The Horsemen's Journal - Spring 2012

spring fall 1012

OFFICIAL SPONSOR OFFICIAL SPONSOR of NationalHBPA HBPA of the the National

volume 59/ # 1

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departments

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message from the national hBpa

6 industry neWs

12 hBpa neWs

15 legislatiVe update

18 researCh & mediCation update

20 mediCation Committee Corner

24 2012 raCing sChedule for north ameriCa good Weather and good information: the national hBpa’s 2012 Winter ConVention –

the national hbpa’s winter convention featured a number of highly informative speaker forums and a respite from winter weather.

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features

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Who Controls horse raCing: the West Virginia supreme Court made the CorreCt Call – horsemen’s

national hBpa Ceo phil hanrahan: a horseman helping horsemen – in

anhidrosis: no sWeat –

department of laBor releases neW regulations for h-2B Visa program –

equine podiatry and therapeutiC shoeing –

rights scored a victory when the west Virginia high court of appeals ruled that racetracks cannot have an “unfettered right” to eject permit holders.

addition to his professional skills, the new national hbpa cEo is also an experienced horseman.

an examination of anhidrosis, or the inability to sweat in response to an appropriate stimulus, how to spot it, and how to manage it.

a comparison of the new h-2b visa program regulations to the previous rules.

a look at the veterinary specialization of equine podiatry and the use of therapeutic shoeing to aid equine foot ailments.

www.nationalhbpa.com

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message from

the Ceo

dear horsemen and horseWomen of the national hBpa:

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/ Chairman of the Board Joe Santanna first regional ViCe president Robin Richards seCretary/ treasurer bill walmsley Chief exeCutiVe offiCer phil hanrahan Chairman emeritus Dr. Ed hagan ViCe president Central region leroy Gessmann ViCe president eastern region Robin Richards ViCe president southern region Rick hiles ViCe president Western region Ron maus

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it is my great pleasure to haVe the opportunity to Write my first quarterly message to eaCh of you. first, let me express my thanks to remi BelloCq for the joB he did for many years as your Ceo. remi Built a solid foundation and reputation for the national hBpa throughout the industry. seCond, i Would Be remiss if i did not thank laura plato, kent stirling, BoB reeVes, rhonda denham, the florida hBpa, and many others for their hard Work in putting our reCent Winter ConVention together. for those of you Who haVe neVer attended a national hBpa ConVention or Who haVe not attended one reCently, please Consider Coming to the summer ConVention at prairie meadoWs raCetraCk & Casino in altoona, ioWa from june 28 to july 1, 2012. i am Confident you Will find the summer ConVention to Be Both eduCational and enjoyaBle. I come to this job as your CEO with 33 years of experience as an Army (armor and cavalry) officer. I also bring 25 years of experience as a lawyer. Finally, and most importantly, I have almost 40 years of involvement with the Thoroughbred horse racing industry. Having been a member of the Kentucky HBPA many years ago when I was a licensed Thoroughbred trainer and owner, I have a first-hand appreciation of the role of the HBPA at the state level. Having been an owner, trainer, breeder, and pinhooker, I understand the issues owners and trainers face on a daily basis as they try to make ends meet while at the same time taking care of their horses, family, and employees. These are especially challenging times as owners and trainers (and the HPBAs at all locations and levels) face issues such as Salix and race-day medications, a reduction in racing dates (down 4.55 percent in January to 315 race days according to Equibase), diminishing wagering ($818,695,886 down from $827,788,242 in January 2011, also according to Equibase), a shrinking foal crop, immigration and employee situations, and rising costs for everything from feed to fuel.

We at the National HBPA have a number of solid systems in place to deal with these industry challenges. First, we have an exceptional committee system. There are a total of 18 committees currently in place. The Model Rules Committee (chaired by Dave Basler of Ohio) is currently looking at propose rules related to “program trainers,” requirements for reporting the “condition of the horse,” and race-day Salix administration issues (such as how much will the Salix injection cost and the designated person(s) to actually administer the injection). After soliciting input from the HBPA affiliates, the Model Rules Committee will present input to the Racing Commissioners International (RCI) at its April 2012 meeting. The Medication Committee (chaired by Kent Stirling of Florida) continues to be vigilant with regard to drug testing levels and rules related thereto. Most recently, in January of 2012, Dr. Tom Tobin, the National HBPA’s veterinary advisor, flew to Louisiana prepared to assist the Louisiana HBPA in presenting its case to the Louisiana State Senate Commerce Committee seeking to reverse an emergency rule related to Bute testing levels. The Louisiana HBPA was successful in its efforts to get the emergency rule set aside. On a related note, the most recent addition of the medication handbook has gone to press and should be available in the very near future.

Over the next weeks and months, we will be engaging various industry groups with regard to the issue of Salix-free two-year-old

stakes races. The “science” with regard to Salix demonstrates conclusively that Salix is successful in reducing or eliminating Exercise-Induced Pulmonary Hemorrhage (EIPH). The AAEP, the RMTC, and the RCI have supported and approved the race-day use of Salix. The National HBPA has been a leading advocate of this position. With this history in mind, and then proceeding from the starting point that virtually all the purse money is the property of the horsewomen and horsemen, the logical conclusion is that horsewomen and horsemen are the ones that should have the final say with regard to the conditions of any given race, in general, and Salix use in stakes races, in particular. This fact of purse ownership is a point that one or more industry groups seem to have overlooked, ignored, or not realized. During the next quarter of 2012, we intend to focus industry attention on this purse ownership issue. A “line in the sand” has been drawn because the first twoyear-old graded stakes race of the year is currently scheduled for June 23 at Churchill Downs, followed shortly thereafter by graded two-year-old stakes races at Belmont and Hollywood. Therefore, the timing is right to bring the Salix issue to resolution.

Our new lobbying firm, American Continental Group (ACG), in conjunction with our Legislative Affairs Committee (co-chaired

by Robin Richards and Frank Petramalo of Virginia), is actively engaged representing your interests in Washington as it relates to the proposed internet gambling/internet poker bill currently being drafted. Legalization of internet poker (along with the recent Justice Department decision allowing online lottery ticket sales), pose current challenges to the already shrinking wagering pool. ACG and the Legislative Affairs Committee are working with Senator Kyl’s staff and others on Capitol Hill in an effort to tailor the proposed legislation in such a way that the new law will benefit racehorse owners and trainers and at the same time be legislation that Congress will be able to approve.

Our job here at the National HBPA is to protect the rights of, and provide assistance to, you, our members and our state affiliates. Your state affiliates are composed of very talented and dedicated leaders. I, and all of us here at the National HBPA, stand ready to support them, and you, as we move forward as “horsemen helping horsemen.”

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 Brian W. Fitzgerald Richard E. Glover, Jr. Craig McDougal Kent H. Stirling Melissa Sykes Heather Smith Thomas William Velie

The

naTional hBpa

woulD liKE to thanK itS coRpoRatE

sponsors affiliates Board of Directors - Affiliates Dr. David Harrington, Alabama Gary Miller, Arizona Bill Walmsley, Arkansas Jim McFadyen, Canada Ken Lowe, Charles Town Mark McGregor, Colorado Dave Brown, Finger Lakes Phil Combest, Florida Mark Buckley, Idaho John Wainwright, Illinois Randy Klopp, Indiana Leroy Gessmann, Iowa Rick Hiles, Kentucky Stanley Seelig, Louisiana Bobbie Barron, Michigan Tom Metzen, Minnesota R.C. Forster, Montana John W. Baird, Mountaineer Park Don Leifeld, Nebraska Anthony Spadea, New England Gary Clements, New Mexico Mark Doering, Ohio Donnie K. Von Hemel, Oklahoma Sue Leslie, Ontario Jim Fergason, Oregon Stephanie Beattie, Pennsylvania Robert Jeffries, Tampa Bay Downs M. Jan Haynes, Texas Horsemen’s Partnership, LLP Robin Richards, Virginia Ron Maus, Washington

The views expressed on these pages are those of the authors, 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 59 #1 Postal Information: The Horsemen’s Journal (ISSN 0018-5256) is published quarterly by the National Horsemen’s Administration Corporation, with publishing offices at 8609 Glen Canyon Drive, Round Rock, Texas 78681-3455. Copyright 2012 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 and Quarter Horse 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

photographers Joseph DiOrio Richard E. Glover, Jr. HORSEPHOTOS Deborah Kral Harold Roth Frank Sorge Melissa Wirth

staff Richard E. Glover, Jr. Editor 512-246-9100 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 P.O. Box 2384 Round Rock, Texas 78680-2384 Phone: 512-246-9100 Fax: 512-246-0131 E-mail: hj@hbpa.org HBPA Website: www.nationalhbpa.com Cover Photo: Havre de Grace by HORSEPHOTOS/Melissa Wirth

subscriptions 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.

Periodicals Postage Paid at Round Rock, Texas and additional mailing offices.

CANADA POST: Publications mail agreement no. 41530527. Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to: P. O. Box 503, RPO West Beaver Creek, Richmond Hill, ON L4B 4R6.

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Horsemen’s Journal, P. O. Box 911188, Lexington, KY 40591-1188.

www.nationalhbpa.com

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haVRE DE GRacE BeComes third ConseCutiVe female to Be named horse of the year

HORSEPHOTOS/Deborah Kral

On January 16, Fox Hill Farm’s four-year-old filly Havre de Grace was named Horse of the Year at the 41st Eclipse Awards, presented by The Stronach Entertainment Group, Daily Racing Form and the Breeders’ Cup. Havre de Grace became the third consecutive female to win the Horse of the Year title, following Rachel Alexandra in 2009 and Zenyatta in 2010. The Eclipse Awards are voted on by representatives of the National Thoroughbred Racing Havre de Grace Association, Daily Racing Form (DRF) and National Turf Writers And Broadcasters (NTWAB).

Havre de Grace finished first with 166 votes, followed by Peter and Mary Hilvers and Bud and Judy Johnston’s five-year-old Acclamation, who finished second with 26 votes. Diamond Pride LLC and the Lanni Family Trust’s four-year-old Game on Dude finished third with 10 votes, followed

by Cape Blanco with nine votes.

Havre de Grace, trained by Larry Jones, won five races in seven starts in 2011, beginning with the Azeri Stakes (Gr. III) last April, followed by the Apple Blossom (Gr. I), Obeah Stakes (Gr. III), the Woodward (Gr. I) against male horses in September, and the Beldame Invitational (Gr. I) at Belmont Park. Ramon Dominquez, who was also voted Champion Jockey of 2011, rode Havre de Grace in six of her seven starts. Gabriel Saez rode her in the Obeah.

Below is a list of the 2011 Eclipse Award winners (horse ages in parenthesis where applicable; country codes indicate a foreign breeding designation): Two-Year-Old Male: Hansen Two-Year-Old Filly: My Miss Aurelia Three-Year-Old Male: Animal Kingdom Three-Year-Old Filly: Royal Delta Older Male: Acclamation (5) Older Female: Havre de Grace (4) Male Sprinter: Amazombie (5) Female Sprinter: Musical Romance (4) Male Turf Horse: Cape Blanco (IRE) (4)

Female Turf Horse: Stacelita (FR) (5) Steeplechase Horse: Black Jack Blues (IRE) (8) Owner: Ken and Sarah Ramsey Breeder: Adena Springs Jockey: Ramon Dominguez Apprentice Jockey: Kyle Frey Trainer: Bill Mott

Award of Merit and Special Award The winner of the Award of Merit, voted on by a panel of representatives from the three presenting organizations and previously announced, is W. Cothran “Cot” Campbell. The Award of Merit is presented to honor outstanding lifetime achievement in the Thoroughbred industry.

The winner of the Special Award, voted on by a panel of representatives from the three presenting organizations and previously announced, is Rapid Redux, who won 19 consecutive races in 2011. The Special Award is presented to honor outstanding individual achievements in, or contributions to, the sport of Thoroughbred racing.

Media Eclipse Awards Media Eclipse Awards also are given in the categories of photography, audio and multi-media Internet, news/enterprise writing, feature/commentary writing, national television–feature and national television–live racing programming to recognize members of the media for outstanding coverage of Thoroughbred racing. The 2011 Media Eclipse Awards winners, determined by a judges’ panel for each category and previously announced, are: Photography: Bob Mayberger, Sports Illustrated Snapshot; “A.P. Smithwick Memorial Stakes,” August 4, 2011.

Writing – Feature/Commentary: Claire Novak, ESPN.com; “Pressure off Durkin at Belmont,” June 10, 2011.

Writing - News/Enterprise: Jennie Rees, Louisville Courier-Journal; “Breeders’ Cup 2011: Jockeys Rein in Their Emotions,” October 30, 2011.

Television - Live Racing: ESPN, “The Breeders’ Cup Classic”; Mike McQuade, Coordinating Producer; November 5, 2011.

Television - Feature: HRTV, “Inside Information: Randy Romero,” Amy Zimmerman, Executive Producer; December 26, 2010.

Audio and Multi-Media Internet: Thoroughbred Times, “On the Scene,” November 1-6, 2011 Breeders’ Cup; Tom Law and Greg Charkoudian, co-producers.

waGERinG anD RacE DaYS Down, purses up in january, Wagering doWn oVer fiVe perCent in 2011 On February 5, Equibase Company released the Thoroughbred Racing Economic Indicators for January 2012. Wagering on U. S. races* was down 1.10 percent compared to January of 2011 ($818,695,886 versus $827,788,242), while purses were up 2.75 percent ($65,827,045 compared to $64,068,357) and race days were down 4.55 percent (315 versus 330).

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Overall in 2011 compared to 2010, wagering and race days were down, while purses were up. Wagering in 2011 ($10,770,426,313) was down 5.65 percent compared to 2010 ($11,415,381,587). Race days (5,298) were down 3.20 percent as compared to 2010 (5,473), while purses ($1,057,392,389) were up 2.89 percent compared to 2010 ($1,027,731,620). * Includes worldwide commingled wagering on U.S. races.

news

EquinE SavingS announcES Four New PartNer Programs

Equine Savings rounded out its 2012 partner line-up while hosting the Equine Financial Group at the Signature Club at Lansdowne Ballroom on Tuesday, January 17. The organization of top Thoroughbred farms’ financial officers and industry professionals in the Central Kentucky area was among the first to learn about four exciting new partnerships for the young savings plan available to all in the equine industry.

Equine Savings’ Steve Andersen announced new sales alliances with: Commonwealth Technology: Commonwealth Technology is a leading supplier of copiers, scanners, and document management, and both improves customers’ efficiency and cuts costs.

SAS Global: SAS Global is the expert when it comes to combating and preventing contaminants, which are damaging to horses’ health and the overall farm environment.

Arbico Organics: For over 33 years, Arbico Organics has been producing and supplying natural products for comprehensive pest control solutions for farms, commercial growers, landscapers, and others.

FarmPaint.com: FarmPaint.com sells the finest in agricultural coatings for farms, including barn and fence paint, dust control, roof and foundation coatings, asphalt driveway coatings, concrete coatings, and more.

“These new companies are all worthy additions to current industry partners Toro, Exmark, Office Depot, and automotive partner Frank Shoop,” commented Equine Savings’ Steve Andersen. “They are all dedicated professionals, and their products are second to none.”

As KTA-KTOB Executive Director David Switzer explained to the Equine Financial Group, the revenue Equine Savings delivers back to the association will play a pivotal role in plans to market the Kentucky Thoroughbred industry.

To learn more about how Equine Savings delivers value to the equine world, visit: www.equinesavings.com or call toll free at (877) 905-0004.

thoroughbrEd aftErcarE alliancE is LauNched On February 9, a broad-based group of Thoroughbred industry stakeholders announced the establishment of the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA)—an organization designed to serve as both the accrediting body for aftercare facilities that care for Thoroughbreds following the conclusion of their racing careers and a fundraising body to support these approved facilities.

Funded initially by seed money from Breeders’ Cup, Ltd., The Jockey Club, and Keeneland Association, the TAA is comprised of owners, trainers, breeders, racetracks, jockeys, aftercare professionals, and other industry groups.

“It is our responsibility as owners, tracks, breeders, trainers, jockeys, bloodstock agents, and anyone who has a stake in the game to take responsibility for the aftercare of these great animals who are the keystone of our sport,” said TAA board president and Thoroughbred owner Jack Wolf. “Securing support and funding from Breeders’ Cup, The Jockey Club, Keeneland and so many other great organizations speaks to the credibility and importance of our effort and is so greatly appreciated.”

Additional support of the TAA has been provided by Adena Springs North, CARMA, Fasig-Tipton, The Jockeys’ Guild, New York Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association, The New York Racing Association, Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company, and Thoroughbred Charities of America. The organization also received staff support from Thoroughbred Charities of America, the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association, and the National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA). The NTRA will continue to provide that support on an ongoing basis.

The TAA will accredit aftercare facilities based on a Code of Standards covering operations, education, horse management, facility services, and

adoption policies. Simultaneously, the TAA will raise funds on behalf of accredited facilities via institutional contributions that are to be directed 100 percent to program services rather than to fundraising or general administrative costs.

“The Breeders’ Cup is proud to be one of the initial funders for the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance and fully support the TAA goals of an industry-wide, annually funded program committed to the placement or second-career retraining of retired Thoroughbreds on a national scale,” said Craig Fravel, president and CEO of Breeders’ Cup Ltd. “Through the contributions of our sport’s stakeholders, we can help ensure that our horses are treated in a dignified manner throughout their lives.”

“The Jockey Club’s involvement and support of the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance is a natural extension of our other ongoing efforts in the area of Thoroughbred aftercare,” said James L. Gagliano, The Jockey Club’s president and chief operating officer. “The accreditation and proper funding for aftercare facilities will greatly enhance the well-being of our equine athletes, and we encourage other groups and individuals from all segments of our sport to support this Alliance.”

“Thoroughbred aftercare is something that touches us all,” said Nick Nicholson, president and CEO of Keeneland. “We are proud to do our part, and I know that virtually everyone else will be equally proud to do theirs in order to make the TAA an ongoing success.”

The TAA, a 501 (c) (6) non-profit organization with a 501 (c) (3) subsidiary, will fill out its staff and provide additional updates in the coming months. The TAA offices will be based in Lexington, Kentucky.

amErican horSE council’S 2012 immigratioN reForm outLook Despite substantial efforts to recruit and train U.S. workers, horse farms, ranches, horse shows, trainers, and others must rely on foreign workers and use both the H-2B and H-2A temporary foreign worker programs to meet their labor needs. For this reason, immigration polices have a profound impact on the horse industry.

In 2011, numerous bills were introduced in the 112th Congress concerning immigration, most enforcement oriented. Most notably, Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee Lamar Smith (R-TX) introduced the Legal Workforce Act (H.R.2885), which would require all employers to use the federal E-verify system to make sure their workers are authorized to work. The House Judiciary www.nationalhbpa.com

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industry news Committee held hearings on this bill and reported it out of committee on September 21.

“In the summer and fall, we saw a lot of action in Congress on immigration. Committees in both the House and Senate held numerous hearings and the House Judiciary Committee approved a mandatory E-verify bill. Since then however, there has been little movement on the issue because even members of Congress who are in favor of beefing up enforcement and passing mandatory E-verify can’t agree on the best way to proceed,” said AHC Legislative Director Ben Pendergrass.

In response to concerns that mandatory E-verify would cripple the U.S. agricultural industry, several bills, like the American Specialty Agriculture Act (H.R.2847) and the Legal Agricultural Workforce Act (H.R.2895), were introduced. These bills would create new, less burdensome temporary foreign agricultural worker programs to replace the current H-2A program. However, no

consensus emerged on which of the many proposals on the table would best accommodate the needs of agriculture.

“It is absolutely vital for the horse industry to have access to functioning, efficient, and cost effective foreign temporary worker programs to meet its labor needs, and the horse industry can not support any bill unless it provides for those needs,” said AHC President Jay Hickey. “We would like Congress to reform our system in a comprehensive way. However, as we enter another election year, it is unlikely Congress will have much of a desire to deal with a hotbutton issue like immigration.”

“It is likely more immigration bills will be introduced in 2012, and there maybe action taken on specific issues like the H-2B wage rule, but right now it doesn’t look like Congress will take action on major legislation like mandatory E-verify,” said Pendergrass.

- courtesy American Horse Council

thE JocKEY club unVEilS puBliCly aVailaBle thoroughBred regulatory rulings dataBase In December, The Jockey Club launched Thoroughbred Regulatory Rulings™, a searchable online database of rulings on Thoroughbred trainers from racing regulatory authorities. The web address is www.thoroughbredrulings.com.

“In response to recommendations from the recent McKinsey study, Thoroughbred Regulatory Rulings is one part of a strategic initiative to develop new information resources to assist owners and other decision makers in our industry,” explained James L. Gagliano, president and chief operating officer of The Jockey Club. “This website was created as a service to the industry to make regulatory information more easily accessible. Over time, we will add more features to this database and eventually migrate it into a new, comprehensive website for owners. We thank the Racing Commissioners International (RCI) and the regulatory community for their continuing assistance and cooperation in obtaining the rulings data.”

“Racing Commissioners International is pleased to collaborate with The Jockey Club and other racing industry organizations that share our goal of ensuring integrity in racing,” said Edward J. Martin, president of RCI. “We look

forward to continued joint efforts to automate the flow of public information to racing fans and participants.”

“Providing access to regulatory rulings is an important part of maintaining the overall integrity of our sport,” said Alex Waldrop, president and chief executive officer of the National Thoroughbred Racing Association. “Our fans and owners have told us repeatedly that they desire greater transparency, and this new website is clearly a step in that direction.”

The design of the Thoroughbred Regulatory Rulings database features extensive sort and advanced-search functions supporting queries of the data, including regulatory authority, date range, trainer name, and track/association.

Thoroughbred Regulatory Rulings currently includes approximately 12,000 Thoroughbred trainer rulings from 33 U.S. racing jurisdictions. A list of regulatory authorities represented in the database, along with the date of earliest and latest rulings from each, is available on the homepage. Updates to the database will be made on a periodic basis as the latest rulings are made available from racing regulatory authorities.

Those seeking the most current Thoroughbred trainer ruling information are advised to contact the respective regulatory authority for updated information.

2012 EquibaSE RacinG YEaRbooK app™ noW aVailaBle With neW features On January 24, Equibase Company announced the 2012 edition of the Equibase Racing Yearbook application (app), which is now available with new features for both iPhone users as well as those with smartphones running the Android operating system.

New search and sort features have been added to the 2012 Yearbook, with users now able to find and view races by race name, grade, date, and racetrack. Users can also view a listing of upcoming graded races.

“The 2010 and 2011 Yearbook apps have been enthusiastically embraced, and the new features for the 2012 edition will make it an even more useful tool,” said Hank Zeitlin, Equibase’s president and chief operating officer.

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The 2012 Equibase Racing Yearbook app can be downloaded free at itunes.com and the Android Marketplace. In addition to the new features, the app offers video replays provided by Roberts Communications, pari-mutuel payoffs, and full charts of all 2012 graded stakes races, as well as ungraded prep races for the Triple Crown and Breeders’ Cup. A web version of the Equibase Racing Yearbook is available at www.equibase.com.

The Equibase Racing Yearbook app was developed by The Jockey Club Technology Services Inc., which also developed Equibase’s Today’s Racing™ app and its mobile website, both of which offer fans access to entries, results, and scratches and changes information.

REGiStRation FoR 2012 DailY RacinG FoRm nhC tour underWay On February 1, the National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA) announced that signups for the 2012 Daily Racing Form NHC Tour are being accepted at www.ntra.com/nhctour. The Daily Racing Form NHC Tour is a yearlong bonus series offering additional prize money and qualifying berths to the 14th annual Daily Racing Form/NTRA National Handicapping Championship (NHC) to be held in January 2013 at Treasure Island Las Vegas.

As was the case in 2011, NHC Tour membership is mandatory in order to earn an entry into the NHC Finals—the lucrative culmination of the year’s qualifying schedule. The recently concluded NHC 13 on January 27-28 saw Michael Beychok of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, emerge as the first-ever million-dollar winner of a horse racing handicapping contest.

Highlighting the changes for the 2012 Tour year is an increase in overall NHC Tour prize money to $250,000, including a $50,000 payout to the top finishers in the first half of the Tour year and another $50,000 to those who do best during the second half of the year. Point totals within each half-year segment will be based on a player’s top four scores, with one of those four scores having to come from points earned at a live, non-online event. (A player not earning points in a live event would be credited with zero for his fourth score.) End-ofyear payouts will total $150,000, with points based on a member’s top six scores.

One of those six year-end scores must come from a live, non-online event. The top 100 players at the end of the year will be guaranteed entry into the 2013 NHC Finals, and the season-ending points leader will be eligible for a $2 million bonus should he or she capture the 2013 NHC. Also new for 2012 is an automatic $5,000 bonus paid (up to a maximum of three bonuses) to anyone who wins more than one NHC qualifying tournament (live or online).

Membership in the 2012 Daily Racing Form NHC Tour is open to adults 21 years of age or older and requires a one-time membership fee of $50.

Membership in the 2012 Daily Racing Form NHC Tour is mandatory in order for top finishers of sanctioned NHC qualifying events to be eligible to compete in the January 2013 NHC Finals in Las Vegas. The NHC Tour membership must be in place prior to the start of any given qualifying tournament in order for one to qualify for the NHC Finals at that qualifying tournament.

Among the other benefits of 2012 Daily Racing Form NHC Tour membership are free, online qualifying tournaments that are restricted to NHC Tour members and offering a total of 10 seats to the 2013 NHC. Other 2012 Daily Racing Form NHC Tour benefits include: • Eligibility to compete for a seat at the January 2013 NHC at Treasure Island Las Vegas; • Twice monthly e-newsletter featuring photos and recaps of previously held tourneys; schedules and links to upcoming tournaments; and tourney tips from previous NHC champions and qualifiers; • Special offers from Daily Racing Form; including 10 percent off on 10and 20-card past performance plans (Classic or Formulator); and • Eligibility to receive benefits and discounts from NTRA Advantage partners.

