Meet Our Board

NICK ALEXANDER

Born and raised in Southern California, I graduated from Pasadena High School and attended USC for two years. I sold Fords, VWs, and BMWs, eventually opening my own BMW dealership in 1979 and adding Mini Cooper in 2002. My two children, Nick and Elizabeth, now run Nick Alexander Imports since I retired; and I run our horse ranch in Santa Ynez. My wife, Mary, and I have been married 50 years and have four grandchildren.

I have raced Thoroughbreds in California for 40 years. Phil D’Amato and Steve Miyadi are my trainers. In the last few years I have raced only Cal-bred homebreds. On our 280 acre ranch we grow alfalfa, oats, and forage hay to feed our broodmare band of 28 mares and their offspring. We have produced three graded stakes winners, Enola Gray, California champion three-year-old filly in 2016, Pee Wee Reese, and Grazen, now a successful stallion. We were #2 breeder in California by money won in 2017.

I’ve served on the TOC board for six years, formerly as Chairman. The TOC has a wide range of goals being involved in all aspects of California racing, but our two main goals are to maximize purses at California tracks and insure the long-term stability and growth of racing in our state to give California owners the best possible chance to succeed. Bigger purses and a secure future encourage owners to buy and breed better horses. I’m proud to say the TOC board and staff work tirelessly toward those goals.

GARY BARBER

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Spyglass Media Group, LLC (“Spyglass,”) a premier entertainment company behind the successful relaunched horror franchise “Scream (2022)” and its next installment in 2023, the reinvention of “Hellraiser (2022),” the drama “The Upside,” the upcoming high school comedy “Incoming” and the iconic fashion competition series “Project Runway.” 

Barber’s career in entertainment spans more than three decades where he took over Metro Goldwyn Mayer Inc. in 2010 as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, leading its impressive transformational turn-around out of bankruptcy, restoring the studio’s prominence by revitalizing its film and television businesses and posting successive years of profitability. Under Barber’s leadership, the 23rd and 24th installments of the long-running Bond franchise, “Spectre” and “Skyfall,” produced by Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli, became the two highest grossing films in franchise history. Additionally, the enduring Rocky franchise was revived with “Creed” and the studio’s impressive roster of releases and co-productions included: “The Hobbit” Trilogy, “The Magnificent Seven,” “Me Before You,” “21 Jump Street,” and “22 Jump Street.” On the television front, Barber greenlit the award-winning and critically acclaimed scripted drama series “The Handmaid’s Tale” (Hulu), “Fargo” (FX) and “Vikings” (HISTORY). 

In 1998, Barber was a founding partner of Spyglass Entertainment, the globally recognized production, finance, and distribution company. Well-known for making commercial hits in a wide range of genres, Spyglass Entertainment grossed over $5 billion in worldwide box office to date and amassed more than 34 Oscar® nominations and four wins. Spyglass saw success with such films as “The Sixth Sense,” “Bruce Almighty,” “Wanted,” “Seabiscuit,” “The Vow,” “G.I. Joe: Rise of the Cobra,” “Star Trek,” “27 Dresses,” “Shanghai Noon,” and “Four Christmases,” to name a few. 

Prior to Spyglass, Barber served as Vice Chairman and Chief Operating Officer of Morgan Creek Productions and President of Vestron International Group. 

JOE CIAGLIA

I began my first company when I was 20 years old. With excellent work ethic and determination, I’ve developed more than 10 successful companies. I’m the CEO of California Landscape & Design and California Skateparks, the world’s most recognized skatepark design and build firm. I’ve completed several projects for celebrities and professional athletes, including Rafael Bejarano and Tony Hawk. My wife, Stephanie, and our children, Ashley and Anthony, are all integral to the family businesses.

In 1999, I claimed my first horse at Del Mar. I began breeding horses in 2004 and started buying from sales in 2009. I’ve been fortunate enough to win three Grade 1 stakes and campaigned Weemissfrankie, who ran 3rd in the Breeders’ Cup, and Dance With Fate, who won the Blue Grass and then ran in the 2014 Kentucky Derby. Our homebred highlight came in 2015 with multiple Grade 2 winner Ashleyluvssugar whose dam, Ashley’s Folly, earned California-bred Mare of the Year.

