The Horsemen's Journal - Summer 2014

summer fall 1014

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volume 61/ # 2

summer 20 14

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Departments

2 Message from the National HBPA

7 Industry News

12 HBPA News

14 Legislative Update

18 Research & Medication Update

20 Medication Committee Corner

22 2014 Racing Schedule for North America

47

Balancing Act

Jockeys not only face danger every day on the track, but also challenges on the homefront

Affiliate News

features

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39

43

To Salix or Not to Salix

Nutrition for Young Racehorses

Examining the question after the release of the PETA videos

Proper feeding of yearlings and 2-year-olds can help lead you to the winner’s circle

A Cautionary Tale: PETA and Federal Investigation

Simple steps to protect your business from immigration and labor issues

www.nationalhbpa.com

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hj in every issue

message from

the CEO

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

Claiming Crown planning for this year is well underway. We (Gulfstream Park, TOBA and the NHBPA) are looking at changing some of the distances and surfaces for various races to make them more attractive for owners and trainers.

Our hope is that the new race conditions will result in fields of 12-14 horses for all the Claiming Crown races. These field sizes will make the Claiming Crown races more attractive from the horseplayer’s point of view. The exact date for the Claiming Crown has not been set yet as we wait to see if Gulfstream and Calder Race Course can work out their differences in such a way that benefits the tracks, owners, trainers and the wagering public.

The NHBPA Summer Convention will be hosted by the Thoroughbred

10 ng/mL of plasma or serum to 2 ng/mL and the withdrawal time

Racing Association of Oklahoma (Oklahoma HBPA) in Oklahoma City. The

for flunixin was increased from 24 hours to 32 hours; (2) the Multiple

dates for the convention are August 14-17, which coincides with opening

Medication Violation rules were amended to give stewards and racing

weekend at Remington Park. As I write this column, we are in the process

commissions more discretion in the application of penalties; and (3)

of contacting speakers for our educational forums. We plan to build on

the RCI moved away from the concept of “restrictive administrative

the success of recent forums, and I urge all affiliate officers and directors

time” toward the concept of “recommended withdrawal times.” As

to plan on attending the convention. Again, thanks to the TRAO and its

noted on page 12 of this issue, the NHBPA recognized these are positive

board for agreeing to host the convention, and thanks to Remington Park

changes and supported the fact that the list of 26 uniform therapeutic

for hosting us for an evening of racing on Friday, August 15.

medications is a living document.

Medication issues continue to be at the forefront of both the

The RCI also approved a model rule change to make it clear that the

industry in general and the NHBPA in particular. On the industry level,

list of RCI-recognized environmental, dietary and endogenous substances

we experienced the PETA video, which did not paint our industry in a

(EDEs) is not an exclusive list. In other words, if a jurisdiction already

flattering light. The Paulick Report posted the NHBPA’s response to

has regulations regarding EDEs not on the list of currently recognized

the PETA video where we stated, “So far we have only heard PETA’s

EDE substances, the jurisdiction has the discretion to continue its

allegations. We have not heard Mr. Asmussen’s or Mr. Blasi’s responses

existing levels of these other EDEs. The NHBPA will continue to work with

to the allegations, nor has the adjudicative process run its course. Until

the RMTC and RCI regarding EDEs. Cobalt is one such substance that

these events take place, any statement would be premature.” Various

recently received media attention.

racing jurisdictions and agencies are currently investigating the claims

The Arizona HBPA and Tom Metzen Sr. brought to the attention of the

made by PETA. As of the date I am writing this column, the results of

NHBPA that law enforcement officials in Arizona and other states were

these investigations have not been announced.

citing some horsemen pulling horse trailers (and other types of trailers)

As one might expect, the PETA video energized the push for federal

because the drivers did not have commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs).

medication legislation by various individuals and organizations within

In order to educate its members, the Arizona HBPA arranged with local

our industry. As the NHBPA has stated in the past, we support the

law enforcement officers for a class on CDL requirements as set forth in

industry-wide movement toward uniformity via the model rules process.

both Arizona and federal law. As there are federal CDL requirements (and

The recent industry action in this regard discussed below provides

states may also have similar requirements), horsemen across the United

concrete proof that the industry can, and is, regulating itself. While some

States should be aware of these requirements and should obtain the

would want this process to be faster, it is better that we take the time to

appropriate license.

get it right and make rules and regulations that are in the best interests

It is with sadness that I report the death of Tom Metzen Jr. in April.

of our equine athletes and that promote safety and integrity throughout

The son of Minnesota HBPA President and Arizona HBPA Executive Director

our sport.

Tom Metzen Sr. and Karen Metzen, Tom was a longtime supporter of

The Racing Medication and Testing Consortium (RMTC) met in

the NHBPA, and he served as the NHBPA’s National Insurance Advisor.

March. Kent Stirling, the chair of the NHBPA’s Medication Committee,

In recent years, he also successfully solicited many sponsors for our

along with Dr. Tom Tobin, attended the RMTC meeting on behalf of the

conventions. A memorial service was recently held for Tom in Minnesota.

NHBPA. Matters approved by the RMTC were then addressed by the

He will be missed.

Association of Racing Commissioners International (RCI) at its April meeting. NHBPA Model Rules Committee Chair Dave Basler, NHBPA President Robin Richards and I attended the RCI’s meeting in Lexington, which took place just before the NHBPA’s Executive Committee meeting.

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

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

The changes approved by the RCI include the following: (1) the list of 24 controlled therapeutic medications was amended to add isoflupredone and albuterol, so there are now 26 “standard” therapeutic medications, and the current regulatory threshold for ketoprofen was reduced from 2

HJ summer

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Sincerely,

Phil Hanrahan Chief Executive Officer

contributors Dr. Clara Fenger Brian W. Fitzgerald Bill Heller Craig McDougal Margot Sacre Kent H. Stirling Heather Smith Thomas Will Velie

The

National HBPA

Would Like To Thank Its Corporate

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

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

The Horsemen’s Journal, Volume 61 #2.

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

The Horsemen’s Journal is the official publication for members of the Horsemen’s Benevolent & Protective Association, a representative association of Thoroughbred 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 Ackerley Images Denis Blake Chip Bott Coady Photography Horsephotos.com iStock/Kameleon007 MaryAnn O’Connell Laura Plato staff Denis Blake Editor 512-695-4541 E-mail: hj@hbpa.org Jennifer Vanier Allen Advertising Director 512-225-4483 509-272-1640 fax E-mail: advertising@hbpa.org Limb Design www.limbdesign.com Graphic Design The Horsemen’s Journal 870 Corporate Drive, Suite 300 Lexington, KY 40503-5419 Phone: 512-695-4541 Fax: 859-259-0452 E-mail: hj@hbpa.org HBPA Website: www.nationalhbpa.com Cover Photo: Steve Queen

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

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OFFICIAL SPONSOR OFFICIAL SPONSOR of NationalHBPA HBPA of the the National

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industry news

hj news

KENTUCKY DERBY RECORDS NEAR RECORD ATTENDANCE, HANDLE

It was perfect weather for the 140th running of the $2 million Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands as 164,906 fans, the second-highest attendance in Derby history, packed Churchill Downs to watch California Chrome’s memorable victory.

On-track wagering on the Derby race totaled $11.9 million, an increase of 4 percent from the 2013 total.

On-track wagering on the Derby program of $23.4 million was an 11 percent increase from 2013. Wagering from all sources on the Kentucky Derby card totaled $186.6 million, an increase of 1 percent over the 2013 total of $184.6 million to tie the all-time record set in 2012. All-sources wagering on the Kentucky Derby itself declined 1 percent to $129.2 million.

This Derby was the first to feature the new $12 million Panasonic 4K highdefinition “Big Board.” As the largest 4K video board in the world, it sits 80 feet above the ground and measures 171 feet wide by 90 feet tall.

NBC Sports’ coverage of the Kentucky Derby averaged 15.3 million viewers, according to The Nielsen Company. California Chrome’s victory in the race (6:06 p.m–6:52 p.m. ET) marks the fourth time in six years (2009, 2010, 2013, 2014) that NBC’s Derby coverage averaged more than 15 million viewers. From 1991 to 2008, Derby average viewership did not reach 15 million.

Viewership increased 3 percent from 2012 (14.8 million for I’ll Have Another’s victory)—the last time the Kentucky Derby faced head-to-head competition from the NBA Playoffs. NBC’s 9.4/22 household rating for the Kentucky Derby ranks as the best Saturday rating on any network since the 2014 Sochi Olympics on NBC (9.6/17 on February 15). Louisville, the home of the Kentucky Derby, topped the metered markets with a 37.8 rating/66 share.

Fans live-streamed a record 4.38 million minutes of the Kentucky Derby on NBC Sports Live Extra—the NBC Sports Group’s live-streaming product for desktops, mobile devices and tablets—a 59 percent increase over last year for coverage that included four exclusive camera angles (grandstand, paddock, overhead, jockey), bonus analysis from NBC Sports commentators and replays and footage from key Road to the Kentucky Derby prep races.

SOLIS, JONES, ASHADO AND CURLIN ELECTED TO HALL OF FAME Jockey Alex Solis, trainer Gary Jones and champion racehorses Ashado and Curlin were elected to the National Museum of Racing’s Hall of Fame in the contemporary category for the class of 2014. The electees will be inducted into the Hall of Fame on August 8 at 10:30 a.m. at the Fasig-Tipton sales pavilion in Saratoga Springs, New York. The ceremony is free and open to the public.

Solis, 50, who is closing in on 5,000 career victories, ranks ninth all-time in purse earnings at $235.1 million and 29th in wins through mid-May. In a career that began in 1982, Solis, a native of Panama City, Panama, has won 321 graded stakes and 633 overall stakes. He has won three Breeders’ Cup races, including the 2003 Classic with Pleasantly Perfect. Solis won the 1986 Preakness, as well as seven other graded stakes, with champion Snow Chief. The winner of 18 riding titles on the Southern California circuit, Solis won the George Woolf Memorial Jockey Award in 1997.

Jones, 69, won 1,465 races and had purse earnings of $52,672,611 in a career that spanned from 1975 to 1996. He won 102 graded stakes and 233 overall stakes. A native of Long Beach, California, Jones trained 104 stakeswinning horses, including Turkoman, the 1986 champion older male. Jones won 15 meet titles on the Southern California circuit, including four at Santa Anita Park, where he ranks sixth all-time in wins (576) and seventh in stakes victories (72). He set a record with 47 wins at Santa Anita in 1976, surpassing the previous standard of 44 established by his father, Farrell Jones. At the now

shuttered Hollywood Park, Jones ranked 13th all-time in wins (463) and 10th in stakes victories (58). He also won 17 stakes at Del Mar, including the inaugural Pacific Classic with Hall of Famer Best Pal in 1991.

Ashado, bred by Aaron and Marie Jones in Kentucky and owned by Starlight Stables, Paul Saylor and Johns Martin, won 12 of her 21 starts with purse earnings of $3,931,440. She was named champion 3-year-old female in 2004 and champion older female in 2005. Trained by Todd Pletcher, the daughter of Saint Ballado won 11 stakes, seven of which were Grade 1 events, during her career, including the Kentucky Oaks and Breeders’ Cup Distaff.

Curlin, bred by Fares Farm Inc. in Kentucky and owned by Jess Jackson’s Stonestreet Stables after a private sale early in his 3-year-old season, won 11 of 16 starts and has the highest purse earnings in North American history at $10,501,800, surpassing the previous mark set by Hall of Fame member Cigar.

Curlin, who was trained for the majority of his career by Steve Asmussen, did not race as a 2-year-old. He won nine graded/group stakes, including seven Grade/Group 1 races, among them the Preakness Stakes and Breeders’ Cup Classic.

The contemporary electees were chosen from a nationwide voting panel composed of 185 racing writers, broadcasters, industry officials and historians from a group of nine finalists selected by the Hall of Fame’s Nominating Committee.

Results of the Hall of Fame’s Historic Review process, which examines candidates who have not been active within the past 25 years, were to be announced in May. Results of the Pillars of the Turf election process, which honors individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to Thoroughbred racing in a leadership or pioneering capacity at the highest national level, will be announced in June. www.nationalhbpa.com

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news

industry news BREEDERS’ CUP ANNOUNCES NOMINATION CHANGES, DROPS MARATHON The Breeders’ Cup announced changes to its 2014 Breeders’ Cup foal nomination program, nominator awards and races comprising the World Championships approved at its recent Board of Directors meeting.

The Board acted to reduce the annual nomination fee for all North American foals to $400 per foal, if nominated by October 15 of this year. Owners of foals nominated by December 15 will continue to pay a $1,500 late fee.

From 1982 through 2007, the nomination fee was $500 per foal. Beginning in 2008, Breeders’ Cup offered nominators the opportunity to nominate their weanlings for the discounted price of $400 through August 1, and then for a $500 fee until the October 15 deadline.

“We believe that the reduced $400 fee for all foals nominated prior to October 15 is the best reward to our breeders for their continuing support of the Breeders’ Cup,” Breeders’ Cup President and CEO Craig Fravel said. “We gratefully acknowledge our nominators for their sustained contributions in funding our racing and awards programs.”

In actions related to the 2014 Breeders’ Cup World Championships, the

board agreed to establish the payouts of foal and stallion nominator awards at a standard that will be equal to 10 percent of the total foal and stallion nomination revenue paid the previous year. In addition, Championship foal and stallion nominator awards will be paid through fourth place. Historically since 1984, nominator awards have only been distributed to the nominators of the horses that finished first through third.

“Due to market conditions, foal and stallion nominator revenue has varied greatly over the history of the Breeders’ Cup,” Fravel said. “We believe it is most sensible this year and in the future to tie the bonus structure of the nominator awards program to a set percentage of revenues received during the previous year.”

The board also decided that the Breeders’ Cup Marathon would be discontinued. The Marathon, run at 1 ¾ miles last year at Santa Anita with a $500,000 purse, had been a part of the World Championships since 2008.

“The Breeders’ Cup World Championships stand for the very best in international racing,” Fravel said. “It is our mission to conduct a racing program with competition at its highest level. While we truly appreciate the participation of owners and trainers in the Marathon, the conditions of the race have not developed into a competition that we believe reaches the standard set by the remaining races comprising the Championships. Accordingly, the Marathon will not be a part of the 2014 event.”

Retired Racehorse Training Project Expands with New Name, Website and Resource Directory Retired Racehorse Training Project, a charitable organization whose mission is to “build the bridges to second careers and increase demand for Thoroughbreds,” announced that its name will shrink while its work expands.

The organization has adopted the trade name Retired Racehorse Project (RRP) and launched a new website to serve racing owners, service providers, horse shoppers and off-track Thoroughbred (OTTB) owners. It is also producing a state-by-state Retired Racehorse Resource Directory.

“When we chose a name in 2010, our work was limited to educating riding people about training Thoroughbreds off the track,” said the organization’s founder and president, Steuart Pittman. “We still believe that effective training is the key to moving these horses into second careers, but the popularity of last year’s Thoroughbred Makeover and National Symposium at Pimlico showed our board that we must do more to connect the racing side, the riding side and all the good people who do this work.”

The new RRP website includes a resource directory with entry portals for racing owners, horse shoppers, OTTB owners and service providers. For each group, the site presents how-to articles, resources and geographically mapped placement organizations, racetracks, farms, trainers, agents and online horse listings. Later in the summer, 10,000 copies will be printed for distribution through racetracks and equestrian venues nationwide.

“This resource directory will offer placement and sale options to thousands of racing owners who might otherwise lack the connections to find the best options for their retiring horses,” said Dan Rosenberg, president of Thoroughbred Charities of America. “Retired Racehorse Project’s approach to facilitating placement of Thoroughbreds after racing is effective, efficient and respectful of Thoroughbred horses as versatile and valuable mounts for multiple riding disciplines.”

For additional information about RRP’s initiatives, visit retiredracehorseproject.org.

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HJ summer

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GOLFING LEGEND GARY PLAYER TO DELIVER KEYNOTE ADDRESS AT INAUGURAL OWNER CONFERENCE Gary Player, a legend in the golfing world and a longtime Thoroughbred owner, breeder and advocate of Thoroughbred aftercare, will deliver the keynote address when OwnerView, the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association and The Jockey Club host the inaugural Thoroughbred Owner Conference in Lexington, Kentucky, on October 13-16.

Player has owned the 20,000-acre Gary Player Stud in South Africa since 1974 and is consistently among the leading breeders in that country. He has frequently implored those involved in horse racing to come up with innovative ideas that would generate interest in the sport.

The Thoroughbred Owner Conference will take place at Keeneland Race Course and will be copresented by Del Mar, Keeneland, the New York Racing Association (NYRA) and The Stronach Group.

“Our goal in hosting this conference is to showcase a unique lifestyle, whether you are an experienced owner or a potential investor in the Thoroughbred industry,” said Bill Thomason, the president and chief executive officer of the Keeneland Association. “Del Mar, NYRA, The Stronach Group and Keeneland all realize and appreciate that Thoroughbred owners play a critical role in our industry, and we all want to make the ownership experience immensely enjoyable at every juncture.”

Conference attendees will enjoy a welcome reception at Adena Springs Farm, an evening dinner, a day of racing and numerous opportunities to network with panelists and industry personnel alike.

“The OwnerView initiative has really grown tremendously in a short period of time, and this conference is just a natural extension of our efforts to retain and attract owners,” said Gary Falter, vice president of operations for OwnerView. “We are grateful to Keeneland for making its facility available and to all four racing organizations for their sponsorship support.”

Conference details, including the complete schedule of events, registration forms, host hotel information and other tourism tips for the Bluegrass region, are available at ownerview.com.

An advanced proprietary blend of yeast extracts and nutritional factors with dried milk protein.

2014 fact book, state fact books available on the jockey club website

Supports a healthy immune system.

The Jockey Club has announced that the 2014 edition of the Fact Book is available in the Resources section of its website at jockeyclub.com.

The online Fact Book is a statistical and informational guide to Thoroughbred breeding, racing and auction sales in North America. It also features a directory of state, national and international organizations.

Links to the Breeding Statistics report released by The Jockey Club each September and the Report of Mares Bred information published by The Jockey Club each October can now be found in the breeding section of the Fact Book.

The 2014 State Fact Books, which feature detailed breeding, racing and auction sales information specific to individual states and Canadian provinces, are also available on The Jockey Club website. They are updated monthly.

“The information available in both the online Fact Book and the State Fact Books provide not only a statistical history of the sport, but also objective insights for anyone interested in the Thoroughbred breeding and racing industry,” said James L. Gagliano, president and chief operating officer of The Jockey Club. “The Jockey Club and its affiliated companies collect a great deal of data and want those inside and outside our industry to have the most accurate and timely information at their disposal at all times.”

Helps maintain normal recovery time after strenuous activity.

Clinically proven to decrease the incidence of upper respiratory tract infections in equine athletes.

It’s all about the animals.

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www.nationalhbpa.com

9

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DEADLY DOPING MEETS ITS MATCH TRAINERS PRAISE NATURAL ALTERNATIVE

By Mark Hansen

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

news

hj

hbpa news

National HBPA Applauds RCI’s Actions Regarding Medication Regulations The National HBPA commends and applauds the Association of Racing Commissioners International’s (RCI) actions in approving various changes to some of the Medication Model Rules (see page 18).

“The fact that the RCI has been able to take a step back from where it was before and make revisions based upon both scientific measures and veterinarian needs represents a resurgence of reality-based rulemaking,” said Phil Hanrahan, CEO of the NHBPA. “For many industry observers, this isn’t exactly man-biting-dog news, but the NHBPA thinks it’s important for horsemen to recognize positive steps when they occur.” He noted that the RCI’s approved medication-related changes, in general, represented good news for the health management of our equine athletes and the safety of jockeys.

“The various changes to recently passed medication model rules recommended by the RMTC (Racetrack Medication and Testing Consortium) and adopted by the RCI will move the industry closer to the uniformity that the National HBPA has always hoped would be realized,” said Dave Basler, chair of the NHBPA’s Model Rules Committee and executive director of the Ohio HBPA. Basler added, “The NHBPA is in complete agreement with Ed Martin, the president of the RCI, that the industry needs to break free from what he referred to as a ‘culture of negativity.’ In that vein I very much respect Mr. Martin for his acknowledgment at the RCI Model Rules Committee meeting that the RCI moved forward too quickly on certain model rules based upon various outside pressures.”

Robin Richards, chair and president of the NHBPA added, “The NHBPA agrees with Mr. Martin that uniformity is a worthy goal, but we as an industry have to get it right. The NHBPA believes that action taken at the RCI’s meeting is a positive step to get it right and that, in fact, the Schedule of Controlled Therapeutic Medications is a ‘living document’ that will be periodically amended based on scientific research.”

The actions by the RCI are consistent with the NHBPA’s position regarding the regulation of racing medication: 1. The National HBPA’s focus has always been, and remains, the health and safety of the horse, the safety of the jockey and the safety of all individuals coming into contact with the horse including grooms, hot walkers, trainers and veterinarians.

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

3. The National HBPA believes that RMTC-approved medication rules should be reviewed by the Association of Racing Commissioners International on behalf of state racing commissions, and following an evaluation based on science and medical research with all industry stakeholders being heard, the rules should be adopted or rejected by a majority vote.

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

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

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

Florida HBPA President Phil Combest stated, “The Florida horsemen are gratified to hear that the RCI has displayed a willingness to step back and revise and update some of the important aspects of the Medication Model Rules. There is no question that uniform medication rules are one of, if not the, most critical challenges to racing universally. That’s why we have to get it right and that’s simply not an easy process.”

Kent Stirling, executive director of the Florida HBPA and chair of the NHBPA’s Medication Committee, added, “Horsemen across the country want just one thing—a level playing field—and that’s what uniform medication is all about.

Florida is 100 percent on board with that goal and we’ll continue with an open and frank dialogue with the RCI, The Jockey Club and the RMTC as we move forward united toward that common end.”

PRESIDENT’S LETTER For a brief time, racing will be set to enjoy what I am dubbing the “CC Factor.” As many journalists have already noted, our industry will have a celebration of California Chrome’s victory in the Kentucky Derby that provides a respite from the recent allegations of cruelty, cheating and doping that have been so dominant in the press. While this break may be short, indeed, we can all root for CC to carry us through this Triple Crown season. What a grand story it is! The betting odds on California Chrome certainly belie the real odds of his arriving in the starting gate at Churchill Downs from his humble beginnings.

