The Horsemen's Journal - Winter 2014

winter fall 1014

JANUARY 2015 DATE 1.3.15

2014-2015 STAKES SCHEDULE

1.10.15 1.10.15 1.10.15 1.17.15

1.24.15

1.31.15

GRADE CONDITIONS 3yo & up 3yo

10.18 .14 Cellars Shiraz 10.25.14 Gin Rummy Champ

DATE 2.7.15

DIST/SURF 1M 1 M (T)

PURSE $75K $75K

1 M (T) 5 F (T)

$75K $75K

DIST/SURF 5 F (T) 6F

PURSE $75K $75K

1M 1M 6 1/2 6 1/2 1 1/16 (T) 1 1/16 (T) 1M 1 1/16 6F 1 1/8 (T) 1 1/8 (T) 1 M (T) 1 M (T) 1M 1M 6F 6F

$100K $100K $100K $100K $100K $100K $100K $100K $75K $100K $100K $75K $75K $75K $75K $75K $75K

CONDITIONS

DIST/SURF

PURSE

3yo & up 3yo & up 3yo & up (F/M) 3yo & up 3yo & up 3yo & up (F/M) 3yo & up 3yo & up 3yo & up (F/M) 3yo & up 3yo & up (F/M) 3yo & up 3yo 3yo (F) 3yo & up 3yo & up (F/M) 3yo & up

1 1/16 6F 1M 7F 5 F (T) 1 1/16 (T) 1 1/16 (T) 1 1/8 7 1/2 (T) 7 1/2 (T) 6F 1 1/16 1 1/16 (T) 1 1/16 (T) 1 1/2 (T) 1 1/2 (T) 6F

$110K $110K $110K $110K $110K $125K $125K $200K $100K $100K $100K $100K $75K $75K $100K $100K $100K

3yo (F) 3yo & up

NOV E M B E R DATE STAKES GRADE CONDITIONS 11. 1. 14 Sparkler 3yo & up (F/M) 11. 1. 14 Sky Beauty 3yo & up (F/M) 11.8.14 SUNSHINE MILLIONS PREVIEW DAY (FL BRED) Juvenile Filly Turf 2yo (F) Juvenile Turf 2yo Juvenile Sprint 2yo Juvenile Filly Sprint 2yo (F) Millions Turf Preview 3yo & up Millions F&M Turf Preview 3yo & up (F/M) Millions Distaff Preview 3yo & up (F/M) Millions Classic 3yo & up 11. 15.14 Kenny Noe, Jr 3yo & up 11.22.14 Tropical Turf Hdcp 3 3yo & up 11.22.14 My Charmer Hdcp 3 3yo & up (F/M) 11.29.14 Pulpit 2yo 11.29.14 Wait A While 2yo (F) 11.29.14 Smooth Air 2yo 11.29.14 Hut Hut 2yo (F) 11.29.14 Buffalo Man 2yo 11.29.14 House Party 2yo (F)

GRADE CONDITIONS

DIST/SURF

PURSE $100K $100K $100K $100K $100K $150K $200K $150K $150K $150K $150K $250K $350K $200K $150K $100K $100K $400K $75K

FEBRUARY

F AL L F E S TIV A L B O U T I Q U E ME E T OC TOBE R 2 01 4 DATE STAKES 10.11 .14 Eight Miles West 10.18 .14 Showing Up

STAKES

SUPER SATURDAY Mucho Macho Man 3yo 1M Old Hat 3 3yo (F) 6F Spectacular Bid 3yo 6F Dania Beach 3 3yo 7 1/2 (T) Ginger Brew 3yo (F) 7 1/2 (T) Marshua's River 3 4yo & up (F/M) 1 1/16 (T) Fort Lauderdale 2 4yo & up 1 1/16 (T) Hal's Hope 3 4yo & up 1M SUNSHINE MILLIONS DAY Sunshine Millions Turf 4yo & up 1 1/16 (T) Sunshine Millions F&M Turf 4yo & up 1 1/16 (T) Sunshine Millions Sprint 4yo & up 6F Sunshine Millions Distaff 4yo & up (F/M) 7 F Sunshine Millions Classic 4yo & up 1 1/8 ROAD TO THE TRIPLE CROWN featuring the HOLY BULL Forward Gal 2 3yo (F) 7F Hutcheson 3 3yo 7F Kitten's Joy 3yo 1 M (T) Sweetest Chant 3yo (F) 1 M (T) Holy Bull 2 3yo 1 1/16 H. Allen Jerkens 4yo & up 2 M (T)

2.14.15 2.21.15

2.28.15 2.28.15 2.28.15

STAKES DIST/SURF GRADE CONDITIONS DONN HANDICAP Gulfstream Park Turf Hdcp 1 4yo & up 1 1/8 (T) Fred Hooper 3 4yo & up 1M Suwannee River 3 4yo & up (F/M) 1 1/8 (T) Gulfstream Park Turf Sprint 4yo & up 5 F (T) Texas Glitter 3yo 5 F (T) Donn Hdcp 1 4yo & up 1 1/8 Hurricane Bertie 3 4yo & up (F/M) 6 1/2 F ROAD TO THE TRIPLE CROWN featuring FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH Davona Dale 2 3yo (F) 1M Mac Diarmida 2 4yo & up 1 3/8 (T) Very One 3 4yo & up (F/M) 1 3/8 (T) Rampart 3 4yo & up (F/M) 1 M Gulfstream Park Sprint 3 4yo & up 6 1/2 F Canadian Turf 3 4yo & up 1 M (T) Ladies Turf Sprint 4yo & up (F/M) 5 F (T) Fountain of Youth 2 3yo 1 1/16 Swale 2 3yo 7F Palm Beach 3 3yo 1 1/16 (T) Herecomesthebride 3 3yo (F) 1 1/16 (T)

PURSE $300K $100K $150K $75K $75K $500K $150K $200K $200K $150K $100K $100K $150K $75K $400K $200K $150K $150K

C H AM P I O N S HIP ME E T DE C E M B ER DATE STAKES GRADE 12.6.14 CLAIMING CROWN STAKES Iron Horse Express Glass Slipper Rapid Transit Canterbury Tiara Emerald Jewel 12.13.14 South Beach 12.13.14 El Prado 12.13.14 Sugar Swirl 3 12.13.14 Harlan's Holiday 12.20.14 Tropical Park Derby 12.20.14 Tropical Park Oaks 12.27.14 W.L. McKnight Hdcp 3 3 12.27.14 La Prevoyante Hdcp 3 12.27.14 Mr. Prospector

MARCH DATE 3.7.15 3.14.15 3.14.15 3.21.15 3.21.15 3.28.15

STAKES DIST/SURF GRADE CONDITIONS Gulfstream Park Hdcp 2 4yo & up 1M Silks Run 4yo & up 5 F (T) Any Limit 3yo (F) 6F Royal Delta 2 4yo & up (F/M) 1 1/16 Inside Information 2 4yo & up (F/M) 7 F ROAD TO THE TRIPLE CROWN: FLORIDA DERBY DAY Gulfstream Park Oaks 2 3yo (F) 1 1/16 Skip Away 3 4yo & up 1 3/16 Appleton 3 4yo & up 1 M (T) Honey Fox 2 4yo & up (F/M) 1 M (T) Pan American 3 4yo & up 1 1/2 (T) Orchid 3 4yo & up (F/M) 1 1/2 (T) Sir Shackleton 4yo & up 7F Florida Derby 1 3yo 1 1/8

PURSE $300K $75K $75K $200K $200K $250K $150K $150K $300K $150K $150K $100K $1MILLION

* Highlighted dates denote premium stakes.

volume 61/ # 4

winter 20 14

26

Departments

2 Message from the National HBPA

7 Industry News

12 HBPA News

14 Legislative Update

16 Research & Medication Update

18 Medication Committee Corner

22 2015 Racing Schedule for North America

48

Double Take

Ramseys, Maker and Zito produce repeat performances in the $1 million Claiming Crown at Gulfstream Park

Affiliate News

features

24 A First Step Toward a Long-Needed Solution

Immigration, executive action and how it affects horsemen

37 Something in the Air

40 Standing Guard

Study finds particulates in stable air can cause airway inflammation and affect performance

The Racing Officials Accreditation Program prepares those who regulate the sport

45 Clenbuterol: The Myth vs. The Facts A look at clenbuterol and its therapeutic effect on horses

www.nationalhbpa.com

1

hj in every issue

message from

the CEO

National HBPA 870 Corporate Drive Suite 300 Lexington, KY 40503 P(859) 259-0451 F(859) 259-0452 racing@hbpa.org www.nationalhbpa.com

President/ Chairperson of the Board Robin Richards First Vice president Leroy Gessmann Secretary/ Treasurer Ron Maus Chief Executive Officer Phil Hanrahan Vice President Central Region Leroy Gessmann Vice President Eastern Region Randy Funkhouser Vice President Southern Region Rick Hiles Vice President Western Region Ron Maus

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Dear Horsewomen and Horsemen of the National HBPA: Claiming Crown 2014 at Gulfstream Park was a great day of racing for owners, trainers, handicappers and fans. The changes we put in place this year regarding the nomination process and the changes to some of the race conditions had a positive impact on the day. As expected, with the resolution of the dates war between Calder Race Course and Gulfstream Park, the 2014 handle for the Claiming Crown races improved from the 2013 handle. The winning horses came from several states, reflecting the growing national appeal of the Claiming Crown. I want to thank all of the owners and trainers who had horses in the Claiming Crown races, and I look forward to them sending horses to the 2015 edition. I also want to express my thanks to Gulfstream Park, the Florida HBPA and the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association for their continuing support of the event. You will find a full recap of the race results starting on page 26.

We presented two new proposed model rules at the December 11 meeting of the Association of Racing Commissioners International (RCI).

The first proposed model rule would protect horsemen and horsewomen from discrimination or retaliation due to their involvement with an official horsemen’s organization recognized by the racing commission. The idea for this model rule originated from the HBPA of Ontario, where there is a very broad “protection” rule. We have tried to have such a rule passed by the RCI twice before and there have been objections, so we revised and narrowed the scope of the proposed model rule in an effort to overcome these objections.

The second new model rule we proposed was one that would protect a claiming horse from being claimed in its first start back if the horse had been laid off for at least 180 days and was entered to be claimed at a claiming price at least equal to the claiming price for which the horse last started. Similar rules are currently on the books in Iowa, Washington, California and Maryland, and other states are in the process of discussing and adopting such a rule. This is a good rule that benefits the horse, the owner and the trainer by allowing the horse the time off necessary to recover and encouraging the owner and trainer to give the horse the needed rest and medical treatment without having to worry about losing the horse to a claim the first time back. For an update on both rules and the results of the RCI meeting, please check the NHBPA website at hbpa.org.

I attended the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) meeting in November. The ASTM is a national organization that develops standards for products and processes. There are two ASTM items we are currently involved with. The first item is safety reins. There is recognition throughout the horse racing industry that reins can break during morning training or a race. When reins break, there is the potential for serious consequences to the rider and/or the horse. As most of you know, reins break very infrequently. And as most of you also know, it is fair to say that when a rein breaks it is generally due to a lack of maintenance on the rein (i.e., a lack of cleaning and a lack of inspection). Since very few reins break and good care and cleaning of the reins can virtually eliminate broken reins, the initial question is do we need a safety reins standard at all. The NHBPA has said no. What we need is good care, cleaning and

inspection and periodic replacement of reins. If, however, the answer to the first question is yes, we do need safety reins, then we need a standard that is appropriate and accurate. In this regard, in conjunction with the Jockeys’ Guild and The Jockey Club’s Welfare and Safety Summit, we tested the breakpoint of reins using a hydraulic press at Western Kentucky University. The university then developed a microcomputer to measure how many pounds of pressure a jockey or exercise rider applies during a race or morning exercise session. We used this microcomputer during training hours recently at The Thoroughbred Center in Lexington, so we now have some sound scientific data to review as we continue to explore a safety reins standard. This item will continue to be researched and refined before the next ASTM meeting in 2015.

The second ASTM item related to measuring and setting hardness standards for turf courses. After consultation with Mick Peterson, the executive director of the Racing Surfaces Testing Laboratory at the University of Maine and one of the foremost experts regarding track surfaces in the world, it appeared there were a number of shortcomings with the proposed standard. As a result of the NHBPA’s negative vote and a number of other negative votes, the proposed turf standard was not adopted, and it will be studied, reviewed, revised and proposed again at a future ASTM meeting.

I want to extend my thanks to Clara Fenger, DVM, PhD, DACVIM, and a practicing equine veterinarian in central Kentucky, regarding her efforts to establish a communications network among the practicing equine veterinarians throughout the United States. For too long, this group of hard-working women and men has not been in the loop in the medication debate. The vets practicing at the track are the ones, day in and day out, at all hours of the day and night, taking care of our racehorses. The track vets are the real “resident experts” on what works and what doesn’t to keep a horse healthy and sound. They need to have their voices heard and respected regarding what is in the best interest of the horse when it comes to medication issues.

I want to invite all Thoroughbred owners and trainers from all across the United States and Canada to attend the NHBPA Winter Convention to be held February 4-8 at the Carefree Resort and Conference Center in Carefree, Arizona, near Phoenix. As always, there will be a series of educational forums, highlighted by the medication forum. My thanks to the Arizona HBPA, their board of directors and Turf Paradise for hosting the convention. More information about the convention can be found on the NHBPA’s website and on page 12 of this issue.

As always, if any of you are in Lexington, please stop by the NHBPA’s office. We welcome your comments, feedback and visits.

May the Racing Gods smile on you, and may you have many visits to the winner’s circle.

Sincerely,

Phil Hanrahan Chief Executive Officer

contributors Dr. Joe Bertone Brian W. Fitzgerald Craig McDougal Denise Steffanus Kent H. Stirling Will Velie

The

National HBPA

Would Like To Thank Its Corporate

sponsors Affiliates Board of Directors - Affiliates Dr. David Harrington, Alabama J. Lloyd Yother, Arizona Linda Gaston, Arkansas David Milburn, Canada Randy Funkhouser, Charles Town Mark McGregor, Colorado Dave Brown, Finger Lakes Phil Combest, Florida Mark Buckley, Idaho Brian LaMew, Illinois Joe Davis, Indiana Leroy Gessmann, Iowa Rick Hiles, Kentucky Benard Chatters, Louisiana George Kutlenios, Michigan Tom Metzen, Minnesota R.C. Forster, Montana Jami Poole, Mountaineer Park Todd Veerhusen, Nebraska Anthony Spadea, New England Mark Doering, Ohio David Faulkner, Oklahoma Sue Leslie, Ontario Ron Sutton, Oregon Tim Shea, Pennsylvania Robert Jeffries, Tampa Bay Downs Dr. Tommy Hays, Texas Horsemen’s Partnership, LLP Davis Ross, Virginia Ron Maus, Washington

The views expressed on these pages are those of the authors and/or advertisers, and they may or may not reflect the positions and/or beliefs of the National Horsemen’s Benevolent & Protective Association, its officers, or Board of Directors.

The Horsemen’s Journal, Volume 61 #4.

Postal Information: The Horsemen’s Journal (ISSN 0018-5256) is published quarterly by the National Horsemen’s Administration Corporation, with publishing offices at P.O. Box 8645, Round Rock, TX 78683. Copyright 2014 all rights reserved.

The Horsemen’s Journal is the official publication for members of the Horsemen’s Benevolent & Protective Association, a representative association of Thoroughbred owners and trainers. HBPA is a non-profit 501(c)6 Kentucky corporation. Members receive The Horsemen’s Journal as a benefit of membership paid by the national office from affiliate dues. Annual non-member subscriptions are $14. Single-copy back issues, if available, are $7. Canadian subscribers add $6. All other subscriptions

photographers Ackerley Images Denis Blake Coady Photography Coglianese Photos/ Lauren King, Leslie Martin Getty Images/iStock MaryAnn O’Connell staff Denis Blake Editor 512-695-4541 E-mail: hj@hbpa.org Jennifer Vanier Allen Advertising Director 512-225-4483 509-272-1640 fax E-mail: advertising@hbpa.org Limb Design www.limbdesign.com Graphic Design The Horsemen’s Journal 870 Corporate Drive, Suite 300 Lexington, KY 40503-5419 Phone: 512-695-4541 Fax: 859-259-0452 E-mail: hj@hbpa.org HBPA Website: www.nationalhbpa.com Cover Photo: St. Borealis wins the Claiming Crown Tiara for owners Ken and Sarah Ramsey and trainer Mike Maker, the all-time leaders in Claiming Crown wins with 14 each.

Coglianese Photos/Lauren King

outside the U.S. add $20 payable in U. S. funds. To order reprints or subscriptions, call (866) 245-1711.

The HBPA National Board of Directors has determined that the publication of this periodical is necessary in the transaction of the public business required of the association. Views and opinions expressed are those of the authors and/or advertisers and do not necessarily represent the opinion or policy of the publisher or HBPA board or staff. Query the editor prior to sending any manuscripts.

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h

industry news

hj news

Breeders’ Cup Records Increase in Attendance and TV Ratings

The 31st running of the Breeders’ Cup World Championships on October 31 and November 1 at Santa Anita Park was bolstered by increased attendance, television ratings and new sponsors.

A crowd of 61,114 was on hand Saturday for the second day of the Breeders’ Cup at Santa Anita, bringing the two-day total attendance to 98,319, 4 percent higher than the 2013 two-day attendance of 94,628 when the event was also held at the Southern California track. The total attendance is a Breeders’ Cup record at Santa Anita since the expansion to a two-day event.

The Breeders’ Cup hour in primetime on NBC (8-9 p.m. ET), punctuated by Bayern’s nose victory over Toast of New York in the $5 million, Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Classic, averaged 2.6 million viewers, a 24 percent increase over 2013.

Combined 2014 Breeders’ Cup coverage on NBC/NBCSN averaged 599,000 viewers, up 33 percent year over the previous year. The event reached a total audience of 5.8 million through its three telecasts on Friday and Saturday, up 37 percent from 2013.

NBC Sports and the Breeders’ Cup announced a 10-year contract extension two days prior to the event that will keep the two-day Championships on NBC and NBCSN through 2025.

A total of 159 runners started in the 13 Breeders’ Cup races, for an average of 12.2 entrants per race, including 26 from overseas. The 159-starter total was the second highest in the event’s history behind the 173 horses at Churchill Downs in 2012 when 15 Breeders’ Cup races were carded.

“Based on a range of positive metrics for the event including strong field sizes, increased participation by horsemen on an international scale, increased television ratings and sponsorship revenue, we feel good about the 31st running of the Breeders’ Cup and look forward to what’s next,” said Breeders’ Cup President and CEO Craig Fravel. “As we move forward on our three-year host

site plan with our first visit to the iconic grounds of Keeneland next year, we will continue to focus on world-class championship horse racing and creating the best possible experience for our guests, our sponsors, our participants and people watching and wagering from home and other locations around the world.”

After Keeneland in 2015, the Breeders’ Cup will return to Santa Anita in 2016 and then visit another first-time host venue, Del Mar, in 2017.

With all-sources and international pools reporting, total wagering on the two-day Breeders’ Cup program, including the undercard races, was $159.1 million, the fourth highest in the event’s history. Total wagering on the 13 Breeders’ Cup races was $135.5 million, up 1.1 percent compared to the corresponding 13 Breeders’ Cup races from last year at Santa Anita.

Wagering on this year’s Breeders’ Cup Classic, the event’s marquee race, was $28,776,535, a 15 percent increase over the 2013 Classic betting of $25,116,192.

The total handle of $159.1 million, as compared to 2013 when there were 14 Breeders’ Cup races, was 2.7 percent lower. Breeders’ Cup officials discontinued the Breeders’ Cup Marathon as a Championship race in 2014 due to concerns that the overall quality of the race was not consistent with the event’s standards. In addition to one less Breeders’ Cup race in 2014, two turf races on the Saturday undercard were moved to the main track due to heavy overnight rain, resulting in 15 scratches and an estimated $3 million loss in handle compared to the same races in 2013.

The Breeders’ Cup also added four new race sponsors in 2014 to its list of 20 marketing and promotional partners, headed by Longines, which sponsored the Breeders’ Cup Distaff and the Breeders’ Cup Turf. DraftKings, the popular daily fantasy sports website, sponsored the Filly & Mare Sprint, and 14 Hands Winery was the name-in-title sponsor of the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies. Sentient Jet sponsored the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, and Xpressbet returned this year to sponsor the Breeders’ Cup Sprint. The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority was also a new sponsor with the Las Vegas Marathon on the Friday undercard.

RCI to Develop Updated Safety Rail Standards The Association of Racing Commissioners International’s (RCI) Rider and Driver Safety Committee has determined that current regulatory standards for racetrack rail systems should be updated to embrace new systems and technologies used at flat racing tracks that have been developed to protect both jockeys and horses.

The announcement followed a committee meeting held October 24 in Lexington, Kentucky.

“It’s been 33 years since the Fontana Safety Rail was developed, and we believe it’s time to revisit the question of what constitutes a safety rail and how best to protect riders, drivers and horses from catastrophic injuries resulting from track accidents,” said RCI President Ed Martin.

Former Illinois regulator and accomplished jockey Allan Monat chaired the committee meeting, which included numerous racing regulators as well as representatives from the Jockeys’ Guild, the National Thoroughbred Racing Association Safety and Integrity Alliance, National Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association and the Racing Officials Accreditation Program. The meeting was triggered by a request to RCI from Terry Meyocks on behalf of

the Jockeys’ Guild for a reassessment of safety rail requirements and industry dialogue on how to better protect riders and horses.

The committee met with and questioned representatives of Duralock Performance Fencing, Horsemen’s Track and Equipment and Global Barrier Systems about the various safety rail systems currently being manufactured and in use at racetracks worldwide.

Current standards embodied in the RCI Model Rules require that the top of the rail be between 38 and 42 inches. Some current safety rail systems are as high as 50 inches, and manufacturers claim that horses running with blinkers can better see a higher rail. Committee members expressed an interest in developing standards that address both height and flexibility concerns as well as limiting exposure to sharp objects capable of causing injuries. The committee indicated that information concerning accidents would be helpful in assessing the most effective standards to adopt and voted to recommend adoption of a model rule requiring the reporting of rider injuries to the Jockey Injury Database. That recommendation will be considered when the RCI Model Rules Committee meets in December.

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7

news

industry news The Jockey Club Releases 2014 Report of Mares Bred Statistics The Jockey Club has released Report of Mares Bred (RMB) statistics for the 2014 breeding season.

Based on RMBs received through October 13, The Jockey Club reports that 1,547 stallions covered 34,540 mares in North America during 2014.

The annual statistics represent approximately 92 percent of the mares that eventually will be reported as bred in 2014. According to historical trends, The Jockey Club expects to receive RMBs representing an additional 2,000 to 3,000 mares bred during the 2014 breeding season.

The number of stallions declined 8.9 percent from the 1,698 reported at this time in 2013, and the number of mares bred increased 1.1 percent from the 34,174 reported at this time last year.

The number of stallions covering 100 or more mares increased from 88 in 2013 to 97 in 2014. These stallions accounted for a greater percentage of the total mares reported bred this year—36.4 percent of all mares bred in 2014 versus 34.0 percent of all mares bred in 2013 as reported at this time last year.

RMB statistics for all reported stallions in 2014 are available through the Fact Book section of The Jockey Club’s website at jockeyclub.com.

TOBA Releases 2015 Graded Stakes List The American Graded Stakes Committee of the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association announced its listing of U.S. Graded and Listed Stakes Races for 2015, after conducting its annual grading session December 3 in Lexington.

The Committee reviewed 750 unrestricted U.S. stakes races with a purse of at least $75,000 and assigned graded status to 463 of them—eight more than were graded in 2014—and listed status to 171 races. Eight new Grade 3 races were named and 15 new listed races were upgraded from non-listed black-type status. Twenty-four races that carried listed status in 2014 are no longer eligible for grading.

No races were upgraded to Grade 1 status and no races were downgraded from Grade 1 to Grade 2 for 2015, nor were any races upgraded to Grade 2 status.

Six races were downgraded from Grade 2 to Grade 3 in 2015: the Jerome Stakes and Top Flight Handicap at Aqueduct, Delaware Oaks at Delaware Park, Molly Pitcher Stakes at Monmouth Park and Robert L. Lewis Stakes and San Juan Capistrano Stakes at Santa Anita Park.

Eight races were upgraded to Grade 3 status for 2015: the American St. Leger Stakes at Arlington Park, Edgewood Stakes at Churchill Downs, Sweetest Chant Stakes at Gulfstream Park, Rood and Riddle Dowager Stakes at Keeneland, Bayakoa Stakes at Oaklawn Park, Penn Mile Stakes at Penn National, Miss Preakness Stakes at Pimlico and Fasig-Tipton Waya Stakes at Saratoga.

No races were downgraded from Grade 3 to listed status for 2015.

