The Horsemen's Journal - Summer 2021

HORSEMEN’S THE

JOURNAL

SUMMER 2021

NEWS

OFFICIALSPONSOR SPONSOR OFFICIAL of the the National NationalHBPA HBPA of

THE HORSEMEN’S JOURNAL CONTENTS | SUMMER 2021 | VOLUME 68/#2

DEPARTMENTS

FEATURES

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22

Message from the National HBPA

Where You Bet Matters As handicappers and racing enthusiasts across America look forward to a big summer of racing, keep this in mind—where you bet matters

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08

Athleticism Runs in Thoroughbreds, Even When They Leave the Track

Industry News

Thoroughbreds are purpose-bred to be athletes, but for many, racing is just one of their strengths

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14

Testing Times

HBPA News

Following a sample from collection to a positive, how drug testing is done in 2021 and what it means

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18 Research & Medication Update

47 Affiliate News The Art and Science of Track Safety Track superintendents rely on technology and gut instinct to keep horses and riders as safe as possible THE HORSEMEN’S JOURNAL

SUMMER 2021

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MESSAGE FROM

THE CEO NATIONAL HBPA 3380 Paris Pike Lexington, KY 40511 P (859) 259-0451 F (859) 259-0452 racing@hbpa.org www.hbpa.org

PRESIDENT/ CHAIRPERSON OF THE BOARD Leroy Gessmann

SECRETARY/ TREASURER Lynne Schuller

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Eric J. Hamelback

VICE PRESIDENT SOUTHERN REGION Rick Hiles

VICE PRESIDENT CENTRAL REGION Joe Davis

I KNOW ALL TOO WELL THAT BEING A LEADER IS NOT EASY. IN MY OPINION, A LEADER REQUIRES UNIQUE AND WELL-ROUNDED SKILLS THAT ARE OFTEN HARD TO COME BY. I BELIEVE THERE ARE “NATURAL LEADERS,” BUT I ALSO BELIEVE LEADERS CAN BE DEVELOPED. IN BOTH CASES, HOWEVER, LEADERS SHOULD CONSTANTLY BE ADAPTING AND IMPROVING.

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ecently, most all of us in the horse racing industry have commented or heard calls for “better” leadership. These calls certainly got my attention—so much so that I began to focus on the alphabet soups that govern our industry, and I tried to properly define horse racing’s leaders.

Like me, many of you have likely experienced or possibly worked with bad leaders and found yourself wondering how that person ended up in a leadership role or why they were still in that position.

One aspect of leadership that amazingly seems to be overlooked by many is that of experience. Having firsthand knowledge and hands-on experience is paramount for any leader. In my opinion, if you expect people to follow your leadership, that demands you have an understanding of every aspect in that industry, especially its most important assets. Are those who are directing the horse racing industry experienced on all levels? Have they worked their way up our industry’s ladder? Isn’t it important to relate to all aspects of the horse racing industry?

If leaders do not understand all aspects, can they lead in the best interests of all participants? I believe leaders need to understand what is important to everyone and that includes knowing that what is important to some may not be to others. Good leaders find the middle ground but listen to the clear majority and make fact-based decisions. Is that what we have now?

How significant are transparency and communication in leadership? Do you believe good leaders withhold information, misrepresent facts, make decisions in a vacuum or, worse, listen to special interest groups to make choices for us all? Industry leaders must be as transparent as possible. I know this can be tricky at times, especially during tough times, but that is when transparency is most important. Fear of the unknown is real. If those we are following refuse to be transparent and open, should we be following them? Being communicative and transparent keeps everyone on the same page, closes down the rumor mill and diminishes fear.

I challenge each of you to do this exercise. Think about where we are as an industry and the path we have been on for several years. What leadership groups have been “in charge”? Are you pleased and satisfied? Do you see the direction we are heading in? Are there some industry leaders putting up caution flags? What groups are voicing concerns about the ongoing issues in the industry?

Lastly, has the leadership group in horse racing really changed?

SINCERELY, VICE PRESIDENT WESTERN REGION J. Lloyd Yother

ERIC J. HAMELBACK

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THE HORSEMEN’S JOURNAL

SUMMER 2021

CONTRIBUTORS

THE

NATIONAL HBPA

AFFILIATES

WOULD LIKE TO THANK ITS CORPORATE

DENIS BLAKE

SPONSORS

BOARD OF DIRECTORS - AFFILIATES Dr. David Harrington, Alabama Norm Castiglione, Alberta Robert Hutton, Arizona Bill Walmsley, Arkansas David Milburn, British Columbia and Canadian National James Miller, Charles Town Kent Bamford, Colorado Chris Vaccaro, Finger Lakes Jim Watkins, Illinois Joe Davis, Indiana David McShane, Iowa Rick Hiles, Kentucky Benard Chatters, Louisiana Blaine McLaren, Manitoba James Uelmen, Michigan Pete Mattson, Minnesota Jami Poole, Mountaineer Park Garald “Wally” Wollsen, Nebraska Anthony Spadea, New England Joe Poole, Ohio Joe Offolter, Oklahoma Sue Leslie, Ontario Ron Sutton, Oregon Sandee Martin, Pennsylvania Eddie Esquirol, Saskatchewan Mike Dini, Tampa Bay Downs David Ross, Virginia Pat LePley, Washington

The opinions, representations and viewpoints expressed by the authors in the articles contained in The Horsemen’s Journal do not necessarily reflect the opinions, representations and viewpoints or the official policies or positions of The Horsemen’s Journal, National Horsemen’s Administration Corporation or National Horsemen’s Benevolent & Protective Association Inc. and its affiliates (collectively “HJ”). HJ is not responsible for, and expressly disclaims all liability for, damages of any kind arising out of use, reference to or reliance on any information contained within this issue. Information in this issue may become outdated due to the rapidly changing nature of the horse industry. The publication of any advertisements or articles should not be construed as an endorsement of any product, service or position unless specifically stated.

The Horsemen’s Journal, Volume 68 #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 2021 all rights reserved.

The Horsemen’s Journal is the official publication for members of the Horsemen’s Benevolent & Protective Association, a representative association of Thoroughbred owners and

THE HORSEMEN’S JOURNAL

SUMMER 2021

Dr. Kimberly Brewer Dr. Clara Fenger Dr. Andreas Lehner James McIngvale Jen Roytz Theodore F. Shults Dr. Thomas Tobin

PHOTOGRAPHERS

Denis Blake Coady Photography Giulia Garcia Lynn – stock.adobe.com NYRA quentinjlang – stock.adobe.com Retired Racehorse Project/CanterClix

STAFF Denis Blake Editor P (512) 695-4541 hj@hbpa.org Jennifer Vanier Allen Advertising Director P (716) 650-4011 F (509) 272-1640 jallen@hbpa.org Limb Design www.limbdesign.com Graphic Design THE HORSEMEN’S JOURNAL 3380 Paris Pike Lexington, KY 40511 P (512) 695-4541 F (859) 259-0452 hj@hbpa.org HBPA WEBSITE: www.hbpa.org COVER PHOTO: volgariver – stock.adobe.com

trainers. HBPA is a non-profit 501(c)6 Kentucky corporation. Members receive The Horsemen’s Journal as a benefit of membership paid by the national office from affiliate dues. Annual non-member subscriptions are $14. Single-copy back issues, if available, are $7. Canadian subscribers add $6. All other subscriptions outside the U.S. add $20 payable in U.S. funds. To order reprints or subscriptions, call (866) 245-1711.

The HBPA National Board of Directors has determined that the publication of this periodical is necessary in the transaction of the public business required of the association.

Views and opinions expressed are those of the authors and/or advertisers and do not necessarily represent the opinion or policy of the publisher or HBPA board or staff. Query the editor prior to sending any manuscripts.

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

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POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Horsemen’s Journal, 3380 Paris Pike, Lexington, KY 40511.

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OFFICIALSPONSOR SPONSOR OFFICIAL of the the National NationalHBPA HBPA of

OFFICIALSPONSOR SPONSOR OFFICIAL of the the National NationalHBPA HBPA of

NEWS

NYRA

INDUSTRY NEWS

TRIPLE CROWN WINNER AMERICAN PHAROAH

American Pharoah, Todd Pletcher and Jack Fisher Elected to National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame

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riple Crown winner American Pharoah, seven-time Eclipse Award-winning trainer Todd Pletcher and 13-time champion steeplechase trainer Jack Fisher comprise the National Museum of Racing’s 2021 Hall of Fame class. American Pharoah and Pletcher were elected in the contemporary category in their first year of eligibility, and Fisher was chosen by the Museum’s Steeplechase Review Committee, which meets once every four years.

The class of 2021 will be enshrined along with the 2020 inductees—trainer Mark Casse, jockey Darrel McHargue, horses Tom Bowling and Wise Dan, and Pillars of the Turf Alice Headley Chandler, J. Keene Daingerfield Jr. and George D. Widener Jr.—on Friday, August 6, at the Fasig-Tipton sales pavilion in Saratoga Springs, New York, at 10:30 a.m. The ceremony will be broadcast live at racingmuseum.org. An announcement regarding public attendance at the ceremony will be made at a later date.

American Pharoah (Pioneerof the Nile—Littleprincessemma, by Yankee Gentleman) ended racing’s 37-year Triple Crown drought when he swept the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes in 2015. A bay colt bred in Kentucky by owner Zayat Stables, American Pharoah was trained by Hall of

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Famer Bob Baffert and ridden by Hall of Famer Victor Espinoza. Beginning his career in California, American Pharoah won the Eclipse Award for champion 2-year-old male in 2014, and then the following year became America’s 12th Triple Crown winner. Following the Triple Crown series, American Pharoah went on to win the Grade 1 Haskell Invitational and Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Classic, setting a track record of 2:00.07 for 1 ¼ miles at Keeneland in the Classic. Overall, American Pharoah posted a record of 9-1-0 from 11 starts and earned $8,650,300.

He was voted Horse of the Year and champion 3-year-old male for 2015.

Todd Pletcher, 53, a native of Dallas, went out on his own after working as an assistant to Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas from 1989 through 1995. He won his first race in January 1996 with Majestic Number at Gulfstream Park. A graduate of the University of Arizona, Pletcher owns records for career earnings ($405,791,977) and Eclipse Awards (seven) and ranks seventh all-time in wins (5,118). He has won the Kentucky Derby with Super Saver (2010) and Always Dreaming (2017) and the Belmont Stakes with Rags to Riches (2007), Palace Malice (2013) and Tapwrit (2017). Pletcher has won 11 Breeders’ Cup races, including the 2019 Classic with Vino Rosso. He has led all North American trainers in earnings 10 times.

THE HORSEMEN’S JOURNAL

SUMMER 2021

Pletcher has trained 11 Eclipse Award-winning horses—Hall of Famer Ashado, English Channel, Fleet Indian, Lawyer Ron, Left Bank, Rags to Riches, Shanghai Bobby, Speightstown, Wait a While, Uncle Mo and Vino Rosso—and 20 horses that have earned $1.8 million or more. He has won a total of 60 individual meet training titles: 17 at Gulfstream, 16 at Belmont, 14 at Saratoga, six at Aqueduct, five at Keeneland and two at Monmouth.

According to Equibase data, Pletcher has won 708 graded stakes, including 166 Grade 1s. He is enjoying another standout year so far in 2021 with 81 wins and earnings of $7,686,786 through May 4.

Jack Fisher, 57, a native of Unionville, Pennsylvania, won his first race as a trainer in 1988 at Middleburg, Virginia, with Call Louis and has been a consistently dominant force atop the National Steeplechase Association standings for the past 20 years. Fisher topped all steeplechase trainers in wins

for the first time in 2003 and has led the list an additional 12 times since. In 2004, he led the earnings list for the first of eight times to date. Fisher has ranked in the top five in both NSA wins and earnings each of the past 20 years.

Through May 4, Fisher has won 593 career steeplechase races and ranks second all-time in purse earnings with more than $17.8 million (behind only Hall of Famer Jonathan Sheppard).

Fisher is the only trainer in steeplechase history to surpass $1 million in purse earnings in a year, something he has accomplished five times. He trained two-time Eclipse Award winner and Hall of Fame member Good Night Shirt, one of only three horses to earn $1 million in steeplechase racing (along with Hall of Famers Lonesome Glory and McDynamo). According to Equibase, Fisher also won 57 races as a jockey with earnings of $953,243.