What I enjoy most about this industry is the passion of the owners, trainers, and bloodstock agents that surround me. I consider these horseracing partners to be my family and friends and have the utmost loyalty to them. I would like to advance the sport by using my energy, excitement, open mindedness, and innovative ideas to bring more fans and owners to California horseracing. I will bring the drive that’s made me successful in life to the TOC and draw in new owners and fans. Nothing is more enjoyable than sharing those winning moments with family and friends.

TIM COHEN

As a Cal-bred, I have been fortunate to live and enjoy my entire career in California.  I had worked in the hospitality industry, managing luxury hotels and restaurants before acquiring Rancho Temescal, a 6,000-acre diverse agricultural enterprise.  My wife, Shannon, and our children, Cole and Cody, are equally passionate about our farm. 

My family has been involved in racing for over 60 years in California, including my father, who races as Red Baron’s Barn.  We operate a public boarding facility dedicating over 150 acres to caring for thoroughbred horses at Rancho Temescal.  We are committed to racing in California and have established a solid international presence by acquiring racehorses from the UK, Ireland and Europe.   

As a director, I intend to bring stakeholders together, and move our sport forward.  There are significant challenges within our business model. We need better communication and understanding of the ever changing economic paradigm, and accelerate the opportunities to bring growth and stability to this industry for future generations. 

MATTHEW DOHMAN

I am a licensed CA real estate broker and founder of Optimum First Mortgage, which I started in 2009 at the age of 27. Over the years, I have grown my company into a 5-star rated direct lender with over 40,000 loans funded in 17 states. I live with my wife and two children in Huntington Harbour.

I fell in love with horse racing as a child when my father often took me to the races. I started my journey as an owner at the age of 30 by claiming a horse, moving it up in class and winning first time out. Since then, I have owned racehorses separately, in partnership, and as a breeder. Presently, I own California Racing Partners, a boutique syndicate actively adding horses to the California racing scene. We currently own more than twenty horses and won the Grade 2 Mathis Mile with One More Bid.

California racing needs to continue evolving to flourish for generations to come. I support HISA and believe we need to implement even more standards to soften our image and clean up our sport. It is imperative we take the necessary steps to increase our field sizes, increase our wagering handle, and increase our purses. I’m always eager to offer fresh new ideas and work towards improving our sport.

GARY FENTON

I grew up in Beverly Hills, CA and where I caught the horse racing bug at an early age attending races at Hollywood Park, Del Mar and Santa Anita, including the first Breeders’ Cup in 1984. I began my career as an entertainment attorney working for the William Morris Agency before moving to media companies such as ATG, Carsey-Werner, and AMC.

In 2005, I transitioned careers to become the Managing Partner of Little Red Feather Racing, now California’s largest syndicate with over 50 horses and 400 active partners. Being the head of syndicate is much like representing actors, writers and television production companies. The client is always the boss and it is our job to create the best racing experience possible for them. LRF campaigned Breeders’ Cup Mile winner Singletary and most recently multiple graded stakes winners Egg Drop, Midnight Miley and Midnight Storm. Since 2010, only four owners have more starts in California than LRF. In addition, I am very proud to be part of an organization that during this same span has brought in more new owners into California racing than anyone or entity.  In 2016, LRF launched the industry’s first ever Equity Crowdfunding campaign in an effort to give the avid fan/prospective owner a chance to invest in horse ownership for the first time.

My wife, Katie and I live in Los Angeles with our two amazing sons, Brady and Carter.

RICK GOLD

I am a semi-retired Silicon Valley entrepreneur.  I grew up in Pittsburgh and attended Cornell and Stanford, earning a PhD in electrical engineering.  I co-founded four semiconductor companies and most recently served as CEO of wireless technology pioneer CalAmp Corp. and Managing Director of InnoCal Venture Capital.

My wife, Marcia, and I now live in San Diego where we’ve been indulging our love of horse racing as fans, horseplayers and owners.  We currently co-own approximately 15 Thoroughbreds in California as well as several on the East Coast and in Australia. We have raced 12 stakes winners including G1 winners Hit the Road and Fault.