In its 14th year, the Daily Racing Form/NTRA National Handicapping Championship is the most important tournament of the year for horseplayers and is the culmination of a year-long series of NTRA-sanctioned local tournaments conducted by racetracks, casino race books, off-track betting facilities, and horse racing and handicapping Web sites, each of which sends its top qualifiers to the national finals. Each year, the NHC winner joins other human and equine champions as an honoree at the Eclipse Awards. In addition to the founding title sponsor, the NHC is presented by Treasure Island Las Vegas and Sovereign Stable.

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hbpa news

Finish Line horse

Products, inc. Becomes newest sPonsor oF nationaL hBPa

the national hBPa is proud to announce that Finish Line horse Products, inc. has become the newest corporate sponsor of the largest racing horsemen’s representative association in north america. national hBPa President and chairman Joe santanna commented, “Finish Line horse Products has been a longtime advertiser in the national hBPa’s publication, The Horsemen’s Journal, and we are thrilled that the company has chosen to take our longstanding relationship to the next level and become a sponsor. many of our hBPa horsemen have been satisfied users of Finish Line’s quality products for many years.”

race For education accePtinG

aPPLications For 2012 horsemen’s schoLarshiPs throuGh aPriL 15

the race For education (rFe) is accepting applications between now and april 15 for its 2012 horsemen’s scholarships, which are available to children of horse farm and backstretch employees. students can pursue any field of study. scholarships are for tuition only, up to $6,000 per year for up to four years for an undergraduate student. multiple scholarships will be awarded. to be eligible for this scholarship, a student must: • Be 24 years old or younger as of september 1 of the application year, • have at least a 2.85 cumulative GPa, • have an annual household income of less than $50,000 or be financially independent from parents.* *To be considered financially independent, a student must be at least 23 years old OR married OR a veteran OR an orphan OR have dependents of his or her own.

Applicants who have been legally emancipated must provide documentation indicating such. No exceptions will be considered.

all applications must be submitted by april 15 online at: http://www. raceforeducation.org/scholarships/. supporting materials that must be scanned and uploaded as PdF files include: • essay on one of the following three topics (please limit essay response to 500 words or less.): 1. what was the last book you read for enjoyment only, not for a class, and why did you choose that book and what did you learn from it?

2. tell us about a facet of thoroughbred racing that interests you and why.

3. what interests do you have outside the equine industry or chosen career field?

• two letters of recommendation (must be signed but not in sealed envelope); • current official transcript (seal can be broken); • student aid report (from FaFsa) • if you have not received your student aid report, you must submit either your parent/guardian’s previous year’s tax return and current year’s 12

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Finish Line has manufactured products for racing and other performance horses for 35 years, but the family history goes back over 110 years. Finish Line products are made in the usa and are 100 percent guaranteed to the horseman every time, making Finish Line’s products a necessary part of many trainers’ barn programs and a factor in racing barns throughout the country. according to Finish Line Vice President of sales & marketing steve Blanchard, “Finish Line and the hBPa are two longtime organizations that have been helping thoroughbred horsemen for many years, and we are proud to be a sponsor for the hBPa.” For more information about Finish Line horse Products, inc., visit the company’s website at www.finishlinehorse.com.

w2 form or the current year’s tax return. (additional years may be requested.); • Financial aid award letter(s) (including other scholarship awards). applicants apply online onLY. applications will be reviewed by the race For education selection committee, and finalists will be contacted for a personal interview. scholarship recipients will be selected by the Board of directors, and all applicants will be notified by may 31st each year. inquiries about the scholarships may be directed to the race For education at (859) 252-8648 or apply@raceforeducation.org.

How Do I Apply? to apply for a scholarship, visit http://stars.raceforeducation.org/stars/ default.aspx. Keep this page open in another tab for reference while you are applying online. the website address to apply takes you to a site called stars online, where you must setup a username and password before you can apply for a scholarship. when it asks for your rFe student id number, please use your phone number.

Helpful Tips: • the system only keeps you logged in for a certain amount of time, so please keep this in mind as you apply. to make sure none of your answers are lost, please prepare your answers to the short answer and essay questions in microsoft word (or equivalent program), and then copy and paste those answers into the appropriate field.

• documents must be uploaded as PdF files, not image files. You may need to visit your local public library for assistance. You can also visit a copying, printing, and shipping store to scan and upload your documents.

• You can convert electronic documents to PdF files for free at (scroll to bottom): http://www.doc2pdf.net/.

• do not physically send your application to the rFe office. application must be made via the website.

• For additional questions, please visit http://raceforeducation.org/scholarship-faq/ or email apply@raceforeducation.org.

• all information uploaded to rFe/stars online is secure and will neVer be shared with any third party. View the rFe Privacy Policy at www.raceforeducation.org/media/File/Privacy_Policy.pdf.

NATIONAL HBPA’S LAURA PLATO RECIPIENT

OF THE RACE FOR EDUCATION’S 2011 VALEDICTORIAN AWARD

In December, the Race for Education (RFE) presented its 2011 Valedictorian Award to Laura Plato, Director of Operations at the National Horsemen’s Benevolent & Protection Association.

Created to recognize exceptional support by a volunteer or board member, the award was presented to Plato by Elisabeth Jensen, RFE’s president and executive director, at the organization’s first annual Thankfulness Reception, an event created to show appreciation for the valuable time given by RFE’s local volunteers and teaching interns of Starting Gate.

“I’m thrilled and truly honored to accept the Valedictorian Award from the Race for Education. Horse racing and education are so important to me, coming from a family of educators. Working on the scholarship selection committee, the 5/10K Race, and whatever else I can assist with is so valuable to me personally, and especially when the staff makes it so enjoyable” says Plato.

The RFE estimated that its volunteers donated over 500 personal hours of service to the RFE fundraising events and Starting Gate programs in 2011.

Laura Plato has been one of the RFE’s most devout volunteers. First joining the Race For Education as a member of the scholarship selection committee,

EQUINE DRUG TESTING AND THERAPEUTIC MEDICATION

she has offered many years of service to the organization through help with its annual 5K/10K Race and many past charity events, including the Andre Pater gala event during the World Equestrian Games and the 2011 Horsemen of All Ages Bachelor Auction Sale. Past award recipients include Paul Saylor, Barry Irwin, and Georgia Lockridge.

“Some of the richest people in the world are not millionaires, they are volunteers. Their work continually supports and inspires the young people in our community and will be a legacy for the volunteers that made a difference in their lives. Laura is a great role model for our organization,” commented RFE’s president and executive director Elisabeth Jensen.

The Race for Education provides educational programs and college scholarships to young people in the equine and agriculture industries with significant financial need. The majority of its students come from high need, low-income backgrounds. The Race for Education not only offers financial support for these students, but also mentoring, tutoring, and partnership support to ensure students are receiving the support and educational skills they need to be successful.

The Starting Gate, a youth outreach program open to all at-risk youth, was also established by the Race for Education in 2009 in New York and has expanded to include two Central Kentucky locations for the 2011-2012 school year.

REGULATION BOOK RELEASED

The fourth edition of “World Rules for Equine Drug Testing and Therapeutic Medication Regulation” was released on February 14 by Wind Publications.

Authors of the 286-page book are Thomas Tobin, MVB, MSc, PhD, MRCVS, DABT, professor at the University of Kentucky Gluck Equine Research Center; Kimberly Brewer, DVM, a private practitioner; and Kent H. Stirling, executive director of the Florida Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association.

The newly released fourth edition covers medication rules around the world for the first time and features a forward written by Kentucky First Lady Jane Beshear.

In 2001, Ted Bassett, then president of the Keeneland Association, suggested to the National Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association (HBPA) for it to develop a proposed national medication policy. This policy was duly developed, and the first iteration was communicated in 2001. Since then, this HBPA proposed medication policy has been expanded several times. The second edition was published in 2003 as a 20-page supplement to the Journal of Equine Veterinary Science. The 2009 edition, too big and expensive for a scientific journal, was published as a 160-page book.

This 2012 edition of the book addresses the myth of “zero tolerance” and presents the compelling scientific reasons for regulatory thresholds for therapeutic medications. The book then sets forth the specific regulatory procedures in place around the world to regulate the use of therapeutic medications, endogenous, dietary, and environmental substances in racing and performance horses. The book is based on the Association of Racing Commissioners International (ARCI) classification system for foreign substances and lists as many as possible of the specific regulatory thresholds/withdrawal time guidelines in place for the approximately 99 such substances, from acepromazine to xylazine, in use around the world.

Some widely used therapeutic medications are associated with an unusually high risk of inadvertent identifications or overages. Where appropriate, each of these substances is marked with a HORSEMEN’S ALERT, which sets forth the reasons for the alert and suggests avoidance actions. Additionally, and somewhat unusually, three substances are listed as CHEMIST’S ALERTS, and the rationale for setting forth the chemist’s alert is provided.

Regulatory thresholds are defined as plasma or urinary concentration of drugs/drug metabolites and are the essential regulatory tools. What the horseperson needs, however, are withdrawal time guidelines – simple unambiguous medication administration guidelines scientifically linked to the regulatory threshold and which serve to greatly reduce the probability of a therapeutic medication “overage.” Appendix 1 of the book reviews the critically important matter of withdrawal time guidelines, and the factors influencing withdrawal time guidelines are presented in some detail.

The language of equine forensic science is that of science and law, and much of it is unfamiliar to horsepersons. Appendix 2, therefore, presents the language, definitions, and abbreviations used in equine forensic science.

Appendix 3 lists the equine therapeutic medications identified by the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) and by the Racing Medication and Testing Consortium (RMTC); it is noted the therapeutic medication status of some of these substances is under review. Appendix 4 sets forth the need for suitable reference standards for therapeutic medication regulation and outlines National and local HBPAs’ contributions in this critically important area of forensic science. Appendix 5 lists the Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Associations that have supported these research efforts, and the book closes with Appendix 6, a list of scientific references.

National HBPA CEO Phil Hanrahan commented, “This latest edition of the ‘World Rules for Drug Testing and Therapeutic Medication Regulation’ is the result of a great deal of hard work by the authors. The ‘World Rules’ provides the most current collection of information on this ever-evolving subject, and as such this book will be of substantial value to a broad spectrum of equine industry participants and professionals. The need for national and international regulatory thresholds and withdrawal time guidelines scientifically based on regulatory thresholds remains a challenge for the industry to address.”

The book can be purchased on Amazon at: http://www.amazon.com/EquineTesting-Therapeutic-Medication-Regulation/dp/1936138425/ref=sr_1_fkmr1_1 ?ie=UTF8&qid=1329331893&sr=8-1-fkmr1.

www.nationalhbpa.com

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Discover the Opportunities in Oklahoma!

Breed and Race an Accredited Oklahoma-Bred 1.

Oklahoma-Bred Awards are offered to Owners and Breeders in both restricted and all open company races.

2.

Each Oklahoma Racetrack offers at least two restricted Oklahoma-Bred Races every day.

3.

There is a onetime fee to accredit Racing Stock, Broodmares and Stallions.

TB stallions must be re-certified for each year they wish to participate.

IT PAYS TO OWN AN

OKLAHOMA BRED! Approximately $3.6 Million Paid in Owner, Breeder and Stallion Awards to Thoroughbreds

For further information contact: Oklahoma Horse Racing Commission Shepherd Mall – 2401 NW 23rd Street, Suite 78 Oklahoma City, OK 73107 (405) 943-6472 www.ohrc.org

Dustin Orona Photography

Figures through December 31, 2011

NATIONAL HBPA

By Brian W. Fitzgerald, American Continental Group

LEgISLATIvE

uPDATE

nEwS

INTRODuCINg THE AMERICAN CONTINENTAL gROuP The American Continental Group (ACG), headquartered in Washington, D.C., is excited about having the opportunity to represent the federal public policy objectives of the National Horsemen’s Benevolence & Protective Association and its affiliates.

ACG is a bipartisan, seasoned team of professionals that brings a comprehensive approach to advancing horsemen’s interests and public policy objectives at the federal level. We fully expect to work cooperatively with the National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA), which before the National HBPA dropped its NTRA membership helped advocate horsemen’s interest in federal policy matters.

While ACG’s entire team will be utilized to meet the National HBPA’s federal public policy needs, three of our team’s principals will be the primary overseers of the National HBPA’s legislative efforts. These principals include: Manus Cooney, former Chief Counsel and Staff Director of the United States Senate Judiciary Committee, principal legal and policy advisor to the Committee’s Chairman, Senator Orrin Hatch (R-UT); Brian Fitzgerald, former Majority Staff on the U.S. Senate Committee on the Brian Fitzgerald Judiciary, Subcommittee on the Constitution, under Subcommittee Chairman Birch Bayh (D-IN); and Shawn Smeallie, former Special Assistant to President George H.W. Bush for Legislative Affairs and Special Assistant to the Director of Legislative Affairs at the U.S. Office of Management and Budget. Manus, Shawn, and Brian all have a long-standing interest and involvement in horses and horse racing.

Following our recent presentation during the National Manus Coooney HBPA’s winter meeting in Florida, we welcome this opportunity to again introduce ourselves to the National HBPA members and provide a brief overview of some of the current federal legislative issues of primary interest and importance to horsemen.

that do not relate to a “sporting event or contest” fall outside of the Federal Wire Act. For many years prior to the recently released opinion, the DOJ took the position that all Internet gambling – not just sports betting – was illegal. While this opinion does not affirmatively amend existing law to legalize online gambling, it does mean that the current Administration will not take action to prosecute certain forms of online gambling. Therefore, the decision could have wide ranging effects throughout the online gaming industry, clearing the way for states to legalize online lotteries, poker, and other forms of online gaming. The DOJ’s opinion could lead to a patchwork approach by the states, with the potential of different states providing games with different legal and regulatory standards and tax rates. In response, a combination of interests in support of online gaming are working Congress to build support for the consideration of federal legislation to provide for a more predictable federal regulatory framework for online gaming at the national level.

Internet gaming Legislation National HBPA’s most immediate and highest priority is the protection of the Interstate Horseracing Act of 1978 (IHA) and the interests of horsemen and the horse racing industry should any federal Internet gaming legislation be considered by Congress any time in the near future or possibly later this congressional session. Such legislation is unlikely to move on its own, but rather is most likely to be attached to another unrelated legislative vehicle.

However it may proceed, the National HBPA has been meeting with key Congressional offices and is taking steps to safeguard horsemen’s rights under the IHA.

Immigration: H2-B Another important issue is the federal H2-B visa program.

Fortunately, the Department of Labor’s new hourly wage rule for the H-2B program has been put on hold until at least September 30, 2012 by the federal omnibus appropriations bill approved late last year. The proposed new hourly wage rule would have required employers to pay current and future H-2B workers the highest of the prevailing wage: the federal minimum wage, the state minimum wage, or the local minimum wage.

A more immediate concern is that the Vermont Service Center of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), which processes the bulk of H-2B petitions in the U.S., has been delaying the consideration of H-2B petitions that have been filed and has also been denying H-2B petitions on the grounds that the need for the beneficiaries services are not temporary or seasonal, but are permanent. National HBPA’s immigration lawyers, led by Will Velie of Horseman Labor Solutions, are leading the National HBPA’s efforts on this front and are closely coordinating with our industry allies to seek a timely and favorable resolution to these issues.

CuRRENT FEDERAL POLICY ISSuES

Medication

Department of Justice Opinion on the Federal Wire Act

In May of last year, Representative Ed Whitfield (R-KY) and Senator Tom Udall (D-NM) introduced companion bills in the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate that would prohibit the use of performance-enhancing drugs on horses participating in a race that is subject to an interstate off-track wager. These bills define performance-enhancing drugs as any substance

One of the most significant recent developments on the federal public policy front is the attention the Federal Wire Act has received at the Department of Justice (DOJ). On December 23, 2011, the DOJ released a legal opinion which stated that certain state sanctioned wagering via interstate transmissions of wire communications

www.nationalhbpa.com

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capable of affecting the performance of a horse at any time by acting on the nervous system, cardiovascular system, respiratory system, digestive system, urinary system, reproductive system, musculoskeletal system, blood system, immune system (other than licensed vaccines against infectious agents), or endocrine system of the horse; and includes the substances in the Alphabetized Listing of Drugs in the January 2010 revision of the Association of Racing Commissioners, Inc., publication entitled, “Uniform Classification Guidelines for Foreign Substances.”

There has been no formal action taken to date on either of these bills since their introduction and referral to House and Senate Commerce Committees.

Nevertheless, the legislation remains outstanding, so it will be important for us to monitor any new developments that might arise and educate members of Congress and their staff about the appropriate use of medication in the horse racing industry so they have the benefit of all of the most current research and science in the area and are more able to make well-informed decisions.

The information presented during the recent National HBPA winter meeting in Florida should be very helpful to this effort.

Federal Tax Issues Congress’ inaction by year-end 2011 meant that two Federal tax benefits, the Section 179 expense allowance and the 100 percent bonus depreciation,

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were returned to their prior levels on January 1, 2012. The Section 179 expense allowance applies to horses, farm equipment, and most other depreciable property used in a business and permits a horse owner or breeder to write off up to $125,000 in assets purchased and placed in service in one’s horse business in 2012. Bonus depreciation has returned to 50 percent for 2012 and allows horse owners and other horse businesses to write off 50 percent of the cost of “new” capital assets, including horses, when purchased and placed in service in 2012.

The current payroll tax, unemployment insurance, and Medicare physicians’ payment fix conference committee could provide a near-term opportunity to address these two tax provisions. Otherwise, they will have to be addressed later in the congressional session or possibly next year.

Other federal tax issues of interest to horsemen that remain a priority to the National HBPA include: the elimination of the $5,000 automatic tax withholding requirement on winning wagers with odds of 300-1 or higher; the doubling of the tax reporting requirement from $600 to $1,200 on these same wagers; and the reduction of the capital gains holding period for racehorses from 24 months to 12 months.

ACG looks forward to working with the National HBPA and its members as we work together to advance and protect horsemen’s interests in federal public policy initiatives.

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tEchnoloGY

+ RESEARCH MEDICATION UPDATE AAEP FOUNDATION ENDEAVORS TO UNRAVEL THE MYSTERIES OF LAMINITIS

the american association of Equine practitioners Foundation recently announced the launch of an aggressive $1 million campaign for laminitis research and the start of the first of multiple studies that will occur to help unravel the mysteries of this disease.

Also announced at the AAEP’s 57th Annual Convention was the donation of $200,000 to the AAEP Foundation for support of the first study - Case-Control Study of Pasture or Endocrinopathy Laminitis supported

by Prascend (pergolide mesylate), manufactured by Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica.

“This project is in response to AAEP members prioritizing laminitis as the most important disease requiring research,” said Wayne McIlwraith, BVSc, PhD, FRCVS. Laminitis remains one of the most frustrating and devastating diseases confronted by equine practitioners. The disease, which has the potential to cripple horses beyond repair, damages the critical laminae structures in the equine foot and has a variety of causes and symptoms.

The Case-Control Study of Pasture or Endocrinopathy Laminitis is already underway under the direction of recognized epidemiologist, Noah Cohen, VMD, PhD at the Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine.

Through the Laminitis Research Project, top equine researchers, AAEP members, and horse owners will work together to lay a foundation for the future of laminitis research. With new information about nature of this disease, the AAEP Foundation intends to equip equine practitioners with the ability to prevent and treat horses diagnosed with laminitis.

Veterinarians and horse owners are encouraged to join the effort to eradicate laminitis through their active involvement with the Laminitis Research Project. Horses that are diagnosed with laminitis and have not yet received treatment may be submitted for these case-based studies. Horse owners and veterinarians can also choose to help through fundraising at their equine facility, home, business, or veterinary practice.

For more information about contributing to the Laminitis Research Project, visit www.aaepfoundation.org.

BIOSECURITY E-SESSION DATE ANNOUNCED BY EQUINE GUELPH Find out what steps you can take to protect your barn from sporadic disease, outbreaks and infectious diseases.

Richard E. Glover, Jr.

“The recent devastating outbreak of EHV-1 in North America has highlighted the importance of infection control and biosecurity, as well as the deficiencies in knowledge and application that are present across the industry,” said Scott Weese, associate professor and Canada Research Chair at the University of Guelph. Proof-positive that the time for prevention has now arrived is the January 2012 biosecurity update from Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs confirming cases of Equine Herpes in Southern Ontario.

Equine Guelph’s “Beat the Bugs with Biosecurity,” program promotes biosecurity throughout all sectors of the horse industry. The program is funded through the Agricultural Biosecurity Program (ABP), part of the Best Practices Suite of programs under Growing Forward, a federal-provincial-territorial initiative. The Agricultural Adaptation Council assists in the delivery of several Growing Forward programs in Ontario.

“Increasing knowledge of best biosecurity practices stands to benefit the horse industry by reducing the risk of disease transmission and, in turn, could

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create a huge positive economic impact and prevent a potential catastrophic outbreak,” asserted Equine Guelph Director Gayle Ecker.

The “Beat the Bugs” program will be offering an opportunity for those horse owners to take their biosecurity knowledge to the next level, a two-week Equine Biosecurity e-Session is available April 16 through 29 for $75 (plus HST) per person. Contact Susan Raymond at Equine Guelph, slraymon@uoguelph.ca, to register and for more information.

“Beat the Bugs” has been developed by Equine Guelph with the assistance of its 11 industry partners: American Association of Equine Practitioners Foundation, Central Ontario Standardbred Association, Colorado State University, Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association, Ontario Association of Equine Practitioners, Ontario Equestrian Federation, Ontario Harness Horse Association, Ontario Horse Racing Industry Association, Ontario Veterinary College, Standardbred Canada, Vétoquinol Canada Inc. and Woodbine Entertainment Group.

For more information on the “Beat the Bugs with Biosecurity” initiative, and to view the Biosecurity Risk Calculator, visit www.EquineGuelph.ca/biosecurity.php.

EQUINE HERPESVIRUS STUDY AT CSU WORKS TO UNRAVEL HOW VIRUS UNLOCKS IMMUNE SYSTEM “GATE” a colorado State university (cSu) study will look at how equine herpesvirus type 1 may compromise the immune system immediately upon entering the “gate” of a horse’s respiratory system – the airway and throat – allowing it to spread through the body and potentially cause neurological damage, abortion and possibly death.

The study specifically concentrates on the lining of the respiratory systems, called the epithelium, which keeps the airway moist and is a barrier to pathogens. The epithelial cells also serve a critical function in shaping the immunological response, including secreting chemicals to attack pathogens and determining and initiating the cascade of immune responses in the rest of the body.

“We believe that the herpesvirus finds a way to ‘hide’ from the immune response, and we also know that if an immune system doesn’t trigger a good response at the first sign of infection, viruses like this one take off,” said Gabrielle Landolt, a CSU veterinarian and a co-lead researcher on the project.

“That combination of events may take place in the horse’s respiratory system, and if we can crack the equine herpesevirus secret to getting through that gateway and compromising the immune system at that point of entry, we may be better able to find treatments and preventative measures to stop outbreaks of the virus.”

“The outcome of this research will also help scientists understand how herpes viruses in all species may impact immune systems,” said Gisela Hussey, also a veterinarian at CSU, who is leading the project. “This study is innovative because it is the first study to focus on defining the immune responses at the respiratory epithelium and how the virus controls the immune system.”

Equine herpesevirus-1 is spread through nose-to-nose contact and through close contact with contaminated equipment, clothing and water and feed. The pathogen also may spread for a limited distance through the air. There are several types of equine herpesevirus, and there also are herpes strains that impact virtually every species. However, the virus does not jump from species to species.

The researchers are conducting the study on actual equine epithelium cells from deceased horses whose owners have volunteered the tissue for the research. The use of these cells in a model that mimics the actual response in a living horse also is novel in this research area.

PFIZER ANIMAL HEALTH AND THE HIPPOLIA FOUNDATION FORM PARTNERSHIP FOR EQUIN

E MEDICINE

pfizer animal health and the hippolia Foundation have formed a strategic partnership to advance equine health through research and educational programs.

The Hippolia Foundation – a network of leading French equine institutions together with international partners – will collaborate with Pfizer to accelerate advancement in innovation on the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of equine disease. The Hippolia partner organizations and Pfizer Animal Health are initially investing more than $5 million over three years.

“This is an excellent example of a public/private initiative to advance our scientific knowledge and improve animal health and welfare,” said Pierre Lekeux, president, The Hippolia Foundation.

The two principal areas of collaboration to be developed between Pfizer Animal Health and The Hippolia Foundation will focus on respiratory disorders and on infectious diseases.

Pfizer Animal Health has a broad and leading portfolio of parasiticides, pharmaceuticals, and core and specialty vaccines.

In November of 2011, the company opened a new global Equine Research Center at its worldwide veterinary medicine research and development headquarters in greater Kalamazoo, Michigan. Pfizer Animal Health is dedicated to providing comprehensive solutions for equine health, including an integrated offer of vaccines, therapeutics, diagnostics, practice management and services.

Founded in 2011 and located in Normandy - at the centre of one of Europe’s most recognized regions for competition horses - The Hippolia Foundation supports and promotes the development of research programs, training and services at an international level, particularly on issues of health, welfare and performance in horses.

The Normandy site has established a reputation as a world-class facility undertaking leading-edge research on racehorses (Thoroughbred and Standardbred), but also on sport horses. The Hippolia Foundation also has existing partnerships with hospitals, and it is expected that its research could possibly have comparative translational aspects that would benefit human health, as well as equine. www.nationalhbpa.com

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mediCation COMMITTEE CORNER TOBA: “NO LASIX FOR TWO YEAR OLD GRADED STAKES!”

By Kent H. Stirling, National HBPA Medication Committee Chairman

In 1972, European authorities began their Pattern race system, whereby the highest quality black-type events were identified. The Europeans wanted something similar done in North America, so the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association (TOBA) took on the grading of races in 1973. In 1981, international auction houses, national breeders’ organizations, and racing authorities formed the International Cataloguing Standards Committee to achieve uniformity throughout the world, and by doing so they recognized the TOBA North American Graded Stakes Committee as the sole grading authority for North American races. In 1998, Canadian authorities opted to grade their own stakes, and thus the TOBA grading committee became the American Graded Stakes Committee.