Churchill Downs Partners with Mattress Mack to Host Kentucky Derby Foster Family Initiative

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hurchill Downs Racetrack announced in April a new partnership with James “Mattress Mack” McIngvale that welcomed nearly 300 representatives from Kentucky’s foster care sector as guests to the Kentucky Derby. The first-ever Kentucky Derby Foster Family Initiative connected McIngvale’s passion for the life-changing work made possible through the foster care system with Churchill Downs’ Louisville nonprofit partners, Maryhurst and Boys & Girls Haven, who locally provide those social services.

Texas native McIngvale is well-known for using his high-stakes bets on sports as creative marketing promotions for his Houston-based mattress and furniture store, Gallery Furniture. His commitment to foster care work was inspired by his grandson, Brodie, who was adopted in June 2019. His daughter Laura McIngvale Brown and her husband, Phil Brown, officially welcomed Brodie into their family after serving as foster parents.

“I have seen firsthand the importance of foster care, and Brodie has been a true joy in my life,” McIngvale shared. “I’m thrilled to partner through Churchill Downs with these Louisville nonprofit organizations that work tirelessly to help children and families thrive. I couldn’t be happier to help provide them the opportunity to enjoy this year’s Kentucky Derby.”

Churchill Downs worked with longtime charitable partners Maryhurst and Boys & Girls Haven to identify foster parents, alumni and social service workers and staff in the industry to host for the 147th running of the Kentucky Derby.

“We are always excited for the opportunity to use the unforgettable experience of the Kentucky Derby as a platform for good,” said Churchill Downs Racetrack President Mike Anderson. “It’s incredibly rewarding when we can combine our charitable goals with a partner like Mattress Mack and give back to those in our community who, through their work or volunteerism, make our city and our world a better place.”

Maryhurst, Kentucky’s oldest child-serving nonprofit organization, works to prevent abuse, restore hope and empower survivors of trauma and abuse.

Maryhurst provides community-based counseling and well-being services, residential treatment and community and transitional living support.

“We are so grateful for our long-standing partnership with Churchill Downs,” said Micah Jorrisch, vice president of external relations for Maryhurst.

“This generous donation from Mattress Mack has presented a wonderful chance to recognize professionals and foster families who work tirelessly to ensure that every child in Kentucky has the opportunity to thrive.”

Boys & Girls Haven is a nonprofit transforming the lives of abandoned,

THE HORSEMEN’S JOURNAL

SUMMER 2021

abused and neglected children. Their programs include in-home foster care, residential foster care, transitional living, independence readiness and Haven family services.

“For over 70 years, we have provided a home and a future for our community’s most vulnerable young people,” said Amanda Masterson, CEO of Boys & Girls Haven. “We are proud to be a part of the Kentucky Derby Foster Family Initiative; we are grateful for the support and ongoing partnership with Churchill Downs.”

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NEWS

INDUSTRY NEWS

University of Louisville’s Equine Industry Program Launches Horse Racing Industry Business Certificate

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he Equine Industry Program at the University of Louisville’s College of Business announced the launch of a Horse Racing Industry Business Certificate. This unique, online-only certificate is designed for current and aspiring industry professionals focused on building successful careers in the horse racing industry. Students participating in this program will graduate with an in-depth knowledge of the issues that challenge the industry and insight into the innovative business approaches required to resolve them.

“We worked in collaboration with the industry through local, national and international focus groups to develop the content for this program,” said Sean Beirne, equine industry program director. “We touch on topical and pressing issues happening in our industry including crisis management, the Integrity and Safety Act and an in-depth look at stakeholders including breeding farms, horse sales, racetracks and the rapidly expanding segment of aftercare. As a former racetrack executive, I believe this certificate will help accelerate someone’s career.”

The nine-credit-hour, graduate-level certificate consists of six courses. Each course is 1.5 credit hours and runs five weeks. The certificate is intended as a stand-alone program; however, the credits are applicable toward completion of an MBA. Three courses will be offered in the fall of 2021. All six courses will be available in spring 2022, with two courses per five-week session.

Horse Racing Industry Business Certificate courses: EQIN 610 Horse Racing Industry Overview EQIN 620 Strategic Communications for the Equine Industry EQIN 630 Management and Leadership of Equine Enterprises EQIN 640 Racetrack Operations and Related Activities EQIN 650 Equine and Sports Analytics EQIN 660 Regulatory Law in the Thoroughbred Industry As the only undergraduate equine program in the world located in an AACSB-accredited college of business, core business administration classes for the Equine Industry Program combine with 27 hours of specialized education, focusing on equine enterprises and event management. Because of the program’s location in the Kentucky horse country, classroom instruction is supplemented with the opportunity for internships, field experience and contacts with prominent industry professionals.

For more information, go to louisville.edu/online.

Nominations Now Open for Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards

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ominations for the 2021 Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards (TIEA) are now open and will close on Monday, August 2. TIEA was held in America for the first

time in 2016.

Godolphin, the global racing stable founded by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, is the principal sponsor of the awards in association with The Jockey Club, the National Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protection Association, the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association and the Breeders’ Cup. Godolphin also sponsors the equivalent Stud and Stable Staff Awards in Ireland, Australia, Great Britain and France.

As with many events throughout 2020, the TIEA awards ceremony took place virtually. It was even more important during that difficult year to recognize and reward some of the hardworking individuals who kept our industry afloat throughout the pandemic. As the country lifts COVID-19 restrictions, the 2021 renewal of TIEA will once again be an in-person event in October, graciously hosted by Keeneland.

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This year’s award categories will reflect a few changes. First, there will now be one overall Leadership Award, combining the previously separated leadership awards in both breeding and racing.

Second, a new category, the Support Services Award, has been added to reward an individual who works in any nonadministrative, support service role in the Thoroughbred industry. Eligible candidates for this award include, but are not limited to, sales positions; auctioneers; gardeners; veterinary practices; farriers; starting gate crew; horse transport; grounds staff at sales companies, farms or racetracks; valets; horse dentists; and physiotherapists.

Last, TIEA is pleased to announce the addition of award category sponsors for 2021. Churchill Downs, Hallway Feeds, Hagyard Equine Medical Institute, I Am Horse Racing and Keeneland will each sponsor an award this year.

A total of seven categories, including the new Support Services division, will be presented and will carry total prize money of $122,000. The awards ceremony will be held on Friday, October 15, in the sales pavilion at Keeneland. Jill Byrne will again serve as the master of ceremonies.

For more information and to nominate online, go to tiea.org.

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SUMMER 2021

Amplify Horse Racing Launches Mentorship Program

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mplify Horse Racing, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit to amplify education and careers in the Thoroughbred industry, has launched a mentorship program aimed at pairing young adults with Thoroughbred industry professionals. The program’s objectives are to improve accessibility into the Thoroughbred industry and develop understanding of what it is like to work in the sport by leveraging the passion, knowledge and experience of current industry professionals.

The pilot program will facilitate 10 mentormentee pairings through two mentorship approaches: In Person: Five mentees based in Kentucky will be selected and paired with mentors who work in the state. This pilot will focus on in-person meetings and engagement.

Virtual: Five mentees will be selected from anywhere in the United States and paired with suitable mentors. These pairs will meet virtually, removing geographic or transportation barriers that could limit interested young adults from connecting with the Thoroughbred industry.

The Amplify Horse Racing Mentorship Program is open to individuals ages 18-22 who demonstrate a desire to learn and a strong interest in working in the Thoroughbred industry. There are no restrictions based on academic

achievement or Thoroughbred industry experience.

The pilot program will take place from August through October 2021. Upon completion of the program, feedback will be gathered from participants to assess the viability of offering the program multiple times a year and including youth mentees.

“Ever since Amplify Horse Racing started in 2019, the goal of its founders and early supporters has been to offer a mentorship program,” says Annise Montplaisir, president of Amplify Horse Racing and equine education coordinator for the Kentucky Equine Education Project. “Getting involved in the Thoroughbred industry can feel like a winding path without a clear first step. Throughout Amplify’s growth and assessment of how best to recruit newcomers, it has become evident that mentorship has had an important role in getting many young professionals and industry leaders involved in the sport. We hope that through the creation of a formal program, we can make that process easier for others.”

Mentorship program applications are available at amplifyhorseracing.org/ mentorship. For more information or to learn how you can become a mentor, contact Annise Montplaisir at info@amplifyhorseracing.org.

Breeders’ Cup to Utilize 100 Percent of Seated Capacity for 2021 Championships at Del Mar

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reeders’ Cup has announced plans to utilize 100 percent of the seated capacity at Del Mar racetrack for the 2021 Breeders’ Cup World Championships. Tickets will go on sale to the public on July 16 at breederscup. com/tickets.

Del Mar is set to host the World Championships for just the second time on Friday, November 5, and Saturday, November 6.

“After conducting the 2020 World Championships without fans in attendance, we are delighted to be able to safely welcome fans back to the Breeders’ Cup World Championships this November,” said Breeders’ Cup President and CEO Drew Fleming. “Fans will once again be invited to experience the unparalleled competition, fanfare and hospitality that have become synonymous with the Breeders’ Cup as the world’s most talented horses, jockeys and trainers go head to head at beautiful Del Mar.”

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SUMMER 2021

The news comes after Del Mar Thoroughbred Club announced plans to conduct its 2021 summer race meet at 100 percent of seated capacity for fans throughout its facility in accordance with local, state and county public health guidelines.

All tickets will be sold in advance of the Breeders’ Cup and are subject to availability at the time of purchase. No tickets will be sold on-site on November 5 or 6.

In addition, all parking on-site at Del Mar will be limited and only available to those with official prepaid parking credentials. To help enhance the transportation experience at Del Mar, Breeders’ Cup will offer a park-and-ride program with complimentary public shuttle service to the track from two designated off-site park-and-ride locations on both racing days.

For more information on the 2021 Breeders’ Cup, go to breederscup.com. HJ

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One. Helping Many.

“TCA’s support of the Thoroughbred Makeover has helped thousands of horses get a solid foundation of retraining after racing.”

“TCA’s grants provide financial assistance to our food pantry that serves all the backstretch workers.”

“TCA’s grants have allowed us to rehome thousands of Thoroughbreds throughout the years.”

Jen Roytz, Retired Racehorse Project

Chaplain Humberto Chavez, New York Racetrack Chaplaincy of America

Bev Strauss, Mid-Atlantic Horse Rescue

Thoroughbred Charities of America provides grants to approved organizations working to help Thoroughbreds, backstretch, and farm workers.

Please consider a donation today.

P.O. Box 910668, Lexington, Kentucky 40591 | TCA.org | (859) 276-4989

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STOP THE BLEEDING Be Ready To Get Back On Track

bleeding time. They concluded that the active ingredient in BleederShield was effective at minimizing blood loss in horses.1 Bleeding Time (sec) in Horses

By Mark Hansen

While bleeding from the nose in racehorses is uncommon, it is accepted that most every horse will experience some level of bleeding in their lungs.

Even though this may only cause slight discomfort for the equine athlete, it is a trainer’s worst nightmare because it can lead to poor performance, lost training days, costly treatments, or worse — a very sick horse that’s banned from racing for life.

For one trainer, this is exactly the nightmare that happened to him.

Suddenly not just one, but two of his best horses were bleeding from EIPH (Exercise Induced Pulmonary Hemorrhage). They were in danger of being banned from racing, even though they were still in their prime. Lasix (Salix) was not an option.

The trainer was at a loss. What can be done?

Facing these concerns for two of his horses, the trainer (who asked us to withhold his name for competitive reasons) was willing to try anything. So, he searched for another option.

He gave his horses an alternative to bleeder drugs and treatments; something he had read about called BleederShield. This natural respiratory horse supplement helps control bleeding. It is just as effective in improving the health and performance of bleeders but without any of those “drug issues” that come with most race-day bleeder medications.

“I used BleederShield paste on two horses that had been bleeding. Now, neither horse has bled. This is a great product; it saved the careers of two very good horses.”

The Science Behind BleederShield To understand how BleederShield works, we looked at a controlled study run by veterinarians at the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine.

They investigated the effects of the active ingredient in BleederShield, yunnan baiyao, which has been shown to help reduce bleeding in people and animals.

The veterinary team wanted to see how this active ingredient specifically affected bleeding in horses. They measured template bleeding times in horses before and after receiving a supplement with the active ingredient.