Fifteen races were upgraded to listed status for 2015: the Affectionately Stakes at Aqueduct; Homecoming Classic Stakes and Locust Grove Stakes at Churchill Downs; Ginger Brew Stakes and Harlan’s Holiday Stakes at Gulfstream Park; Houston Ladies Classic Stakes at Sam Houston Race Park; Kentucky Downs 8

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Further book size analysis shows an 8.3 percent increase in the number of mares bred to stallions with a book size of 100 or more in 2014 as compared to 2013 as reported at this time last year; a 12.9 percent increase in mares bred to stallions with a book size between 75 and 99; a 4.8 percent decrease in mares bred to stallions with a book size between 50 and 74; a 1.2 percent increase in mares bred to stallions with a book size between 25 and 49; and a 9.2 percent decrease in mares bred to stallions with a book size fewer than 25.

The stallion Kitten’s Joy led all stallions with 204 mares bred in 2014.

Rounding out the top five were Into Mischief, 203; Scat Daddy, 202; Midnight Lute, 186; and Violence, 181.

Kentucky traditionally leads North America in Thoroughbred breeding activity. During 2014, Kentucky’s 233 reported stallions covered 16,826 mares, or 48.7 percent of all of the mares reported bred in North America. The number of mares bred to Kentucky stallions increased 7.2 percent compared to the 15,695 reported at this time last year.

Of the top 10 states and provinces by number of mares reported bred in 2012, Kentucky, Florida, California, New York and Maryland stallions covered more mares in 2014 than in 2013, as reported at this time last year.

Ladies Marathon Stakes, Kentucky Downs Ladies Turf Stakes and Kentucky Downs Turf Dash Stakes at Kentucky Downs; City of Laurel Stakes at Laurel Park; Instant Racing Stakes at Oaklawn Park; Fabulous Strike Stakes at Penn National; and American Beauty Stakes, Joe Hernandez Stakes and Thunder Road Stakes at Santa Anita Park.

Three races were downgraded from listed to non-listed black-type status for 2015: the Lady Canterbury Stakes at Canterbury Park and West Virginia Legislature Chairman’s Cup Stakes and West Virginia Senate President’s Cup Stakes at Mountaineer Park.

Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance Announces Accreditation of 19 Facilities The Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA) has announced that it has awarded accreditation to 19 equine aftercare organizations, bringing the total number of accredited organizations to 42 with more than 120 facilities throughout North America.

Accredited organizations may apply for grants annually from the TAA to go toward the ongoing care of retired Thoroughbreds. Individual grant amounts are based on a comprehensive review and allocation process by the TAA Grants Committee and require approval from the TAA Board of Directors. An announcement regarding 2015 grants was to be made in December.

“In a relatively short period of time, the TAA has built a strong program and the industry has shown great action and momentum in getting behind it,” said Stacie Clark, operations consultant for TAA. “This year alone, the TAA will have accredited 19 new facilities, bringing the total number of accredited organizations to 42 in just two years, and these organizations will receive approximately $2.5 million in grants.”

The newly accredited organizations include Biszantz Memorial (dba Tranquility Farm), Bright Futures Farm Inc., CANTER Michigan, Equestrian Inc., Equine Advocates Incorporated, Final Furlong Inc., Finger Lakes Thoroughbred Adoption Program Inc., Friends of Ferdinand Indiana Inc., Harmony and Hope, Heaven Can Wait Inc., Illinois Equine Humane Center, NFP, Los Angeles Pet Rescue/Farralone Farms, Oklahoma Thoroughbred Retirement Program Ltd., Our Mims Retirement Haven, R.A.C.E Fund Inc., Racehorse Remember Me Rescue Foundation, Second Stride Inc., Square Peg Foundation and Thoroughbred Athletes Inc. To hold TAA accreditation, an organization must complete a thorough application process and meet the TAA Code of Standards, both of which have been reviewed and approved by the American Humane Society and the American Association of Equine Practitioners.

The application process includes a review of each organization’s operations, education, horse healthcare management, facility standards and services and adoption policies and protocols and an on-site inspection of the facilities by TAA representatives.

G. Kent Carter Named President of AAEP Longtime Texas A&M University professor G. Kent Carter, DVM, DACVIM, was installed as president of the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) during the December 9 President’s Luncheon at the association’s 60th Annual Convention in Salt Lake City, Utah.

A native of Levan, Utah, Carter entered private practice in Reno, Nevada, after graduating from Colorado State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 1979. He completed a residency in large animal medicine at Texas A&M University in 1982. While working on the faculty at Purdue University for two years, he became board certified in internal medicine. In 1984, Carter joined the faculty of Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, where he later served as section chief of internal medicine.

For the past 20 years, Carter has collaborated with farriers to resolve equine hoof disorders and lameness. He founded an instructional rotation for students at Texas A&M dedicated to foot care and its ties to lameness.

An AAEP member since 1980, Carter has served on the Abstract Review, Farrier Liaison, Infectious Disease, Leadership Development, Nominating and Student Relations committees, as well as a term on the board of directors from 2006-07.

Carter also served as a commissioner for the Texas Racing Commission.

The American Association of Equine Practitioners, headquartered in Lexington, Kentucky, was founded in 1954 as a non-profit organization dedicated to the health and welfare of the horse. Currently, AAEP reaches more than five million horse owners through its more than 9,000 members worldwide and is actively involved in ethics issues, practice management, research and continuing education in the equine veterinary profession and horse industry.

www.nationalhbpa.com

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DEADLY DOPING MEETS ITS MATCH TRAINERS PRAISE NATURAL ALTERNATIVE

By Mark Hansen

The pressure to win is so enormous that many horsemen resort to whatever it takes to get a piece of the purse or a decent sale… even if it means putting their horses’ lives in mortal danger by doping them with illegal synthetic erythropoietin (EPO) drugs to boost endurance.

Veterinarian Gary Smith said, “It’s a problem all over the industry.

There is no way horses should be put on (synthetic) EPO.” So how do racers win? How do you gain a competitive edge without harming your horses or risking your livelihood? The answer may be found in a safe all-natural horse supplement that supports natural EPO function.

Why is EPO boosting so critical? Just like in people, a horse’s muscles require oxygen for fuel. Red blood cells are the body’s oxygencarrying cells. A higher red blood cell count = more oxygen = more muscle energy. Elevated muscle energy helps the horse perform harder, faster and longer during endurance events. All horses naturally produce EPO in their kidneys to stimulate production of new red blood cells from bone marrow. In short, EPO is a natural “blood builder.”

With EPO doping, trainers try to boost the EPO effect to get a winning performance every time. They use a synthetic EPO (recombinant human EPO), even though the side effects can harm the horse. That’s one reason why it’s illegal.

Fortunately there’s another option. EPO-Equine is a safe, highly effective natural dietary supplement scientifically engineered for performance horses.

A Kentucky trainer who refused to give out his name, said, “I don’t want my competition to know about this.” He found EPO-Equine to be so effective that he’s dead set against disclosing who he is, who his horses are, or even where he trains and races. He first started ordering a single jar of EPO-Equine once a month. Now he’s ordering several CASES each month. And he won’t tell BRL exactly why. He said respectfully, “Sorry – no way.”

Bioengineers at U.S. based Biomedical Research Laboratories (BRL), first discovered a completely natural EPO-booster for human athletes (and it’s working miracles for top athletes and amateurs

around the world). Seeing these results, horse trainers contacted BRL and asked about using this natural formula for their animals.

That’s when the BRL team dug deeper and discovered a proprietary, horse-friendly strain of a common herb that promotes optimal blood-building results. EPO-Equine is based on the bloodboosting abilities of a certain strain of Echinacea that’s astounding researchers and trainers alike. (It’s not a strain you can find at the local health store.)

Veterinarians at the Equine Research Centre in Ontario, Canada ran a double-blind trial investigating the blood building properties of the active ingredient in EPO-Equine in healthy horses. For 42 days, one group of horses was supplemented with the active ingredient in EPOEquine and another group of horses was given a placebo.

The supplement delivered significant blood building results, increasing red blood cell count and hemoglobin levels. Researchers also observed improved blood quality and increased oxygen transport in the supplemented horses. Improved blood levels leads to elevated exercise physiology and performance.

The patent-pending formula in EPO-Equine contains a dozen different herbs, antioxidants and anti-inflammatory components combined to promote natural red blood cell production…for remarkable speed, strength and stamina right out of the gate.

Trainers find it easy to add just 1 scoop (3.2 grams) of EPO-Equine to the horse’s daily feeding routine in the barn or on the road. Within a few weeks of daily use, you can expect to see increased red blood cell levels with no undesirable side effects. An increase in red blood cell levels can improve muscle performance, supercharge endurance, and enhance recovery after hard exercise. Nothing else is scientifically proven to deliver these benefits in a completely safe and natural formula.

Compared to the cost of veterinarians, drugs, icing, tapping the knees, and putting the horse on Bute; or even the consequences of being banned for synthetic doping, EPO-Equine® is very affordable at the low price of just $59.95 per jar. Or save $180 if you are ready to commit to a larger trial of 12-jar case for just $539.55 with FREE shipping. EPO-Equine® can be ordered at www.EPOEquine.com or 1-800-557-9055, and comes with a 100% money-back satisfaction guarantee.

news

hj

hbpa news

National HBPA Winter Convention Set for February 4-8 in Arizona The National HBPA Winter Convention is scheduled for February 4-8, 2015, at the Carefree Resort and Conference Center near Phoenix, and attendees are reminded that the hotel room block closes January 7 and may sell out before then.

The hotel rate is $179/night for single or double occupancy and $199/night for triple or quad occupancy with breakfast included.

The National HBPA Winter Convention is hosted by the Arizona HBPA and will include a day at the races at Turf Paradise.

In addition to a full schedule of meetings and seminars, all attendees are

invited to an optional dinner outing on February 6 at the Buffalo Chip Saloon for $11 per person for BBQ and all the fixins. Beverages are extra, but the bull riding and line dancing are included.

The resort also has a full-service spa, so make your reservations before you arrive. An area dining brochure is posted on the NHBPA website as well as sponsorship opportunities.

For more information about registration and hotel rooms, visit hbpa.org or call the NHBPA office at (859) 259-0451.

National HBPA Mission Statement Founded in 1940, the National Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association (NHBPA) and its affiliates operate on behalf of Thoroughbred racehorse owners, trainers and backstretch personnel throughout the United States and Canada. Our mission is to improve and preserve Thoroughbred horse racing by: 1.

Providing a representative voice for all Thoroughbred horsemen on matters integral to the advancement of Thoroughbred racing in the United States, Canada and at the state level.

2.

Encouraging the highest standards of horsemanship to continuously improve the care, health and safety of the horse.

3.

Facilitating guidelines to ensure the safety of the jockeys, trainers, grooms, exercise riders, hot walkers, farriers, veterinarians and all others who regularly come in contact with the racehorse.

4.

Supporting the development, adoption, implementation and enforcement of nationwide uniform rules which promote safety and integrity in racing.

5.

Disseminating information on critical issues facing our industry to HBPA affiliates and to the general public as appropriate.

6.

Supporting and promoting programs and entities which provide general benevolence and other beneficial programs for affiliates and members.

7.

Assisting in the development of programs at affiliated tracks providing for the aftercare of our horses when their racing careers are over.

8.

Promoting the sport of Thoroughbred horse racing.

NATIONAL HBPA’S Position Regarding the Regulation of Racing Medication 1.

The National HBPA’s focus has always been, and remains, the health and safety of the horse, the safety of the jockey, and the safety of all individuals coming into contact with the horse including grooms, hot walkers, trainers and veterinarians.

2.

The National HBPA believes a truly independent and transparent Racing Medication and Testing Consortium (RMTC) composed of industry stakeholders (including the NHBPA, The Jockey Club, the United States Trotting Association and Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association, among others) not dominated by any individual organization, with input from appropriate medical and veterinary professional bodies such as the American Association of Equine Practitioners, must be the final evaluator of medical and veterinary science.

3.

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The National HBPA believes that RMTC approved medication rules should be reviewed by the Association of Racing Commissioners International on behalf of state racing commissions, and following

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an evaluation based on science and medical research with all industry stakeholders being heard, the rules should be adopted or rejected by a majority vote.

4.

The National HBPA contends that uniform medication rules must be based solely on published scientifically determined regulatory thresholds, with published scientifically determined withdrawal time guidelines, all based on and supported by data published in the scientific literature.

5.

The National HBPA believes that RMTC and ISO-17025 accredited laboratories should perform all medication testing.

6.

The National HBPA does not tolerate cheating in this sport. The NHBPA supports rules wherein repeat offenders of medication rules, after due process, should be severely penalized, including permanent expulsion from the industry.

Your HBPA – Why We Are Here “Horsemen Helping Horsemen.”

Ron Maus Secretary/Treasurer, National HBPA

Ackerley Images

It sounds simple, and it makes good sense, but really, what does it mean?

It means a lot of different things to each of us: pitching in from across the country to offer donations of cash or tack to horsemen who have been victimized by barn fire, tornado or flood; helping someone understand the requirements of the immigration or workers’ compensation laws that we face in different jurisdictions; or pulling together, as we do at the National HBPA, to address the broadest of issues nationally to benefit all of our members.

As a new owner in the 1990s, I really did not know what the HBPA was, either locally at the affiliate level or nationally, or what the organization did.

Over time, I became more aware and served the affiliate in my home state of Washington as a board member and as its president. On the board, I focused mainly on local issues—that was what I cared about. I only half-listened to reports from the National HBPA Executive Director about what was happening “at National,” and I was unsure just what the dues that we paid to National got us or why they were necessary.

However, as president, I was asked to travel to the National HBPA winter and summer conventions. I rapidly came to realize that the business of our local affiliate in the state of Washington was dramatically simplified by the efforts of National, with its participation on various committees of the Association of Racing Commissioners International (which has members from the various racing commissions in each of our states). It became quite clear to me that the National HBPA provides the opportunity for the many affiliate members who volunteer time and spend their affiliate’s money in committee participation to make a substantial difference in all of our lives as horsemen.

In the next few years, horse racing will face the most challenging times and greatest peril that it has known in the last several decades. It faces these challenges because, as an industry, it is a “house divided,” with a few grabbing for power and influence at the expense of the many. In my view, The Jockey Club, an elite group with less than 200 members, is one such example. With a good bit of hubris, The Jockey Club goes about publically proclaiming its proposed solutions for the problems of the industry and in the process often ignores science and good horsemanship. To resist that high jacking of our industry and livelihood, we need to be more united than ever to present a voice of reason for horses and horsemen’s interests to counter those with great financial resources who rail against common sense and the common good of the industry.

Through National, we have, among other things, “a voice at the table” when the various governing bodies discuss medication, model rules, equipment modifications and other issues that affect horsemen. Through National, which retains a talented lobbyist, we have access to key lawmakers in Washington, D.C., with whom we meet and discuss our collective concerns regarding the myriad of issues that now confront racing (federal government oversight of racing, possible medication oversight by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency rather than by state commissions, undermining of the Association of Racing Commissioners International, threats against the Interstate Horseracing Act, lack of medication uniformity and imposed standards not based upon science, etc.). Through National, we have a collective voice that cannot be achieved— on any basis of cost comparability—by any of our affiliates alone. Through National, our affiliates jointly set budgets and priorities and share in the costs of the medication panels that educate us as to the challenges that we face in setting a national medication policy based on misguided or misapplied science and the lobbying efforts necessary to protect horsemen’s rights in the face of mounting attack.

Of course, at the same time, each of our affiliates face changes and challenges on their own that affect finances and how they are viewed. I believe it is critical that our members and our many affiliate organizations realize the critical nature that the National HBPA plays in monitoring and shaping debate and that those efforts be viewed as essential to the local budget as the salaries of the various executive directors or the rent expense being paid to house an affiliate.

It is my view that as horsemen, more than ever, we must live up to the mantra of “horsemen helping horsemen.” We must recognize that we are stronger together, and that our collective contributions to run this organization and to its lobbying efforts are in fact much more effective and far more costeffective than if any of us were to try to act individually. We have an obligation, as individuals and as affiliates, to our horses and to each other, to keep the National HBPA strong and able to perform its mission.

www.nationalhbpa.com

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news

By Brian W. Fitzgerald

national Hbpa

legislative

update

Summary of Congressional Mid-Term Election Results Following the November 4 mid-term elections, Congress returned to Washington, D.C., on November 12 for a post-election “lame duck” session that was expected to run into mid- to late December. As is already well known, Republicans fared quite well in the mid-term elections, capturing the majority in the U.S. Senate and a number of additional seats in the U.S. House of Representatives to add to their majority in the 114th Congress (2015–2016). Below is an update, written in mid-November, on the status of pending federal legislation, public policy issues and election results of interest to the NHBPA.

U.S. Senate Membership and Leadership in 114th Congress In the U.S. Senate, 53 Republicans, 44 Democrats and two Independents will serve in the 114th Congress. As of press time, Republicans had picked up eight Senate seats with one Senate seat, Louisiana, still undecided. A December 6 run-off election between incumbent Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-LA) and Congressman Bill Cassidy (R-LA) was to determine the winner.

Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) will become the new Senate Majority Leader in the 114th Congress. Other Republicans who will be serving in the Republican Senate leadership in the new Congress include Senators John Cornyn (R-TX), John Thune (R-SD), John Barrasso (RWY) and Roy Blunt (R-MO).

Sen. Harry Reid (D-NV) will become the new Senate Minority Leader in the 114th Congress. Other Democrats who will be serving in the new Democratic Senate leadership include Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Patty Murray (D-WA), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), John Tester (D-MT) and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA).

U.S. House of Representatives Membership and Leadership in 114th Congress In the U.S. House of Representatives, 246 Republicans and 188 Democrats will serve in the 114th Congress with one House race still undecided as of the date this report was prepared. House Republicans have, as of now, picked up 12 additional House seats and may add one more when the remaining undecided race in Arizona is officially determined.

Rep. John Boehner (R-OH) will remain as Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) will remain as House Majority Leader and Rep. Steve Scalise (R-LA) will remain as Majority Whip. On the Democratic side of the aisle, Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) will remain as the Minority Leader, and Rep. Steny Hoyer (DMD) will remain as the Minority Whip.

Key Congressional Committee Leadership in 114th Congress Sen. John Thune (R-SD) is expected to become the new chair of the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, and Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL) is expected to become the Ranking Democrat of the committee.

Rep. Fred Upton (R-MI) will be chair of the U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce, and Rep. Frank Pallone (D-NJ) will become the Ranking Democrat on the committee.

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Rep. Michael Burgess (R-TX), a medical doctor who will be serving his seventh term representing the North Dallas suburbs, will be the new chair of the House Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing and Trade to replace the current chair, Rep. Lee Terry (R-NE), who lost his bid for reelection.

Sen. Charles Grassley (R-IA) is expected to become the new chair of the U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary, and Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT), the current chair, is expected to become the Ranking Democrat on the committee.

Rep. Bob Goodlatte (R-VA) will be chair of the House Committee on the Judiciary, and Rep. John Conyers (D-MI) will be Ranking Democrat on the committee.

Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-UT) is expected to become chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, and Sen. Ron Widen (D-OR), the current chair, is expected to become the Ranking Democrat on the committee.

Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) is expected to become chair of the House Committee on Ways and Means, and Rep. Sander Levin (D-MI) is expected to be the Ranking Democrat on the committee.

Federal Medication Legislation There is no expectation that the pending House and Senate companion federal medication bills, the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act, H.R. 2012 and S. 973, will see additional action during the lame duck session, but it is fully expected that the legislation, or a variation thereof, will be pursued again in the 114th Congress.

Federal Legislation To Amend the Horse Protection Act of 1970 Despite having very broad, bipartisan support, the House and Senate companion bills, the Prevent All Soring Tactics Act, H.R. 1518 and S. 1406, are not expected to see additional action during the lame duck session but are expected to be reintroduced again in the 114th Congress.

Federal Internet Gambling Legislation None of the pending Internet gambling bills are expected to receive any attention during the lame duck session. It remains to be determined which, if any, of these bills will be reintroduced in the 114th Congress.

Immigration Reform President Barack Obama, on the evening of November 20, in a brief address to the nation, outlined the executive actions on immigration reform his administration will be taking. While he did not provide all of the specifics of his actions, he announced the centerpiece—a new program for unauthorized immigrants who are undocumented parents of U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents.

That group comprises an estimated four million people. These parents, if they have lived in the United States for at least five years, would be eligible for a new legal status that would defer their deportation and allow them to work legally. An additional estimated one million people will be given some protection from deportation through other parts of the president’s plan.

The president’s plan also includes steps that would make it easier for high-skilled workers and their spouses to change jobs while they are waiting for lawful permitted status, expand options

Federal Tax Legislation Congress is currently considering taking action during the lame duck session on a package of the aforementioned tax extenders. It is uncertain at this time which provisions may be extended, and for how long, as negotiations among Republicans and Democrats on how to address these provisions are ongoing. As mentioned previously, it is also possible the president’s unilateral actions on immigration could complicate Congress’ efforts to come together to positively address the extenders before the end of the lame duck session.

Options currently being considered include extending the provisions for only one year, which would mean they would expire again on December 31, 2014; extending the provisions for two years (retroactively to January 1, 2014); extending some of the provisions permanently; and putting off all action on the extenders until next year.

Assuming Congress is able to come to an agreement on how to address this package of expired tax provisions before adjourning for the year, I would expect the package would include the three-year depreciation of racehorses that expired on December 31, 2013.

Denis Blake

for foreign entrepreneurs and make it easier for workers transferring from a U.S. company’s foreign office to an office in the United States. However, the president’s actions do not raise the cap on H-1B visas for high-skilled workers.

Congressional Republicans are adamantly opposed to the president’s executive actions on immigration reform and have pledged to respond strongly through a variety of options they are currently considering, if not in the lame duck session, then in early 2015 when Republicans take control of both chambers of Congress. It remains to be seen whether the president’s actions will derail Congress’ ability to agree on a fiscal year (FY) 2015 funding measure before December 11, 2014, when the current U.S. Government’s temporary FY 2015 funding authority comes to an end, and other pressing legislative issues, including the extension of more than 50 popular federal tax provisions or “tax extenders” that expired at the end of 2013. The president’s actions could also make it more difficult for Congress to come together to approve much needed and long overdue comprehensive immigration reform legislation in the new Congress.

Please Join Us for an a nniversary Celebration 25th A nnuAl Select StAllion SeASon Auction SAturdAy, JAnuAry 10, 6:30 p.m.

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Online: BeginS 9 A.m., mondAy, JAnuAry 5 cloSeS FridAy, JAnuAry 9, 5 p.m. eSt Telephone: FridAy, JAnuAry 9, 9 A.m. – 5 p.m. eSt Please visit www.TCA.org to purchase tickets and register to bid.

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www.nationalhbpa.com

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technology

hj

+ research medication update

UC Davis Creates Veterinary Resources for Diagnosing EPM

While it might not seem difficult to visually identify a horse as neurologic, diagnosing equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM) can be a detailed process of evaluating the history, physical examination and neurological examination of the horse.

To assist equine veterinarians in diagnosing EPM, veterinarians at the University of California, Davis (UC Davis) Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital have created several resources designed to help equine veterinarians determine if their patients could be suffering from the debilitating neurological disease.

“We discussed our EPM research and clinical activities extensively at last year’s American Association of Equine Practitioners Convention,” said Nicola Pusterla, DVM, PhD, Dipl.

ACVIM and chief of UC Davis’ Equine Medicine Service. “What we discovered was that many veterinarians wanted assistance in properly diagnosing the disease, as it can be masked as many other possible conditions.”

In response to the multitude of requests, UC Davis has developed a website full of resources for veterinarians who suspect their patients could have EPM. The site is available

at vetmed.ucdavis.edu/vmth/large_animal/equine/equine_ medicine_dentistry/EPM/ and includes tools such as the following: • Diagnostic flow chart that walks veterinarians through several steps to a positive or negative outcome; • Detailed procedure for performing a neurological examination; • Videos showing differing levels of neurological horses; • EPM laboratory testing available at UC Davis; and • Research study conducted by UC Davis outlining the prevalence of EPM throughout the United States.

After obtaining more than 3,000 diagnostic submissions from across the United States, UC Davis researchers determined that horses from 42 states were affected by parasites causing EPM. Originally believed to be a regionalized disease, EPM has proven to be far more widespread than first thought. UC Davis researchers are extending that study and believe they will find even more evidence of the disease spreading to previously unsuspected parts of the country.

Welfare and Safety of the Racehorse Summit VI Scheduled for 2015 The Jockey Club and Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation have announced that the sixth Welfare and Safety of the Racehorse Summit will be held July 8, 2015, in Lexington, Kentucky.

The summit, which brings together a cross-section of the breeding, racing and veterinary communities, again will be underwritten and coordinated

by The Jockey Club and Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation and hosted by the Keeneland Association.

The first summit was held in October 2006, followed by March 2008, June 2010, October 2012 and July 2014. In August 2014, The Jockey Club announced that the summit would become an annual event starting in 2015.

“There has been a steady increase of interest in the discussions, initiatives and the achievements emanating from these summits,” said Edward L. Bowen, president of the GraysonJockey Club Research Foundation. “We believe that holding the summit every year will help keep the industry focused on initiatives that can and will improve the safety and integrity of our sport.”

The summit will be held in the Keeneland sales pavilion and will be open to the public; a live webcast will also be available.

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“Hosting this summit is another example of Keeneland’s commitment to the Thoroughbred industry and to the safety of our athletes,” said Keeneland President and CEO Bill Thomason. “We are pleased that this has become an annual event, and we are proud to utilize our facility for such a good cause.”