It is the ultimate fairy tale. Neither the Queen nor the Sheik is in the Dumb Ass Partners. No, the Dumb Ass Partners folks are actually as American as apple pie, and so is the trainer, Art Sherman, who has been in the industry first as an exercise rider, then as a jockey, and finally, as a trainer. As a fellow Virginian who knows a thing or two about marketing once told me, “You’ve got to tell the stories; they’re all right here.”

A few weeks ago, while perusing the Internet, I came across a comment 12

HJ summer

14

about a new film about racing. Curious, I Googled it and watched the trailer. It is called “Behind the Gate.” A link to it is now on our website. Please, I encourage you to watch it, put it on your affiliate websites (they will pay you a commission) and support the efforts of two frustrated racehorse owners! Mark Giardino and his wife are California owners and breeders who got tired of all the negative press and the state of racing, and they had the wherewithal to do something about it. They have addressed two dilemmas in their documentary: how to introduce racing to a total neophyte and how to acknowledge and question what has gone wrong and our tendency to “eat our own” within the industry. They have plans for four more films. I hope we can support them. Let this be the first of many ways in which we can come together to change the image of racing.

This is a great PR opportunity.

Robin Richards National HBPA President

ONLINE REGISTRATION NOW AVAILABLE

FOR NATIONAL HBPA SUMMER CONVENTION Hosted by the Thoroughbred Racing Association of Oklahoma (TRAO), the convention will include a night at Remington Park for the opening of the track’s Thoroughbred meet. The host hotel is the historic Skirvin Hilton in downtown Oklahoma City, which was built in 1911 and is the city’s oldest and most acclaimed hotel.

The deadline for hotel reservations is July 14.

More information about hotel rates, registration and transportation is available at hbpa.org or by calling the NHBPA office at (859) 259-0451.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Oklahoma City • August 14-17, 2014

Thursday, 8/14 - REGISTRATION AND WELCOME COCKTAIL RECEPTION • HBPA Registration Desk Open 2:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

• Arrival Cocktail Party 5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.

Dinner on Your Own Dress Code: Casual Friday, 8/15 - MEETINGS AND EVENING AT RACETRACK • HBPA Registration Desk Open 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

• Meetings All Day • Group Transportation Via Bus from Hotel to Racetrack • First Post is at 7:00 p.m.

Dinner at Remington Park, Sponsored by Remington Park Dress Code: Business Casual (no shorts or flip flops; men please wear a collared shirt) Saturday, 8/15 - MEETINGS • HBPA Registration Desk Open 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

• Meetings All Day Dinner on Your Own Sunday, 8/17 - MORNING MEETING, END OF FUNCTION • NHBPA Full Board of Directors Meeting 8:00 a.m.

National HBPA, Kentucky HBPA Help Trainer Affected by Deadly Fire The National HBPA Foundation, along with the Kentucky HBPA, presented trainer Gerry Carwood with a check for $7,000 in emergency assistance aid in the paddock at Keeneland Race Course on May 22. On May 9, eight Thoroughbreds were killed when a barn leased by Carwood and located across the street from Keeneland’s barn area was destroyed by a fire.

Carwood, a native of Ireland, previously worked for trainers Eddie Kenneally and Jeff Thornberry as an assistant trainer before going out on his own about four years ago. He signed his KHBPA membership card in 2010, his first year as a trainer.

“I talked with Jeff Thornbury, and Keeneland’s Chaplain, Bobby Aldridge, and both had high praise for Gerry, his work ethic and his love for his horses,” said Marty Maline, executive director of the KHBPA. “In fact, Gerry, who lives in a house next to the barn, nearly lost his own life rushing into the fire. He saved two horses, just before the roof collapsed.

“I talked with Gerry and expressed the condolences of the KHBPA for his tragic loss,” continued Maline, who added that Carwood also lost all of his tack and equipment in the fire.

Some of the horses, who Carwood described as like family to him, were insured by clients and others were not. Carwood did not own any of the horses, but the funds will help him buy new equipment and get back to training.

“The HBPA, both at the national and state level, has always been about horsemen helping horsemen, and this is a great example of that,” said Phil Hanrahan, CEO of the National HBPA. “We wish Gerry the best after this tragic event.”

Other horsemen also pitched in to help Carwood with a benefit at McCarthy’s Irish Bar in downtown Lexington.

The National HBPA Foundation (NHBPAF), a tax-exempt Sec. 501(c)(3) fund, was developed as a safety net for horsemen when other forms of assistance are unavailable or have been exhausted after disaster strikes.

(From left) Marty Maline, executive director of the Kentucky HBPA; trainer Gerry Carwood; and Phil Hanrahan, CEO of the National HBPA.

www.nationalhbpa.com

13

news

By Brian W. Fitzgerald

Federal Medication Legislation

national Hbpa

legislative

update

Except for brief breaks for Memorial Day and the Fourth of July, Congress was scheduled to be in session for an extended stretch over the next few months before recessing for the month of August.

Following is a report, written in early May, on the status of pending federal legislation of interest to National HBPA members.

As reported previously, U.S. House of Representatives Member Joe Pitts (R-PA) and U.S. Senator Tom Udall (D-NM) introduced new federal medication legislation, The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act of 2013, nearly a year ago on May 16, 2013. The House bill, H.R. 2012, has 25 co-sponsors. The Senate companion bill, S. 973, has two co-sponsors.

The legislation would put the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) in charge of the regulation and enforcement of medication in horse racing, ban the use of Lasix/Salix two years after the legislation’s date of enactment for 3-year-olds and up and require the consent of USADA for acceptance of off-track wagers. The costs incurred by USADA in carrying out its duties under the legislation would be borne by the horse racing industry.

H.R. 2012 is pending before the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing and Trade, chaired by Rep. Lee Terry (R-NE). The subcommittee held a hearing on the bill on November 21, 2013. NHBPA CEO Phil Hanrahan was one of seven witnesses testifying at the hearing.

S. 973 has been referred to the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, chaired by Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D-WV). To date, there has been no formal action taken on the bill.

At this time, it is unclear what impact recent New York Times articles that were critical of the industry and subsequent developments related thereto may have on the pending medication bills. Horsemen should anticipate the possibility that there could be increased interest in Congress and among other parties outside of Congress for the pursuit of federal legislation.

Federal Legislation TO AMEND THE HORSE PROTECTION ACT OF 1970 On April 9, the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee approved, by voice vote, S. 1406, Prevent All Soring Tactics Act of 2013. The bill was approved with only one technical change to correct a spelling error in the bill that was discovered after the bill had been introduced. As amended, S. 1406 is now identical to the House companion bill, H.R. 1518.

No decision has been made about when S. 1406 might be taken to the Senate floor for consideration. The Senate bill has strong, bipartisan support with 51 Senators currently co-sponsoring the legislation.

H.R. 1518, introduced by Rep. Ed Whitfield (R-KY), also has broad bipartisan support with 268 House members currently co-sponsoring the legislation.

As previously reported, the House Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing and Trade held a hearing on H.R. 1518 on November 13, 2013, a week before the subcommittee’s hearing on H.R. 2012, The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act. To date, the subcommittee has not scheduled a mark-up for the consideration of the legislation.

14

HJ summer 14

FEDERAL INTERNET GAMBLING LEGISLATION On March 26, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-UT) introduced identical bills in the Senate and House, S. 2159 and H.R. 4301, the Restoration of America’s Wire Act. The bills would restore the U.S. Department of Justice’s interpretation of the Wire Act prior to its reinterpretation of the Act in December 2011, which opened the door to the expansion of Internet gambling.

Upon their introduction, S. 2159 and H.R. 4301 were referred to their respective Judiciary committees for consideration. H.R. 4301 has nine co-sponsors and S. 2159 has three co-sponsors.

There have been no new developments on the three Internet gambling bills that were introduced last year in the House: Rep. Peter King’s (R-NY) H.R. 2282, the Internet Gambling, Enforcement and Consumer Protection Act of 2013; Rep. Joe Barton’s (R-TX) H.R. 2666, the Internet Poker Freedom Act of 2013; or Rep. Jim McDermott’s (D-WA) H.R. 3491, the Internet Gambling and Tax Enforcement Act of 2013.

IMMIGRATION REFORM The outlook for immigration reform legislation moving through Congress before the end of 2014 continues to remain uncertain.

During the April congressional recess, House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) generated some controversy among his Republican colleagues over comments he made about immigration reform at a Rotary Club meeting in his district that were critical of Republicans who have been opposing immigration reform. Also during the April recess, Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA), Chair of the House Republican Conference, told a local Washington state newspaper that she could see immigration reform legislation making it to the House floor in the next few months.

The Speaker’s comments led a number of his Republican colleagues and others to believe the Speaker might push to have the House approve immigration reform legislation before the end of the second session. In a meeting with his Republican colleagues to explain his comments, the Speaker downplayed the significance of his remarks and reassured a restive Republican conference that he would not seek to push a comprehensive immigration reform bill through the House.

Rep. McMorris Rodgers has since stated that she had simply been sharing her personal views with her constituents on wanting to see immigration reform be enacted rather than expressing any intent to try to push any legislative timetable for immigration reform.

Given the uncertain prospect for the enactment of immigration reform legislation in the near term, the horse racing industry, along with its constituent members of Congress, will need to address the immigration problems the industry has been experiencing over the past year or more directly with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

Federal Tax Legislation As previously reported, two tax bills—H.R. 2212, the Race Horse Cost Recovery Act, and H.R. 998, the Equine Tax Parity Act—introduced

by Rep. Andy Barr (R-KY) have been referred to the House Ways and

Means Committee. H.R. 2212 would permanently put all racehorses in the three-year category for depreciation purposes. In 2008, the farm bill approved by Congress included provisions that allowed all racehorses to be depreciated over three years, regardless of their age when placed in service. These provisions expired at the end of 2013 so they need to be extended.

H.R. 998 would make horses eligible for capital gains treatment after 12 months, similar to other business assets (except cattle). Under current law, horses held for breeding, racing, showing or draft purposes qualify for the capital gains rates only if held for 24 months. Under current federal tax code, gains by individuals from the sale of property used in a trade or business, including horses, qualify for long-term capital gains and are subject to the maximum capital gains tax rate of 15 percent for taxpayers earning less than $450,000 or 20 percent for those earning more than $450,000. In light of the fact that the individual tax rate can go as high as 39.6 percent, the lower capital gains rate is quite favorable.

The two bills, or some variation thereof, would need to be attached to another viable legislative vehicle, such as a tax extender package, to have any chance of being enacted before the end of the current session. Sixty other popular tax provisions, or “tax extenders,� also expired at the end of 2013 and are being considered for extension.

House Ways and Means Committee Chair Dave Camp (R-MI), in a discussion draft of a proposed comprehensive tax reform bill the committee released a few months ago, proposed that the three-year recovery period for racehorses be extended permanently. Rather than seek a short-term extension of the expired tax extenders as the Senate is currently pursuing, Rep. Camp is taking up the consideration of tax extenders by methodically considering which extenders should be extended permanently and which ones should be allowed to remain expired.

The House Ways and Means Committee on April 29 approved the permanent extension of six of the expired extender provisions and intended to take up the consideration of other expired extender provisions in the coming months. It is not clear at this time when the committee might take up consideration of the three-year recovery period for racehorses.

Meanwhile, on April 3, the Senate Finance Committee approved a tax extenders package that includes provisions to retroactively extend for two years the current three-year recovery period for racehorses and would apply to any racehorse (regardless of age when placed in service) before January 2016. The proposal would apply to property placed in service after December 31, 2013. The committee-approved tax extenders package was expected to go to the Senate floor for consideration some time in May. Given the very different approaches the House and Senate are taking on the tax extenders, it is possible the fate of the tax extenders, or any other pending tax provisions, may not be resolved until after the fall elections.

FEDERAL LEGISLATION ON HORSE TRANSPORTATION On April 9, Rep. Steve Cohen (D-TN), along with Rep. Ed Whitfield (R-KY), introduced H.R. 4440, the Horse Transportation Safety Act. H.R. 4440 is a companion bill to S. 1459, introduced by Sen. Mark Steven (R-IL) in early August of last year.

The legislation would prohibit the transportation of a horse in interstate commerce in a motor vehicle (except a vehicle operated exclusively on rail or rails) containing two or more levels stacked on top of one another. The legislation provides for civil penalties for violations of the Act. H.R. 4440 has been referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure for consideration. The bill has nine co-sponsors.

S. 1459, which has seven co-sponsors, was referred to the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee upon its introduction.

No formal action has been taken on either bill. www.nationalhbpa.com

15

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HJ summer

14

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technology

hj

+ research medication update

RCI Model rule changes adopted

The membership of the Association of Racing Commissioners International (RCI) in April approved several modifications to the group’s Model Rules.

RCI members approved

studied and should be used with caution. The RMTC has indicated that

a recommendation by the

albuterol administered by inhalation at a total dose of 360 mcg resulted

Drug Testing Standards and

in a 70 percent increase in pulmonary function within five minutes of

Practices and Model Rules

administration. While a 360 mcg dose is sufficient to cause this change,

Committees to remove the

the researchers determined that, if using a mask system (such as an Aero

words “restricted administrative

Mask™), a 720 mcg dose should be used, as much of the medication does

time” and replace them with

not reach the target tissue. Based upon the RMTC’s Scientific Advisory

“recommended withdrawal

Committee’s review of existing research and pharmacokinetic data

time” on the RCI Controlled Therapeutic Medication Schedule. This change

available from studies in Europe and the United States, the RCI adopted

was considered after a request from the United States Trotting Association,

the RMTC recommended interim threshold of 1 ng/mL of urine with a

American Association of Equine Practitioners and the Racing Medication

72-hour withdrawal guideline.

and Testing Consortium (RMTC).

RCI also voted to make the following modifications to the Controlled

Therapeutic Medication Schedule: • Reduce the current regulatory threshold for ketoprofen from

The RCI also adopted a number of revisions to its Model Rules affecting Standardbred racing that had previously been approved for Thoroughbred racing. Adoption of these rules was delayed to give Standardbred horsemen’s organizations the opportunity to comment,

10 ng/mL of plasma or serum to 2 ng/mL. This would translate

into a primary (24-hour) and secondary (48-hour) threshold for

ketoprofen in plasma or serum. Ketoprofen is a non-steroidal

to Standardbred horses, requiring that machines in use be registered and

anti-inflammatory and analgesic medication, which is approved

approved by the racing commission and all treatments must be reported

by the United States Food and Drug Administration for use in horses

within 24 hours prior to treatment. The location of any such machine

as Ketofen.

would also need to be disclosed. Previously, RCI adopted rules that prohibit

• Modify the recommended withdrawal time for flunixen from 24 hours

to 32 hours. This change is based on analysis of a recent research

project conducted by the RMTC.

though no comments were received.

Specifically, RCI approved additional restrictions on shock wave therapy

treatments within 10 days of racing, affecting all breeds.

A modification previously made affecting certain thresholds for the androgenic-anabolic steroids in flat racing were formally adopted for Standardbred racing as was a technical change to eliminate redundant

RCI also voted to make the following additions to the Controlled Therapeutic Medication Schedule:

language pertaining to anti-ulcer medications.

RCI also adopted an amendment to provide greater clarification that a Thoroughbred horse is to be considered ineligible to race if wholly or

Isoflupredone

partially owned by a person or spouse of a person who for any reason has

Isoflupredone acetate is a corticosteroid that can be used for the

been deemed ineligible to be licensed or participate in that jurisdiction.

treatment of allergic, musculoskeletal and inflammatory processes in

The Model Rule presumes that the disqualified person and spouse

the horse. It can be administered via intra-articular, intravenous and

constitute a single financial entity with respect to the ownership

intramuscular/subcutaneous routes. RCI approved a threshold of 100 pg/

of the horse.

mL in plasma based upon the subcutaneous (10 mg) and intra-articular

RCI Model Rules represent best practice regulatory policy developed

(20 mg) doses. The recommended withdrawal time is seven days, based

by the collective deliberations of racing regulators in consultation with

upon the research analysis performed by the RMTC.

industry representatives. RCI Model Rules are recommendations and the

Albuterol

association has no direct regulatory power. In some cases, commissions,

Albuterol is indicated for the relief of bronchospasm and

states and the Canadian federal government have adopted “by reference”

bronchoconstriction in horses with reversible airway obstruction and

portions of the RCI Model Rules, giving the rules the force of law in

is effective for up to seven hours as a bronchodilator. Albuterol is

those jurisdictions.

administered either as an intranasal aerosol (either via intranasal

The National HBPA supports these recent actions by the RCI and

apparatus or mask, depending upon which delivery method is available) or

issued a press release in April. Turn to page 12 of this issue for

orally. The oral preparations are subject to very high first-pass metabolism

more information.

and poor systemic bioavailability. Oral products have not been extensively 18

HJ summer

14

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19

hj medical

National

H B PA

Medication Committee Corner

Florida Is Not the “Obstructionist” State, It’s the Horse Safety State

By Kent H. Stirling Two years ago, the Thoroughbred industry’s favorite newspaper, The New York Times, began its now annual “let’s bash horse racing series” right before the Kentucky Derby. This “All the News That’s Fit to Print” newspaper led off its assault on racing with a long article with the catchy title, “Mangled Horses, Maimed Jockeys.”

In this article, the Times tracked for a three-year period horses that “encountered a physical problem, like ‘broke down,’ ‘lame’ or ‘vanned off.’”

In a sidebar article, it listed the Thoroughbred and American Quarter Horse racetracks with their number of “physical problems” per 1,000 starts. Below I have listed the top 10 U.S. racing states by lowest average physical problems per state, followed by that average percentage, number of tracks surveyed and number of Quarter Horse tracks in that state:

STATE

AvG. Percentage “Physical Problems”

# of Tracks

# of QH Tracks

1. Florida 2.4 4 1 2. Pennsylvania 3.0 3 0 3. Arkansas 3.2 1 0 4. Louisiana 3.5 4 1 5. Kentucky 3.6 4 0 6. Maryland 3.7 2 0 7. New Jersey

4.4

1

0

8. New York 4.5 4 0 9. Illinois 5.9 3 0 10. California 7.7 4 1

Gee, that medication uniformity “obstructionist” Florida had by far the lowest “physical problems” per 1,000 starts (less than one-third of California!), and Florida has no synthetic tracks and supposedly more liberal rules on therapeutic medication than any other state, except possibly Louisiana, the other “obstructionist” state. Maybe the more liberal use of therapeutic medications keeps horses sounder? No wonder both these states have not been in a rush to adopt, in my opinion, the not quite ready for “prime time” (but getting closer) Controlled Therapeutic Medication Schedule and the Multiple Medication Violations (MMV) schedule.

Before watching California Chrome humble this year’s Kentucky Derby field, I listened to the talking heads ask Jerry Bailey about the national movement for uniform medication. Jerry answered it twice in a quite fair 20

HJ summer

14

manner, I thought, saying that most states were in the process of adopting or had adopted the uniformity program. He went on to say that there were two states that had made no effort to buy into uniformity, Florida and Louisiana, but added they were now saying that they too were interested in getting involved in the uniformity movement. The last time they asked Bailey the same question, he said much the same, but added that Florida “was the Wild West” when it came to medication use.

The “Wild West”? Amazingly, Mr. Bailey always chose to ride the winters in Florida even though the other major winter tracks offered higher purses. If the “Wild West” is having one additional race day medication that inhibits heat prostration, then I’ve got to ask about all those Mid-Atlantic states that have more than one legal race day adjunct that can be administered with Lasix at either three, three and a half or four hours prior to post time, depending on the state. And their average “physical problems” per 1,000 starts doesn’t look so hot either.

Over a year ago, the president of The Jockey Club sent a letter to the Florida Division of Pari-Mutuel Wagering (our version of a racing commission) pointing out how bad our medication statutes and rules were, and how The Jockey Club could fix them for us. The tracks and horsemen were not sent a copy of this letter, and when I chanced across a copy, I responded that The Jockey Club is a breed registry, and other than that, they don’t have any business in Florida trying to dictate new medication rules directly to our regulators, who sadly are somewhat lacking in their knowledge of horse racing in general.

A number of months later, the executive vice president of The Jockey Club, Matt Iuliano, asked if he could come to Florida and meet with a few of us (Track Veterinarian Dr. Patti Marquis and FHBPA President Phil Combest) in the FHBPA office at Gulfstream. He did, and we all went over Florida statutes and rules for several days. There was a lot of give and take and understanding of why things were as they were in Florida. He came back yet a second time, and we agreed to support certain changes to our state statutes and rules.

In Florida, statutes would have to be changed in order for things like the controlled therapeutic medications to be adopted.

Early on in this year’s legislative session, it became obvious that what we had been told before the session began was going to be true. Nothing was going to pass in Chapter 550, which deals with pari-mutuels. But we worked with Matt to attempt to put our new medication language on an agriculture bill, but that too failed.

Before I go into more detail, let me tell you who “we” is. It’s the FHBPA, the FTBOA (Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association) and the FQHRA (Florida Quarter Horse Racing Association, the state affiliate of the AQHA), along with several racetracks. What “we” did was agree to adopt the 26 controlled therapeutic medications and the RCI penalty schedule. We never really discussed the MMVs. We agreed to drop our race day medication besides Lasix, which is prednisolone sodium succinate (Solu-Delta Cortef), and to drop

Denis Blake

the use of thin layer chromatography (TLC) as a drug testing methodology.

What we asked for and got, and what I have been asking for for more than a year, is a good faith effort to develop screening levels for those other 25 or so medications we were promised to have thresholds on as recently as three or four years ago by the Racing Medication and Testing Consortium.

If every state adopted these screening levels, then this would create real uniformity rather than having all states keep any other thresholds they might have beyond the “Terrific 26” controlled therapeutic medications as has been apparently agreed to by the powers that be.

It is really important to us in Florida to have these screening levels, because our Division of Pari-Mutuel Wagering believes all testing should be to “zero tolerance” if there is no adopted threshold on the books. As recently as last year, the division dropped the 25 pg/ml threshold in Florida and went to zero tolerance on clenbuterol, not bothering to tell the horsemen and veterinarians. This led to well over a hundred of what I call “gotcha” positives (below 25 pg/ml) for which innocent horsemen are now paying fines.

