Minutes
Ohio HBPA Board Meeting
11:00 am, Friday, July 17, 2026
Ohio HBPA Main Office
Members Present: President Joe Poole Directors Susan Anderson, Linda Carrera, Mark Doering, Jeff Jarvis, Brian Poe, Kim Puhl, Doug Shanyfelt
Members Unable to Attend: Bobby Cline, Christy Estvanlo, Mike Rone, George Sikora
Others Present: Executive Director Dave Basler
Call to Order/ Approval of Minutes:
President Poole called the meeting to order. After review Director Poe moved and Director Puhl seconded a motion to approve the minutes of the May 26, 2026 Ohio HBPA board of directors meeting. Motion passed.
Director Poe moved and Director Shanyfelt seconded a motion to grant Director Jarvis an excused absence from the May 26, 2026 OHBPA board of directors meeting as he was racing a horse at Presque Isle Downs that day. Motion passed.
Directors Cline, Rone and Sikora are granted excused absences from this meeting due to being in attendance for their horses racing at Belterra Park on the date of this meeting.
Legislative Update
OHBPA Lobbyist Tom Pappas provided the board with a legislative update as well as a preview of the upcoming November elections.
Executive Director’s Report:
The executive director updated the board on the recent Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals ruling that found HISA unconstitutional in the National HBPA case against HISA in regards to certain enforcement provisions. Basler informed the board this once again has created a circuit split on HISA with the Sixth Circuit Court (of which Ohio is a part) having previously reaffirming their previous decision finding HISA constitutional. This sets the case up to be heard by the US Supreme court with National HBPA attorney Daniel Suhr anticipating a trial date somewhere between January-March 2027 with a decision in June 2027.
Basler provided the board with an update regarding the THA stating that Alan Foreman had been dismissed as CEO of the organization. There had been reports the organization was disbanding but it now appears that is not the case however several of their affiliates have had discussions with National HBPA about potentially becoming affiliates of the organization.
New Business:
Purses and Wagering
Handouts were provided to the board showing VLT results for all three thoroughbred tracks in Ohio for June 2026 as well as previous years VLT results for comparison purposes. Belterra Park showed a net win of $7,809,060 in June up over $1,000,000 from the $6,769,788 net win in June 2025 at the track and a net win of $93,249,455 for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2026 up over $8,500,000 from the previous fiscal year ended June 30, 2025. Thistledown had a net VLT win of $16,20,567 in June which was up over $1,000,000 from the prior June net win and a net win of $189,433,550 for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2026 up over $3,000,000 from the prior fiscal year ended June 30, 2025. Mahoning Valley had a net VLT win of $15,530,410 in June which was an increase of over $1,300,000 from the net win at Mahoning Valley in June 2025. Mahoning Valley had a net win of $182,809,156 for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2026 up over $8,700,000 from their previous net win for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2025.
Basler detailed purse account balances for each track Belterra Park had a total of $1,050,956 available for purses as of June 1, 2026 compared to a total of $2,115,497 on the same date the previous year.
Mahoning Valley had a total of $3,408,526 available for purses as of May 1, 2026 over $1.1 million above last years $2,288,727 on the same date in 2025.
Thistledown had a total of $7,459,111 available for purses as of June 1, 2026 compared to $7,532,942 on the same date in 2025.
Benevolence, Policies and Organization
The executive director updated the board on the upcoming Ohio HBPA board of directors election telling them that he had received completed election packets from 6 trainer/owner-trainer candidates and 6 owner only candidates prior to the June 30, 2026 deadline and he had received one packet after the deadline on July 1, 2026 from trainer/owner-trainer Josh Langley.
Following discussion Director Jarvis moved and Director Carrera seconded a motion that in accordance with section 7.3 of the Ohio HBPA bylaws Josh Langley be excluded from the ballot in the upcoming OHBPA board of directors election. Motion passed.
The executive director provided an update to the board regarding the Department of Labor investigations of certain trainers in Ohio. Due to the ongoing nature of these investigations no further details will be provided in these minutes.
Budget and Finance
Written estimates were provided to the board for replacement of the flat roof over the conference room to the OHBPA main office which had also caused extensive damage to the ceiling in the conference room. Following discussion Director Doering moved and Director Shanyfelt seconded a motion that the executive director be authorized to expend up to $20,000 for replacement of the flat roof and repair of the ceiling damage. (Note the Ohio HBPA is expected to receive reimbursement for 50% of the roof repair cost from the city of Grove City under their historic district renovation fund.)
Thistledown and Mahoning Valley Reverend Vince Harris made a presentation to the board requesting an increase in his monthly pay.
President Poole moved and Director Carrera seconded a motion to enter executive session to discuss Reverend Harris’s request. Motion passed.
Extensive discussion was held regarding the request.
Director Poole moved and Director Doering seconded a motion to exit executive session. Motion passed.
Director Doering moved and Director Jarvis seconded a motion that effective August 1, 2026 Reverend Harris receive an 8% raise from the current level he receives from the Ohio HBPA to a total of $37,800 per year payable in monthly increments. Motion passed with Directors Puhl and Carrera abstaining.
Discussion was held regarding the next OHBPA board of directors meeting date with the board selecting Tuesday, September 15, 2026 beginning at 11am in the Ohio HBPA main office as the date and location of that meeting.
Adjournment:
President Poole moved and Director Jarvis seconded a motion to adjourn. Motion passed.