A formal agenda and a list of speakers will be announced at a later date.

Among the major accomplishments that have evolved from the previous four summits are the Equine Injury Database; the Jockey Injury Database; the Racing Surfaces Testing Laboratory, which provides science-based testing of racing surfaces to enhance safety for horse and rider; a uniform trainer test and study guide; the racing surfaces white paper and publication of educational bulletins for track maintenance; the publication of stallion durability statistics; the hoof DVD, available in English and Spanish; a model rule banning toe grabs greater than 2 mm and elimination of all traction devices on front shoes approved and passed in August 2008; and the movement by state racing commissions to create regulations that void the claim of horses suffering fatalities during a race.

Additional information is available at grayson-jockeyclub.org.

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www.nationalhbpa.com

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hj MEDICAL

National

H B PA

MEDICATION COMMITTEE CORNER

A HORSEMAN’S RECENT CHRONOLOGICAL HISTORY OF THE LASIX WAR

By Kent H. Stirling

In 1995 New York ended its hold-out and became the last state to permit the use of race-day Lasix (aka Salix or furosemide). Immediately the incidence of epistaxis (visibly bleeding through the nostrils) declined by more than 400 percent, according to Dr. Anthony Verderosa, chief examining veterinarian for the New York Racing Association (NYRA), and one would think that the horse and jockey were racing just a little more safely in New York.

In 2001 the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) hosted the Racehorse Medication Summit at the University of Arizona Race Track Industry Program’s annual Symposium on Racing in Tucson. The summit brought together individuals representing a broad spectrum of organizations across the racing breeds for a facilitated, closed-door meeting to determine potential consensus points on the most basic elements of a uniform national medication policy for racehorses.

Consensus was reached on a number of general and specific points by those attending the summit. It was hoped that this consensus would eventually lead to the development of an industry-wide uniform medication policy statement. The first consensus point under medication was “Furosemide (Lasix) would be the only medication to be administered on race day. Any changes in this policy would be supported by sound scientific principles with the health and welfare of the horse and integrity of racing as the prime considerations.”

Those involved that day vowed to continue this effort beyond Tucson, thus leading to the formation of the Racing Medication and Testing Consortium (RMTC).

Going forward, the vast majority of horsemen sided with the Racehorse Medication Summit’s and the RMTC’s position on Lasix, while The Jockey Club, for the most part, did not.

And so then the Lasix war began in earnest.

On one side were the tens of thousands of trainers and owners who raced their horses on Lasix, because they cared about the “health and welfare” of their horses. On the other side was The Jockey Club, a breed registry with less than 200 members who also raced their horses on Lasix but had the idea that they were protecting the “integrity” of racing and (with the deep pockets to do so) felt they could permanently end the use of race-day Lasix.

Horsemen in the United States and Canada and most of the South American countries, basically the “New World,” had been racing their horses on Lasix since the 1970s, and their horses were racing well with very little evidence of epistaxis. While the horses of the members of The Jockey Club were also enjoying the health benefits of Lasix, they wanted race-day Lasix banned to be harmonious with how horses were racing in the “Old World,” Europe, Asia, Australia and South Africa.

The Jockey Club then heavily supported a research study that they 18

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apparently thought would scientifically prove that Lasix was not effective in the prevention of exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage (EIPH). They invested this money in the seminal South African Furosemide Study completed in 2009. The RMTC also financially supported this well-funded study, although, I think both entities were expecting and/or hoping for different results. The Jockey Club was apparently terribly disappointed that this study showed Lasix to be clearly efficacious in preventing EIPH, and very quickly they began to discredit, for the most part, the research for which they had paid.

The war heated up after the results of the South African study were known with The Jockey Club now suggesting that foreign buyers would no longer buy American-breds because they were dependent on Lasix. After several years of foreign buyers continuing to purchase American-breds at similar or better rates than before, that argument, it seems, was somewhat forgotten.

About this time The Jockey Club began proclaiming that Lasix was “performance-enhancing.” A large segment of the industry disagreed with this assessment, stating that Lasix merely combated EIPH (bleeding). Opponents of Lasix, including The Jockey Club, began using a code name for Lasix, which was “race-day medication.” So now we had a “performance-enhancing, raceday medication” (also known as Lasix) which sounded much worse and sent a very negative and inaccurate message to the general public. It seemed The Jockey Club wanted this performance-enhancing, race-day medication banned from U.S. racing to preserve the “integrity” of our racing.

In early 2011 the outgoing chairman of the Association of Racing Commissioners International (RCI) proposed a five-year phase-out of equine medication in horse racing so that America could be more in line with what is going on in other parts of the world “like Europe and Hong Kong.” The incoming RCI Chairman stated, “Today over 99 percent of Thoroughbred racehorses and 70 percent of Standardbred racehorses have a needle stuck in them four hours before a race. That just does not pass the smell test with the public or anyone else except horse trainers.” In the background, according to past performance lines from West Virginia racetracks, the chairman’s family racehorses often ran with two needles stuck in them on race day, one for Lasix and one more for an adjunct bleeder medication.

Next up was the International Medication Summit held at Belmont Park in June 2011, which I attended. This very interesting summit was the work of the National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA), RMTC and AAEP, and if anything, it made one leave there realizing that Lasix is the most effective medication available for managing EIPH. The only real negative statements on Lasix came not from a trainer, veterinarian or scientist but from the former simulcasting director and then COO for NYRA, Bill Nader, currently the executive director of racing for the Hong Kong Jockey Club. And as you may know, Hong

Kong racing is a world of its own, unlike racing anywhere else. Since no horse breeding is permitted in the densely populated region, the Hong Kong Jockey Club buys mainly geldings for racing and distributes them among about two dozen trainers and 1,100 owners, none of whom may own more than four horses. They only run about a total of 760 races a year in Hong Kong.

It appeared as if The Jockey Club was soliciting support for their position from their next of kin, the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association (TOBA), and their magazine The Blood-Horse, the Paulick Report and his ubiquitous “Tinky,” and, of course, the Breeders’ Cup. It seemed all other organizations sided with race-day Lasix and the often forgotten horse.

At the 2011 Jockey Club Round Table, there were reiterated calls for a phased-in ban on Lasix beginning with 2-year-olds. “We respect the pro-Lasix opinion, but The Jockey Club believes horses should compete free of medication,” said Stuart Janney III, vice chairman of The Jockey Club.

In September 2011 The Jockey Club issued its Reformed Racing Medication Rules; the intent of these reformed racing medication regulations was to heighten the integrity of horse racing by eliminating the influences of drugs or medications on the outcome of competitions. These proposed Jockey Club rules stated in part, “the official veterinarian or designee only may administer not less than 150 mg and not more than 500 mg of furosemide intravenously not less than four (4) hours before the scheduled post time for which a horse is entered to run.” One would think that proposed rule indicated The Jockey Club now supported race-day Lasix.

In 2012 I moderated a panel at the National HBPA Winter Convention on the myths about Lasix. Dr. Steven Barker, chemist for the Louisiana State Racing Commission, stated that Lasix is not performance-enhancing, does not interfere with testing for other drugs, does not denigrate the breed and is effective in treating EIPH. Dr. Mark Dedomenico, a noted heart surgeon and horse owner, stated via DVD that he “wouldn’t race a horse without Lasix.” Dedomenico said a horse’s heart beats go from 40 to 220 in a race, meaning its blood pressure increases rapidly, and this would lead to a likely stroke in humans. He also stated that each time a horse bleeds in the lungs, they build up more scar tissue. “More than 90 percent of horses bleed into their lungs,” Dedomenico said. “It shouldn’t be acceptable.”

Another panelist, Dr. Tom Brokken, a past president of the AAEP who has one of the largest equine practices in North America, stated that the only problem he has with Lasix is that it’s injectable. He also noted that vets make about 4 percent of their gross income on Lasix. “Will a race day ban (on Lasix) hurt us?

No,” Brokken said. “Will it change the way we treat horses? Absolutely.” He was referring to the voodoo medications horsemen will demand be used to help curtail EIPH while they “draw” their horses from hay, oats and water for 24 to 48 hours prior to racing.

About this time, the New York Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association produced a 12-page heavily documented report on Lasix. This paper titled “The Lasix Question” is still the most comprehensive work on Lasix that I have seen. It not only goes through the history of Lasix but also spends about seven pages separating fact from conjecture about the use or non-use of Lasix in the world today. “The Lasix Question” is still available on the New York horsemen’s website, nytha.com.

In June 2012, The Jockey Club, through its executive vice president and executive director Matt Iuliano, pushed hard for a rule in Kentucky that would eliminate the use Lasix in 2-year-old graded and listed stakes in 2014 and then expand to stakes for 3-year-olds in 2015, including the Kentucky Derby, and then to all stakes in 2016. This rule passed the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission

7-5, but no other state followed suit, and so the first-of-its-kind Kentucky rule has been, according to a Kentucky journalist, “in a regulatory purgatory ever since.”

In 2012 I was invited to be on a panel to address the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation on the topic, “Medication and Performance Enhancing Drugs in Horseracing.” I was on the first panel with The Jockey Club President and COO Jim Gagliano and Barry Irwin of Team Valor.

Little was said on Lasix until a speaker on the second panel, a veterinarian, Dr. Sheila Lyons, addressed her views on Lasix to me. I had said that Lasix was not performance-enhancing and never harmed a horse. She countered that it was performance-enhancing and that she had “found over 200 peer-reviewed papers that link the increased risk of fracture to Lasix use.” We were unable to find any research papers that indicated a relationship between Lasix use in racehorses and bone fracture. We later asked the committee to have her produce a few of these research papers. None were ever produced, yet she was invited back to speak on the 2013 House Committee panel on the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act of 2013.

At the 2012 Jockey Club Round Table, Chairman Ogden Phipps presented information designed to send the message that racing is being greatly damaged by drug violators, even if the number of them is relatively small. Asked Phipps, “Is anyone satisfied with a situation in which 1.5 percent of the population is shaping 100 percent of the perception of our sport?” I was stunned by the irony of that statement. Does The Jockey Club even represent 1.5 percent of the participants of our sport? Probably not, and yet the organization wants the industry to ban Lasix because The Jockey Club thinks it taints the perception of our sport?

In November 2012 the Breeders’ Cup ran all of its 2-year-old races Lasix-free, and at least three juveniles bled, according to their trainers, after seemingly contrary information by the equine medical director of the California Horse Racing Board, who later stated he was just looking for blood from the nostrils (epistaxis). The fields for the 2-year-old races were noticeably smaller than in previous years, and as a point of interest, the medical director is a Jockey Club member.

In late November 2012, following criticisms of how the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission was handling the implementation of third-party administration of Lasix, The Jockey Club COO stated, “Any action taken to heighten security of in today’s horses will go a long way toward ensuring the public confidence of our horsemen, our regulators and our fans. Measures that aim to protect the welfare and safety of horse and rider as well as promote clean competition should be embraced by all participants.”

Lasix, of course, protects the “welfare and safety of horse and rider.”

In January, a blue-ribbon panel discussed EIPH in California. This panel was hosted by Dr. Mark Dedomenico and Dr. Wayne McIlwraith of Colorado State University. Nine international scientists and veterinarians made up the panel that came down heavily in favor of the use of Lasix on race day but agreed further research is warranted. McIlwraith said, “The current medication policy of the American Association of Equine Practitioners is no race day medication except Lasix. Lasix remained because there was scientific proof that it reduced EIPH. That has been our stance all along. It is also the stance of the Racing Medication and Testing Consortium.”

The Jockey Club’s President and COO then sent a letter to the editor of the Thoroughbred Daily News, which ran a story on the California forum. In his letter, Gagliano picked up on the call for more research on Lasix as something The Jockey Club also wanted, and then went on to state that The Jockey Club helped WWW.NATIONALHBPA.COM

19

MEDICAL fund the 2009 South African study and “fully supports its findings.” He then noted that “not one international jurisdiction with rules preventing the use of Lasix in competition sought to change its medication policies since the paper (2009 South African study) was published.”

The fact that the United States and the New World was proven correct in its use of Lasix wasn’t going to sway any Old World countries to change their no Lasix stance for two reasons that I can think of. First, many of these countries have numerous country fair-type meets where the horses ship in to race and leave, as there is very limited stabling to permit them to be on the grounds for five or six hours. The logistics of administering Lasix to all of these horses four hours before they raced would be monumental. Second, the cost of Lasix and the hiring of veterinarians to administer these Lasix shots would be prohibitive for some of the smaller race meets.

In early 2013 the RCI Controlled Therapeutic Medication Schedule was released with 24 medications with thresholds and withdrawal times developed by the RMTC. Number 12 on the list of 24 medications was furosemide (Lasix) with a “no pre-race treatment” within four hours of post time. Gagliano, when speaking of the 24 Controlled Medications said, “Our next challenge is to take these reforms and incorporate them into the rules of racing, across all jurisdictions. The safety of our competitors and the integrity of competition are clear priorities as we promote the sport to a new generation of fans.” So The Jockey Club was still on board with race-day Lasix?

In 2013 on another HBPA panel I moderated on Lasix, I referred to The Jockey Club as “bullies” on the Lasix issue, forgetting that panelist Dr. Larry Bramlage was a member of The Jockey Club. Bramlage, who was and still is, I believe, pro Lasix, said that The Jockey Club had backed off Lasix last summer to facilitate broader medication and drug testing reforms. He called it a political issue with both sides having legitimate arguments. Bramlage said, “The biggest problem we have is how we talk about the problem, not the medical problem itself.” He went on to say, “race day medication is an issue the public cannot understand. It’s like anabolic steroids. They had to come off the table because the public doesn’t understand (how the racing industry) uses them. The only way the public will accept anything is no race day medication. Perception is critical to what people think.”

Another panelist, Dr. Pamela Wilkins, a professor of equine medicine at the University of Illinois, said research suggests that Lasix has no effect on bone strength because of calcium insufficiency. Wilkins spoke in response to claims

by Lyons that Lasix causes bone fractures. Bramlage also agreed Lasix isn’t tied to bone fractures.

Later in 2013 owner Gary West threatened to sue the Breeders’ Cup, in a letter sent by the Atlanta law firm of Sutherland, Asbill & Brennan LLP to Craig Fravel, Breeders’ Cup President and CEO and a member of The Jockey Club, unless the Lasix ban was reversed. The letter stated in part, “We believe they (Mr. and Mrs. West) will be joined in their views by nearly everyone in the industry. We believe that you and your fellow directors are well aware of the extensive evidentiary support for the proposition that Lasix prevents or minimizes EIPH and in some circumstances may save the lives of horses and jockeys, and we believe that we will be able to demonstrate in any court that you and your directors have access to that present knowledge.”

In August 2013, at The Jockey Club Round Table that dealt more with drugs and how their use is perceived, Dr. Hiram Polk, another member of The Jockey Club, looked at Australian-raced horses that were progeny of American stallions, who presumably all raced on Lasix, and compared them to horses by Australian stallions, who presumably raced Lasix-free. It turned out the U.S. horses ran just 20

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as well as the Australian horses but also ran more often than the Australian horses. So much for the Lasix weakening the breed argument.

In August 2013 TOBA announced that 43 owners had pledged to race their 2-year-olds Lasix-free. This number shrunk from 60 owners in 2012, the first year of the TOBA Lasix-free pledge. And yes, there was some “cheating” by some of these owners who picked their spots. Amazingly, a few of those who took the pledge the first year bailed out on the pledge when they entered their horses in 2-year-old stakes races, and the most vocal individual about running his 2-year-olds without medications had all his pledge horses on Lasix on January 1 of their 3-year-old year. There were also a good number of those who took the pledge who ran no 2-year-olds that could be found. A good number (about 35 percent) of these owners were also Jockey Club members or those aspiring to be, some of whom have since been inducted in to this august organization. I think the 2-year-old pledge died in its second year as there seemed to be no TOBA pledge in 2014.

In late 2013 National HBPA CEO Phil Hanrahan faced an anti-Lasix panel before the House of Representatives Energy and Commerce Committee.

Reappearing was Lyons, who this time had a litany of health issues caused by Lasix, but nowhere was there mention of 200 research papers on bone fracture caused by the use of Lasix. The only creditable veterinary witness on Lasix was Dr. Larry Soma, but he seems to continue to cling very carefully to his prior beliefs about Lasix, even in the face of the 2009 South African study.

From this point on The Jockey Club essentially stated that it wanted a policy change on one of the now “Terrific 26” Controlled Therapeutic Medications.

Yes, the organization wanted the world to know that it no longer supported furosemide (Lasix) with a four-hour withdrawal time. It should now be at least a 24-hour withdrawal time.

In May of this year Thoroughbredracing.com interviewed owner George Strawbridge Jr. in a lengthy article. Strawbridge had recently resigned from TOBA because it delayed implementing a proposed ban on Lasix on juveniles in graded stakes. He essentially said that racing was in denial about an image problem, and when questioned about there still being “a large international buying base at our sales,” he replied that, “It’s becoming less and less.” That statement just didn’t ring true in light of actual sales figures.

When Strawbridge was asked whom he meant by his statement that there are “powerful forces in the racing industry that want to keep things the way they are,” he replied, “The HBPA is, one, denying there’s a problem and, two, threatening lawsuits against these alphabet organizations. That’s pretty powerful.” As an active member of the HBPA and its affairs, number two is news to me.

In June, Dr. Gary Lavin suggested to the Kentucky Equine Drug Research Council that it do a study of Lasix examining its efficacy at varied administration times, such as 24 hours prior to post. Said The Jockey Club’s Matt Iuliano, “We thought it was pretty intriguing, something unique and new, and something that had not been done before.” Lavin is also a Jockey Club member, and it seemed he had just softened The Jockey Club position by suggesting research be done on the administration of Lasix at various times, including two hours prior to post. I think Mr. Iuliano was focused on research on Lasix administration at 24 hours and not on two hours prior to post.

Also in June, Rick Violette Jr., a trainer and president of the New York Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association, did a lengthy interview with Thoroughbredracing.com in which he compared concussions in football to EIPH. “They both scar an organ (the brain and the lungs) and small incidents become larger incidents. The fact is, once you’ve had one concussion, you’re more prone

to have other concussions, and the same with bleeding: once you’ve bled, you’re much more prone to bleed again.”

Violette also chastised The Jockey Club for dismissing the South African furosemide study when it didn’t produce the results The Jockey Club was expecting when they funded it. He also said he had no issue with The Jockey Club having a difference of opinion, but he said he was very tired “of those who are willing to inflict material damage and bring the industry they supposedly love to its knees so that they can get their own way.”

By mid-summer, a list of 25 high-profile trainers who supposedly supported a ban on Lasix was released. This Lasix ban would take place in 2015 for all 2-yearolds and would culminate in no horses running on Lasix in 2016. Some of these trainers seemed surprised to see their names on this list. Not surprisingly, many of these trainers trained for Jockey Club members and other owners who had previously taken the TOBA pledge not to race their 2-year-olds on Lasix.

Surprisingly, at The Jockey Club Round Table in August of this year little was said about Lasix but a lot about seeking federal legislation to develop a true national uniform medication program. Shortly after the Round Table, The Jockey Club again did a full court press on its no race-day Lasix policy. The organization began with a letter to the editor of the Thoroughbred Daily News

by Dr. Lavin, again a Jockey Club member. Lavin admitted Lasix is efficacious in controlling EIPH, but echoed what a small group of Saratoga trainers had apparently recently suggested. They wanted to race their 2-year-olds without Lasix in 2015, and Lavin suggested if this were done then every 2-year-old should have a post-race endoscopic examination with photographs taken to be reviewed by independent practitioners and researchers. He also went on to state that in the early days of Lasix use it was administered at any hour throughout the day, i.e., in the early morning for a late race, and everyone was supposedly still happy with Lasix administered at that time. Here came the big push for Lasix at 24 hours.

In September The Jockey Club put out a press release by its executive vice president citing a study done by Paul S. Morely, DVM, PhD, “a long-time researcher of EIPH” who with others had done a study based on one endoscopic examination in 2003. They found no association between EIPH grades 0-3 (on a 0-4 scale with no bleeding at 0) and long-term racing performance but didn’t address quality or the level at which these horses competed. Anyway, The Jockey Club writer, nevertheless, concluded that Lasix was not needed in the racehorse.

What that Jockey Club officer did not report was that this cited study was one of three studies done by Dr. Morely. The first study using a thousand racehorses concluded that EIPH has detrimental effects on horse’s ability to perform as elite athletes. The second study we briefly mentioned above, and the third study examined existing studies on Lasix and concluded that there is high quality evidence, although limited, that Lasix is effective in reducing the incidence and severity of EIPH in racehorses.

About 10 days later, Dr. Larry Bramlage, already noted as a Jockey Club member, was heavily quoted after being honored by the Thoroughbred Club of America. “Let there be no doubt about what I am saying. I believe furosemide is valuable to the horse when racing. But there are too many reasons why we can’t keep it. The general public can’t understand it and the continued drumbeat of journalists, most of whom have no idea what they are talking about, will become a death knell if we don’t stop it. Racing survived 100 years without it; we can do it again, though it will cost horsemen more money and be terminal to some horses’ careers to do without it.”

About two weeks later, Tony Chamblin, former president of RCI, was heavily quoted as saying he believes that no drugs should be administered to horses on

the day they race. Of course, he helped legalize Lasix as a race day medication in the 1970s and 1980s when he worked for the HBPA. Enough said.

A few weeks later, on October 24, Dr. Bramlage was interviewed by the Thoroughbred Daily News. Dr. Bramlage said, “Every time Lasix is looked at scientifically, Lasix wins. It shows it does have an effect on bleeding. But the side that says we have to have Lasix and have it on race day are wrong, because they’re sticking their heads in the sand on the PR damage that it causes.” He then made The Jockey Club let’s try giving Lasix at 24 hours pitch, but he did clearly state “that once a horse bleeds they tend to progress and get worse.” He explained that’s the reason that “in Europe, many—and in fact maybe the majority—of trainers train on Lasix. It slows the progressive damage.”

Next came this year’s Breeders’ Cup and the controversy over whether the stewards should have disqualified the winning horse for his action at the break of the Classic. Lost in all of this was the fact that the hero of Hong Kong, the heavy favorite for the Sprint, and the only horse in the race not to run on Lasix, Rich Tapestry, finished last.

On the Tuesday evening after the Breeders’ Cup, I received an article from the South China Morning Post about Rich Tapestry’s bleeding incident. I started reviewing various websites, such as The Blood-Horse, Paulick Report, Daily Racing Form, Equidaily.com, etc., and could find no mention of Rich Tapestry’s bleeding incident. On Thursday morning, I sent the article to various HBPA members and had it posted on various websites, and it was soon picked up by the Paulick Report.

The brief article originally written by Michael Carmichael on the afternoon of Sunday, November 2, had some very disturbing quotes. Trainer Michael Chang said, “There was a lot of blood and dirt inside, he just couldn’t breathe.” Said Bill Nader of the Hong Kong Jockey Club, “We stand firm.

We are a racing jurisdiction that doesn’t believe in race-day medication and we believe strongly in that. We believe that other jurisdictions should take the same line.” In my opinion, if The Jockey Club hasn’t offered this guy a membership, they are missing a perfect fit.

Maybe I read something into this last quote. I hope I did. Nader further stated, “I contacted him (trainer Chang) after the race and told him there is no need to apologize.”

Finally this headline in November from Thoroughbredracing.com, “Emerging Far Eastern buyers make a big mark in strong business at U.S. sales,” and a quote from this article, “American money unsurprisingly faced fierce competition from international interests.” Again, so much for the argument that no one from abroad will buy our supposedly Lasix-tainted bloodstock.

While I may be somewhat partisan in my opinion on Lasix, I don’t think I unfairly depicted The Jockey Club in its opinions. It did seem as if those veterinarians that were Jockey Club members all supported Lasix as being a great race day medication for the health and welfare of the horse, but they took The Jockey Club position that the perceived integrity of racing outweighed the health and welfare of the horse. Blame what turned out to be named the RMTC, of which I am a board member, for giving The Jockey Club the opening when on December 4, 2001, those Racehorse Medication Summit attendees agreed, “Furosemide is the only medication to be administered on race day.

Any changes to this policy should be supported by sound scientific principles with the health and welfare of the horse and integrity of racing as the prime considerations.”

The health and welfare of the horse and its riders should be the ultimate measure of the integrity of the American racing industry.