The researchers reported that the supplement significantly reduced

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Control

Treatment

What surprised us the most about BleederShield is its effectiveness without the use of drugs. Having a drug-free option is critical in countries that ban most race-day EIPH medications. And even though Lasix/Salix isn’t banned in the USA yet, its day may be coming. There’s a serious need NOW for a natural solution that can help control bleeding in performance horses.

Trainers and owners alike are impressed with the results they are seeing from BleederShield. One winning trainer told us: “I have horses that bleed and when I use this product I have no problems. I’m sure there are a lot of products on the market but I stand behind this one all the way.”

Now you can improve the health of your horses while protecting the investment in their racing careers.

With the results from the scientific studies, you can expect BleederShield to reduce bleeding events in horses during intense exercise… repair damaged blood vessels…and provide support for normal lung function and normal blood flow.2 Best of all, BleederShield is easy AND affordable. It could be the smartest investment you make to avoid pricey problems related to EIPH. It’s well worth the small price to avoid a banning risk or losing a great horse.

A company spokesperson confirmed an exclusive offer for the Journal’s readers: if you order BleederShield this month, you’ll receive 10% off your first order by using promo code "HJ10" at checkout. You can order BleederShield today at www.BleederShield.com.

1. Graham L. et al. J Vet Emerg Crit Care. 12:4 (2002) 279-282.

2. Graham L. Vet Clin North Am Equine Pract. 2006.

NEWS

HBPA NEWS

NATIONAL HBPA CONFERENCE SET FOR MARCH 2022 AT OAKLAWN PARK

forward to a big gathering in Hot Springs,” said Eric Hamelback, CEO of the National HBPA. “The Arkansas HBPA will be a tremendous host, and Oaklawn now has a world-class hotel to go along with their world-class racing, so we invite all members to join us next year.”

Oaklawn recently announced a major expansion of its racing calendar to include a 66-day season from December 3, 2021, to May 8, 2022, with total purses in the neighborhood of $45-$50 million. The track opened a new luxury hotel, spa and event center in April that includes nearly 200 hotel rooms, with many overlooking the racetrack.

More information about the conference agenda, dates, registration and hotel accommodations will be posted later this year at hbpa.org. HJ

COADY PHOTOGRAPHY

The National HBPA is pleased to announce plans to have a full in-person conference in March 2022 at Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, Arkansas. This will mark the first full national conference since 2019, as the 2020 conference was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic and a reduced event was held this year.

“We’ve managed to do very well communicating digitally and virtually with our affiliates and members during the pandemic, but we really value these in-person meetings and are looking

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NEWS

RESEARCH AND MEDICATION UPDATE

UC Davis Standing Equine PET Scanner Now in Use at Golden Gate Fields The University of California, Davis standing equine positron emission tomography (PET) scanner officially went into use in May at Golden Gate Fields in Berkeley, California, providing imaging at the molecular level to monitor racehorse health and guide training and medical care.

COURTESY UC DAVIS

The scanner (the MILEPET from LONGMILE Veterinary Imaging) allows for studies demonstrated the value of PET to monitor healing injuries and joint imaging of a horse’s leg while the horse is under mild sedation, eliminating the health as horses go back into training. time, cost and health risks associated with general anesthesia. In use at the The use of PET at Santa Anita, in combination with the use of MRI and UC Davis veterinary hospital since March, the instrument is being transported medication rule changes, was one of several factors that led to a marked by a team of UC Davis veterinarians and technicians to the equine hospital at decrease in the number of fatalities between 2019 and 2020. Based on this Golden Gate Fields once a week. success, The Stronach Group was eager to offer the same technology at Golden Dr. Mathieu Spriet, the equine radiologist who pioneered equine PET, is very Gate Fields. The proximity to UC Davis offered a unique opportunity to utilize enthusiastic about this new development. the scanner at both sites. It is currently available at the UC Davis veterinary “Running the PET scanner at Golden Gate Fields brings multiple benhospital four days a week and one day a week at Golden Gate Fields. The efits,” Spriet said. “First, it provides Northern California horse racing with scanner’s relatively small size (4 feet by 5 feet, 300 pounds) and mobility make the same technology that has helped improve racehorse health and safety in it possible to load it in a trailer, drive the hour from Davis to Berkeley and start Southern California. Second, it demonstrates that the equine PET scanner can scanning about 30 minutes after arriving at the racetrack. be efficiently transported and shared between multiple sites, reducing costs and increasing availability. And finally, it opens the door to more research opportunities with performing multicenter studies.”

This achievement was made possible thanks to support from the UC Davis Center for Equine Health and The Stronach Group, which owns Golden Gate Fields. Both parties have been intimately involved with the development of equine PET. The Center for Equine Health was the origin of the first equine PET scan, performed at Davis in 2015, and has supported the development of the modality by funding several research projects as well as a THE UC DAVIS PET SCANNER CAN IMAGE ALL FOUR FETLOCKS IN 15 TO 30 MINUTES. clinical program. The Stronach Group has played a key role in the last two years by providing partial support to develAll scans are performed by a UC Davis team led by Spriet and a Golden op the first scanner, allowing imaging of standing horses in an effort to prevent Gate Fields team led by Dr. Casille Batten, veterinarian for The Stronach Group. catastrophic breakdowns in racehorses.

All four fetlocks of a horse can be imaged in 15 to 30 minutes. A new barn The original MILEPET, owned by the Southern California Equine Foundation was built at the track’s equine hospital specifically for the PET horses, making with support from The Stronach Group, has been in use at Santa Anita Park it possible to scan six horses in one imaging session. Up to 12 horses can be since December 2019. In a year and a half, more than 200 horses have been imaged in one day, and 36 horses have been scanned in the first six weeks of imaged with the scanner, several on multiple occasions. Research projects operation at Golden Gate Fields. supported by the Grayson-Jockey Club and Dolly Green research foundations Two projects, one evaluating horses with injuries and the other assessing have helped characterize the value of PET scanning in racehorses. The PET horses with no signs of injuries, are ongoing with the support of the Oak Tree scanner is ideal for imaging the fetlock (the horse’s ankle), which is the most and Dolly Green research foundations. Both studies aim at comparing findings common site for catastrophic injuries in racehorses. The first research study from horses imaged at Golden Gate Fields with those imaged at Santa Anita. performed at Santa Anita demonstrated that PET was far superior to bone scan, As the two sites use different types of race surfaces—synthetic at Golden Gate another imaging technique in use at the racetrack, for identifying injuries in Fields and dirt at Santa Anita—these studies will help document and compare the sesamoid bones (the small bones at the back of the ankle). Two subsequent the effect of the different surfaces on the horses’ bones. HJ 18

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22

THE HORSEMEN’S JOURNAL

SUMMER 2021

Where You

Bet Matters

As handicappers and racing enthusiasts across America look forward to a big summer of racing, keep this in mind—where you bet matters

I

By James “Mattress Mack” McIngvale

t took 25-plus years of horse ownership and a $2.4-million wager for me to fully appreciate the huge difference it makes in where a bet is placed. It was a wake-up call for me, and it should be for you. Everyone in horse racing, whenever possible, should put their money through the windows or self-bet machines at the racetrack.

If you’re like I was, you’ve never really thought about how each dollar gets chopped up. A bet is a bet, you probably think.

You get the same payoff if you bet on track, through simulcasting or online.

Even at a casino that is booking the bets, you get track odds, albeit with caps.

But the return to the industry—for the owners whose horses put on the show and for the tracks that provide the venues—wildly varies depending on where a bet is made. For the long-term viability of the sport, those who work in and/or love horse racing should learn where the money goes and take seriously the idea of betting where it maximizes purses.

I was committed to placing at least $2 million on Essential Quality in the Kentucky Derby to cover my Gallery Furniture promotion in which customers would get their money back if the Derby favorite won. The casinos worked hard to get my action, which they had received for prior promotions tied to the outcome of the World Series and Super Bowl. It was an eye-opener to learn what it meant in additional dollars to horse owners if I made the largest Kentucky Derby bet in history at Churchill Downs instead of through a casino or online.

I lost my $2.4 million total in win bets when Essential Quality finished fourth but sold a boatload of mattresses and had a lot of customers snapping their fingers during the Run for the Roses. But a big winner was Churchill Downs’ purse account for horsemen, which accrued $240,000 from my bets alone.

Purses are the lifeblood of American racing; they are what makes our racing unique and are vital to its sustainability. There’s a substantial difference in the money that goes to horse owners if a bet is placed on-site at the track or if it’s bet through an online platform, simulcasting, a casino or offshore. It also makes a big difference to the track staging the races, with the significant costs entailed in building, maintaining and staffing the facility.

Had I made my wager in Las Vegas, where the casinos do not have a contract with Churchill Downs and therefore could not bet into the pari-mutuel pools, no money would have flowed back to Kentucky horsemen. If I had bet anywhere but on track, at best the funding to purses would have been about half. At worse, that number would have been zero.

If we care about the industry, the last place we should bet is offshore or with casinos that book the bets and don’t contribute anything to our

Horse racing has a great opportunity to step up our game and attract new fans.

The Kentucky Derby and Preakness ratings showed people are interested in horse racing. pari-mutuel pools or purse accounts. Offshore sites might offer lucrative rebates, but they can do that because they have no outlay for the cost of putting on the product.

I’m not bashing reputable online betting operations or simulcasting. The pandemic proved how vital advance deposit wagering (ADW) operations are to racing and how we were able to stay in business with spectator-less racing while other sports were shut down.

Millennials’ and Generation Z’s offices are their phones, so ADWs are expanding our reach but at the same time should pay an equitable rate to racetracks and horsemen. Kudos to ADWs that have worked with various tracks and horsemen’s groups in California, Kentucky and elsewhere to make sure ADW betting on-site returns the same amount to purses as if the bet were placed with a mutuel clerk or self-bet machine.

Of course, if we’re asking horseplayers and racing participants to bet at the track where possible, tracks likewise must make their facilities and the experience inviting for fans—every day and not just on select days.

Horse racing has a great opportunity to step up our game and attract new fans. The Kentucky Derby and Preakness ratings showed people are interested in horse racing. Heck, my Gallery Furniture promotion showed that the Kentucky Derby and racing resonate with the guy and gal on the street.

We’ve got to attract younger people. We need to attract the followers of Barstool Sports, Bleacher Report, Action Network, etc. We need to embrace sports betting content.

There is no easy fix. It takes commitment, effort and ingenuity. But our sport and industry are worth it. Excluding football games, the Kentucky Derby was the third-most-watched sporting event since the pandemic hit in March 2020, trailing only the NCAA men’s basketball championship game won by Baylor and Gonzaga’s semifinal victory over UCLA, according to Sports Media Watch. That’s impressive.

The Kentucky Derby, Triple Crown and horse racing are still relevant.

But you’ve got to fan the flames and also be smart about where we bet.

Cumulatively, it makes a huge difference. HJ

James McIngvale, also known as Mattress Mack, is an entrepreneur, furniture mogul, philanthropist and horse owner based in Houston. McIngvale campaigned 2015 Breeders’ Cup Sprint winner and Eclipse Award champion male sprinter Runhappy and has become a major racing sponsor while promoting his horse as a stallion at Claiborne Farm.

THE HORSEMEN’S JOURNAL

SUMMER 2021

23

Are You Covered?

OWNERS’ & TRAINERS’ LIABILITY PROGRAM

What is it?

A program to protect your assets in case of an injury or damage to property arising from your equine activities (breeding, racing, sales, training).

This is not a substitute for workers’ compensation coverage.

What Does It Cover?

• Liability claims arising from injuries to participants (non-employee jockeys and exercise riders) • Contractual liability (i.e. hold harmless in Race Track Stall Agreements) • Premises and Operations liability coverage for all equine operations including breeding, boarding, training, and racing.

How Much Does It Cover?

Each member additional insured has their own $1,000,000 coverage for each occurrence or offense and $2,000,000 general aggregate.

Damage to premises rented to you or occupied by you with the permission of the owner is provided with a limit of $50,000. Medical payments coverage applies as well in the amount of $5,000 per person.