I’m not sure that calling names, attempting to circumvent the horsemen in rule-making or drawing lines in the sand with drop-dead dates for forced adoption of the Controlled Therapeutic Medication Schedule and Multiple Medication Violations does anyone any good. Once someone actually wanted to talk to the horsemen, progress was immediately made. I’m pretty sure once we see those screening levels become reality, then it becomes easier to look at adopting the MMVs. Lastly, I don’t think we are, or have ever been, obstructionists in Florida, but while some strange things (pari-mutuel barrel racing) and beliefs (zero tolerance) come out of our state regulatory body, we have been conducting the safest racing in the country, as our good friends at The New York Times will attest to. We’d like to keep it that way.

www.nationalhbpa.com

21

22

HJ summer

14

Sept. 19-28

Apr. 25 – June 29, Sep. 25 – Nov. 2

July 24 – Aug. 10

San Joaquin Fair

Santa Anita Park

Santa Rosa

Calder Race Course

Jan. 1 – Dec. 28

Los Alamitos Race Course

Florida

Aug. 13-24

Humboldt County Fair

Delaware Park

Jan. 1 – June 15, Aug. 15 – Sep. 14, Oct. 16 – Dec. 21

Golden Gate Fields

Delaware

July 17 – Sep. 3, Nov. 5 – Dec. 7

Del Mar

Jan. 1 – June 29, TBA

May 17 – Oct. 22

May 24 – Aug. 17

July 11-20

California State Fair

Arapahoe Park

Oct. 2-18

Big Fresno Fair

Colorado

Sep. 5-21

Barretts @ LA County Fair

June 28

Sunflower Downs

June 19 – July 6

July 13 – Aug. 9

King Park

Alameda County Fair

Apr. 27 – Oct. 13

Hastings Racecourse

California

June 14 – Aug. 16

May 2 – Oct. 25

Northlands Park

Desert Park

July 1

Millarville

British Columbia, Canada

May 10 – July 6, Aug. 30 – Oct. 13

Lethbridge

Oct. 18 – Dec. 31

July 11 – Aug. 24

Evergreen Park

Turf Paradise

Aug. 3-17

Alberta Downs

Aug. 1 – Sep. 1 TBA

Columbus Lincoln Race Course

Oklahoma

Ohio

North Dakota

New York

New Mexico

New Jersey

Nevada

Sep. 16

Atokad

Nebraska

Fair Meadows

Thistledown

Mahoning Valley

Belterra Park (River Downs)

June 5 – July 26

Apr. 18 – Nov. 16

Nov. 24 – Dec. 30*

May 8 – Oct. 19

July 19 – Aug. 3

North Dakota Horse Park

July 18 – Sep. 1

Saratoga Race Course

June 14 – July 6

Apr. 18 – Dec. 5

Finger Lakes

Chippewa Downs

May 1 – July 13, Sep. 6 – Oct. 26

Sep. 6 – Dec. 2

Zia Park

Belmont Park

Apr. 18 – June 22

SunRay Park

Oct. 31 – Dec. 31

May 22 – Sep. 1

Ruidoso Downs

Aqueduct

Aug. 2 – Oct. 26

Sep. 18 – Oct. 18

The Downs at Albuquerque

Aug. 15-17

Meadowlands

Aug. 16-17

White Pine Monmouth Park

Aug. 23 – Sep. 1

Elko Fair

July 19-27

Great Falls

Montana

May 16 – Sep. 13

Canterbury Park

Oct. 12 – Nov. 16

Northville Downs Minnesota

June 27 – Oct. 11

Hazel Park

Michigan

May 3 – Sep. 1

Suffolk Downs

Aug. 22 – Sep. 1

Massachusetts

Timonium

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.

Arizona

Alberta, Canada

dates>>

20 racing 14 *Pending approval

Wyoming Wyoming Downs

Sweetwater Downs

June 21 – Aug. 10

Aug. 18 – Sep. 7

hj dates

www.nationalhbpa.com

23

Aug. 17 – Sep. 14

Sandy Downs

July 3 – Sep. 1

Oct. 3-25

Sep. 6-24

Dec. 4-31

Ellis Park

Keeneland Race Course

Kentucky Downs

Turfway Park

Apr. 9 – Aug. 30, Oct. 1 – Dec. 18

Aug. 15 – Sep. 11

May 2 – Sep. 21

Evangeline Downs

Fair Grounds Race Course

Harrah’s Louisiana Downs

Sep. 18 – Dec. 31

Apr. 3 – June 7

Assiniboia Downs

Laurel Park

Pimlico Race Course

Maryland

May 4 – Sep. 21

Apr. 25 – July 12, Oct. 10 – Dec. 27

Delta Downs

Manitoba, Canada

Louisiana

Apr. 26 – June 29, Sep. 4-28, Oct. 26 – Nov. 30

Churchill Downs

Kentucky

Apr. 18 – Aug. 9, Aug. 16 – Oct. 18

Prairie Meadows

Iowa

May 6 – Nov. 1

Indiana Grand

Oct. 1 – Dec. 31

July 4-13

Rupert Downs

Hawthorne Race Course

Aug. 1-10

Oneida County Fair

Apr. 29 – Sep. 20

May 3 – Aug. 9

Les Bois Park

Fairmount Park

June 8-22

Jerome County Fair

May 2 – Sep. 28

Aug. 31 – Sep. 6

Eastern Idaho County Fair

Arlington Park

Aug. 15-16

Cassia County Fair

Jan. 1 – June 29

Tampa Bay Downs

Indiana

Illinois

Idaho

Jan. 1 – June 29, July 1 – Dec. 31

Gulfstream Park

Apr. 12 – Dec. 7

Woodbine

June 6 – Aug. 9, Sep. 5 – Nov. 29

Retama Park

Emerald Downs Hollywood Casino @ Charles Town Races

Washington West Virginia

Mountaineer Race Track

Colonial Downs

Valle de Los Tesoros

Mar. 1 – Dec. 20

Jan. 1 – Dec. 31

Apr. 12 – Sep. 28

TBA

Nov. 21-30

Oct. 24-25

Apr. 10 – July 13, Sep. 19 – Nov. 15

Saddle Brook Park

Aug. 22-31

Lone Star Park

July 4 – Aug. 24

Laredo Downs

Gillespie County Fairgrounds

May 30 – Sep. 6

May 11 – Sep. 25

Presque Isle Downs Marquis Downs

Jan. 2 – Dec. 27

Aug. 6-9

Tillamook Fair

Penn National

July 20 – Dec. 28

Portland Meadows

Jan. 4 – Dec. 31

Sep. 5-7

Harney County Fair

Parx Racing

June 14 – July 6

Grant Pass

July 9-12

May 27 – Sep. 30

Fort Erie

Crooked River Roundup

May 18 – Oct. 14

Ajax Downs

Sep. 23 – Nov. 8

Will Rogers Downs

Virginia

Texas

Saskatchewan, Canada

Pennsylvania

Oregon

Ontario, Canada

Aug. 15 – Dec. 14

Remington Park

Ackerley Images

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26

HJ summer

14

Horsephotos.com

feature

ntos’ victory his father Jose Sa os Jr. celebrates e joy turned to th t bu y, rb De A young Jose Sant the 2003 Kentucky in de a buzzer.

Ci y ing nn us Fu of aboard falsely accused s wa y ke joc e th sadness when

Balancing Act

day on the y r e v e r e g n a d y face mefront Jockeys not onl o h e h t n o s e g challen track, but also

By Bill Heller

There is an art to living dangerously. Jockeys know they risk injury, paralysis and death every single time they ride thousand-pound Thoroughbreds traveling 40 miles per hour on pencil-thin legs in tight quarters during a race. Jockeys take that information and bury it deep in the back of their minds because they know they can’t succeed or be safe if they ride scared.

www.nationalhbpa.com

27

Horsephotos.com

feature

Famer Pat Day, th fellow Hall of ing a moment wi joy ple Crown aboard en Tri re 73 he n 19 e ow th sh , years after winning ring and after his career on Ron Turcotte (left) e fiv t en cid ac a riding children du was paralyzed in Gae, raised four tte and his wife, Secretariat. Turco the track.

“Sure, it’s dangerous, but you never think about it that way,” paralyzed Hall of Fame jockey Ron Turcotte said. “Otherwise, you wouldn’t be riding.”

But what of jockeys’ families? How do they cope? When a jockey’s wife (or husband) hears the phone ring in the afternoon, how does she quell the voice in her head telling her this may be horrible news?

“Not every woman can be with a rider,” retired Hall of Fame jockey Randy Romero said. “It’s a tough road.”

Abby Castellano, the daughter of Jockeys’ Guild National Manager Terry Meyocks and the wife of last year’s Eclipse Award-winning jockey Javier Castellano, is well aware of the danger.

“When I watch him race, I keep one eye open and one eye shut,” she said. “I know it’s there. You always know it’s there.”

She’s not alone.

“You hope you don’t get that dreaded phone call,” said Suzee Bailey, wife of Hall of Fame jockey turned television racing analyst Jerry Bailey.

“Every time that phone would ring between 1 p.m. and 5:30 p.m., you were hoping it wasn’t the agent or the hospital. We all live with that.”

Or try not to.

“My mom, she had a rule,” said Jose Santos Jr., son of retired Hall of Famer Jose Santos. “Any agent couldn’t call her in the afternoon. She didn’t want a call then, because that’s not a good sign.”

More Than Just Danger The daily risks are just one part of a jockey’s family paradigm, regardless of whether the rider competes in the Kentucky Derby or can only dream of that while riding for small purses at small tracks.

Frequent travel creates time away from loved ones and difficult decisions about children’s schooling and social and home life. The absence works both ways. Jockeys give up time with their children, knowing they’ll miss special moments that can never be recaptured.

28

HJ summer

14

Where do jockeys draw the line between providing for their families’ well-being and not being with the ones they love? What does it take to make a jockey’s family function well?

“Sacrifice,” Jerry Bailey said. “If you’re going to nail it down to one word, sacrifice. By everybody.”

Maybe it was easier years ago. Sunday racing in New York didn’t begin until 1976, meaning jockeys there had at least half of the weekend they could spend at home.

“Today, it’s different,” said Ron, who began riding in New York in 1964 and is best known for piloting Secretariat through the 1973 Triple Crown. “There’s so much racing, and jockeys travel all the time.”

When Ron had to ride out of town on a Sunday, he frequently brought his family—his wife, Gae, and their four daughters—a task made simpler after they bought a motor home.

“The kids used to love going to Delaware on Sundays in the summer,” Gae said. “We’d leave early and take the kids in the motor home. So they got to spend the day with him, and he got to do his racing.”

After New York allowed Sunday racing, Ron tried to salvage as much of the day as he could.

“Even if I had to go work a horse in the morning, I would come back home,” he said. “We’d all go to church together and got to eat brunch together, then have dinner together.”

There was no easy solution with their children’s education, a problem that persists today for jockeys’ families. The Turcottes bought their first home in Florida in 1965 and their first New York home two years later. Their girls couldn’t attend school in both places and a decision had to be made. When their oldest daughter Lynn was about to enter second grade in the early ’70s, they chose New York. Jerry and Suzee Bailey faced the same dilemma with their son, Justin, two decades later: Florida or New York? They had homes in both states.

“When the children are young, people are nice about letting them come along,” Suzee said. “When they start school, it’s a whole new ballgame.”

The Baileys’ decision to make Florida their permanent residence came when Justin was about to go into the fourth grade.

“We had to either stay in New York all year or Florida all year,” Jerry said. “It wasn’t academics as much as it was social and extracurricular activities, getting a spot on the baseball team, leaving and losing that spot.

That was really difficult for a young boy. It may be the same thing for a girl with a different activity. Different kids react differently. It’s a balancing act.”

When the family traveled together, Justin did not get a free pass.

“I made him go to museums, castles, the desert in Dubai,” Suzee said. “I wanted him to learn about the places we visited. Ironically, when he applied for college, that’s what he wrote about. He’s now studying international politics at Wake Forest.”

Jerry’s decision to retire in mid-January 2006 was influenced by his desire to spend more time with his son.

“We were married for seven years before we had a child,” Jerry said.

Horsephotos.com

“When I retired, he was in the eighth grade. Then he was going to go into high school. I thought it was important to be there.”

When Justin and Suzee were at the track and Jerry won a stakes race, he would search the crowd for them as he walked his horse into the winner’s circle.

“I tried finding them in the post parade, but it was difficult to spot them,” he said. “It’s fun to win, but it’s more fun to win with your family. Suzee was great at helping me appreciate the moment. She really helped put a balance in my life.”

Suzee’s thinking?

“It’s important to enjoy the wins,” she said. “Because there are a lot of losses.”

rld. led around the wo trips as they trave ld fie al on ati uc , with some ed e their son, Justin de a point to provid ma , zee Su fe, wi Jerry Bailey and his

In the Public Eye It’s hard to believe anyone enjoyed Funny Cide’s 2003 Kentucky Derby victory under Jose Santos more than Jose Jr., who was eight at the time and is now working as Hall of Famer Kent Desormeaux’s agent while also studying broadcasting and communications at the University of Delaware.

In the Kentucky Derby winner’s circle, Jose Jr. was crying out of pure joy.

“I was elated,” he said. “That was the best. I probably watch that race once a week. It never gets old. Everybody knew who I was. Even now, I’ll be making rounds and I still hear, ‘You’re the little boy who was crying on TV.’ ” A week later, he was crying for a different reason. Exactly one week after Funny Cide’s Derby, Jose Jr. was with his dad on the backstretch at Belmont Park. They were having breakfast in the horsemen’s restaurant with Jose’s agent, Mike Sellito, and an MSNBC film crew that was following Jose for the entire morning as part of a documentary about the life of a jockey. Sellito got a phone call. The look on his face was alarming. Sellito decided to walk outside to talk on the phone and motioned Jose to accompany him. Then Sellito finished his phone conversation and told Jose that the Miami Herald had run a story that morning accusing Jose of using a buzzer or a battery to win the Kentucky Derby.

Jose was left to figure out what to tell his son.

Trainer Leah Gyarmati once said, “You get the highest of highs in racing and the lowest of lows.” Jose understood that. But how can a child?

Jose knew he had to tell Jose Jr. something, so he told him that a newspaper had said he cheated to win the Kentucky Derby by using a machine. Of all the people who were close to Jose in his life, only one didn’t ask him if the story was true: his son.

“I knew he didn’t do it,” Jose Jr. said. “That was never a question to me.”

Over the ensuing 48 hours, everyone would learn the truth. By failing to sufficiently blow up a picture of Jose riding Funny Cide in the stretch, the Herald had made a horrible mistake. There was no object in Jose’s hand. Because Jose’s thumb and index finger formed a circle, the silks of the horse behind Funny Cide, Empire Maker, showed through.

The intervening hours between the false accusation and the truth coming out were hell for Jose and especially his son.

“It was all over the papers,” Jose Jr. said. “A lot of kids said, ‘Your Dad cheated to win that race.’ I told them, ‘He didn’t do it.’ ” Jose Jr. saw how much his father had been hurt after he rode House Party to win the Grade 1 Nassau County Stakes on the same afternoon that the Herald story broke.

“Back under the tunnel, people were yelling, ‘Where’s the battery?’ ” Jose Jr. said. “That really hurt him. I could see that. He put his head down and jogged off to the jockeys’ room. That was no fun.”

Redemption came just days later when Funny Cide won the Preakness Stakes by 9 ¾ lengths and Jose provided an image that will never be forgotten. Holding Funny Cide’s reins in his left hand as he crossed the finish line, Jose looked at the crowd and opened his right palm to reveal there was nothing in his hand other than air. www.nationalhbpa.com

29

feature

Just like Justin Bailey, Jose Jr.’s school choice was made when he entered the fourth grade and his parents decided he should attend school in Florida, not New York. Jose Jr. missed his dad, but that didn’t affect their tight relationship.

“He showed up every chance he could,” Jose Jr. said. “We talk every day now. I talk to both my parents every day.”

The Strain on a Family Randy Romero hasn’t always been close with his son, Randy Jr. “I was always flying out of town,” Randy said. “I did the best I could. It wasn’t not wanting to be with him. I was trying to make a good life for him and his mom. I’m catching up with him. Me and my son are real close right now.”

Actually, Randy Jr. gave his dad the will to live. When Randy was nearly incinerated in a sweatbox explosion at Oaklawn Park in 1983, he suffered horrible burns over 60 percent of his body. Doctors gave him a 40 percent chance of surviving. Randy wasn’t sure he wanted to survive. With burn victims, the treatment can be worse than the injury.

To prevent infections, dead skin has to be physically removed from the burn sites. At one point, Randy confessed to his wife, Cricket, that he couldn’t take it anymore, that he would rather die than live. Cricket walked out of his hospital room and returned with Randy Jr., then three years old. She said, “This is why you have to live.” Randy accepted his fate and was back riding in 15 weeks.

The two most important women in Randy’s life, his mom and Cricket, paid a price for Randy’s injury-marred career. Randy was riding in match races at the bush tracks in rural Louisiana at the age of nine.

“My mom didn’t want me to ride,” Randy said. “I said, ‘All I want to do is ride horses.’ ” Seven years later, in the first of Randy’s many gruesome accidents, he punctured his lung and had to have his spleen removed. Again, Randy’s mom begged him to quit. He couldn’t.

Cricket, who was with Randy for 37 years before their divorce last year, was there for all of Randy’s horrible spills, nearly two dozen major surgeries, the sweatbox explosion, and, partially because Randy “flipped” throughout his career to make weight, the loss of a kidney and a schedule of four-hour dialysis treatments three times a week for the rest of his life.

“It was really, really tough on her because I got hurt so many times,” Randy said. “She went through a lot of stress and pain. She was with me every time I needed her. I was blessed to have her.”

Ron Turcotte is still blessed to have Gae by his side. In a race at Belmont Park in 1978, five years and a month after he rode Secretariat to his iconic 31-length victory in the Belmont Stakes, Ron was thrown in a race. The accident looked innocuous. He was not hit by another horse. But at the precise angle he landed, he was paralyzed from the 30

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waist down. Gae was his wife, best friend, nurse, confidante and an unending source of strength.

“Very brave woman, very strong woman,” Ron’s longtime, late agent Joe Shea once said. “I guess she’s as close to a saint as you can find. It made all the difference in the world. It might have been the difference between his living and dying.”

The Turcottes eventually returned to Canada, where they raised their four girls, who suddenly had a full-time father, a role Ron embraces to this day.

Terry Meyocks, a former president of the New York Racing Association (NYRA) in addition to working for the Jockeys’ Guild, came to peace with his father being in the racing industry and thought he completely understood the dynamics of a racing family.

“We all know there are going to be injuries,” he said. “My dad was a jock’s agent. My dad had Earlie Fires for 28 ½ years. I saw him fall.”

Then Terry’s daughter Abby, who had also worked for NYRA, married Javier Castellano.

“It brings a different perspective when your son-in-law is a jockey,” Terry said. “You want them to do well, but the first thing you want is to have them return safely every race. Javier is like a son.”

Now Javier and Abby have three children, eight-year-old Kaylie, five-year-old Sienna and Brady, who is almost two. Abby thinks she was fortunate that Kaylie was only two when Javier broke his shoulder.

“The kids, I don’t think they’ve seen him fall,” Abby said.

“Thankfully, he’s been very lucky. But we know Johnnie (Velasquez, who missed several months recently after having his spleen removed following an accident at the 2013 Breeders’ Cup), and we’re very close to Ramon (Dominguez). That was hard.”

Dominguez, who had won three consecutive Eclipse Awards from 2010 to 2012, suffered a head injury in January 2013, which forced him to retire before his 37th birthday.

“The kids know about Ramon,” Abby said. “That he’s not riding because he got a booboo on his head.”

Javier and Abby decided to stay in New York rather than Florida last fall when Kaylie began the second grade.

“This was the first year we stayed in New York,” Abby said. “We went down three times: Christmas break, Martin Luther King weekend and 10 days on a school break. They handled it much better than I thought they would. Before, when he went away for a day or two, they’d say ‘Where’s Dad?’ and get upset.”

Getting through his children’s first school year apart from them wasn’t easy for Javier.

“I know it was hard for him this winter,” Abby said. “He’s very family-oriented. He’s always been that way. It’s very important to him.

He’s a very good father. He gives them baths. He takes them to games.

He stayed with his mom this winter in Florida. I think that helped.”

But not as much as Javier would have liked.

Horsephotos.com

“It’s a lot of sacrificing,” he said. “You have to do so much. It’s very hard for me. It’s very hard for the family. A lot of things you miss.”

When Keeneland Race Course opened in April, it meant more time away from his kids.

“It’s very hard when you have to leave,” he said. “They say, ‘Daddy, you just came in from Florida. Why are you leaving again?’ ” Javier tries explaining it: “I explained that you have to work hard. You have to make sacrifices. In school, it’s hard work, too. I thank God I get to ride a lot of good horses.

You have to travel. Fly back and forth. My wife with riding, but that knew the risks associated the racing industry and in ked wor understands. She’s very understanding because ier, Jav ey jock n.

Abby Castellano, wife of the couple’s three childre she worked for NYRA. She’s there all the time. You doesn’t make it any easier for her and He broke his collarbone. Thank hope there’s a better life for them. When they grow a God, we were very fortunate. I remember that like it was yesterday.” couple more years, they’ll understand it better. I think so. Right now, In early April, Javier won a stakes race at Keeneland. Abby watched everything is beautiful. Dad wins a lot of races.” the race on TV, and then headed out to gymnastics. That night, Javier And the danger? called. He told her, “I had a bad day.”

“Anything can happen in any sport, especially our sport,” Javier said.

“My heart sank for a second,” Abby said. “I thought he fell.”

“I live with that. My father was a jockey for 25 years. We got a phone He hadn’t. His flight home had been canceled. Abby could exhale. call. My dad fell off a horse. He got hurt. My sister was 13; I was 12.

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3 3

Date of Last Start _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Trainer _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

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) _____________________________________

Owner _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Owner’s Phone

)_____________________________________

Permanent Address _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

City _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

(

State_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Zip _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Signed_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Forward all nominations to: JOSEP H J. NARCAVIS H, Racing Secretary • Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack & Resort • P.O. Box 358 • Chester, WV 26034 • (800) 477-2238 • FAX (304) 387-8312

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feature

Examining the question after the release of the PETA videos In the wake of the PETA videos, which portrayed our majestic sport in a most unflattering light, we are left reeling from the backlash.