WWW.NATIONALHBPA.COM

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Jun. 17 – Jul. 6

Jul. 15 – Sep. 7, Oct. 28 – Dec. 2

Oct. 1 – 12

Dec. 26, 2014 – Jun. 15, Aug. 21 – Sep. 13, Oct. 5 – Dec. 20

Aug. 19 – 30

Jul. 2 – 15, Dec. 3 – 20

Sep. 10 – 25

Sep. 18 – 27

Dec. 26, 2014 – Jul. 1, Sep. 26 – Oct. 25

Jul. 30 – Aug. 16

Jul. 9 – 26

Alameda (Pleasanton)

Del Mar

Fresno

Golden Gate Fields

Humboldt (Ferndale)

Los Alamitos Race Course

Pomona at Los Alamitos

San Joaquin (Stockton)

Santa Anita Park

Sonoma (Santa Rosa)

State Fair (Cal Expo)

California

Aug. 14 – 15

Sep. 6 – 12

Apr. 25 – May 2

Jun. 7 – 21

May 16 – Aug. 8

Eastern Idaho County Fair

Gem County Fair

Jerome County Fair

Les Bois Park

Nov. 29, 2014 – Jun. 30

Tampa Bay Downs

Cassia County Fair

Dec. 6, 2014 – Mar. 2

Hialeah Park

Idaho

Dec. 6, 2014 – Mar. 29

Gulfstream Park

Florida

May 23 – Aug. 16

Arapahoe Park

Colorado

Apr. 25 – Oct. 12

Hastings Racecourse

British Columbia, Canada

Jan. 9 – Apr. 11

Oct. 18, 2014 – May 5

Turf Paradise

Oaklawn Park

Feb. 7 – Apr. 11

Rillito Park

dates>>

Arkansas

Arizona

2015

racing

Nebraska

Minnesota

Michigan

Maryland

Louisiana

Fonner Park

Columbus

Canterbury Park

Hazel Park

Pimlico Race Course

Laurel Park

Harrah’s Louisiana Downs

Fair Grounds Race Course

Evangeline Downs

Delta Downs

Turfway Park

Feb. 20 – May 2

Aug. 7 – Sep. 7

May 15 – Sep. 12

May 1 – Sep. 12

Apr. 2 – Jun. 6

Jan. 1 – Mar. 28, Aug. 1 – 23, Sep. 10 – Dec. 31

May 1 – Sep. 19

Nov. 21, 2014 – Mar. 29

Apr. 8 – Aug. 29

Oct. 15, 2014 – Mar. 14

Jan. 1 – Mar. 29, Dec. 3 – 31

Sep. 5 – 19

Apr. 3 – 24, Oct. 2 – 31

Keeneland Race Course Kentucky Downs

Jul. 3 – Sep. 7

Apr. 25 – Jun. 27, Sep. 11 – 27, Nov. 1 – 29

Ellis Park

Churchill Downs

Kentucky

Jan. 1 – 3, Feb. 20 – Apr. 26, Oct. 2 – Dec. 31

Hawthorne Race Course

Apr. 21 – Oct. 31

Mar. 24 – Sep. 7

Fairmount Park

Indiana Grand

Apr. 27 – Sep. 30

Aug. 22 – Sep. 13

Arlington Park

Indiana

Illinois

Sandy Downs

Jul. 3 – 12

May 3 – 31

Pocatello Downs Rupert Downs

Aug. 1 – 9

Oneida County Fair

Presque Isle Downs

West Virginia

Washington

Mountaineer Race Track

Hollywood Casino @ Charles Town Races

Emerald Downs

Sam Houston Race Park

Retama Park

Lone Star Park

Mar. 1 – Dec. 21

Jan. 2 – Dec. 30

Apr. – Sep.

Jan. 16 – Mar. 10

Sep. 4 – Nov. 28

Apr. 9 – Jul. 19

Jul. 3 – Aug. 23

TBA

Penn National

Gillespie County Fairgrounds

Jan. 1 – Dec. 31

Parx Racing

Pennsylvania

Texas

Jan. 1 – Dec. 31

Portland Meadows

Oct. 12, 2014 – Feb. 11

Mar. 16 – May 26

Aug. 14 – Dec. 13

Oregon

Will Rogers Downs

Remington Park

Jun. 4 – Jul. 25

Apr. 27 – Oct. 24

Thistledown Fair Meadows

Jan. 5 – Apr. 25, Oct. 30 – Dec. 29

Mahoning Valley

Oklahoma

May 1 – Oct. 10

Belterra Park

Oct. 31, 2014 – Mar. 22

Aqueduct

Sep. 12 – Dec. 15

Zia Park

Ohio

Jul. 3 – Sep. 1

SunRay Park

Dec. 5, 2014 – Apr. 13

May 22 – Sep. 7

Ruidoso Downs Sunland Park

Apr. 17 – Jun. 21, Sep. 11 – 26

TBA

May 8 – 10

The Downs at Albuquerque

Lincoln Race Course

Horsemen’s Park

New York

New Mexico

Schedule is based on available information at the time each issue goes to press.

All racing jurisdictions have differing schedules and policies regarding the granting of future race dates that impact availability.

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feature

A First Step Toward a Long-Needed Solution

Immigration, Executive Action and How It Affects Horsemen

By Will Velie and Craig McDougal

Right up until Thursday night, November 20, these authors, along with at least 11 million other people in the United States, sat on the edge of our proverbial seats waiting to hear the details of the president’s long-awaited announcement regarding the fate of millions of undocumented immigrants to the United States.

Ackerley Images

Whether the wait was worth the expectation is a question with no easy answer. For opponents of the president’s actions, his executive order was akin to Julius Caesar crossing the Rubicon River and declaring himself emperor. For advocates of executive action, the president’s order was a long-awaited down payment on the promise he made on his way to the presidency in 2008 to fix the broken immigration system within the first 100 days of taking office.

It is a safe bet that neither advocates nor opponents of the executive action were completely satisfied by the order announced on that Thursday night in November.

To begin with, the power of an executive order is fleeting and inherently limited to the length of time that the executive who made the order remains in office. Since President Obama has only two years remaining in his administration, the immigrants who step forward and register for the benefits offered by the executive order run the risk of being exposed and deported if a succeeding executive repeals the order and mandates strict interpretation and enforcement of immigration laws.

Beyond the possibility that the executive order may not be renewed in the next administration, the greatest disappointment most advocates for the executive order felt was that it did not reach far enough to help more people out of their legal immigration limbo. While the order does reach a projected five million people, it does not reach the remaining approximately six

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to seven million people who fall outside of the legal requirements to qualify for deportation relief established by the action.

From about 8 p.m. on November 20 until 6 a.m. the next morning, the Department of Homeland Security dropped nearly 20 memoranda one by one, addressing a broad range of immigration issues. Some of the memos closely affect vital interests of trainers, backstretch workers and the Thoroughbred industry. Regardless of the memos’ content, however, the effort will ultimately come to little effect without passage of a comprehensive immigration package to address the long-term needs of American society and industry.

Selfishly for our industry, comprehensive immigration reform should address both the immediate needs of undocumented horsemen as well as long-term needs of trainers and backstretch workers. To be effective, comprehensive immigration reform needs to provide a pathway to legalization for horsemen who currently have no valid immigration status, provided they pass a background check and can establish they have been in the United States for a sustained period. Effective immigration reform must also address the long-term needs of the Thoroughbred industry by ensuring that horsemen have access to a viable straightforward visa program that allows international jockeys, grooms and exercise riders to temporarily come to the United States to assist U.S. racing teams and Thoroughbred farms in competing in the global arena.

America has always maintained its competitive edge by attracting the best talent the world has to offer while training Americans to fill these roles first. By passing immigration reform that emphasizes training and hiring of Americans first while enabling consistent access to international talent, Thoroughbred racing and American industry can meet its labor needs well into the 21st century.

Through the sustained efforts of individuals such as Jerry Crawford of Donegal Racing and vital organizations like the National HBPA, horsemen are making themselves heard in the immigration debate and are determined to make sure that their interests are served in the comprehensive immigration legislation that will be produced in the near future.

The November 20 executive action was the start of a conversation that in true American fashion will undoubtedly be heated, hopefully civil and absolutely essential for the good of our nation.

Summary of the Executive Order We will provide a quick rundown of the highlights of the order announced November 20 and do our best to stay out of the legal thickets and emphasize those provisions that will likely affect horsemen the most.

Three provisions regarding temporary legal status for individuals previously unlawfully present in the United States were detailed in the order that either expand on current categories of individuals allowed temporary legalization or create a new category altogether. a. Parents of United States Citizens and Permanent Residents The first and most far-reaching category detailed was the creation of a new class of eligibility for legalization called Deferred Action for Parental Accountability (DAPA). The order allows temporary legalization for three years for individuals who: (1) have a U.S. citizen or permanent resident son or daughter (of any age) as of November 20, 2014; (2) have been present in the United States since before January 1, 2010; and (3) were present in the United States on November 20, 2014, and pass background checks for criminal activity and prior immigration violations. b. Expansion of DACA (also known as the DREAM Act) Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) was created in 2011 to allow individuals who came to the United States as children to become temporarily legal. DACA will be expanded under the order, expanding the temporary legalization validity period to three years from two and allowing some individuals previously not qualified due to their age to take part. c. Allowing more family members of U.S. citizens and permanent residents to be forgiven for unlawful entry to the United States Called “Expansion Of The Provisional Waiver Program” in the executive order, the memo expands the number of immediate relatives of Americans eligible to obtain permanent residence despite their initial unlawful entry into the United States. Prior to this order, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) only allowed spouses and children of U.S. citizens and parents of adult U.S. citizens who could demonstrate extreme hardship to a U.S. citizen spouse or parent to apply for a waiver of their immediate relative’s unlawful entry into the United States.

Under the new order, USCIS will expand access to a waiver of unlawful entry allowing an individual to get a family-based “green card” for spouses

and sons and daughters of permanent residents.

USCIS will also try to clearly define its standard for granting of a waiver called “extreme hardship.” A clear definition will hopefully give guidance to officers defining this subjective concept so that consistency will be the rule and eliminate the opportunity for arbitrary decisions made by an officer’s discretion.

In addition to the above-discussed expansion of temporary relief from deportation to newly eligible individuals, the executive order addressed several other issues. For a detailed description of the entire contents of the executive order, you can find a summary at uscis.gov/immigrationaction.

The remaining provisions include the following: • Reordering of prosecution priorities into three categories to make clear where the government’s resources should be focused in enforcing immigration laws.

• Improving both land and sea borders without impeding travel, lawful trade or commerce. An additional 20,000 Border Patrol agents will be hired and deployed as part of this measure.

• Replacing the community police and federal immigration partnership program called Secure Communities with a new program called the Priority Enforcement Program. The new program will follow priority guidelines to determine which detailed individuals should be held by local police for transfer to federal immigration officers.

• Authorization of U.S. Department of Labor investigators to give special T and U visas to individuals they determine to be victims of crimes involving trafficking or other criminal activities, including extortion, forced labor and fraud in foreign labor contracting. A note to employers who use visa programs or employ international workers: This provision can be used to give visas to employees who will testify in criminal proceedings for unfair employment practices. Make sure to review employment practices so that you cannot be caught in an unpleasant investigation or trial.

• Visa policies to support highly skilled industry and professional level visa holders. These include employment authorization for spouses of H-1B professional level visa holders, streamlining and ensuring consistency in business visa adjudications and utilizing available numbers of employmentbased green cards to people waiting in line and expanding the number of 27-month work authorization documents issued to college graduates in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields.

• Allow undocumented immediate relatives of active duty U.S. Military members to remain in the United States and apply for permanent residence.

• Give raises to immigration officers.

• Integrate refugees and immigrants through language and civics programs.

• Reform immigration courts.

• Promote citizenship attainment.

Remember that none of this executive order matters if it is repealed in two years. For our country to get this important piece of business right, our Congress needs to pass a long-lasting bill that addresses the many issues contained in the concept of immigration into one package of comprehensive immigration legislation. To make sure they get it right, our Congress needs to hear from us.

So remember: Let your representative know what you think—early and often at contactingthecongress.org.

Attorneys William Velie and Craig McDougal are with Horseman Labor Solutions, an immigration services company that represents horsemen throughout the United States in immigration matters. Horseman Labor Solutions, a sponsor of the National HBPA, can be reached online at horsemanlabor.com or by phone at (877) 678-RACE. www.nationalhbpa.com

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feature

double take

Trainer Mike Maker (left) and owner Ken Ramsey (far right) now have 14 career Claiming Crown wins to easily top the all-time standings.

RAMSEYS, MAKER AND ZITO PRODUCE REPEAT PERFORMANCES IN THE $1 MILLION CLAIMING CROWN AT GULFSTREAM PARK

By Denis Blake Photos by Coglianese Photos/ Lauren King, Leslie Martin

THE 16TH EDITION OF THE CLAIMING CROWN ON DECEMBER 6 AT GULFSTREAM PARK FEATURED A MIX OF

OLD AND NEW WITH STELLAR RESULTS BOTH ON THE TRACK AND AT THE BETTING WINDOWS. The $1 million event for “blue-collar” horses who had started for a specified claiming price since January 1, 2013, underwent some minor changes to the race format and nomination process that produced robust interest from horsemen, and after the gates opened, some familiar names took center stage as owners Ken and Sarah Ramsey teamed with trainer Mike Maker to extend their incredible success in the event, while Hall of Fame conditioner Nick Zito again captured the marquee race in South Florida.

An all-time record 341 horses were nominated to the Claiming Crown from the barns of 128 different trainers under a new system that dropped the previous method of trainer nominations and instead only required horse nominations. The conditions of two races were also altered, along with one race name change. The final results of the joint venture between the National Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association and 26

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Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association, in partnership with Gulfstream and the Florida HBPA, produced some impressive numbers in the pari-mutuel pools as handicappers responded to six fields with 14 horses entered and two with 10 entrants.

Total handle on the Claiming Crown card, which opened the Gulfstream Championship Meet, came in at $10.06 million, an increase of 13.1 percent from last year’s $8.8 million with a jump of 36 percent in on-track handle.

Those numbers were achieved despite an impasse between the Mid-Atlantic Cooperative, which represents tracks and simulcast locations in states including Ohio, Texas, West Virginia and Pennsylvania, and Monarch Capital Management, which represents Gulfstream Park and other tracks owned by The Stronach Group, that prevented many locations from being able to wager on the Claiming Crown.

$200,000 JEWEL

CATHOLIC COWBOY

Trainer Nick Zito,

a twotime Kentucky Derby winner, earned his first Claiming Crown win last year when he saddled Nevada Kid to a mild upset in the $200,000 Jewel. This year, he pulled off an even bigger upset as he sent out Catholic Cowboy to a 17-1 victory in the richest race on the card. Running for Joseph and Nina Moss’ Mossarosa, Catholic Cowboy snapped a two-race losing streak that occurred over a period of just four days at Keeneland Race Course, where he ran sixth on October 8 and then seventh on October 12 against optional claiming company. But he turned things around at Gulfstream and won the 1 1/8-mile Jewel for horses that had started for $35,000 or less. He won by a half-length in 1:49.70.

“He went a little funny on us. We didn’t understand why, so we did the next best thing and gelded him,” Zito said. “That always helps, because the mind goes back to where it’s supposed to be. He’s been fantastic now. He had some great works.

[Jockey] Luis [Saez] wouldn’t give up, and that was the key.”

Bred in Florida by Luis de Hechavarria, the 4-year-old son of Heatseeker (Ire) ran for a $35,000 price as a maiden last year but has spent his entire career running for Zito and the Mosses. This victory was worth

$110,000 and boosted his bankroll to $255,438 with a career record of 18-4-2-3.

“What I need to do is try to win another Kentucky Derby,” said Zito, who won the Run for the Roses with Strike the Gold (1991) and Go for Gin (1994). “But at the end of the day, if this is what the Good Lord wants, and I can win these things every year, it’s not so bad.”

Adam Staple and Jalin Stable’s Page McKenney, the 7-2 favorite who came in with two wins, two seconds and a third in his last five starts while facing stakes foes, closed fast to get second. Ridden by Jose Lezcano and trained by Mary Eppler, the Eavesdropper gelding has banked more than $300,000 on the year.

PTK LLC’s Cerro (Ire), a winner of three straight races at Laurel Park and ridden by Cecily Evans for trainer Dane Kobiskie, set the pace and held on for third.

Eriugena (Ire), Kings Over, Cease, Dawly, Congenial, Tenkiller Kid, Tarpy’s Goal, Viramundo, Bill of Rights, He’s So Fine and Sinorice completed the order of finish.

www.nationalhbpa.com

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feature

$125,000 EMERALD

SAFFRON HALL

Owners Ken and

Sarah Ramsey and trainer Mike

Maker extended their record total to 14 Claiming Crown career victories with a win

by Saffron Hall in the $125,000 Emerald for horses who had started for $25,000 or less. The 1 1/16-mile turf race featured three horses for team Ramsey-Maker, and at the wire it was the 7-year-old Giant’s Causeway gelding with Irad Ortiz Jr. in the irons in a time of 1:42.19.

“It’s kind of like eating popcorn; the more you eat, the more you want,” Ramsey said. “It’s the same way with winning.

We’re kind of raising the bar pretty high; I don’t even know who’s in second place [in number of Claiming Crown wins]. Fourteen is a pretty good number.”

Sent off at odds of 5-1 in a 14-horse field that proved to be a handicapper’s dream with seven horses at odds between 9-2 and 7-1, Saffron Hall came with a fivewide move to capture his 10th win in 19 starts. The Ramseys claimed Saffron Hall, who was bred in Ontario by Eugene Melnyk, for $25,000 last year at Tampa Bay Downs.

The gelding has earned $207,222 for the Ramseys this year alone, and his lifetime earnings stand at $268,611.

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Panic Stable LLC’s Rose Brier, a stakes winner at Laurel Park earlier in the year, took second for trainer Jane Cibelli and jockey Jose Lezcano.

Another of the Ramsey-Maker runners, Grade 1-placed Longhunter (GB), finished third under jockey Edgard Zayas.

“I thought [Saffron Hall] would win; he was my choice,” Ramsey said. “I thought it was between him and Longhunter. If they left Longhunter alone, he could wire the field; otherwise, [Saffron Hall] was going to come from behind and nail them. When I saw Longhunter was faltering a little bit, I said, ‘Where’s Saffron Hall?’ and here he came.”

Screenplay closed for fourth and was followed by Sayler’s Creek, North Star Boy (Ire), El Jefe Grande, Hard Enough, Cement Clement, Dreams Cut Short, Lasso, Key to Power, Ducduc and Delta Bluesman.

$125,000 TIARA

ST. BOREALIS

The attitude that you

cannot win if you do not enter has been a key principle of Ken

and Sarah Ramsey’s racing stable, and that was proven again in the $125,000 Tiara for fillies and mares who had started for $25,000 or less as their St. Borealis unleashed a big late kick to score a 13-1 upset. Claimed by the Ramseys and trainer Mike Maker for just $16,000 in August at Ellis Park, the 4-year-old daughter of War Chant earned $68,750 for her 1 1/16-mile turf trip under jockey Rafael Hernandez.

St. Borealis, who drew away to win by 1 ¾ lengths, came into the race off a win against $40,000 claimers at Churchill Downs.

“Rafael rode a great race,” Maker said. “As soon as they broke, he took her back and saved all the ground and she finished strong. It might be the best way to ride her.”

This win nearly doubled the earnings of St. Borealis to $141,583 with her fifth win from 14 starts to go with one second and one third. She struggled in her lone start on dirt and has one win from six outings on synthetic surfaces, but the filly seems to have found a home on the turf,

where she now has four wins in seven starts. St. Borealis was bred in Kentucky by R-Cher Family Farm LLC. Miller Racing LLC’s Rock On Baby, who had not raced since finishing second in last year’s Tiara to the Ramsey’s Deanaallen’skitten, closed from far back to take second again. Edgard Zayas rode for trainer Marty Wolfson.

Favored Wild Swava, a winner of six turf races during the year at Gulfstream, Churchill Downs, Parx Racing and Indiana Grand, finished third under Irad Ortiz Jr. The Offlee Wild filly runs for William Butler and is also trained by Maker.

Completing the order of finish was Very Few Details, Flamingo Lane, Scenario Analysis, Tippie Tap, Miss Tapit, Dun Won, Morning Star, Lets Go Donna, Dreamlicious, Quiet Hour and Issheit.

www.nationalhbpa.com

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$110,000 Canterbury

Buster Rose

The $110,000

Canterbury, named to honor

the Minnesota track that hosted the first Claiming Crown in 1999, proved to be a popular addition to the event. The race replaced last year’s Iron Lady, which was for fillies and mares going 1 1/16 miles on the main track. This new race, at five furlongs on the turf for horses who had started for $25,000 or less, attracted 41 nominations and a well-matched field of 14 starters. At the finish line, it was Michael Ball’s homebred Buster Rose in front, as the Indiana-bred son of Pioneering came with an eight-wide move to prevail by a half-length at odds of 7-1.

Trained by Stephen Dunn and ridden

by Jeremy Rose, the 6-year-old veteran had won all four of his turf sprints at Indiana Grand and proved he could take his show on the road in his first-ever start in Florida. He earned $60,500 for the dash timed in :55.96, which put his lifetime earnings at $364,168 with a record of 2910-8-5. Buster Rose became eligible for the Canterbury with several starts at the $10,000 claiming level last year.

“For whatever reason, God made him to be a five-eighths of a mile on the grass horse,” Dunn said. “He shows up every

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time, and he’s a special horse in that he’s 23 out of 29 in the money now, so that just tells you how good a horse he is. He has a great owner; he bred him, and he’s had him since he was a baby. I’m just lucky enough to be a part of the team.”

Favored Mr. Online, who had run in four consecutive graded stakes at Woodbine and Gulfstream Park with two second-place finishes, came with a wide move to get second for owner Tim E. O’Donohue Racing LLC, trainer Michael Pino and jockey Mario Pino.

Epona Racing Stable and CJC Racing’s Thomas Hill, a shipper from Belmont Park, took third with Joe Bravo riding for conditioner Bruce Brown.

Mongolian Saturday, Determinato, Didn’t Take It, Moonwalker, Amelia’s Wild Ride, Mongol Bull, Elusive Blueboy, This Ain’t No Bull, Take Time to Pray, Pirates Vow and Quality Lass completed the order of finish.

$110,000 Rapid Transit

Grande Shores

Jacks or Better Farm

Inc.’s homebred Grande Shores came into the $110,000 Rapid Transit

for horses who had started for $16,000 or less with a sterling record, but even with 10 career wins he was lacking a signature victory. He had placed five times in stakes races without a victory and finished third in last year’s Rapid Transit. This time, he put it all together and scored by three-quarters of a length in the seven-furlong contest with a clocking of 1:23.19. Jockey Edgard Zayas picked up his second Claiming Crown winner of the day, and Stanley Gold was the winning trainer.

“This is one of my favorite horses,” Zayas said about the 9-2 shot. “He’s so consistent. No matter where you put him, he tries hard. I’ve been having problems with him lately. He hasn’t been breaking like he used to. I decided to warm him up really good to get him a little closer. He broke good. I was happy where I had him, because I know he’ll fight to the end.”

Grande Shores, who raced for an $8,000 tag multiple times last year at Tampa Bay Downs, is now an earner of $332,061 with a lifetime record of 39-11-13-3. The 6-year-old son of Black Mambo was bred in Florida.

High Point Thoroughbred Partners’ Goodtimehadbyall, the winner of last year’s Rapid Transit who came in from Belmont Park, finished second as the 3-1 favorite. Paco Lopez was up for trainer Jorge Navarro.

Stallwalkin’ Dude crossed the wire third but was disqualified and placed fourth for interference in the stretch.

That elevated Dawghouse Stable’s Monty Haul to third. A winner of three of his last four races at Parx Racing, Monty Haul was ridden by John Bisono for trainer Philip Aristone.

Fundit finished fifth and was followed by Behemoth, Palatine Hill, Holy Highway, Megalith, Box Office, Capital City, Punster, Bear Behind (Ire) and Put It Forward.

www.nationalhbpa.com

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feature

$110,000 Glass Slipper

Best Behavior

After taking the

runner-up spot with Rock On Baby in the $125,000

Tiara, trainer Marty Wolfson, jockey Edgard Zayas and owner Miller Racing LLC got into the winner’s circle 30 minutes later with Best Behavior in the $110,000 Glass Slipper for fillies and mares who had started for $12,500 or less. The Ontariobred daughter of Into Mischief dueled for the early lead and then took command on the second turn and went on to win by 2 ¼ lengths in a time of 1:37.80 for one mile on the main track. The Glass Slipper conditions were tweaked from last year when the claiming level was $16,000 and the distance was seven furlongs.

The 4-year-old, who was bred by James and Janeane Everatt and J. Arika EverattMeeuse, was claimed for $62,500 in August at Gulfstream and in her lone start for her new connections finished second in the $75,000 Sky Beauty Stakes at Gulfstream Park West (formerly Calder Race Course).

This win earned her $60,500 and pushed her lifetime earnings to $193,778 with a record of 19-7-5-5. The filly has changed hands several times in her career and last year raced for a $10,000 price at Woodbine.

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Best Behavior had been running exclusively in sprints, but her trainer had a feeling she could succeed around two turns.

“I wanted to try a route with her,” Wolfson said of the 5-2 second choice in the wagering. “She’s by Into Mischief, and I thought she’d stretch out. I just told [Zayas] to try to relax her up front. He rode her perfect.”

Joker Racing LLC’s Don’tcallmecharley, coming in off a third-place effort against stakes competition at Gulfstream Park West, closed well for second with Manoel Cruz in the irons for trainer Thomas Schell.

Marisa Lizza’s Pebble Beach Baby, who had raced in California, New York and Pennsylvania during the year, finished third. Orlando Bocachica rode for trainer Ramon Preciado.

Rounding out the field were Silk n’ Sequins, Winning for Sarah, Rebecca’s Surprise, Fruttidimare, Majestic Shoes, Unseen Visitor, Horsin’ Around, Courtney Ryan, Annelle and Claiming Victory.

