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The
Ohio Standard Development Fund was created in 1975. The fund receives taxes
paid on wagers at harness tracks. The racing commission authorizes
disbursements from the fund. Three OSDF Members, Chairman Dr. Robert
Schwartz, Secretary Robert Schmitz
and Thomas Fries Jr. hold hearings on conditions for the program and set
annual racing dates.
Ohio law mandates
the scheduling of at least five races and a championship for each of eight
2- and 3-year-old divisions. Races for older horses may be scheduled and have
been since 1982. Tracks add at least 25 per cent or a minimum of $5,000 to
purses for each race. Purse money is also comprised of money allocated by
the OSDF and nominating, sustaining and starting fees paid by horsemen.
Overall,
the vast majority of OSDF moneys are allocated to OSDF races. The
commission may allocate up to five per cent of the money available each
year to research projects related to horses. Since 1985, $1.2 million has
been spent on research. A portion of the fund is also used for administration
and to promote the breeding and racing of harness horses. Ohio-eligible
horses are defined as those sired by a stallion that was registered with
the Ohio State Racing Commission and stood in Ohio the year the horse was conceived.
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