While most of what was shown in the video was either legal (the use of Salix/Lasix/furosemide and thyroxine) or edited to the extreme (video of the state veterinarian drawing a post-race blood sample for drug testing, while the commentary implied that something illicit was taking place), certainly there were things that were offensive, like the nonstop stream of profane language.

The ramifications from this video seem to be taking the form of a rallying cry against race-day medication, which, of course, means no Salix. The clip of the track vet telling the PETA informant that Salix is performance enhancing because of the weight loss is damning. He failed to explain the repercussions to the animal of exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage or bleeding in the lungs, of how scar tissue builds up over time, impairing the horse’s long-term respiratory health…or perhaps he did explain it and it just didn’t make the video.

However, if Salix is performance enhancing, shouldn’t it be banned?

Not so fast. The scientific paper that first suggested performance enhancement by Salix was published in 1990.1 It showed only that geldings raced faster on furosemide with no statistically significant difference among fillies and colts. (Meaning that any performance enhancement is negligible.) Geldings also race longer than fillies and colts and, hence, are more likely to have the effects of chronic bleeding. A previous study2 showed improved performance associated with Salix, but this study was performed with known “bleeders,” so the obvious conclusion is that any difference in performance is exactly the difference between how well the horse would have raced had it not bled, irrespective of the furosemide (i.e., Salix is performance enabling). In fact, a well-designed study in 19963 looking at horses in treadmill exercise tests showed no difference whatsoever between a horse’s exercise performance with Salix and without Salix.

That same 1996 study is often quoted in the vernacular of the anti-Salix contingent as supportive of their position. However, the truth

Ackerley Images

To Salix or Not to Salix

By Clara Fenger, DVM, PhD, DACVIM

lies in the actual details of the study. When calculated on a weight-forweight basis, the horses had higher oxygen consumption (meaning they performed more efficiently), however, the actual oxygen consumption was unchanged. Which is exactly what we would expect if Salix had no effect on performance, despite the change in weight. The vet caught so ominously on video saying horses run faster because they are lighter should be embarrassed, not for saying what he obviously believed, but for not carefully reading the very paper he was quoting.

What about the case for the use of Salix? Certainly racing occurs all over the world without it, which is the primary driving argument for the naysayers. So let’s again go to the scientific literature and investigate the facts. A series of studies4-11 published in 1987 carefully investigated the clinical, diagnostic and necropsy findings of a group of 26 horses retired from racing in Hong Kong (where Salix use is prohibited). This group of horses comprised almost all known bleeders. The findings showed severe, permanent pulmonary damage.

Clearly, horses are not immune from bleeding in Hong Kong, and more important, bleeding was proven unequivocally to cause permanent and severe pulmonary pathology.

So, what is to be done? We look again to the published scientific literature. The ultimate placebo-controlled, crossover study on the efficacy of furosemide was performed by Hinchcliff, et al., in 2009, and funded by The Jockey Club. This was the Holy Grail of all study designs, a rare opportunity in veterinary science. This paper showed beyond a shadow of a doubt that furosemide ameliorates in all, and prevents in some, exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage. In this study, no horses bled a grade 3 or 4 (on a scale of 0 to 4) on furosemide, which answers the question, Is this the right thing to do? Clearly, yes.

The scientific literature concludes that racing on Salix is beneficial to the health and welfare of the individual horse, and Salix is just as likely (or more likely) to enable normalized performance rather than enhance performance. The U.S. racing industry obviously came to an agreement a long time ago that, just in case furosemide is www.nationalhbpa.com

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feature

4. O’Callaghan MW, Pascoe JR, Tyler WS, Mason DK. Exercise-induced performance enhancing (an infinitesimally small effect, if there), pulmonary haemorrhage in the horse: results of a detailed clinical, post horses that race on furosemide should be identified with an “L” (for mortem and imaging study. I. Clinical profile of horses. Equine Vet J. 1987 Sep; Lasix) in the racing program, to provide transparency to the public.

19(5):384–8.

This is an effective model and, according to The Jockey Club’s own 5. O’Callaghan MW, Pascoe JR, Tyler WS, Mason DK. Exercise-induced sponsored research, should remain. We should not aspire to the model pulmonary haemorrhage in the horse: results of a detailed clinical, post of foreign lands, many of which have restrictive medication rules for mortem and imaging study. II. Gross lung pathology. Equine Vet J. 1987 Sep; the purpose of human food safety. Rather than base our reactions on 19(5):389–93. arguments, such as “everyone else 6. O’Callaghan MW, Pascoe JR, does it,” we should rely on the Tyler WS, Mason DK. Exercise-induced facts and science to guide our pulmonary haemorrhage in the future. Should we react to the PETA horse: results of a detailed clinical, video? Yes. Should our reaction be post mortem and imaging study. III. to eliminate race-day medication?

Innovative Subgross findings in lungs subjected I think not.

Equine to latex perfusions of the bronchial and pulmonary arteries. Equine Vet J. 1987 Clara Fenger, DVM, PhD, Nebulizer Sep; 19(5):394–404.

DACVIM, graduated with her 7. O’Callaghan MW, Pascoe JR, veterinary degree from the Tyler WS, Mason DK. Exercise-induced University of California at Davis pulmonary haemorrhage in the in 1988, and later completed an horse: results of a detailed clinical, Silent: No noise to disturb the horse. internal medicine residency and post mortem and imaging study. IV. master’s degree program in equine Changes in the bronchial circulation Portable: No electrical cords or hoses exercise physiology at the Ohio demonstrated by C.T. scanning and required while in use.

State University. She then received microradiography. Equine Vet J. 1987 her PhD studying equine protozoal Rapid: 10 mililiters of saline aerosolized in Sep; 19(5):405–10. under 10 minutes. myeloencephalitis at the University 8. O’Callaghan MW, Pascoe JR,

of Kentucky. While at UK, she worked for the Kentucky Racing Commission as a state veterinarian and continued this association for 15 years. She currently practices in central Kentucky, specializing in both Thoroughbreds and Standardbreds, and owns Thoroughbreds.

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Notes 1. Sweeney CR, Soma LR, Maxson AD, Thompson JE, Holcombe SJ, Spencer PA. Effects of furosemide on the racing

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times of Thoroughbreds. Am J Vet Res. 1990 May; 51(5):772–8.

2. Soma LR, Laster L, Oppenlander F, Barr-Alderfer V. Effects of furosemide on the racing times of horses with exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage. Am J Vet Res. 1985 Apr; 46(4):763–8.

3. Hinchcliff KW, McKeever KH, Muir WW, Sams RA. Furosemide reduces accumulated oxygen deficit in horses during brief intense exertion. J Appl Physiol (1985). 1996 Oct; 81(4):1550–4.

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Tyler WS, Mason DK. Exercise-induced pulmonary haemorrhage in the horse: results of a detailed clinical, post mortem and imaging study. V. Microscopic observations. Equine Vet J. 1987 Sep; 19(5):411–8.

9. O’Callaghan MW, Pascoe JR, O’Brien TR, Hornof WJ, Mason DK. Exercise-induced pulmonary haemorrhage in the horse: results of a detailed clinical, post mortem and imaging study. VI. Radiological/ pathological correlations. Equine Vet J. 1987 Sep; 19(5):419–22.

10. O’Callaghan MW, Hornof WJ, Fisher PE, Pascoe JR. Exercise-induced

pulmonary haemorrhage in the horse: results of a detailed clinical, post mortem and imaging study. VII. Ventilation/perfusion scintigraphy in horses with EIPH. Equine Vet J. 1987 Sep; 19(5):423–7.

11. O’Callaghan MW, Pascoe JR, Tyler WS, Mason DK. Exercise-induced pulmonary haemorrhage in the horse: results of a detailed clinical, post mortem and imaging study. VIII. Conclusions and implications. Equine Vet J. 1987 Sep; 19(5):428–34.

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Denis Blake

Proper feeding of yearlings and 2–year–olds can help lead you to the winner’s circle

By Heather Smith Thomas www.nationalhbpa.com

39

feature

Young horses in race training have special needs for nutrition because they are working, becoming fit and still growing. The nutrition choices you make today can have a big impact on future success on the track.

Dr. Stephen Duren, owner of Performance Horse Nutrition, is an equine nutritionist who travels around the world consulting with horse breeders and trainers. He said a nutrition plan is especially important for Thoroughbred yearlings starting the breaking and training process after going through a sale.

“They have been sales-prepped, which usually includes a high level of nutrition and some basic exercise,” Duren stated. “They’ve been hand-walked or exercised on a mechanical walker to get them fit and looking good.

how to feed the brood mare properly, get the foal started on feed, prep it as a yearling, but then we went through a 60-day void for feed recommendations while the yearling is being broken and started in training.

“The other thing that’s important to realize is that when a horse is in training, the cardiovascular system becomes fit first—much quicker than the body becomes structurally fit,” he added.

The horse develops a strong heart and lungs and strong muscles before the bones become stronger.

“These horses are ready to run fast before their skeleton can handle it,” Duren said. “By not feeding them properly, we predispose them to bucked shins, many types of fractures and micro-fractures of the cannon bone, etc., because nutrition in some cases is sub-par.”

“If you take a young horse that has a very basic level of fitness and start him in a training program, he is remodeling bone and trying to keep growing.”

“When they go from the sale to a training center, there is a tendency to not feed them quite as well during the initial stages of breaking,” he added. “Trainers are trying to get hold of [the young horses’] minds and make sure they don’t hurt themselves.”

The rationale is that a trainer may not want these young horses to be overly exuberant and bursting with energy from a lot of “hot” feed.

Many trainers feel that a lower level of feed will help keep youngsters calmer and tractable during this early training process.

“If you take a young horse that has a very basic level of fitness and start him in a training program, he is remodeling bone and trying to keep growing,” Duren explained. “If you back off on the nutrition, he will tend to fall apart or not stay sound. Many of the early injuries we see in young racehorses are due to some of the feeding programs during the initial stage of training. The trainers are not feeding an adequate diet; it’s not fortified as much as these young horses need.”

In other words, the demands on their bodies are suddenly increased but the feed is not increased along with it.

“There’s an easy way to fix this,” Duren recommended.

“Trainers can feed a concentrated pellet containing protein, vitamins and minerals rather than a concentrated grain mix. Then these horses won’t be trying to jump out of their skins but will still have enough nutritional building blocks to keep growing and repair the skeleton as it remodels.”

The 2007 edition of Nutrient Requirements of Horses, a publication aimed at providing accurate information for horse owners, addresses this topic.

“It now lists the nutrient requirements for a long-yearling in training,” Duren said about the publication. “The nutrition scientists realized this was a big blank in our earlier nutrition wisdom. We know 40

HJ summer 14 14

Duren said he was surprised by the number of horsemen and horsewomen who make that mistake, which is easy to prevent by using supplement pellets or balancer pellets to make sure the important nutrients are there. If an owner or trainer is trying to get the young horse used to eating a larger volume of feed without overdoing the carbohydrates, mixing the supplement pellets with something like beet pulp can help.

“This makes a larger feeding and the horse feels like he’s getting a more satisfying stomach fill,” Duren said.

For young horses in training, Duren advised feeding a small amount of alfalfa as well. According to Duren, about two pounds of alfalfa per day is helpful for young horses to provide additional protein and calcium. A young horse needs a lot of calcium when building and remodeling bones. The protein is also important

for muscle growth, development and rebuilding. Bone also needs a but they are not. The 2-year-old racehorse needs to be on a higher significant amount of protein to grow and remodel. plane of nutrition than a 3- or 4-year-old.”

“The other thing we need to address is that most of the early As young horses advance into maturity, they can then be fed training diets utilize some grain—which typically is high in a more typical race diet, which, said Duren, has changed from the phosphorus,” he said. “This needs to be balanced with more calcium, traditional oats to a feed fortified with multiple categories of energy. which can be provided by alfalfa. Another thing alfalfa is beneficial “These diets contain some of the soluble carbohydrates from for is the buffering effect of calcium in the stomach, to help prevent or grains and starchy products and some from the super fibers like beet give relief from ulcers. It just makes sense to start these young horses pulp and soy hulls that are highly fermentable,” he said. “These fibers on a supplement pellet and a little alfalfa (for its high mineral content) can be digested in the hindgut while producing the same energy as an when they come into the breaking process.” equal dry weight of oats.”

The trace minerals in alfalfa are important, but the calcium is These fibers can supply needed energy without the risks of colic especially key because it is the major component and laminitis that come with extensive grain of bones. You don’t want to shortchange young feeding, and the use of fats in these feeds can horses on calcium at that stage of their training. also provide more calories without the risk.

“If the trainer makes a nutrition mistake and As a result, racehorse diets today are more the horse doesn’t hold up and goes lame or is effective and safer than they were 20 years ago. injured, the subsequent layoff results in wasted “Feed companies are making race diets days,” Duren said. “It takes longer for the horse much safer than they were before,” Duren to recover, become sound again and get back to opined. “We don’t get as much digestive upset, the track.” etc. Trainers can make the transition from a That horse will have a longer training period supplement pellet/alfalfa for young horses that and you’ll have more money invested in him are just starting the breaking process to a diet before he can start to race. that is higher in protein and add some energy “The supplement pellets may cost about $1 back into it for the 2-year-olds. Then, as they per day and are cheap considering their value mature, we can add more fat when they get into for the horse, since they are not grain-based,” a full racing campaign—especially if they have he added. “They are mostly just mineral “Many of the early injuries we difficulty maintaining their weight. see in young racehorse are and protein.”

“Regarding yearlings in training during due to some of the feeding programs during the initial winter, a person should not be afraid to feed As young horses get farther into training stage of training.” and need a bigger meal, said Duren, you can them according to body condition,” Duren -Dr. Stephen Duren of Performance Horse Nutrition gradually decrease the amount of supplement advised. “We want to keep them in a high pellets and put them on a diet that would be more adequate for a enough body condition that they can train and grow without losing young horse that’s doing more galloping. weight. They are expending more calories and you don’t want a “By then, these horses can utilize the type of diet you would feed yearling or 2-year-old to be thin. They need some body reserves to a 2-year-old in training,” he added. “The trainer isn’t as worried now help overcome the stress of shipping to different places. If they about the young horse’s mind and can feed him enough to handle more have a bit of cushion, they are less apt to become sick and will do exercise, using some of the feeds created for 2-year-olds. You can much better.” make the transition from the supplement pellet to the 2-year-old feed, As young horses get closer to racing, their condition will pull down but keep feeding the alfalfa.” a little just because they are very fit, but you still want to keep some For winter feeding of 2-year-olds in training, the energy level of the extra condition so they’ll have some body reserves. With a little buffer, diet is increased. These horses are working harder than they were in they are not right on the edge and can bounce back quicker. their early training and are still growing.

“If they are on the edge, it’s all too easy to knock them back and “There are several types of race diet at the track,” Duren stated. it’s harder for them to come back,” Duren said. “You have to regroup “Most trainers are feeding higher protein levels with adequate amounts and start over if they miss some training days. This costs in many of energy but also a higher level of trace mineral/vitamin package for ways, with a delay in when the horse can actually get to the races and these young horses. Exercise stimulates these horses to grow. Most realize his potential and become profitable.” people think they are done growing by the time they are 2-year-olds, www.nationalhbpa.com

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OFFICIAL SPONSOR of the National HBPA

Just call us now to make sure you have a legal workforce for the upcoming season.

horseman L A B O R

S O L U T I O N S

William Velie Attorney at Law

Craig McDougal Attorney at Law

877-678-RACE (877-678-7223)

•

www.horsemanlabor.com

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HJ summer

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feature

©iStock/Kameleon007

ale: A Cautionary T

Simple steps to protect your business from immigration and labor issues

A

s most of the horse racing world was

shocked to learn, one of the industry’s

are not for actually employing unauthorized workers or

most famous and accomplished trainers,

failure to pay minimum wage but for record-keeping.

Steve Asmussen, fell victim to an

Because the nature of USCIS and DOL record-keeping

undercover sting operation conducted

requirements are often strict liability (making an employer responsible even without proof of carelessness

by the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA). Among the many allegations PETA made against Asmussen were several involving the trainer’s employment of unauthorized employees, production and use of false documents and failure to pay minimum wage and overtime. While these allegations may prove to be

Often, fines that are assessed by the USCIS and DOL

By: Will Velie, Craig McDougal and Margot Sacre

or fault), the failure to keep proper records can amount to numerous costly fines for violations that do not even relate to unauthorized employment or failure to pay minimum wage or overtime. Using the complaints laid out

by PETA against Asmussen, this article will give horsemen

unfounded, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services

concrete and simple solutions to protect their businesses

(USCIS) and Department of Labor (DOL) investigations

from unnecessary liability and fines. The authors wish

that the PETA complaints may trigger could prove very

Steve Asmussen well and hope that his situation resolves

costly for violations that can be easily avoided with simple

in a quick and minimally damaging way. A partial list of

proactive planning.

the PETA complaints is outlined followed by a discussion

of practical solutions after each one. www.nationalhbpa.com

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feature

COMPLAINT (Alleged by PETA) to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement PETA alleges that Asmussen and KDE Equine apparently employed undocumented immigrant workers, in apparent violation of the Immigration and Nationality Act, 8 U.S.C. § 1101 et seq.

1. Be certain you have completed I-9 forms for all new hires,

Denis Blake

→ U.S. law requires all U.S. employers to establish the legal eligibility of their employees to be employed. To ensure that employers comply with legal requirements, USCIS created the I-9 form. U.S. employers must complete and keep an I-9 form for every employee who works for them. If employers follow these simple steps, they should be insulated from any liability if Immigration comes to inspect their I-9 records:

Horsemen are advised to have I-9 forms for all new hires, including U.S. citizens.

including U.S. citizens.

2. Make sure that all staff who process new hires are trained to properly complete the I-9 process and are trained to properly complete the I-9 form.

3. Complete the forms at the same point in the employment process for all employees—after you have made the decision to hire the person.

4. Do not tell the new hire which documents he or she should bring in.

Direct them to the back of the I-9 and tell them that they can pick from the documents there.

5. The employer must examine original documents and complete section two of the I-9 form within three days of the commencement of employment. The documents cannot be photocopies or faxes unless it is a certified copy of a birth certificate.

6. The law does not require you to photocopy documents. However, if you wish to make photocopies, you must do so for all employees, and you should retain each photocopy with the I-9 form.

7. Conduct occasional “spot checks” to ensure the procedures are being followed and the forms are being filled out correctly.

9. Have a knowledgeable designated representative in place authorized to meet and talk with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) or DOL personnel.

10. If you have properly completed I-9s for all of your employees and in good faith visually verified and recorded the identifying documents that your new employee presented to you, then you will be safe from any charges of knowingly employing unauthorized employees. If you fail to properly complete the I-9 form—even for a U.S. citizen—you can be fined up to $1,100 per violation. Make sure to properly complete the I-9 in a timely manner and your company will be safe from I-9 fines.

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PETA alleges that Asmussen and KDE Equine employed apparently undocumented workers and may have required the workers to use false names on Internal Revenue Service W-4 and W-9 forms, and that Asmussen and KDE Equine likely used these forms for payroll purposes and to complete other documents required by the IRS, in possible violation of 26 U.S.C. §§ 7204, 7206 and 7207.

COMPLAINT (alleged by PETA) to the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Kentucky PETA alleges that Asmussen and his assistant trainer Scott Blasi may have conspired to produce false identification documents for apparently undocumented workers, in apparent violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1028.

→

8. Be certain you keep I-9 forms on file for three years after the date of hire or for one year after termination of employment, whichever date is later.

COMPLAINT (alleged by PETA) to the Internal Revenue Service

When completing your I-9 form, do not direct your new hire on which document(s) to produce. To avoid allegations of discrimination and document abuse, as well as more serious charges such as directing your employees to obtain fraudulent documents, simply give your employees the USCIS I-9 list of acceptable documents and ask them to return any of the acceptable documents within three days of their hire for your inspection. To view the documents list, visit uscis.gov/sites/default/files/files/form/i-9.pdf.

COMPLAINT (alleged by PETA) to the U.S. Department of Labor PETA alleges that KDE Equine failed to pay a PETA investigator, a KDE Equine employee, minimum wage or overtime compensation, in apparent violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), 29 U.S.C.A. § 201 et seq.

COMPLAINT (alleged by PETA) to the Kentucky Labor Cabinet and N.Y. Department of Labor PETA alleges that KDE Equine paid a PETA investigator, an employee of KDE Equine, less than minimum wage, denied the employee overtime compensation for work done on the seventh day of the week and for hours worked in excess of 40 hours each week, and did not provide the employee rest periods of at least 10 minutes during each four hours worked, in apparent violation of Kentucky’s labor laws, including Ky. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§ 337.275, 337.050, 337.285 and 337.365 and in apparent violation of New York’s labor laws and regulations, including N.Y. Lab. Law §§ 652 and 191 and N.Y. Comp. Codes R. & Regs. tit. 12, § 142-2.2.

→ Often USCIS and DOL Wage and Hour Division investigations come in pairs. Typically a complaint from a disgruntled worker to either the USCIS or DOL will cause one agency to investigate. If they find cause to expand the investigation to the other agency,

they will do so and often involve the IRS as well. If the DOL responds to a complaint from a worker alleging that he or she has not been paid minimum wage or overtime, it is important to once again keep proper records to refute these allegations.

There are two essential records an employer should keep: 1) a signed agreement reciting job duties, hours, pay rate and rules of

conduct, and 2) a signed time card for each pay period.

The signed agreement between employer and employee creates a set of understandings that can be easily shown to an officer who is investigating conditions of a job. Conditions such as time of day to report, if there are split shifts such as morning exercise and afternoon feeding, sanctions for tardiness and hours to be worked on racing days all show the general hours that an employee is expected to work. In the Asmussen case, the PETA investigator could have easily billed Asmussen for time spent at the barn between exercise and feeding even though the workers were not required to be there during that time. In the absence of a clear description of hours to be worked, very often employees will prevail in their assertions that they were required to be on site during hours that they were not actually required to work.

“A simple signed time card and signed agreement listing job duties should be on hand for every worker.”

In addition to a description of hours to be worked, the signed agreement should specify the hourly wage as well as the fact that any hours worked over the 40-hour threshold will be paid at a time and one-half rate. It is important that the pay rate be listed on the signed agreement.