Formerly

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FEATURE

Athleticism Runs in Thoroughbreds,

RETIRED RACEHORSE PROJECT/CANTERCLIX

Even When They Leave the Track

Thoroughbreds are purpose-bred to be athletes, but for many, racing is just one of their strengths

By Jen Roytz Republished with permission from the Kentucky Equestrian Directory, a subsidiary of Enso Media Group

LITTLE CRISTIAN, A 2019 COMPETITOR IN THE RETIRED RACEHORSE PROJECT’S THOROUGHBRED MAKEOVER TRAINED BY ANGELIQUE PIENSCHKE, HAD 27 STARTS ON THE TRACK WITH A WIN AT GULFSTREAM PARK.

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THE HORSEMEN’S JOURNAL

SUMMER 2021

NOTABLE SIRE LINES In Thoroughbred breeding, primary importance is placed on the statistics and progeny results of stallions in a horse’s pedigree, with the stallions of closest relation (sire, damsire, grandsire) often carrying greater significance in decisions.

“Why is there not more emphasis on the female progeny results?” some might ask. This is partly because of the ratio of parents to offspring. While a female horse can produce one foal in a calendar year, a stallion is able to sire many more progeny in a year. In the case of a popular stallion, that can mean well above 100 offspring in a given year and well more than 1,000 in a lifetime, versus a mare producing one foal a year and, even as a successful broodmare, most likely fewer than 15 in her lifetime. From a purely data-driven perspective, there is simply a larger pool of subjects from which to glean information for stallion progeny than for mare progeny.

That is not to say that the dam’s side of the family is not important; it is significantly so. Much of the information available for consideration, however, is dependent on the sires on the dam’s side of the pedigree for the same reasons mentioned above.

As a stallion advances in his career, horsemen and handicappers alike begin to notice trends in his offspring, and as his offspring retire from racing and embark on new careers, predispositions for various disciplines, tendencies or temperaments become apparent as well.

THE HORSEMEN’S JOURNAL

SUMMER 2021

RETIRED RACEHORSE PROJECT/CANTERCLIX

I

n the world of Thoroughbred breeding, the pedigree is king. Drive through the Central Kentucky countryside each spring and you’ll likely see scores of Thoroughbred foals frolicking in the fields with their dams, testing out their new legs and discovering their love for running and racing with their friends.

Each of those foals represents not only their owner’s aspirations of success on the racetrack but the potential that lies ahead long after they’ve run their final race.

Purpose-bred to be a superior athlete, every Thoroughbred foal begins as an idea on paper, the result of careful planning and consideration about how the bloodlines of their sire and dam could potentially complement each other to create an individual that is greater than the sum of its parts. Significant investment backs that idea, from the stud fee of the sire to complete the mating, to the 11 months of care, proper nutrition, prenatal veterinary work and more that is spent before the foal ever takes its first breath.

Just like humans or any other animal, not every Thoroughbred is athletically gifted in the same way. Their genetic makeup, conformation and biomechanics might lend themselves to a horse having a propensity for turf over dirt or sprint races versus routes.

In the same vein, these characteristics also can lend themselves to non-racing attributes, such as suspension at the trot, form over fences, quick turns, temperament and mental fortitude, all of which are considerations for equestrians looking for their next sport horse or recreational riding partner.

The racing industry has made great strides in finding suitable retirement homes and second careers for racehorses after they leave the track. Part of the reason for that is the success of the Thoroughbred Makeover and National Symposium, presented by the Thoroughbred Charities of America, which provides substantial prize money and showcases the trainability and talents of off-track Thoroughbreds. The following is a look at some of the traits that make Thoroughbreds good candidates for second careers, which can be helpful for those looking for an OTTB (off-track Thoroughbred) as well as for those with a racehorse ready to leave the track.

SANIMO NEVER HIT THE BOARD IN FOUR STARTS ON THE TRACK, BUT WHEN TEAMED WITH BETHEL WILDCAT, A WINNER AT BOTH KEENELAND AND LAUREL PARK, HE ENDED UP AS THE 2019 EVENTING WINNER AT THE THOROUGHBRED MAKEOVER FOR TRAINER AND FORMER TOP JOCKEY ROSIE NAPRAVNIK.

Upper-level eventer, coach and trainer Jenn O’Neill specializes in retraining Thoroughbreds for the sport of eventing under the banner of Lucky Dog Eventing.

Based in Lexington, Kentucky, O’Neill estimates she restarts and sells more than 20 Thoroughbreds each year, putting the first rides and foundational retraining on them post-racing.

“I try to find horses that have a good trainable mind,” O’Neill said. “Talent is great, but if you can’t harness that talent, that does you no good. If I’m looking for a lower-level amateur-friendly horse, what I care about most is the horse’s attitude.”

While temperament and demeanor aren’t typically the primary traits horsemen breeding to race are concerned with, they are predispositions that some sires are known for more than others.

“Arch, for example, is a sire that produces amateur-friendly, big horses,” O’Neill said. “These guys typically are just quiet and happy to do whatever you want. I’ve had several horses by More Than Ready or out of mares by More Than Ready. They tend to be on the smaller side, but they have such great attitudes and can figure exercises out easily. They’re good jumpers but possibly a little tougher on the flat with their typically lower neck sets.”

In addition to temperament, O’Neill places primary importance on the quality of a horse’s canter. She says over the years she has found several sire lines that often offer that combination.

“Stallions I like to see as sires or damsires include Stephen Got Even (or his son, stallion First Dude), Johar, Bellamy Road and Candy Ride,” she said. “All tend to throw good brains and great canters. Plus, all of the Candy Rides I’ve seen have huge tails, which is always a fun bonus.”

Other sire lines O’Neill tries to seek out are Unbridled’s Song (“good canters with a great jump”), Hat Trick (“really attractive but usually on the smaller side;

27

FEATURE

The Retired Racehorse Project (RRP) is preparing to welcome nearly 1,000 horses to this year’s Thoroughbred Makeover and National Symposium, presented by Thoroughbred Charities of America (TCA) the week of October 12-17 at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky. After the organization was forced to postpone the 2020 competition, the 2021 Thoroughbred Makeover will host two flights of competitors—322 competitors from the postponed 2020 Thoroughbred Makeover and the 484 competitors accepted for the 2021 competition, making this the biggest Makeover yet.

The Thoroughbred Makeover is the world’s largest and most lucrative retraining competition for ex-racehorses. Open to professionals, juniors, amateurs and teams, the Thoroughbred Makeover offers competition in 10 disciplines: barrel racing, competitive trail, dressage, eventing, field hunter, polo, ranch work, show hunter, show jumper and freestyle (a free-form discipline to demonstrate skills of the trainer’s choice). Horses can compete in up to two of these disciplines.

The great equalizer for the Thoroughbred Makeover is the training schedule.

Juniors, amateurs and professionals compete on equal footing, all aboard Thoroughbreds who have had no more than 10 months of training for a new discipline after retiring from racing. Juniors and amateurs routinely enjoy great success at the Makeover and have earned many top-five finishes; the 2017 Thoroughbred Makeover Champion Old Tavern was trained by junior Charlie Caldwell. This year, the 2021 competitors will be competing on that traditional schedule, while the 2020 class will have had an additional year to prepare, creating a true showcase of the drastic and impressive transformation horses undergo when transitioning from racing to a new discipline.

Horses from each competition year will compete in separate preliminary rounds, and the five top-placed horses in each discipline will return for the finale, in which they will compete once more to determine final placings. New for this year (and first intended to be part of the 2020 Makeover), a panel consisting of all the judges from the 10 disciplines will determine the overall Thoroughbred Makeover Champion for each competition year, selecting the best-trained horse from the 10 discipline winners. A popular vote by spectators watching both in-person and online via livestream will determine a People’s Choice winner for each competition year, and those winners will be able to direct a donation to an equine charity of their choosing.

“Driving demand for Thoroughbreds after racing is a critical aspect of aftercare, and the RRP’s Thoroughbred Makeover is central to that mission,”

28

said Erin Crady, executive director of TCA. “We believe in the importance of that mission and are thrilled to support the RRP as it prepares for the biggest Makeover in its history.”

Accepted trainers for 2021 include Becky Huestis, an assistant rider and manager for John Madden Sales; Darby Mazzarisi, a champion hunter trainer; and Natalie Voss Nevills, a two-time Eclipse Award-winning turf writer for Paulick Report. They join a diverse class of trainers hailing from 46 states and four Canadian provinces and with ages ranging from 11 (will be 12 at the time of the Makeover as per the rules) to 74. The full list of trainers accepted for the 2021 Makeover can be found at the event website.

For riders seeking a well-started off-track Thoroughbred for competition or pleasure, the ASPCA Makeover Marketplace will return in 2021, offering buyers the unique opportunity to watch a horse compete, trial-ride and complete a pre-purchase exam all in one location. More than 100 horses are expected to be entered in the Marketplace from both competition years.

The Makeover will also offer ample educational opportunities for trainers and the public. Educational seminars and panel discussions will take place on Friday, October 15, as well as the Makeover Master Class, a retraining clinic for recently retired racehorses. Structured similarly to popular coltstarting competitions but without the competitive aspect, the Makeover Master Class offers spectators the opportunity to watch experienced off-track Thoroughbred trainers assess a prospect’s conformation and movement as well as demonstrate their process for initial training and first rides. A vendor fair will provide plenty of shopping opportunities as well.

The Thoroughbred Makeover is the flagship event for the RRP, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit committed to increasing the demand for and value of Thoroughbreds in their careers after racing. Sponsorship opportunities are still available for the 2021 Thoroughbred Makeover.

RETIRED RACEHORSE PROJECT/CANTERCLIX

Nearly 1,000 Horses Pointing to the 2021 Thoroughbred Makeover

FALLON TAYLOR AND COWBOY SWAGGER, A GELDING BY GRINDSTONE WHO WON THREE RACES AT PORTLAND MEADOWS, CAPTURED THE BARREL RACING DIVISION AT THE 2019 THOROUGHBRED MAKEOVER AND WENT ON TO BE NAMED THE THOROUGHBRED MAKEOVER CHAMPION.

THE HORSEMEN’S JOURNAL

SUMMER 2021

COADY PHOTOGRAPHY

Exercise rider and show jumping competitor Laura Moquett has had the pleasure of riding hundreds of horses at the racetrack and transitioning some of them to sport careers afterward. One of her current favorite morning mounts is Breeders’ Cup winner and fan favorite Whitmore, whom she gallops daily for her husband, trainer Ron Moquett.

LAURA MOQUETT, PICTURED WITH 2020 BREEDERS’ CUP SPRINT (G1) WINNER AND ECLIPSE CHAMPION WHITMORE, WHO IS TRAINED BY HER HUSBAND, RON, HAS SEEN NUMEROUS THOROUGHBREDS TRANSITION FROM THE RACETRACK TO A SECOND CAREER.

catty with a great jump”) and A.P. Indy (“usually have beautiful necks and front ends”), as well as Kentucky Derby winner Fusaichi Pegasus.

“I’ve had a few by Fusaichi Pegasus that were real hunter types physically, with tons of bone and pretty heads,” O’Neill explained. “They tend to be stubborn to begin with, but once they understand their job, they’ll work with you.”

Thanks to the quantity of horses that she retrains and sells in a given year, fellow Thoroughbred re-trainer Jessica Redman also has learned which traits tend to come with certain sire lines. Redman, who operates Benchmark Sport Horses in Delaware and often sources horses throughout Central Kentucky, retrains and sells more than 140 horses per year.

“The majority of my buyers tend to be eventers, so I look for bloodlines that throw uphill, good-moving and good-jumping types that can hold their own against the Warmbloods,” said Redman. “I tend to like sires by El Prado, Sadler’s Wells and Galileo.”

Other sires or sires-of-sires Redman likes include Dynaformer, Arch, Empire Maker, English Channel, Stormy Atlantic, Malibu Moon, Maria’s Mon, Medaglia d’Oro, Tiznow, Street Sense and Kitten’s Joy. Exercise rider and show jumping competitor Laura Moquett has had the pleasure of riding hundreds of horses at the racetrack and transitioning some of them to sport careers afterward. One of her current favorite morning mounts is Breeders’ Cup winner and fan favorite Whitmore, whom she gallops daily for her husband, trainer Ron Moquett.

Moquett has noticed pedigree attributes that lend themselves to sport horse talent, but due to her job as an exercise rider, she often comes to her conclusions in a different way than O’Neill and Redman, noticing the attributes before knowing what the pedigree is.