Racetracks obviously benefit from having as many graded stakes at their facilities as possible. Owners now saw their horse’s value increase if they were successful in these graded stakes. So graded stakes were deemed a good thing, and TOBA and its American Graded Stakes Committee were applauded

by America’s racing industry.

The stated goal of the American Graded Stakes Committee was to identify and assess those races that, over a recent period of time, have had the highest quality horses competing, which were defined in terms “of the relative of excellence of participating horses.” In other words, the American Graded Stakes Committee was to identify those stake races that regularly had fields of top quality racehorses.

Nowhere did TOBA’s stated goal indicate that it was to determine and dictate the conditions under which these stakes races were to be contested. It is one thing for the Breeders’ Cup to dictate the conditions under which its races are contested because the funding for these races comes from the Breeders’

LASIX: THE U.S. VERSUS THE WORLD Often, you will hear those proponents of banning Lasix state something to the effect that, “Before we started permitting Lasix on race day, our horses were making an average of over nine starts per year, and now they barely average six starts.” This is true. In the mid-1970s, when Lasix began to be used in America, horses were averaging over nine starts per year, and now they are barely above six starts per year. And, of course, this anti-Lasix faction would have you believe that America’s horses have fallen to the bottom of the charts when compared to their brethren around the world. Not so fast!

Actually, American horses still make more average yearly starts then most horses around the world.

The best numbers I can find on this subject come from the “Jockey Club Fact Book,” which tracks average starts per runner by country and has been doing so for over 20 years. In 2008, I chose the 12 countries that had the most starters in that year’s “Jockey Club Fact Book,” which happened to cover the year 2006. These countries ranged from the United States, with 66,733 starters, down to New Zealand, with 5,381. As I previously reported, the U. S. finished third in average starts per runner that year with 6.31, trailing only Japan with 7.69 and barely South Africa with 6.37, which meant the U.S. runners were within 0.07 starts per runner from being second in the world.

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Cup. However, monies for non-Breeders’ Cup graded stakes races do not come from TOBA. It comes from the owners and trainers at a given track giving up a portion of their purse pool for these graded stakes.

This fact does not seem to bother TOBA in the least, as it is now demanding that graded stakes be run with a two mcg/ml threshold of Phenylbutazone (Bute) and that no Salix/Lasix (Furosemide) be permitted for two year old graded stakes. For Bute, there is at least a two mcg/ml RMTC/ARCI Model Rule on the books. But the RMTC/ARCI Model Rule for Furosemide is that Salix/Lasix is permitted in all horses if administered by the official veterinarian – the racing veterinarian or his/her designee. The RMTC passed this Model Rule last October at its meeting in Scottsdale, Arizona by a unanimous vote, with TOBA present and apparently voting “yes.”

Banning Lasix in graded stakes for two year olds is, of course, the stance of The Jockey Club, and of the six TOBA members on the American Graded Stakes Committee, five are members of The Jockey Club. Is this just a coincidence? Interestingly, The Jockey Club also voted “yes” in Arizona to permitting Lasix on race day.

Horsemen everywhere need protect their purse pools and stand up to TOBA’s dictating conditions under which graded stakes are to be contested that do not have an industry consensus such as a Model Rule. Racetracks need to support their horsemen and let these stakes be run without any grading by TOBA’s American Graded Stakes Committee, unless, of course, TOBA wants to fund these races!

TOBA, America’s racing industry is no longer applauding.

Transpirator II Mucous

I wondered if this close third place finish by American racers was just an Bleeders anomaly, so I decided to track it back as far as I could through old “Jockey ViralI decided Infection Club Fact Books.” to check each country’s starts per runner at five year intervals, which allowed me to go all the way back to 1991. The most 3 MONTH recent “Fact Book” –RENTALS the 2011 edition – covered 2009, so I decided to use that as1-800-387-8326 my final year.

In 1991, Japan led the world (which it did every year in my chart except www.centurion-systems.com for 1996, when Italy snuck past it by a slight margin), 9.10 to 8.94. The U.S. finished third with 7.90 starts per runner, well ahead of fourth place Canada, that’s horses also raced on Lasix, with 6.85. Every fifth year on this chart, the U.S. was third in the world in average starts per runner, except for 1996 when Lasix-using Canada finished third ahead of the Lasix-using U.S. In 2009, as

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always Japan led in starts per runner with 7.76, followed by South Africa, which just barely edged out the U.S. for second, 6.21 to 6.17.

So while we can all conjecture as to what is causing U.S. horses to make less average starts per year, apparently the same thing is happening around the world. And the problem certainly isn’t Lasix!

For those of you who noticed only 11 countries are listed in the chart, it is because Brazil, one of the original 12, did not supply figures for some of the years studied. If you were sharp enough to catch that fact, then you probably noticed that in 2009, South Africa is plotted closer to 6.5 than 6.2.

On the

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21

February 5, 2012 at Aqueduct RAce 1 – PuRse $29,000 Winner: Awedacious Caren (NY) Breeder’s Award: $2,610 RAce 2 – PuRse $29,000 Winner: Beppj (NY) Breeder’s Award: $5,220 Stallion Owner’s Award: $1,740 RAce 4 – PuRse $29,000 Winner: Charlie’s Punch (NY) Breeder’s Award: $2,610 RAce 5 – PuRse $34,000 Winner: Princess Reyana (NY) Breeder’s Award: $6,120 Stallion Owner’s Award: $2,040 RAce 8– PuRse $52,000 Winner: Fiona Storm (NY) Breeder’s Award: $9,360 Stallion Owner’s Award: $3,120

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24

hJ spring

12

Jun. 21 – Jul. 8

Jul. 11-22

Jul. 18 – Sep. 5

Oct. 3-15

Dec. 26, 2011 – Jun. 17, Aug. 17 – Sep. 16, Oct. 18 – Dec. 16

Apr. 25 – Jul. 17, Nov. 5 – Dec. 24

Aug. 15-26

Dec. 30, 2011 – Dec. 23

Alameda Co. Fair @ Pleasanton

Cal Expo/California State Fair @ Sacramento

Del Mar Race Course

Fresno Co. Fair @ Fresno

Golden Gate Fields

Hollywood Park

Humboldt Co. Fair @ Ferndale

Los Alamitos Race Course

California

Apr. 14 – Oct. 14

Hastings Racecourse

British Columbia, Canada

Jan. 13 – Apr. 14

Oaklawn Park

Jan. 7 – Mar. 21, May 4 – Sep. 23

Harrah’s Louisiana Downs

Mount Pleasant Meadows Canterbury Park Charlie Russell Downs @ Great Falls

Michigan Minnesota Montana

Jul. 4-29

May 18 – Sep. 3

TBD, May – Sep.*

80 days opening Jun. 2*

Aug. 24 – Sep. 3

Timonium Fair Grounds Suffolk Downs

Mar. 30 – May 19

Jan. 4 – Mar. 24, Sep. 7 – Dec. 31

Pimlico Race Course

Laurel Race Course

May 6 – Sep. 23

Nov. 24, 2011 – Apr. 1, Aug. 15 – Sep. 1

Fair Grounds

Assiniboia Downs

Apr. 18 – Sep. 8

Evangeline Downs

Massachusetts

Maryland

Manitoba, Canada

Oct. 19, 2011 – Mar. 17, Apr. 27 – Jul. 14

Oct. 1, 2011 – May 6

Turf Paradise

Delta Downs

Jan. 1 – Apr. 1, Sep. 6-30, Nov. 29 – Dec. 31

Turfway Park

Apr. 28, 29, May 5, 6

Santa Cruz Co. Fair @ Sonoita Louisiana

Sep. 8-18

Kentucky Downs

Feb. 11 – Mar. 25

Apr. 6-27, Oct. 5-27

Keeneland Racecourse

Rillito Park

Jul. 4 – Sep. 3

Ellis Park

Jan. 28, 29, Feb. 11, 12

Apr. 28 – Jul. 1, Oct. 28 – Nov. 25

Churchill Downs

Kentucky

Apr. 20 – Aug. 11, Aug. 18 – Oct. 27

Prairie Meadows

Iowa

Apr. 16 – Jul. 11

Aug. 1 – Oct. 27

Pima Co. Fair @ Rillito Park

May 5 – Jun. 30, Sep. 1 – Oct. 21

Whoop Up Downs/Rocky Mountain Turf Club @ Lethbridge

Indiana Downs

Hoosier Park

Jul. 4, 6, 7, 8

May 4 – Oct. 13

Northlands Park

Indiana

Coconino Co. Fair @ Flagstaff

Jul. 1

Millarville

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.

Arkansas

Arizona

Alberta, Canada

dates>>

20 racing 12

Texas

Aberdeen

South Dakota

Laredo Race Park

Gillespie County Fairgrounds

Fort Pierre

Aiken Trials @ Aiken

Aug. 3, 4, 10, 11, 17, 18, 24, 25

Jul. 7, 8, 21, 22, Aug. 11, 12, 25, 26

Apr. 21 – May 6

May 12-27

March 17

TBD

Mellville Agri-Park

May 14 – Sep. 28

Presque Isle Downs

May 25 – Sep. 8

Jan. 5 – Dec. 29

Penn National

Marquis Downs

Jan. 1 – Dec. 31

Oct. 17, 2011 – Mar. 14, Jul. 15 – Dec. 8

Apr. 6 – Dec. 16

Parx Racing

Portland Meadows

Woodbine Racecourse

May 6 – Oct. 30

Mar. 5 – May 19, Aug. 25 – Nov. 10

Will Rogers Downs Fort Erie Racetrack

Mar. 2 – May 28, Aug. 10 – Dec. 9

Jun. 14 – Aug. 4

May 4 – Nov. 17

Apr. 27 – Sep. 3

Jan. 9 – May 5, Oct. 8 – Dec. 22

TBD

Jul. 20 – Sep. 3

Remington Park

Fair Meadows @ Tulsa

Thistledown Racecourse

South Carolina

Saskatchewan, Canada

Pennsylvania

Oregon

Ontario, Canada

Oklahoma

Beulah

Ohio River Downs

Chippewa Downs @ Belcourt

North Dakota

Saratoga Race Course

hj DatES

www.nationalhbpa.com

25

Dec. 3, 2011 – Apr. 8

Mar. 12

Dec. 3, 2011 – May 6

Gulfstream Park

Ocala Training Center

Tampa Bay Downs

Illinois

Idaho

Apr. 9 – Jun. 30

Calder Race Course

Florida

Aug. 4, 5, 11, 12

May 5-28

Jun. 15 – Jul. 28

Oneida Co. Fair @ Malad City

Pocatello Downs @ Pocatello

Sandy Downs @ Rigby

Feb. 17 – Apr. 29, Oct. 3 – Dec. 30

Jun. 30, Jul. 1, 4, 7, 8

Minidoka Co. Fair @ Rupert Downs

Hawthorne Racecourse

May 2 – Aug. 11

Les Bois Park

Apr. 3 – Sep. 21

Jun. 9, 10, 17

Jerome Co. Fair @ Jerome

Fairmount Park

Apr. 14, 15, 28

Gem Co. Fair @ Emmett

May 4 – Sep. 30

Sep. 2, 3, 7, 8

Eastern Idaho Co. Fair @ Blackfoot

Arlington Park

Aug. 17, 18

Cassia Co. Fair @ Burley

May 12 – Nov. 3

Delaware Park

Delaware

May 26 – Aug. 19

Arapahoe Park

Colorado

New York

New Mexico

New Jersey

Nevada

Finger Lakes

TBD

Apr. 27 – Jul. 15, Sep. 8 – Oct. 28

Sep. 8 – Dec. 4

Zia Park

Belmont Park

Apr. 20 – Jun. 26

SunRay Park

Nov. 4, 2011 – Apr. 22, Nov. 2 – Dec. 31

Dec. 6, 2011 – Apr. 17

Sunland Park

Aqueduct

May 25 – Sep. 3

Sep. 1-29

New Mexico State Fair @ Albuquerque Ruidoso Downs

Aug. 11-31, Sep. 30 – Nov. 11

The Downs at Albuquerque

May 12 – Sep. 3

Sep. 6 – Nov. 25

The Meadowlands @ Monmouth Monmouth Park

Apr. 27 – May 3

Aug. 18, 19

White Pine Racing @ Ely Atlantic City

Aug. 24 – Sep. 3

May 11 – Jul. 8

Elko Co. Fair @ Elko

Lincoln Race Course

Jul. 13-22

Aug. 21

Horsemen’s Atokad Downs Horsemen’s Park

Feb. 24 – May 5

Fonner Park

Jul. 25 – Aug. 12

Sonoma Co. Fair @ Santa Rosa

Jul. 26 – Sep. 9

Dec. 26, 2011 – Apr. 22, Sep. 26 – Nov. 4

Santa Anita

Aug. 25 – Sep. 16

May 13-20

Agricultural Park @ Columbus

Yellowstone Downs

Sep. 19 – 30

San Joaquin Co. Fair @ Stockton Nebraska

Cow Capital Turf Club @ Miles City

Sep. 6-25

Pomona Co. Fair @ Fairplex

*Pending approval

Mountaineer Race Track

Hollywood Casino @ Charles Town Races

Mar. 2 – Dec. 21

Jan. 3 – Dec. 29

Apr. 21 – May 6

Sun Downs West virginia

Apr. 13 – Sep. 23

Emerald Downs

Washington

Jun. 2 – Jul. 28

Colonial Downs

Aug. 17, 18, 19, 24, 24, 26

Valle de lost Tesoros virginia

Jan. 20 – Mar. 12, Mar. 22 – May 19

Sam Houston Race Park

Jun. 8 – Aug. 11, Oct. 5 – Dec. 29

Apr. 12 – Jul. 8, Sep. 14 – Nov. 10

Lone Star Park Retama Park

Jul. 20 – Aug. 26

Longhorn Downs

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Oral Paste for Horses and Foals NADA 141-123, Approved by FDA Caution Federal (USA) law restricts this drug to use by or on the order of a licensed veterinarian.

Description Chemical name: 5-Methoxy-2-[[(4-methoxy-3,5-dimethyl-2-pyridinyl) methyl]sulfinyl]-1H-benzimidazole.

Empirical formula: C17H19N3O3S. Molecular weight: 345.42. Structural formula: OCH3 How Supplied H3C CH3 OCH3 O N GastroGard® (omeprazole) Paste for horses contains 37% w/w omeprazole N S and is available in an adjustable-dose syringe. Each syringe contains 2.28 g of N omeprazole. Syringes are calibrated according to body weight and are available H in boxes of 7 units or 72 units.

Storage Conditions Store at 68°F – 77°F (20-25°C). Excursions between 59°F – 86°F (15-30°C) are permitted.

Indications For treatment and prevention of recurrence of gastric ulcers in horses and foals 4 weeks of age and older.

Dosage Regimen For treatment of gastric ulcers, GastroGard Paste should be administered orally once-a-day for 4 weeks at the recommended dosage of 1.8 mg omeprazole/lb body weight (4 mg/kg). For the prevention of recurrence of gastric ulcers, continue treatment for at least an additional 4 weeks by administering GastroGard Paste at the recommended daily maintenance dose of 0.9 mg/lb (2 mg/kg).

Directions For Use • GastroGard Paste for horses is recommended for use in horses and foals 4 weeks of age and older. The contents of one syringe will dose a 1250 lb (568 kg) horse at the rate of 1.8 mg omeprazole/lb body weight (4 mg/kg). For treatment of gastric ulcers, each weight marking on the syringe plunger will deliver sufficient omeprazole to treat 250 lb (114 kg) body weight. For prevention of recurrence of gastric ulcers, each weight marking will deliver sufficient omeprazole to dose 500 lb (227 kg) body weight.

• To deliver GastroGard Paste at the treatment dose rate of 1.8 mg omeprazole/lb body weight (4 mg/kg), set the syringe plunger to the appropriate weight marking according to the horse’s weight in pounds.

• To deliver GastroGard Paste at the dose rate of 0.9 mg/lb (2 mg/kg) to prevent recurrence of ulcers, set the syringe plunger to the weight marking corresponding to half of the horse’s weight in pounds.

• To set the syringe plunger, unlock the knurled ring by rotating it 1/4 turn. Slide the knurled ring along the plunger shaft so that the side nearest the barrel is at the appropriate notch. Rotate the plunger ring 1/4 turn to lock it in place and ensure it is locked. Make sure the horse’s mouth contains no feed. Remove the cover from the tip of the syringe, and insert the syringe into the horse’s mouth at the interdental space. Depress the plunger until stopped by the knurled ring. The dose should be deposited on the back of the tongue or deep into the cheek pouch. Care should be taken to ensure that the horse consumes the complete dose. Treated animals should be observed briefly after administration to ensure that part of the dose is not lost or rejected. If any of the dose is lost, redosing is recommended.

• If, after dosing, the syringe is not completely empty, it may be reused on following days until emptied. Replace the cap after each use.

Warning Do not use in horses intended for human consumption. Keep this and all drugs out of the reach of children. In case of ingestion, contact a physician. Physicians may contact a poison control center for advice concerning accidental ingestion.

Adverse Reactions In efficacy trials, when the drug was administered at 1.8 mg omeprazole/lb (4 mg/kg) body weight daily for 28 days and 0.9 mg omeprazole/lb (2 mg/kg)body weight daily for 30 additional days, no adverse reactions were observed.

Precautions The safety of GastroGard Paste has not been determined in pregnant or lactating mares.

Clinical Pharmacology Mechanism of Action: Omeprazole is a gastric acid pump inhibitor that regulates the final step in hydrogen ion production and blocks gastric acid secretion regardless of the stimulus. Omeprazole irreversibly binds to the gastric parietal cell’s H+, K+ ATPase enzyme which pumps hydrogen ions into the lumen of the stomach in exchange for potassium ions. Since omeprazole accumulates in the cell canaliculi and is irreversibly bound to the effect site, the plasma concentration at steady state is not directly related to the amount that is bound to the enzyme. The relationship between omeprazole action and plasma concentration is a function of the rate-limiting process of H+, K+ ATPase activity/turnover. Once all of the enzyme becomes bound, acid secretion resumes only after new H+, K+ ATPase is synthesized in the parietal cell (i.e., the rate of new enzyme synthesis exceeds the rate of inhibition).

Pharmacodynamics: In a study of pharmacodynamic effects using horses with gastric cannulae, secretion of gastric acid was inhibited in horses given 4 mg omeprazole/kg/day. After the expected maximum suppression of gastric acid secretion was reached (5 days), the actual secretion of gastric acid was reduced by 99%, 95% and 90% at 8, 16, and 24 hours, respectively.

Pharmacokinetics: In a pharmacokinetic study involving thirteen healthy, mixed breed horses (8 female, 5 male) receiving multiple doses of omeprazole paste (1.8 mg/lb once daily for fifteen days) in either a fed or fasted state, there was no evidence of drug accumulation in the plasma when comparing the extent of systemic exposure (AUC0-∞). When comparing the individual bioavailability data (AUC0-∞, Cmax, and Tmax measuremen ts) across the study days, there was great inter- and intrasubject variability in the rate and extent of product absorption. Also, the extent of omeprazole absorption in horses was reduced by approximately 67% in the presence of food. This is evidenced by the observation that the mean AUC0-∞ values measured during the fifth day of omeprazole therapy when the animals were fasted for 24 hours was approximately three times greater than the AUC estimated after the first and fifteenth doses when the horses were fed hay ad libitum and sweet feed (grain) twice daily. Prandial status did not affect the rate of drug elimination. The terminal half-life estimates (N=38) ranged from approximately one-half to eight hours.

Efficacy Dose Confirmation: GastroGard® (omeprazole) Paste, administered to provide omeprazole at 1.8 mg/lb (4 mg/kg) daily for 28 days, effectively healed or reduced the severity of gastric ulcers in 92% of omeprazole-treated horses. In comparison, 32% of controls exhibited healed or less severe ulcers. Horses enrolled in this study were healthy animals confirmed to have gastric ulcers by gastroscopy. Subsequent daily administration of GastroGard Paste to provide omeprazole at 0.9 mg/lb (2 mg/kg) for 30 days prevented recurrence of gastric ulcers in 84% of treated horses, whereas ulcers recurred or became more severe in horses removed from omeprazole treatment.

Clinical Field Trials: GastroGard Paste administered at 1.8 mg/lb (4 mg/kg) daily for 28 days healed or reduced the severity of gastric ulcers in 99% of omeprazoletreated horses. In comparison, 32.4% of control horses had healed ulcers or ulcers which were reduced in severity. These trials included horses of various breeds and under different management conditions, and included horses in race or show training, pleasure horses, and foals as young as one month. Horses enrolled in the efficacy trials were healthy animals confirmed to have gastric ulcers by gastroscopy. In these field trials, horses readily accepted GastroGard Paste. There were no drug related adverse reactions. In the clinical trials, GastroGard Paste was used concomitantly with other therapies, which included: anthelmintics, antibiotics, non-steroidal and steroidal anti-inflammatory agents, diuretics, tranquilizers and vaccines.

Diagnostic and Management Considerations: The following clinical signs may be associated with gastric ulceration in adult horses: inappetence or decreased appetite, recurrent colic, intermittent loose stools or chronic diarrhea, poor hair coat, poor body condition, or poor performance. Clinical signs in foals may include: bruxism (grinding of teeth), excessive salivation, colic, cranial abdominal tenderness, anorexia, diarrhea, sternal recumbency or weakness. A more accurate diagnosis of gastric ulceration in horses and foals may be made if ulcers are visualized directly by endoscopic examination of the gastric mucosa.

Gastric ulcers may recur in horses if therapy to prevent recurrence is not administered after the initial treatment is completed. Use GastroGard Paste at 0.9 mg omeprazole/lb body weight (2 mg/kg) for control of gastric ulcers following treatment. The safety of administration of GastroGard Paste for longer than 91 days has not been determined.

Maximal acid suppression occurs after three to five days of treatment with omeprazole.

Safety • GastroGard Paste was well tolerated in the following controlled efficacy and safety studies.

• In field trials involving 139 horses, including foals as young as one month of age, no adverse reactions attributable to omeprazole treatment were noted.

• In a placebo controlled adult horse safety study, horses received 20 mg/kg/day omeprazole (5x the recommended dose) for 90 days.

No treatment related adverse effects were observed.

• In a placebo controlled tolerance study, adult horses were treated with GastroGard Paste at a dosage of 40 mg/kg/day (10x the recommended dose) for 21 days. No treatment related adverse effects were observed.

• A placebo controlled foal safety study evaluated the safety of omeprazole at doses of 4, 12 or 20 mg/kg (1, 3 or 5x) once daily for 91 days. Foals ranged in age from 66 to 110 days at study initiation. Gamma glutamyltransferase (GGT) levels were significantly elevated in horses treated at exaggerated doses of 20 mg/kg (5x the recommended dose). Mean stomach to body weight ratio was higher for foals in the 3x and 5x groups than for controls; however, no abnormalities of the stomach were evident on histological examination.

Reproductive Safety In a male reproductive safety study, 10 stallions received GastroGard Paste at 12 mg/kg/day (3x the recommended dose) for 70 days.

No treatment related adverse effects on semen quality or breeding behavior were observed. A safety study in breeding mares has not been conducted.

For More Information Please call 1-888-637-4251 and please visit our web site at www.gastrogard.com.

Marketed by: Merial Limited Duluth, GA 30096-4640 Merial Limited, a company limited by shares registered in England and Wales (registered number 3332751) with a registered office at PO Box 327, Sandringham House, Sandringham Avenue, Harlow Business Park, Harlow, Essex CM19 5QA, England, and domesticated in Delaware, USA as Merial LLC. US Patent: 4255431 and 5708017 Copyright © 2005 Merial Limited.

All rights reserved. Rev. 08-2005

®GASTROGARD is a registered trademark of the AstraZeneca Group of Companies.

Think stomach ulcers don’t affect performance?

Get real.

Real world.

Real medicine.

In the real world, most horses* will develop painful, damaging stomach ulcers, which can lead to Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome (EGUS) that may significantly impact performance — or even leave you stuck in the stall. Your veterinarian can diagnose stomach ulcers and respond with real medication, GASTROGARD® (omeprazole).

GASTROGARD is the only product approved by the FDA to treat and heal stomach ulcers in horses. No wonder 71% of veterinarians surveyed recommend GASTROGARD for treating stomach ulcers.1 Ask your veterinarian for an EGUS screening today before equine stomach ulcers sideline you.

*Research has detected stomach ulcers in 93 percent of racehorses,2 63 percent of nonracing competition horses and even 51 percent of foals.4

CAUTION: Federal law restricts this drug to use by or on the order of a licensed veterinarian. GASTROGARD is indicated for the treatment and prevention of recurrence of gastric ulcers in horses and foals 4 weeks and older. In efficacy trials, no adverse reactions were observed. Safety in pregnant or lactating mares has not been determined. DO NOT USE IN HORSES INTENDED FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION. KEEP THIS AND ALL DRUGS OUT OF THE REACH OF CHILDREN. Market research data on file at Merial.

Murray MJ, Schusser GF, Pipers FS, Gross SJ. Factors associated with gastric lesions in Thoroughbred racehorses. Equine Vet J; 1996;28:368-374.

Mitchell RD. Prevalence of gastric ulcers in hunter/jumper and dressage horses evaluated for poor performance. Association for Equine Sports Medicine, September 2001.

4 Murray MJ. Endoscopic appearance of gastric lesions in foals: 94 cases (1987-1988). JAVMA; 1989;195(8):1135-1141.

1

2 3

®GASTROGARD is a registered trademark of the AstraZeneca Group of Companies. ©2012 Merial Limited, Duluth, GA. All rights reserved. EQUIGGD907-C (06/09)

Photos by Richard E. Glover, Jr.