It is no secret that many trainers prefer to pay a weekly piece rate for each horse that a groom or hot walker attends. While the piece rate is invariably over the minimum wage rate, the piece rate provides no proof to an investigating officer that the worker is being paid above minimum wage or overtime if it is not tied to a specific wage and a recording of hours. In the case of a dispute between an employee and employer, very often the investigating officer is going to assess back wage penalties on behalf of the employee.

To avoid any appearances that the employer has failed to pay an employee the proper wage, a simple signed time card should provide absolute proof that the employee has been paid properly for the amount of hours that he or she has worked during the pay period. In combination with the signed agreement setting out job duties, hours to be worked and rate of pay offered, the signed time card should insulate the employer from any allegations that the employee has not been paid according to the agreement and the law.

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

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news

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

Alabama HBPA With the running of the 140th Kentucky Derby now complete and new foals arriving, the hopes of having a Derby horse are high on all our wish lists. It just looks like it should be so easy!

We continue running our Alabama-breds at tracks throughout the country, so in support of the Alabama horsemen, the AL HBPA Board has approved an AL HBPA-sponsored race to be named in memory of longtime Alabama horseman Kenneth Cotton. We are currently pursuing a host track that would allow us to run an Alabama maiden race, preferably at six furlongs in the spring or summer.

This will be in addition to the Magic City Classic and Kudzu Juvenile, sponsored by the Birmingham Racing Commission, which are typically run in December.

The Innovation Group has completed Phase I, Tasks I and II of the Birmingham Race Course Feasibility Study, which was presented to the Birmingham Racing Commission at its April meeting. The Commission then granted approval to complete the final Phase II, Task III of the study. Phase I covered the estimated costs to bring the barns and dorm areas back up to code, resurfacing of the track, rail replacement, equipment rental, etc. Phase II will get into the details of purse structure, disbursements, funding and number of racing days, and tie everything in with the Phase I costs. I must admit that I have been quite impressed with their thoroughness and look forward to seeing the completed study, which is expected to be presented at the Birmingham Racing Commission meeting in June.

We want to remain optimistic, but like so many of you know, without some form of alternative revenue, a live meet will be hard to justify on an ongoing basis. AL HBPA President David Harrington has been working diligently on the possibility of Instant Racing machines, and we are appreciative of the knowledge and advice that has been shared by all of you. It has been several weeks since Harrington submitted a proposal to Jefferson County Racing Association COO Dr. Lewis Benefield, where the AL HBPA would spearhead an effort to have Instant Racing machines legally installed at the Birmingham Race Course. A mandatory percentage from the machines’ takeout would be used to support live horse racing purses. At the time of this writing, track management has not been willing to discuss our proposal nor responded to the many phone calls.

This slow and steady process is just like having a young horse in training—patience and more patience.

Nancy Delony, Executive Director

Arkansas HBPA Oaklawn Meet was One for the History Books Horse racing has always been a numbers game, and the numbers say that the 2014 Oaklawn Park meet was one of the best, if not the best, on record. The 51-day meet concluded on April 12 with double-digit gains in handle, record purses and an uptick in attendance. That was all despite the fact that the track lost four full cards and two partial cards due to bad weather. With better weather, the meet probably would have completely re-written the record books at Oaklawn.

The average daily handle at the meet came in at $3.32 million, up a whopping 19 percent from last year. The off-track handle jumped by 27 percent to $2,585,327 per day, while on-track handle averaged $733,262, a drop of about 2 percent from last year. Average daily attendance was 10,357, up 0.4 percent from last year.

Horsemen had a great meet as average daily purses were $411,071, an alltime record at Oaklawn and an increase of 13 percent from last year. Of course that also increased demand for horses, and a record 423 claims were made for more than $6.2 million during the meet.

Congratulations go to leading owner Danny Caldwell with 24 wins, leading trainer Steve Asmussen with 35 victories (his sixth title in Hot Springs) and, for the second straight year, leading jockey Ricardo Santana Jr. with 59 wins.

The Grade 1, $1 million Arkansas Derby attracted a huge crowd of 63,186 with a total handle of $12,237,621. Danza, a 41-1 longshot, scored for owner Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, trainer Todd Pletcher and jockey Joe Bravo before going on to the Kentucky Derby and running a solid third.

Big numbers for purses, handle and attendance are always great, but so are numbers that directly impact the lives of horsemen and backstretch workers. The Arkansas HBPA is blessed to have the services of Dr. Kyle Roper, his wife, Jane, and Becky Palmer in our backside medical clinic. We set a record with more than 700 patients seen during the meet and were able to fill everyone’s prescriptions. That’s something that really helps horsemen in their daily lives, and we are truly thankful for that.

We look forward to another spectacular meet in 2015, with the schedule set to run from January 9 to April 11. See you then!

Looking Back, Looking Forward Eric Jackson has been the general manager of Oaklawn Park since 1987 and has worked at the track since 1978, so he’s seen a lot of ups and downs over the decades. He was kind enough to provide a little perspective on how far Oaklawn has come in recent years: By the late 1990s, Oaklawn Park’s future seemed dim at best. Oaklawn has always drawn patronage from a six-state area. But by the end of that decade, more than 60 casinos had opened up in surrounding states, essentially cutting off Oaklawn from its patron base. More than a few in the racing industry predicted Oaklawn’s days were numbered.

Then, Oaklawn and the horsemen who race at Oaklawn joined hands and began to fight back.

First, they both fully backed an innovative idea Oaklawn wanted to develop called Instant Racing, a way to take traditional pari-mutuel wagering and present it in a modern, electronic format. Oaklawn knew it would be frightfully expensive to develop with no guarantee of success. But the track said it would be willing to try if the horsemen would be willing to get behind it.

Bill Walmsley, then president of the Arkansas HBPA, not only gave the green light, he pledged horsemen would do anything they could to help make it a success.

Oaklawn put 50 Instant Racing terminals in operation in the year 2000.

Within just a few years, Oaklawn was handling more on Instant Racing than it was on live and simulcast racing combined. This caused purses to begin to rebound, which attracted better horses and more racing fans. State officials were pleased because Instant Racing also created additional jobs and new tax revenues.

In 2005, Oaklawn and the horsemen did it again. This time they went to the Legislature and asked for authority to offer electronic games of skill to go along with Instant Racing. The state, having seen the positive impacts of Instant Racing, accommodated the request. And over the next five years, Oaklawn spent tens of millions of dollars to develop facilities suitable for the presentation of Instant Racing and electronic games of skill.

When those facilities opened up four years ago, there was another major boost to racing, purses, employment and taxes. www.nationalhbpa.com

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In the just-completed 2014 live racing season, Oaklawn achieved two major milestones. Average daily purses topped $400,000 for the first time and open maidens were running for $60,000. Both are roughly twice what the track was offering just a few years ago.

Oaklawn and the Arkansas HBPA are not content to sit on their laurels.

Within the past year, the two teamed up again, this time to produce and offer OaklawnAnywhere, an ADW just for Arkansas residents. Although it has only been available for five months, handle has already exceeded projections for the entire first year.

And just 48 hours after the live season ended in April, Oaklawn broke ground on a multimillion expansion of its Instant Racing and electronic games of skill facility. If all goes well, the expanded facility should be complete by the end of this year. If the past is indicative of the future, racing at Oaklawn should enjoy another major boost starting in 2015.

Oaklawn and the Arkansas HBPA are a true American racing comeback and success story—nearly on the edge of extinction in the 1990s and now showcasing some of the top purses and racing in America. There should be no surprise that the two just recently extended existing contracts well into the next decade.

It’s a textbook case of what is possible with a little ingenuity, a lot of hard work and a strong, trusting partnership between tracks and horsemen.

Arizona HBPA Turf Paradise The 2013–14 meet closed on Sunday, May 4, of course, with the traditional Hasta La Vista race. The race was won by Mambo Man, who was trained by Robertino Diodoro, ridden by G. Franco and owned by Charles Garvey, Ted Graling and TG Racing LLC. On April 21 at 4 p.m., the ballot counting began. Our new board members are owners Debi Ferguson, Peggy Hopwood, Bill Matthews, Filippo Santoro and Lee Vaughn, and owner/trainers Darrell Alvey, F.C. Frazier, Tony Klenakis, Jeff Metz and Ray Odom Sr. The new board held its first meeting on April 30 and reelected J. Lloyd Yother as president. We would like to thank our Nomination/ Election Committee members for all their time and work: Chairman Kevin Eikleberry, Loretta Brasher and Debbie Zimmerman.

The Arizona Thoroughbred Breeders Association held its second Festival Day of the Turf Paradise meet on Saturday, April 26, with more than $215,000 given away in purse money.

The benefit for injured jockey Anne Von Rosen was a great success. Many thanks to Barro’s Pizza and Turf Paradise for the food, all who donated items and those who purchased to support the benefit. Many thanks to those who made it possible with their time and hard work. The benefit raised more than $65,000. Good job!

We received news late on May 5 that Arizona Governor Janice Brewer signed SB 1282, the ADW bill, with some changes. Many thanks to Arizona Senator Steve Pierce for drafting the bill, Arizona HBPA President J. Lloyd Yother, lobbyist Bas Aja and Arizona HBPA Executive Director Tom Metzen Sr. for the long hours working with Senator Pierce on the bill. Thank you to our leaders who cared enough to stick with it.

Executive Director Tom Metzen Sr. was recognized by Turf Paradise on closing day with the Walter Cluer Award. The award is given to the horseman who demonstrates excellence in citizenship, leadership and overall conduct in the best interest of Turf Paradise horse racing, his profession and his fellow man. The Whinny Award co-winners were Dani Clegg and Bucky Huff. The 48

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award is for an individual who displays philanthropy, without the main reason being a financial gain, to and for horsemen. Congratulations!

Turf Paradise leader awards went to Silva Racing LLC as leading owner, Robertino Diodoro as leading trainer, Jorge Carreno as leading jockey and Skyler Whiteshield as leading apprentice jockey.

Your new board of directors and president will form committees and will work actively this summer with Turf Paradise management to offer help and support for an improved 2014–15 season.

The new open date for Turf Paradise will be Saturday, October 18. We will run three days on opening week, then five days a week starting October 24. The barn area will open September 1 for horses, and training will begin September 8. The meet will run through May 5, 2015.

A reminder to horsemen returning to Turf Paradise for the 2014–15 season that this will be a new licensing cycle.

Please keep the Arizona HBPA office updated with your current home and email address.

Our new email address is azhbpa@outlook.com.

Charles Town HBPA Equine Encore Performance Charles Town is a 501(c)(3) program dedicated to repurposing and rehoming ex-Charles Town Thoroughbred racehorses. With six dedicated board members, this new organization has worked hard to get the program underway. Through the generosity of Charles Town horse owners and help from Penn National Gaming Inc., the organization has been able to rehome 37 horses to date. If you are interested in making a tax-deductible contribution, send it to: EEPCT, 835 E. Washington Street, Suite 106, Charles Town, WV 25414. For more information, go to the website at equineencoreperformanceatct.org or call (304) 443-7108.

Owner Gloria McCormick had a very special night at the races on April 29.

Gloria celebrated her 90th birthday by winning the first race with her horse He’s Mine, trained by her son Russell Davis. As she headed to the winner’s circle, she was surprised by all of her family from Morgantown, West Virginia, joining her for the win picture. Gloria was escorted to the Skyline Terrace for a birthday dinner celebration. Gloria was not in the dining room very long when she was informed that she was presenting a trophy in the third race, the Happy 90th Birthday Gloria McCormick Purse.

Congratulations to CTHBPA Board member Jim Miller, who currently campaigns the outstanding 3-year-old filly Aurelia’s Belle, sired by Lemon Drop Kid. Aurelia’s Belle recently finished ninth in the Kentucky Oaks (G1) at Churchill Downs, preferring turf and synthetic track surfaces to dirt tracks.

Aurelia’s Belle will undoubtedly continue her campaign in stakes races over those surfaces.

2014 Legislative Session The brutal economic battle to preserve statutory funding for horsemen’s purses and breeder awards that was previously mandated by the passage of the Race Track Video Lottery and Table Games Bill ended with a 10 percent decrease in revenue. We would like to commend all the Eastern Panhandle senators and delegates for their diligent efforts to mitigate the adverse financial effects upon our industry. We would also like to thank our horsemen and breeders for taking the time to personally contact legislative members to educate them about our issues and to garner their support.

news

It was a beautiful spring day for the chaplain’s annual Easter party for the backstretch families. The children were treated to pizza and boxed drinks.

They received Easter favors, played games and had lots of fun on the moon bounce.

The Easter story was read by Chaplin Joel. The Easter Bunny was on hand to visit with the children and the finale was the Easter egg hunt.

Florida HBPA Combest Elected To Third Term as FHBPA President Each year, the FHBPA elects five members to its 15-person board of directors; two are owners and two are trainers with the fifth seat being at-large.

Those elected serve three-year terms and those qualifying as alternates serve a one-year term. This year the owners elected were incumbents Kathy Davey and Chester Bishop. The owner alternate was Carlo Vaccarezza. On the trainer side, three new board members were added: Eddie Plesa Jr., Dale Romans and Marcus Vitali. The trainer alternates were Steve DiMauro and Larry Bates.

After the board of directors was seated, Phil Combest was again elected president by acclamation. All other officers remained the same as last year with vice presidents Tom Cannell, Larry Pilotti and Barry Rose all returning as well as Kathy Davey as secretary and Barry Rose as treasurer.

This was the third time Combest had been elected president since he completed the term of longtime FHBPA President Sammy Gordon, who resigned in 2011.

Gulfstream Finishes Strongly Despite Calder Racing Head-To-Head The Gulfstream Park Championship Meet came to its first final day on April 6. Because during the 2013–14 fiscal year Gulfstream had only one active permit, summer racing and the Championship Meet had to be part of the same permit or license. The next final day, or the final-final day, for the Gulfstream Championship Meet will take place on June 29, with the summer meet beginning July 1. So for handle and purse statistics, I am using the first final day, April 6, which means the Championship Meet was 83 days in length, having begun on November 30, 2013.

As discussed last time in The Horsemen’s Journal, Gulfstream’s live handle was down a whopping 25 percent in December from the previous opening month, but by mid-January, the “King of Winter Racing” had righted the ship and ended the Championship Meet down only 1.1 percent. Quite a comeback!

What caused this dismal start was that there was no Calder/Tropical meet ending before Gulfstream opened, so there was no clear demarcation between the Calder/Tropical product and the opening of the winter’s best racing at Gulfstream Park. Instead, Gulfstream was running its first summer meet from July 1 to November 29, and Calder was racing at the same time for the entire five months. Gulfstream’s fields were comprised mostly of the better Calder horses and no intelligent bettor was buying that the “Boys of the Summer” who raced until the end of November were miraculously replaced by the Pletchers,

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Makers, Motts, Plesas and Romans on November 30. It took until the middle of January before Gulfstream’s handle numbers returned to normal.

One can only imagine what a record-setting meet this might have been if racing wasn’t being conducted at the same time just seven miles away.

As would be expected, Calder did most of its damage to the live on-track wagering at Gulfstream, which was down 15 percent from last year. ITW, or IntraTrack Wagering (within the state of Florida), was down 6.7 percent, but then remember, three tracks (including Tampa Bay Downs) are now racing simultaneously where there were but two last year.

Gulfstream, “The Lion of the Winter,” overcame its weak start to again dominate the racing signal war, easily besting Santa Anita Park, Aqueduct, Tampa, Oaklawn Park and Fair Grounds, among others. Gulfstream actually finished its meet up 0.37 percent on wagering on its out-of-state simulcast signal when adjusted for days of racing. This definitely would have been a record-breaking meet, except for Calder.

So, how did Calder do?

Well, Calder, which has never run beyond the first few days in January, entered new territory by racing until early April. From November 30 to April 6, during the Gulfstream Championship Meet, Calder ran 55 days all on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Calder handled almost $59 million or an average of $1.07 million per day on its live product. Gulfstream raced 83 days with the extra 28 days being mainly the much lower wagering days such as Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. During this period, Gulfstream handled almost $650 million, or an average of $7.83 million per day, which equates to a daily average of more than seven times as much as Calder’s.

Overnight purses paid at Gulfstream averaged $276,409 while total purses, including stakes, paid daily averaged $415,325. Meanwhile, Calder’s average overnight purses paid during the same period were $111,777, and total purses paid daily were $130,323.

Some of you are now thinking, “Handle was seven times more and overnight purses were just over three times more? We were robbed!”

Not so. The three components of live handle are on track; IntraTrack Wagering (ITW), which is all wagering in the state of Florida that did not take place at Gulfstream; and InterState Wagering (ISW), which is all wagering on Gulfstream outside the state of Florida. Here is a breakdown of the three components with total wagered at or on each track and roughly the average percentages that go to purses:

Gulfstream Calder Purse Percentage On Track $49,000,000 $19,000,000 10% ITW $38,000,000 $40,000,000 6% ISW $599,000,000 $59,000,000 3% Wow, I don’t seem to be making my point, but if we included stakes paid it would look like this: Gulfstream Calder Stakes $10,100,000 $438,000 In order to be the dominant winter track and attract the best horses, Gulfstream paid out more than 23 times as much as Calder did for stakes races.

Remember, there are many other components to purses such as slots revenue, poker revenue, Florida Thoroughbred breeders incentives and source market fees, and at Gulfstream there is a Gulfstream or Stronach Group contribution to purses, just to name the major ones. All in all, Gulfstream had a really impressive meet while Calder just had a meet that paid less in purses than it did during the summer.

So how did horsemen fare overall during this period, the duration of the Gulfstream Championship Meet? In 2012–13, horsemen ran for total purses of www.nationalhbpa.com

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$37 million, and in 2013–14, horsemen ran for total purses of $41.6 million, or $4.6 million more in purses this year.

Since the beginning of the “Dates War” on July 1, 2013, through April 6, 2014, horsemen ran for total purses of just over $64 million, while during the same period in the previous year total purses paid were just under $58 million.

Therefore, horsemen actually raced for $6.1 million more during the Dates War. Backside Doings The Gulfstream Backside Picnic was bigger and better than ever this year.

Each attendee got a ticket that entitled them to win one of 115 bicycles and 50 microwave ovens. The first picnic/barbecue was held at Gulfstream, and the next day the same type of event was held at beautiful Palm Meadows Training Center for another large crowd of backsiders…As usual, Chaplain Tom LaPointe and his Assistant Chaplain Alberto Grimaldi conducted deep sea fishing trips (pictured, Chaplain Tom and his fish) and a trip to the C.B. Smith Water Park where 50 backsiders and their children from both Calder and Gulfstream had a fun-filled day…Gulfstream Park donated one of its shuttle vans to Chaplain Tom. The van is large and in excellent condition and will save the FHBPA from renting buses for the chaplain’s trips…

The Gulfstream Park soccer league ended with Barcelona (pictured) becoming champion of the seven teams. The Colo Colo team finished second.

Indiana HBPA New Indiana Grand Racing & Casino Celebrates 2014 Opening Day Delayed by a seemingly endless winter that froze everything in Indiana and a total track reconstruction, the new Indiana Grand Racing & Casino finally celebrated its 2014 opening day on Tuesday, May 6.

A warming sun shone on nine Thoroughbred races and one American Quarter Horse race to open a 120-day meet that continues through Saturday, November 1. The track will offer racing Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 2:05 p.m., with Friday and Saturday action beginning at 5:05 p.m. Thursday racing, with a 2:05 p.m. post, will be added July 17.

The racetrack casino celebrated the return of live racing with a festivalthemed grand opening weekend beginning Friday, May 9, that included familyfriendly activities, live music, multiple specialty dining outlets and a free community fireworks presentation.

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On opening day, it didn’t take long for Tom Amoss to visit the newly configured winner’s circle. The track’s leading trainer the past three years scored three wins on the opening day racing program, including the very first race with 3-year-old gelding One Voice.

Amoss returned to Indiana off a spectacular season in 2013. Horses from his barn accumulated 81 wins for more than $1.5 million in purse earnings, setting new track records for both categories.

Jockey Jeremy Rose also started off the season in Indiana well, winning two races on the opening day card. In addition to his win aboard One Voice, Rose also guided the Amoss-trained Vita Desiderata to a win.

Alberto Pusac and Rodney Prescott also recorded multiple trips to the winner’s circle, scoring two wins each. Trainer Kim Hammond also scored two wins on the opening day card.

New Name, New Look at Indiana Grand The once-separate gaming and racing facilities are now operating as one under the new Indiana Grand Racing & Casino name. The name change is part of a re-branding initiative to combine the racetrack and casino into one property.

The Indiana Grand Racing & Casino name and logo has replaced all Indiana Downs mentions and signage. Additionally, a complete redesign of the property’s simulcast racing television screen artwork has changed what racing fans view throughout the United States and internationally. The old Indiana Downs simulcast screen, which featured shades of red and white, has been updated to the new Indiana Grand Racing & Casino design displaying a black and gold color palette and new graphics technology.

The resurfaced track and backside are also sporting a new look. Indiana Grand completed two new barns in August 2013. Construction on two additional barns began over the winter, increasing stall space by 304 among the four new structures.

Each of the new barns offers 76 stalls with 13 tack rooms, six wash bays and an open-air feel perfect for racing during the hot summers of central Indiana.

In addition to the stall space, eight new electronic walking machines have been placed between the new barns, offering trainers an alternative for cooling out their horses.

The receiving barn was reworked during the off-season, with permanent stalls, lighting improvements and a reconfigured vending and lounge area.

Out front, the track now features a new state-of-the-art $10 million LED video display board that has become the centerpiece on the toteboard in the racetrack infield. The video display will enhance all television production from the facility and offer a larger-than-life look at live racing. The new video display board measures 20 feet tall by 32 feet wide.

In the clubhouse, fans will be able to bet using the new FastBet technology.

United Tote’s FastBet Mobile is a user-friendly application that enables guests to place wagers directly on their smartphones or iPad/Android tablet while at a racetrack or designated off-track betting property. Guests simply connect to the track’s local wireless network, access the FastBet application site, log into their account and start wagering. Once finished, guests can choose to keep their account balance or cash out at any designated self-service or teller window.

Stakes Schedule Will Draw Attention to Indiana This year, the 20th running of the Grade 2, $500,000-added Indiana Derby will provide the most visible focus for Indiana racing. The race on Saturday, October 4, is Indiana’s richest and is complemented by eight other stakes on the card, including the Grade 2, $200,000-added Indiana Oaks. Other stakes for the day include the $100,000-added Michael G. Schaefer Mile, the $100,000-added Mari Hulman George and the $100,000-added Ta Wee. In all, a total of more than $1.3 million will be offered in purses that day, making it the richest day of racing in Indiana history.

