California Thoroughbred Trainers elect Cassidy, Ellis to board

Jim Cassidy and Ron Ellis were elected to the board of directors of the California Thoroughbred Trainers, and Northern California vice president Gloria Haley was reelected to another three-year term, in voting conducted earlier this month.

Cassidy, a former president of the CTT until January 2010, and Ellis were part of a 14-person ballot in the southern region. Haley was among six Northern California trainers on the ballot. Cassidy will serve as vice-president in Southern California. “We’re happy to have him because he has plenty of experience,” John Sadler, president of the organization, said on Sunday.

Ellis will continue his presence as a trainer member of the Thoroughbred Owners of California’s board of directors.

“I’m hoping the two organizations can work together,” Ellis said. “It’s my goal to have the two organizations work in harmony. I ran on that platform, and I got the most votes.”

Sadler will continue as president for another year, he said. “I want to finish what we’ve started,” he said.

Sadler said the organization is working closely with Santa Anita on the current refurbishment of the main track, which is currently undergoing renovation to reduce clay content and add sand. In addition, he said the trainers’ group is supporting legislation that would grant California racing interests an Internet poker license, with the intent that revenue could be put toward purses.