FEatuRE

gOOD WEATHER AND gOOD INFORMATION IN FLORIDA: THE NATIONAL HBPA’S 2012 WINTER CONVENTION The National HBPA held its 2012 winter convention from January 12-16 at the Hollywood Beach Marriott in Hollywood, Florida. The convention was ably hosted by the Florida HBPA. Convention attendees arrived on Thursday, January 12, where they had the chance to meet new National HBPA CEO Phil Hanrahan in person for the first time. They were also treated to a welcome cocktail reception sponsored by the Florida HBPA; Oklahoma HBPA; Ocala Breeders Sales Company; Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners Association; Teigland, Franklin & Brokken, DVMs; Racing & Gaming Services; Calder Race Course; and Bruce Green, Esquire.

BENEFIT PROvIDERS FORuM The convention’s business started in earnest the following morning, with five informative speaker panels conducted on Friday. First up was a forum presented by the Benefit Providers Committee largely focusing on health care clinics. Moderated by committee co-chairs Richard Riedel and MaryAnn O’Connell, speakers included Tom LaPointe of His Place Ministries in Florida, Pennsylvania HBPA Executive Director Todd Mostoller, Kentucky Health & Welfare Fund Inc. Richard Riedel Executive Director Riedel, and National HBPA Director of Communications Richard E. Glover, Jr. LaPointe explained that in Florida, the horsemen’s health care clinic is tied to Hollywood Memorial Hospital, and federal grants have paid for the doctors and staff for around a decade because many of the workers in the racetracks’ stable areas do not have a permanent residence. Mostoller detailed how the Pennsylvania HBPA established its medical clinic at Penn National in the 28

hJ spring

12

1990s and how it has helped reduce costs to the organization’s benefit trust by 30 percent. Riedel explained that the horsemen’s clinics in Kentucky are a partnership between the Kentucky Health & Welfare Fund and the University of Louisville hospital, and it keeps costs reasonable and helps reduce benevolence costs by reducing the number of hospital visits by horsemen.

The topic shifted with Glover to Twitter and its uses for HBPA affiliates.

He gave an overview of what Twitter is, how to sign up for and use it, and the ways it can be utilized as a fast, effective means of communication to horsemen about important issues.

WAgI COMMITTEE FORuM

Dave Basler (left) and Rob Terry

Next up was a forum entitled, “Working Successfully with High Volume Players,” presented by the Wagering and Alternative Gaming Information (WAGI) Committee.

Co-chairs Bob Reeves (Ohio HBPA Executive Vice President) and Dave Basler (Ohio HBPA Executive Director) moderated a panel

featuring Racing & Gaming Services (RGS) Vice President Rob Terry, AmWest Entertainment CEO Nelson Clemmens, and Xpressbet President Ron Luniewski.

The forum dispelled some rumors about the high-volume players and the companies that cater to them, and it allowed attendees to gain a greater understanding of what their local racetracks need to do in order to attract more interest from high-volume players.

Though $2 billion in wagering annually comes Nelson Clemmens from high-volume players, or about 20 percent of total pari-mutuel handle, the speakers unanimously agreed that less than 20 percent of the high-volume players’ wagers are win, place, or show bets.

According to Terry, high-volume players’ effect on takeout is less than one-half of one percent. In other words, an exacta that would pay $100.00 would instead pay $99.50. Terry also noted that RGS has paid over $100 million in track fees over the last five years.

AmWest’s Clemmens asserted that as a gaming entity, racing needs to become more diversified. He said, “One thing we need to be as an industry is more competitive when it comes to the gaming and gambling industry.”

It came as no surprise that all the speakers said their players are most attracted to wagering on competitive races with large fields. RGS’ Terry did reveal one surprising statistic, however, which was that overall in 2011, its approximately 90 customers lost Ron Luniewski about six percent when rebates aren’t factored into the equation. Basler backed this assessment up with an illustration from Beulah Park, where over a recent five-day period when RGS and Elite Turf Club players comprised 20 percent of the total handle, those companies’ players lost $41,000 straight up but made $137,000 through rebates. The speakers noted that the rebates to their players for their volume wagering make changes in tracks’ takeout less important to their players than to the average bettor.

All of the panelists agreed that the industry needs a national settlements office/clearing house – both because the service is needed for efficiency and fairness and because it would help improve public perception about the industry’s integrity and transparency.

Terry asserted, “We’re not telling the public how the process and bet processing works. We keep giving the public the notion that something is wrong.

We’re not willing to go out there and educate the public that this is a safe industry, a protected industry. We need to be adamant about it.”

LEgISLATIvE AFFAIRS COMMITTEE FORuM Friday afternoon’s forums got underway with a panel presented by the Legislative Affairs Committee, co-chaired by Virginia HBPA President and National HBPA First Vice President Robin Richards and Virginia HBPA Executive Director and Legal Counsel Frank Petramalo, Jr. The panel introduced the National HBPA’s new government affairs consultants, American Continental Group (ACG), with principals Brian Fitzgerald and Manus Brian Fitzgerald Cooney introducing themselves and giving an overview of currently ongoing legislative issues impacting the horse racing

industry (for more information, see ACG’s new “Legislative Update” column on p. 15).

Notably, all three principals in ACG — Cooney, Fitzgerald, and Shawn Smeallie — have owned and raced Thoroughbreds. Coooney is the former Chief Counsel and Staff Director of the United States Senate Judiciary Committee and was principal legal and policy advisor to the Committee’s Chairman, Sen. Orrin G. Hatch (R-UT). Fitzgerald is the former Majority Staff on the U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary, Subcommittee on the Constitution, under Subcommittee Chairman Birch Bayh (D-IN) and full Committee Chairman Manus Cooney Edward Kennedy (D-MA). Smeallie is the former Special Assistant to President George H.W. Bush for Legislative Affairs and Special Assistant to the Director for Legislative Affairs at the Office of Management and Budget in the Executive Office of the President. He also formerly served as a legislative assistant to Senator Alfonse D’Amato (R-NY).

IMMIgRATION FORuM Next up was an immigration forum that gave updates on recent changes in H-2B Visa program and USCIS positions, as well as information on the P-visa program and I-9 compliance. Speakers included Will Velie and Craig McDougal of Horseman Labor Solutions and National HBPA Immigration Advisor and Kentucky HBPA Hispanic Liaison Julio Rubio, and the panel was moderated by National Julio Rubio HBPA President and Chairman Joe Santanna.

More information on the H-2B visa front can be found on page 42, and Rubio stressed that all horsemen should be aware that the government will really be cracking down on I-9 compliance this year.

IOWA ADW FORuM Friday’s panels wrapped up with “Iowa - A Unique ADW Partnership,” a forum that gave details on a new advanced deposit wagering (ADW) partnership in Iowa that includes the racetrack, the HBPA, and the state horse racing commission. Thanks to a legislative initiative that became state law in Iowa, this groundbreaking partnership is expected to reap great benefits to all parties involved. Subsequent to Leroy Gessmann the convention, it was announced that TVG was chosen to operate the co-branded ADW behalf of Prairie Meadows Racetrack and Casino and the Iowa HBPA. Speaking were Iowa HBPA President Leroy Gessmann and Executive Director Jon Moss.

MEDICATION COMMITTEE FORuM

Dr. Steven Barker

On Saturday, the single panel was perhaps the most anticipated forum at the convention.

Presented by the Medication Committee and moderated by committee chair and Florida HBPA Executive Director Kent Stirling, “The Scientific Case: Furosemide and the Prevention of Exercise-Induced Pulmonary Hemorrhage (EIPH)” explored the use of and science www.nationalhbpa.com

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FEatuRE regarding Salix/Lasix from various perspectives. Speakers included Dr. Steven Barker, MS, Ph.D., Professor, Comparative Biomedical Sciences; Director, Analytical Systems Laboratory; Equine Medication Surveillance Laboratory and the Laboratory for Drug Residue Studies, State Chemist, Louisiana State Racing Commission; Dr. Thomas Brokken, DVM, a senior partner in Tiegland, Franklin & Brokken DVM’s P.A., which has 16 veterinarians on staff who cover all of the Florida Thoroughbred tracks, as well as Delaware Park, Fair Hill Training Center and Saratoga Race Course (Dr. Brokken has been a practicing veterinarian for over 40 years and is a past president of the American Association of Equine Practitioners); and Dr. Thomas Tobin, Professor, Dept. of Veterinary Science, Gluck Equine Research Center and Graduate Center for Toxicology, University of Kentucky, and National HBPA Veterinary Advisor.

The forum started with the showing of an excellent video explaining EIPH and the science behind Salix/Lasix and its use sent by Dr. Mark Dedomenico, a preeminent heart surgeon who helped play a major role in developing the coronary bypass surgery, the Guided Flow Aortic Heart Valve, and the Bionit Arterial Grafts that are used around the world.

He is also the founding member of Hope Heart Institute in Seattle, Washington. Dr. Dedomenico has been in the equine business for over 40 years, and is the owner of 2010 Eclipse Award-winning Three-Year Old Filly Blind Luck.

Dr. Barker spoke about what he terms four myths regarding the Lasix/Salix issue, saying: • Myth #1: Lasix interferes with drug testing by diluting the urine, making drugs undetectable – “This might have been true 10 or 20 years ago, but not today because now we regulate dose and time of administration, and we have much more sensitive testing in blood.”

• Myth #2: Lasix is performance enhancing – “The study by Tobin et al in the 1970s showed no difference in race time, and studies in the 1990s that indicated significant improvements in race time were flawed and did not take into account things like dose, time administered, and what else was administered by the veterinarian at the same time.” Barker indicated that there is currently no definitive science showing Lasix/Salix allows a horse to do anything more than run to the level of its ability when not suffering from EIPH. • Myth #3: Lasix is not effective in treating EIPH and has no therapeutic value – “The Heathcliff et al South African study of 2009 on 167 Thoroughbreds under real racing conditions showed that Lasix is very effective in treating EIPH.” • Myth #4: Lasix is degrading the breed and is the reason our horses have fewer starts now than in the past – “What’s the science on that? Nothing. This myth is complete fiction, having not merit or scientific data to support it.”

Barker also noted there is a fallacy in our system when too many decision makers regarding therapeutic medication policy are not scientists, and there is a big difference between a scientist and a practicing veterinarian. He pointed out that many state equine medical directors are not scientists, and there is not a single scientist that sits on the board of directors of the Racing and Medication Testing Consortium (RMTC).

Dr. Tobin noted that furosemide (Lasix/Salix) very effectively reduces EIPH, and he gave a detailed explanation of the Shockwave theory of EIPH (Schroeter et al, 1998), which purports that in racing horses, shock

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NATIONAL HBPA HONORS LONgTIME FLORIDA HBPA PRESIDENT SAMuEL “SAMMY” gORDON AT WINTER CONvENTION

At the board of directors meeting, the National HBPA board presented a resolution to former longtime Florida HBPA President Samuel “Sammy” Gordon honoring him for his many years of dedicated service on behalf of horsemen in Florida and around the country. According to the resolution: The Board of Directors of the National HBPA during its 2012 Winter Convention in Hollywood, Florida, by unanimous consent, adopted the President and Chairman Joe Santanna (left) following resolution: presenting the resolution to Sammy Gordon.

“Whereas, the Board wishes to formally recognize, honor, and express its gratitude to Samuel Gordon for his outstanding contributions, and wise counsel to the National HBPA and to the Florida HBPA where over this past decade he has served as a Florida HBPA Board member, Florida HBPA President and National HBPA Board Member; “Whereas, the Board further wishes to acknowledge Sammy’s exceptional persuasive skills and his unique abilities, with a mischievous twinkle in his eye and a joke for all occasions, to prevail during long and difficult negotiation sessions with the Florida racetracks and secure for the horsemen purse contracts that have been essential to the survival of live Thoroughbred racing in Florida.

Sammy’s business background as the Chief Executive Officer for West Indies Tropical Sales Company and former CEO of Del Monte Fresh Produce, as well as his educational background as a graduate of the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, prepared him well for the tasks he was called upon to perform for the HBPA. His business acumen and extensive business experience have benefited the HBPA very well during his tenure as a member of this Board.

“Whereas, the Board finally wishes to recognize Sammy for his efforts, while President of the Florida HBPA, to secure funding for health clinics at the track and for Thoroughbred rescue and rehabilitation programs. Sammy has been able to obtain and preserve many benefits for HBPA members and through that dedication exemplified the HBPA motto of “Horsemen Helping Horsemen.”

“Now Therefore Be It Resolved, that the many contributions of Samuel Gordon to the Florida HBPA, the National HBPA and the entire thoroughbred industry be formally acknowledged by this Resolution.

“Be It Finally Resolved, that the Secretary of the National HBPA, Inc. on behalf of the National HBPA’s 30,000 members be instructed to prepare a properly inscribed copy of this resolution in honor of Samuel Gordon and present it to Mr. Gordon as well as maintain the original in National’s official records in perpetuity.”

In his acceptance speech, Gordon referred to his fellow HBPA members as “family” and longtime Florida HBPA Executive Director Kent Stirling as his “son.”

waves are transmitted through the body as a result of the impact with the racetrack at high speed, and EIPH may be more a result of the shockwave impact than the exertion from exercise. He noted that fluid reduction in horses helps them to perform optimally.

Dr. Brokken detailed some of the history of the use of furosemide at the track and asserted there is a reason it is still in such common use decades later. According to Brokken, “Things that work stick around. Things that don’t, don’t stick around.”

Brokken said it is a fallacy to believe that horses take a long time to recover from Lasix. He also said the belief that racetrack veterinarians will take a large financial hit if race-day Lasix is banned is incorrect. He said that less than four percent of his 16-vet practice’s revenue comes from prerace medication administration. He noted that banning Lasix could actually increase that figure thanks to all the other medications that are likely to be used to make up for the lack of Lasix.

Brokken concluded by saying, “Will (a race-day furosemide ban) hurt us?

No. Will it change the way we treat horses. Absolutely.”

WRAPPINg THINgS uP Following the Medication Committee Forum, convention attendees enjoyed a day at the races at Gulfstream Park hosted by the racetrack and the Florida HBPA. In addition to an expansive buffet lunch at the track, the afternoon was highlighted by Jackson Bend’s victory over Sangaree in the Hal’s Hope Stakes (Gr. III).

Sunday morning, the business resumed, with several more National HBPA committee meetings. The convention concluded on Monday morning with a meeting of the full board of directors of the National HBPA. Among the actions taken at the board meeting was the formation of a committee to investigate the possibility of the organization starting a federal political action committee (PAC). Additionally, the board unanimously passed a resolution honoring longtime Florida HBPA president Samuel “Sammy” Gordon for his many years of dedicated service on behalf of horsemen in Florida and around the country (see sidebar).

The National HBPA will hold its Spring Executive Committee meeting in Lexington, Kentucky on April 10-11. The National HBPA’s 2012 summer convention will be held at Prairie Meadows Racetrack & Casino in Des Moines, Iowa from June 28-July 1.

Since Santanna has decided not to run for re-election for another term, a new president of the National HBPA will be elected at the summer convention.

Of the upcoming change, Santanna asserted, “The faces change, but we have interchangeable parts that work in tandem. No matter who heads this thing, it really works well.” He added as he addressed the board members and attendees, “The battles are never-ending, and your dedication is what makes our organization and our industry as strong as they are, and I thank you.”

THANKS TO SPONSORS

The National HBPA would like all of the generous sponsors who helped make its 2012 Winter Convention possible: National Sponsors: Big Dee’s Tack & Vet Supplies Equineline.com Finish Line Horse Products, Inc. Horseman Labor Solutions Convention Sponsors: Arizona HBPA Arkansas HBPA Bruce Green, Esquire Calder Casino & Race Course Daily Racing Form Florida HBPA Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association Gulstream Park Racing & Casino HBPA of Ontario Indiana HBPA Michigan HBPA Minnesota HBPA OBS Oklahoma HBPA Pennsylvania HBPA Racing & Gaming Services Tampa Bay Downs HBPA Teigland, Franklin, & Brokken, DVMs, PA Washington HBPA

www.nationalhbpa.com

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FEatuRE

who Controls horse raCing:

THe WesT Virginia suPreme COurT made THe COrreCT CaLL

By Douglas L. McSwain and Derrick T. Wright

PNGI Charles Town Races & Slots, LLC v. Lawrence Reynolds, et al., arose from an investigation of seven jockeys who failed to report accurate weights to the clerk of scales. The stewards at Charles Town fined and suspended all of the riders. The jockeys then appealed to the West Virginia Racing Commission, but were unsuccessful. They continued their appeals

Richard E. Glover, Jr.

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He WesT Virginia suPreme COurT Of aPPeaLs reCenTLY CaLLed a HigHPrOfiLe Turf COnTesT BeTWeen THe WesT Virginia raCing COmmissiOn and THe CHarLes TOWn raCeTraCK. THe sTaKes Were fOr THe COnTrOL Of HOrse raCing. Winning Was THe sTaTe raCing COmmissiOn.

into court, and the trial judge stayed their punishments until their appeals concluded.

Before the appeal process was over, the Charles Town track went ahead and ejected the jockeys itself, first excluding Lawrence Reynolds and later attempting to ban all of the jockeys from racetrack grounds.

The jockeys protested their ejections, claiming the trial judge’s stay of their punishments would be wholly ineffective if Charles Town could ignore the stay and act unilaterally. The judge agreed and ordered Charles Town to abide by its stay.

Charles Town appealed the trial judge’s ruling to West Virginia’s highest court. The track claimed that its ejections were not subject to any court’s order or to the racing commission’s oversight or review because the exclusions were founded on Charles Town’s “common law” right, as private property owner of the racetrack, to exclude any person from its premNational HBPA General Counsel ises for any non-discriminatory Doug McSwain reason. Charles Town’s refusal to submit its ejections to review by the racing commission or the courts set up a showdown that the West Virginia high court took up for final resolution. The Supreme Court’s accepting the case for review was important since another West Virginia lower court trial judge just recently held that three licensed horsemen, formerly members of the Charles Town HBPA, could not appeal their exclusions by the racetrack for review at the state racing commission.

The West Virginia Racing Commission had better position over Charles Town before the Supreme Court. State racing rules provided that “all www.nationalhbpa.com

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FEatuRE

Richard E. Glover, Jr.

ohio hBPa Posts ViCtory

occupational permit holders who are ejected have the right of appeal to the Racing Commission.”

West Virginia’s high court thus held that racetracks cannot have an “unfettered right” to eject permit holders, or else this “right of appeal” is “meaningless.” Permit holders include jockeys, as well as racehorse owners and trainers, but the “right of appeal” is not applicable to racetrack employees or non-permitted patrons.

West Virginia’s high court recognized that state law granted “plenary power and authority” to the state’s racing commission and that racetracks cannot possess “private” rights “inconsistent” with West Virginia’s licensing and regulatory oversight of the entire racing industry. Through this state licensing and regulatory scheme, Charles Town effectively yielded any “common law” right to eject permit holders to review by the racing commission.

West Virginia’s exclusion decision implicates the entire racing industry, not just the seven jockeys in that case. An unchecked and unreviewable power to eject licensed jockeys, owners, or trainers would effectively empower racetracks with dual – and potentially inconsistent – control over all horse racing participants. The court’s ruling confirms that such dual control is incompatible with a state racing commission’s “plenary power and authority” over racing, and therefore, cannot stand.

Critics of the decision claim the West Virginia Supreme Court overlooked ancient court precedents that support a racetrack’s “right” to eject or exclude whomever the track deems undesirable.

However, the majority of these old precedents are outdated and stem from an era when racing commissions either did not exist or were not empowered with “plenary authority” over racing.

West Virginia’s Supreme Court properly subjected the power of racetracks to exclude licensed participants in racing to due process review by the state racing commission, consistent with modern precedents in numerous other jurisdictions, including Arkansas (Evans v. Arkansas Racing Commission), California (Greenberg v. Hollywood), Louisiana (Wolf v. Louisiana State Racing Commission), Illinois (Cox v. National Jockey Club), New York (Jacobson v. NYRA), and also Canada (Ontario Harness Horse Association v. Ontario Racing Commission).

These modern case precedents reveal the better reasoned trend in the law – that state racing commissions must have the final say over any racing matter, particularly disputes between colicensees of the commission, such as between racetracks and owners, trainers, or jockeys. These precedents further show that West Virginia’s recent court ruling merely reinforces a commission’s full and complete control over all things racing within a state, including a racetrack’s power to eject or exclude licensed racing participants. The West Virginia high court clearly made the correct call.

In the final stretch, horse racing’s “purity” is best protected by an unbiased racing commission that provides “due process of law” to resolve disputed racing issues, including whether a racetrack properly ejected or excluded a licensed owner, trainer, or jockey.

Douglas L. McSwain is General Counsel to The National HBPA, Inc., a national trade association of owners and trainers of racehorses. The National HBPA, along with Charles Town HBPA and Mountaineer Park HBPA, filed a “friend of the court” brief in the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals case of PNGI Charles Town Races & Slots, LLC v. Lawrence Reynolds, et al. McSwain and Derrick T. Wright practice law with the firm of Sturgill, Turner, Barker & Moloney, PLLC, in Lexington, Kentucky and prepared the brief on behalf of the HBPAs.

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fOr HOrsemen’s rigHTs under iHa

The Ohio HBPA succeeded in its lawsuit to strike down the Ohio statute that denied Ohio horsemen’s ability to withhold consent to interstate off-track wagering. Ohio passed a law that allowed racetracks to “appeal” to the Ohio State Racing Commission any refusal by horsemen to consent to interstate off-track wagering on simulcasts of Ohio races to out-of-state betting sites, and purportedly empowered the Commission to overrule horsemen’s refusal to consent. The 6th Circuit Court of Appeals struck this Ohio statute as unconstitutional under the Interstate Horseracing Act of 1978 (IHA) and based its rationale, in part, upon an earlier landmark decision rendered in 1994 entitled, Ky HBPA v. Turfway Park Racing Ass’n, also issued from the 6th Circuit. The earlier Turfway case upheld the constitutionality of the IHA, and explained in detail the importance of horsemen’s consent to interstate off-track wagering, calling horsemen’s rights under the IHA a “horsemen’s veto.”

These two cases from the 6th Circuit, located in the heart of horse racing country, now stand as bulwarks of horsemen’s rights under the IHA regarding interstate simulcasting and off-track betting. Horsemen’s rights under the IHA are fully vindicated in this new Ohio decision, and recognized for what Congress meant them to be, to wit: that a host racetrack’s “horsemen’s group,” whose races are marketed for interstate off-track betting purposes, possess a “veto” under the IHA over the “terms and conditions” of such betting. The “horsemen’s veto” cannot be taken away or diluted by any state law, and if any state’s law purports to do so, it will not survive constitutionally.

In this case, Ohio horsemen disagreed with the pricing that Ohio racetracks proposed to sell interstate off-track wagering rights on Ohio racing, and the 6th Circuit upheld Ohio horsemen’s “veto” of interstate wagering unless and until racetracks agreed to sell the betting rights on more suitable “terms and conditions” to Ohio horsemen. This decision recognizes that horsemen’s rights under the IHA are federal in nature, and thus the “supreme law of the land,” and any state law to the contrary cannot stand.

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FEatuRE

o national hBPa Ce

: Phil hanrahanving horsemen a horseman ser

By Melissa Sykes

PHIL HANRAHAN TOOK OVER AS CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF THE NATIONAL HBPA JUST A FEW DAYS BEFORE CHRISTMAS OF 2011.

UNLIKE MANY NEW HIRES, HE HIT THE GROUND RUNNING. Richard E. Glover, Jr.

“This position (CEO) was an opportunity to get directly involved in a sport and industry that I love and have a passion for,” Hanrahan said. “I didn’t come into the job cold. I’m familiar with the industry, so I understand the issues facing the industry.”

Hanrahan has been many things during his working life, most recently an attorney and an Army Brigadier General. His experience includes administering a $54 million military budget, being responsible for operational matters, and supervising supply and logistics services.

As a trial attorney, his career has focused on equine law. A regular speaker and panel member from 1992 to 2000 at the National Conference on Equine Law, Hanrahan has covered topics ranging from “Obtaining Credit While in Bankruptcy” to “Professional and Ethical Considerations for Equine Lawyers and Their Clients.”

You might think both of these would be sufficient in and of themselves to qualify him for the position with the National HBPA – and they are.

However, Hanrahan understands the horse racing industry not just from legal contracts or budget oversights. He has also been a licensed Thoroughbred owner and trainer working within the industry.

“My family did not own horses,” Hanrahan explained. However, growing up near a horse farm on Long Island, Hanrahan worked mucking out stalls in exchange for riding lessons. As it turned out, the farm owner’s son played polo with Allen Jerkens, and Hanrahan found himself walking hots for the Hall of Fame trainer at Belmont Park one summer.

“After graduating from law school, I wound up in Kentucky. I had some friends Hanrahan at the National involved with racehorses, so I informally HBPA’s 2012 Winter Convention. apprenticed (as a trainer) under them,” detailed Hanrahan.

Hanrahan’s stable consisted of one filly, Bourbon Native. As trainer, groom, owner, and even exercise boy, Hanrahan and Bourbon Native found the winner’s circle three times during the early 1990s. Bourbon Native is living out her retirement on Hanrahan’s property.

HANRAHAN UNDERSTANDS THE HORSE RACING INDUSTRY NOT JUST FROM LEGAL CONTRACTS OR BUDGET OVERSIGHTS. HE HAS ALSO BEEN A LICENSED THOROUGHBRED OWNER AND TRAINER WORKING WITHIN THE INDUSTRY. 36

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“For many people, all they have is that they either own one (race) horse or are training one or two horses,” asserted Hanrahan. That description is representative of a large portion of the National HBPA’s members.

The future of the National HBPA, and horse racing in general, is exciting to Hanrahan. He said, “It’s an industry with opportunities. You see some bright stars, like Team Valor, that bring new owners into the business, and Canterbury (Park) has found a formula that works (with the Claiming Crown).”

“I want to build on the foundation that Remi (former National HBPA CEO Remi Bellocq) and (National HBPA President and Chairman) Joe Santanna have lain. They were both successful in expanding the role and presence of the HBPA as a voice of the horsemen and horsewomen on a national level.”

