California Governor Gavin Newsom has appointed Thomas C. Hudnut and reappointed Damascus Castellanos to the California Horse Racing Board, according to a February 28 press release from the Governor’s office. The positions require Senate confirmation.
Thomas C. Hudnut, 74, of Beverly Hills, California, has been an educational consultant with Resource Group 175 since 2013. He is president and CEO of Harvard-Westlake School, which has served 1,600 students. middle school and high school in the Los Angeles Area, from 1987 to 2013 and as principal at Branson School from 1982 to 1987. He retired as principal in 2013.
Damascus Castellanos, 55, of Pico Rivera, secretary-treasurer of Teamsters Local 495 since 2012, has served in CHRB since 2020. He was sales representative for Teamsters Local 630 from 2001 to 2012. Castellanos is a member of the team. member of the International Brotherhood of Teammates.
The statement did not say which commissioner Hudnot would replace, but both Castellanos and fellow CHRB commissioner Alex Solis have provisions that expire on January 1.
When approving or disapproving motions during CHRB meetings, Solis, a retired jockey and Hall of Fame member, often votes yes on contentious matters with the owner. President Dr. Greg Ferraro and members Dennis Alfieri and Castellanos.
Vice President Oscar Gonzales and members Brenda Davis and Wendy Mitchell represent another voting bloc in the CHRB and generally favor further assertions of the CHRB’s authority over the California race.