$110,000 Iron Horse

J B’s Unc

One of the hallmarks of a quality claiming horse is consistency,

and few have been as reliable as J B’s Unc, who came into the $110,000 Iron Horse with 13 consecutive top three finishes.

Last year, the gelded son of Cactus Ridge finished a good third in the $110,000 Express, a six-furlong contest for horses that had started for a claiming price of $7,500 or less. This time around, the 6-year-old proved his versatility by going in a 1 1/16-mile event for the same class of claimers. And this time around, he got up to prevail by a neck under jockey Paco Lopez.

Trained by Jorge Navarro for owner High Point Thoroughbred Partners, J B’s Unc completed the distance in 1:43.66 as the 3-1 second choice. This win improved his lifetime record to 33-14-5-3 with earnings of $254,327. EquiVision Inc. bred J B’s Unc in Kentucky.

“He’s a nice horse to have around,” Navarro said. “He’s one of my favorite horses of all time.”

J B’s Unc spent much of the year at Parx Racing in Pennsylvania and Monmouth Park in New Jersey before prepping for the Claiming Crown with a second-place effort

at Gulfstream Park West in a starter optional claimer. J B’s Unc raced for a $5,000 tag last summer at Monmouth before climbing up the claiming ranks and then competing mostly in starter allowance and optional claiming races.

Kenneth Fishbein’s Francois, the runner-up in last year’s Iron Horse, took that spot again with Corey Lanerie in the irons for conditioner Cheryl Winebaugh. The Smarty Jones gelding came in from Chicago where he had been running in high-level optional claiming races at Hawthorne Race Course and Arlington Park.

Feisty Albert, a shipper from Laurel Park in Maryland, took third for owners Two Rivers Racing Stable LLC and MCA Racing Stable LLC. Gabriel Saez rode for trainer Claudio Gonzalez.

Chillin Dylan, Sir Leslie, C D Gold, Double Judge, Gimmeadrink, Senor Castrico and Ararat completed the order of finish. www.nationalhbpa.com

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feature

$110,000 Express

Loverbil

Trainer Jorge Navarro

scored in the $110,000 Express as he saddled Loverbil to complete a sweep of the first two Claiming Crown events

after taking the Iron Horse with J B’s Unc. The field in the Express, which was contested at six furlongs for horses who had started for $7,500 or less, had the unenviable task of facing defending race champion Ribo Bobo, an 18-time winner who was exiting the Grade 1 Vosburgh Stakes at Belmont Park. But when that favorite didn’t fire in the stretch, it opened the door for Loverbil, who recorded a 7-1 upset under Jose Lezcano. Loverbil races for White Wabbit Wacing LLC, which took the exacta in the Express as its Quiz Whiz finished second with Jonathan Gonzales riding for trainer Aubrey Maragh.

Loverbil, who was bred in New Jersey

by Golden Dome Stable, stopped the timer at 1:10.07, and the $60,500 payday improved his bankroll to $214,746 with a record of 31-8-5-4. The 5-year-old Not For Love gelding had been running at Gulfstream Park West and previously

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battled allowances foes at Monmouth Park after racing for a $6,250 tag earlier in the year.

“He needed that last race over a deeper track,” Navarro said about a victory last time out at the former Calder Race Course against allowance/optional claiming horses. “I told the owners, ‘I think he’s ready.’ I thought with all that speed, he’d take back and make one run. It went perfectly.”

Quiz Whiz, who had won six of his 12 prior starts at Gulfstream, just missed the victory but earned $22,000 for his seventh straight in-the-money finish.

Lungs, a 98-1 longshot who came in from Churchill Downs, took third for the connections of owner Dave Hearn, trainer George Leonard III and jockey Hector Rosario Jr. Ribo Bobo crossed the wire fourth and was followed by Blings Express, Disarm, Frontier Warrior, A. P. Corsair, Levkos Pirgos and Motin.

n n

n

n

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www.nationalhbpa.com

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Ackerley Images

horsemens_journal_ad_Layout 1 11/6/2014 11:54 AM Page 1

OFFICIAL SPONSOR OFFICIAL SPONSOR of NationalHBPA HBPA of the the National

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feature

Study finds particulates in stable air can cause airway inflammation and affect performance

air Som

eth in

g in

the

by Denise Steffanus

iStock

Poor air quality in racing stables may inflame a horse’s airway, cause the accumulation of mucus and potentially decrease racing performance, according to a three-part study led by researchers at Michigan State University.

The study looked at the air quality and incidence of airway disease in three racing stables at Thistledown racetrack near Cleveland. The researchers, led

by Melissa Millerick-May, Ph.D., mapped the particulate (dust) concentration in those stables, documented the size of the particles, identified horses in those stables with airway inflammation and mucus, and then correlated the incidence of airway disease with hot spots of airborne particles.

For part of the study, the research team used handheld devices to assess airborne particulates; another part outfitted the noseband of each horse’s halter with a device that sampled the air quality in the horse’s breathing zone.

Air in racing stables Millerick-May is a lifelong horsewoman whose parents own racehorses. Her cousin Buster Millerick trained Racing Hall of Fame horse Native Diver and assisted Charles Howard in training Seabiscuit.

www.nationalhbpa.com

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After years as a toxicologist and industrial hygienist in the auto industry, where she focused on the effect of occupational exposure to particulates and airborne contaminants on workers, Millerick-May wanted to look at how air quality in racing stables affects horses’ lungs.

She discussed the topic with equine airway specialist Edward Robinson, B.Vet.Med, PhD at Michigan State, who put together an investigative team that included Millerick-May; Robinson; Susan Holcombe, DVM, PhD; Frederik J. Derksen, DVM, PhD; and Brett Berthold, DVM. Particle mapping was the first step in the study. The team sampled the air in the stables and drew a grid of where the highest concentration of particulates—“hot spots”—occurred. These hot spots were different for each stable, depending upon management practices and month of the year, as well as the environment surrounding the barns.

Some factors that increased particulate levels were activities that kicked up dust such as mucking stalls, setting hay and raking aisles. These activities occurred principally during morning hours. Weather and season also played a role, with the lowest counts occurring in July after a period of damp weather. The highest concentration was detected in September.

Next the team measured the size of particulates and their prevalence.

“The size of the diameter of the particle is very important,” Millerick-May said. “Large particles are trapped in the upper airway and can be sneezed out, but small particles can reach deep into the lung and cause inflammation.”

The team also examined horses in those stables for signs of airway disease.

“We correlated [particulate measurements] in the stables with the measures of airway inflammation, which was visible trachael mucus on endoscopic examination as well as inflammatory cells from trachael washes in the first year of the study,” Millerick-May said. “Then in year two, we put personal monitors on horses to measure peak exposures over an 18-hour period for horses that had mucous scores that were known to affect racing performance and for horses that had no trachael mucus.”

Millerick-May said the study confirmed what the expert respiratory team hoped it would prove.

“Stables that had high concentrations of particles were those that had a higher prevalence of horses with trachael mucus present on endoscopic examination,” she said. “In those months that were the driest, where particle concentrations were the highest, we also found the highest prevalence of horses with visible trachael mucus on endoscopic examination.

“What was interesting and made sense was that even in November, when it was wet and cold and snowy, the particle concentrations within the stables, even the most open-air stables, were high. Because it was cold, 38

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rainy and snowy, all the windows and doors were locked tight, so there wasn’t sufficient natural dilution ventilation to clear out the particulates.”

Management practices Susan Holcombe, professor of Large Animal Clinical Sciences at MSU, said changing certain management practices can significantly reduce a horse’s exposure to harmful particulates. The most important factor is to remove horses from the barn while it is being cleaned.

At racetracks, the morning training schedule and its logistics do not allow for all horses to be out of the stable at the same time. In this situation, cleaning a horse’s stall only when the horse is out of it helps limit its exposure to particulates.

Trainers who have access to nearby turnout paddocks and round pens can send horses to the racetrack, bathe them and cool them out outside the barn when they return, and then turn them out until the dust settles inside the barn.

Which bedding a trainer should use is a tricky question, Holcombe said.

“Some paper pellets have very low dust levels, and so does peatmoss bedding,” she said. “If the straw you’re using is very clean, that’s great. Shavings tend to be less reactive and less dusty than straw. But use whatever is the least dusty.”

Avoid storing hay and straw above a horse’s stall, and feed hay on the floor, not in a hay net or hay rack, the study found. Particulates from hay are not as likely to become airborne when it is lying on the stall floor. And because the horse’s head is lowered to eat, its nasal passages drain normally. Hay also can be soaked or sprayed with water to dampen particulates.

Holcombe said some stalls in barns seem to be chronic hot spots for particulates, perhaps from growing mold, hay storage above the stall or air currents that carry dust into the stall.

“Melissa May found that these are stalls where the horse may chronically have a lot of mucus, and all you need to do is move it to a different stall,” she said.

Other suggestions from Holcombe and Millerick-May were to wet down the shed row or aisle before raking or sweeping it, keep windows open except for those adjacent to a dusty road, turn off vehicles parked nearby to reduce exhaust emissions and limit the use of floor fans.

“Placement of fans on the floor within the stable was a big factor,” Millerick-May said. “Large-diameter fans placed on the ground at the end of the aisles [picked up] particles from [the ground] and dispersed them back into the air. Fans mounted on stall fronts or that were placed

above the ground worked best to improve ventilation without dispersing particulates into the environment.”

The primary sign that air quality may be affecting a horse’s respiratory system is a decline in performance, Holcombe said.

“Its respiratory rate may not come back to normal quickly after exercise, and the horse may take longer to cool out,” she said. “If the horse is coughing in the stall, when it eats or when it first begins to exercise, it could indicate lung disease or pulmonary inflammation. Of course, if you see a nasal discharge or notice a general malaise, this could indicate an infection.”

She urged the horse owner or trainer to consult a veterinarian if the horse develops any of these signs.

Particle mapping Although logic would seem to dictate which areas of a stable are more likely to have a high concentration in particulates, Millerick-May said this is not always true. That is why she urges particle mapping.

“Some of the stalls within the stables that had the highest concentration of particulates were next to doors or had windows,” she said. “So we were able to look at the circumstances within that stable that were occurring at the time the monitoring took place and understand why those concentrations were highest.

“Sometimes it’s not as simple as saying, ‘Keep all your doors and windows open.’ The actual management practices as dictated by the trainer may induce dispersion of particulates. So it is helpful to do this type of monitoring because you can pinpoint certain activities that generate the highest concentration of particulates within the stable, and you can work to control that handful of activities.”

Millerick-May said particle mapping of stables is a specialized service that requires knowledge of industrial hygiene and the horse industry, and few people have both. She invited anyone interested in having a stable particle-mapped to contact her for further information.

Better Stable Management Practices • Remove horses when cleaning stable.

• Use least-dusty bedding.

• Feed hay on floor.

• Do not store hay above stalls.

• Dampen aisle/shedrow before sweeping or raking.

• Turn off parked vehicles near stable.

• Open windows (except adjacent to dusty roads).

• Place fans above ground level (stall fronts).

Stable construction Extra windows and open stalls can help reduce the concentration of particles in a barn.

GOOD: Modern-constructed building with outwardly facing stalls, roll-up shutters the full length of the building, vaulted ceilings and sliding doors at each end POOR: Old-style brick building with closed-front stalls, low ceilings, small windows only on outer walls set high and kept closed, and large doors at each end of the barn

For more information:

iStock

Melissa Millerick-May, PhD Department of Medicine Michigan State University 120 W. Fee Hall East Lansing, MI 48824 Phone: (517) 432-0707 E-mail: melissa.may@hc.msu.edu

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Standing Guard Ackerley Images

By Denis Blake

There’s no question that horsemen are hard-working and passionate, whether racing is their profession or hobby. Up before dawn, rarely a day off, often in bed after midnight, and all for a sport in which even the very best lose far more often than they win.

Those who regulate racing also put in long hours, and there’s much more to being a steward than just showing up at post time. While those who work as stewards are often unseen and overlooked by the betting public, at times they are thrust into the spotlight, as happened with the debate over whether a bumping incident at the start of this year’s Breeders’ Cup Classic should have resulted in a disqualification.

While there can be disagreement over that particular call, it’s hard to argue that racing officials aren’t better trained and prepared compared to decades ago before the implementation of an intense training and testing process that is overseen by the Racing Officials Accreditation Program, or ROAP. 40

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Unlike most other professional sports, which are overseen by a commissioner and regulated by officials from league headquarters, horse racing has always been fragmented, with each state or province having a different, albeit similar, set of regulations despite the push for uniform rules across all jurisdictions.

Until about 25 years ago, there was little standardization in the training and education of stewards and other racing officials. That’s about the time interstate simulcasting began to take off, which made it more important than ever for the industry to strive for a reliable and consistent way to accredit stewards, whose job it is to ensure a level playing field for the betting public and the equine and human participants in every race.

(Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association), plus harness racing and steeplechase organizations.

Cathy O’Meara, who serves as ROAP coordinator and also industry initiatives coordinator for The Jockey Club, said one of the main benefits of the program is an increased level of professionalism and expertise across the industry.

“It really has helped raise the bar,” she said about ROAP. “Now, everyone out there has that base level of education and base level of experience. Fans and horsemen are getting fair treatment, and track management knows they are getting trained individuals.”

While there are certifications and accreditations in a variety of fields that can be had by taking a short online course and paying a fee, there is no such fast or easy track when it comes to earning ROAP accreditation.

To achieve accreditation, an individual must attend, in person, a 60-hour accreditation school offered by Louisville or Arizona (the

In the late 1980s, the Thoroughbred industry, including The Jockey Club, began to come together to create a program to accredit stewards.

The Quarter Horse industry, in fact, was already a bit ahead in that race, as the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) had for many years trained and accredited racing officials to oversee non-pari-mutuel racing. As Quarter Horse racing grew into new states and non-parimutuel racing turned into pari-mutuel, the AQHA’s direct role was reduced and it joined with its Thoroughbred brethren to help bring a national accreditation program to fruition.

Spearheaded by the Association of Racing Commissioners International (RCI) in coordination with the University of Louisville Equine Industry Program and University of Arizona Race Track Industry Program, the accreditation program went national in 1991 and eventually evolved into ROAP, which to date has had nearly 1,000 participants.

Among its supporters, ROAP counts a full bowl of the alphabet soup of horse racing organizations, from the AQHA to the National HBPA to the NTRA (National Thoroughbred Racing Association) to TOBA

schools alternate as host every year in various locations) and pass five exams spanning eight hours, including an oral test, film analysis and three-part written test. Finally, the applicant must possess a significant amount of experience in the racing industry.

Accreditation is split into three levels—all of which require attending the school and passing the exams. Level III, which is the base level, requires at least 225 racing dates of prior experience, within the previous 10 years, as a licensed racing official (steward, racing secretary, paddock judge, clerk of scales, etc.) or meeting a threshold of starts as a trainer or jockey over a period of five to 15 years (more starts earn experience faster). In the absence of that experience, ROAP may accept an application based on other current or past experience in the industry. For Level II and I (the highest level) accreditation, requirements are added for days and years worked as a steward or judge.

The vast majority of racing jurisdictions require ROAP accreditation for stewards.

“The laws of each state vary,” O’Meara said, “but we have 30 jurisdictions out of 32 that require accreditation in some shape or form.

Some of the rule books actually say you must be ROAP-accredited and some say you have to attend a certain type of class and others make it a job requirement before you can apply.”

Since ROAP is the only organization offering a stewards school and accreditation, its seal of approval is a requirement in most states even if it is not listed by name in the rules.

O’Meara said each annual school session attracts 30 to 40 attendees, with about 10 to 15 becoming accredited. She noted that the difference in numbers is not simply those who do not pass the test—although there are some who don’t—but some attendees are from the media or are regulators who are seeking more knowledge but not accreditation.

O’Meara also pointed out that there is no such thing as “Thoroughbred” or “Quarter Horse” accreditation and that both breeds, www.nationalhbpa.com

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as well as Arabians, Paints, Appaloosas and mules, are covered in the flat racing program (there is also a program for harness and steeplechase racing).

The 60-hour course is held over a period of eight days, and the curriculum covers all facets of racing and regulation, including drugs and medication, administrative law, security, pari-mutuel operations, film analysis and more.

“A lot of people come in from Thoroughbred racing and say they want to only do Thoroughbred racing; they can’t, it’s flat racing accreditation,” O’Meara said, adding that those coming from the Quarter Horse world sometimes have an advantage because they are already familiar with the concept of time trials and the break of a Quarter Horse race, which might be foreign to a Thoroughbred person.

Continuing the Education In most states, once you pass the test to become a licensed trainer you can remain licensed for life. ROAP accreditation, however, has a continuing education (CE) requirement that mandates 16 hours of instruction every two years.

“The CE is a mix of going over old stuff and adding in new things,” O’Meara said. “We have points of emphasis that are developed by our stewards advisory committee each year and voted on by the board. We spend a good deal of time on things like film review, ‘what ifs’ and current events.”

ROAP also introduced a Certificate Course in 2012, which is a shorter two-day program designed as a possible steppingstone to the 60-hour school and ROAP accreditation. The program provides general education for racing officials and delves into the specifics and responsibilities of various jobs at the track, including outrider, clerk of scales, starter/assistant starter, placing judge, horse identifier and more. There is no prerequisite for the course and it’s open to anyone from handicappers to media to industry employees and horsemen. Although it’s not required by any racing 42

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The Kentucky Derby, which draws a field of 20 runners most years, always has its share of bumping, and the stewards must determine whether any of it warrants a disqualification.

commissions for racing officials, that could change in the future.

“Lots of people don’t want to put that much time into the 60-hour course,” O’Meara said. “So this gives them the chance to see what the regulatory part is like.”

The ROAP website at horseracingofficials.com also offers educational opportunities with suggested reading materials, links to further information and a job board for racing officials and employers to connect.

For the Love of the Game Rarely does a newspaper headline trumpet how well a game was officiated or how a team won because the referee made the right decision. When you add in the fact that nearly every fan and horseman at the track has a rooting interest in a race, even the correct call made by the stewards can be unpopular. So why would someone want to become a steward or racing official?

Magdaleno “Mag” Perez Jr., a recent graduate of the University of Arizona’s racing program who attended and passed the test for stewards’ school, said it’s a profession he enjoys.

Perez has worked as a steward for both horse and greyhound racing for the Arizona Department of Racing, as well as a Lasix coordinator ensuring that all protocols for the medication are followed on race day.

While getting a driver’s license is a relatively simple process, he said

Ackerley Images

Denis Blake

that’s not the case for ROAP accreditation.

“The course definitely covers everything and doesn’t sugarcoat anything,” he said. “You need to know all the terms used in racing and all the medical terms and lingo for drug testing. The written test is four hours long and takes every bit of it. My hand was cramping up after filling up four booklets with writing.”

While overseeing the running of the races and looking for possible disqualifications is the most obvious part of a steward’s job, in actuality it is a rather small segment of what they do, and the typical day begins well before horses enter the starting gate.

“On a normal day, the stewards get in and approve license applications for people,” said Perez, who has worked at both Rillito Park in Tucson and Turf Paradise in Phoenix. “There are background checks and investigations, and hearings are a big part. In Arizona, we write our own rulings and hearing notices.”

Cathy O’Meara addresses Perez said those hearings can cover everything from the fairly mundane, such the National HBPA Winter as a small fine for a trainer bringing a horse to the paddock late, to more serious Convention in 2013. matters of suspensions for medication positives or riding infractions.

Horse racing is a sport of passion for everyone from owners and breeders to jockeys and trainers to the wagering public. Many racing officials also share that passion, despite working mostly behind the scenes and rarely receiving accolades from the industry. They need the skills of a referee, lawyer, judge and scientist to regulate a complex sport with participants from all walks of life.

“My dad was a trainer, and I was a gambler and groom and I’ve done everything from the bottom to the top.

My satisfaction comes in knowing that I did my job well at the end of the day,” Perez said. “A big part of racing is the passion and the love. I see people jumping up and down and hugging in the stands when they win. It gives me chills. You want to make sure the races are safe and fair, and that makes my day.”

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Make a Tax-Deductible Donation to the National HBPA Foundation Help Your Fellow Horsemen!

The National HBPA Foundation is a perfect place to direct your tax-deductible donations in order to help your fellow horsemen when they need it the most.

The National HBPA Foundation, a tax-exempt Sec. 501 (c)(3) fund, was developed as a safety net for horsemen when other forms of assistance are unavailable or have been exhausted after disaster strikes. Every year, the National HBPA Foundation helps horsemen make it through difficult times such as disease quarantines at a racetrack or natural disasters likes floods, fires, etc. by providing tens of thousands of dollars in needed assistance.

If you would like to make a tax deductible donation to the National HBPA Foundation and make a difference in the lives of your fellow horsemen and women who may find themselves in need, either: • L og onto https://www.nationalhbpa.com/MakeDonation.asp to make a credit card donation over the Internet • Mail a donation check made payable to National HBPA Foundation to: National HBPA Foundation, 870 Corporate Drive, Ste. 300, Lexington, KY 40503-5419 • Call toll-free 1-(866) 245-1711 for a credit card transaction via telephone.

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: l ro

Ventipulmin is the FDA-approved form of clenbuterol for horses.

e t u b n th e y M l C The . vsacts F e h T e

By Jo

CVIM

S, DA

,M , DVM

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Bert

Ideas and facts, right or wrong, can live on forever and reach a point of religion on the Web. And, the myth of clenbuterol is filled with lore and hearsay. So, what is clenbuterol and what therapeutic effect does it have on horses?

Defining Clenbuterol Clenbuterol falls into a class of drugs called beta-2 agonists, a class which includes the drugs albuterol, Zilmax (zilpaterol chlorhydrate), Optaflexx, Paylean (ractopamine hydrochloride) and many others. The principal effect of a beta-2 agonist is to attach to a beta-2 receptor and turn that receptor “on” to exert an effect. These receptors are present throughout the body, including smooth muscle in the small airways in the lungs. The effect of beta-2 agonists on this smooth muscle is to cause relaxation so the airways open and their diameter increases. This allows air to pass more easily (decreased resistance). That is the therapeutic effect that you want, such as in asthma—open those airways in the lungs and help foreign and inflammatory debris clear.

After racing, many horses have inhaled dirt from kickback in their lungs, and some may have blood in their lungs as well. This opening of the airways is purported to improve clearance of these substances, helping the horse recover from maximal efforts on the racetrack.

Ventipulmin is the FDA-approved form of clenbuterol for horses. Used properly, Ventipulmin helps horses recover from respiratory infections and controls allergic lung diseases. Horsemen should be aware that compounded, or non-FDA-approved, versions of clenbuterol should be avoided at all costs because they are associated with toxicity and a lack of efficacy, purity

and safety and stability information. Some have even been found labeled clenbuterol but actually contain albuterol. That is very important because albuterol is not absorbed by nor passes the liver in amounts that can even be measured, much less have a positive effect.1

The Myth of Clenbuterol The myth of clenbuterol is that it makes people or horses faster, i.e., a performance-enhancing effect. Clenbuterol has actually been shown to deteriorate aerobic performance in horses. In fact, this drug and likely all other beta-2 agonists, including ractopamine and zilpaterol, not only harm performance but also may be physically damaging and detrimental with longterm use in horses and people.

For example, some bodybuilders use this class of drug for “ripping,” which is the stage they go through to lose body fat to such a severe degree as to make muscle more visible. That is a very dangerous use of a chemical for a cosmetic effect.

Note that I said extreme loss of body fat, not a major increase in muscle.

And guess what? The bodybuilders may look better to judges, but they couldn’t run very far or fast and they didn’t gain much muscle with the drug’s use. A certain amount of body fat is essential for running performance.2

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Tour de France winner Christopher Froome and other human athletes are allowed to use inhaled beta-2 agonists during major sporting events for exercise-induced asthma because it is understood that there is no performance-enhancing effect.

Repartitioning Effect A “repartitioning effect,” wherein the percentage of fat in the body is diminished while the muscle percentage is increased, is very minimal in people.

There are two types of muscle in the body: (1) skeletal muscle, which includes all of the major muscle groups that are active during locomotion, and (2) smooth muscle, such as the tiny airways in the lungs. Clenbuterol at the recommended dose is designed to attach to smooth muscle beta-2 receptors in airways. The repartitioning effect takes place in the skeletal muscle.

So, why is there a massive effect in skeletal muscle in some species?

Certain species have many beta-2 receptors in muscle and fat. When the drug is given to those animals (e.g., sheep, cattle, pigs) for a long time, muscle is stimulated and fat is decreased by turning on metabolic pathways that help in these functions. That is how muscle and fat repartitioning occurs. Does this sound like a good thing if you eat these animals? Not really, because the drug concentrates in the liver and other edible tissues to the degree that it can become toxic to humans. In fact, human intoxication and severe disease has been reported after eating meat tainted with clenbuterol worldwide.3-5 Meat in China has been so heavily tainted with clenbuterol that the Union of Cycliste Internationale, the professional cycling regulatory body, has had to install special regulatory rules on how food is prepared for professional cyclists in these countries.5-8 Let me emphasize: This is not because of any performanceenhancing effect. Clenbuterol does not enhance performance.