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Trainer Kelly Von Hemel (center) accepts, on behalf of Dream Walkin’ Farms, the 2013 Horse of the Year Award for Smack Smack from IA HBPA President Leroy Gessmann and Sen. Jeff Danielson

IA HBPA President Leroy Gessman (left) and Sen. Jeff Danielson (right) present the 2013 Claimer of the Year Award to Bill Guess for his horse, Tavern Time Coady Photography

Indiana HBPA Benevolence Program Delayed by IHRC Examination The Indiana HBPA has been experiencing severe financial strains as a result of the Indiana Horse Racing Commission’s seven-month examination of benevolence practices, which resulted from a complaint over past practices filed with the horse racing regulator by a current Indiana HBPA board member.

The investigation delayed approval of the Indiana HBPA’s 2014 application for slot funding, which was submitted in September 2013.

By Indiana law, the state HBPA receives a percentage of slot revenues from the two casinos at Hoosier Park and Indiana Grand. The organization applies to and must be approved by the IHRC annually for the funds.

Because the Indiana HBPA has received no monthly slot revenues since January, on-track health care providers have not been at the HBPA backside clinics and other benevolence activities have been curtailed. Slot revenues also fund Thoroughbred equine welfare and promotion, in addition to administrative functions on the backside of the track. Those activities have also been limited until the 2014 application is approved.

The Indiana HBPA has fully complied with six rounds of document requests from the IHRC covering five years of benevolence activities. In addition, Indiana HBPA representatives have met with and regularly communicated with IHRC attorneys and regulators to answer questions and explain past and current benevolence practices.

Neither the report on the benevolence examination nor the Indiana HBPA application approval will be taken up by regulators until the Indiana HBPA has responded to a series of corrective action steps outlined by the IHRC that will change the way we administer and deliver our benevolence. If accepted by the IHRC, the Indiana HBPA response will be incorporated into the organization’s 2014 application and, hopefully, considered at the IHRC’s next meeting, likely to be sometime in June.

IA HBPA Vice President Chris Richard (center) accepts the 2013 Owner of the Year Award, on behalf of Maggi Moss, from IA HBPA President Leroy Gessman (left) and Sen. Jeff Danielson

Iowa HBPA Annual Awards Banquet for Iowa HBPA and ITBOA The annual Iowa HBPA Awards Banquet for the category winners of the 2013 racing meet was a huge success with an excellent turnout.

IA HBPA Vice President and 2013 Trainer of the Year Chris Richard (right) with IA HBPA President Leroy Gessman (left) and Sen. Jeff Danielson

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Other stakes races that will capture attention include the $200,000-added Centaur Stakes and the $100,000-added J. Kenneth Self Shelby County Boys and Girls Club Stakes set for Wednesday, June 18. Both races are scheduled for the turf and are open, which will draw entries from outside the state, with 3-year-olds featured in the Centaur Stakes and 4-year-olds and up heading into the other event.

Indiana Grand will offer two other days during the season that showcase stakes in excess of $300,000. The Wednesday, July 23, card will feature the $100,000-added Girls Inc. of Shelby County Stakes open to all older females on the turf and the $200,000-added Indiana Grand open to 3-year-old fillies on the turf. The track will also host the $150,000-added Governor’s Stakes for Indianabred 3-year-olds and the $150,000-added Indiana First Lady for Indiana-bred 3-year-old fillies on Wednesday, August 6.

The meet will conclude Saturday, November 1, with $470,000 in stakes monies for four events: the $150,000-added Too Much Coffee, the $150,000-added Frances Slocum, the $85,000-added Miss Indiana and the $85,000-added Indiana Futurity, all Indiana-bred stakes. The event will fall on the heels of the Breeders’ Cup, which will begin earlier in the day from Santa Anita Park, followed by live racing at Indiana Grand at 5:05 p.m.

For more information on the Indiana Grand meet, visit indianagrand.com.

The honored guest and keynote speaker was Iowa State Senator Jeff Danielson.

The awards banquet was once again held in combination with the Iowa Thoroughbred Breeders and Owners Association.

This is the third year this has occurred and will continue this way for the foreseeable future. It was decided that, after the 2011 banquets having occurred less than a week of each other for both organizations, a combination of the two would be easier for both groups and our representative members.

The results have been a resounding success from all of the compliments that have been received following the banquet.

As always, the Prairie Meadows buffet was well received by all who were in attendance.

Maggi Moss won the Owner of the Year Award for the IA HBPA. Maggi has held the title for 11 years in a row. In 2013, her horses won 33 races, finished second 17 times and third 15 times. Her stable’s earnings were more than $663,000.

The 2013 Horse of the Year honors went to Smack Smack, who started six times in 2013 and earned four wins and two thirds. He won the Prairie Gold Juvenile Stakes and Prairie Meadows Juvenile Mile, and then went on to win the Clever Trevor Stakes at Remington Park. In all, Smack Smack had total earnings in excess of $192,000 in 2013.

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Smack Smack is owned by Toby Keith’s Dream Walkin’ Farms Inc. and trained by Don Von Hemel.

Claimer of the Year for 2013 was Tavern Time with earnings of more than $57,000 after being claimed by Chris Hartman for owner Bill Guess. He ran four consecutive seconds before winning later in the meet and then finished third in the Iowa Breeders’ Derby.

Trainer of the Year went to Chris Richard. Chris began training in 2005 shortly after earning a Master’s degree in equine nutrition and exercise physiology at Texas A&M University. Last year he led the trainer’s standings with 229 starts, 67 wins, 36 seconds and 35 thirds. His stable earned more than $1.4 million with a 30 percent win rate.

Once again congratulations to all the IA HBPA 2013 award winners!

Groom Elite 201 to be Offered on Prairie Meadows Backside The Elite Program Groom Elite 201 class will be starting July 7. The class will run for six days during the dark days at Prairie Meadows on July 7–9 and 14–16.

Groom Elite 201 builds on the foundation grooms have already acquired by going through the 101 class and is only available to grooms that have passed 101.

This year it was decided to conduct a Groom Elite 201 class after a multiple-year hiatus from its being offered on the Prairie Meadows backside.

It will be only the second time this class has been offered at Prairie Meadows and is in response to many inquiries as to when the 201 would be offered to our grooms. We expect a full class and look forward to many of the former 101 students coming back to participate.

The continued success of the Elite Program at Prairie Meadows is not in doubt as there are many grooms who want to learn more about the Thoroughbreds they are charged with caring for on a daily basis. The IA HBPA thanks everyone who has instructed in the past for Groom Elite classes and also Prairie Meadows for generously supplying lunches to our grooms who go through the class. The IA HBPA also thanks Dr. C. Reid McLellan for his creation of the Elite Program and all the classes available through this outstanding husbandry educational curriculum.

H.A.R.T. Silent Auction Set For Festival of Racing During the Iowa Festival of Racing on June 28, the local horse retraining program Hope After Racing Thoroughbreds (H.A.R.T.) will be holding a silent auction on the apron just north of the paddock. All of the proceeds will benefit this program and help aid in the placement and/or retraining of Iowa Thoroughbreds when their racing careers are over. If you would like to donate an item to the silent auction or want to make a monetary donation for H.A.R.T., please contact the IA HBPA office at (515) 967-4804.

Iowa Legislative Session Now Over This session, the IA HBPA and its allies won enactment of two bills that should benefit IA HBPA members. The first bill would make it a felony to accept a bet from Iowans on horse racing without an agreement in place with the IA HBPA, Prairie Meadows and the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission. This will allow the IA HBPA to get a fair deal from ADW operators who have refused to pay their fair share of source market fees.

The second bill signed by Governor Terry Branstad eliminates the requirement that 51 percent of a stallion be owned by an Iowan. This provision has caused extra expense and needless headaches for members seeking to improve their breeding in Iowa.

A third bill sponsored by the dog racing industry would allow this group to apply to the Racing and Gaming Commission to simulcast both dog and horse racing in all of Iowa’s casinos. The IA HBPA, after fruitless attempts at negotiating with dog officials, opposed this provision of a long sought52

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after legislative solution to eliminate dog racing. This bill will now be sent to Governor Branstad for consideration. While the governor has expressed reservations, IA HBPA members are encouraged to send letters to the governor to urge a veto of this legislation. We will send out additional press releases to keep affiliate HBPA members aware of the developments, as our members are members of other HBPAs across the nation.

Kentucky HBPA President’s Message The 140th Kentucky Derby is in the books. Congratulations to California Chrome and his connections. The Kentucky Derby is such an amazing spectacle.

For a few weeks leading up to the race and culminating in the running of the Derby on the first Saturday in May, racing takes center stage. It is hard to imagine that the sport of horse racing in Kentucky is in a state of decline.

Except for Keeneland and Kentucky Downs, racing days have been significantly reduced and still full fields are hard to come by. The competition from New York, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania and additional states with casino-fueled purses continues to drain our horse population. Repeated attempts by a contingent including the governor of Kentucky, supportive legislators, horsemen, breeders, racetracks and other interested parties cannot seem to get enough traction, which would allow the people of Kentucky to decide the issue.

Fortunately, the recent Kentucky Supreme Court ruling regarding Instant Racing has given additional tracks in Kentucky the confidence to pursue the machines at their tracks. While it is not the same revenue enhancer as a casino at racetracks, if Instant Racing can produce anywhere near the numbers that Kentucky Downs has experienced, it should slow, to a certain extent, the downward spiral of purses.

Medication reforms continue to move through the regulatory process in Kentucky and other states. As I mentioned previously, I have been assured, in writing, by Dr. Mary Scollay that the thresholds currently in place in Kentucky will remain. I firmly believe, however, that uniform medication is only possible if all the testing laboratories are operating at the same level. Several years ago, a quality assurance program was established to assure that the labs are operating at a high level of efficiency. It is important that every lab contracting to run samples is accredited and monitored through blind samples on a regular basis. Federal intervention that is being proposed is not the answer. Assuring that testing labs are competent will restore the supposed lost confidence in racing.

Good luck in your racing endeavors, Rick Hiles, KHBPA President Cowboy Jones Book Published R.A. “Cowboy” Jones has lost seven inches in height over his 55 years of racing from injuries, lifestyle and crouching in the saddle. He strives to be the best in everything he does without a complaint. Not only a winning jockey, Cowboy Jones aspired to be the best insurance salesman, tomato farmer, lip synch performer, restaurateur and father who ever walked the streets of Henderson, Kentucky. Did he ever fail? You bet! But when he did, he always returned to the one thing that brought him camaraderie, success and a paycheck…horse racing.

Written by Angie Karcher, this book titled The Legendary R.A. “Cowboy” Jones: Over Fifty Years as a Jockey is a great read for both young adults and young-at-heart adults. Bring history alive for your children as you read about this local legend. Books can be ordered through mtpublishing.com or by calling M.T. Publishing at (888) 263-4702.

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Date January February March April May June July August September October November December

Total Handle 16,798,070 22,546,459 28,037,238 22,522,701 26,090,753 23,908,204 26,469,430 26,941,611 26,213,951 23,883,637 24,234,372 23,554,899 291,201,325

Returned to Public 15,475,260 20,880,498 25,866,604 20,769,307 24,161,300 22,042,771 24,437,239 24,821,959 24,141,480 22,080,346 22,401,927 21,721,628 268,800,319

KENTUCKY DOWNS INSTANT RACING MACHINES HANDLE & REVENUES 2013 KDTF Track Purses Awards & Development Revenue Generated Supplements Fund 909,650 150,443 10,746 125,986 1,116,801 196,900 14,064 169,098 1,489,993 242,745 17,339 210,279 1,204,108 197,350 14,096 168,920 1,300,775 221,494 15,821 195,681 1,283,210 208,693 14,907 179,312 1,389,001 229,739 16,410 198,521 1,464,685 234,119 16,723 202,062 1,434,911 228,060 16,290 196,605 1,222,637 207,572 14,827 179,127 1,243,762 210,250 15,018 181,658 1,262,897 202,580 14,470 176,662 15,322,430 2,529,945 180,711 2,183,911

Random Thoughts

By Marty Maline, KHBPA Executive Director Recently, I read with interest an article by Alan Balch, the executive director of California Thoroughbred Trainers. Alan’s vast experience in several facets of the racing industry provides him with a unique perspective. His comments present an incredibly astute view on an industry seemingly bent on destroying itself from within.

“Racing is exceptionally vulnerable to virtually any claim or accusation because of its lack of cohesive governance.”

I recall when the National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA) was originally formed. Many thought this was the answer to the lack of cohesive governance that Alan refers to in his comments.

The industry rallied around Tim Smith, the initial CEO of the NTRA. We listened intently to his views on the need to market the industry. “Branding” became part of our vernacular. During the first marketing campaign, we became familiar with slogans “Go Baby Go” and “Pay the Lady” and it appeared that people began to take notice. Yet we began to hear rumblings that racing’s hierarchy were not amused. They had a better idea on a marketing plan, which failed miserably. Soon thereafter, Tim Smith left and the NTRA became less involved with marketing and began a process of reinventing itself.

Next, the use of medication in racehorses became the focal point of the powers that be. Several years ago, the Quality Assurance Program (QAP) was formed. Many organizations were involved in this effort to improve the level of competency of the testing laboratories. This is the solution to eliminating supposed prohibited substances in racehorses, not proposed federal intervention.

Accreditation of the labs is not a new concept; this same idea was discussed 30 years ago. Blind samples were sent to testing labs to assure their efficiency. Once again, politics and other agendas resulted in the demise of the QAP. “The last few years, The New York Times—both editorially and in its coverage of racing—has become an advocate not only for insufficiently defined federal supervision of some aspects of racing, but also openly hostile to and unbalanced in its coverage of what it has editorially determined to be a ‘disreputable sport.’”

Alan has accurately stated that The New York Times has led the charge, but what is disappointing is the approach some of the leaders of the industry have taken. Comments that federal intervention is the only alternative to address perceived issues are damning to the racing industry.

“Attacking the use of furosemide (Lasix/Salix) to inhibit exercise-induced equine bleeding was where the smear of racing began. The attack originally emanated from The Jockey Club, which apparently chose to disregard the results of its own expensive study on the medication.”

Equine Industry 33,596 45,093 56,074 45,045 52,182 47,816 52,939 53,883 52,428 47,767 48,469 47,110 582,402

Equine Drug 16,798 22,546 28,037 22,523 26,091 23,908 26,469 26,942 26,214 23,884 24,234 23,555 291,201

Higher Education 16,798 22,546 28,037 22,523 26,091 23,908 26,469 26,942 26,214 23,884 24,234 23,555 291,201

General Fund 58,793 78,913 98,130 78,829 91,318 83,679 92,643 94,296 91,749 83,593 84,820 82,442 1,019,205

The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission (KHRC) began a series of hearings on a proposal to ban furosemide. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, the Humane Society of the United States, representatives from Breeders’ Cup Limited and others appeared in an effort to convince the KHRC to eliminate furosemide in racehorses. Fortunately, the effort lost momentum when other jurisdictions failed to follow suit, but once again the racing industry suffered due to the continued denouncement of the sport.

“A recent survey performed by the Association of Racing Commissioners International on 320,000 testing samples from racehorses found 99.59% not in violation for prohibited substances.”

It is interesting to note that this important fact regarding the racing industry is somehow overlooked in the concerted effort to denigrate the sport of racing.

The Legendary R.A. “Cowboy” Jones Over Fifty Years as a Jockey

• 8.5˝ x 11˝ Hardbound • Color Cover • 48 pages • $17.95†

By: Angie Karcher The Legendary R.A. “Cowboy Jones” has lost 7 inches in height over his 55 years of racing from injuries, lifestyle and crouching in the saddle.

He strives to be the best in everything he does without a complaint. Read about this jockey’s life on and off the track in this exciting new book scheduled to be released June 30, 2014. Written for mid-level grade children to learn about a Kentucky Legend. Order your copy of The Legendary R.A. “Cowboy” Jones: Over Fifty Years as a Jockey today!

M.T. Publishing Company, Inc. †

PO Box 6802 Evansville, IN 47719-6802 888-263-4702 www.mtpublishing.com

Plus shipping & handling of $6.50 first book, $4.00 each additional.

IN residents add 7% sales tax.

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KHBPA Partnering with U of L Equine Program The KHBPA is partnering with the University of Louisville Equine Industry Program in an effort to place interested students with training operations on the backstretch at Churchill Downs and Trackside Training Center.

Tim Capps, executive director of the program, has requested a meeting to begin the process of placing well-qualified students.

“We will begin interviewing the students and contact trainers who may have a need for qualified individuals,” Marty Maline explained. “We have hired students from the school and they are professional and enthusiastic. In fact, our office manager, Sara Toomey, is a graduate from the Equine Industry Program.”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Louisiana HBPA In the recently concluded Louisiana HBPA election, Benard Chatters was elected president. Tom Abbott, Bobby Dupre, Christine Early, Keith Hernandez and Arthur Morrell were elected as owner-directors. Judy Behler, Bret Calhoun, Sturges Ducoing, Edward Johnston and Don Stemmans were elected as trainerdirectors. The president and directors will serve three-year terms.

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Michigan HBPA A palpable sense of enthusiasm is apparent as Michigan horsemen prepare to race at Hazel Park Raceway in Detroit. Beginning the last weekend of June, nine races per day will be carded on Friday, June 27, and Saturday, June 28, followed by nine races every Friday and Saturday for 16 more weekends. A “Grand Reintroduction” of Thoroughbred racing is planned for Friday, July 4.

Since the closing of Pinnacle Race Course in 2010, Michigan horsemen and women have struggled to keep Michigan racing alive, racing at Mt. Pleasant Meadows’ half-mile oval.

Pure determination and a renewed spirit of cooperation between the Detroit-area tracks and the MiHBPA have made the “Return to Detroit” possible.

Hazel Park has not hosted Thoroughbreds for more than 30 years. Following approval from the Michigan Gaming Control Board, Hazel Park agreed to make the necessary track surface and infrastructure changes to accommodate Thoroughbreds. Construction began May 6.

“We are back where we belong,” said George Kutlenios, president of the MiHBPA. “We have been working on returning to the city for the last three years.”

Racing at Hazel Park will be Friday and Saturday evenings with a 7:00 p.m. post time. For more information, visit mihbpa.com or visit our Facebook page at facebook.com/MiHBPA. Minnesota HBPA There is a buzz of anticipation on the backside as horsemen await the May 16 start of Canterbury Park’s 20th live racing season (1995–2014). It’s the 20th anniversary of the track’s reopening.

With purses enhanced by the 2012 agreement with the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community, owners of Mystic Lake Casino, purses at Canterbury Park will edge upward to $13 million in 2014. We will race 69 days from mid-May to mid-September.

In addition to the agreement with the tribe at Mystic Lake, Canterbury has entered into a simulcast agreement with the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe. We are waiting on approval from the National Indian Gaming Commission and the Minnesota Racing Commission that will allow simulcast wagering on horse races at the Northern Lights Casino Hotel in Walker, Minnesota! Legislation from 2012 enables sovereign nations, currently authorized to conduct gaming, to receive telecasts of horse races for simulcast wagering purposes from Canterbury and other tracks. Horsemen look forward to sending them simulcast signals, as a portion of simulcast wagering revenue from Northern Lights will increase live racing purses at Canterbury.

Join us July 5 for our annual Horsemen’s Appreciation Day and our general meeting! We will meet at 11 a.m. in Longshots on the second floor. This is your opportunity to join other horsemen for a fabulous brunch and to nominate candidates for three positions on our nine-member board. Trainer Bernell Rhone and owners Tom Metzen Sr. and Peter Mattson have completed their terms and will run against other members who are interested in serving on the Minnesota HBPA Board of Directors.

Watch for your ballots the first week in August.

The annual Minnesota HBPA golf outing is July 21 at Dahlgreen Golf Club in Chaska. This event is open to horsemen and their guests. Get your team together and plan for a great day! Please register in the HBPA office.

Our condolences are extended to the family of Tom Metzen Jr., who passed away April 18. His presence will be missed in our racing community.

Harrah’s Louisiana Downs 2014-2015 Race Meets

Delta Downs Racetrack & Casino 2014-2015 Race Meets

8000 Hwy 80 East, PO Box 5519, Bossier City, LA 71171 318-742-5555 * www.ladowns.com

2717 Delta Downs Dr., Vinton, LA 70668 * 337-589-7441 * www.deltadowns.com Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu

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15 16 17 18 22 23 24 25 29 30 31 November 2014 01 05 06 07 08 12 13 14 15 19 20 21 22 25 26 28 29 December 2014 03 04 05 06 10 11 12 13 17 18 19 20 22 23 26 27 31 January 2015 01 02 03 07 08 09 10 14 15 16 17 21 22 23 24 28 29 30 31

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Fair Grounds Race Course 2014-2015 Race Meets 1751 Gentilly Blvd. New Orleans, LA 70119 504-944-5515 * www.fairgroundsracecourse.com

2235 Creswell Lane Extension, Opelousas, LA 70570 Toll Free: 866-4-Racing * www.evangelinedowns.com

April 2014

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Evangeline Downs Racetrack & Casino 2014-2015 Race Meets Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu

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01 05 06 07 08 12 13 14 15 19 20 21 22 28 29 December 2014 03 04 05 06 10 11 12 13 17 18 19 20 46 Quarter Horse Days

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05 10 Quarter Horse Days November 2014

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25 26 29 30 31 February 2015 01 05 06 07 08 12 13 14 15 17 19 20 21 22 22 26 27 28 29 March 2015 06 01 05 06 07 13 08 12 13 14 20 15 19 20 21 27 22/29 26 27 28 80 Thoroughbred Days

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Mountaineer Park HBPA

Easter Dinner The Mountaineer HBPA once again sponsored an Easter dinner at the Riverfront Buffet at Mountaineer Casino Racetrack and Resort for horsemen, horsewomen and their families. Almost 300 people enjoyed this holiday celebration!

At a recent informational meeting, we discussed the economic situation that we are facing with the reduction in funding from the video lottery and table game proceeds and the increased competition.

The Mountaineer Park HBPA Board of Directors voted to approve the reduction of 14 days in December 2014. At the informational meeting, the pros and cons of such a decision were discussed and the majority of horsemen who informally voted voiced their support for this reduction.