Looking ahead, Hanrahan sees “opportunities” on many fronts. He explained, “As we move forward, we want to continue to offer value to the affiliates and all of our members on all fronts.”

Those fronts include upcoming legislative debates on the Interstate Horseracing Act and “keeping the focus with regards to medication on the science of the issues rather than emotions.”

Hanrahan went on to say, “Over the next six to 18 months, there are ongoing legislative issues in (Washington) DC involving Internet poker. We want to have our voice heard on that. The situation with regards to two year olds running on Salix in stakes races – we will deal with that situation in the next 90 days.”

Long term, Hanrahan has identified the one constant among all the organizations involved in horse racing. He noted, “The real challenge that the industry faces is how to grow the industry. I look at that in terms of how do we grow fans, players, and owners. All of the organizations involved want to see the horse racing industry grow and prosper.”

Unfortunately, how these individual entities approach that goal has caused infighting. According to Hanrahan, “The elements of the industry need to cooperate. It is in our best interest to cooperate.”

Short term and long term, Hanrahan has his work cut out for him.

However, his enthusiasm is evident when he talks about horse racing and his new role.

“Every day is an adventure,” asserted Hanrahan. “It’s a chance to really make a difference in the industry that I love.”

“AS WE MOVE FORWARD, WE WANT TO CONTINUE TO OFFER VALUE TO THE AFFILIATES AND ALL OF OUR MEMBERS ON ALL FRONTS.”

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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: • Log 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, P. O. Box 13700, Lexington, KY 40583-3700 • Call toll-free 1-(866) 245-1711 for a credit card transaction via telephone.

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FEatuRE

No Sweat Richard E. Glover, Jr.

By Melissa Sykes

a horSe comeS iN from a morNiNg work wriNgiNg wet. the traiNer feelS he “got SomethiNg” out of the work. aNother horSe iS lathered goiNg to the poSt – hiS coNditioNer groaNS that he’S “waShed out.” Yet a third aNimal iS aS “drY aS a cucumber,” aNd the jockeY expectS a huge effort.

What these horsemen are observing is sweat. It is nature’s way of regulating body temperature. Some horses sweat profusely, others very little. And some do not sweat enough to keep themselves cool.

Anhidrosis is defined as “the inability to sweat in response to an appropriate stimulus.” The horse has sweat glands over nearly its entire body. When an animal begins to become anhidrotic, the amount of sweat on the flanks, the barrel, and the chest will begin to diminish.

The sweat glands between the rear legs, on the face, and under the mane are usually the last to quit working.

Commonly referred to as “drycoat” or non-sweaters, anhidrosis is a condition that possibly has more impact on the racing industry than previously thought.

Non-sweaters are commonly believed to be confined to the tropical climates of the Gulf Coast of the U.S. and of Hong Kong, Malaysia, and India. Horses shipping from a more temperate climate (i.e. New York or Great Britain) to a hot, humid environment often experience some form of anhidrosis.

“The first documented case of anhidrosis,” said Diane L. Kitchen, DVM, Ph.D., “was in the 1920s when the British took their Thoroughbreds to India to play polo.”

Kitchen, a practicing veterinarian in the Ocala, Florida area, has treated many anhidrotic horses both in Florida and during her residency at Texas A&M University.

“I wanted to do my doctorate on anhidrosis 15 years ago and couldn’t get the funding,” she said. “There’s limited research money to go around, and it goes to other diseases.”

Research dollars have historically been spent on “dramatic diseases” where the economic impact is obvious. Anhidrosis is not dramatic, according to Kitchen.

“It can be very subtle,” explained Kitchen. “Horses can go months — even years — with a decrease in the ability to sweat.”

It is the subtleties of partially anhidrotic animals that are causing the most damage according to Dr. Sandi Lieb, a nutritionist at the University of Florida’s Animal Sciences Department.

“Sure there are non-sweaters up North,” Lieb said. “They just aren’t challenged enough” to exhibit the clinical signs of anhidrosis.

As a horse exercises, she explained, it will sweat, and the sweat will evaporate, thus cooling the body. If the animal’s temperature remains high, a signal will be sent to the legs to slow down.

“A horse stops running when the body temperature gets to a certain (high) point,” noted Lieb.

An animal that a trainer may feel is just a “poor performer” may, in fact, have a case of partial anhidrosis. Its body temperature is getting too high during performance, so the horse slows down.

“We use all sorts of different excuses,” Kitchen said. “The problem is the horse can’t cool himself.”

“A lot of horses have varying degrees of anhidrosis,” Kitchen continued. “Those that are partially anhidrotic take longer to start sweating and longer to cool down.” These animals’ systems have not totally shut down, but they are not sweating enough to cool them down.

“This makes it a very frustrating situation,” she said. www.nationalhbpa.com

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FEatuRE

SYmptomS of aNhidroSiS 1. Exercise intolerance 2. Increased respiratory/flaring of nostrils 3. Resting body temperature higher than normal

4. Clear nasal discharge 5. Dull hair coat including thinning of hair on face, neck and chest 6. Weight loss 7. Loss of appetite

Signs that horses are having a problem cooling themselves down include exercise intolerance, panting, or even a clear nasal discharge.

“It will take an anhidrotic animal a long time to recover from exercise,” said Kitchen. “Their resting temperature will be higher than normal. You’ll also see an increased respiratory rate accompanied by nostril flaring.”

According to Kitchen, “The horse’s primary means of cooling is sweating.”

However, if the animal is not sweating enough to bring the body temperature down, the respiratory system will kick in.

“The body will begin pumping fluid into the lungs to get it to evaporate off the respiratory tract,” she said. “A clear nasal discharge will be secreted.”

Another symptom, dull hair coat, is seen in anhidrotic animals because the oils cannot get to the hair follicles.

“The glands that produce oil are next to the glands that produce sweat,” explained Kitchen. “The oils and proteins that distribute on the hairs are carried by the sweat. It’s a well designed system when it works because the oil (combined with the sweat) creates a better evaporative process” to dissipate the heat.

To help remedy the dry coat, Kitchen suggests replacing those body oils by topically applying a non-allergenic oil that does not clog the pores. A hair coat supplement will not help as the body is producing the oil – it just is not making it to the hair follicles.

Horses – especially those in race training – will begin to suffer weight loss because the body is working so hard at cooling. Loss of appetite is also evident when a high protein based feed is being fed.

“If you have to break down a large amount of protein, your body produces more heat,” Kitchen explained. “These horses will back off their feed.”

Management of these non-sweaters is possible if the conditioner is willing to go to the trouble.

Kitchen’s first choice would be to put the afflicted animal in an airconditioned stall. This is how the problem is being dealt with in Hong Kong, where the heat and humidity can reach very high levels.

The scarcity of land available for housing racehorses in Hong Kong has led to the barns resembling condominiums. The animals ride from the ground to their stall via elevators. Since the entire building is enclosed, providing stalls with air conditioning is an easy task.

In the absence of air conditioning, Kitchen suggests using a fan that blows a water mist. “Water goes through the fan, creating a wind tunnel and shower at the same time.”

Kitchen believes that anhidrosis is not a curable disease but that it can be managed and that most horses born and raised in tropical environments such as Florida have the subtleties of anhidrosis.

“Sometimes moving that horse from here (Florida) to Georgia may start the sweating,” she said. “It doesn’t always take moving to New York to start them sweating.”

Both Kitchen and Lieb have seen anhidrotic animals begin to sweat once the hot Florida summer is over.

“It’s cyclical,” noted Lieb. “In July, the horses will go anhidrotic until about October or November, then they’ll begin to kick out of it.”

The cyclical nature of the disease, according to Lieb, lends credibility to the argument against year-round racing in the Southern states.

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“I’m thoroughly convinced that Florida is not a place to keep horses in training during the summer months,” she said.

This past summer saw racing dates cancelled at Delaware Park, Prairie Meadows, and Monmouth Park because of the extreme heat experienced during July. Ironically, racing continued as normal in Florida during this time.

Another contributing factor being explored in ongoing studies at the University of Florida (UF) is a genetic predisposition for anhidrosis.

During 2005, researchers at UF compiled the results of questionnaires completed by representatives of 500 farms that included information on 4,620 horses. The odds of anhidrosis were 6.87 times as high in horses with a family history of anhidrosis compared with the odds in horses without a history.

Lieb has always felt that there is a genetic predisposition with this condition. A broodmare she owns has become more severely anhidrotic with time. Lieb has documented foals from this mare exhibiting the same decrease in sweat pattern as that of their dam.

maNagiNg aNhidroSiS However, anhidrosis is not confined to the equine world.

During World War II roughly 30 percent of the U.S. military personnel experienced some form of anhidrosis. Research at the time yielded no cure except to remove the affected soldiers from the Pacific Theater to cooler, drier climates.

Removing an affected racehorse from the stable area of a southern track to one north of the Mason-Dixon Line continues to be the treatment of choice among trainers today.

“They (the horses) can be moved and become non-clinical,” said Kitchen.

However, “non-clinical” does not mean “non-anhidrotic.”

“Sending the animals north is not a cure,” explained Lieb. “You’re taking them to a place where they aren’t stressed as much” by the heat and humidity.

Many supplements and treatments have been tried on non-sweaters – everything from electrolytes to alcohol baths to a beer in the morning feed.

Some of them work, but not in all cases. UF is currently studying the effect of acupuncture and the addition of certain Chinese herbs to the diet on the effects of anhidrosis, but the results of this research will not be available for some time.

Robert J. MacKay, BVSc, PhD, DAVCIM, Large Animal Sciences, University of Florida suggested the following when managing horses with anhidrosis: “Aim to keep cool and minimize stress. You want to reduce external and internal heat. To reduce external heating, keep horse in shade with a large box fan, preferably with an attached misting ring. Exercise only lightly and when the temperature is coolest, and then thoroughly cool out with hosing and evaporation. If a resting anhidrotic horse looks distressed or if its rectal temperature rises above 102 F, hose down the horse until temperature is about 100 F. If the horse’s haircoat is long, keep the horse clipped. To reduce internal sources of heat, eliminate all concentrate and feed grass hay only. If you must feed concentrate, try to substitute fat for carbs. Keep abundant cool fresh water available for drinking. It may be helpful to topdress hay or feed with one to three ounces of salt to encourage drinking. With weather like this, all horses should be managed as above - these conditions put all horses at risk to become anhidrotic.”

hard to diagNoSe Kitchen feels that there are not more cases of non-sweaters, it is just that it is a condition that has become more recognized, at least in the tropical climates.

“There are a lot of horses with variable degrees of it that are never diagnosed,” asserted Kitchen. “No one knows what economic impact it has on the racing industry. The bottom line is we didn’t figure out that they don’t sweat enough.”

RACE

DISTANCE

01 The Winter Melody Overnight Stakes

TO BE RUN

PURSE

CLOSES

NOM-FEES

One Mile & 1/16

May 12

$50,000 (g)

April 30

FREE

One Mile & 1/16

May 19

$50,000 (g)

May 07

FREE

May 23

$50,000 (g)

May 14

FREE

May 31

$50,000 (g)

May 21

FREE

One Mile & 1/16 (Turf) June 02

$75,000 (g)

May 21

$75

1 Mile & 70 yards

June 09

$75,000 (g)

May 28

$75

One Mile & 1/8

June 16

$150,000 (g)

June 04

$100

6 Furlongs

June 23

$150,000 (g) June 11

$100

6 Furlongs

June 30

$50,000 (g)

June 18

FREE

6 Furlongs

July 07

$50,000 (g)

June 25

FREE

One Mile & 1/16

July 14

$400,000 (g)

July 02

$250

6 Furlongs

July 14

$50,000 (g)

July 02

FREE

One Mile & 3/8 (Turf)

July 14

$250,000 (g)

July 02

$200

One Mile & 1/4

July 21

$750,000 (g) July 09

$300

6 Furlongs

July 21

$50,000 (g)

July 09

FREE

One Mile & 1/16(Turf) July 21

$100,000 (g)

July 09

$100

6 Furlongs

$50,000 (g)

July 16

FREE

For Fillies and Mares - Four Years Old and Upward

02 The Joseph French Memorial Overnight Stakes For Four Years Old and Upward

03 The Grover "Buddy" Delp Memorial Overnight Stakes One Mile For Three Year Olds

04 The Beautiful Day Overnight Stakes

6 Furlongs

For Fillies Three Year Olds

05 The John W. Rooney Memorial Stakes For Fillies and Mares - Three Years Old and Upward

06 The Go For Wand Stakes For Fillies Three Year Olds

07 The Obeah Stakes - GIII For Fillies and Mares - Three Years Old and Upward

08 The Sweet and Sassy Stakes For Fillies and Mares - Three Years Old and Upward

09 The White Clay Creek Overnight Stakes For Fillies Two Year Olds

10 The Par Four Overnight Stakes For Two Year Olds

11 The Delaware Oaks - GII For Fillies Three Year Olds

12 The Oh Say Overnight Stakes For Three Year Olds

13 Robert G. Dick Memorial Stakes - GIII For Fillies and Mares - Three Years Old and Upward

14 Delaware Handicap GII For Fillies and Mares - Three Years Old and Upward

15 The Dashing Beauty Overnight Stakes For Fillies and Mares - Three Years Old and Upward

16 Sussex Stakes For Three Year Olds and Upward

17 The Hockessin Overnight Stakes

July 28

For Three Years Old and Upward denotes guaranteed stakes

denotes Breeders Cup “Win and You’re In”

www.nationalhbpa.com

41

FEatuRE

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR RELEASES NEW REguLATIONS FOR H-2B vISA PROgRAM

By William Velie and Craig McDougal

On February 10, the United States Department of Labor (USDOL) released its long awaited final rule detailing new regulations for the H-2B visa program.

Many in the horse industry utilize the H-2B program to fill temporary labor shortages for grooms and other positions. The new regulations were published in the Federal Register on February 21 and will be effective 60 days after publication.

The USDOL has not announced when employers will be required to follow the new regulations. Some of the changes, however, are significant. Most notably, employers must plan in advance in order to secure workers. The new regulations require employers to begin the process at least four months before the actual employment start date.

Some of the changes are detailed below:

H-2B MARCH 2011 PROPOSED RuLE vS. CuRRENT RuLE NEW REguLATIONS

CuRRENT REguLATIONS

Trainers would only be allowed to request grooms for nine (9) months or less.

Trainers can request grooms for ten (10) months or less.

Requires pre-filing registration in order to establish dates of need and number of workers needed. Registration would be good for three (3) years unless there are substantial changes in the number of workers or dates of need.

No registration process. Employers must establish temporary need each year.

Employers must begin application process 75-90 days before dates of need.

Recruitment can begin 120 days before dates of need. Application is filed whenever recruitment is complete (no specific deadline).

Job orders must be listed with State Workforce Agency (SWA) until three (3) days before H-2B workers are expected to start work, and jobs must be offered to qualified U.S. workers who apply for position up to 21 days before H-2B workers are scheduled to begin work.

Job orders are listed for 10 to 30 days, depending on state’s rules. Employers are only required to accept referrals up to the date of preparation of the recruitment report, which can be finalized as early as two (2) days after job order closes.

Employers must advertise in a newspaper of general circulation in the area on two separate days, including a Sunday.

Employers must advertise in a newspaper of general circulation in the area on two separate days, including a Sunday.

Ad must direct applicants to apply directly to SWA.

Ad directs applicants to apply directly with employer.

Employers must guarantee workers will be paid for three-quarters of the hours listed in the job order.

Not required.

Require employers to pay H-2B workers in-bound and outbound transportation costs, subsistence costs, visa, and other costs. This also applies to U.S. workers who do not live near place of employment.

Only requires employers to pay return transportation when workers are dismissed before end of contract. (Note: wage and hour interprets FLSA to require employers to pay visa fees and transportation costs [to extent workers’ wages would be reduced below the federal minimum in first and last workweeks].)

H-2B workers must be guaranteed at least 35 hours per week.

Workers must be guaranteed at least 30 hours per week.

William Velie and Craig McDougal are attorneys experienced in immigration matters who represent Horseman Labor Solutions, an immigration services company that represents horseman throughout the United States in immigration matters. Horseman Labor Solutions, a sponsor of the National HBPA, can be reached online at www.horsemanlabor.com or by phone at 1-877-678-RACE. 42

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HORSEPHOTOS/Frank Sorge

FEatuRE

Equine Podiatry and Therapeutic Shoeing

By Heather Smith Thomas

Podiatry is the specialized medical field that deals with study and care of the foot, utilizing knowledge of anatomy, pathology, medical, and surgical treatment. Equine podiatry is a relatively new field in veterinary medicine that does more than bridge the gap between farriers and veterinarians; equine podiatrists must be both farriers and veterinarians—focusing on the equine foot and how to address its various ailments. Much of what a podiatrist does is therapeutic shoeing.

T

herapeutic shoeing refers to the various methods and technology that can be utilized to help a hoof recover from injury or some other medical problem or functional impairment. In these situations, a veterinarian and a farrier (or a podiatrist who specializes in both fields) will be involved with caring for that foot.

Scott Morrison, DVM, is head of the podiatry department at Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital in Lexington, Kentucky, one of the first equine clinics to initiate this type of program. Morrison became a farrier more than 20 years ago and later became a veterinarian.

“Dr. Rick Redden was probably the first veterinarian who focused on podiatry; he was the pioneer of this field,” explained Morrison. “Our clinic was probably the first to take podiatry interns and make it a curriculum and incorporate it into our practice.”

Morrison continued, “What we do here is rehabilitate feet or resolve foot problems. The majority of our work is with lame feet and serious foot problems that may have limited the horse’s career, or problems that might be life threatening.

“We have rehabilitated feet that owners and trainers thought were hopeless; we try to get these feet back to where the horse is sound again. Much of our work deals with chronic foot problems, but we work on critical cases as well, such as laminitis, infections, or traumatic injuries to the foot.”

Morrison’s associate, Dr. Vern Dryden, explained, “In our podiatry clinic, we mainly work on Thoroughbreds because they make up the majority of horses in our area. The most common ailment we see in our practice is laminitis, followed by palmar heel pain (navicular syndrome). We also see a lot of foot infections – anything from an abscess to an infected coffin bone to a puncture wound or septic bursa or coffin joint. We also see a lot of white line disease and thrush, and a few cases of canker.

We deal with many toe and quarter cracks, Dr. Scott Morrison repairing and shoeing these.”

“We’ve tried to design a podiatry clinic that could attend to any type of foot problem,” noted Morrison. “Farriers and veterinarians refer horses to us.

A lot of times farriers and veterinarians work together to resolve foot problems, but sometimes it takes a specialist – someone who works on those problems all the time – to do it proficiently and effectively.”

He continued, “We keep the farrier in the loop when we can, especially if it will be a long-term problem where the farrier will eventually be taking care of the foot again.”

www.nationalhbpa.com

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HORSEPHOTOS/Frank Sorge

HORSEPHOTOS/Frank Sorge

FEatuRE

The farrier may have to shoe that horse in a certain way for a while, or maybe for the rest of the horse’s life, depending on the situation.

“Some of the chronic problems will require constant care from then on.

In really critical cases, we just take the case for a period of time until we get the horse straightened out,” said Morrison.

Rood and Riddle has been on the forefront of new developments in treatment and shoeing, utilizing new types of shoes and specialty ways to shoe some of the problem horses.

“People send us prototypes of different shoes and ask us to try them and use them, and we test and develop many different shoeing techniques,” said Dryden.

Today, there are more veterinarians becoming interested in farriery, and more farriers going to vet school.

“An increasing number of vet students visit us. There is a huge interest in seeing what we do here,” noted Dryden.

“We ourselves are constantly learning and doing things differently every year,” explained Morrison. “The way we do things now is a lot different from the way we did them five or six years ago; we are constantly finding new ways to treat many problems. It’s a new field, always in flux.

“We are also rediscovering some of the old techniques that can still be useful. Some of those methods had validity. What we do is a combination of rediscovering old techniques and coming up with new ones—finding what works best for the horse.”

Morrison feels that it is a big advantage to start out as a farrier first, then go to veterinary school. Dryden agrees.

According to Dryden, “It’s tougher if you go through vet school and then decide to get into podiatry. There’s a huge hurdle to get over to become a farrier. It’s tough to do the type of jobs you need to be able to do if you don’t have the farriery background. You have to earn the respect of the farrier community, as well. It’s hard to break into that unless you’ve been a farrier, too. Then they are more willing to listen to you. You’ll have more credibility in their eyes.”

Dryden contined, “Being a farrier first is good background for anyone going into podiatry because you’ll have seen a lot of feet. It is crucial to know what normal is before you start dealing with abnormal. It’s important to be able to visualize what the normal foot should be so you can help a diseased foot get back into a normal situation.”

Podiatry is a specialty field that can do much more for certain foot problems than either the veterinarian or the farrier can do alone.

“Veterinarians come from one background and farriers from another, and often when treating a problem, they disagree or don’t understand each other,” explained Morrison. “We now have veterinarian-farrier conferences—so they are getting the same information. Then when they have to work together, it’s a lot easier,” That team effort is very important.

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Many veterinarians are not comfortable working with feet. Thus, it is important that they use farriers as part of the team. It is most beneficial to the horse if the veterinarian and farrier can work together rather than against one another, as has often been the case in the past. They can accomplish much more together.

“Most lameness issues are in the feet,” noted Morrison. “It’s hard to effectively remedy some of these problems if your horseshoer is primarily accustomed to working on normal feet with maintenance shoeing. And a veterinarian is generally not confronted with hoof problems. The veterinarian and farrier can sometimes work together effectively, but in many instances you need a specialist to consult or to treat these problems.”

Morrison continued, “We are bridging the gap between them, but there will always be a need for veterinarians specializing in podiatry. If a veterinarian only deals with certain types of cases only once every couple of years, he or she is not as comfortable treating these.”

The podiatrist is like a human doctor who specializes – he or she is more proficient when working with foot problems all the time.

Advances in Therapeutic Shoeing Many of the things we are able to do today to help correct and/or heal hoof problems and feet and/or leg problems are the result of space age technology and new materials, such as glue-on shoes and gels/foams for cushioning.

Yet many of the “new” ideas in shoe design are old ones that are being rediscovered, according to Pat Reilly, Chief of Farriery Services at New Bolton Center at the University of Pennsylvania.

According to Reilly, “We have a large collection of shoes and specimens of horse’s feet (that came from Germany) that go back to the 1880s, when the vet school here at the University of Pennsylvania was founded. Some of the theories used today, such as banana shoes, are not new. They are at least 150 years old. There are also some old shoes that look like our new natural balance shoes, and some ‘air pads’ from 1899. Many of the ‘new’ shoes are just recycled ideas. Glue-on shoes are one of the truly new things in use today.

Often, what we consider to be new are really old ideas.”

One of the main things helping farriers, veterinarians, and podiatrists today is better technology for diagnosing some of the foot problems. Often, there is need for an accurate diagnosis before a specific trim or shoe can be prescribed to help a foot heal or come back to normal.

Dr. William Moyer of Texas A&M University says that any problem in the foot needs to be properly identified. If there is no diagnosis, you are shooting in the dark.

According to Moyer, “Teaming up with veterinary expertise, and in some cases using diagnostic imaging, is important.”

Travis Burns, lecturer and farrier at Virginia Tech (Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine), said that sometimes you need diagnostic imaging to know exactly what is going on in the foot. Burns explained, “Diagnostic imaging continues to improve (with use of MRI, venograms, thermography, bone scan, CT scan, etc.). In years past, we were diagnosing things we thought might be a problem, but we weren’t sure and therefore didn’t have enough guidelines for correcting the problem.”

Burns continued, “For instance, collateral ligament injuries were not readily diagnosed. This has changed just in the past decade. These were not heard of earlier, and now we are making lots of hand-made shoes, pencileddown branches, etc. to deal with these problems. As long as diagnostics continue to improve, we will come up with more solutions.”

Therapeutic shoeing is definitely a work in progress as we learn more.

There are many things we can do now, like glue-on shoes (that can support the foot without the trauma of using nails), that we could not before, and there will be other innovations coming along.

HORSEPHOTOS/Joseph DiOrio

“As farriers become more educated, our techniques should become better and better,” asserted Burns.

Therapeutic shoeing is definitely on the cutting edge of trying to figure out better ways to try to help horses.

“Trying is the key word, here. Most of us are still flying by the seat of our pants, hoping we are doing the right thing for the horse,” said Burns.

Importance of Communication Therapeutic shoeing must be a team effort, with the farrier, veterinarian, and horse owner/trainer working together.

According to Dr. William Moyer of Texas A&M University, “Everyone needs to have a clear idea about what the problem is and what the proposed treatment/management plan will be. Communication is absolutely key. There are several key ingredients that go into making those management decisions, and certain things the owner/trainer need to understand.”

There is also a certain amount of commitment needed from the owner/trainer because, in many situations, it will be a long-term process. Without the care and commitment of the person caring for the horse, the plan may fail.

“A positive or negative outcome will depend a lot on this commitment. The average hoof grows approximately a quarter-inch per month. You are generally looking at a fair amount of time involved to remedy the problem,” noted Moyer.

He continued, “With therapeutic shoeing, there are two potential expectations. One is the short-term fix (like a bandaid), and the other is long-term—getting that horse back to normal, if possible. For an example, if I’m dealing with a quarter crack and the horse is just a few days away from competing in a major race, we may be able to let him safely compete if we can provide a temporary stabilization of the crack. Then we’d be looking at a long-term program in which we may be changing a multitude of things. This may include rest to allow the hoof to grow and to repair itself. We may also have to make adjustments in foot balance.

“We can look at some of these problems in terms of a proposed short-term solution versus a long-term solution. In both cases, each plan has to be done with the safety and welfare of the horse in mind.”

The owner/trainer may have to scrap a certain schedule for competition. This is where communication becomes very important, so everyone is on the same page regarding the treatment/management plan.

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.