The reason clenbuterol is prohibited is because human athletes need to be protected from forced use by unscrupulous or ignorant trainers, doctors, team owners, managers, etc. The goal is to protect human athletes from its harmful effects.6,7 It is so well understood that this class of drugs does not enhance performance that star athletes, such as Tour de France winner Christopher Froome, may be allowed to take inhaled beta-2 agonists during major sporting events because of exercise-induced asthma.7 So, clearly, this class of drugs is not considered performance-enhancing by regulators of professional human sports.

The Lore and the Harm The repartitioning effect in pigs, sheep and cattle is fact. The lore is that this happens to the same degree in all species. In horses and people, the number of beta-2 receptors in muscle and fat are comparatively small, and, therefore, these species have different responses and levels of toxicity. In addition, it is well known that the number of receptors decreases the longer the animal is given the drug.

This occurs very quickly in people and horses and is termed “down regulation.”

In humans, the doses required to achieve any muscle anabolic benefits are associated with significant adverse effects, which include rapid heart rate, cardiac pathology and insomnia.9,10 These are detrimental to athletic performance, muscle development and overnight rest and recovery.10,11 Post-exercise and overnight rest recovery are actually when one reaps the benefits of training. No matter how much you exercise, the result and benefits occur during recovery.11 46

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Human abusers of clenbuterol try to circumvent down regulation by using periods of drug withdrawal between uses. This protocol fails to lead to an important increase in normal muscle mass. Instead, these drugs lead to a lack of blood flow in the heart and also blood vessel disease in humans.12,13 The promise of the use of these drugs is evident in some diseases in humans.

However, in normal muscle, the desired result does not occur at an important effective level.14 In horses, these drugs do decrease fat and increase muscle, but a diet and a little work are far cheaper and come with far less risk and with more effective ability to work.15-18 In addition, it has been clearly shown that clenbuterol has a negative effect on performance.15-18 These drugs also have a negative impact on training, since training is performance.

He Looks Like He’s Running A study showed that the chronic use of clenbuterol at a typical dose of 2.4 mcg/kg resulted in horses tiring more quickly during an exercise test and failing to recover as quickly.15-18 Clenbuterol-treated horses consistently had a 21 percent decrease in time to fatigue during high-intensity exercise.

A second trial was performed with the same horses. The untreated horses improved. The clenbuterol-treated horses performed even worse.17 This negative impact of a beta-2 agonist on equine athletes can be applied across all beta-2 agonists and all training and exercising performance.

Not the Hair Threshold levels of clenbuterol that permit the therapeutic use in horses with pulmonary disease or blood or foreign material in their lungs have been established. These thresholds have been determined to prevent abuse of clenbuterol in racehorses, and guidelines have been put forth. Hair testing has been reserved by the World Anti-Doping Agency for substances that are banned, such as anabolic steroids, which are banned at any time for human athletes.

Clenbuterol is not a banned substance in horses, as it has FDA approval and a demonstrated therapeutic benefit for horses in the Ventipulmin form. An appropriate 10-day treatment regime of an FDA-approved therapeutic product can result in tail hair that is positive one year later.19 To implement a hair-testing program at a racetrack or in a racing jurisdiction, you would have to have a minimum 360-day withdrawal period and likely far longer. This withdrawal period would potentially put the life and health of the animal into danger, removing a safe and effective therapeutic medication from the arsenal of the modern sports medicine veterinarian.

Conclusion The popular Web-, gymnasium- and paddock-driven myths concerning the “beneficial effects” of long-term use of beta-2 agonists in humans and horses are simply untrue. There are no beneficial effects in muscle for performance horses. Any dose given for lengthy periods will cause an impressive negative health and performance consequence. Anabolic effects are not created equal.

Chronic use of clenbuterol is a health and performance hazard to both horses and people. However, appropriate use of clenbuterol can aid in the respiratory health of the same athletes.

In human competition, the use of beta-2 agonists at therapeutic doses is actually permitted during the sporting event, further underscoring the fact that beta-2 agonists are not performance-enhancing. Forensic hair analysis as a regulatory sample will also halt the medical use of clenbuterol in horses, a step that could endanger the lives of many horses and prevent modern medical treatment of our precious equine athletes. The motto of several drug testing laboratories can be summarized as “integrity and welfare through science.” We have to remember and balance both when making decisions that involve these marvelous athletes.

Notes 1. Hreha A. Pharmacokinetics of Albuterol Sulfate in Thoroughbred vs.

Standardbred Horses. PhD Thesis, University of Florida 2012.

2. Pierce BJ, McWilliams SR. The fat of the matter: how dietary fatty acids can affect exercise performance. Integr Comp Biol. 2014 Nov;54(5):903-12.

3. Salleras L, et al. Epidemiologic study of an outbreak of clenbuterol poisoning in Catalonia, Spain. Public Health Rep. 1995 May-Jun; 110(3):338–342.

4. Barbosa J, et al. Food poisoning by clenbuterol in Portugal. Food Addit Contam 2005 Jun;22(6):563-6.

5. http://www.chinapost.com.tw/china/national-news/2011/03/18/295146/ Clenbuterol-tainted-pork.htm 6. http://cyclingtips.com.au/2014/04/rogers-has-been-cleared-but-questionsabout-clenbuterol-remain/ 7. http://velonews.competitor.com/2014/06/news/froome-says-uci-allowshim-to-use-inhaler-to-treat-his-asthma_331334 8. http://www.chinapost.com.tw/china/national-news/2011/03/18/295146/ Clenbuterol-tainted-pork.htm 9. Prather ID, et al. Clenbuterol: a substitute for anabolic steroids? Wilson JR. Med Sci Sport Exer. 1995 Aug;27(8):1118-21.

10. Hoffman RJ, et al. Clenbuterol ingestion causing prolonged tachycardia, hypokalemia and hypophosphatemia with confirmation by quantitative levels. Clin Toxicol. 39(2001):339-44.

11. Betts JA, et al. Endocrine responses during overnight recovery from exercise: impact of nutrition and relationships with muscle protein synthesis. Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab. 2011 Oct;21(5):398-409.

12. Daubert GP, Mabasa VH, Leung VW, Aaron C. Acute clenbuterol overdose resulting in supraventricular tachycardia and atrial fibrillation. J Med Toxicol. 2007 Jun;3(2):56-60.

13. Huckins DS, Lemons MF. Myocardial ischemia associated with clenbuterol abuse: report of two cases. J Emerg Med. 2013 Feb;44(2):444-9. doi: 10.1016/j.jemermed.2012.02.057. Epub 2012 May 24.

14. Jiang GL, Gu YD, Zhang LY, Shen LY, Yu C, Xu JG. Randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled trial of clenbuterol in denervated muscle atrophy.

ISRN Pharm. 2011 Aug 15;981254.

15. Kearns CF, McKeever KH, Malinowski K, Struck MB, Abe T. Chronic administration of therapeutic levels of clenbuterol acts as a repartitioning agent. J Appl Physiol. 2001 Nov;91(5):2064-70.

16. Kearns CF, McKeever KH, Clenbuterol and the horse revisited. Vet J. 2009 Dec;182(3):384-91.

17. Kearns CF, McKeever KH. Clenbuterol diminishes aerobic performance in horses. Med Sci Sport Exer. 2002 Dec; 34:1976–85.

18. Beekley MD, Ideus JM, Brechue WF, Kearns CF, McKeever KH. Chronic clenbuterol administration alters myosin heavy chain composition in Standardbred horses. Vet J. 2003 May;165:234–39.

19. Schlupp A, Anielski P, Thieme D, Müller RK, Meyer H, Ellendorff F. The betaagonist clenbuterol in mane and tail hair of horses. Equine Vet J. 2004 Mar;36(2):118-22.

THE GROWTH AND PROSPERITY OF HORSE RACING IS KEY TO OUR MISSION. WE STRIVE TO HELP THE SPORT FLOURISH AND WE STAND WITH THE HBPA IN ITS MISSION TO ADVANCE LIVE RACING IN NORTH AMERICA.

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Views and opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the opinion or policy of the publisher or National HBPA board or staff.

Alabama HBPA Magic City Classic and Kudzu Juvenile Information The Magic City Classic and Kudzu Juvenile for Alabama-breds were both to be run on December 12 at Fair Grounds Race Course and Slots in New Orleans.

The Kudzu Juvenile had a purse of $25,000-guaranteed and included a $10,000 supplement from the Alabama HBPA. The race was for 2-year-olds at 5 ½ furlongs with a limit of 12 starters.

The Magic City Classic was $50,000-guaranteed and included a $5,000 supplement from the Alabama HBPA. It was for 3-year-olds and up at one mile and 70 yards.

The Alabama HBPA supplements were necessary to keep the purses at past levels due to the declining revenues received by the Birmingham Racing Commission, which sponsors the races.

The Alabama HBPA will once again reimburse up to $500 in travel expenses for horses finishing fourth and below. Expenses should be submitted to Nancy Delony, 3221 Ridgely Drive, Birmingham, AL 35243.

As of November 3, the $10,000-guaranteed AL HBPA Purse Supplement had been awarded. We do this on a first-come, first-served basis and are pleased to have had such a good response this year and look forward to 2015.

Nancy Delony, Executive Director

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Arizona HBPA Turf Paradise opened its doors October 18, kicking off its 59th season.

Hall of Fame Trainer Jack Van Berg was here for a signing of his book, Jack, From Grit to Glory. Turf Paradise gave free T-shirts to the first 4,000 patrons.

There was music, drink From left, Roger Lindstrom, wingback at the and food specials and a University of Nebraska from 1981-85; Charlie fun time to be had by all.

McBride, assistant coach; trainer Jack Van Berg; The weather was great, Travis Turner, quarterback; and Stephen Nolan, and there was a good a Nebraska jockey agent in the 1980s, talk some racing and football. crowd on hand to cheer their favorite horses on to victory.

Jack was a big hit at Moon Valley Grill; owner Roger Lindstrom hosted a Nebraska party on Saturday night. Roger was a wing back for the University of Nebraska, and assistant coach Charlie McBride and The Turf Paradise meet is enjoying big crowds. quarterback Travis Turner joined in to celebrate. Thank you, Roger, for your help to make Jack’s visit a success. We also would like to thank Amelia Blanco at Turf Paradise for all the

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accommodations at the track for the book signing and the fans who came to support Jack and the book signing. Thanks also go to Bill Kereluk for shuttling and Steve Nolan for arranging the Nebraska party excursion for Jack.

We would like to thank the National HBPA Foundation for stepping in to help the Francis Perkins family after they lost everything in a flood in their town of New River during a storm in September. They lost their home, vehicles and much more, including a horse with two others injured.

Turf Paradise and the Arizona HBPA hosted their Arizona HBPA Executive Director Tom Metzen annual Thanksgiving dinner on Sr. presents a check to Francis Perkins.

November 26 in the Turf Paradise clubhouse for all licensees. The food was great, and many workers and families were served. Thank you to the Turf Paradise staff and the chaplaincy volunteers who helped make the dinner a success.

The National HBPA will be holding its winter convention in February at the Carefree Resort in Carefree, Arizona. Turf Paradise will host a day at the races for the attendees on Saturday, February 6. Plans for the day prior are being made for interested attendees to go to the Buffalo Chip Saloon in Cave Creek to watch bull riding and enjoy a buffet.

Our condolences to the family of longtime owner Alan Reinbolt and also to the Jan Fleming family.

The on-site medical clinic will not be open this meet, however, the Arizona HBPA is working to contract services with a nearby provider. Please contact the Arizona HBPA office for updates.

Please make sure that the Arizona HBPA office has your current email and mailing address, and remember, safety first; your family expects you home tonight.

Arkansas HBPA News Oaklawn Park is a step closer to the completion of its $20 million expansion after opening a key section of its new gaming area in early November.

The area includes the new main entrance, foyer, gift shop, Silks Bar, approximately 18,000 square feet of gaming space and substantial back of house support facilities.

Oaklawn will now begin reconstruction and modification of part of the existing gaming area.

The entire project is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2014. When complete, Oaklawn will have two additional food and beverage facilities, Silks Bar & Grill and Bistro 2705, as well as an expanded gaming area, which will include a poker room and a high limits area.

The current project began in April of this year. Oaklawn has been racing to complete the project in time for its 2015 live racing season that begins Friday, January 9.

“It would have been impossible to complete a project of this magnitude without dividing it into phases,” said Plant Superintendent John Hopkins, a

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Charles Town HBPA The response to our newsletter has been very positive. If you are not on our email list, you will find the articles on our website at cthbpa.com. Just click on the “about us” link.

The Charles Town HBPA has joined the ranks of Facebook with news articles, updates on meetings and any other news that would be of interest to our horsemen and horsewomen.

West Virginia Racing United, a nonprofit LLC, is being formed to represent all West Virginia

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member of Oaklawn’s senior management team who has spearheaded the expansion.

“Flintco, our construction company, will be working around the clock to finish the project by the end of Oaklawn’s new equine ambulance the year,” Hopkins continued. “And, while there may be some inconveniences to our guests during this final phase, the end result will be a bigger and better entertainment experience. We are thrilled to have this new gaming area ready for guests coming to town for the race meet.”

With its expanding facility, Oaklawn has already started expanding its staff. A two-day job fair was held in late September, and the hiring process is ongoing to fill positions in gaming, security, housekeeping and food and beverage.

This latest expansion is the second major project that Oaklawn has undertaken in the last six years with the current facility opening in late 2009.

The total investment of $60 million is the largest private investment in the history of Hot Springs.

Also new for the 2015 meet will be a new equine ambulance at Oaklawn. It was built by Oklahoma-based Turnbow Trailers.

stakeholders in the state’s racing and breeding industry—the Charles Town HBPA Inc., Mountaineer Park HBPA, West Virginia Thoroughbred Breeders Association, West Virginia Jockeys Guild and West Virginia Greyhound Owners and Breeders Association—in an attempt to display unity within our industry and to bolster our lobbying efforts at the 2015 state legislative session. It is also anticipated that the West Virginia Farm Bureau and state labor unions will support our efforts in Charleston as honorary members of West Virginia Racing United.

On October 4, a general membership meeting was held and all the candidates running for delegate and senator in our area were invited to attend.

The questions posed to each were related to the racing industry. Our horsemen responded to this type of meeting with positive comments.

A flu shot clinic was held for our backstretch, sponsored by the HBPA. The shots were provided by our county health department.

The Horsemen’s Assistance Fund sponsored a day for our backstretch workers to sign up for the Affordable Care Act insurance. The board planned to have a second sign-up before the December 15 deadline.

The chaplaincy’s annual horse show (pictured) was held October 12 with the largest turnout it has ever had for both entries and spectators. There were 46 classes, including six lead-line classes; beginner, junior and senior Hunter classes; Western pleasure classes; and racetrack lead pony divisions. For fun, there was a stick-horse race for the children, costume classes for horses and dogs, the ribbon pair class and musical horses. The finale of the day was barrel racing, the 50-yard dash and pole bending. Congratulations to all the volunteers who worked so hard to organize this fun-filled event and to all the participants who rode that day.

Florida HBPA Racing at Gulfstream Park and Gulfstream Park West Since the “Dates War” ended this summer, Gulfstream Park has completely controlled South Florida racing, and purses have never been higher.

Gulfstream now has four racing permits: the original Gulfstream permit, the leased permits for both Calder and Tropical Park and the new Gulfstream Park Thoroughbred After Racing Program permit, better known as GP-TARP. Calder ceased running under the banner of Churchill Downs (CDI) on June 29, and beginning on July 1 all South Florida racing was run under the banner of The Stronach Group.

The GP-TARP meet began in July and ended September 10. Average overnights paid during this meet were $186,000, and with average daily Florida Owner Awards (FOAs) paid of just over $18,000 included, the total daily overnights paid were $204,000. Total daily purses paid, including stakes races, were $256,000 for this 41-day meet. Starters per race were a healthy 9.13.

During this same period last year, Calder’s total daily overnights paid were $121,000, and starters per race were a rather weak 7.53.

September 11 was the first day of the Tropical meet run at Gulfstream.

This meet will conclude on June 28, 2015, with two other meets run in the interim. So the Tropical Park meet will be split between fall 2014 and early summer 2015. Remember, this is Florida we’re dealing with. Anyway, the first 15 days of the Tropical meet concluded on Saturday, October 4, with no racing on Sunday, and the Calder meet opened on Wednesday, October 8, a day that had not been a race day since last year’s Championship Meet. Again, I remind you this is Florida.

Average overnights for this partial meet were $201,000 with average FOAs paid daily of $18,000 for total daily overnights paid of $219,000. Total daily www.nationalhbpa.com

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purses paid were $313,000, but this number was skewed upward by a day that concluded the first year of the finals of the new Florida Sire Stakes series, which replaced the old Florida Stallion Stakes that had been run at Calder for about 30 years. Average starters per race for this partial meet slipped slightly to 8.80.

Next up was the great experiment: Gulfstream Park racing under the Calder permit eight miles away at Calder Race Course, or, excuse me, at Gulfstream Park West (GPW). All mention of “Calder” has disappeared as the track is now, as mentioned, Gulfstream Park West, and this meet is officially the Gulfstream Park Fall Turf Festival. The Fall Turf Festival opened on October 8 and ended on November 30. Through the first half of this meet, which has run four or five turf races daily except on two days when it rained, average overnights have been a healthy $193,000 and daily FOAs paid have been just over $14,000 for total daily overnights of $207,000. Total purses paid daily have been over $234,000, and starters per race have remained virtually unchanged at 8.72.

As one would expect, Gulfstream Park West is much better maintained than it was under the previous management team, which would make sense because The Stronach Group believes in the future of Thoroughbred racing while CDI does not. Only the first floor of the five-story Calder facility was leased to GPW, so it actually makes it feel like there are more fans there than there probably are…but maybe not. On-track handle on the live product for only the Fall Turf Festival was just over $92,000 daily, which is up 28 percent over last year’s $70,000 daily when Calder was racing only on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

The Fall Festival has raced several six-day race weeks, so they have run on every weekday but Tuesday, not just on the choice weekend days that Calder raced last year. My guess would be that handle numbers are higher because the racing product is better and there are probably more fans present than last year.

Getting back to the aesthetics of GPW, it is amazing what some repairs, a good cleaning, a coat of fresh paint and just general refurbishing will do to spruce a place up.

There were a lot of visible landscaping improvements, including bringing the walking ring back to how it looked in the past.

Gulfstream has also created a new VIP room for owners and trainers that 50

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overlooks the racecourse. The VIP lounge has security at both entrances to make sure that only owners and trainers and their guests are admitted.

Gulfstream has done an excellent job of bringing Calder back to its former glory when it was the best-maintained track in America and its motto was “at Calder we love you.” That “love” has been missing for quite a while, and it was probably a good idea for Gulfstream to rebrand it as Gulfstream Park West.

Backside Doings Chaplain Tom LaPointe came up with a Miami Dolphins ticket package consisting of one preseason game and one regular season game. The FHBPA paid for half of the ticket cost, and 140 backsiders got to see the Dolphins beat the Dallas Cowboys in preseason and lose to the Kansas City Chiefs during the regular season. Some decided to tailgate before each game (pictured)...LaPointe and his team also arranged another ocean drift fishing trip for 30 backsiders…

For Halloween, there was a large barbecue before the ghosts and goblins took to the two riding ponies and the three new bounce houses the chaplain bought, and then it was time for the Halloween party. Pictured is one of the larger boys in front of one of the bounce houses with the head of security to keep him on the straight and narrow…Dr. C. Reid McLellan held a 301 Groom Elite for those who had completed either Groom Elite 101 or 201, and 16 grooms completed the course (pictured).

Indiana HBPA 2014 Indiana Grand Meet Ends with the Promise of a Bright Future The just-completed Thoroughbred and American Quarter Horse meet at Indiana Grand produced high levels of excitement and solid per-race gains in handle but fewer races and slight overall declines compared to last year’s initial all-flat racing meet. The 120-day race meet concluded on a cold Saturday night, November 1, but it showed the promise of what is to come.

The 2014 meet was noticeably better attended, contested in a mixture of day racing during the week and evening racing on Fridays and Saturdays. Local promotions and increased advertising brought racing fans to the track in larger numbers. Once there, they found better racing, many additional food options and a Jumbotron screen and bigger toteboard to enhance their enjoyment.

Daily on-track simulcast handle was up 19.24 percent. Combining on-track live wagering and on-track simulcasting, Indiana Grand showed a 6.63 percent Thoroughbred increase.

Because of extensive repairs and rebuilding of the one-mile Indiana Grand track surface, the meet began two weeks later than it had traditionally opened.

That, combined with challenges in filling races in the early portion of the meet and delays in opening the turf course, resulted in 153 fewer Thoroughbred races run during the 2014 meet.

The 13th season of Indiana Grand (the first under the new name and branding) saw an overall decline of 5.24 percent in combined racing handle but an increase in combined per race handle of 7.85 percent.

The Indiana Grand Thoroughbred meet lost no days to weather but did have one day of racing canceled after the tragic accident that cost the life of apprentice jockey Juan Saez in early October.

Year-end Awards For the fourth straight year, Tom Amoss earned leading trainer honors.

Horses from the Amoss stable won 59 times during the 113 days of Thoroughbred racing in 2014. He picked up his 3,000th career win at the

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Race Dates for 2015 to be Announced At the deadline for this publication, Indiana Grand had filed a dates request with the Indiana Horse Racing Commission (IHRC) that would call for racing to begin April 21, running four days a week through much of the meet, then five days a week through October 31, 2015. Post times would again be a combination of day racing through the weekdays, with a 5:05 p.m. start time on Fridays and Saturdays.

The Commission requires race date requests to be filed by the first of November. The next IHRC meeting was scheduled for November 17.

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Indiana HBPA Proposes New Dues Structure, Bylaws Changes After a year of deliberation, the Indiana HBPA Board of Directors has submitted extensive bylaws changes to its members for approval. The bylaws revisions, the first in recent memory, tightened definitions of membership requirements and officers’ duties and clarified election procedures.

The changes were discussed with members during a backside meeting before the meet ended. On-track voting began during the last week of the

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Indiana Grand meet this year.

Marvin Johnson finished in second-place with 41 wins, while Gary Patrick earned third-place with 33 wins.

Amoss now has 230 career wins at Indiana Grand to rank second on the list of all-time leading trainers. Gary Patrick has the most trainer wins at 241.

Cindy Patrick was presented with the leading owner award. Patrick, a former jockey, joins her husband, Gary, and their daughter, a college student and jockey, in a very successful family-owned and -operated business. Horses owned by Cindy Patrick won 33 races in 2014 and earned more than $707,000 in purses.

Fernando De La Cruz earned the 2014 leading jockey award with 129 wins and more than $2.8 million in purse earnings during the Indiana Grand meet.

De La Cruz won 27 times more than last year’s winner, Malcolm Franklin. The Peru native, who came to the United States in 2007, adds this year’s title to a previous title from Hoosier Park.

Horse of the year honors went to Our Valid Twirl from the Tim Glyshaw Stable. A winner of five of 11 starts this year, the 5-year-old earned purses in excess of $139,000. The daughter of Goods is owned by Jonathon Liberto.

meet, with a full mailing of the changes and a ballot sent out at the beginning of November. Returned ballots were to be counted at a scheduled board of directors meeting in early December.

One of the changes drawing the most attention was a new proposal for the collection of association fees. The original bylaws, which called for collection of 1.5 percent of all earnings, had been abandoned when Indiana approved a revenue flow to racing derived from electronic gaming at the tracks. As part of its approval of funding for 2014, the IHRC insisted that the Indiana HBPA again collect dues.

Trainers and owners would each be assessed $5 per start under the proposal, which, at the time this publication was written, had not been approved by membership. If approved, the new fee structure would begin with the first day of 2015 racing in Indiana.

Check the Indiana HBPA website at inhbpa.org for more information.

Iowa HBPA Contract Negotiations Our current contract was to expire on December 31, and the 2015 race dates have not been agreed upon. Talks were scheduled beginning November 4.

As soon as we have an agreement, our members will be notified. If any member has not given the IHBPA office his or her email address, please contact us at bcarroll@iowahbpa.org or call (515) 967-4804. We will be sending emails to our members with any news as soon as it is available.

Office Move Once again our office was moved to the fourth floor of the casino on October 31. Usually we remain on the front side until the end of February, and then we move to our backside office. Although we have changed location, our address and phone numbers remain the same.

Also our office will remain busy planning for the opening of the 2015 race meet at Prairie Meadows Racetrack and Casino. We are planning for a 99 Basic Grooming class, a 101 Groom Elite class, our annual awards dinner and the Adventureland outing.

In addition to the basic classes, our office will conduct a full Groom Elite program later in the summer. Each category will be examined and will be assigned an instructor for that day. Not much can be accomplished without cooperation from others. The Iowa Thoroughbred Breeders and Owners Association always lends a hand with ponies and the tack needed. This past year, the ITBOA also contributed monetarily to the program. The racing office provides lunch each day for the full program and afternoon snacks and drinks for the basic classes.

Backside Upkeep As is typically the case during the off-season here at Prairie Meadows, there are improvements being made to the backside for the betterment of the horses and horsemen. Currently, Prairie Meadows is doing the following work: • After testing the track, additional clay and silt was added to the surface mixture.