I’m all-in on California horse racing and committed to doing my part to improve its long-term viability.  I serve as chair of TOC’s Medication and Integrity committee, as a member of the Finance and Wagering committees, on the board of the California Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Foundation (CTHF) and as TOC’s representative on the board of the Racing Medication and Testing Consortium (RMTC).  I have worked closely with TOC board and management to help understand and prepare for the new federal Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act. The TOC has an important role to play in the development of sensible reforms that improve the safety of our horses and jockeys and the integrity of our sport, in an environment where support for the very existence of racing cannot be taken for granted. I welcome the opportunity to continue to represent you.

STEPHANIE HRONIS

I have spent more than 20 years in education as a school counselor (K-adult students), faculty member at the graduate and community college levels, and Director of Lindsay Unified’s Family Resource Center.  I founded Shamrock College & Career Planning, which provides pro-bono services for first generation college students.  Much of my career brought me in contact with the migrant farmworker communities and families of the Central San Joaquin Valley.

My interaction with horseracing began in 2012 when Hronis Racing owned 19 horses and we spent periodic weekends at the track. Since then, with my husband, Kosta, and his brother, Pete, the world of horseracing has become a significant part of my life. My passion, interest, and love for the sport has grown along with the size of our barn and champions: Accelerate (Breeders Cup Classic and 2018 Older Male Dirt), Stellar Wind (2015 3-Year-Old Filly), Rock Your World, Higher Power, Catalina Cruiser, Cistron, Gift Box, Iotapa, and Lady of Shamrock. Hronis Racing was named Leading California Owner by Money Won in 2017-2020, Leading Owner by Number of Wins in 2018, and Leading Owner by Number of Stakes Wins in 2019. In 2020 we had 23 wins from 168 starts, including three stakes wins.

Since being appointed to fill a vacant TOC board position last Fall, my respect for all the TOC does to advocate for the sport and owners has inspired me to want to continue serving on the board making a constructive difference for the industry. As the current Chair of the TOC Owner Relations Committee, I will survey members for feedback on their interests and needs, and I would like to initiate a regular forum on race days for women to learn about the sport and racehorse ownership.

BOB LIEWALD

Growing up in Chicago, by the time I was 17 I was sneaking into Sportsmen’s Park, and my love for horse racing has been with me ever since.  After graduating from Northern Illinois University I spent most of my career working in the sports industry. I started with Footlocker when there were just two stores and helped lead their growth to over 3,000 locations. In 1998 I became one of the four founders of GSI Commerce, which eventually ran over 100 online stores for companies like MLB, NBA, NFL, NHL, and NASCAR. Based on the success we brought to all four sports leagues, we were able to negotiate unprecedented long term licensing deals which are still in existence today. In 2011 We sold GSI to eBay and I moved to California. Shortly after the move I decided to focus and make a commitment to horse racing.

Today, I have several horses with Little Red Feather and Eclipse Thoroughbreds, and in the last two years I also branched out on my own and now have broodmares, weanlings and a Cal bred yearling.

I fully intend to apply the same passion and vision I’ve had working with the pro sports leagues and NASCAR to California racing and TOC.

TERRY LOVINGIER

I am owner and president of Lovco Construction, Inc., a heavy industrial contractor based in Signal Hill, Calif. I hold a civil and environmental engineering degree from U.C. Irvine. My family roots are in Oklahoma, but I was raised in Lakewood, Calif. and now live in Los Alamitos with my wife, Barbara. I also own and operate Lovacres Ranch in Warner Springs just east of Temecula, encompassing over 500 acres.