ArkAnsAs HBpA Oaklawn SeeS PurSe increaSe On february 9 Mother Nature blessed Oaklawn Park with much better weather this season than last, and as a result, the track was able to raise overnight purses $5,000 per day beginning on February 9. Oaklawn was due some good fortune in the weather department after losing a record eight days to cold, snow, and ice in 2011.

Through Sunday, February 5, the 16th day of the 56-day meet, Oaklawn was enjoying a 42 percent increase in attendance compared to 2011 and a 40 percent increase in on-track handle. Off-track handle was up 47 percent. At the same point during the 2011 racing season, Oaklawn had only been able to race 10 of its scheduled 16 days.

“We have not lost one single day of training or racing, which has led to competitive field sizes, and the nice weather has brought the crowds out that we don’t typically see until later in the season,” said David Longinotti, Assistant General Manager of Racing. “We are excited to share our good fortune with the horsemen and are hopeful these positive trends will continue as we head into our bigger races.”

The $5,000 purse increase was divided as follows: $200 was added to all claiming races; $1,000 was added to all maiden special weight and starter allowance races; and $1,500 was added to all allowance races.

Richard E. Glover, Jr.

Oaklawn Meet Set fOr big finiSH Oaklawn Park will wrap up its 56-day 2012 meet on Saturday, April 14, with the 76th running of the $1 million Arkansas Derby (G1), a race that has produced five Triple Crown race winners since 2004 and the 2011 Kentucky Derby runner-up Nehro. It will be the highlight of this year’s Racing Festival of the South.

Oaklawn has condensed its annual Racing Festival of the South and will now run its final nine stakes of the meet between Wednesday, April 11, and Saturday, April 14. The rich four days of racing begins Wednesday with the $300,000 Fantasy Stakes (G2) for three-year-old fillies; continues Thursday with the $75,000 Carousel and $100,000 Redbud Stakes; Friday with the $500,000 Apple Blossom Handicap (G1) and $100,000 Instant Racing; before ending Saturday with the $100,000 Northern Spur Stakes, $200,000 Count Fleet Sprint Handicap (G3), $350,000 Oaklawn Handicap (G2), and the Arkansas Derby.

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electiOn ScHedule fOr tHiS SuMMer The Arkansas HBPA will be holding an election for president and board of directors this summer. A nominating committee consisting of Donnie K. Von Hemel and Lynn Whiting has been appointed, and there will be five owner and five trainer director positions available for a three-year term.

Ballots for the election will be mailed on Wednesday, August 1.

If you are interested in running for the Arkansas HPBA’s board of directors, please contact the Arkansas HBPA by phone at (501) 623-7641 or via email at arhbpa@aol.com. arkanSaS HbPa HOrSeMen and Oaklawn Park SuPPOrt race HOrSe reclaiM tHOrOugHbred reScue For every horse starting in a race at Oaklawn Park this season, $1 is donated each by Oaklawn and the horse’s owner to Race Horse Reclaim Thoroughbred Rescue. Race Horse Reclaim is a not-for-profit operation dedicated to the rehabilitation, retraining, and retirement of Thoroughbred racehorses. The organization’s mission is to create a future for horses that otherwise have no hope of a secure, forever home.

Race Horse Reclaim Thoroughbred Rescue was founded in 2008 by Deborah Adams, with the support of her husband, famed naturopathic doctor, Wayne Garland. Adams is a Grand Prix dressage rider who enjoyed a 35-year international riding career training, competing, and teaching classical dressage.

For more information about Race Horse Reclaim or to donate to its efforts, visit the organization’s website at http://racehorsereclaim.com. terry wallace, alOnzO claytOn inducted intO tHe arkanSaS SPOrtS Hall Of faMe Former Oaklawn Park announcer Terry Wallace and Kentucky Derbywinning jockey Alonzo “Lonnie” Clayton were among the 2012 inductees into the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame at a ceremony held on Friday, February 3, at Verizon Arena in North Little Rock. The Hall of Fame Class of 2012 consisted of six people from the regular category, three from the senior category, two from the posthumous category, and the national championship-winning 1994 University of Arkansas Razorbacks basketball team.

One of the most recognizable voices in Arkansas belongs to Terry Wallace, who retired from the announcer’s booth at Oaklawn Park last spring after 37 consecutive seasons. Wallace was known for trademark lines such as “here they come into the short stretch of the mile run” and “picking ‘em up and laying ‘em down.” He set the record for consecutive race calls. He hit the 20,000 mark with his call of the third race on March 25, 2010. Wallace ended the streak at 20,191 calls without a miss following the fourth race on January 28, 2011. Through the years, he called races of such greats as Zenyatta, Rachel Alexandra, Curlin, Azeri, Cigar, Afleet Alex, Smarty Jones, Sunny’s Halo and Temperence Hill. Larry Collmus, the track announcer at Gulfstream Park and Monmouth Park, said, “When someone says Oaklawn, the first thing that comes to mind is Terry Wallace.”

In addition to Wallace, those being inducted from the regular category were Lee Mayberry, who joined with Todd Day to lead Arkansas to the 1990 Final Four in Denver, where the Hogs lost in the national semifinals to Duke; former Newport High School head football coach Bill Keedy; former Razorback basketball player U.S. Reed; former Razorback football player “Light Horse” Harry Jones; and Little Rock native and former Oklahoma State University head football coach Pat Jones.

neWs

aFFiliatE

Those being inducted from the senior category were former Forrest City star athlete Elmer “B” Lindsey, former college coach and NFL scout Bob Ford of Wynne, and former Southern Arkansas University women’s basketball coach Margaret Downing.

Clayton and former University of Central Arkansas head football coach Raymond Bright were inducted from the posthumous category.

Born in 1876, Alonzo “Lonnie” Clayton moved with his family to Pulaski County when he was 10. He attended school while working as an errand boy to earn extra money for his family. He left home at the age of 12 in 1888 to join his older brother, Albertus, a jockey in Chicago. He soon was working as an exercise rider at stables owned by racing legend E.J. “Lucky” Baldwin. Clayton became one of only two 15-year-old jockeys to ever win the Kentucky Derby.

Aboard Azra, he came from behind in the stretch to win the Derby by a nose in May of 1892. He was later second in 1893, third in 1895, and second in 1897 in the Kentucky Derby. To provide for a family that included eight siblings in Arkansas, Clayton bought property and built a home in what is now North Little Rock in 1892. The home, located at 2105 Maple Street, still stands. At the peak of his career in 1895, Clayton posted 144 wins and was in the money in 403 of 688 races.

national hbpa wintER conVEntion Charles Town HBPA President Ken Lowe and Executive Director Maria Catignani represented our affiliate at the 2012 National HBPA Winter Convention. The Wagering and Alternative Gaming Panel (WAGI) was of particular interest as we learned how significant full fields of $5,000 claiming races are to the continued success of simulcast wagering. These blue-collar horses, many of which are bred, owned, and trained in our local Thoroughbred community, are the backbone of this racetrack.

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GulFStREam paRK opEnS in DEcEmbER FoR thE FiRSt timE So how did that December date swap between Calder and Gulfstream Park work out for horsemen? If you recall, essentially to avert a dates war last year, Calder gave up most of December to Gulfstream Park. In return, Calder received most of April from Gulfstream.

This period of new dates for Gulfstream began on Saturday, December 3 and continued to January 4 as Gulfstream opened on January 5 last year.

There were 19 common days that were left to compare when Mondays were matched to corresponding Mondays and Thursdays matched to Thursdays, etc.

All extra days that could not be matched to a corresponding day were dropped from this exercise.

Live on-track handle more than doubled, being up more than 270 percent over what was handled at Calder in 2010/2011. The intrastate, or ITW, handle within the state of Florida on the Gulfstream live product doubled last year’s Calder handle, with an increase of just over 200 percent. The interstate, or ISW handle, on Gulfstream’s live races was more than triple Calder’s numbers from last year.

While live handle numbers were off the charts at Gulfstream, the same could not be said for handle on the simulcasts from other tracks. The wagering on-track on simulcasts at Gulfstream was about the same as it was at Calder in 2010/2011. However, the handle on simulcasts purchased from Gulfstream Park by the ITW network was well down from Calder’s numbers.

Since Tampa Bay Downs opened on the same day as Gulfstream this year, the ITW network tracks could purchase out-of-state signals from either track. Last year, Tampa did not open until mid-December, so these simulcast signals could only be purchased through Calder until Tampa’s opening, as Calder was the only operating track.

The number that horsemen care about most is the level of overnight purses and stakes monies paid out during this 19-day period. The stakes paid out at Gulfstream were about $90,000 more than had been paid at Calder, and the overnights paid out at Gulfstream were about 190 percent higher – $295,000 compared to $154,000.

GEnERal mEmbERShip mEEtinG 2011 ended on a very festive note. Our General Membership Meeting was held on December 11 at the Clarion Hotel and Conference Center in Shepherdstown. Charles Town HBPA President Ken Lowe gave a brief update on the happenings since our last membership meeting. He also recognized our special guests, including the West Virginia state stewards, the track photographer, EMT Henry Christie, and Chaplain Bo Bullock. Following the chaplain’s blessing, the membership enjoyed a delicious buffet dinner and scrumptious desserts.

This year, we had 16 door prizes. Owner Robin Grams was surprised to have her name drawn for a Toro lawnmower, donated by Steve Andersen from Innovative Equine Marketing.

The fun began with entertainment from a group of men who sang karaoke, followed by the gals that did not want to be upstaged. Dance music was provided by Karaoke Bob, and the finale of the evening was everyone singing “Country Roads.” michaEl VianDS awaRDED ScholaRShip FRom RacE FoR EDucation Michael Viands, son of trainer Stacey Viands, was a recipient of a scholarship through the Race for Education. Michael also made the Dean’s List for the fall semester at Shepherd University. two moRE billboaRDS aDDED In the last edition of The Horsemen’s Journal, we reported that we have three billboards along major highways promoting racing, breeding, and green space. We are proud to report that we have added two additional billboards. pRopoSED RulES on EJEction/ExcluSion poStED The West Virginia Racing Commission has published the proposed rules governing ejection/exclusion hearing appeals. The proposed rules are listed on the West Virginia Racing Commission website at www.wvracingcommission.com/wvrc_033.htm and were open for public comment until February 21, 2012. The Charles Town HBPA worked with Doug McSwain, Esq. to compose and submit comments to the proposed rules.

thoRouGhbRED RacinG RulES committEE REconVEnED The Thoroughbred Racing Rules Committee has reconvened to review and amend the rules that went into effect on July 10, 2011. Because all changes to the rules must be approved by the West Virginia Legislature, the revisions go into effect mid-year of 2013. Executive Director Maria Catignani represents the Charles Town HBPA on this 11-member committee.

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By Kent H. Stirling, Executive Director

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So exactly How iS tHe world’S only “Pari-Mutuel Barrel racing” facility doing?

This is a follow up to our article in the winter edition of The Horsemen’s Journal about “pari-mutuel barrel racing.” Since almost every horse track in Florida owns a Quarter Horse permit, there is great fear by all breeds of Florida horsemen that their respective track will use their Quarter Horse permit to conduct barrel racing and eliminate the rightful horsemen from receiving their fair share of card room revenue and the very sizable slots revenue for their future purses.

Barrel racing is taking place in Northern Florida at the Creek Entertainment facility in Gadsden County. This horse racing industry job killer is the brainchild of Gulfstream Park’s lobbyist/lawyer Marc Dunbar, and his partner, former Gulfstream Park lawyer David Romanik, who according to his Creek Entertainment bio was the “former president of Gulfstream Park, where he ran the most successful race meet in the facility’s long history.” My recollection is that Mr. Romanik only presided over the ill-fated Hialeah-atGulfstream Park race meet in 2000.

This facility located in the small town of Gretna recently operated a “pari-mutuel barrel racing” meet in both December and January. This then technically qualified the facility as having run for two consecutive years, which would permit it the right to have slots. The slots referendum passed in Gadsden County on January 31. Simply put, “pari-mutuel barrel racing” was nothing but a shortcut to a card room and slots, which can only take place at a pari-mutuel facility that has operated for two consecutive years.

Mr. Romanik then formed his own horsemen’s group, the North Florida Horsemen’s Association (NFHA), whereby his horsemen and horsewomen gave away all their rights under the Interstate Horseracing Act (IHA) for the next eight years. All jockey/riders are described in this contract as independent contractors, with no liability to Gretna Racing beyond a token $100,000 insurance policy. Only those who pay membership dues can compete, but anyone can be denied entries or be excluded from the grounds at the sole and absolute discretion of Gretna Racing. Further, the NFHA pledge card authorizes the NFHA to represent its members exclusively in all negotiations with Gretna Racing relative to the payment of purses, and should you wish to revoke this authorization, it will be effective 180 days after your written revocation.

I’m sure that when Mr. Romanik is negotiating with himself for NFHA purses, he will be more than fair.

Announced purses for the first ten days of barrel racing were to be $2,000 per performance, so you get an idea of what total purses might have been. And by the way, while percentages were offered for purses from parimutuel wagering handle and from card room activity in the NFHA contract, nothing was mentioned for purses from slots or any future gaming. Obviously an oversight …

So how successful was Romanik and Dunbar’s venture with their partners, the Creek Indians from Alabama? Attendance on most days was around 50, and on their grand opening of the poker room, attendance was said to have exceeded 250. Numerous YouTube videos would make one think that these numbers were inflated.

Total wagering handle for both years’ meets was $41,714, with $11,036 of it produced by Gretna’s grand opening day. Gretna operated 40 matinee and evening performances during these two meets, which meant that if you dropped the handle from the grand opening, Gretna handled an average of about $780 per barrel racing card. Total Gretna commissions were $6,438, with $2,503 of that total going to purses according to the NFHA purse agreement. Gretna paid the state of Florida $45,217 in pari-mutuel tax and licens-

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ing fees which, of course, was more than Gretna’s total wagering handle of $41,714 for both years’ meets Gross card room receipts for the first meet were $178,176, of which the barrel racers got $7,127 according to their contract. Gretna Racing retained as yet an unknown net amount.

Financially, things didn’t seem to go too well for Romanik, Dunbar, and their Indian partners. Things became more unpleasant for our boys when Florida Attorney General, Pam Bondi, opined that no slots licenses should be approved by the state for counties that passed referendums unless the Legislature authorized it. Her opinion came out three weeks before the slots referendum easily passed in Gadsden County.

Said Gulfstream Park lobbyist and part owner of Gretna Racing Marc Dunbar, “I look forward to meeting her (Bondi) in court.”

Stay tuned for more exciting news from the world’s only pari-mutuel barrel racing facility, Gretna.

SaMMy gordon Honored at HBPa winter convention During the January 16 to 20 National HBPA Convention held in Hollywood Beach, longtime Florida HBPA President Sammy Gordon was recognized with a “Formal Resolution of the Board of Directors in Recognition of Outstanding Lifetime Contributions.” This resolution was read and presented to Sammy by National HBPA President Joe Santanna.

This resolution recognized, honored, and expressed the Board’s gratitude for Sammy’s “outstanding contributions and wise counsel to the National HBPA and the Florida HBPA…” It went on to acknowledge Sammy’s “exceptional persuasive skills and his unique abilities with a mischievous twinkle in his eye and a joke for all occasions to prevail during long and difficult negotiation sessions with the Florida racetracks and secure for the horsemen purse contracts that have been essential to the survival of live racing in Florida.”

Before this resolution, there was another resolution read for Sammy in recognition of his “Wild and Crazy Lifetime Contributions.” Mention was made of Sammy’s off-color jokes that were repeated so often they eventually became numbered. Every time a joke was mentioned during the reading of this resolution like, for instance, joke number 3, the room erupted in laughter.

It was facetiously suggested that Sammy was a strong supporter of all liberal Democratic causes, and an even stronger supporter of President Obama.

It also reminded of Sammy’s strict adherence to Teddy Roosevelt’s ideology of “speak softly and carry a big stick.” Mention was made of Sammy’s substantial efforts to hire the handicapped, and as proof he always pointed to his executive director. I think this fact was meant to be included in the facetious part of the resolution.

This resolution correctly pointed out that Sammy had an “unmatched ability to fall asleep during board meetings while balanced on a chair without crashing to the ground and then waking up and claiming to be fully aware of everything that happened and that had been said.” He did, in fact, loose his balance once while asleep on a raised stage and luckily fell back into the wall and not off the stage. It was a while before board members stopped laughing and got back to the business at hand. As the resolution further pointed out,

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indiana hBpa 2012 inDiana RacE DatES announcED The 2012 Thoroughbred racing season returns to Indiana when live racing begins at Indiana Downs on Monday, April 16. The Indiana Downs meet will end Wednesday, July 11. The combined Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse meet will offer 61 days of racing, including one full Quarter Horse-only day. Dark days will be Sunday and Thursday each week. Post times will be 4:55 p.m. Monday through Wednesday and 6:55 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. For more information on Indiana Downs racing, log onto www.indianadowns.com.

2012 Thoroughbred racing dates for Hoosier Park Racing & Casino will be Wednesday, August 1 through Saturday, October 27. The combined Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse meet will offer 64 days of racing, with one of those days dedicated solely to Quarter Horses. Racing will be held Tuesday through Saturday each week with a post time of 5:30 p.m. except Saturday, when racing begins at 12:30 p.m.

The highlight of the 18th season of Hoosier Park Thoroughbred racing will be the $500,000-added Indiana Derby (Gr. II) on Saturday, October 6. The day will also feature other stakes races including the $200,000-added Indiana Oaks (Gr. II), the $100,000-added Michael G. Schaefer Mile, and the $100,000added Mari Hulman George Stakes.

For more information on Hoosier Park Racing & Casino, log onto www.hoosierpark.com.

by a trainer during the taking of postmortem samples for drug testing.

For additional details on these changes, contact the IHRC at (317) 233-3119 or log onto: www.in.gov/hrc/. inDiana Still REquiRES cuRREnt EquinE piRoplaSmoSiS tEStS Although several states have eliminated a requirement for current Equine Piroplasmosis (EP) test certification, Indiana will still require documented tests for 2012 racing. Tests will need to be current within one year for any horses brought to Indiana tracks.

According to a representative of the Indiana Board of Animal Health, there have been positive EP horses in several parts of the state, as well as traceouts, suspects, and surveillance testing numbering into the hundreds.

New this year, the Purdue Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (ADDL) will be providing Equine Piroplasmosis testing free of charge to Indiana owners with horses racing at Indiana racetracks. Please address any test specific questions to the Purdue ADDL. The below information is from http://www.addl.purdue.edu/Links/Topics. aspx: “The Indiana Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory is approved to perform Equine Piroplasmosis analyses for inter- and intrastate movement and began offering testing for Equine Piroplasmosis on January 1, 2012.

“To be eligible for a waiver of the test fee for state mandated testing, serum samples submitted for Equine Piroplasmosis must state on the ADDL Accession form that the samples are from horses currently belonging to Indiana owners that will be at the Indiana racetracks: Hoosier Park, Anderson, IN, and Indiana Downs, Shelbyville, IN. Samples submitted to ADDL for testing must be drawn by a licensed and accredited veterinarian, the animal ID must be listed, and reason for testing clearly stated on the ADDL submission form.

“The charge for non-state mandated Piroplasmosis testing for both B. caballi and T. equi will be $24 ($7.00 each for B.caballi and T. equi, plus the $10 ADDL accession fee).” iowa hBpa tVG, pRaiRiE mEaDowS anD iowa hbpa StRiKE innoVatiVE lonG-tERm aDw anD maRKEtinG paRtnERShip TVG announced that it has reached agreement to operate a co-branded Advanced Deposit Wagering (ADW) system on behalf of Prairie Meadows Racetrack and Casino and the Iowa Horsemen’s Benevolent & Protective Association. TVG and Prairie Meadows will extensively market each other’s products and services, including ADW and live racing conducted by Prairie Meadows.

Richard E. Glover, Jr.

inDiana hoRSE RacinG commiSSion chanGES aDminiStRatiVE RulES On January 24, the Indiana Horse Racing Commission (IHRC) changed administrative rules in the following areas affecting Thoroughbred horsemen: • Changes to the claiming rules that would allow a horse claimed in another state to run in Indiana, subject the enforcement of regulations of, and by, the state in which the horse was claimed; • The lowering of the Bute threshold to two micrograms per milliliter from five micrograms per milliliter; • Changes to the purse forfeiture rules to defer to penalties established by the Association of Racing Commissioners International (ARCI) for NSAID and Lasix overages. Now small overages will not require purse forfeiture until the third violation within a 365-day period. On the other hand, any time the ARCI changes its penalties, Indiana’s would automatically change without review of the commission; • Eliminating vitamin B1 and calcium on race day; • Stable area access rule that requires veterinarians and their help to sign in and sign out; • Establishing permitted thresholds for Clenbuterol, Firocoxib, Glycopyrrolate, Methocarbamol, and DMSO; and, • Elimination of the necessity for witnessing, confirming, or acknowledging

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when caught napping, Sammy would always insist that he heard more asleep “than the rest of you do awake.”

Well, “Let me tell you” Sammy is no longer with the Florida HBPA after seven years as its president. He resigned to relax and be with his family, and then later took a job as a consultant for Gulfstream Park. We don’t know if they have started numbering his old jokes at Gulfstream yet, but they will soon enough. We were fortunate enough to come across this picture of Sammy hard at work in his new office at Gulfstream Park. It was such a good photo, that it became the first picture to grace the new high-definition board in the Gulfstream Park infield.

Some things never change with Sammy.

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The agreement follows the enactment of Iowa legislation in 2011 specifically authorizing ADW in Iowa and the completion of the regulatory process by the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission. As part of that process, Prairie Meadows and the Iowa HBPA announced that they would jointly seek an operator for an ADW system.

The ADW system will utilize TVG’s state-of-the-art TVG 3.0 technology, which was launched nationally in January of 2011. The technology offers full ADW features and functionality, including free handicapping information, TVG Wager Rewards, and premium video streaming, and it will contain elements specifically tailored to promote Prairie Meadows’ racing and casino businesses.

“We are very excited about this new venture,” said Gary Palmer, Prairie Meadows President/CEO, “and we look forward to this opportunity to partner with the Iowa HBPA and TVG in helping us to promote our live Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse products through advance deposit wagering.”

Leroy Gessmann, president of the Iowa HBPA, stated, “This venture is a testament of our ability to work together as a racetrack and horsemen’s group, and bring in Paladin Partners to consult with us and help choose the best ADW provider, and that is TVG. I look forward to the launch of the new site, as many horsemen and fans have expressed to me, as well.”

“This is a very unique deal for several reasons,” said Stephen Burn, TVG’s CEO. “First, it is a prime example of TVG partnering with a racetrack partner and its horsemen on both a business-to-business as well as a business-toconsumer approach. Second, each group has pledged to leverage its strengths to maximize the overall business, with TVG utilizing its television and digital presences and Prairie Meadows utilizing its significant physical presence in the state of Iowa.”

Added Burn, “Additionally, it is a fine example of a racetrack, a horsemen’s group, and an ADW provider working cooperatively together from the outset to maximize the business – a forward thinking approach that we hope to see replicated in other jurisdictions.”

kenTuCky hBpa mESSaGE FRom pRESiDEnt RicK hilES In Kentucky, the legislative session begins in January and usually runs until April. Last year, we were especially focused on Frankfort, and we begin gearing up for the 2012 session. Early on, Kentucky HBPA Vice President Frank Jones, Kentucky HBPA General Counsel and lobbyist Bob Benson, Executive 50

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2012 iowa hbpa SchEDulE April 4-5 – Introduction to Thoroughbred care through the Groom Elite Program April 18 – Iowa HBPA Board Meeting, 10:00 a.m.

April 18 – Iowa HBPA General Membership Meeting, 11:00 a.m.

April 29 – ITBOA/Iowa HBPA Awards Banquet, Prairie Meadows Ballroom, after races May 6 – Iowa HBPA New Owners Seminar May 15 – Iowa HBPA Board Meeting June 11-13 – Basic Groom Elite for new hires June 19 – Iowa HBPA Board Meeting June 28-July 1 – National HBPA Convention at Prairie Meadows June 30 – H.A.R.T. Silent Auction July 4 – Iowa HBPA & Chaplain’s Picnic at the Pavilion July 7-21 – Iowa HBPA Adventureland Outing July 17 – Iowa HBPA Board Meeting August 7 – Iowa HBPA Board Meeting

Director Marty Maline, and I met with newly elected Governor Steve Beshear.

Governor Beshear, fresh from his successful campaign, explained to us that he was fully engaged on the gaming issue. He had already started communicating with members of the Kentucky General Assembly and enlisting their support.

Bob instructed our office to begin alerting horsemen to contact their senators in key districts. The Kentucky HBPA immediately sent out a communication to hundreds of horsemen in the legislative districts of the senators Bob highlighted. The effort was nearly sidetracked by a lawsuit filed by several legislators who were adversely impacted by redistricting in both the House and Senate. When Marty first informed me of this, I found it incredulous to think that legislators could be completely displaced from the districts where they had been elected by their constituents to serve and forced to move to another area at the whim of Senate leadership. One senator, after capably serving in Henderson, Kentucky was displaced to Lexington several hundred miles away.

Franklin Circuit Judge Philip Shepherd declared that the newly drawn legislative districts are unconstitutional. The Kentucky HBPA began working with a national organization planning to set up a phone bank in order to canvas members of the legislature.

I hope to report to you in my next message that we are moving ahead with a concerted effort, after passage of favorable legislation, which will allow the people of Kentucky to vote on a constitutional amendment enabling gaming at racetracks in Kentucky.

Kentucky HBPA Director David England and Marty attended a meeting of the State Agricultural Committee, chaired by Representative Susan Westrom (for a full article on the meeting, please visit our website, www.kyhbpa.org).

Dave and Representative David Osborne, a Thoroughbred horse owner and Kentucky HBPA member, speaking from the horsemen’s perspective, provided a startling insight into what has become of Kentucky’s racing industry.

Kentucky HBPA Vice President Dale Romans and Jerry Crawford, a Thoroughbred horse owner and Kentucky HBPA member, have scheduled a meeting in Washington with high ranking officials to discuss the importance of the H-2B visa program (more on this in a later section below).