• The barn area roads had some surface cracks that are now being sealed.

• Dirt is being added to stalls and broken boards are being repaired or replaced.

• All barn rafters are being washed down to rid them of dust and cobwebs.

As always, please visit the Iowa HBPA Facebook page to stay current on Iowa HBPA matters. www.nationalhbpa.com

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Kentucky HBPA

Turfway-TwinSpires Disagreement May Adversely Impact Purses Recently, Turfway Park General Manager Chip Bach sent a letter to the KHBPA informing the organization of a disagreement that they have with TwinSpires, the ADW company owned by Churchill Downs Incorporated.

In the correspondence, Chip explained that for several years Turfway had an exclusive arrangement with Television Games Network (TVG), another ADW company, for its simulcast signal of races from Turfway. Both TwinSpires and Xpressbet, two of the largest ADWs, expressed interest in simulcasting Turfway’s races. An agreement was reached between the various ADW companies that TVG would agree to bypass the exclusive agreement between Turfway and TVG if both TwinSpires and Xpressbet agreed to pay 2 percent of their handle on Turfway races to TVG. This agreement has been in place since 2009, according to Chip.

Turfway extended its agreement with TVG with the understanding that the agreement was still in place. Apparently, without notice, TwinSpires repudiated the agreement.

The agreement was between TVG and TwinSpires; therefore, when TwinSpires failed to continue to make payments, TVG removed Turfway from TVG’s programming.

In his letter, Chip explained that the non-payment of the fee to TVG from TwinSpires will impact purses approximately $300,000.

KHBPA President Rick Hiles and the board of directors have requested further verification and information prior to deciding on a course of action to protect horsemen’s purses.

Rick Hiles Shoots Hole-in-One On October 27, while playing in a foursome that included National HBPA General Counsel Pete Ecabert, Chris McCarron of the North American Racing Academy and TOBA President Dan Metzger, Rick Hiles, president of the KHBPA, made a hole-in-one. The event occurred on the 14th hole of the Wildcat Course at the University Club in Lexington, Kentucky. Rumor has it that Rick was inquiring how to apply to play on the PGA Tour.

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President’s message Throughout the country in various racing jurisdictions, an interesting set of circumstances has developed. It is often reported, as various racing meetings draw to a close, that attendance at the tracks has increased, but handle has invariably decreased. At first blush, you would reasonably assume that if more people are attending the races then betting would most assuredly increase. Yet this is simply not the case. This phenomenon is not just occurring in Kentucky.

Saratoga in New York and Del Mar in California showed the same increases in attendance while experiencing decreases in handle.

One track operator explained he noticed many of the significant bettors at his track were still attending the races at the track but were not wagering through the betting windows. When he questioned some of them, they explained that they wager through their advanced deposit wagering (ADW) account. In many instances, they receive an incentive or rebate from the ADW for placing their wagers through them.

Unfortunately, horsemen do not receive the same amount for purses from an ADW wager compared to a live wager at the racetrack. In addition, if the betting patron is wagering on another racetrack outside of Kentucky, the Kentucky horsemen receive nothing for purses from that wager. Also, the Kentucky Thoroughbred Development Fund (KTDF) does not receive a percentage for purses from an ADW wager.

The KHBPA has requested information from each of the Kentucky racetracks to determine the best course of action to address the ADW issue and to protect the purse structure.

The ongoing saga attempting to ban the use of Lasix/Salix on race day continues. You may recall, in my last message, I discussed a proposal for a research project presented by Matt Iuliano of The Jockey Club to the Kentucky Equine Drug Research Council. In essence, the project would determine if giving Lasix 24 hours out would have the same therapeutic effect. One of the obvious problems with the proposal, according to Matt, is that they intended to claim 100 to 125 horses from Kentucky races and use them for the research project. I explained removing a large number of horses from Kentucky’s racetracks would have a devastating impact on our already dwindling horse population.

Recently, at a Kentucky Horse Racing Commission (KHRC) Rules Committee meeting, a proposed regulation was introduced. The regulation is titled the “International medication protocol as a condition of race.” It would allow racing associations to require compliance with the international medication protocol as a condition of a race and establishes penalties for violations. Strong concerns were expressed that the intention was to implement the regulation without going through the lengthy regulatory process. The KHBPA requested and

received an opinion from the Office of the Attorney General of Kentucky stating that the KHRC may not enforce administrative regulations until they have been adopted under the procedures in KRS Chapter 13A, which requires a series of hearings before various legislative committees.

One final note, I attended the November Fasig-Tipton sale in Lexington.

Several fillies and mares being offered had distinguished themselves in this year’s Breeders’ Cup. Foreign buyers were especially busy purchasing horses for millions of dollars. The vast majority of the runners had competed while receiving race-day Lasix. It reasonably refutes the theory that foreign buyers are hesitant to purchase horses racing in the United States due to the use of raceday Lasix.

Good luck in your racing endeavors.

Rick Hiles, President KHBPA

Rick Hiles celebrates a rare golfing achievement.

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Revenues Continue to Grow from Instant Racing Machines at Both Kentucky Downs and Ellis Park Bob Jackson, director of operations at Ellis Park, recently reported to the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission that the track’s handle on the Instant Racing machines has improved dramatically since Ellis is now handling the

marketing of the machines. Corey Johnsen, president of Kentucky Downs, explained that due to the expansion of their operation the track expects significant increases in Instant Racing machine revenue. Below is a breakdown of the revenue from each of the racetracks:

KENTUCKY DOWNS - 2014 INSTANT RACING MACHINES HANDLE AND REVENUE

Date January February March April May June July August September October

Total Handle 23,886,617 27,571,486 29,420,350 25,294,871 28,821,940 26,101,440 27,035,527 30,438,050 26,445,668 26,603,528 $271,619,477

Returned to Public 22,056,836 25,490,298 27,130,355 23,391,946 26,606,487 24,126,807 25,018,364 28,076,915 24,398,092 24,555,617 $250,851,717

Track Revenue 1,253,006 1,414,232 1,822,989 1,294,186 1,520,921 1,347,084 1,364,345 1,626,557 1,408,184 1,404,761 $14,456,265

Purses Awards & KDTF Generated Supplements Dev. Fund 203,910 236,493 291,310 213,859 244,722 220,293 230,799 259,474 226,526 227,824 $2,355,210

14,565 16,892 20,808 15,276 17,480 15,735 16,486 18,534 16,180 16,273 $168,229

179,150 206,786 77,444 189,854 216,165 195,761 202,766 228,285 198,343 199,526 $1,894,080

Equine Industry 47,773 55,143 20,652 50,628 57,644 52,203 54,071 60,876 52,891 53,207 $505,088

Equine Drug 23,887 27,571 10,326 25,295 28,822 26,101 27,036 30,438 26,446 26,604 $252,526

Higher Education 23,887 27,571 10,326 25,295 28,822 26,101 27,036 30,438 26,446 26,604 $252,526

General Fund 83,603 96,500 36,140 88,532 100,877 91,355 94,624 106,533 92,560 93,112 $883,836

ELLIS PARK - 2014 INSTANT RACING MACHINES HANDLE AND REVENUE

Date January February March April May June July August September October

Total Handle 2,243,634 2,572,259 2,791,866 2,360,384 3,024,776 3,184,795 4,296,098 4,338,243 3,236,069 3,765,489 $31,813,613

Returned to Public 2,087,965 2,358,138 2,583,038 2,152,476 2,794,743 2,943,627 3,958,556 4,005,252 2,984,691 3,506,781 $29,375,267

Track Revenue 100,724 150,867 161,772 150,544 156,821 163,998 233,942 227,791 172,647 167,591 $1,686,697

Purses Awards & KDTF Generated Supplements Dev. Fund 19,871 23,025 28,142 20,495 25,983 27,437 36,548 37,452 28,177 32,327 $279,457

The HBPA is You The HBPA, established in 1940, is an organization of owners and trainers numbering approximately 30,000 nationally in 23 states and Canada and more than 6,000 in Kentucky. The association is governed by a board of directors consisting of owners and trainers volunteering their time and elected by the membership every three years. The HBPA is committed to working for the betterment of racing on all levels.

The HBPA represents owners and trainers on several fronts: • The HBPA is present in negotiating sessions with each racetrack regarding purse structure, equitable share of simulcast revenues, overall track safety, sanitation and security.

• The HBPA provides benevolence to horsemen in need, education and recreation programs to the backstretch, and various insurance packages that include—free of charge to members—fire and disaster insurance and claiming coverage. Visit one of the fully staffed HBPA offices at the currently running racetrack in Kentucky for details.

• The HBPA works in conjunction with the chaplaincy program and the Kentucky Racing Health and Welfare Fund to provide support and benefits for horsemen.

1,419 1,645 2,010 1,464 1,856 1,960 2,611 2,675 2,013 2,309 $19,962

16,827 19,292 8,452 17,703 22,686 23,886 32,221 32,537 24,271 28,241 $226,116

Equine Industry 4,487 5,145 2,254 4,721 6,050 6,370 8,592 8,676 6,472 7,531 $60,298

Equine Drug 2,244 2,572 1,127 2,360 3,025 3,185 4,296 4,338 3,236 3,765 $30,148

Higher Education 2,244 2,572 1,127 2,360 3,025 3,185 4,296 4,338 3,236 3,765 $30,148

General Fund 7,853 9,003 3,944 8,261 10,587 11,147 15,036 15,184 11,326 13,179 $105,520

• The HBPA supports scientific research and marketing initiatives on a regional and national level to help promote interest in Thoroughbred racing.

• The HBPA is at the forefront in litigation and legislation on issues involving horsemen’s rights in regard to interstate simulcasting, proprietary rights, casino gambling, therapeutic medication, sports betting and many other areas of concern to horsemen.

How can I join? You are invited to drop by the HBPA office to meet the staff and learn more about current projects and how you can get involved in helping to improve the industry. There are no membership fees. Remember, this is your organization. Become an active participant and one of the horsemen helping horsemen. To join, all you need to do is fill out our membership card and fax, mail or email it back to us. For more information, please visit our website at kyhbpa.org and click on “How to Join.”

www.nationalhbpa.com

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Louisiana HBPA

Fair Grounds Race Course 2014-2015 Race Meets

Delta Downs Racetrack & Casino 2014-2015 Race Meets

1751 Gentilly Blvd. New Orleans, LA 70119 504-944-5515 * www.fairgroundsracecourse.com

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Minnesota HBPA

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2014 Canterbury Recap It was a great season of racing in Shakopee, Minnesota! With the barns full of competitive horses, there was a new mix and fuller fields this year. There were several new trainers and jockeys testing the waters at Canterbury Park.

Crowds, unlike any at many other tracks, Robertino Diodoro enjoyed summer days of festivities and exotic racing such as camels, ostriches, zebras, wiener dogs and Indian relay races. Mixed in with special days of racing such as the Fillies Race for Hope, the $200,000 Mystic Lake Derby and the Mystic Lake Mile and Lady Canterbury, each sporting $100,000 purses, the fans got a great show and horsemen had great racing opportunities.

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November 1 marked the end to a successful summer of Michigan Thoroughbred racing at Hazel Park Raceway. In the spring of 2014, Hazel Park invested over $250,000 in track and facility upgrades to prepare for live Thoroughbred racing, marking the first time in more than 30 years that the breed has raced at the track.

Live Thoroughbred racing took place every Friday and Saturday night from June 27 to November 1 with an estimated 300,000 fans present to witness the Thoroughbreds’ return. Dan Adkins, vice president at Southfield-based real estate developer Hartman and Tyner Inc., stated, “This is just the beginning of better things to come for Michigan’s Thoroughbred horse racing industry. This year’s success was more than anyone had anticipated, and it is clear from the fan attendance and positive fan response that there is support and a desire to see Michigan Thoroughbreds run.”

George Kutlenios, president of the Michigan HBPA, stated, “This was a long time in coming. We knew that if Thoroughbreds could have a venue to race, the fans would be there to support it. We are so proud of this summer’s success and are really excited about next year.”

This year’s meet may mark the beginning of a turnaround for the industry in Michigan. Many of Michigan’s horsemen and women have had to race outside of Michigan due to lack of support for the state’s Thoroughbred industry. This year meant the return of many back to Michigan to support their home state.

The Michigan Thoroughbred industry contributes roughly $100 million to the state’s agricultural economy through purchases of hay and grain and utilization of professional services such as veterinarians and farriers, as well as trucks, trailers and farm labor.

The 2015 opening day for live Thoroughbred racing at Hazel Park Raceway is scheduled for Friday, May 1.

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Michigan HBPA

When it came down to closing day, a crowd of more than 11,000 fans watched as a new trainer champion (for the first time in 10 years) and a first-time riding champion earned their titles. Going into the day, the titles for leading trainer and leading jockey were too close to call. Trainer Robertino Diodoro trailed “Mac” Robertson, but, in the Shakopee Juvenile, Diodoro’s entry won in a dead heat to lock up the training title for him, defeating Canterbury’s nine-time leading trainer.

Jockey Ry Eikleberry had won three Ry Eikleberry consecutive American Quarter Horse riding titles in Shakopee from 2008 through 2010, however, he had never won a Thoroughbred riding title until this year. Eikleberry went without a win on closing day while his two pursuers, Dean Butler and Alex Canchari, each with 53 wins, scored one win each. But Eikleberry had a two-win lead coming into the final day of racing and hung on for the title with 55 victories.

Al and Bill Ulwelling, Canterbury’s champion owners in 2010 and 2011, added a third title to their list with 21 winners.

One of the most celebrated days at Canterbury was the 21st rendition of the Minnesota Festival of Champions. It is a day where Minnesota people gather once a year to match the best Minnesota-breds. As it turned out, the spotlight was squarely on owner Scott Rake, as his horses swept the sprints. Canterbury Horse of the Year and top 3-year-old Sky and Sea won the Minnesota Distaff Sprint, and Bourbon County established himself as the sprint king of Shakopee by defeating two-time Canterbury Horse of the Year Heliskier in the Minnesota Sprint Championship.

Horsemen at Canterbury are saddened by the loss of retired trainer Harvey Jacobson and owner “Cam” Casby. Both passed away unexpectedly. Our condolences are extended to their families and friends.

2015 Race Dates Canterbury Park has requested 70 days of mixed Thoroughbred and American Quarter Horse racing from May 15 through September 12, 2015. The racing schedule calls for a 6:30 p.m. post time on Thursdays and Fridays, a 6:30 p.m. post time on Saturdays in August and a 12:45 p.m. post time on remaining Saturdays, Sundays and holidays. A special post time of 4 p.m. is scheduled for July 3.

Moutaineer Park HBPA 2014 Election Results Following are the results of the 2014 Mountaineer Park HBPA Board of Directors election: President: Jami Poole Owners: Robert Bedner, Brady Howell, Annette McCoy, Louise Poole, Christena Williams Trainers: Bart Baird, J. Michael Baird, John W. Baird, Jennifer Johnson, Donna Zook Thank you to those who served on the previous board, and welcome to the newly elected board members.

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Holiday Festivities The Mountaineer chaplaincy hosted a children’s Halloween party on October 24 at Donna’s Kitchen.

Children enjoyed pumpkin painting, costume contests and treats. A children’s Christmas party was planned for December 12. The food bank will be open throughout the winter; please contact the chaplain for more information.

The pony riders at Mountaineer Casino Racetrack and Resort were in full costume in celebration of Halloween. The riders and their ponies were decked out as clowns, knights and the rock band KISS. The Mountaineer Park HBPA provided members of the backstretch community and their families the opportunity to enjoy the Thanksgiving buffet at Mountaineer.

Backstretch News Trainer Ed Shilling has won the award for 2014 Barn of the Year, and Americo Gutierrez won the 2014 Groom of the Year Award. Congratulations!

The Mountaineer Park HBPA is in the process of signing up qualified backstretch workers for the West Virginia Racing Commission’s Retirement Plan for Backstretch Personnel. The new plan has different qualifications, and those who previously did not qualify may now be eligible to participate.

If you have started more than 18 horses and have 75 percent of your starts at a track in West Virginia or as an employee have earned more than $10,000, you need to visit the Mountaineer Park HBPA office to see if you qualify. We had open enrollment for the 2010 and 2011 program years during the month of November. Signs-ups for service years 2012 through 2014 will take place in the spring of 2015. Please contact the Mountaineer Park HBPA office with any questions regarding the plan.

The recent elections will make for an interesting 2015 legislative session in West Virginia. With the West Virginia House of Delegates and the West Virginia Senate switching to a Republican majority, the face of the legislature has changed. We will be working hard with everyone involved in the West Virginia racing industry to make certain that our new representatives understand the economic impact our industry has in the state.

Best wishes for a joyous holiday season!

Nebraska HBPA Live Race Dates Announced for Nebraska Thoroughbreds On October 23, the Nebraska State Racing Commission approved 2015 race dates for the Nebraska Thoroughbred circuit. Live race days will begin at Fonner Park in Grand Island on February 20. Fonner will run a total of 31 days, ending its meet on May 2. From there, Horsemen’s Park in Omaha will run a three-day meet May 8-10. After a summer break, live racing will resume August 7 in Columbus and will continue through September 7 for a total of 16 live days there. In addition, Lincoln Race Course will run one live day to be announced at a later date. A total of 51 live days have been scheduled for Thoroughbred racing in the state.

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New England HBPA

By Lynne Snierson Despite the gaming partner of Suffolk Downs, Mohegan Sun, being denied the single Boston-area resort casino license by the Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC) in favor of Wynn Resorts, and track ownership subsequently announcing the termination of live racing, the New England horsemen live to fight another day.

NEHBPA President Anthony Spadea, Executive Director Bruce Patten and the newly elected board of directors composed of owners Randy Andrews, Susan Clark, Shirley Dullea, Manny Roos and Paul Umbrello and trainers Jay Bernardini, Matthew Clarke, Alan Lockhart, Kevin McCarthy and George Saccardo refused to accept defeat.

In the wake of the MGC’s shocking decision on September 16, the track’s announcement the same afternoon and the final day of live racing for the 2014 meet on October 4, the horsemen were hard at work to structure an economically feasible deal to lease Suffolk Downs from the owners and hold a 2015 meet.

The NEHBPA notified the MGC of intent to file a one-day 2015 dates application by the October 1 deadline, and the commissioners allowed what they termed a “placeholder” application as long as the horsemen would return and submit a detailed and final application for a minimum of 65 days as required by state law.

At the same time, Brockton Fairgrounds owner George Carney filed two placeholder applications for one day each under the licenses the fairgrounds holds for the Brockton Agricultural Society and the Middleborough Agricultural Society. The final applications for meets at the fairgrounds, which has not hosted Thoroughbreds since 2001 and has a five-eighths-mile track and no turf course, must be 15 days each.

In mid-October, the NEHBPA brought on board consultant Lou Raffetto, a highly respected and longtime industry expert who just happened to be the former chief operating officer of Suffolk Downs, to help hammer out the deal with Suffolk’s owners.

Raffetto was instrumental in resurrecting live racing at Suffolk in the early 1990s after the track had been shuttered by the previous ownership group, and he is credited with reviving its most important race, the Massachusetts Handicap, and recruiting eventual Hall of Famers Cigar and Skip Away to compete in it.

“Lazurus came back from the dead. Let’s try it again,” Raffetto said. “I’m optimistic and hopeful we can get a deal structured.”

Nonetheless, there was another obstacle in the way. Anti-gambling forces had placed a statewide referendum on the November 4 ballot calling for the repeal of the 2011 legislation authorizing one stand-alone slots parlor and three destination resort casinos in three separate geographical regions.

Even though there would be no $1.3 billion casino developed at Suffolk Downs and the track was scheduled for closure, the referendum’s outcome was critical to the horsemen and breeders in Massachusetts because the bill contained guaranteed protection for the Thoroughbred and Standardbred racing industries through the establishment of the Race Horse Development Fund. The RHDF, which the MGC decreed will be split 75 percent Thoroughbred to 25 percent Standardbred, is to be fueled with 5 percent of the initial combined slots and casinos license fees totaling $195 million, 9 percent of the annual slots revenue and 0.625 percent of the yearly gross gaming revenue from the casinos.

Out of each breed’s allotment of the future monies expected to be in the tens of millions of dollars annually, 80 percent will enhance purses, 16 percent goes to the breeders and 4 percent to backstretch welfare.

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Ohio HBPA 2015 Ohio Racing Dates Mahoning Valley Race Course (MVRC), which kicked off its inaugural season of live racing in November, will conduct 100 days of live racing in 2015.

MVRC will begin its winter-spring meeting on January 5 and race through April 25. The fall meeting will begin on October 30 and continue through December 29. MVRC will conduct live racing on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays throughout both meets.

Thistledown will also conduct 100 days of live racing in 2015. Thistledown’s live meet will begin on April 27 and race through October 24. Racing will be conducted on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays throughout the meet.

The 2015 racing calendar for Mahoning Valley Race Course and Thistledown came about after the Ohio HBPA signed long-term VLT revenue-sharing agreements with the owners of both tracks in early 2014. As part of the 10-year agreements, each track is required to conduct a minimum of 100 live racing days per year, none of the days from either track can overlap the other and racing must be conducted a minimum of 50 weeks each year between the two tracks, ensuring a year-round racing circuit in Northern Ohio for the next decade.

Belterra Park will conduct 93 days of live racing in 2015. Belterra’s live meeting will begin on May 1 and race through October 10. Racing will be conducted on a weekly Thursday through Sunday basis throughout the meeting.

The Ohio HBPA and Pinnacle Entertainment, owner of Belterra Park, are continuing negotiations on a long-term VLT revenue-sharing agreement for the track.

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Consequently, repeal of the legislation would have killed all hope for the horsemen. But voters emphatically defeated the referendum 60 percent to 40 percent.

“We, the horsemen, finally won one,” Spadea said. “The voters had their say. Casinos are here; we have the income stream for horse racing, horse breeding and farming. Every other state that has casinos has seen unbelievable growth in the horse racing and farming industry. The jobs will be saved and the open space preserved.”

Two days after the election, the MGC voted 5-0 to grant the NEHBPA’s temporary application and 5-0 to allow the Carney family to proceed. Even though the deal with Suffolk’s owners, who are adamant they will not invest any more money in the track, was still being worked on at press time, the horsemen held the reins firmly in hand.

“We are pushing hard to complete our supplemental license to race the minimum of 65 days at Suffolk Downs next year. We hope to submit it to the gaming commission before Thanksgiving,” Patten said. “The commissioners then have 30 days by law to grant or deny our application.”

Meanwhile, Suffolk’s simulcasting rights expire on December 31, and horsemen will not get simulcasting rights unless they run the minimum number of days. If the NEHBPA can strike the deal with track ownership and bring live racing back to Suffolk in 2015, the Carneys will not proceed with their plans for the fair meets.

“We are doing everything possible to reach agreement with Suffolk’s ownership and are working diligently to make sure the horsemen of New England can run at Suffolk next year and the breeders can stay in business,” Spadea said. “I remain hopeful, positive and optimistic.”

In other news, the NEHBPA is a sponsor of the annual North East Thoroughbred Sporthorse Association Show and presented a trophy to the highest point winner among the Suffolk OTTBs performing at the October event.

Thoroughbred Racing Association of Oklahoma News Heritage Sale, TRAO Meeting on December 13 The third annual Heritage Place Fall Thoroughbred Sale was held December 13 in Oklahoma City. For more information and results, go to heritageplace.com or call (405) 682-4551.

The 2014 TRAO General Membership Meeting was also to be held December 13 at Heritage Place. If you have any questions about the meeting, please contact the TRAO office at (405) 427-8753 or go to traoracing.com.

TRAO Newsletter To get important news out to members as quickly as possible, the TRAO will no longer be publishing a monthly newsletter. Instead, we will begin sending out weekly e-newsletters with the most up-to-date news. To receive the weekly newsletter by email, please contact Tammy Wright at twright@traoracing.com.

Archived newsletters are available on the TRAO website at traoracing.com.

Nomination Forms for Oklahoma Stallion Stakes Nomination forms for the Oklahoma Stallion Stakes for the 2015 breeding season (foals of 2016, race year of 2019) have been mailed out and are also available at traoracing.com. All nomination payments must be postmarked by December 31. No exceptions. If you have any questions, please contact the TRAO office at (405) 427-8753.

How Much Can an Accredited Oklahoma-Bred Earn?

As much as $3.2 million has been paid in one year to owners, breeders and stallion owners of accredited Oklahoma-bred horses. Oklahoma state law provides for the incentive funds and prescribes the purposes for which the money will be paid out by the Oklahoma Horse Racing Commission (OHRC).

Owners, breeders and stallion owners have earned in excess of $38 million from the inception of the program in 1984. For complete information on the Oklahoma-bred program, please refer to chapter 75 of the OHRC Rules of Racing or contact the OHRC at (405) 943-6472 or ohrc.org.

