of events through mailers that are sent out monthly.

The number of votes cast this year for the election was twice the number received last year.

"I think this is indicative of the horsemen's interest that was raised this year after the cancellation of the Manor meet and the issues regarding the mixed meet at Retama Park," stated John Roark, President of the TTHBPA. "Horsemen were pretty emotional over these issues, and many have taken the time to express their feelings through phone calls and letters."

"Our Board of Directors heard their concerns, and we have already taken some steps to ensure that all horsemen have a voice in decisions that are made which affect our industry, and we will continue to make changes as necessary," said Roark.

The margins of victory for Blanton, O'Hara, and Pish were decisive.

"I am honored that our members re-elected me to serve their interests" stated Terry Blanton, vice president of the TTHBPA. "I think our industry had made great strides over the past three years that I have been on the TTHBPA Board of Directors, and I am encouraged about our future," he said. Blanton added, "Events like the Breeder's Cup and the NTRA Great State Challenge coming to Texas show that we have made an impression on racing, and I want to continue that progress."

The Board will elect officers for 2002 at its next meeting, which will be held in a few weeks. Once the date and time have been set for the meeting, we will post that information, along with the agenda for the meeting, on this website.