Kentucky HBPA Director Kenny McPeek continues with the development and deployment of “Horse Races NOW,” a new mobile application which will soon be unveiled for fans, owners, breeders, and trainers (there is a letter from Kenny with further details in a later section below).

Following a discussion with trusted friends and advisors, I have decided to once again run for political office. I have registered to run for the House of Representatives in the 33rd legislative district. You may recall that I ran for the State Senate last year, and while I was unsuccessful, we felt we made significant progress in getting our message out based on the number of votes

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a lEttER to hoRSEmEn anD RacinG FanS Thank you for taking the time to look at HorseRacesNOW.com.

Horse Races NOW is an attempt to bring together an industry that needs more exposure. We want you, your friends, and your family to have much easier access to viewing the great sport of horse racing. The mobile phone application will offer immediate entries, results, live video, and replays delivered to you via push notifications. We are committed to fan participation and making it easy to view horse racing worldwide.

Our challenges have been huge trying to bring together horsemen, racetracks, Equibase, The Jockey Club, tote systems, and others. The development of this iPhone app has been challenging, but we are determined to include the signal of every racetrack in the country, and eventually the world. We need fans, horsemen, and the horsemen’s groups to contact their local tracks and ask them to support us with the video content they already control so that this project can help bring horse racing back to the highest levels. If this happens, it will make the economics of caring for our horses stronger.

The difficult economy and times have left more and more horses without care. It is unacceptable, and we must do something to change those things from happening. We are committed to funding a percentage of our profits to the proper groups that address retirement of horses.

At this point of Horse Races NOW, there are no positive revenues. The investment made in developers, information, etc. has been significant. We envision a replay site that returns revenue to the racetracks in the form of purses. This portion of the project is conceptual and will revolve around our ability to get racetrack signal access. If you are interested in viewing your local racing on Horse Races NOW or our website, then we need you to contact your local racetrack and its executives. Ask them to contact us to connect the video.

It really isn’t a complicated process.

It’s important to understand that we are NOT going to accept wagers through this app. Horse Races NOW is an entertainment app designed to bring the convenience of today’s technology to a sport that has long been left in the shadows. We have created links from our app to wagering sites for anyone who is interested in placing a wager. In the short term, we will be offering all the racing video available from participating racetracks. If you are interested in viewing your local racetrack, we need your support. Please contact your local racetrack and ask them to contact us so we can receive their video signal and have access to their archive replays. We are committed to making this “THE COOLEST HORSE RACING APP EVER!”, but we need your help. If this happens and everyone works together, the sport of horse racing will regain its strength and place in the hearts and minds of fans worldwide. The anticipated launch date is April of 2012.

Thank you, and enjoy the experience of Horse Races NOW! Sincerely, Kenny McPeek & Susan McPeek h-2b ViSa iSSuES upDatE

by Julio Rubio, Kentucky HBPA Hispanic Coordinator After trying and numerous efforts to attain a meeting with USCIS Director Alejandro Mayorkas to address our issues with our H-2B program, a couple of possibilities have arisen. It is all thanks to our relentless dedication and a group effort that we seem to have had a positive response from the Director.

For the month of February, we’ve managed to obtain two meetings in which

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received. It became clear that my constituents appreciated my common sense approach to the important issues we are currently dealing with in Kentucky.

I will keep you informed. Good luck in your racing endeavors.

problems we are currently having regarding H-2Bs will be discussed. First, Fred Troncone, who is Ombudsmen for the Department of Homeland Security, is meeting with Director Mayorkas. Mr. Troncone has been a valuable resource in helping us in Washington. Second, we would like to thank Dale Romans and owner Jerry Crawford for their assistance in the matter. Dale has been a crucial player in bridging the gap for us in Frankfort, and Mr. Crawford in Washington.

Lately, it appears that the issues have arisen from an internal discomfort with the agencies officers toward the current administration, which is causing major inconsistencies and denials. We will keep members aware of any updates or changes in the current immigration laws. bREwS, bouRbon anD biSon DinnER SEt FoR apRil 29 Make your reservation to attend the Brews, Bourbon and Bison Dinner to benefit the Backside Learning Center on Sunday, April 29 at the Bluegrass Brewing Company, Four Roses Bourbon Barrel Loft. Contact Jennifer Hoert at (502) 634-6543 or jhoert@derbymuseum.org for your tickets today.

REGiStER FoR J. l. “bucK” whEat mEmoRial GolF ScRamblE Register a team to play in the J.L. “Buck” Wheat Memorial Golf Scramble to benefit Horsemen’s Education on Monday, June 4. Contact Erik Bown at (502) 992-5903 or ebrown@derbymuseum.org. moDESt paStuRES FoR thE SpoRt oF KinGS: inDian RiDGE ExEmpliFiES RESiliEncE oF Small FamilY thoRouGhbRED FaRmS

by Tim Thornberry Reprinted courtesy Business Lexington, where this article was originally published in that publication’s November 25, 2011 issue.

Lexington, KY - Kentucky’s horse land: acre after acre of rolling green pastures with white planked fences, majestic horse barns and, of course, beautiful Thoroughbreds.

That is the image most get when it comes to horse farms here, and while these massive estates establish a beautiful picture of the industry, a broad network of smaller farms scattered throughout the state make up the backbone of the business.

Indian Ridge Farm is one of those, located in Franklin County an hour or less from the state’s biggest racing venues, Keeneland and Churchill Downs.

It is also just a few minutes from a major interstate, so logistically it couldn’t be in a better spot to get horses to and from the places race horses go in Kentucky.

William “Buff” Bradley grew up on the 300-acre farm and is raising his family there as well. His father, Fred, moved there in 1972 and began to raise tobacco and corn, along with a cattle operation and a few Thoroughbred horses.

“My brother and two sisters all worked on the farm growing up. We kind of did everything, and now it’s strictly a Thoroughbred horse farm,” he said.

The tobacco buyout signaled the end of crops on the farm, although Bradley said they still grow their own hay. But for the most part, the main crop on the farm is the horses that are bred and raised there. At any one time, he keeps nearly 50 horses on the farm and another 20 to 25 at Kentucky-based race tracks.

Indian Ridge is a true working farm and family farm. Bradley said his youngest sister takes care of the bookkeeping duties while his father, who is 80, still serves as the “night watchman” for the 10 to 14 broodmares kept on the farm. And, as he and his siblings did, Bradley’s children take part in the chores, along with his wife.

“They are all involved in that part of the farm — in feeding and taking care of the horses,” he said. “I don’t expect them to take over or try to make a www.nationalhbpa.com

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living that way, but we do want them to learn that. I think it is good responsibility for them, as well as learning how to take care of the animals, knowing how important it is. When you are committed to it, you’re committed to it.”

Bradley said he thinks many of the horse farms in the state are like his, noting you won’t see the white boarded fences when you come there.

“It’s not a big showplace. It’s a working horse farm and serves its purpose in what we do and how we do it,” he said.

What they do and how they do it has proven to be successful for the Bradleys. One of their most successful horses, Brass Hat, still resides at the farm. The Thoroughbred raced for seven seasons, winning 10 times, breaking two track records and winning more than $2 million.

“He was foaled and raised right here on this farm, and he is retired there now. He was a very popular horse in this state. It’s neat to have a horse like that, that everybody knows,” Bradley said.

He emphasized that the operation is not really a commercial business.

They breed to race and have been successful at that, he said, and currently the farm has one of the top fillies in the country.

But the horse industry — particularly the Thoroughbred industry — has stumbled a bit over the last few years, something that concerns Bradley and others like him. Once the undisputed champion of the equine world, Kentucky has seen many of its owners and trainers take their operations to other states where incentives and purse money are better.

“I’m 48 years old, and I’ve been working with horses since I was eight years old. I’ve seen [the industry] go up and down a few times, but this is the lowest I’ve seen it,” he said. “I think a lot of Thoroughbred owners and breeders

have left this state. Some have gotten out, but I’ve seen a lot that have picked up and looked for a better place to go, as far as breeding incentives and purse levels.”

Bradley added that in the past, with all the horse farms in Kentucky, one could see a lot of horses occupying those farm fields at any given time, a sight that has diminished of late.

“It’s kind of depressing. You don’t see as many anymore. A lot of our good stallions are going to different states where they have breed programs that are better than Kentucky’s,” he said. “It’s really sad to know that our state has gotten in that shape. We don’t have what we did, at all. We’re not even close, and I’m not sure what’s going to bail us out. That’s the scary part. I have a family here and a very good geographic location to the race tracks and the breeding farms, and thought I was pretty well set.”

Bradley has been forced to leave one of the winter venues here to go south for the winter racing season in search of better purse money. South usually means Florida, where the Thoroughbred industry is big. Ironically, a sign on Interstate 75 through Ocala, Florida, welcomes visitors to the “Horse Capital of the World.” About 750 miles north, along the same interstate, a similar sign welcomes visitors to Lexington, Kentucky.

While that debate is likely to continue, the bottom line here is the bottom line, and incentives that breeders get from a horse’s winnings are less in Kentucky then before and less than in many other states. In fact, Bradley said he could give away a foal in Indiana, for instance and still be okay, due to the larger breeder incentives there and the fact that it takes up to $20,000 to get a foal ready for the track.

Kentucky has also not recognized horses as being livestock, but instead considers them companion animals. Horses are therefore ineligible for tax breaks like the ones that cattle producers receive. Some attempts have been made by the state’s General Assembly to remedy that, but to no avail so far.

Thus far, the biggest push to raise revenue for the horse industry in this state has been through the idea of getting expanded gambling passed through legislation, an idea that has fallen short each time it has come before lawmakers.

Bradley said he doesn’t know if that route is the complete answer to all the horse industry woes, but it certainly could help to have expanded gambling venues at Kentucky tracks.

“I don’t think that’s a cure-all for it, but my thoughts are, we have to get our purses back up, number one, and that would also help the breeders’ money, because that’s based on what you win as a purse percentage,” he said. “To get the purses up — and I hate to say slots and gaming devices are going to be what’s got to get us there, because I think that’s only temporary — but I think we are so far behind now, because we didn’t get that here early on … like all the surrounding states.”

Bradley said the industry is risky for someone looking to get in right now, which is one reason he has “partnered” more lately, with several people having an interest in a horse as opposed to one person bearing the full brunt of paying the entire bill for training a racehorse.

“We’ve tried to keep our costs down by doing our own work, like raising our own hay, doing our own fencing and doing our own foaling. I think people struggle because it does cost so much to be in this,” he said. “I try to do more partnerships now, instead of having the one single owner, because the single owner can’t make it or they’re not in it for very long.”

Bradley added that it is the excitement and the “want-to” that plays a big part in being in the horse business, and partnering with other people is something he likes doing because it gets more people involved. continuED on paGE 55

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And getting more people involved may be the very thing that keeps Kentucky the Horse Capital of the World. For more information about Bradley and his racing stables, go to the website at www.buffracing.com. For more information about Brass Hat, go to www.brasshat.us.

Richard E. Glover, Jr.

the hbpa is You The HBPA, established in 1940, is an organization of owners and trainers, approximately 40,000 nationally in 23 states and Canada, and over 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: • 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, which 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.

• 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 with regards 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 into 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 www.kyhbpa.org and click on “How to Join.”

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continued from page 52 Louisiana HBPa

louisiana state senate commerce committee hands louisiana horsemen VictorY in striking down emergencY rule On Friday, January 20, the Louisiana State Senate Commerce Committee voted to strike down an emergency rule passed by the Louisiana Racing Commission (LRC) in November of 2011 that would have lowered the state’s threshold level for phenylbutazone from 5.0 micrograms to 2.0 micrograms. The vote was a victory for Louisiana horsemen, who opposed the LRC’s use of the emergency rule process in a non-emergency situation because the process does not allow input from affected parties.

In 2010, the American Graded Stakes Committee (AGSC) of the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association (TOBA) passed an eligibility requirement that said the provisions of the Association of Racing Commissioners International (RCI) model rule on NSAIDs had to be adopted for graded stakes races. The rule was amended by the RCI in October of 2010, and when the AGSC met in November of 2010, it decided to give states conducting graded stakes races until 2012 to adopt the amended rule. A letter was sent to racing commissions in December of 2010 notifying them of the change and the deadline.

One of the provision of the model rule and eligibility requirements stated that racing jurisdictions must lower their threshold level for phenylbutazone to no more than 2.0 micrograms by January 1, 2012 in order for any race run in that jurisdiction as of that date to qualify for graded status. In Louisiana, rules adopted on a non-emergency basis typically take at least six months to be formally adopted, which means there was ample time between commission notification and the implementation deadline of January 1, 2012 to pass a rule lowering the phenylbutazone threshold using the normal rule process.

“We’ve got no problem with the rule, and the last thing we want to do is interfere with any of the tracks in Louisiana,” commented Louisiana HBPA President Stanley Selig. “We just want the commission to do this the right way.

Conduct a hearing, let people state their views. There’s no reason this was an emergency.”

Seelig went on to say, “When it comes to very important issues – and medication issues are very important to the horsemen of Louisiana and other racing jurisdictions – it is important to do things the proper way. That means holding a hearing where all sides can come together and have their say on the subject before a decision is made.”

According to National HBPA CEO Phil Hanrahan, “We are pleased with the outcome of this situation. The Louisiana State Senate Commerce Committee’s decision will allow all parties, especially the horsewomen and horseman of the state, to be heard on this matter. The Louisiana HBPA is to be commended on standing up for its members on this issue.”

MicHigan HBPa message from executiVe director garY tinkle Michigan’s Thoroughbred industry continues to be an ever-changing scenario. With the closing of Pinnacle Race Course in November of 2010, the Michigan HBPA was challenged with finding a track for our horsemen and women to operate their racing stables in 2011. Without an opportunity to earn purse revenue, it would have been impossible for many to continue or they would have been forced to move out of state.

Early in 2011, the Michigan HBPA Board of Directors wrestled with the issue and eventually was able sign a contract with Mount Pleasant Meadows, a mixed breed track racing Arabian, Quarter and Thoroughbred horses, for the www.nationalhbpa.com

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2011 season. The season did not begin until late July and lasted 32 days, so many of our members were forced to begin the season out of state, but when the meet began, many returned to support the season.

With Mount Pleasant being a half-mile track with a two-furlong chute, there were challenges in adjusting from Pinnacle’s mile track. Our members, as horsemen have always done, made the adjustment and had a short but successful season.

The Michigan HBPA is formulating plans for the 2012 season and, hopefully, will have a signed contract when this is published. Racing is expected to start in early May and run through September of 2012.

While our members made the adjustments and were able to continue racing in 2011, an effort began to amend the 1995 Racing Act, the statute that regulates Michigan’s pari-mutuel horse racing. Hazel Park Raceway (a harness track) initiated the proposed amended language. The Michigan HBPA was involved in the discussions and supported amendments that allow Michigan racetracks to compete fairly within the gaming industry.

As language developed, it became apparent the language could not be supported by the Michigan HBPA. The language was supported by Hazel Park and the Michigan Harness Horsemen’s Association, but the language negatively impacted long-term live horse racing and eliminated the common purse pool, which made it impossible for the Michigan HBPA to support. Our purse pool structure is produced from incoming simulcast signals, which consists of more than 60 percent from the Thoroughbred signal. Elimination of the common purse pool puts our members out of business.

The Michigan HBPA understands the importance of changing the Racing Act that was approved in 1995 and supports an effort to allow tracks to offer more pari-mutuel products. However, somehow energies became directed to the elimination of the common purse pool.

The Michigan HBPA will continue to work in good faith with the entire Michigan horse racing industry to amend the Racing Act and support language that is fair and reasonable. Perhaps, some may consider the Thoroughbred industry vulnerable with our recent history with Thoroughbred tracks. It is difficult to imagine how the industry can survive without Thoroughbreds having an opportunity to exist and compete fairly.

Once negotiations are completed for the 2012 season at Mount Pleasant Meadows, additional details will be posted on our web site as they become available at www.mihbpa.com. Preliminary plans are to schedule racing on Saturdays and Sundays.

MinnesoTa hBpa mESSaGE FRom ExEcutiVE DiREctoR patRicE unDERwooD The 2012 season at Canterbury Park is fast approaching! Sixty-two days of Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing begins at Canterbury on Friday, May 18 and runs through Labor Day, September 3. Post times remain 7:00 p.m. on Thursdays and Fridays, with weekend and holiday racing beginning at 1:30 p.m.

Featured race days at the meet include the second annual Fillies Race For Hope. On August 4, the Hoist Her Flag Stakes, the Princess Elaine Stakes, and the Lady Canterbury Stakes will highlight a card of races exclusively for fillies and mares that will benefit the Hope Chest for Breast Cancer Foundation.

The 19th renewal of the Minnesota Festival of Champions, a day dedicated to the best racehorses bred in the state, is slated for September 2. Check on Canterbury Parks’ website at www.canterburypark.com for stakes schedule and condition book.

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If you have never raced here, you are in for a treat! With 33 barns and 1,620 stalls, there is room for your racing operation. Come experience “Minnesota Nice.”

Great care is taken of our one-mile dirt track and our seven-eighths mile turf course. The stable area includes a five-eighths-of-a-mile training track, an equine swimming pool, and a jogging wheel. An RV park, dormitories, and many motel and apartment options are available for you and your help. Lakes and other entertainment opportunities nearby give you plenty of options on dark days. Minnesota is a great place to spend your summer!

The stable area opens on April 23. The jogging wheel will be available until the racetrack opens for training, weather permitting, on April 27.

Trainer Info: Bulk shavings will be permitted under certain conditions.

Please check with the stall superintendent before bringing them in.

Piroplasmosis testing: In addition to a negative Coggins and health certificate, horses with a health certificate originating from a state with recorded active cases of Equine Piroplasmosis (EP) must have a negative test for Babesia (Theileria) equi and Babesia caballi taken within a calendar year of September 3, 2012. Currently, this includes only Texas, but trainers and owners are encouraged to check the Minnesota Racing Commission website at www.mrc.state.us for additional states with an active status.

Looking forward to seeing you all soon!

MounTaineer hBpa ElEction RESultS The Mountaineer HBPA recently held elections for its president and board of directors. The new board is already working hard on issues that impact the racing community. Below is a list of the new board: John W. Baird, President Robert T. Bedner, First Vice President Philip Heidenreich, Second Vice President Owner Directors: Janice Hanna, John Donofrio, Jeannette McIntosh, and Theresia Mahan Trainer Directors: Bart Baird, Doug Johnson, Doug Shanyfelt, and J. Edwin Shilling nEw ExEcutiVE DiREctoR hiRED Jana L. Tetrault was hired as the Mountaineer Park’s new executive director in December.

2012 RacE mEEt unDERwaY The 2012 race meet began on Friday, March 2 and runs through December 21, featuring ten races March through August and nine races September through December. Regular training hours resumed on February 17. cantER FinDS SEconD caREERS FoR mountainEER hoRSES CANTER has been working with the trainers and owners to find second careers for racehorses at Mountaineer. Since August, CANTER has found homes for more than 50 racehorses. If you are interested in finding a second career for a racehorse, contact the Mountaineer HBPA office for more information or visit our website at www.mphbpa.com.

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“RacES FoR wiShES”

The owners, trainers, and jockeys at Mountaineer Casino Race Track and Resort hosted “Races for Wishes” on November 13, raising more than $6,300 for the Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Northern West Virginia. Local Wish children joined the owners, jockeys, and trainers in the winner’s circle for a special presentation. The event raised more than enough money to provide a wish to a child with a life-threatening medical condition.

The first two weeks of June will feature three days of racing, which will be followed by four days of racing per week. We expect the condition book will be out no later than March 1.

These dates, days of racing, and date of the condition book are all part of negotiations between the New England HBPA and Suffolk Downs. Included in the contract is our purse agreement for $8.5 million dollars to be paid for an 80-day meet (720 races), an increase from the $8.25 million dollars paid out during the 2011 meet.

ExpanDED GaminG It was a goal that is finally a reality: expanded gaming that has a provision for Thoroughbred racing and breeding. Below is an overview of gaming bill as it affects the horsemen: • A five-person gaming commission will be empowered to license a maximum of three casinos and one slot parlor.

• Each approved casino will pay a license fee of $85 million dollars, and the slot parlor will pay a license fee of $25 million dollars (the licensing fees will total $280 million dollars).

• Any currently operating racetrack that is granted a casino license must remain a racetrack and have a valid contract with the local horsemen signed by December 31 each year, or the casino cannot operate.

• Beginning the first calendar year following the opening of the casino with a racetrack, the track must run 105 live days of racing, increasing to 115 days of live racing the second year and 125 days the third year.

• The Race Horse Development Fund created by the law will provide for both the Thoroughbred and Standardbred industries. The income of the fund is as follows: from the slot parlor – nine percent of the gross slot machine income; from the three casinos – 2.5 percent of the state’s take, which is 25 percent of the three casinos’ income.

• There will be a one-time payment to the Race Horse Development Fund of five percent of the $280 million dollar gross licensing fees to help transition during the three years it is expected to take to get the casinos up and operating.

• A five-person committee will be created to make recommendations to the gaming commission in regards to the allocation of funds to the Race Horse Development Fund. One committee person will represent the Thoroughbred owners/trainers and breeders. One committee person will Richard E. Glover, Jr.

pEnSion EnRollmEnt Just a reminder to all Mountaineer Park HBPA members: pension enrollment begins on March 15 and continues through April 20 each year for the previous program year. Forms are available on our website www.MPHBPA.com or at the Mountaineer HBPA office. Members must sign up each year.

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annual chaplain’S chilDREn’S chRiStmaS paRtY More than 76 children attended the annual Chaplain’s Children’s Christmas Party at Donna’s Kitchen at Mountaineer. Jolly Old St. Nick made an appearance and handed out toys and gift bags compliments of the chaplaincy.

The chaplaincy also has a food and clothing bank available to all backstretch employees. They recently distributed more than 500 pounds of potatoes to those in the stable area.

DEShawn paRKER honoRED bY JocKEY’S GuilD DeShawn Parker was presented the Laffit Pincay Jr. Award, which honors a Thoroughbred jockey for outstanding achievement during the year. Parker led all riders in wins in 2011 for the second consecutive year. new england hBpa 2012 SuFFolK DownS mEEt The winter here in New England has been mild and wonderful as of this writing in early February. Because of the good weather, the required construction in the stable area and racetrack infield seems to be on schedule, which gives us cause to be optimistic regarding horses shipping in to train in midApril, six weeks prior to opening day of Saturday, June 2.

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represent the Standardbred owners/trainers and breeders.

• From the amount allocated to the Thoroughbred industry from the Race Horse Development Fund, 80 percent will be used for purses, 16 percent will be used for breeding awards, and four percent will be used for horsemen’s benefits.

As we understand the law more and get more information, we will update the New England HBPA website.

Indiana HBPA, New England HBPA, Minnesota HBPA, Pennsylvania HBPA, National HBPA, and Illinois HBPA. The Ohio HBPA also wishes to thank our lead attorney, Doug McSwain, for all of his hard work on this case. Regarding the case, McSwain said, “Horsemen’s rights under the IHA are fully vindicated in this new Ohio decision.

The ‘horsemen’s veto’ cannot be taken away or diluted by any state law, and if any state’s law purports to do so, it will not survive constitutionally.”

SaD nEwS It is with heavy hearts and much sorrow that we share the news of the passing of several of our horsemen this winter: John Kirby, 85, of Dover, Massachusetts, a lifetime New England horseman Randy Lovin of South Carolina, owner/trainer Dylan Tucker, son of longtime blacksmith Ricky Tucker Pat Donnley, valet and exercise rider Our thoughts and prayers go out to their families.

oklahoMa hBpa

ohio hBpa

Richard E. Glover, Jr.

ohio hoRSEmEn’S SimulcaSt RiGhtS uphElD bY u.S. Sixth ciRcuit couRt oF appEalS The Ohio HBPA succeeded in its lawsuit to strike down the Ohio statute that denied the horsemen’s ability to withhold consent to interstate off-track wagering.

On January 24, 2012 the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit issued an opinion affirming the September 2008 judgment of U.S. District Court Judge Watson striking down a portion of an Ohio state law which allowed racetracks to appeal to the Ohio State Racing Commission (OSRC) any refusal of horsemen to consent to interstate off-track wagering on simulcasts of Ohio Thoroughbred races to out-of-state sites and purportedly empowered the OSRC to overrule the horsemen’s refusal to consent.

Further details regarding the case can be found in this edition in the article beginning on page 33.

The Ohio HBPA board of directors wishes to thank the following groups for their support in this lawsuit: Florida HBPA, Nebraska HBPA, Mountaineer Park HBPA, Canada HBPA, Ontario HBPA, Virginia HBPA, Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association (TOBA), Winstar Farm, Oregon HBPA, Arizona HBPA,

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will RoGERS Down mEEt Racing will resume in Oklahoma on March 5 at Will Rogers Downs in Claremore, Oklahoma. The 2012 meet will be conducted three days per week on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Saturdays, with a first post at 12:30 p.m. (Central Time).

The meet at Will Rogers Downs has grown tremendously over the last two years. The daily average purse distribution will top $150,000 per day for the second straight year.

The 32-day meet will conclude on Preakness Day, the third Saturday in May. In addition for 2012, the highlighted Oklahoma Classics stakes program for registered Oklahoma-bred horses has expanded to include Will Rogers Downs. The now statewide Oklahoma Classics program will consist of 12 stakes (statewide) comprising in excess of $1,300,000 available for the Oklahoma-bred industry in purses and breeder awards. piRoplaSmoSiS tEStinG REquiREmEnt DRoppED Effective immediately as January 26, 2012, Piroplasmosis testing is no longer required for a horse to enter a racetrack in Oklahoma. The Oklahoma Horseracing Commission retracted its directive from 2010 requiring the testing at its meeting in January. hbpa oFFicE RElocatES Our offices have relocated from Remington Park. The new permanent home office of the Oklahoma HBPA is conveniently located five miles from Remington Park in Oklahoma City. We will still have on-site personnel at the tracks when a live meet is being conducted.