THE HORSEMEN’S JOURNAL

SUMMER 2021

“I am a sucker for a big-moving, good-looking horse when it goes by at the track,” said Moquett, who acquired her current jumper, a gelding by Bellamy Road, when he caught her eye at the track. “Over the years, I’ve found turf horses to have a more natural, floaty action and often a good jump. I tend to like how they carry themselves behind; they often use themselves well and also often have a nice swing from their shoulder.”

She also looks for horses with higher-set necks, which one can often see as a physical characteristic thrown by certain stallions, such as Tiznow, Giant’s Causeway and Sadler’s Wells.

“I feel like [the higher-set neck] helps them put more of their weight behind them for things like rocking back into the jump or getting a proper lead change,” she said. “I also like a horse that tries and is smart but not too smart.

You want a horse to be a thinker but not an over-thinker.”

THE PEDIGREE IS ONLY THE BEGINNING So often pedigree is an excellent indicator of a horse’s propensity to have certain off-track (or on-track) characteristics and attributes. But, as most trainers will attest, a good horse is a good horse, no matter the breeding, and from time to time, a horse will overcome its breeding.

Such was the case with champion racehorse Runhappy, who was sired

by Kentucky Derby winner Super Saver, who himself is by Maria’s Mon (both favorites of off-track Thoroughbred rehomers). He is out of the mare Bella Jolie, whose two victories came in races farther than a mile and who was sired by

29

GIULIA GARCIA

FEATURE

THE MAKEOVER MARKETPLACE ALLOWS BUYERS TO WATCH, TRY, VET AND BUY IN ONE LOCATION IN ONE WEEKEND.

Broken Vow, a stallion known for producing distance runners. Runhappy was clearly bred to excel at the mile-and-a-quarter “classic distance,” but he never contested the 10-furlong Kentucky Derby or Breeders’ Cup Classic.

Instead, Runhappy became an Eclipse Award winner as champion sprinter, setting a new track record in capturing the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Sprint and earning most of his wins in front-running style. His only losses came when he was asked to go a mile or farther.

Cigar is another prime example of a racehorse bucking his pedigree. By Palace Music, a multiple Group/Grade 1 turf stakes winner in Europe and America, Cigar was expected to be a turf specialist. While he was good on the turf, he was truly exceptional on the dirt, putting together a 16-race winning streak that included victories in the Donn Handicap, Jockey Club Gold Cup, Hollywood Gold Cup, Woodward Stakes, Pimlico Special, Oaklawn Handicap, Gulfstream Park Handicap and Breeders’ Cup Classic, all Grade 1 dirt races.

While pedigree can be an excellent indicator of both on-track and off-track talent in a Thoroughbred, it must, of course, be backed up with said talent and should be looked at more as a guide or suggestion than as a rule.

“Pedigree can be a useful tool in identifying prospects, but there is so much more that shapes a horse into what it’s going to be besides his or her parents,” O’Neill said. “You can train a Thoroughbred to be good at a lot of things—they are athletes—so long as they have a good, trainable mind and you are capable of being a good teacher.”

30

When O’Neill is considering purchasing a horse who has recently retired from the track and taking on the task of retraining it for a new discipline, she keeps two key questions in mind.

“You should ask yourself, ‘Is the horse going to be safe for what you intend to do with it?’ and ‘Will the horse’s body allow him or her to physically do what you intend to ask of it?’” O’Neill said.

Redman and O’Neill both also offered credence to the idea of a potential horse shopper doing their due diligence to develop a sense of what attributes are important to them in their equine partner and what types of horses they enjoy riding. Do they enjoy a more forward ride or a “push ride” (a horse that requires encouragement to go forward)? Do they enjoy a hotter horse that is more energetic, or do they prefer a calmer mount? What size and body type of horse do they enjoy riding?

Pedigree can be a useful tool in identifying prospects, but there is so much more that shapes a horse...

THE HORSEMEN’S JOURNAL

SUMMER 2021

The Retired Racehorse Project and The Jockey Club Thoroughbred Incentive Program (T.I.P.) have announced that the inaugural T.I.P. Barrel Racing Championships will be hosted October 13-14 at the Thoroughbred Makeover.

T.I.P. was created to encourage the retraining of Thoroughbreds into other disciplines upon completion of racing or breeding careers. The annual T.I.P. Championships feature competition in a variety of disciplines, including hunters, jumpers, English pleasure, Western pleasure and classical and Western dressage. T.I.P. champions in eventing are determined at the American Eventing Championships held each year. The 2021 T.I.P. Barrel Racing Championships will mark the first time a championship event has been offered in the discipline.

The event will feature thousands in prize money and additional prizes for the top horses.

“Thoroughbreds have made their presence known in recent years in Western disciplines, particularly barrel racing, so we are happy to be able to showcase yet another area in which these horses excel through the inaugural T.I.P. Barrel Racing Championships,” said Kristin Werner, senior counsel for The Jockey Club and administrator of T.I.P. The T.I.P. Barrel Racing Championships will be sponsored by The Western Thoroughbred, a grassroots organization that recognizes the contributions of the Thoroughbred to the Western horse industry and celebrates the achievements of Thoroughbreds in Western sports. The Western Thoroughbred’s founder, Katelin Bradley, is serving as organizer and steward of the event, and The Western

Developing one’s preferences and any nonnegotiables can come from riding different horses, watching horses competing or schooling in the disciplines that interest them and talking with their trainer about what they feel is best for them. Pedigree can then serve as a helpful tool in identifying prospects based on those preferences.

DOING YOUR OWN RESEARCH There are a number of websites available to research the pedigrees, race records and other pertinent information that can be used when shopping for an off-track prospect.

Pedigree Query (pedigreequery.com) is a user-friendly website that offers a free five-generation pedigree for Thoroughbreds. All sire and dam names in the pedigree are clickable, and many offer notes about race record, sales history or other information (sometimes even off-track information), allowing users to identify notable horses several generations back.

Pedigree Query also offers a “Progeny” feature (under “Reports” on the menu bar), which allows users to look up the offspring of both sires and dams in the pedigree. This is often useful when one is considering a horse and wants to identify any siblings or other notable progeny by the same stallion.

Another useful website when researching Thoroughbreds as potential sport horse prospects is Equibase (equibase.com), which offers information on a horse’s parentage, along with a complete race record, charts from each

THE HORSEMEN’S JOURNAL

SUMMER 2021

COURTESY THE JOCKEY CLUB

Thoroughbred Makeover Adds T.I.P. Barrel Racing Championship

THE T.I.P. BARREL RACING CHAMPIONSHIPS WILL JOIN THE THOROUGHBRED MAKEOVER THIS YEAR.

Thoroughbred will be sponsoring buckles for average round winners.

“I am honored to help T.I.P. and the Retired Racehorse Project in organizing and hosting the inaugural T.I.P. Barrel Racing Championships,” Bradley said. “This event will be the biggest all-Thoroughbred barrel race in the country. We hope to attract open competitors and encourage Thoroughbred Makeover trainers to participate as well. It should be an excellent showcase of what these horses are capable of achieving in all levels of barrel racing!”

Entries for the T.I.P. Barrel Racing Championships will be open to qualified and declared Thoroughbreds in August. Thoroughbred Makeover barrel racing entrants for 2020 and 2021 will have the option to cross-enter the T.I.P. event and roll their times from their Makeover runs into the championship standings.

Outside non-Makeover participants for this inaugural event will be invited to enter, with preference given to horses that were declared for the barrel championships by the early declaration deadline of June 30, 2021. All participants will need a T.I.P. number to enter.

More information about the T.I.P. Barrel Racing Championships can be found at tjctip.com/About/Barrels.

race, the horse’s most recent racing connections (owner, trainer, breeder) and Thoroughbred auction results (Keeneland, Fasig-Tipton, Ocala Breeders’ Sales, Barretts, etc.).

The Retired Racehorse Project’s Thoroughbred Sport Tracker (retiredracehorseproject.org) is designed to help people research and identify off-track potential in Thoroughbreds. This user-driven database has hundreds of horses listed whose owners have uploaded not only pedigree and competition statistics but also photos, videos and rankings on various off-track attributes, such as form over fences, suspension at the trot, soundness, temperament and more.

“While a horse’s pedigree can offer insight into which non-racing sports he or she will excel at, at the end of the day, every horse is an individual,” O’Neill said. “Same with humans, offspring do not always show the same athletic aptitude as their parents, but some things tend to run in the family more often than not.” HJ

Jen Roytz is the executive director of the Retired Racehorse Project, a national nonprofit that works to increase demand for Thoroughbreds after racing. She also co-owns Topline Communications, which focuses on marketing, PR and media relations. Jen and her fiancé, Dr. Stuart Brown, own Brownstead Farm, a Thoroughbred breeding, racing and sport horse farm located in Versailles, Kentucky. She can be reached at jroytz@therrp.org.

31

BEYER SIRE PERFORMANCE STANDINGS ALL STARTERS Data includes all North American starts that were assigned a Beyer Speed Figure from Jan. 1 through June 13, 2021. There were no filters applied for starters based on age, sex, distance, or surface. Sires are ranked in this chart by the number of 90 or higher Beyer Speed Figures.

90+ BEYER SPEED FIGURES SIRE

STUD FEE

STARTERS

STARTS

WINS

GS WINS

NO. OF BEYERS

NO. OF PERCENTAGE HORSES OF STARTERS

100+ BEYER SPEED FIGURES NO. OF NO. OF PERCENTAGE BEYERS HORSES OF STARTERS

Into Mischief Curlin English Channel Tapit Munnings Ghostzapper Speightstown Hard Spun City Zip Candy Ride (ARG) Uncle Mo Twirling Candy Constitution Street Sense War Front

$225,000 $175,000 $27,500 $185,000 $40,000 $85,000 $90,000 $35,000 Died 2017 $75,000 $175,000 $40,000 $85,000 $60,000 $150,000

295 180 131 154 212 134 128 167 112 140 182 179 138 150 74

941 548 462 468 681 453 405 570 386 444 543 615 432 510 192

171 88 66 82 123 85 64 84 52 89 96 104 85 81 31

13 10 5 8 3 4 4 3 2 5 2 1 2 5 2

60 33 27 25 25 24 24 22 22 19 18 17 16 15 15

31 24 14 15 16 13 11 13 11 14 9 10 9 10 8

10.51% 13.33% 10.69% 9.74% 7.55% 9.70% 8.59% 7.78% 9.82% 10.00% 4.95% 5.59% 6.52% 6.67% 10.81%

6 4 1 5 1 3 2 2 1 3 1 1 1 1 0

4 4 1 4 1 3 2 1 1 2 1 1 1 1 0

1.36% 2.22% 0.76% 2.60% 0.47% 2.24% 1.56% 0.60% 0.89% 1.43% 0.55% 0.56% 0.72% 0.67% 0.00%

Midshipman More Than Ready Maclean’s Music Goldencents Giant’s Causeway Malibu Moon

$7,500 $65,000 $20,000 $15,000 Died 2018 Died 2021

143 125 113 156 61 151

468 404 385 591 221 530

84 44 76 75 29 90

2 4 5 3 1 1

14 14 14 12 12 12

7 8 7 7 7 8

4.90% 6.40% 6.19% 4.49% 11.48% 5.30%

4 1 2 1 1 0

3 1 2 1 1 0

2.10% 0.80% 1.77% 0.64% 1.64% 0.00%

The Factor $17,500 American Pharoah $100,000 Scat Daddy Died 2015 Midnight Lute $15,000 Kitten’s Joy $60,000 Declaration of War Stands in Japan Dansili (GB) Pensioned

168 127 55 85 181 103

595 322 193 304 605 311

96 48 27 47 78 41

4 4 4 1 1 1

11 11 11 11 11 11

7 5 8 4 8 7

4.17% 3.94% 14.55% 4.71% 4.42% 6.80%

1 2 2 2 1 1

1 2 2 1 1 1

0.60% 1.57% 3.64% 1.18% 0.55% 0.97%

12

24

7

2

11

7

58.33%

2

2

16.67%

Bernardini Paynter Super Saver Fed Biz

$35,000 $7,500 Stands in Turkey $3,100

110 145 160 122

348 548 663 424

48 98 99 61

2 1 3 1

11 10 10 10

6 7 7 5

5.45% 4.83% 4.38% 4.10%

0 1 2 0

0 1 1 0

0.00% 0.69% 0.63% 0.00%

Pensioned $35,000 $15,000

115 110 116

389 386 427

70 61 68

2 2 0

10 10 10

3 5 4

2.61% 4.55% 3.45%

0 0 0

0 0 0

0.00% 0.00% 0.00%

Tiznow Flatter First Samurai

HIGHEST BEYER, HORSE

109 Mischevious Alex 106 Cezanne 102 Admiralty Pier 109 Essential Quality 103 Phat Man 108 Mystic Guide 101 Flagstaff, Strike Power 101 Silver State 101 C Z Rocket 103 Ride a Comet 100 Envoutante 102 Rombauer 104 Independence Hall 105 Maxfield 99 Dogtag, Masteroffoxhounds 108 Royal Ship (BRZ) 101 Say the Word 100 Firecrow, Musical Heart 104 Wildman Jack 102 United 97 Moon Over Miami, Malibu Pro, Captivating Moon 105 Bound for Nowhere 104 Maven 103 Anothertwistafate 102 Smooth Like Strait 100 Ryan’s Cat 100 Gufo 100 Value Proposition (GB), Set Piece (GB) 94 Bold Endeavor 108 Knicks Go 103 Letruska 99 Front Run the Fed, Change of Control 98 Tizamagician 96 Avie’s Flatter 96 Drena’s Star

Make smarter breeding decisions

BEYER SIRE

Performance Standings

NOW LIVE! Recognizable. Meaningful. Powerful.