While many feel that we should not take a reduction in days, it is a question of funding. According to projections that have been remarkably accurate in the past, if no changes are made to the racing calendar or purse structure, we will be completely out of money in the beginning of November.

Even with the reduction in days, we may have to endure a 5 percent reduction in purses in the fall to have enough purse funds to race the rest of the meet. This is not an issue of if we should give up days, it is an issue of how will we fund the races scheduled.

Management has proposed that if we do not cut the days in December, we would have to cut purses by 20-25 percent on July 1 to continue racing through December. That would bring our bottom purse to $6,075.

If you have suggestions or an answer to this problem, I welcome your input on this and any issue we are facing. The board works very hard to make the best decisions possible for the welfare of all the men and women who depend on racing.

John W. Baird, President

Membership and Upcoming Election The Mountaineer Park HBPA office is working to update its membership list. Please contact the office with updated information including your email address. The election is scheduled for the fall, and we want to make sure we have the correct contact information for all members.

Nebraska HBPA The Nebraska Legislature voted to approve a proposed constitutional amendment to be placed on the ballot to benefit horse racing in the state. The language of the ballot measure will propose allowing historical or replayed horse races at licensed racetrack enclosures in the state. The measure will be Amendment 1 on the ballot, and a vote for the amendment would allow placing historical racing machines at racetracks in Nebraska. The measure would also give a portion of the proceeds to property tax relief and schools. More information will be available later in the spring, but if any interested parties wish to volunteer to assist the effort, please call the Nebraska HBPA office or email nebrhbpa@cox.net.

The race meet for Columbus Exposition and Racing will be held from August 1 through September 1 for a total of 16 days of live racing. The meet will once again be held at Ag Park in Columbus.

Groom Elite 100 More than 15 horsemen and women took part in the Groom Elite 100 Horse Behavior and Safe Handling Course on May 12–15.

Sponsored by the Mountaineer Park Chaplaincy, this course was taught by Dr. C. Reid McLellan. The students learned about horse behavior, basic health issues confronting horses and information on feeding and colic. The students received a full-color textbook and a certificate of attendance.

New England HBPA

By Lynne Snierson Suffolk Downs, the sole surviving Thoroughbred track of the 17 that once offered live racing in New England, raised the curtain on the 2014 meet on May 3, and opening day was a smash hit with 14,612 people on-track comprising the largest and most enthusiastic crowd in five years.

This year, the track moved the meet ahead about a month on the calendar so the opening coincided with Kentucky Derby Day for the first time in recent memory.

A big contingent of the fans, who bet $441,507 on the live card, came out to support Wicked Strong, who is named in tribute to the victims of the Boston Marathon bombings one year ago and is owned by the Massachusetts-based Centennial Farms, in his bid to win the Run for the Roses. They also turned out to participate in what Suffolk Downs termed “The Biggest Kentucky Derby Party in Boston.”

But many more came to the track just to enjoy the return of live racing to the 79-year-old Boston landmark, which ended the 2013 meet on the first weekend of November.

The annual Easter egg hunt at Donna’s Kitchen sponsored by the Chaplaincy was well attended by children of all ages. Children participated in Easter crafts, egg coloring, a special Easter message and, of course, a visit from the Easter Bunny, who led them to an egg hunt on the turn! Thank you to all who donated items for the party as well as your time and talents.

Barn and Groom of the Quarter The Chaplaincy is once again holding the Barn and Groom of the Quarter contest. There are nomination forms for grooms and a committee will be patrolling the backside in search of the Barn of the Quarter. So, get out those paintbrushes and plant some flowers.

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Chip Bott

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“It was wonderful to see so many dedicated racing fans and newcomers alike pack the track and enjoy a great day of racing,” said New England HBPA President Anthony Spadea. “They had a wonderful time. There were a lot of smiling faces and long lines at the betting windows. We hope that this will bode well for a successful 2014 season and for many seasons to come.”

Nevertheless, the ownership of Suffolk Downs has been candid that unless the track and gaming partner Mohegan Sun are awarded the single resort casino license for the Greater Boston area, this season will be the last at the track where National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame members Seabiscuit, Skip Away and Cigar and many more of the sport’s immortals have graced the winner’s circle through the decades.

The track’s operating losses ranged from $11.8 million to $26.4 million over a five-year period and the track’s handle nose-dived from $27.6 million in 2000 to $6.5 million in 2012, according to data filed with the Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC), which regulates racing in the state.

One of the reasons that on-track handle fell from 2000 to 2012 is that there were 150 days of live racing in 2000 and 80 days in 2012. The dramatic reduction in race days also caused the horsemen to lose many millions of dollars from intrastate and interstate wagering on the live product.

Moreover, an onerous 5 percent withholding state tax on gambling winnings over $600 was implemented in 2013 and that further eroded handle last year.

The change was to immediately withhold tax upon cashing a winning ticket on a lowered level of value, which was extremely detrimental as it drove the big bettors out of state or to ADW sites.

Suffolk’s ownership has attempted to expand gambling on site since the state of Massachusetts passed enabling legislation in the fall of 2011.

Suffolk currently has a partnership agreement with Mohegan Sun, which seeks to develop a $1.3 billion casino project on the track grounds. Mohegan Sun would own and operate the gaming on land leased by Suffolk, which would commit to keeping live racing going for at least 15 years, restore the stakes schedule and implement a $40 million capital improvement plan to upgrade the racing facilities.

But there is a rival application by Wynn Resorts to build a $1.6 billion casino in the nearby city of Everett also under consideration by the MGC. If the Wynn plan successfully wins the license, the project would be located only two miles from Suffolk’s stable gate.

The commissioners were originally scheduled to render their decision and award the license this past February, but the timetable has now been pushed back several times due to political and procedural issues and is currently classified as “undetermined.”

Furthermore, there is an effort underway in Massachusetts to repeal the expanded gambling legislation altogether, and the fate of casino gambling could hinge on a case that came before the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court on May 5.

The High Court heard arguments on whether a question should be allowed on the November ballot asking voters if they want the state’s 2011 casino law repealed. The court is expected to issue a decision by July.

If allowed on the ballot, the referendum could upend the state’s ongoing casino licensing process.

“The New England horsemen and Thoroughbred breeders are in a very precarious position,” Spadea said. “We support the Suffolk/Mohegan Sun proposal wholeheartedly. If they are successful in winning the casino license, it would be an enormous shot in the arm for live racing and breeding. We hope for the best, but we must be realistic at the same time. There is a huge cloud of uncertainty hanging over us and over the racetrack.”

While awaiting the crucial decision, the New England HBPA continues to work

with the MGC on the issues of safety, welfare and integrity. After years of being behind the national curve on safety and welfare policies, Massachusetts is now at the forefront, one of only four states in the country to adopt and implement national model rules.

The chapter is also working with the MGC’s Horse Racing Committee on the Race Horse Development Fund to determine the percentages of the revenue split between the Thoroughbred and Standardbred industries. The revenue source, established by the 2011 expanded gambling legislation, will disperse monies raised through eventual licensing fees for three destination resort casinos in three separate geographical regions of the state and one stand-alone slots parlor, 9 percent of the slots parlor profits and a smaller percentage of the state’s share of the gross gaming revenue from the casinos.

In October, the NEHBPA, in concert with the Massachusetts Thoroughbred Breeders Association, submitted a position paper to the RHDF citing empirical data that the Thoroughbred industry contributes 90 percent of the racing revenue in the state while the harness racing industry adds 10 percent, and thus the revenue split should be 90-10.

With the percentage of the money the Thoroughbred industry will eventually receive, the state statute allocates funding of 80 percent for purses, 16 percent for breeders and 4 percent for benevolence.

The Horse Racing Committee has also pushed back its timetable but is expected to make its funding allocation recommendation to the MGC sometime in mid-June.

Meanwhile, the horsemen, who scattered to other East Coast tracks during the long break, are happy to be home in New England.

“A lot of the people who left New England to go try racing at other places really struggled,” said NEHBPA board member and longtime trainer John Assimakopoulos. “I don’t know of anybody who can say they had a good time. Now we’re back at Suffolk Downs to try to recoup, win some races and hopefully get back on our feet.”

On March 27, the NEHBPA board voted to approve the 2014 race meet agreement with Suffolk Downs and the recognition agreement extends through July 31, 2015. But due to all of the uncertainties relative to the awarding of the casino license, the two sides were unable to reach a purse agreement, although talks are continuing.

Still, it was decided that the track and the horsemen would share revenue as they had in 2013, fund the NEHBPA in addition to earned purses and race until September 1 at a minimum. But if Mohegan Sun’s application is denied, live racing could end on August 1.

The NEHBPA is continuing its efforts to retain 100 days of live racing in 2014, as required by state law, and to pursue funding sufficient to maintain purses for 100 days of racing in 2014.

Suffolk Downs has maintained that it would restore the Massachusetts Handicap, once the track’s signature graded stakes event, and the open stakes schedule if Mohegan Sun wins the casino license. For now, Suffolk Downs will be the stage this year for an eight-event schedule of races restricted to Massachusetts-breds. Each race offers a purse of $25,000.

In the interim, there is cause for optimism. On February 27, the MGC selected the proposal of Penn National Gaming Inc. over two others for the state’s single slots parlor license. PNGI has already broken ground as it develops a $225 million facility at the state’s sole harness racing track, Plainridge Racecourse. In April, PNGI purchased the track and renamed it Plainridge Park Casino.

When the 3-2 decision of the five-member commission announced its decision for PNGI, the three commissioners who voted in favor stated their desire to save the state’s struggling harness racing and breeding industry was a factor in their decision. www.nationalhbpa.com

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“Although we are gratified that the majority of the commissioners understood the plight of the harness horsemen and ruled in their favor, we take nothing for granted,” Spadea said. “Our members and those in the Massachusetts Thoroughbred Breeders Association are doing everything we can to make the case for the survival of the Thoroughbred industry, which has an annual economic impact in the hundreds of millions of dollars and provides 1,500 good jobs in this state.”

Fire at Suffolk Downs The cause of the three-alarm fire that destroyed the track kitchen/ recreation hall on the backside of Suffolk Downs on the night of April 29 was still being investigated by fire marshals at press time.

The fire, which was responded to by four area fire departments, broke out at approximately 6 p.m. The blaze and blinding, heavy smoke were fueled by strong winds that were pegged at 17 to 20 mph and were coming in off the Atlantic Ocean from the northeast, making the job of firefighters more difficult.

At the time there were about 400 horses stabled on the backside, and horsemen reacted quickly to move about 30 horses in an adjacent barn to other stalls. Fortunately, no humans or horses were injured.

At press time, the track was arranging for canteen trucks to provide service to the stable area.

Ohio HBPA OHBPA Reaches 10-year VLT Revenue-Sharing Agreements for Thistledown and Mahoning Valley Racecourse The Ohio HBPA has completed 10-year video lottery terminal (VLT) revenuesharing agreements with Thistledown Racetrack LLC for Thistledown and with Beulah Park Gaming Ventures Inc. for Mahoning Valley Racecourse.

“These agreements are very favorable for the Ohio Thoroughbred industry and are the result of months of difficult negotiations,” said Ohio HBPA President Tim Hamm. “The agreements will provide stability and reward the patience of owners, trainers and breeders in the state. The agreements provide the ability for the industry to plan for the future.”

Listed below are some of the provisions in the agreements that are beneficial to Ohio’s horsemen.

• More than 10.5 percent of the VLT income generated at each facility will be paid to the Ohio HBPA with a minimum of 80 percent of those funds to be distributed as purse money at the track where it was generated. The Thistledown agreement provides for retroactive payments for VLT revenue generated at the track from April 2013 to present. The remaining 20 percent of the VLT income paid to the Ohio HBPA will be used for a variety of programs including but not limited to the Ohio Thoroughbred Fund, Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Health Fund, Thoroughbred retirement programs, equine research and advertising and promotion of Thoroughbred racing in the state.

• The agreements ensure a sufficient number of stalls at both tracks throughout the length of the agreements with more than 1,040 at Mahoning Valley and 1,050 at Thistledown. The agreements also provide that at least 80 percent of the stalls must be allocated to Ohio horsemen each meet to reward those horsemen who have continued to support Ohio racing during difficult times recently.

• The agreements provide for a minimum of 200 non-overlapping days of live racing in Northern Ohio between the two tracks beginning in 2015 and lasting throughout the length of the agreements. The racing calendar 58

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between the two tracks will cover a minimum of 50 weeks each year with the ability to train and stable continuously between the two tracks throughout the length of the agreement. These provisions were important due to the fact that while minimum live racing dates are provided in the ORC, the possibility of a dates war for the prime summer racing dates going forward was a very real concern for the OHBPA. These agreements alleviate those concerns and provide stability for Ohio horsemen.

• These agreements are contracts between the parties and as such serve to insulate Ohio’s horsemen from the very real risk of changes in the law that have taken place in many jurisdictions, including the surrounding states of Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Indiana. Horsemen in each of those states have seen their share of gaming revenues generated at their tracks reduced by law changes.

• The Ohio HBPA is recognized as the exclusive authorized representative of all horsemen engaged in Thoroughbred racing at the respective racetracks.

• The Thistledown agreement provides for 30 days of training and stabling at the track prior to each racing season and seven days of stabling after the final day of live racing each season. The Mahoning Valley agreement provides 14 days of stabling and training prior to each racing season and for seven days of stabling and training following the last day of live racing each season.

• Additional provisions in the Mahoning Valley agreement call for the building of 84 dorm rooms, which will contain two beds per room. A recreation and vending area is also included in the facility.

• Included in the agreements is a 50/50 division between the track and horsemen of all export fees.

There are many additional provisions in these comprehensive agreements that are too numerous to detail in this limited space, including arbitration and other dispute resolution processes between the parties.

“I’m thankful to the members of the Ohio HBPA Board of Directors for all of their assistance and support through these very long and difficult negotiations,” said OHBPA Executive Director Dave Basler. “I am very excited about the future of Thoroughbred racing in Ohio but much work remains to be done.”

2014 Ohio Racing Season The 2014 racing seasons are well underway at both Thistledown and Belterra Park. Thistledown is racing four days per week (Wednesdays and Friday through Sunday each week) with an average daily purse distribution of approximately $115,000, which includes OTF monies. The 122-day live meet continues at Thistledown through November 16.

Live racing returned at Belterra Park, formerly known as River Downs, on May 8 after a one-year absence due to construction. The entire front side was torn down and rebuilt from the ground up providing an integrated racing and VLT facility.

The construction process also involved moving the racetrack approximately 100 yards to provide additional parking areas, which necessitated tearing down and rebuilding a number of barns. Total construction costs at Belterra Park were in excess of $200 million.

Belterra Park races Thursday through Sunday each week through October 19 with purses averaging approximately $85,000 per day.

Beulah Park raced the final day in its 90-year history on Saturday, May 3. A large crowd was in attendance for the final racing program on Kentucky Derby day.

Rookie Gladden scored a nose victory in the $50,000 Babst/Palacios Memorial Handicap under jockey Edgar Paucar in the final race ever at the Grove City, Ohio, track which served as a springboard for many jockeys’ and trainers’ careers during its storied history.

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Thoroughbred Racing Association of Oklahoma (Oklahoma HBPA)

LEADING DAM OF THOROUGHBRED RACING STOCK Sallybrooke Owner: Doyle Williams

2013 Oklahoma Champions Honored in Tulsa The third annual Oklahoma Thoroughbred Champion Awards Banquet was held May 9 at the Tulsa Hard Rock Hotel and Casino. Hosted by the Thoroughbred Racing Association of Oklahoma, the event honored the 2013 Oklahoma-bred champions and leading owners and breeders. Congratulations to all the winners!

LEADING SIRE OF THOROUGHBRED RACING STOCK Evansville Slew Owner: Stallions LLC

HORSE OF THE YEAR, CHAMPION THOROUGHBRED RACING STOCK AND CHAMPION 3-YEAR-OLD THOROUGHBRED FILLY More Than Even (Stephen Got Even—Sallybrooke) Breeder/Owner: Doyle Williams

Thoroughbred Athletes Sport of Kings Challenge Set for June 21-22 at Remington Park The Sport of Kings Challenge is coming to Remington Park June 21-22 and promises to be a weekend packed full of fun. If you ride or compete with a retired racehorse, then please mark your calendars. The Sport of Kings Challenge horse show will be open to all breeds of retired racehorses and all types of riders.

Whether you compete in hunter/jumper, dressage, barrel racing or simply love horses, we will have something to fit your needs, including Western and English flat classes. The event will also feature clinics, competitions and other festivities.

For those of you who bring your family, we will have exhibitions, a food truck derby, cash awards, awesome prizes and a “Barn Bash” fundraiser that Saturday evening.

The three judges for the Sport of Kings Challenge include prominent Thoroughbred owner Maggi Moss, Retired Racehorse Project founder Steuart Pittman and U.S. Dressage Foundation bronze and silver medalist Robin Hessel.

The Sport of Kings Challenge will benefit Thoroughbred Athletes Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization located in Guthrie, Oklahoma, dedicated to the rehabilitation, retraining and rehoming of off-track Thoroughbreds while giving young people a chance to develop new skills. The goal of Thoroughbred Athletes Inc. is to teach retired racehorses a new skill set that will afford them a second career beyond racing and keep them from situations that may lead to neglect, starvation or slaughter.

For more information, go to thoroughbred-athletes.com or sportofkingschallenge.com.

CHAMPION 2-YEAR-OLD THOROUGHBRED FILLY Xray Vision (Pollard’s Vision—Lucky M) Breeder: Allen Poindexter • Owner: Poindexter Thoroughbreds LLC CHAMPION 2-YEAR-OLD THOROUGHBRED COLT/GELDING Alpha and Omega (Omega Code—Holy Belle) Breeder/Owner: Robert H. Zoellner CHAMPION 3-YEAR-OLD THOROUGHBRED COLT/GELDING My Brother Don (Fast Play—Cherry’s Hunter) Breeder: Ron Wise • Owner: Ron Wise and Aaron Swan CHAMPION AGED THOROUGHBRED MARE Sooner Superstar (Ra Ra Superstar—Skip a Dare) Breeder: H. Allen Poindexter • Owner: Marti Rodriguez and Dwayne Scruggs CHAMPION AGED THOROUGHBRED STALLION/GELDING Imahit (Whywhywhy—Halo Hit) Breeder/Owner: C.R. Trout CHAMPION OKLAHOMA-BRED THOROUGHBRED HORSE, MIXED MEETS A Kiss for Mady (Forestwood—Kiss My Grits) Breeder: Rockin BB Ranch LLC • Owner: Clifton D. Brooks CHAMPION FEMALE SPRINTER Eye Love Jeanie (Showing Up—First at the Wire) Breeder/Owner: Robert H. Zoellner CHAMPION MALE SPRINTER AND CHAMPION MALE TURF RUNNER Okie Ride (Candy Ride [Arg]—Tic Tic) Breeder/Owner: Richter Family Trust CHAMPION FEMALE TURF RUNNER Fast Resource (Bob and John—Colee Bear) Breeder: Dr. Dan W. White • Owner: K. and J. Hall LLC and Young Stables LLC LEADING OWNER OF THOROUGHBRED RACING STOCK Richter Family Trust LEADING BREEDER OF THOROUGHBRED RACING STOCK Richter Family Trust

INDUSTRY SERVICE AWARD John Lowder

Stallion Stakes Reminder for Foals of 2015 Nomination forms for the Oklahoma Stallion Stakes, for foals of 2015 from the 2014 breeding season, have been mailed out. Please keep an eye open for this form!

If you did not receive one, you can obtain a copy on our website at traoracing.com or call the TRAO office at (405) 427-8753. Stallion nominations must be postmarked no later than June 30, 2014.

REMEMBER: All progeny of the nominated stallions for the breeding season of 2014 will be eligible with no nomination fee.

The TRAO Office Has Moved!

Our new office is on the backside of Remington Park, and we are now up and running. We are excited to be able to help our horsemen even more effectively.

Our new address is 1 Remington Place, Oklahoma City, OK 73111.

A Tornado Story, One Year Later

By Bobbie Steenbergen Friday, May 31, 2013, started out to be a beautiful day. I had three of my Sunday school ladies over for lunch and they enjoyed taking pictures and www.nationalhbpa.com

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HBPA of Ontario

Sugarcreekdancer

petting the horses. Of course, their favorite was a three-month-old foal picking on his mother. About 4 p.m., my daughter called and said, “Mom, are you watching the weather?” My company left and I headed out to feed the horses.

I had 11 head here at the farm. Little did I know what to expect that night and the next morning after an EF5 twister destroyed my home, barn, fences and horse shelters, as well as the lives of six horses.

My daughter, granddaughter and great-grandbaby and I went to the neighbors’ basement at about 5:15 p.m. We had only been there about 15 minutes when the power went out, and after that we could hear the awful wind noise, then a silence, and then it was even louder than the first time. I prayed for the horses because I knew with the strength of the wind that it was going to be serious for the horses and my property.

The next morning, I saw one horse dead in the pasture and Mika’s Top Gun in the field standing about three-quarters of a mile from where he was the night before. I drove on my road and there stood Sugarcreekdancer, also about three-quarters of a mile from his paddock. Many friends came to help with their trailers. The horses were all so cut up and scared. They were all taken to Equine Medical Associates, where the vets said they looked like they had been sandblasted. Four had to be put down, including Mika’s Top Gun, and one of the mares lost her foal.

Sugarcreekdancer was at EMA for three weeks, and then I rented a paddock for him and a yearling that still needed doctoring. Getting the debris removed so fencing and shelters could be rebuilt was my first priority.

So many people were gracious enough to help in this time of need. Nelda and Larry Kettles fostered and doctored two mares and a foal for two months.

Express Ranch was gracious enough to let me stay at their apartment for two months while rebuilding my fence. After I was able to bring all of my horses home, I bought a fifth wheel to put on my property. Tammi Didlot, who coowns Sugar, and I planned to put him back in training in May to get ready for Remington Park. He still has a few knots and scars, but the vet thinks he is sound enough to run.

I appreciate so much the support that came from the horse industry, my family and friends, as well as strangers who seemed to appear out of nowhere to help clear the debris. Juan and Charlie Padilla were so helpful, not only coming to pick up the horses and taking them to the vet, but they also doctored and cared for a retired racehorse for several months.

It is wonderful being able to move into a house with a safe room and saying goodbye to the fifth wheel. I was certainly nervous when the high winds and storms came. The horses were not the only ones spooked. I have rebuilt my barn, fences and shelters. Things are somewhat back to normal. Just praying we have a calm spring.