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hBpa oF onTario aSSiStant tRainER anD tRainER tEStinG DatES FoR 2012 Below are a list of the dates that tests for assistant trainers and trainers will be offered in 2012: March 14 – Applications due February 22 (testing at Woodbine only) April 25 – Applications due April 4 (testing at Woodbine and Fort Erie) May 23 – Applications due May 2 (testing at Woodbine and Fort Erie) July 11 – Applications due June 20 (testing at Woodbine and Fort Erie) September 26 – Applications due September 5 (testing at Woodbine only) Ethanol (alcohol) tEStinG bEGinS on FEbRuaRY 13 The Canadian Pari-Mutuel Agency released a notice to the Canadian horse racing industry on January 16, 2012 advising that beginning on February 13, 2012 official samples will be tested for ethanol, and any confirmed detection will be called positive according to Section 165 of the Regulations.

Ethanol – also called ethyl alcohol, pure alcohol, grain alcohol, or drinking alcohol – is available in many forms and is used in many applications including, but not limited to, liniments, leg rubs, and disinfectants. Trainers are reminded to take care and read the label when choosing products that are administered to horses. omaFRa bioSEcuRitY aDViSoRY The Ontario Ministry of Agriculture Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) has been notified of a confirmed case of Equine Herpes Myeloencephalopathy (EHM), caused by equine herpes virus 1 (EHV-1), in Southern Ontario. A copy of the Biosecurity Advisory can be viewed at www.ontarioracingcommission.com.

Ontario Racing Commission (ORC) Chief Veterinarian Dr. Bruce Duncan is monitoring the details of the case to determine if there are direct implications for horse racing. Racing participants with questions can contact Dr. Duncan directly at (416) 458-1690. ontaRio hoRSE RacinG inDuStRY aSSociation woRKinG to KEEp GaminG at thE RacEtRacKS Throughout 2011, the Ontario Horse Racing Industry Association (OHRIA) worked with the government through the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) in an effort to ensure that expanded gaming is included with the highly successful Slots at Racetracks Program. This Program has effectively reversed the decline of the horse racing industry and stabilized the rural economies in Ontario, securing more than 60,000 jobs.

With more than $2 billion in accruing annual expenditures, 80 percent of which are in rural Ontario, horse racing is the second largest agricultural sector in the Province of Ontario.

As recent as January 19, 2012, Government MPPs, Ministers and Municipal Mayors have received a highlight sheet from OHRIA outlining the positive impacts of the Ontario horse racing industry. The highlight sheet, along with the comprehensive 2010 economic impact study, is available on the OHRIA website at www.ohria.com.

Armed with this highlighted information, OHRIA is encouraging all participants in horse racing in Ontario to contact their municipal, provincial,

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Our new contact information is as follows: Oklahoma HBPA/Thoroughbred Racing Association of Oklahoma, 2620 Northwest Expressway, Suite A, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73112, (405) 427-8753 (office), (405) 427-7099 (fax), website: www.traoracing.com.

and federal leaders in support of the Slots at Racetracks Program and directing any future expansion of gaming to the racetracks. hoRSE RacinG anD GoVERnmEnt woRKinG toGEthER in ontaRio The Ontario Horse Racing Industry Association (OHRIA) is excited to provide information that confirms the partnership between the Province and the horse racing industry is a successful and valuable initiative for both partners.

In the past decade, the industry/government partnership through the Slots at Racetracks Program has effectively reversed the decline of the horse racing industry. The industry is eager to continue working together to sustain the positive impacts revealed in OHRIA’s Economic Impacts Study completed in November 2011 by Econometric Research Limited.

The horse racing industry has demonstrated its strong commitment to the Slots at Racetracks Program through capital investments and upgrades and, more importantly, by maintaining and growing jobs and providing a solid base for the rural agricultural economy.

With 80 percent of the industry’s expenditures occurring in rural communities, it is imperative that the industry’s 20 percent share of the slot revenues be maintained. This will ensure the industry’s viability and economic spin-offs in both the rural and municipal economies.

It is OHRIA’s priority and goal to continue this successful venture with the Province, which has proven benefits and results for both parties in our partnership. canaDa’S GRaDED StaKES FoR 2012 The Jockey Club of Canada’s Graded Stakes Committee held its annual review of the graded stakes in Canada and has announced that there will be a total of 42 graded stakes in 2012, up from 37 in 2011.

The five Grade 1 races for 2012 are unchanged.

Three Grade 3 races, the Summer Stakes for two-year-olds on the turf, the Natalma Stakes for two-year-old fillies on the turf, and the Hendrie Stakes for fillies and mares three and up, have each been upgraded to a Grade 2 race for 2012, increasing the total number of Grade 2 races to 13 in 2012.

Five listed stakes have received an upgrade to Grade 3 status, bumping the number of Grade 3s to 24 in 2012.

The Mazarine Stakes for two-year-old fillies at Woodbine in Toronto and the BC Premier’s Handicap for three-year-olds and up at Hastings in British Columbia have regained their Grade 3 status for 2012.

The new Grade 3 races for 2012 include: the Bold Venture Stakes, a sprint race for three-year-olds and up; the Ontario Fashion Stakes, a sprint race for fillies and mares three-year-olds and up; and the Ontario Derby, for threeyear-olds. All three races are run at Woodbine in Toronto and carry purses of $150,000 each.

For a complete list of the 2012 graded stakes in Canada please visit www.jockeyclubcanada.com.

The Canadian Graded Stakes Committee evaluates and reviews the graded stakes annually and determines whether races should be upgraded, downgraded, or remain the same based on a number of criteria, including the performance of the races based on the NARC and BRIS ratings for the previous years. Also, to be eligible for consideration for graded status in Canada, races must carry the following minimum purses: $250,000 for Grade 1; $150,000 for Grade 2; and $100,000 for Grade 3.

2011 SoVEREiGn awaRD FinaliStS The Jockey Club of Canada will host its 37th Annual Sovereign Awards Ceremony to honor the Canadian champions of 2011 on Thursday, April 5, 2012, on the third floor of Woodbine Race Track in Toronto. Woodbine www.nationalhbpa.com

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Entertainment Group will join in the celebration as it gets ready to kick-off its 2012 live Thoroughbred meet on Friday, April 6, a date which represents the start of the Thoroughbred racing season in Canada.

In an effort to promote equal opportunity in determining the winners of the 17 race award categories, the voting began on January 1, 2012, allowing for statistics for the entire year to be considered. The finalists and eventual winner were determined using a computerized points system based on each voter’s first, second and third choice in each category.

The 2011 Sovereign Award Finalists, listed alphabetically in each category, are: Champion Two-Year-Old Filly: Hard Not to Like, Northern Passion, Tu Endie Wei Champion Two-Year-Old Male: Excaper, Maritimer, Prospective Champion Three-Year-Old Filly: Inglorious, Marketing Mix, Smart Sting Champion Three-Year-Old Male: Freedoms Traveller, Moonshine Mullin, Pender Harbour Champion Older Female: Ariana D, Embur’s Song, Stars to Shine Champion Older Male: Don Cavallo, Fifty Proof, James Street Champion Turf Female: Marketing Mix, Miss Keller (IRE), Never Retreat Champion Turf Male: Musketier (GER), Pender Harbour, Stormy Lord Champion Female Sprinter: Atlantic Hurricane, Classic Alley Kat, Embur’s Song Champion Male Sprinter: Essence Hit Man, Gypsy Ring, Signature Red Outstanding Broodmare: Embur Sunshine, Noble Strike, Rahy’s Hope Outstanding Breeder: Adena Springs, Arosa Farms, Gardiner Farms Ltd. Outstanding Trainer: Roger Attfield, Reade Baker, Mark Casse Outstanding Apprentice Jockey: Ryan Pacheco, Betty-Jo Williams, Scott Williams Outstanding Jockey: Luis Contreras, Patrick Husbands, Emma-Jayne Wilson Outstanding Owner: (There was a tie in one of the top three finalists positions): Bear Stables Ltd., Donver Stable, Melnyk Racing Stables Inc., Glen Todd and Patrick Kinsella The three finalists for Horse of the Year honors will be announced on the evening of the awards ceremony.

The judging for the 2011 media categories was performed by the Journalism Professors at Humber, School of Media Studies & Information Technology, in Toronto, Ontario: Outstanding Newspaper Story – Allan Besson, “Hard work no problem, mon,” Published in the Winnipeg Free Press, August 26, 2011; Keith McCalmont, “Emma’s great Excaper,” Published on Woodbineentertainment. com, November 2, 2011; Beverley Smith, “Rahy’s Attorney goes out as a contender,” Published in The Globe and Mail and theglobeandmail.com, August 16, 2011 Outstanding Feature Story – Peter Gross, “Fern Chretien’s Stretch Drive,” Published in Down the Stretch, April 2011; Jennifer Morrison, “Glorification,” Published in Canadian Thoroughbred, August/September 2011; Beverley Smith, “Training Daze and Casse Ready (two-part series),” Published in The Globe and Mail and theglobeandmail.com, September 14 and October 1, 2011 Outstanding Photograph – David J. Landry, “Filly Wins! Oaks and Plate,” Published in Canadian Thoroughbred August/September 2011; Janis Maine, “Stallion at Attention,” Published on horse-canada.com/thoroughblog, October 23, 2011; Erika Rusnak, “Bunny,” Published on horse-canada.com/thoroughblog, May 12, 2011 Outstanding Film/video/Broadcast – The Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame, “Celebrating Northern Dancer’s 50th Birthday,” broadcast on Score 60

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Television Network, September 18, 2011; Horse Racing Alberta & WhiteIron Productions, “2011 Canadian Derby,” broadcast on Canadian Television Network, August 20, 2011; “Sport of Kings,: broadcast on Shaw TV, October 7, 2011 This elegant cocktail-attire celebration will include a welcome back reception, a buffet-style gourmet dinner, and magical entertainment along with the evening’s feature event, the presentation of the Sovereign Award trophies to Canada’s racing champions of 2011 and Canada’s Horse of the Year.

Tickets are each $250 plus applicable taxes (tables of 10 are $2,500) and must be reserved in advance by contacting The Jockey Club of Canada at (416) 675-7756 or email: jockeyclub@bellnet.ca. oregon hBpa poRtlanD mEaDowS pREpaRES to ShiFt to SummER-Fall DatES The racing schedule in Oregon is set to undergo a dramatic change in 2012 when Portland Meadows will transition from a Fall-Winter meet to a Summer-Fall meet.

The 2011-2012 race meet, which was the shortest in recent history, came to a close on March 14 after 55 days and 525 races conducted. In past years, Portland Meadows has run between 75 and 80 days, with a total of 720 races as required by state statute.

Following a short period of three months, the track will reopen for racing on July 15 and will run until December 8, with 60 days of live racing and 540 races scheduled for the new racing schedule.

Through the efforts of the Oregon HBPA and the Portland Meadows management, the track will remain open for training from March until the new schedule begins in July.

Hopefully, the new racing schedule will stimulate more interest from the local fans and increase the mutuel handle. Everyone in the racing industry is working hard to make the change a success. upcominG ElEction This is an election year for the Oregon HBPA Board of Directors, as well as for the position of president. A general membership meeting was held in the turf club at Portland Meadows on February 22, with nominations being accepted for the coming three-year term.

Serving on the board or as president is a thankless, time consuming job that offers no pay. However, it is extremely important that we have qualified interested people willing to serve in these positions in order to insure that horsemen are well represented. inDuStRY StaKEholDERS mEEtinG about thE FutuRE President Jim Fergason, Vice President Ron Sutton, and Executive Director Dick Cartney have been participating in joint discussions with various stakeholders in an attempt to come up with ideas to help make the horse racing industry more viable going forward in the future. The group, which includes Portland Meadows management, the Oregon Thoroughbred Breeders, Oregon Quarter Horse Racing Association, the County Fairs racing association, the ADW companies in Oregon, and the Oregon Racing Commission recently commissioned an updated economic impact study, which may be used in possible legislative activity in the near future.

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nEw launDRomat – mEDical clinic builDinG Hope springs eternal in every horseman’s heart. The simple amenities that most people take for granted are welcome pleasures to those that work in the stable area of a racetrack. The grand opening of the new Pennsylvania HBPA clinic and Laundromat at Penn National on February 3 was about to take place.

Wayne Bartoni, a local horse trainer, appeared carrying a modest bundle of horse laundry in the new facility. This simple event was the official opening of the new building. There was no fanfare, no launching of the ship with a smashed bottle of bubbly on the bow, no ribbon cutting ceremony; just a simple “good morning” from Pennsylvania HBPA Executive Director Todd Mostoller and Associate Executive Director Jose Martinez to commemorate the occasion.

Wayne sat his basket down in front of one of the large, stateof-the-art washing machines designated for horse laundry and said, “It’s a great idea. This saves me a lot of time because I usually have to drive 12 miles to Palmyra to do my laundry. Most Laundromats do not allow horse laundry. Now I can do this and still go back to the barn and feed my horses without leaving the grounds.”

The edifice will also house the new Jeanette R. Johnson Medical Clinic, which was previously part of a building shared by the local branch of the Race Track Chaplaincy of America. The new medical clinic allows for the chaplain to now take over that entire building to expand the chapel. The medical clinic opened on February 6 to rave reviews and will serve the 278 active patients that frequented the clinic 728 times in 2011.

The new building was erected in a joint project between the Pennsylvania HBPA and Penn National utilizing capital improvement funds. It becomes a welcome addition to the nine new barns already built, as well as the newly

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paved road between the rows of barns. Plans are already in motion to build an additional five barns in the stable area. pRESquE iSlE DownS upDatE Driving north along the meandering flow of the mighty Susquehanna River, we turn west on Interstate 80 towards the shores of Lake Erie. After approximately five hours, we enter the bustling stable area of Presque Isle Downs and Casino. Two new barns are being built, but unlike the original metal barns, the new ones are wooden structures built in similar fashion to those newly erected at Penn National. Management at Presque Isle Downs, led by President and General Manager Fred Buro, who was recently appointed CMO of MTR Holdings, is committed to making Presque Isle Downs a racing success.

Texas horseMen’s parTnership, llp thbpa anD tthbpa ElEctionS concluDED The process to elect new 2012 board of directors members for the two organizations that comprise the Texas Horsemen’s Partnership, LLP, the Texas Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association (THBPA) and the Texas Thoroughbred HBPA, Inc. (TTHBPA), has concluded.

In these difficult economic times while our industry is in decline because of both the overall economy and the fact that Texas racing is handicapped by its lack of alternative gaming compared to all its neighboring states, the THP has been fortunate to have such strong and dedicated horsemen and women serving on both of its boards of directors.

The THPBA (Quarter Horses, Paints, and Appaloosas) was scheduled to elect two (2) owner representatives and one (1) trainer representative.

Incumbent owners Ted Abrams and Manny “Bebe” Gonzalez defeated Tony Doughtie, Carlos Lozano, and Kevin Norris to retain their seats on the THBPA Board. Trainer Brad Bolen ran unopposed for the available trainer seat, and he will replace Robert Touchet, who did not run for re-election.

The THBPA will elect its 2012 officers and appoint its representatives to the THP Management Committee at its first board meeting of the year.

TTHBPA (Thoroughbreds and Arabians) members were also selecting two (2) owner and one (1) trainer representatives. Incumbent owners Dr. Tommy Bullard and Lane Hutchins defeated John Synowsky to retain their seats on the TTHBPA Board. Incumbent trainer Randy Mayfield defeated Juan Rivera to retain his seat on the board.

The TTHBPA will elect its 2012 officers and appoint its representatives to the THP Management Committee at its first board meeting of the year.

The THP would like to thank all the candidates who ran for election to serve and represent their fellow Texas horsemen. The THP would also like to thank outgoing THBPA Director Robert Touchet for his years of service on behalf of Texas horsemen and women. tExaS hoRSEmEn’S paRtnERShip launchES FacEbooK anD twittER paGES On January 25, the Texas Horsemen’s Partnership launched its first foray into social media with the debut of the organization’s Facebook and Twitter pages. The Facebook page and Twitter feed will provide timely alerts of news and information impacting the businesses of Texas horsemen. Be sure to follow the THP on Facebook and/or Twitter to stay abreast of this important information.

The THP’s Facebook page can be found at www.facebook.com/thpnews.

To subscribe to the THP’s news feed, sign into your Facebook account and either type “Texas Horsemen’s Partnership” in the search bar and click on the

www.nationalhbpa.com

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page with the THP logo or go directly to our URL above. Once on the THP’s page, click the “Like” button at top of the page next to our name.

The THP’s Twitter feed can be found at www.twitter.com/thpnews. To follow the THP Twitter feed, either navigate directly to the URL above or sign into your Twitter account, type “thpnews” into the search bar, and then click on the THP logo next to one of the Tweets and a smaller window will come up. Click the “Follow” button in that window.

Be sure to let your friends and any fellow horsemen that might be interested know about the THP’s Facebook and Twitter pages.

Richard E. Glover, Jr.

lonE StaR paRK SpRinG tRaininG SESSion bEGinS maRch 12, tRacK now REquiRES nEGatiVE piRoplaSmoSiS tESt FoR EntRY Lone Star Park at Grand Prairie will open its stable area for a spring training session from March 12-25. The track has also updated its Piroplasmosis policy.

Updated Piroplasmosis Policy A negative Piroplasmosis cElisa test for Theileria equi that has been performed within the last year is required for all horses entering the stable area.

This includes pony horses.

As of January 1, 2012, Piroplasmosis test results will now be required to be turned into the racing office with the foal papers and Coggins in order to receive a date and to race.

This will enable Lone Star Park to produce lists to provide the stable gate and the Texas Animal Health Commission to ensure compliance.

The track does still recommend testing for Babesia caballi also due to the fact that many other states still require this for entry. And though the test is not required, any horse testing positive for babesia caballi is not permitted in the stable area.

And as usual you must also provide the stable gate a negative Coggins test within the past twelve months and have a valid health certificate dated within 45 days when entering the stable area.

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Lone Star Park Training Center Spring Session The barn area will open on Monday, March 12 as a training center and then open for regular race meet stabling on March 26. There again will be a 50-stall maximum limit set for trainers and a $10 per stall deposit is due upon arrival. The deposit will be returned at the end of the meet if stalls are cleaned to the satisfaction of management.

All horses entering Lone Star Park must have a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (Health Certificate) dated no more than 45 days prior to entrance and a negative EIA (Coggins) and a negative Piroplasmosis cELISA test for Theileria equi test within the past 12 months.

You will now also have to turn your piroplasmosis test in with your papers in order to receive a date and to race. This exactly mirrors the track’s procedures for Coggins.

Stalls for the Training Center Spring Session are $6 per day, and the cost to ship in and train (work or gallop) is $20 per horse per day.

Training hours will be 7:00 - 10:00 a.m. with no break. Training will be conducted Monday through Sunday, with the track closed on Sundays.

Official workouts will be available on Wednesday and Saturday. You must have a copy of foal papers in the Lone Star Park Racing Office and the exercise rider must be identified and licensed by the Texas Racing Commission to get an official workout.

Gate schooling will be available beginning on Tuesday, March 27.

If you need additional information, please check out the “Horsemen’s Information” section of Lone Star Park’s web site at LoneStarPark.com.

If you have any further questions, call the Lone Star Park Racing Office at (972) 237-1130 or (888) 4RACING. The Racing Office can also be reached by e-mail at racing@lonestarpark.com. virginia hBpa 2012 RacE DatES FoR colonial DownS The Virginia Racing Commission approved a 32-race day schedule for the summer meet at the New Kent, Virginia track, as requested by the Virginia HBPA. Colonial Downs’ season starts on Saturday, June 2 and runs through Saturday, July 28. Racing is four days a week, Thursdays through Sundays.

Though the number of race days is the same as last summer’s meet, there are two unique features for 2012. First, the lights on the main dirt track have been moved to the huge mile-and-an-eighth turf course, where at least 80 percent of all races are run. That will allow night turf racing with a post time of 7:00 p.m. on Thursdays through Saturdays instead of a 4:00 or 5:00 p.m. post as in prior years. The first two races will be on the mile-and-a-quarter dirt track before it gets dark, with the remainder of the race card on the grass under the lights. Sundays will have a 1:00 p.m. post.

The track and the horsemen expect night racing will generate increased attendance and signal sale revenue, the latter because turf racing attracts large fields and substantial wagering handle. It should also bring cooler temperatures for both horses and race fans.

Any race card cancelled because of rain and the inability to move races off the turf to a dark main track will be rescheduled for the following Wednesday, with one exception. If the Virginia Derby card on Saturday evening, July 21 is rained out, it will be run Sunday afternoon, which is being held open for that purpose.

The targeted average daily purse amount during the 32-day meet is $203,000, up from last year’s $197,000. Once again, registered Virginia-bred or Virginia sired horses running in open competition and finishing first through fifth will receive a 100 percent bonus from the Virginia-Breeders’ Fund.

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washingTon hBpa EmERalD DownS tRaininG bEGinS FoR 17th SEaSon The horses were on the track, Wednesday, February 1 in preparation for the Emerald Downs 2012 live race meet. The 81-day meeting begins on Friday, April 13, with racing offered every Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Thursday racing is added July 12 to August 23, and Monday holiday racing will be held

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For the second unique feature for 2012, the track and the Virginia HBPA agreed with the State Fair of Virginia to schedule the historic Strawberry Hill steeplechase races on the opening Saturday of the Thoroughbred meet. The Strawberry Hill races usually are run on the Colonial turf course long before the Thoroughbred meet opens and draw crowds of around 20,000 people. This year, Colonial’s opening Saturday will start at 1:00 p.m., with a mixed card of five steeplechase races at two-and-a-quarter miles over 11 hurdles and seven flat races at various distances.

Strawberry Hill adds a third “big day” during the meet to go with the $500,000 Colonial Turf Cup on June 16 and the $600,000 Virginia Derby (Gr. IIT) on July 21.

on May 28 and September 3. There also will be special Tuesday racing on July 3, followed by the popular fireworks extravaganza.

Emerald Downs Director of Racing Bret Anderson reported that 153 horses were on the grounds for the first day back at the track. He expects about 1,000 horses to be in the stable area in time for the track’s 17th opening night.

A 30-race stakes schedule featuring the 77th running of the $200,000 Longacres Mile (Gr. III), four stakes double-headers, and Washington Cup X has been announced for 2012.

Although the older horse division is traditionally the most glamorous, the well-balanced stakes schedule includes 10 events apiece for older horses and three-year-olds, nine stakes for two-year-olds, and one for Quarter Horses.

“We’re pleased to offer the same amount of stakes events and virtually the same total stakes money as last year,” said Emerald Downs President Ron Crockett. “The goal is to provide horsemen and owners ample opportunities for their horses.”

One of the premiere middle-distance events on the West Coast and the centerpiece of the Emerald Downs meet, the Longacres Mile, headlines a starstudded August calendar that features seven stakes worth $545,000 and will decide championships in virtually every division.

2012 EmERalD DownS StaKES SchEDulE 30 STAKES TOTAL GROSS: $1,585,000 Sun., May 13 $50,000 Hastings Handicap (3&UP F&M) Sun., May 20 $50,000 Governor’s Handicap (3&UP) Sun., May 27 $50,000 Seattle Handicap (3YO F) Sun., Jun. 3 $50,000 Auburn Handicap (3YO C&G) Sun., Jun. 10 $50,000 WA State Legislators Stakes (3&UP F&M) Sun., Jun. 17 $50,000 Budweiser Handicap (3&UP) Sun., Jun. 24 $50,000 Irish Day Handicap (3YO F) Sun., Jun. 24 $50,000 Coca-Cola Handicap (3YO C&G) Sun., Jul. 1 $25,000 NWSS Son of Briartic Stakes* (2YO F) Sun., Jul. 1 $25,000 NWSS Slewdledo Stakes* (2YO C&G) Sun., Jul. 8 $50,000 Boeing Handicap (3&UP F&M) Sun., Jul. 15 $50,000 Kent Handicap (3YO F) Sun., Jul. 15 $50,000 Seattle Slew Handicap (3YO C&G) Sun., Jul. 22 $50,000 Mt. Rainier Handicap (3&UP) Sun., Jul. 29 $50,000 Premio Esmeralda* (2YO C&G) Sun., Aug. 5 $50,000 Angie C Stakes* (2YO F) Sat., Aug. 11 $65,000 Washington Oaks (3YO F) Sun., Aug. 12 $65,000 Emerald Downs Derby (3YO) Sat., Aug. 18 $50,000 WTBOA Lads Stakes* (2YO C&G) Sun., Aug. 19 $65,000 Emerald Distaff (3&UP F&M) Sun., Aug. 19 $200,000 Longacres Mile (G3) (3&UP) Sun., Aug. 26 $50,000 Barbara Shinpoch Stakes* (2YO F) Mon., Sep. 2 $60,000 Bank of America Chmp Challenge** (3&UP) WASHINGTON CUP X Sun., Sep. 9 $35,000 Diane Kem Stakes (2YO F WA) Sun., Sep. 9 $35,000 Dennis Dodge Stakes (2YO C&G WA) Sun., Sep. 9 $35,000 John & Kitty Fletcher Stakes (3YO F WA) Sun., Sep. 9 $35,000 Chinook Pass Stakes (3YO C&G WA) Sun., Sep. 9 $35,000 Belle Roberts (3&UP F&M WA) Sun., Sep. 9 $40,000 Muckleshoot Tribal Classic (3&UP WA) Sun., Sep. 23 $65,000 Gottstein Futurity* (2YO) *Northwest Race Series ($135,500), **Quarter Horse

6F 6-½ F 6-½ F 6-½ F 6-½ F 1M 1M 1M 5F 5F 1M 1-1/16M 1-1/16M 1-1/16M 6F 6F 1-1/8M 1-1/8M 6-½ F 1-1/8M 1M 6-½ F 440 Y 6F 6F 1M 1M 1-1/16M 1-1/16M 1-1/16M

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