Daily Racing Form’s Beyer Sire Performance Standings are powered by DRF’s exclusive Beyer Speed Figures and provide a unique measure of a sire’s achievement.

VISIT DRF.COM/BEYERSIRE OFFICIALSPONSOR SPONSOR OFFICIAL of the the National NationalHBPA HBPA of

DENIS BLAKE

FEATURE

INDIANA GRAND RACING & CASINO ALSO HOSTED THE EVENT IN 2016.

The Art and Science of Track Safety Track superintendents rely on technology and gut instinct to keep horses and riders as safe as possible

By Denis Blake

T

here is no shortage of hard-working people in horse racing. The average 9-to-5 office worker probably cannot imagine the long hours put in by trainers with nary a day off or the sleepless nights breeders endure during foaling season. The work is not just long; it is hard and often requires a mixture of blood, sweat and tears. And there aren’t any days off for inclement weather. One group in racing, in particular, deals with these conditions on a daily basis—track superintendents and their crews. However, their arduous efforts at keeping horses and jockeys safe are sometimes overlooked. Track Superintendent Field Day, held June 14-15 at Indiana Grand Racing & Casino, puts a spotlight on the important work of those dedicated to track maintenance and serves as a way for them to share best practices and create connections.

More than 100 attendees representing 70 tracks, training centers and farms were at this year’s event, which was first held in 2002 when Roy Smith, now track superintendent at Indiana Grand, launched it at Philadelphia Park (now Parx Racing) after earlier gatherings as part of the University of Arizona Race Track Industry’s Racing Symposium. The event had mostly Thoroughbred representation, but there was also a contingent

34

THE HORSEMEN’S JOURNAL

SUMMER 2021

from Standardbred tracks for the resumption of the conference, which was canceled in 2020 due to COVID-19.

“We could not be more pleased with the turnout we had for this,” said Smith about the near-record attendance despite the lack of international attendees who normally make the trip. “We had some of the industry’s leaders make presentations over the past two days, and you’d have to go far and wide to find the level of expertise and experience we had in that room. These people have their finger on the pulse of this complicated industry. We all have busy schedules, so I appreciate all who attended.”

Technology has touched every aspect of racing in recent years, with computerized betting, advanced veterinary scanning capabilities and GPS race timing to name just a few, and the niche world of track maintenance is no different. While track supers will always rely on their own experience and instincts on how to best maintain their racetracks, they increasingly rely on technology.

For the uninformed who might think track supers just push around dirt and add some sand here and there, the event’s first speaker, agronomist and soil scientist Michael DePew of Environmental Technical Services, made it clear just how complicated dirt and even synthetic surfaces can be to create and maintain.

“For optimum soil cushion performance, we want a soil that has moderate stability when compacted but when fluffed into a loose cushion will have low resistance that during hoof compaction will gradually compact to form a firm footing for push off,” he said.

That’s not an easy sentence to say, so the cliché “easier said than done” doesn’t even apply, but getting it done is certainly not easy. DePew covered the best size and shape of sand particles to achieve a suitable racing surface, and he talked about regional differences in what materials are available and how clay in one part of the country might be different than that in another area. He explained how testing the soil of a racetrack can generate a report with a wealth of data, such as the size of the sand particles, and then actions can be taken to get those numbers into recommended target ranges.

Dr. William Farmer, equine medical director for Churchill Downs Inc., made a presentation titled, “Consistent Equine Safety in an Inconsistent Environment.” Farmer noted that catastrophic injuries in Thoroughbred racing fell to a rate of 1.41 per 1,000 starts in 2020, the lowest recorded rate since 2009. Even so, he said that everyone has a common goal, even if it might never be 100 percent achievable.

“We all have the same goal, and that’s for everyone who goes to the track to come back safe,” he said. “That’s your goal as track supers, and that’s our goal as regulator vets.”

To that end, he talked about the importance of communication between all parties involved in the running of a race, which was echoed by others during the conference. Farmer said he regularly talks with private veterinarians and trainers to see if they are noticing any particular problems that could be related to the track surface, and then he relays that to the track super and attempts to determine whether there truly is an issue with the surface or not.

Farmer also talked about the challenges track supers have when nonracing events, such as concerts and festivals, are held at racetracks and everything from stages to trucks to thousands of people might be on the main track or turf course.

Michael Dickinson, an accomplished trainer in the U.K. and the U.S. who now is president of Tapeta Footings, noted the precarious situation in which

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DENIS BLAKE

Improving Safety Through Technology

A VARIETY OF TRACTORS, MOWERS AND OTHER EQUIPMENT WAS ON DISPLAY FOR TRACK SUPERINTENDENTS TO VIEW.

racing finds itself, with the general public, animal rights groups, politicians and the industry itself demanding a higher standard of safety. To that end, he proposed nine things that could help achieve that goal, including a few that would be dramatic changes to the sport.

“Safety is our biggest obstacle,” he said. “If we don’t do better, they will shut us down. In Formula One racing, too many drivers were dying in crashes, and the public reacted, and now it’s much safer.”

The first three items on Dickinson’s list are already being seen to some extent, including jockeys using the whip for safety only, fewer medications and less dirt racing.

“We all have the same goal, and that’s for everyone who goes to the track to come back safe. That’s your goal as track supers, and that’s our goal as regulator vets.”

— Dr. William Farmer

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COADY PHOTOGRAPHY

FEATURE

MORE THAN 100 PEOPLE REPRESENTING 70 TRACKS, TRAINING CENTERS AND FARMS ATTENDED TRACK SUPERINTENDENT FIELD DAY.

Being that Tapeta produces the synthetic surface used at several North American tracks and numerous training centers, Dickinson might not be an unbiased commentator on the latter suggestion, but the numbers do support his recommendation. The trainer of two-time Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1) winner Da Hoss referenced the same statistics discussed by Farmer showing that, in 2020, the catastrophic injury rate on dirt was 1.49 per 1,000 starts compared to 1.27 on turf and 1.02 on synthetic.

His fourth recommendation was not to roll turf courses and instead use more labor-intensive methods such as fixing divots and filling holes. Then he got into some suggestions that would represent a departure from the norm, including using significantly banked turns on turf, dirt and synthetic tracks and putting stride sensors on racehorses. The sensors, which can fit inside a saddle cloth, track the stride characteristics of horses and, in some cases, can identify at-risk horses before a catastrophic event occurs when minor variations in the stride are detected.

Dickinson also suggested the use of flexible PVC running rails and a cutaway rail entering the stretch, both of which can reduce injuries to horses and riders when contact with the rail is made.

Dickinson’s last suggestion might be the most drastic change from tradition—replacing the starting gate with a drone-operated moving screen.

While that might seem like going back in time to the days when races started with the drop of a flag or horses lined up behind a rope, he did offer some compelling reasons to consider the idea. For one, the starting gate is especially dangerous for jockeys, as well as horses, not to mention a place of frustration

36

for owners, trainers and bettors when a horse fails to break well at the start.

While some of Dickinson’s suggestions would come at a price for racetracks or possibly horsemen, he argued that a new way of starting races would save money. The cost of enormously expensive starting gates would be eliminated, and tracks could save money with reduced insurance costs and workers’ compensation claims from gate crews and less equipment needed without having to move starting gates around the track.

Weathering Challenges Together Eric Hamelback, CEO of the National HBPA, addressed the group and discussed how the Horseracing Integrity & Safety Act (HISA) might affect them.

“What you guys do for our industry as a whole is one of the most important aspects of horse racing,” he said. “We must make sure our tracks are safe.”

Hamelback raised several questions that need answering regarding HISA, including how track safety would be handled.

“How is safe and consistent going to be defined?” he asked. “If your track is above average on the [Equine Injury Database], does that mean your track is unsafe? And what about the surface, if it is deemed to be unsafe? Will the authority have the mandate and power to make you change surfaces?”

Hamelback stressed that safety elements should be guided by science and facts and not public perception.

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DENIS BLAKE

DENIS BLAKE

MICHAEL DICKINSON OFFERED A VARIETY OF IDEAS TO HELP MAKE RACING SAFER.

ROY SMITH FOUNDED TRACK SUPERINTENDENT FIELD DAY 20 YEARS AGO, AND THE EVENT HAS GROWN SIGNIFICANTLY IN SIZE AND SCOPE.

In addition to a variety of speakers, the conference gave track supers the chance to get to know each other through a roundtable discussion and two panel discussions, one for Thoroughbred tracks and another for Standardbred facilities. Even though specific problems might not be solved in those discussions, the networking that takes place can be the key to fixing issues down the road.

“If you have a problem with your course, there’s always someone out there who had the same problem,” Smith said. “There’s no 1-800 number for track problems. When track supers come to these meetings, they are going to come away with some good information and friendly faces they can call if needed.”

Much of their work happens in the wee hours of the morning before training begins or after the races when the grandstand is empty, but their jobs have never been more important with the increased focus on safety. Mother Nature has always been a big challenge for track supers, and many reported even greater challenges due to an uptick in extreme weather.

“We have to work by the seat of our pants sometimes and prepare for the worst and hope for the best,” Smith added. “We are definitely seeing different weather patterns now that are more extreme. We had 90s in June and extreme downpours already this year. There’s a limit to what you can do to prepare for that.”

The job of a track super is never done, as there’s always another weather system on the horizon and another day of racing or training on the calendar.

There’s no such thing as a perfect racing surface, and even if there were, injuries will still happen. Even so, it’s clear that track supers and their crews

take their job seriously and do their best to blend the latest technology with old-fashioned experience.

“This is what we all do,” Smith said. “Before we started having these meetings, we were all kind of isolated. I thought there has to be something we can do to bring us all together, and this has turned into a really close-knit group that works together.”

“Indiana Grand was a tremendous host, especially considering all the uncertainty just a few months ago about whether we’d be able to pull this off,” said Steve Andersen of title sponsor Equine Equipment, which helped organize the event and, along with the other sponsors, made it possible for track supers and staff to attend with no registration fees. “The horse industry is full of hard-working people, but I don’t think anyone works harder and longer hours than track supers, so we are happy to support this event for the greater good of the industry. Special thanks also go out to the team at Indiana Grand led by Joe Morris and Eric Halstrom, as well as moderator Nancy Holthus, who all put in a lot of work to make this possible. This event would not be possible without the broad support of the industry, including sponsors like The Stronach Group, Spendthrift, Margaux Farm, several HBPA state affiliates and many more.”

Track Superintendent Field Day also included equipment demonstrations with tractors and mowers and presentations from New Holland North America, Advanced Turf Solutions and the Caesars Entertainment Equine Specialty Hospital. Selected PowerPoint presentations from the event are available at tracksupers.com. HJ

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QUENTINJLANG – STOCK.ADOBE.COM

FEATURE

TESTING TIMES Following a sample from collection to a positive, how drug testing is done in 2021 and what it means

By Kimberly Brewer, DVM, MSc; Clara Fenger, DVM, PhD, DACVIM; Andreas Lehner, PhD; Theodore F. Shults, JD, MS; Thomas Tobin, MRCVS, PhD, DABT

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M

edina Spirit’s betamethasone overage in our sport’s marquee racing event has put medication identifications—aka “doping” in the lay press—front and center in the public eye. This and similar headlines always cast a dim shadow on our sport, but the public and even most horsemen do not have a firm grasp of the process required before a drug identification is made.