Congrats to the Oklahoma Classics Winners Remington Park on October 17 hosted another superb edition of the Oklahoma Classics, as accredited Oklahoma-breds competed for more than $1 million in purse money. Here’s a recap of all the stakes winners: Oklahoma Classics Cup: Imahit, trained, owned and bred by C.R. Trout Oklahoma Classics Distaff Turf: Bringinginthelute, trained, owned and bred

by C.R. Trout Oklahoma Classics Distaff Sprint: Diamond Disco, trained by Federico Villafranco, owned by Danny Caldwell, bred by 7 Cedars Farm Oklahoma Classics Distaff: Okie Smokey, trained by Carlos Padilla, owned and bred by Richter Family Trust Oklahoma Classics Turf: Robbytyme, trained by Kenny Nolen, owned and bred by Darrell Williams Oklahoma Classics Sprint: Chifforobe, trained by Jody Pruitt, owned by Paul Sinclair, bred by Chris Duncan and Elizabeth Valando Oklahoma Classics Juvenile: Shotgun Kowboy, trained, owned and bred by C.R. Trout Oklahoma Classics Lassie: Zealous Vision, trained by Tim Martin, owned by Center Hills Farm and Big Sugar Racing, bred by Center Hills Farm

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HBPA of Ontario Racing to Continue at Fort Erie Race Track On September 24, Fort Erie Race Track held a press conference regarding the historic oval. Years of uncertainly have come to an end for the horse people of Fort Erie. On that day, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Jeff Leal reiterated the government’s commitment to the continuation of live Thoroughbred racing at Fort Erie.

The racing schedule for 2015 will not be less than the 37 days conducted in 2014, and the number of race days will be determined in the Fort Erie Live Racing Consortium (FELRC) application, which is subject to approval by the Ontario Racing Commission.

This announcement will generate confidence amongst the horse people who can reinvest in their industry after a prolonged period of uncertainty, which resulted in a horse inventory problem throughout the province.

“I want to commend everyone at Fort Erie Race Track on a successful 2014 season. I am delighted Fort Erie is able to continue racing with support from our government’s five-year Horse Racing Partnership Plan,” Minister Leal said. “Our government remains committed to working with industry owners, breeders and track operators across Ontario in support of horse racing in the province.”

Efforts are already underway in terms of planning by the FELRC management team for a successful 2015 racing season.

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Stuart Slagle Named Woodbine’s New Racing Secretary Woodbine Entertainment Group (WEG) announced the hiring of Stuart Slagle as its new Thoroughbred racing secretary.

Slagle, 47, was previously the racing secretary at Hastings Park. His appointment at Woodbine was effective November 10.

After stops at race offices across the continent, including Colonial Downs, Sunland Park and the Maryland Jockey Club, he became the racing secretary at Manor Downs, Arapahoe Park and finally Hastings in 2013.

“We respect Stuart’s experience in racing,” said Steve Lym, WEG’s Thoroughbred director of racing, who has also held the racing secretary role at Woodbine since 2003. “He brings a fresh perspective that will greatly benefit our racing program. He has experience with American racetracks but a familiarity with Canadian racing and its intricacies as well.”

“I’ve watched and admired Woodbine racing for many years,” said Slagle, who was born in Ohio and raised in Texas. “I’m thrilled to be joining such a firstclass organization like the Woodbine Entertainment Group.”

The 133-day Woodbine meet concluded on December 7.

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“Talkin’ Horses” Television Program On September 6, “Talkin’ Horses” aired for the first time on CTV and CTV2’s Ontario network. This 10-week run, which ended November 8, is the brainchild of co-hosts and executive producers Joe Tilley and Jason Portuondo.

The program, specially commissioned by the HBPA of Ontario, took a behindthe-scenes look at the province’s Thoroughbred racing industry, promoted track events and featured profiles of and interviews with some of the sport’s most interesting personalities. According to HBPA of Ontario President Sue Leslie, the main focus of the program is to attract new fans and new owners to racing.

“Everyone knows that our industry is going through a critical period,” Leslie stated. “Every individual and organization within the industry must assist the Ontario Horse Racing Industry Association to ensure its ultimate success. One of the HBPA’s contributions is this TV initiative. Through it, we hope to demonstrate what a terrific pastime Thoroughbred racing can be from a fan’s perspective and why owning your own racehorse can be such an unparalleled thrill.”

Tilley, Portuondo and the show’s producer, Alex Narvaez, based the action out of Toronto’s Woodbine Racetrack with frequent side trips to Ontario’s other Thoroughbred venue, the picturesque oval at Fort Erie. Portuondo, a prominent freelance sports journalist, and Tilley, a legendary anchor with CTV sports, have a great deal of horse racing experience between them and both are known for bringing refreshingly original approaches to their projects. Joining them on-air was longtime Thoroughbred writer and handicapper Jennifer Morrison, well-known Fort Erie commentator Elissa Blowe and Humber College honors journalism graduate Maddie-Joe Tilley.

HBPA of Ontario directors are regarding the first 10 episodes of “Talkin’ Horses” as a pilot project. Success should encourage a longer run in 2015 with corporate sponsorship and an even more ambitious format.

“Talkin’ Horses” episodes are now available on the HBPA of Ontario’s website. Get the latest from “Talkin’ Horses” on Twitter (@TalkinHorsesTV), Instagram (@TalkinHorsesTV) and Facebook (Facebook.com/TalkinHorses).

Changes to the Temporary Foreign Worker Program Effective July 2014, Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) has implemented several changes to the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP). Employers applying to hire TFWs at the racetrack (grooms, exercise riders and jockeys) must now pay a processing fee of $1,000 for each position requested to cover the cost of the Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA).

This fee cannot be recovered in any way by the employer or they will be blacklisted, suspended or fined. Employers must still advertise the position for a minimum of four weeks, and the job must remain posted until a positive Labour Market Opinion (LMO) is received.

ESDC has also introduced a median wage for Ontario in the amount of $21/ hour. Any job offered with a lower wage then the median is subject to a “cap” on the amount of foreign workers the employer is allowed to hire. From July 2014 to July 2015, only 30 percent of an employer’s workforce is allowed to be foreign workers, dropping 10 percent each year for the next two years. Job offers above the median wage are required to submit a “transition plan” with their LMIA. This plan must include ways the employer is reducing its reliance on TFWs, introducing skills training or helping TFWs become permanent residents of Canada.

Effective immediately, the government is increasing its number of inspections to one out of every four employers using the TFWP that will be reviewed each year. This will include on-site visits, employer and/or employee interviews and extending from two to six years the period in which ESDC and CIC can verify wages, working conditions and occupations previously provided in LMIA or work permit applications. Subject to these changes, employers are required to keep all documentation related to their applications, including resumes, for six years.

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Oregon HBPA The Portland Meadows meet started October 12 and runs through February 11, 2015.

There have been lots of full fields thanks to the horsemen. We have some new trainers here and some previous trainers have come back, so thank you so much for your support.

Oregon Bred Championship Day was December 14, and all the owners and breeders were looking forward to campaigning their horses.

Hope you all have a wonderful holiday season.

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Furthermore, as of fall 2014, ESDC will be authorized to compel banks and payroll companies to provide documentation to help inspectors verify that employers are in compliance to TFWP rules.

For full details, please contact Corinne Phillips at the HBPA Backstretch Office at Woodbine at (416) 675-3802 or cep@hbpa.on.ca or visit the ESDC’s website for up-to-date information at esdc.gc.ca/eng/jobs/foreign_workers/ reform/index.shtml.

be monitored by a closed circuit television security system. This dormitory will replace the multiple dormitory buildings along Firehouse Road and will house the backside personnel that work for our trainers. This is a much-needed improvement to the horsemen’s backside and will bring our facility into the 21st century. Thank you, Pennsylvania HBPA and Penn Gaming.

On the racing front, 2014 brought a new starter handicap series for horses that started for a claiming price of $5,000 or less since October 1, 2013. The Harrisburg Starter Series was run in four divisions: fillies and mares short and long and colts and geldings short and long. Points were assigned to participating trainers according to their finish, rather than to the horses. The trainer accumulating the most points received a bonus at the end of the series.

Second-place also received an award, and the winners of each respective division were also rewarded. Our congratulations to the overall winning trainer Steve Mick and to runner-up Les Stickler. Both trainers are stabled at Penn National, popular with the horsemen and highly considered for their skills with Thoroughbreds. The winner of the Bow Creek Division (filly and mare sprint) was Les Stickler, the Grantville Division (filly and mare route) went to Steve Mick, Rodrigo Madrigal won the East Hanover (colts and geldings sprint) and the final division, the Pennsylvania HBPA (colts and geldings route), went to Mike Gorham. Congratulations to all!

Pennsylvania HBPA Some Thoroughbreds transcend the expectancy of their beginnings. They show promise from the start and make men and women dream of better things to come. We, in horse racing, live in the nether world of dreams but do not always succeed in entering the stratosphere that permeates such lofty heights.

Taris is such a horse, and perhaps more. Bred by Claiborne Farm and Adele Dilschneider, Taris runs for the Penn National-based connections of Todd Beattie, Joe Santana and Todd Mostoller of Commonwealth New Era Racing. They bought the Flatter filly as a yearling at the Keeneland September sale in 2012. What appeared to be a high price to pay for a group formed at a bread-and-butter racetrack has now proven to be a bargain. She has earned more than $275,000, highlighted by a dominant nine-length victory in the Grade 2 Raven Run at Keeneland in October. A winner in four of her five races, Taris has dominated the opposition by winning as she pleased at four different tracks.

Taris broke her maiden at Aqueduct in her first start as a 2-year-old and followed that by winning under a hand ride in the $100,000 Wide Country Stakes at Laurel. After a disappointing fifth in a Grade 3 at Oaklawn Park, Taris prepped for her Keeneland race at Presque Isle Downs and demolished a good allowance field in what could have been a track record if jockey Clinton Potts had ever asked the filly to run. In the Raven Run, Taris simply demolished the competition by running the fastest Beyer Speed Figure in her class in 2014. On November 3, the connections sent Taris into the Fasig-Tipton November sale, where she sold for a whopping $2,350,000 and will race for new trainer Simon Callaghan in Southern California. She will, however, remain a Pennsylvanian in our hearts and minds, as proof that dreams do come true, as long as we play the game. Best wishes to Commonwealth New Era Racing, kudos for daring to dream and thanks for the ride.

Work has begun on the new dormitory building on the backside at Penn National. It is a joint venture between the Pennsylvania HBPA and Penn Gaming Inc. The building will house 30 rooms with large bath facilities for both men and women. These will be handicap-accessible. It was designed and is being built by the Mione Family Construction Co. There will be a lounge area for socializing.

All rooms will be provided with cable access and microwaves, and all areas will

Tampa Bay HBPA November 29 marked the continuation of the 89th anniversary season of racing at Tampa Bay Downs, which began on July 1 and concludes on June 30, 2015.

One of the most important activities ahead of the Tampa Bay HBPA this racing season is the election of the board of directors for the 2015–18 term.

We will hold a nomination meeting on January 14 at 10:30 a.m. for the purpose of receiving nominations from the election committee and the floor. Ballots will be mailed out to the membership on February 25 and will be counted on March 27. Any member who hasn’t received a ballot at that time may request one by contacting the Tampa Bay HBPA office at (813) 925-0192 or emailing us at tampabayhbpa@aol.com.

Vote, and the choice is yours. Don’t vote, and the choice is theirs.

Kicking off the holiday season, the ever-popular HBPA backside Christmas party was to be held on Thursday, December 18, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. with plenty of good eats, music and fellowship.

The Tampa Bay HBPA is proud to once again sponsor several worthy organizations including: • Bakkas Equestrian Center’s 2012 Therapeutic Horse of the Year Chester, who has helped many disabled youngsters and adults in experiencing the joys of riding • The Holiday Sharing Fund, a local organization that provides bicycles to children in need • Equestrian Inc., which deserves congratulations on having received accreditation by the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance, which will enable them to receive grant money • Step Ahead Thoroughbred Retirement Inc., another worthy organization dedicated to finding homes for retiring equine athletes

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virginia HBPA Colonial Downs R.I.P.?

At an October 15 meeting of the Virginia Racing Commission, Colonial Downs surrendered its license to operate its racetrack in New Kent, Virginia, and to run its seven off-track betting shops around the state. Jeff Jacobs, Colonial’s owner, did so because of his stated belief that the commission would not recognize a new horsemen’s group he established to replace the Virginia HBPA because of its unwillingness to radically shrink live racing. (In fact, Colonial’s 20-year license expired on October 12, 2014—three days before Jacobs’ “surrender” of it.)

The new group, called the Old Dominion Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association, has no members. It’s a shell set up and incorporated by Colonial Downs’ lawyers. The Old Dominion president, who runs an advertising and marketing firm in Jupiter, Florida, is a friend and business associate of Colonial’s owner. Its vice president is a Virginia resident employed by Colonial Downs as a consultant.

Upon hearing of this new group, the Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association (THA), which has affiliates in New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Delaware and Illinois, wrote a cease and desist letter to the Old Dominion THA demanding that it stop using the THA name because the Old Dominion group is not in any way affiliated with or recognized by the THA. The short-term effect of Colonial’s surrendering its track operator’s license is minimal because there would be no racing until next summer in any event.

Colonial did publically leave open the option of reapplying for an operator’s license in 2015.

Giving up its license to run seven off-track betting shops is another story.

Those betting shops closed to Thoroughbred simulcast wagering in February because state law prohibits their operation absent a contract with the Virginia HBPA. Our former contract with Colonial expired on January 29, 2014. In the summer edition of The Horsemen’s Journal, we described the history of our unsuccessful attempts to negotiate a new one with the track.

The three largest off-track betting shops, however, were open beyond February for simulcast wagering on harness racing. On October 26, they too closed with the surrender of Colonial’s license. But with Houdini-like magic, the same three reopened on October 29, just before the Breeders’ Cup, under a new name but with the same appearance. The three former OTBs are now “account wagering centers.” The only difference is Colonial’s replacement of live tellers with EZ Horseplay computer touchscreens. Using the screens, customers can place wagers on races shown on the same old wall mounted television screens.

(EZ Horseplay, formerly called PhoneBet, is Colonial’s online ADW company.)

While the Virginia HBPA does have a long-standing contract with EZ Horseplay, which requires revenue sharing with our horsemen, Colonial stopped making contributions for our purse account in October.

We expect the Virginia Racing Commission to take action to prevent Colonial from carrying out this subterfuge of running unlicensed off-track betting shops under a different name and from failing to make purse contributions from EZ Horseplay wagering handle.

In the meantime, the Virginia HBPA combined with our state breeders organization, the Virginia harness horsemen’s group and the Virginia Gold Cup, which runs steeplechase races, to form the Virginia Equine Alliance.

The alliance’s purpose is to explore and establish alternatives to racing at Colonial Downs.

Our first experiment with alternative venues involved running five flat races with $25,000 purses on October 25 at the International Gold Cup steeplechase meet in Northern Virginia. We had full fields and competitive races along with 60

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spirited pari-mutuel wagering. A Saturday crowd of 37,000 was on hand, which nearly equaled last year’s total attendance at Colonial Downs for 24 days of racing!

Going forward, we hope to build on that experience using other sites in Virginia that are suitable for both flat and harness racing.

Washington HBPA Emerald Downs’ 2014 Live Race Meet Posts Positives Jim and Mona Hour’s Stryker Phd was voted horse of the meeting, top older horse and top Washington-bred as Emerald Downs announced its 2014 season honors on September 28, closing day of the track’s 19th season. The track had a successful season despite a diminished horse population both locally and nationally. Attendance was up 6.7 percent for the season with amazing weather the likely culprit. Emerald Downs has proved to be a go-to family place for picnicking and ponies, especially when the sun is shining. With two fewer days of live racing, overall handle was down 2.3 percent, and in-state handle for the live meet was down only 1.3 percent.

Stryker Phd, a Larry Ross-trained 5-year-old Washington-bred gelding by Bertrando, was unbeaten in three starts, including an impressive last-to-first victory in the Grade 3 Longacres Mile. His first start after the Emerald Downs meeting came in the Big Bear Stakes on October 30, when he again rallied from last and just missed victory by a half-length on a speed-holding Santa Anita racetrack.

Jockey Leslie Mawing, who scored his first Longacres Mile victory with a perfectly timed ride on Stryker Phd, won his second Emerald Downs riding title with 102 wins and was awarded top riding achievement for his sensational 11-for-24 mark in stakes races.

Leading trainer honors went to Jeff Metz for the second consecutive season, joining Tim McCanna and Frank Lucarelli as the only trainers to win multiple titles at the track. The 47-year-old Californian, who has only conditioned horses at Emerald for two years, saddled 49 winners this meeting. Metz’s Saratoga West racing stable was also Emerald Downs’ leading owner for the second straight year. Frank Lucarelli finished second in the trainer standings with 41 wins. It was the 13th time in the last 16 seasons that the Washington native has finished either first or second in the trainer standings. Lucarelli trained the champion 2-year-old male, Trackattacker, to three stakes wins.

Tom Wenzel received the top training achievement honor for his work with Northwest Farms’ Stopshoppingdebbie, orchestrating the superstar filly to eight consecutive stakes wins in 2013–14. Also a top contender for horse of the year, Stopshoppingdebbie was a unanimous choice for top older filly or mare. In 2014, the 4-year-old Curlin filly had four straight authoritative wins, topped by a victory in the $65,000 Emerald Distaff, improving to a perfect nine-for-nine in her career.

Post-Emerald Downs, the filly bobbled at the start in the Grade 3 L.A. Woman Stakes at Santa Anita and finished a disappointing fifth as the 2-1 favorite.

Emerald Downs’ 2014 Season Honors Horse of the Meeting: Stryker Phd (WA) Top WA-bred: Stryker Phd (WA) Top Older Horse: Stryker Phd (WA) Top Sprinter: Dare Me Devil (WA) Top Older Filly or Mare: Stopshoppingdebbie (KY) Top 3-Year-Old Male: Noosito (WA) Top 3-Year-Old Filly: Chu and You (WA) Top Juvenile Male: Trackattacker (WA)

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WHBPA Awards for Excellence In a winner’s circle presentation on closing weekend, the WHBPA presented awards of excellence to three outstanding individuals. What was unusual about this year’s awards was that all three recipients were Emerald Downs employees.

“It is important to recognize those that contribute so much to the industry in ways that often go unnoticed,” said MaryAnn O’Connell, executive director of the WHBPA. “This year, I received many positive remarks concerning the upkeep of the paddock and little incidents of going beyond the job description by all three recipients. At this year’s general membership meeting, the WHBPA Board of Directors acknowledged that it takes commitment from all facets of the industry to make Washington racing a success, so it seemed fitting to give this year’s awards to persons outside the horsemen’s association.”

Edmundo Ruiz and Jesse Jordan take care of the paddock and handle what is known at Emerald as “the ropes.” This important position is responsible for safeguarding the public when horses enter and leave the paddock. Ruiz and Jordan are not only being recognized for their excellence conducting their duties but also for the cheerful, helpful attitude they offer to both Emerald Downs customers and horsemen.

Luis Romo received the 2014 WHBPA Volunteer of the Year Award. The award’s name suggests that it is given annually, however, the WHBPA staff awards it only when someone really stands out.

“Luis should have received this award for at least for the past three years,” commented Lanna Allen, WHBPA’s executive assistant and primary benefactor of Romo’s kindness.

She added that Romo consistently answers her calls for help, working at all the special events and helping with any maintenance issues at the dental unit or with the ice machines.

If something needs to be painted, planted, pulled or hung, the WHBPA can count on Luis Romo to come to the rescue. He has been an invaluable resource for the WHBPA. The award was given in appreciation of “Luis Romo’s selfless commitment to assist the horsemen in whatever project or event when needed without hesitation.

He exemplifies the HBPA motto of ‘Horsemen Helping Horsemen.’”

Alfonso Velador Named Exercise Rider of the Year Congratulations to Alfonso Velador of the Tim McCanna stable for being selected Emerald Downs Exercise Rider of the Year for 2014. The 48-year-old Velador is completing his 14th season with the track’s all-time leading trainer, for whom he exercises some 10 horses daily.

Donny Smith, whose duties as head outrider afford him a close-up view of morning training at Emerald Downs, chooses the award.

“He gets on a lot of tough horses, and he always comes back smiling,” Smith said of Velador.

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Top Juvenile Filly: Ethan’s Baby (WA) Top Claimer: Dare Me Devil (WA) Race of the Meet: Emerald Downs Derby Leading Jockey: Leslie Mawing (102 wins) Leading Jockey Stakes Wins: Leslie Mawing (11 wins) Leading Trainer: Jeff Metz (49 wins) Leading Trainer Stakes Wins: Doris Harwood (5 wins) Leading Owner: Saratoga West (19 wins) Top Riding Achievement: Leslie Mawing (No. 1 in wins and stakes wins) Top Training Achievement: Tom Wenzel (Stopshoppingdebbie sweeps again) Durkan Award: Alan Bozell, Doris Harwood Lindy Award: Eliska Kubinova

Dial “R” for Robert On November 1, staff members of the Washington HBPA, Washington Horse Racing Commission, Washington Thoroughbred Breeders and Owners Association and Emerald Downs got to see a different side of track announcer Robert Geller. In a gesture of support and camaraderie, the large group filled the Tacoma Little Theatre to watch Robert star in the classic suspense thriller “Dial M for Murder.”

The normally jovial Geller was cast as the very stern and serious Inspector Hubbard. It was evident that his talent goes beyond calling the races. Last fall, Robert played Boolie in “Driving Miss Daisy” at the Dukesbay Theater.

In 2012, in the role of Einstein, he enjoyed a run of “Arsenic and Old Lace” at the Renton and Bellevue Civic Theaters. In Track announcer Robert Geller 2010, he played Bertram in the premiere of “A Dropped Stitch,” a dramatic comedy written and directed by prolific Northwest playwright Jeff Stilwell, as well as Marcus Andronicus in “Titus Andronicus” for the Tacoma Shakespeare Festival.

Robert has acted in independent films and participated in the Seattle Cold Read Theater.

Everyone in attendance thoroughly enjoyed the production and was delighted to witness Robert Geller’s other talent. They are all keeping their fingers crossed, however, that Hollywood doesn’t steal the voice of Emerald Downs anytime soon.

WHBPA Annual Meeting and 2015 Election The WHBPA general membership meeting and dinner was held September 18 in the Alhadeff Sales Pavilion at Emerald Downs. In his president’s report, Ron Maus presented his view on the state of the industry in an informative review of current events and challenges affecting Thoroughbred racing both locally and nationally. He stressed that we are fortunate to have a viable partnership between track management, WHRC, WTBOA and WHBPA that works together to keep racing alive. Since starters per race and races per day are what generate handle and purses, the declining horse population presents a challenge for Emerald, Hastings and Portland Meadows. Maus suggested a discussion among the Northwest entities regarding coordinating race meets and working together to support rather than compete with each other.

Executive Director MaryAnn O’Connell gave a presentation on purses, detailing how monies are generated throughout the year and comparing the percentages from sources such as live racing, selling, enhancement, simulcasting, etc. She also provided an update on the racing industry’s workers’ compensation program. O’Connell reported that the WHBPA invests a significant amount of time monitoring L&I claims, working to make the system fair and equitable for all trainers, ensuring payment compliance and striving to keep premiums affordable. Trainers can help by running a safe barn and participating in fraud prevention. She also provided notice that in 2015 the WHRC plans to step up enforcement of the WHRC rule requiring approved safety helmets for all persons on horseback. www.nationalhbpa.com

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Since he was unable to attend the meeting himself, Louisiana Racing Commission State Chemist Dr. Steven Barker’s presentation titled “Here We Go Again! Thresholds, Lasix and the Never-Ending Idiocy of Zero Tolerance” was presented to the membership via MaryAnn O’Connell. Following the factual and at times humorous PowerPoint prepared by Dr. Barker, O’Connell expanded on several issues that still require action to achieve a medication regulatory policy based on good science and common sense rather than public opinion and testing technology capabilities.

The evening culminated in a question-and-answer session, and members were reminded that 2015 is an election year for the WHBPA. Early next year, a committee will be formed to seek out candidates for the 10-person board of directors and for president. The election process begins in May 2015 with the election to be held sometime in September.

The Washington HBPA Board of Directors and staff appreciate all those who took the time to attend and participate in the general meeting.

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MaryAnn O’Connell

100-Day Challenge Results The Prodigious Fund’s second annual 100-Day Challenge and Thoroughbred and Half-Thoroughbred show was held at Donida Farms on October 4.

Congratulations to Paige Wagter and King of the Sky on winning the 100-Day Challenge!

Shelby Ahrens and Curried Matt were an impressive second after winning the freestyle, and Katie Peery was able to show off Hot N Sauci’s big Shelby Ahrens and Curried Matt jump and finished third. We also had a surprise appearance by the Polestar Farm team of Letty Moreno and Meika Decher with Mats Mats Bay! Thank you to all the competitors and spectators who supported the show, which is a vehicle for raising funds for the Prodigious Fund and raises awareness of the joy of owning an off-the-track Thoroughbred.

The Prodigious Fund’s mission is to recognize and support positive efforts made within the Thoroughbred aftercare community for the rehoming, promotion and care of retired racehorses. Assisted through industry contributions, per starter contributions and matching funds from Emerald Downs, the Prodigious Fund financially supports the following: • Thoroughbred retirement and rescue organizations, • Re-homing and re-training of Thoroughbred racehorses, • Promotion and publicity in support of retired racehorses, • Sponsorship of Thoroughbred-only horse show classes, and • Programs promoting the Thoroughbred athlete.

www.nationalhbpa.com

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