In early March, when Scott Chaney was in advanced discussions to replace the retiring Rick Baedeker as the executive director of the California Horse Racing Board, there were four tracks operating throughout the state. When Chaney officially began the job last Thursday, California was down to one – the Quarter Horse and lower-level Thoroughbred evening meeting at Los Alamitos. Thoroughbred meetings at Golden Gate Fields and Santa Anita and the harness meeting in Sacramento have been temporarily halted by county government officials because of the coronavirus outbreak. With a stay-at-home order in place throughout the state, Chaney could not even relocate to the racing board’s headquarters in Sacramento. He began the job working from his Los Angeles-area home. This is quite a time for the 47-year-old Chaney to take the top regulatory job in one of the nation’s leading racing states. “One of my calculations was that it was challenging six weeks ago, and that was before we were in the middle of a global pandemic,” Chaney said in a recent interview. :: To stay up to date, follow us on: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter “If someone thinks they know how this will unfold in the next few months, they’re making it up. Not only for racing, but for the globe, this is unchartered territory. It will be important to adapt.” Chaney, a former assistant trainer to Darrell Vienna, has been a steward at Southern California tracks for the last 15 years. He had his final day in that position on April 11 at Los Alamitos. Even with most racing suspended in the state, Chaney has several regulatory issues that demand immediate attention. Wednesday, Chaney will be heard for the first time as executive director at the racing board’s monthly meeting, which is being conducted via teleconference because of the virus outbreak. Typically, the meetings are open to the public. An attorney, Chaney has served as a hearing officer for the racing board for matters involving rules violations in recent years. He knows he will need to be a quick study to be prepared for Wednesday’s meeting and any issues that may arise. “I’ve written a fair amount of regulation and policy for the board,” he said. This is not the first time Chaney has sought the executive director’s position. He applied in late 2013, months after the death of the executive director, Kirk Breed. Baedeker was hired in early 2014. Last fall, Baedeker, who has an extensive background in racing marketing and management, announced he planned to retire in early 2020 when a replacement was found. Baedeker retired on March 31. “I probably wasn’t the right one at the time,” Chaney said of his 2013 application. “They made an excellent choice.” In recent months, Chaney said he was encouraged by racing board members to apply for the job again. “I didn’t initially apply when it was offered,” he said. “I got some encouragement from the board to submit an application. When the board asked you to do something, you do it.” Chaney knows the job will require longer hours than his position as a steward. An executive director not only works through the week, but frequently on weekends when important matters arise at racetracks. “It was a real question for me, balancing my duty to horse racing and also my time,” Chaney said. “The steward gig is not a bad gig. You work hard for a specific amount of time and you have free time. “As I spoke with Rick and interviewed the board on a small scale and in executive session, I became more excited about the job.” An avid triathlete, Chaney has competed in the Ironman in Hawaii five times. He plans to continue in that sport. “With the new job, I will certainly continue to race and be an athlete,” he said. “It’s my biggest hobby. I think it gives me a balanced lifestyle.” Chaney arrives at the racing board a year after California racing underwent international scrutiny following a series of fatal breakdowns at Santa Anita that led to greater regulatory oversight and stricter medication rules. Chaney was directly involved in new oversight measures last spring and summer as part of a panel of racing officials and stewards who reviewed the medical, training, and race records of horses entered to race. The panel, which was empowered to scratch horses deemed unsuitable to race, was formed at the insistence of Gov. Gavin Newsom. “Animal welfare and integrity are the two most important things for me and the horse racing board,” Chaney said. “From what they’ve told me, and I’ve told them, our goals are the same. “There has been tremendous reform in terms of animal welfare. We’re not there yet. One equine fatality is too many. If the goal is zero, this is a continuous process.” Last month, the racing board published a 77-page review of the 2019 fatalities, with extensive recommendations regarding the maintenance of racetracks, the practices of trainers and veterinarians, and other issues related to horse safety. Chaney will be entrusted to implement many of those recommendations that are not already in practice. “It provided a road map on different aspects the industry can pursue,” Chaney said. “A lot will be simple, and some will be painful. Animal welfare is the most important thing.” Racing board members Damascus Castellanos, Oscar Gonzales, and Wendy Mitchell have little or no background in the sport. Chairman Greg Ferraro is a highly regarded veterinarian, while Dennis Alfieri has owned racehorses. Alex Solis is a Hall of Fame jockey. “I know some of the board members well and I don’t know some of them at all,” he said. “When I worked for Darrell, Dr. Ferraro did our equine-related surgeries. I’ve known the chairman for quite a while. “I think there is clearly an argument to have board members that are independent of racing. I think there are a lot of integrity issues going around the country for racing. To that extent I can be helpful. “Gov. Newsom has appointed a very reform-minded board. My personal philosophy dovetails with that.” Chaney brings a different background to the position than other recent appointees. Breed, who was executive director for five years, had a background as an administrator with the California State Fair in Sacramento and later as a consultant and lobbyist on racing matters. “The job has been filed by all sorts of individuals,” Chaney said. “I don’t think there is a specific mold of what the board or state are looking for. I’ve been a steward for three executive directors, and they bring different things. “They were looking for a replacement for Rick. Those are huge shoes to fill. They were looking for someone with knowledge of racing. “There are a lot of things I don’t know and there will be a steep learning curve.”