About – TRAO

OUR HISTORY

Edward J. DeBartolo (at that time, the owner of Balmoral, Thistledown and Louisiana Downs) built Remington Park in Oklahoma City as a $100 million showcase for Thoroughbred racing. The inaugural race meet during the fall of 1988 was an opportunity for Oklahoma Thoroughbred horsemen to race in their home state and for horsemen from throughout the region to enjoy Oklahoma’s hospitality.

With so many of Oklahoma’s Thoroughbred horsemen having been HBPA members when racing in other states, it was logical for an affiliate to be formed. To represent everybody who races Thoroughbreds in the state, the Oklahoma Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association (OKHBPA) was incorporated as a non-profit association in 1993. For local/state identification purposes, the association has added a “dba” of the Thoroughbred Racing Association of Oklahoma (TRAO). With more than 1,500 owner and owner/trainer members, the association’s mission is akin to that of the other affiliates … improve horse racing at all levels.

IN GENERAL THIS INCLUDES

Providing medical, dental and other benevolent assistance to members and their employees.
Negotiating contracts with the racetracks. In addition to addressing the backside conditions, the OKHBPA takes seriously state law that requires agreements between the tracks and horsemen. “(Racetracks) shall negotiate and covenant with the (horsemen’s) representative … as to the conditions for each race meeting, the distribution of commissions and purses not governed by statutory distribution formulae, simulcast transmission and reception, off-track wagering, all matters relating to welfare, benefits and prerogatives of participants.” (O.S. 3A, Sec. 267)
Granting permission to disseminate interstate simulcast signals to be received by various wagering partners throughout the United States. US Code; Title 15 Chapter 57 Inter-State Horse Racing Act.
Representing the interests of Thoroughbred racing to the Oklahoma Horse Racing Commission.
Influencing legislation at the state and national levels.

WHAT TRAO DOES FOR THE HORSEMEN

ARE YOU RACING THOROUGHBREDS IN OKLAHOMA BECAUSE OF INCREASED PURSES AND BREEDER AWARDS?

IF SO, YOU SHOULD SUPPORT THE STATES ELECTED THOROUGHBRED HORSEMEN’S ORGANIZATION. THE PASSAGE OF GAMING AND INCREASED PURSES AT OUR RACETRACKS ARE A DIRECT RESULT OF THE TRAO REPRESENTING YOU; THE OWNER.

THE TRAO ALSO LED THE CHARGE IN GAINING MORE FAVORABLE SHARES OF SIMULCAST REVENUE FOR OKLAHOMA THOROUGHBRED HORSEMEN. AS A RESULT, THOROUGHBRED PURSESHAVE BEEN BOLSTERED BY AN ESTIMATED $3,800,00 SINCE 2007.

ARE YOU AWARE THAT THE TRAO PROVIDES MEDICAL, EYE AND DENTAL ASSISTANCE TO OUR MEMBERS, THEIR DEPENDENTS AND THEIR TRACK EMPLOYEES WHO RACE THOROUGHBREDS IN OKLAHOMA?

TRAO BENEVOLENCE HAS ASSISTED HUNDREDS OF TRAO MEMBERS AND BACKSIDE EMPLOYEE’S IN TIMES OF NEED. SINCE 2013, THE TRAO HAS DISBURSED OVER 2 MILLION TOWARDS BENEVOLENCE NEEDS.

THE TRAO PROVIDES THOROUGHBRED HORSEMEN;
FULL TIME STAFF AND REPRESENTATION AT ALL STATE TRACKS
FULL TIME LEGISLATIVE PRESENCE, LOBBYING FOR THOROUGHBREDS
ON GOING COMMUNICATION WITH MANAGEMENT OF OUR TRACK PARTNERS
COMPLETE AUDITING OF THOROUGHBRED PURSE AND OKLAHOMA BRED ACCOUNTS AT ALL TRACKS
OVERSEE OKLAHOMA BRED FUND DISTRUBUTION
HOST THE ANNUAL OKLAHOMA BRED AWARDS BANQUET
A STRONG VOICE WITH THE NATIONAL THOROUGHBRED HORSEMEN AFFAIRS
SUPPORT FOR THE RACE TRACK CHAPLAINCY OF AMERICA AT ALL OKLAHOMA TRACKS
ANNUALLY SUPPORTS OKLAHOMA CLASSICS (8 RACES AT RP AND 4 RACES AT WRD)
A RETIRED THOROUGHBRED RACE HORSE PROGRAM
SCHOLARSHIP SUPPORT OF APPROXIMATELY $18,000 ANNUALY TO HORSEMEN AND THEIR DEPENDENTS
BENEVOLENCE PROGRAM TO ASSIST HORSEMEN WITH MEDICAL, DENTAL, OPTICAL AND PRESCRIPTION EXPENSES
ON SITE DOCTOR EVERY MONDAY AT THE TRAO OFFICE AT REMINGTON PARK
ANNUAL FLU SHOTS
CHIROPRACTOR EVERY WEDNESDAY AT THE TRAO OFFICE AT REMINGTON PARK
ICE PROGRAM AT WILL ROGERS DOWNS AND REMINGTON PARK
HOT WALKERS FOR SHIP INS AT WILL ROGERS DOWNS, FAIR MEADOWS AND REMINGTON PARK
TEST BARN SUPPLIES, RUBBING ALCOHOL, BUCKETS ETC. AT WILL ROGERS DOWNS, FAIR MEADOWS AND REMINGTON PARK
EUTHANIZATION COST FOR ANY TRAO MEMBER’S THOROUGHBRED HORSE THAT BREAKS DOWN DURING TRAINING AT WILL ROGERS DOWNS, FAIR MEADOWS AND REMINGTON PARK
SPONSOR RACE OF THE WEEK AT WILL ROGERS DOWNS, FAIR MEADOWS AND REMINGTON PARK
TRAO STABLE EMPLOYEE OF THE WEEK AT WILL ROGERS DOWNS, FAIR MEADOWS AND REMINGTON PARK
TRAO BARN OF THE MONTH AT WILL ROGERS DOWNS AND REMINGTON PARK
FUND AUTOMATIC TEXT/EMAIL ALERT TO ALL HORSEMEN AT REMINGTON PARK FOR HORSES BEING PLACED ON THE VET’S LIST
FREE RACE DVD FOR WINNING OWNERS TO TRAO MEMBERS AT REMINGTON PARK

THE TRAO NEEDS YOUR SUPPORT TO REMAIN EFFECTIVE. BY NOT EXECUTING THE OPT OUT FORM, YOUR MEMBERSHIP WILL CONTINUE TO ASSURE A HEALTHY AND VIABLE INDUSTRY FOR THOROUGHBRED PARTICIPANTS IN OKLAHOMA.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR ORGANIZATION, CONTACT OUR OFFICE AT
(405) 427-8753 OR WWW.TRAORACING.COM