I was exposed to horses at a very early age and have always loved them. I began breeding Quarter Horses for the commercial market at a ranch I bought with my father and brother in Waco, Texas. While in Texas, I raised All American Futurity winner Streakin Flyer. After we sold that ranch, we moved our horses to Lovacres, where we now stand several Thoroughbred stallions including Awesome Gambler, Empire Way, Time To Get Even, Grace Upon Grace, Shaman Ghost, Stay Thirsty, Merit Man, and Twice the Appeal. I have raced many of my homebreds in small partnerships and campaigned 2012 Santa Anita Oaks (gr. 1) winner Willa B Awesome. Along with Grade 1 winning Willa B Awesome I have raised and raced  MY Fiona (Champion Cal Bred Two year old), Lost Bus (Champion Cal Bred Three year old), and other stakes horses such as Show It and Moe It, Unhitchthetrailer, Time for Angie, Willie B Awesome and many more.

We need to take care of the people who take care of our industry, such as the breeders, the gamblers, and the owners who race the horses. We need to make sure that our fans don’t go elsewhere, such as Las Vegas, because we haven’t catered to them. We need to look at all the options and put together packages that entice new people, especially youngsters, to participate. We also need to keep our focus on the welfare of the horses.

ED MOGER

Thoroughbred racing has always been a passion of mine, and I have devoted my life to it.  I have been a trainer for over 45 years, training Thoroughbreds in Arizona, California, Oregon and Washington. I currently maintain a stable of 60 horses at Golden Gate Fields and also race at Los Alamitos, Santa Anita, and Del Mar, and the California Fair Circuit.  My wife, Geralyn, and I have a home in Richmond, California and a 40-acre horse farm in Galt, California, where we are actively involved in breeding and raising Thoroughbreds.  We currently own 5 broodmares, 5 yearlings and 19 horses of racing age.

I first began my career in horse racing in the mid-1970’s as a groom at Longacres in Washington.  In 1976, I became a licensed Thoroughbred trainer.  I moved to California in 1990 and have been training full-time here ever since. I am very involved with my horses at the racetrack, training centers and farms. I strongly believe in giving my horses time off from racing and time off to heal from injuries instead of using medications. I have served on the Boards of the CTT, CTHF and currently serve on the TOC.

I love racing in California but am very concerned with the current state of racing here. Our top goal should be to increase horse population by attracting new horse owners and increasing our California breeding operations.  If we have horses and owners, we will remain strong.  I truly care about the future of racing in California and would like the opportunity to continue to help it improve and ensure it thrives.

SAMANTHA SIEGEL

I am passionate about horse retirement and serve on the board of CARMA (California Retirement Management Account) and as Treasurer of that organization. I also serve on the board of directors of the Edwin J. Gregson Foundation. I reside in Beverly Hills.

Racing as JayEmEss Stable, I am an active owner and breeder whose family has been involved in California Thoroughbred racing for more than five decades. My late father, Mace, was a founding member of the Thoroughbred Owners of California. JayEmEss has campaigned many graded stakes winners, including multiple Grade I winners Urbane, I Ain’t Bluffing, and Include Me Out, Grade I Hollywood Gold Cup winner Rail Trip, 2004 champion juvenile colt Declan’s Moon, multiple Grade 2 winner Arson Squad, and homebred Grade I winner By the Moon.

I was honored to be appointed to the board in January of this year, and I am looking forward to working toward the continued improvement of Thoroughbred racing in California.

JOHNNY TABOADA

Born and bred in Lima, Peru, I moved to California when I was a teenager. I earned a B.S. in Business Administration and an M.B.A from California State University East Bay.  My work experience has varied from consulting various start-up companies to help them get off the ground running and being a mortgage broker for numerous institutions. I have resided in Pleasanton with my wife Hedieh for the last 15 years, where we raised two sons. 

I have more than 1,000 starts as a thoroughbred owner, mainly in Northern California. I take pride in being able to name my horses to raise Autism awareness. My two most successful horses have been Autism Awareness and Touched By Autism (new stallion), who I purchased as yearlings through the Northern California yearling sales. As of this year, I have also begun a breeding program with our new stallion in California. 

My main goal as a TOC director is to strengthen horse racing in California. As a group, we must identify areas needing improvement and implement new ideas to do so.  We must have open and ongoing communication as we pursue ways to improve our industry from the bottom up. It is time for new ideas and people to reflect the changes in our market and demographics. We must find ways to welcome and embrace the new generation of owners, fans, and workers to create a sustainable industry. I believe I can have a major impact as a director.