To shed some light on the incredible sensitivity and resultant variability that exists in the current system, let’s follow a drug testing sample from collection to the administrative positive ruling.

A positive test is the culmination of a series of specific events that must all be completed correctly. Here’s a rundown of the key steps, which we’ll then take a more in-depth look at: First, samples must be collected and accompanied by rigorous documentation to unequivocally link any positive finding to a specific horse and to avoid any chance of a mix-up. Then, samples must be screened for a wide variety of substances to determine exactly what may be in the sample. Next, any suspicious finding on the screening must be conclusively identified with a confirmation test. Finally, any laboratory-reported adverse analytical finding must be determined to be a violation by a hearing before the stewards and sometimes an administrative law judge or the jurisdiction’s racing commission before a positive test is established and reported.

CHAIN OF CUSTODY AND SAMPLE COLLECTION

A positive test is the culmination of a series of specific events that must all be completed correctly.

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Chain of custody is a well-understood concept in the areas of criminal and civil law. Evidence can only be considered admissible if it has been handled carefully in a well-documented fashion designed to prevent any adulteration of the evidence. At any given racetrack, 10 to 20 (or more on big racing days) different paired urine and blood samples are collected, with major drug testing laboratories handling 35,000 samples a year and receiving as many as 1,000 samples in a busy week. All of these samples must be identified only by a number so no one other than the person taking and sealing the sample can know the identity of the horse or trainer involved. If the chain of custody procedure is not well designed and carefully documented, the chances of mixing up the samples would be high.

Basically, sample collection of both urine and blood is observed by the trainer or their representative. After a race, urine samples are collected from a horse in a fresh cup handled only by a racing commission official. Typically, the official will wear gloves that are changed between horses to prevent any cross-contamination of the urine from one horse to another. The collected urine is then usually split between two containers in the presence of the trainer or designated representative. These are the primary, or “A,” sample and the split, or “B,” sample. Blood is collected similarly by a racing commission veterinarian and witnessed by the trainer or representative, and sufficient blood is usually collected for a primary and a split sample. All of the samples are sealed with evidence tape, identified only with a sample-specific barcode and number.

These steps are also witnessed by the trainer or representative who signs the uniquely numbered and dated sample collection document. The samples are then stored under lock and key in a secure area. Paper records therefore document a given sample from identification of the horse through collection to splitting of the sample and shipping.

Depending on the jurisdiction, every day or every few days, the primary samples of both blood and urine will be packed into a cooler equipped with a padlock, locked with a numbered security seal and shipped by overnight courier to the testing laboratory. In a few jurisdictions, both the primary and split samples are shipped to the same lab. Some jurisdictions don’t designate

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LYNN – STOCK.ADOBE.COM

FEATURE

a separate sealed split sample, so the only sample that may be available for independent split sample testing would be whatever remains of the original sample after the primary laboratory has completed its testing. Regardless of the disposition of the split sample, the transfer of custody of the primary sample from the racetrack test barn to the courier to the testing laboratory must be carefully and completely documented in the chain of custody documentation.

Any breach of the chain of custody means that the samples could have been contaminated or adulterated because we wouldn’t know where they had been.

SCREENING TESTS At the laboratory, the first sequence of tests performed on a sample are screening tests. These determine whether the sample is negative or needs further investigation, which may give rise to a chemical identification of regulatory interest. The greatest differences between laboratories are in how they screen for drugs.

In the 1980s, drug screening was performed by thin layer chromatography (TLC), a simple visual inspection technique that detected substances in the microgram per milliliter range (parts per million).

As a practical matter, only a small number of substances could be identified by TLC and only at relatively high concentrations. Because drugs are concentrated in urine, this early testing focused on detection of

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drugs in urine. In the late ’80s and early ’90s, screening moved to ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) testing, and the sensitivity of testing increased a thousand-fold or so to detections in parts per billion, although still predominantly in urine. Then, in the late ’90s, high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) combined with mass spectrometry (LC-MS-MS), produced a nearly one-thousand-fold increase in the sensitivity of equine testing. Today, by using the latest LC-MS-MS technology, a racing chemist can readily detect medications in blood samples at low parts per trillion (picograms per milliliter) in blood and urine samples. A chemist also can simultaneously screen for relatively large numbers of these substances at these low concentrations in any given sample. The use of modern LC-MS-MS technology is currently a prerequisite for accreditation of racing laboratories.

Despite the uniformity of medication thresholds across most jurisdictions and the high sensitivity of LC-MS-MS, screening methods may vary significantly.

This is important since the screening methodology can be the most critical step in identifying an adverse analytical finding. This is because, if a sample/ substance is not identified as suspicious in the screening test, the chemist would not know to send the sample on to perform the sensitive and specific methodology that confirms the potential positive. In the case of substances for which there is zero tolerance, differences in screening methodology can result in low concentrations likely being identified in some jurisdictions but not in others.

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LIQUID CHROMATOGRAPHYTANDEM MASS SPECTROMETER The LC-MS-MS has advanced into a highly sensitive and specific technology with applications that go far beyond forensic drug testing. The sample, usually specially prepared, is injected into the liquid chromatography separation system portion of the LC-MS-MS, also known as a column. The liquid chromatographic step is basically like a horse race, with the fastest drug molecules (i.e., drug 1), getting to the mass spectrometer for analysis first, followed by the slightly slower drug 2 and so on for each substance. The amount of time it takes the drug to migrate along the chromatographic column and get to the mass spectrometer is called the retention time and is specific for each drug under a given set of chromatographic conditions. The runtime for the liquid chromatographic phase depends on the solvent gradient and may vary from three minutes to 20 minutes depending on the actual LC-MS-MS equipment used, the sample preparation and the columns employed in the testing.

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In the 1980s, drug screening was performed by thin layer chromatography, a simple visual inspection technique that detected substances in the microgram per milliliter range (parts per million).

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FEATURE

The affected stakeholders in racing—horsemen and horse owners— must demand transparency for both the testing laboratories and the regulatory standards as well as good faith investigation of positive tests.

When the drug enters the accurately tuned mass spectrometer, it begins a multiphase analysis. In the first step, the mass spectrometer is adjusted to select the specific mass (or molecular weight) of a given drug, for example, clenbuterol, molecular mass 277. Next, this clenbuterol mass 277 molecule is fed into a reaction chamber, where it fragments following a specific pattern determined by its chemical structure. The clenbuterol mass 277 molecule is fragmented into a number of “daughter” molecules or product ions, the largest product ion being mass 203, followed by mass 261, then mass 259 and so on. This means that the LC-MS-MS rapidly generates three specific items of information concerning the molecule: 1) its retention time, or the time it spent in the chromatographic system to get from the point of injection into the mass spectrometer; 2) the molecular mass identified in the primary mass spectrometer; and 3) the spectrum of product ions whose fragmentation pattern is determined by the chemical structure of the molecule. These three pieces of information provide a unique multifaceted “fingerprint” of a substance.

Additionally, a modern high-resolution mass spectrometry system can determine the molecular mass to five or more decimal places, which can specifically point to the chemical composition and structure of the molecule. Long story short, modern high-performance mass spectrometry is highly specific and allows one to identify the molecule in question at a high level of confidence and at extremely low concentrations. For some substances, this means all the way down to 1 picogram/milliliter or thereabouts. Indeed, in one published study, the lower limit of quantitation was 0.05 picogram/milliliter or 50 femtograms per milliliter.

The typical modern forensic chemistry of LC-MS-MS comes out of the box with an existing library of 1,500 to 2,000 different drug fingerprints. Drug fingerprints can be added to this library by purchasing certified standards of

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drugs; running them through the machine; and recording the retention time, parent mass and product ion masses. This technology allows the simultaneous detection of as many drugs as one can add to the library. The result of LC-MSMS testing is that the days of rotating drug screens on a daily or weekly basis are gone, and all drugs in each library can potentially be screened for in every sample every day.

This technology is truly very 21st century and has revolutionized more than one field of science, with drug testing being only one. However, for most LC-MS-MS methodologies, if a drug is not in the LC-MS-MS library, it will not be identified, although an “unknown” substance can certainly be suspected. If the system encounters one of these unknown compounds, the compound’s identity may be an elusive but solvable problem, something unthinkable 20 years ago.

DRUG SCREENING SHORTCUTS Screening for drugs is still a little more complicated than the elegant simplicity of the LC-MS-MS. First, to identify different drugs with different characteristics, the sample must be specially prepared. Therefore, it may require four or five different sample preparations and four or five different LCMS-MS instruments, and some substances, such as peptides and proteins, are still best identified by ELISA technology. These limitations to the identification of some substances at picogram concentrations requires special preparation of the sample, which is expensive and time-consuming. So some labs take a few shortcuts.

One such shortcut is to screen for these substances in urine, even those with thresholds in blood, based on the premise that drugs are concentrated in urine. In theory, this makes sense, but for more than one substance, there may be no correlation between urine concentration and blood concentration of a drug. For example, some environmental contamination positives might be the result of low-level inadvertent exposures, possibly only a few hours before the race. Such positives entering the bloodstream close to sampling time in blood are less likely to be evident in a urine screen.

A further concern is that the thresholds for some substances may not lend themselves well to routine screening. For example, the threshold for lidocaine is for 3-hydroxylidocaine glucuronide in blood, a metabolite of lidocaine, instead of lidocaine itself. It requires a special overnight incubation, which would markedly increase the cost of drug screening if applied to every sample that came through the lab door. Instead, the labs screen for the parent drug, lidocaine, and a different metabolite, termed MEGX. The problem with this method is that the reason 3-hydroxylidocaine glucuronide was chosen as the threshold substance is that it is detectable for much longer than the parent lidocaine. So, in actuality, the only time a 3-hydroxylidocaine positive is called is when the parent lidocaine is also present in the sample or a recent exposure. A consequence of this screening method is that many 3-hydroxylidocaine positives called are recent miniscule environmental transfers of lidocaine rather than uses of high-concentration local injection on a nerve, which the rule is intended to regulate.

If one looks carefully into the demographics of positive drug tests, one can find patterns in which labs call which positive tests. These identifications are quite disparate between laboratories. This characteristic of positive identifications is likely due at least in part to differences in screening tests and possibly unpublished, in-house screening limits. Such differences in drug testing procedures can become immediately apparent when commissions switch drug testing laboratories, as with the naproxen identifications at Charles Town in or about 2016, and the more recent episode of corticosteroid identifications in

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New Mexico racing also associated with a change in laboratories doing the testing.

Most of the problems with the screening tests using LC-MS-MS come down to cost. Most drug tests in horse racing using the state-of-the-art technology run racing commissions less than $200 a test. To really identify therapeutic medications at the levels they have chosen should cost several times that sum.

CONFIRMATION TESTING While the screening methods vary substantially between labs, the technology and procedures for confirmation are consistent. Once a screening test has identified a substance by its fingerprint and a preliminary identification has been made by comparing it to the internal LC-MS-MS library, the sample is considered suspect. By knowing what the LC-MS-MS data suggest the substance is, the chemist can specially prepare the sample to minimize the background noise and enhance the signal to confirm the suspect positive.

Further, the chemist includes a certified known standard of the substance, which is tested alongside the suspect positive so that all LC-MS-MS criteria can be compared side by side for accuracy of the identification. For threshold substances, a standard curve is created, where known quantities above and below the estimated quantity are tested, so the unknown quantity can be compared to the known levels and a quantity established.

ADVERSE ANALYTICAL FINDING Here are the steps we’ve covered so far: 1) An appropriate chain of custody has assured that the sample is actually from the horse it is supposed to be from.

2) A suspect positive has been identified based on comparing a drug screening fingerprint to a known fingerprint in the screening system.

3) The substance in the sample has been confirmed using the specific mass spectrometry technology.