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Horse Racing Partnership Plan April 1 marked a new period for horse racing in Ontario, with the implementation by the Ontario government of the Horse Racing Partnership Plan, which will see up to $500 million invested in the industry in this province over a term of five years.

The HBPA of Ontario is hopeful this partnership with the government will provide our industry with the platform it requires to build a solid foundation for growth and prosperity.

Crucial to this long negotiated partnership plan with the Ontario government is the successful integration of horse racing into the provincial gaming strategy.

The Ontario Horse Racing Industry Association (OHRIA) informed the industry that, as of April 4, discussions surrounding the integration of the horse racing sector into gaming had not taken place and called on Premier Wynne to help ensure that talks with the government and the horse racing sector commence as soon as possible to instill investor confidence back into the industry.

In a recent radio interview, HBPA of Ontario/OHRIA President Sue Leslie advised the industry that the Ontario Liberal government continues to make it clear they will not resurrect the once highly successful Slots at Racetracks Program, which terminated March 31, 2013. To listen to the interview with Sue Leslie, please visit hbpa.on.ca/news-and-updates/ohria-update-podcast/.

The HBPA of Ontario will continue to provide updates on the Horse Racing Partnership Plan once more details become available, so please visit hbpa.on.ca regularly for updates.

Office of the Auditor General of Ontario Report on the Ontario Lottery & Gaming Modernization Plan On April 28, Bonnie Lysyk, Auditor General of Ontario, released a special report on the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Commission’s (OLG) modernization plan for gaming. The modernization plan, which was approved by the provincial Cabinet, was made public in February 2012, at which time the cancellation of the Slots at Racetracks Program (SARP) was announced with the racing industry being given a year to deal with the fallout.

In her press release, the Auditor General stated that, “the plan to modernize the OLG to generate higher profits for the province was overly ambitious and overly optimistic.” This announcement was welcome news to the beleaguered horse racing industry and substantiated what many in the industry had assumed from the time the cancellation of the SARP was announced by the OLG. Sue Leslie, HBPA of Ontario President and Ontario Horse Racing Industry Association (OHRIA) President and Chair, commented in a recent press release that, “the industry is in a better place than one year ago but there is still much, much more to be done with integration being number one on the list…and it would appear that there is a disconnect between the OLG’s and the OHRIA’s interpretation of the integration into the gaming strategy. However, we will continue to trust the Premier’s promise for integration and will remain ready to engage the OLG in meaningful, progressive dialogue at their first opportunity.”

Ontario Sire Stakes Program at Woodbine: Changes for 2014 Race Season The HBPA of Ontario and the Woodbine Entertainment Group (WEG) recently announced revisions to the Ontario Sired (OS) racing program in 2014 at Woodbine Racetrack. Revisions to the program were made following extensive consultations with owners, trainers and breeders within the industry, all of whom were stakeholders representing numerous viewpoints on how to maximize the OS program in our market.

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Join Us at the Fort in 2014 An agreement has been reached with the Ontario government that offers horse people at Fort Erie Race Track much needed stability over the next three years provided benchmarks are met.

Fort Erie Race Track will host 37 days of racing in 2014 with the season set to run on Sundays and Tuesdays from May 27 to September 30. Post time on Sundays will be 2 p.m. and 4:15 p.m. on Tuesdays, when daylight permits.

This is positive news for the Thoroughbred racing industry in Ontario, and the HBPA of Ontario Board of Directors and staff look forward to working with our fellow horse people so that we may surpass benchmarks in order to guarantee a secure future at Fort Erie for many years to come.

To obtain Fort Erie Race Track stall applications, please call Harry Eder, coordinator of horse people’s relations, at (289) 303-7982.

Assistant Trainer and Trainer Testing Dates for 2014 Are you interested in taking the assistant trainer or trainer test this year in Ontario? The following are the remaining test dates for 2014. Application packages are available from the Woodbine backstretch office or online at hbpa.on.ca. Please note that all applications are due three weeks prior to the test dates.

Application Date Test Date May 21 June 11 July 2 July 23 September 3 September 24 Skills Improvement Courses Being Offered at Woodbine in 2014 The HBPA of Ontario is offering two skills improvement courses at Woodbine in 2014, titled Thoroughbred Racing Business and Anatomy & Physiology of the Horse. Each course is 13 weeks in duration and the cost to participate in each course is $100. The courses will commence once classes are filled. For those interested in participating in these comprehensive educational courses, please visit the Woodbine backstretch office or call (416) 675-3802 or (800) 268-9967, ext. 2249 for more information.

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Commencing at the start of the racing season at Woodbine in 2014, all eligible Ontario-sired runners in open and unrestricted overnight races as well as stakes races are eligible for a 40 percent purse bonus, thus ensuring that the total value of the program in 2014 remains on par with the 2013 levels. This new bonus will be paid across the board for horses placing first through fifth, not just on the win.

While bonus payments in open races is common practice in many major racing jurisdictions, the bonus of 40 percent across-the-board for Ontario-sired horses will outpace almost all other North American programs currently available.

This bonus will stack on top of the preexisting 20 percent Ontario-bred bonus for eligible horses, resulting in a 60 percent total bonus available in open races.

All current registered Ontario-sired runners are eligible for the 40 percent open race purse bonus with the exception of previously claimed horses (at any price) in $16,000 claiming or lesser events.

The HBPA of Ontario and WEG are proud of the exceptionally strong OS racing program and feel the revisions made will strengthen Woodbine racing well into the future and will continue to offer substantial rewards for successful Ontario sire owners and breeders.

For further information on this revitalized racing program, please visit hbpa.on.ca/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Ontario-Sired-Updated.pdf.

More than ever, it pays to breed and race in Ontario.

Oregon HBPA Hello from Oregon, We are getting very anxious for the next Portland Meadows meet to begin.

The summer fairs will be here before we know it. Hopefully, they get lots of horses so the races are filled for all of the spectators.

We are working with Portland Meadows management to get a contract completed so the backside can be opened for the horsemen as soon as possible and so our horses will be fit when the race meet starts.

I have noticed some of our horsemen at Emerald Downs, Les Bois Park, Sun Downs, Turf Paradise and in California competing. Our good luck wishes go out to them.

Pennsylvania HBPA The PA HBPA announces inactive accounts in the horsemen’s bookkeeping account at Penn National. In accordance with the live racing agreement, Penn National furnished a list of accounts that have been inactive for a period of four years. The names on those inactive accounts are set forth below.

Holders of inactive accounts should contact the PA HBPA at P.O. Box 88, Grantville, PA 17028 or by telephone at (717) 469-2970 or fax at (717) 469-7714.

All inactive accounts that remain unclaimed one year after the date of this publication will be paid to the PA HBPA’s Benevolent Fund.

The account names are: A D Racing Stable; AAA Stables, Jackie Lesniczak, et al.; James M. Anderson; Antonios Antoniou; Michael Charles Aro; Aventura Stable; Ayres Fountain Spring Farm; Bada Boom Racing; Kelly L. Balley; John M. Baillff; John G. Ballenger; Bar Nun Racing Stable; Bat Racing LLC; Bella Brook Stable; Matthew Benigno; Robert Black; Richard F. Blue Jr. and David A. Ross; Elaine Brandt; Tarry E. Bratton; Monica A. Butts; C. Triantafilos & D. Capuano; Kelsy Cartagena; Awilda Cartagena; Janet Del Castillo; Cecil & Hilda Foster; Allen D. Chestman; Chickridge LLC; Dennis Clemens; Bob R. Clements; Clermont Farm; W. Rusty Cline; Tina Cole-Davis; Charles C. Conaway Jr.; Tom G. Cook; Costanso Anibal & Rodriguez Angel; Robert Cotran; Cranberry Creek Farm; Nicole Crock; Jeanine M. Cumiskey; Carl Anthony Cunningham; Joseph A. Daraio; Samuel G. Davis; William C. Day; Donald Dean; Krista M. Dehnert; Denise Nelson & Edward J. King; J. Eric DeSouza; Darmindra Dharamjit; Diamante Racing Stable; Jacob L. Dillon Jr; Stephen L. DiMauro; Joseph A. Dondero; Double B Venture; Heath Dreyfuss; E & C Stable; Elk Manor Farm; Charles W. Engle; Richard Esquivel; Estate of Arthur Appleton; Estate of Barbara Kees and Robert L. Ingham; Lyal Farmer; The Financially Un Stable; Mary Fleming Finlay; Janon Fisher III; Nicholas C. Flynn; Tom Flynn and Tom Dobranski; Patricia Foard; Forty Acres and a Mule Stable; Erinn C. Fuller; G L M Stable; Hector Garcia; Gatrou Farm; Daniel Geitner; Joseph G. Giorgio; Ramon G. Gonzalez; Marta Googins; William D. Gordon; Harold E. Gordon; Nina J. Graziano; Elaine Hagy; Hammer Time Stable; Richard P. Harris; Billy Hays; Heavens Gaite Farm LLC; William A. Henson; Victoria Herlinger; Hickory Made Stables; Lawrence P. Higgins; Joel Hiraldo; Joseph and Susan Hlatky; Susanne G. Hopper; Horse Partners Stable; Houseafire Partnership; Andy and Karen Iacenda; Inishmore Farms; Lisa D. Jackson; Jamestown Stables LLC; John W. Tucker and Robert M. Bouse; C. Allen Johnson; Martin R. Johnson; Erin D. Johnston; Charles T. Jones; Charles W. Juliano; John Anthony Kidwell; KMC Racing LLC; Elaine Kohr; Marion Kondor; Maria Kourkoumelis; Lorraine Kramer; L and M Stables; Charles Michael Lake; Adam P. Letts; Lookingback Farm; Warren K. Luke; Denis N. Lynch; M C P Stables; Michael Makowski; Eliza M. March; Stanley Marcinkowski; William Martucci;

www.nationalhbpa.com

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news

Tampa Bay Downs HBPA The 2013–14 meet at Tampa Bay Downs concluded on May 4 with Jamie Ness capturing his eighth consecutive leading trainer title for Midwest Thoroughbreds, which was also leading owner. Jockey Antonio Gallardo took home the leading riding title, and See I A, owned by Averill Racing LLC and trained by Gerald Bennett, was leading horse with five victories for the meet.

Memorable TBD HBPA events this spring included: March 27: The 12th annual horsemen’s barbecue. More than 10 years ago, in an effort to foster goodwill between the horsemen and Tampa Bay Downs, then National HBPA President John Roarke suggested that an annual backside barbecue be held, co-sponsored by the TBD HBPA and the track. This was the first year that the event was solely sponsored by the TBD HBPA. April 5: Florida Cup Day, sponsored by the Florida Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders, Tampa Bay Downs and the TBD HBPA, showcased Florida-breds in an exciting day of races. Owners, trainers and their guests enjoyed a beautiful day of racing and fine dining.

Each year the TBD HBPA and Tampa Bay Downs award a deserving groom $100 in each Florida Cup Day race.

Congratulations to the following grooms: Race 1 – Xavier Rivera, Trainer Aldana Gonzalez Race 2 – Roberto Castillo, Trainer Mike Norris Race 3 – Mateo Perez, Trainer Jamie Ness Race 4 – Ignacio Caballo, Trainer Angel Rodriguez Race 5 – Uddrdath Holassie, Trainer William White Race 6 – Luis Cacho, Trainer Gerald Bennett Race 7 – Maria Fernandez, Trainer Steve Towne Race 8 – Betto, Trainer Chad Stewart Race 9 – Martin Marquez, Trainer Dennis Ward Race 10 – Rodolfo Salazas, Trainer Antonio Sano 62

HJ Summer 14

Race 11 – Nancy Metz, Trainer Margaret McVey Race 12 – Adelso Barrintos, Trainer Lori Smock May 3: Equestrian Inc. Horse Rescue of Tampa exercise saddle drawing. Thanks to AAA Feed for supplying a beautiful exercise saddle with fittings that the TBD HBPA raffled off during the past few months to benefit Equestrian Inc. We were able to raise more than $1,400 for Equestrian Inc. and the lucky winner was Jennifer Kiehn of Clearwater, Florida.

The TBD HBPA provided financial and material support to various horse rescue and retirement programs this year. These included Equestrian Inc., Step Ahead Thoroughbred Retirement and Thoroughbred Retirement of Tampa. Glenda Smith of Equestrian Inc. and Pam Berry of Step Ahead provided an invaluable service this year in placing several Thoroughbreds that retired from Tampa Bay Downs.

Best wishes for a great summer.

Washington HBPA Cinco de Mayo Celebration The planets aligned correctly as the 12th annual WHBPA Cinco de Mayo Celebration was held at Emerald Downs on Monday, May 5. (Hard to believe that there has been that many!) Scheduling the event on a dark day at the track is always a challenge. For the past two years, the celebration, which serves to honor the culture and music of the Mexican participants in the Thoroughbred industry, has had to wait until after the Fifth of May. Whether it was the actual date or the extra promotion by our volunteers, this year’s WHBPA signature family event was more fun than ever. Attendance doubled from last year, which included a significant increase in the five and under crowd. Party dresses, cowboy boots, good food, balloons and upbeat songs made for a fun and festive party.

Music was provided by Tony Ruiz’s Disco Movil, which with the encouragement of the audience played for an additional half hour. As always, the Emerald Downs chefs and staff did an excellent job at feeding and accommodating the crowd.

Thank you to Emerald Downs and all the volunteers who helped contribute to the success of the evening. Special thanks to Lanna Allen and her volunteers: Marshall Allen, Celeste Brady, Karla Laird, Luis Romo, Mackenzie Noble, Jesus “Chui” Gonzalez and Joe and the Quarter Chute Cafe.

All profits from the Cinco de Mayo party will benefit the Backstretch Chapel and Backstretch ClubHouse.

MaryAnn O’Connell

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Mary and Ed Stable; Mason Dixon Thoroughbred Stables Inc.; Vince McCue; Wendy A. McDaniel; Stephanie E. McGee; Andrew McKenzie & Paula Saunders; Elizabeth E. Meehan; Melanie and Loring Heard; Bruce Mendel; Robert Manto; Steven K. Meyer; Michael & Susan Jusko & Robert Manchlo; James A. Michael; Millennium Group; Gilberto Monnot; Wayne L. Morris; Wendy S. Munden; Maleke Mundle; Non Stop Stable and Ronald Slyder; Northern Lights Racing Stable LLC; Now What Stable; Old Hat Racing Stable; Jane E. Osborne; Pallindrea Farm; Narad Parbhoo; Patrick Morell and George Boehm; Kevin S. Patterson; Pepito Stable; Charles W. Phelps Sr; John Phillips; Pinnacle Racing Ltd; Platinum Racing Limited; Thomas E. Polovoy; Rocco Quaranta; R. Makarovich Jr. & R. Kreis; Reds and Mary Stable; Frank Regalbuto; Thomas Reynolds; Jeffrey B. Rice; Ridgewood Racing Stable LLC; Roosevelt Robertson; Belkys A. Rodriguez; Franklin Rodriguez; Brion Rovner; Run Aweigh Stable; Harold Russell; Adam Russo; RV Racing Stable LLC; S M G Stables; Thomas Salzman; Orlando J. Sanchez; Sandy Way Farm; School House Farm; Mary A. Schreiber; Timothy S. Shanley; SHHS LLC; Shotwell Farm; Abram Simoff; George Simon; Simple Pleasures Farm; Nancy S. Sinkler; Snowy River Horse Farm LLC; William Sorokolit; Michael Spak; David A. Stepp Jr.; Marcia Stortz; Michael A. Strauss; T.C. Stable LLC; The I’s Have It Stable; The Nonsequitur Stable LLC; The Winners Partnership; Thrown Together Stable; Jose A. Vargas and Juan Arriagada; Visiting Team Stable & Annette Mellot; VMAC Farms; Voge LLC; VRI Stable; Wanderers Stable & Serpico Stable Inc.; Ernest R. Washburn and Jacqueline Costello; Richard C. and Janene M. Watson; O.H. Wienges; Garvis Williamson; Lee R Wood; Elizabeth N. Worcester; Ambrose Young; Larry E. Zeigler; and John G. Zeltz.

Emerald Downs’ 2nd Annual 3-on-3 Basketball Tourney Registration Closes July 27 EmD3on3 is a regional basketball tournament. Once again, the 2014 tournament will be played at Emerald Downs on August 9-10. The event, which was well received in its inaugural season, is community-based and relies on local Auburn businesses and volunteers to assist in its operation. If you are interested in exploring sponsorship opportunities, please contact event

news

President’s May 6 Message, California Chrome Edition Greetings to the members of the WHBPA. Well, our first four weekends are now behind us, and the 2014 season is well underway.

While to date our fields have been less than optimal, I know that the weather has not been ideal for training and readiness, and that competing tracks (on the calendar) such as Sun Downs and Turf Paradise have now ended their meets and that additional horses will be coming our way soon. Obviously, our field sizes have suffered, and we can all remain hopeful that we will enjoy healthy horses and improving field sizes as the season moves on. We need field size to attract wagering, and wagering, in addition to the outstanding support that we receive from the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe, is the lifeblood of our purse structure.

In addition to hitting the trifecta on the Kentucky Derby, I was also thrilled to have the winner come from the “left coast.” California Chrome, an unlikely horse in many ways, provided me a great deal of pleasure with ongoing proof that “the little guy” really does have a chance to catch lightning in a bottle in this game. I was aware that the owners had turned down an offer of $6 million for the horse, but I did not know that it was for 51 percent of the horse. Those owners showed far more guts, moxie and belief than I ever would have, and I admire that greatly (one of the guys at my office asked me, “Would you have sold your horse when they offered you $6 million?” and I responded, “I would never had heard an offer for $6 million; I would have said ‘yes’ one heck of a lot lower than that!”).

I have recently been reading a new book out on the subject of Affirmed versus Alydar, which chronicles the trials and tribulations of once-mighty Calumet Farm (which bred and owned Alydar) and Louis Wolfson’s Harbor View Stable (which bred and raced Affirmed). It is an interesting insight into the history of the most successful of all stables (Calumet) pitted against the financial acumen and

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coordinator Bob Fraser at Emerald Downs at bobf@emeralddowns.com.

This year, a nonprofit charity will benefit from funds raised at the event. A 3-point shoot-out event will serve as the vehicle to raise funds and awareness for its cause.

The tournament will be set up in playoff brackets that will be based on age, gender and playing ability. Every effort will be made by the bracketing committee to keep all the divisions as balanced and competitive as possible.

Players of all ages and playing abilities are encouraged to participate! New for this year is a co-ed division.

There will be five player divisions, beginning with the youth division. The youth division will start with third-grade players and will progress by grade up to the ninth-grade level. Other age divisions include high school, college, adult and 40-plus. Each of these divisions will be broken down into recreational and competitive divisions.

The cost to play is $120 for a team with a maximum of four players. Each team will be guaranteed a minimum of three games in the tournament and each player receives a tournament T-shirt for participating. Details of the rules are listed in the rules section of the event website at emd3on3.com.

The players listed on team rosters are the only players eligible to play on that team. Roster changes can be made online until registration closes July 27. Once registration closes, players can only be changed with an “Authorized Player Change” form at the registration table on August 9 prior to the first game of the tournament. There is a $10 fee per roster change.

All teammates that play on the winning team in each bracket receive a championship T-shirt. Remember, all games are played in fun, but earning the championship T-shirt is for keeps!

You ready to play?

racing smarts of the Wolfson family. In both cases, we are looking into a world of money and largess that no one I know personally can share.

Instead, the idea of a $15/hour press operator from a machine shop in Nevada owning one-half of the Kentucky Derby winner and having the unmitigated guts to say no to half of $6 million is a story that should inspire each of us on the left coast to try and try again.

Let us all be heartened to know that an $8,000 mare, coupled with a $2,500 stallion, managed to provide the leading 3-year-old of 2014! And for my money, while many will sit in waiting for a potentially tired horse in the Belmont Stakes, I believe that 2014 will be the year when the title of Triple Crown winner is once again used. As a young man, I thrilled to the dominance of Secretariat, loved Seattle Slew for his name and connections and pulled so hard for Alydar to upset Affirmed. It has been a long, long time since 1978, and I believe that we may have finally found a horse worthy of the title. (I doubted that a Lucky Pulpit could go that far, but still bet on him on top of my wagers, hoping that he could; now, I believe that he can go 12 furlongs, given what he did at 10. I might be nuts, but I do want this horse, with these owners, to go the distance, in front.)

Washington breeding has many challenges. Given the inspiration that we just witnessed, to paraphrase Seattle Seahawks quarterback and Super Bowl champion Russell Wilson, “Why not us?” Let’s think about the opportunities out there to make a superhorse, and maybe, just maybe, someone here can create another Washington-bred national champion, and hopefully a champion like the one we witnessed on Saturday!

Wishing you the best of success, Ron Maus Prodigious Fund Accepting Applications for 100-Day Trainer Challenge The Prodigious Fund is an organization dedicated to recognizing and supporting positive efforts made within the Thoroughbred aftercare community for the rehoming, promotion and care of retired racehorses.

The Prodigious Fund is preparing for the upcoming 100-Day Trainer Challenge and was taking applications through June 1. Up to 10 trainers are being selected for the competition to successfully retrain an off-the-track Thoroughbred in 100 days.

Professionals, amateur adults and juniors were all welcome to apply. Trainers must identify the equestrian disciplines in which they have achieved recognition, list experience working with racehorses and ex-racehorses, list references, describe the facilities where the training will take place and share additional resources demonstrating their background and experience.

When selecting, the Prodigious Fund Committee will consider the need for diversity of discipline, diversity of trainer background, experience and reputation of applicants, connections of applicants to respected organizations and institutions and skill level of applicants. The committee will conduct its own research to supplement the information provided in the applications and will not share or publicize its deliberations.

The horses will compete for cash prizes at the Thoroughbred and HalfThoroughbred Horse Show on October 4 at Donida Farm in Auburn, Washington.

The winner will be decided by the judges’ score for three classes: in-hand, flat and freestyle. The latter is the trainer’s chance to showcase what the horse has learned in 100 days and its suitability for the chosen discipline.

The Prodigious Fund show is open to all Thoroughbred and half-Thoroughbred horses and will offer classes in both Western and English disciplines.

For more information, email sophiam@emeralddowns.com or see the Emerald Downs website at emeralddowns.com.

www.nationalhbpa.com

63

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