by Carole Hodes for the SBOANJ
MANALAPAN, NJ – October 20,
2015 – Tom Luchento and Chris Ryder were elected to the Board of Directors of
the Standardbred Breeders & Owners Association of New Jersey.
Ballots were returned by 438
of the 789 members and counted on Monday, October 19, 2015 by the accounting
firm of Drucker, Math & Whitman, certified public accountants in North
Brunswick, NJ.
In the only contested category
– driver/trainer – Luchento was re-elected and Ryder was a winning
challenger. Incumbent Kelvin Harrison and challenger Nancy Johansson were
the others on the ballot.
In uncontested categories,
Thomas Pontone [owner], Michael Gulotta [breeder] and Dr. Richard Meirs
[breeder] were re-elected.
“I am grateful for the
opportunity to continue on the Board of Directors,” said Luchento, who has a
dozen years of experience and is the incumbent president and chief executive
officer of the SBOANJ. “Both 2015 and 2016 are pivotal years in our
efforts to revitalize harness racing in New Jersey. This Board has a full
agenda of challenges.
“This is no slam dunk, but we
are hopeful to get expanded gaming – casinos - at our racetracks to make our
purses on par with any in the country,” Luchento added. “We continue to
work for sports wagering, historic racing and other alternate gaming options
just as long as our purses are the beneficiaries.”
This was Chris Ryder’s first
bid for a seat on the SBOANJ Board of Directors.
“I had been thinking about
[running for the Board] for 10 or 12 years, but with my two boys off to college
now, I had more time available,” said Ryder, 60, who maintains a stable of 25
at Winners in Chesterfield, NJ.
“My main concerns are
insurance [for horsemen] and the New Jersey-owned and bred races,” noted Ryder,
a New Jersey resident and horseman since 1989.
“I want to listen and be
independent, and make the best decisions I can” Ryder added. “I intend to
represent the grassroots. I’ve been there; I’m still there. I want
to represent all horsemen. I thank everyone for their support.”
The Board will hold its
re-organization meeting on November 9, 2015.