Next, an identification, possibly an adverse analytical finding, is reported to the relevant authorities, usually the racing commission responsible for oversight of the jurisdiction from which the sample came. Such a finding must be investigated before an actual drug violation is reported. In the best of all possible worlds, a complete investigation would not be limited to a presumption of intentional administration, with interviews of everyone in contact with the horse, but also would include investigating possible exposures to environmental sources of drugs (see the “An In-Depth Look at Stall Contamination” from the Winter 2017 issue of this magazine, accessible through hbpa.org) and the use of substances in humans in contact with horses (see “Methamphetamine” in the Fall 2016 issue), plus a full forensic investigation, the chemical equivalent of a witness cross-examination, of the samples collected from the horse. Many substances come in different therapeutic formulations and products, and a simple forensic investigation may well differentiate those forms. For example, the topical form of betamethasone is an ester derivative called betamethasone valerate, which comes in combination with an antifungal called clotrimazole and an antibiotic, while the injectable form administered into joints is an ester derivative called betamethasone acetate. A simple chemical investigation for presence of the clotrimazole and possibly also the valerate ester form of betamethasone, with the absence of the betamethasone acetate ester, could differentiate an innocent environmental transfer of a topical betamethasone preparation from an intra-articular injection, the form that is of concern to regulators.

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HOW DO WE GO FROM SAMPLING THE HORSE TO CALLING A POSITIVE TEST? The four components of a racing drug test—chain of custody, screening test, confirmation test and commission investigation—must all be completed correctly for a positive identification to be ruled as a violation of the rules of racing. Differences among these four steps, rather than differences in the rules, can cause different findings in different jurisdictions. The steps most likely to contribute to the differences in positive tests called in different jurisdictions are the screening tests and the commission investigation and evaluation.

Laboratories where screenings are performed in urine for substances with thresholds in blood may fail to identify some of the horses with substances above the threshold in the blood. Screening tests that are not sufficiently sensitive to confirm the amount of a substance will inevitably miss some substances that other labs catch.

The regulatory review process is another area in which jurisdictions can differ widely. Rare identifications for human medications at trace levels that are unlikely to be intentionally administered; clusters of positive tests from more than one trainer in a locale within a tight time window; low-level positives because a laboratory suddenly included a therapeutic substance in its battery of screening tests; and identification of legitimate equine medications at very low levels are all commonly innocent and worthy of a full investigation.

An example is the recent low-level identifications of aminorex, an amphetamine-like drug that also can be a metabolite of a weed commonly found in hay in the Midwest and Northeast. Aminorex positives in Kentucky were dismissed as a consequence of an investigation into its possible feedstuff source, whereas a cluster of positives experienced by several trainers in Massachusetts, under identical circumstances, were penalized with Class 1A violations. One outcome of these events was the publication of a proposed interim screening limit of detection (SLOD) for aminorex in horse urine. The publication of such interim SLODs for dietary and environmental substances is one goal of the North American Association of Racetrack Veterinarians and the Equine Health and Welfare Alliance.

CONCLUSION Drug testing in 2021 bears little resemblance to its counterpart of several decades ago. Screening has gone from being able to detect a relatively small number of substances at microgram per milliliter concentrations to hundreds or thousands of substances at picogram per milliliter concentrations. The elegant simplicity of the science has been a siren’s song to regulators in that irrelevant levels of common therapeutic medications for both humans and horses are identified at increasing rates. More and more jurisdictions have migrated to the concept of “a positive is a positive is a positive,” which greatly simplifies the work of the regulator but reduces due process to a faint shadow of what is guaranteed to the average American. The affected stakeholders in racing— horsemen and horse owners—must demand transparency for both the testing laboratories and the regulatory standards as well as good faith investigation of positive tests. The outcome, if we fail to demand these steps, is further damage to our sport from negative media coverage of innocent or inadvertent trace-level identifications that are being conflated with actual doping occurrences. HJ

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I

n the early years, the sport of horse racing seemed simple. There was no simulcasting, discussion of appropriate marketing strategies, super testing or betting via direct computer links. There was no NTRA, THA, TOC, TOBA, UTTA, AQHA or other organizations representing horsemen’s interests.

Horsemen have a habit of taking care of their own. If someone was sick or down on his luck, they “passed the hat,” taking up collections, which is a time-honored tradition among racetrackers.

It was in 1940 in New England that a group of committed horsemen brought into existence what is now known as the National Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association. From this meager beginning the National HBPA has developed into an organization representing the horsemen’s interests on a myriad of issues.

Today, there are nearly 30,000 owner and trainer members throughout the United States and Canada focused on a common goal—the betterment of racing on all levels.

With this purpose in mind, we welcome and encourage all horsemen to join the National HBPA, and we urge our members to take an active role in the direction and policies of our organization. It is our members who make a difference.

We horsemen are the National HBPA.

We are Leading into the Future and we are…… Horsemen Helping Horsemen

The National HBPA Inc. Eric Hamelback, CEO Phone: 859-259-0451 • Toll Free: 866-245-1711 • Email: ehamelback@hbpa.org 3380 Paris Pike Lexington, KY 40511 Website: www.hbpa.org Facebook: www.facebook.com/NationalHBPA • Twitter: @nationalhbpa

AFFILIATE NEWS ALABAMA HBPA

Luckily, we finished the meet with no more outbreaks.

Our on-track attendance was limited to a 300-person occupancy, which showed up as a decline in the on-track handle. However, the export signals were fantastic, and we showed record numbers on handle during the 2021 meet. Overall, our 2021 Turf Paradise meet was a big success. The Arizona HBPA wants to give Turf Paradise General Manager Vince Francia a big thanks for getting us to the finish line. I hope by the time you are reading this that you have had a face mask-burning party.

The Arizona HBPA would like to congratulate our award winners for 2021: Leading Trainer: Justin Evans, 64 wins Leading Owner: H M A Stables, 26 wins Leading Jockey: Luis Negron, 71 wins Leading Apprentice Jockey: Joree Scriver, 29 wins Leading Quarter Horse Trainer: Ralph Fales, 8 wins Leading Quarter Horse Owner: Alex Torres, 4 wins Leading Quarter Horse Jockey: Adrian Ramos, 10 wins

Things Are Looking Up for Alabama-Breds in 2021

ARIZONA HBPA Turf Paradise Meet a Big Success As of this writing, we have just finished the Turf Paradise meet and are getting ready to start the Arizona Downs summer meet. The Turf Paradise meet began January 4 and ran five days a week through May 1. We began the meet still under the cloud of the COVID-19 pandemic. After working many hours, we finally all agreed on COVID-19 protocols and started our meet on time. We had one COVID-19 outbreak with a valet in the jockey’s room, which resulted in two canceled days along with weekly testing for the rest of the meet for all jockeys, valets, gate crew and all other employees who were in contact with the jockeys.

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SUMMER 2021

Racing Returns to Arizona Downs This summer marks the first full season of racing in over a decade at Arizona Downs and features the highest purses in the track’s history. Opening day was June 1, with a 32-day meet running on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and ending September 15. Every race is being simulcast around the world, showing off the beautiful Prescott Valley community.

“We’re excited to welcome fans back to the track and experience racing like we never have before,” General Manager Mike Weiss said. “The community response to reopening our doors has been overwhelming, and we know it will be an unforgettable season at Arizona Downs.”

Arizona Downs has partnered with the Arizona HBPA to develop the most attractive race program in track history. The fans will find a new management team, renovated facility and the biggest purses in track history drawing more than 700 horses from around the Southwest.

COURTESY ARIZONA DOWNS

The $50,000 Magic City Classic at Fair Grounds on December 11, 2020, was won by Liken It, owned and bred by Kent Gremmels. Off at odds of 27-1, he passed Foolish Steve, the even-money favorite, to win by three-quarters of a length. Finishing third was Two Mikes N Doc G, followed by Buggin Out in fourth.

Supplemental purse distributions paid in 2020 totaled $34,800. These are funds paid out to Alabama-bred horses running first, second, third and fourth in open company races at racetracks within the continental United States.

Leading earners were: 1. $7,166.66—Liken It, owned and bred by Kent Gremmels 2. $4,966.67—Bobby Jr., owned and bred by Live-Lee Farms 3. $4,566.67—Arnina, owned and bred by Hackett Brothers Thoroughbreds 4. $4,166.67—Childs Destiny, owned and bred by Bobby Pruitt Gotta A. P. B., owned and bred by Live-Lee Farms Miss Svengail, owned and bred by Hackett Brothers Thoroughbreds With 2020 in the rearview mirror, it is nice to be looking forward to 2021 and a new year in racing.

The Birmingham Racing Commission-sponsored $50,000 Magic City Classic will be run, along with the return of the $25,000 Kudzu. Details and nomination forms will be forthcoming from the racing commission. It also has reinstated the payment of travel expenses for these races, which the Alabama HBPA has been covering for the past several years.

Leda Dimperio of the Birmingham Racing Commission is the contact for the Magic City Classic and Kudzu. She can be reached at (205) 937-2232.

All Alabama-breds should be registered with Leda at the Birmingham Racing Commission.

The $25,000 Ken Cotton Classic has been postponed. We are looking forward to a fall racing date to be announced. We also are looking to update the conditions of the race to make it more accessible for more horses. More on that is to come. The Alabama HBPA will continue to cover travel expenses for horses running fourth and out for the Ken Cotton Classic.

The Alabama HBPA is continuing the supplemental purse distribution for any Alabama-bred finishing first through fourth in open company. Please call (205) 612-1999 or email nancy.m.delony@ms.com to claim your supplemental purse monies.

In addition, we are continuing with the added monies to Alabama-breds running at any of the four Louisiana tracks. This is paid out directly by the horsemen’s bookkeeper at the track with your purse payments. Let’s make 2021 a successful racing year!

Nancy Delony, Executive Director, Alabama HBPA

THE ARIZONA DOWNS MEET IS SET TO RUN THROUGH SEPTEMBER 15.

The return of horse racing at Arizona Downs gets an added dose of excitement with longtime racing analyst Aaron Vercruysse agreeing to serve as paddock host during the 2021 summer race season.

Vercruysse co-hosts the nationally syndicated Post Time Radio show and served as the on-air host and race analyst at Santa Anita Park in California.

The University of Arizona graduate will be joined as the track’s paddock host by current U. of A. student and Arizona Downs intern Giselle Lugo.

“I am such a big fan of Arizona Downs and what this track means for the future of Arizona horse racing; I was ecstatic when I was asked to do this,” Vercruysse said. “I’m very happy and excited to be part of the return of racing here.”

Vercruysse, who began his horse racing career as an intern with The Stronach Group and rose to the executive ranks, said he was also drawn to the position thanks to Mike Weiss, who is a longtime supporter of the University 47

NEWS of Arizona’s Race Track Industry Program. That relationship also resulted in Lugo landing an internship with the track. An Arizona native, she is an animal science and law major who is on the Dean’s List and previously served in an internship at Rillito Park in Tucson.

“The work Mike does with the school is such a positive influence, and this is a way to give back,” Vercruysse said. “It’s important for these students to get hands-on experience and learn the industry as they find what it is they want to do.”

Arizona Downs is being managed this season by Peninsula Pacific Entertainment, a trailblazer in the gaming, racing and entertainment industry.

Among the properties they own and operate is Colonial Downs, a Virginia Thoroughbred track that had been shuttered for six years and now serves as a thriving, revenue-generating entertainment destination.

ARKANSAS HBPA Oaklawn Announces Monumental Shift in its Racing Calendar In yet another historic move for the 117-year-old track, Oaklawn will now add December race dates to its calendar and host a 66-day season from Friday, December 3, 2021, to Sunday, May 8, 2022.

“For many years, horsemen have wanted to race here in December to fill a gap in their racing schedule,” said Oaklawn President Louis A. Cella, who has guided Oaklawn through the most dramatic changes in its history over the past four years. “We have completed our resort expansion, including the opening of our luxury hotel, spa and event center. Therefore, the timing is right for another expansion—to our live racing season.”

The 66-day season will be conducted largely on a Friday to Sunday basis, with some exceptions. There will be no racing December 24-26 during the Christmas holiday and also no racing on Easter Sunday, April 17. Racing will continue to be offered on Presidents’ Day Monday, February 21.

Oaklawn plans to present the new proposed racing schedule to the Arkansas Racing Commission at its next meeting for approval.

“We are looking forward to the new format,” Cella said. “The additional days will provide a huge economic impact for horsemen, Arkansas Thoroughbred breeders and tourism in central Arkansas.”

“Oaklawn’s decision to add racing days in December is wonderful news for Hot Springs and Garland County,” said Steve Arrison, CEO of Visit Hot Springs.

“The expansion of its casino and its addition of a world-class hotel this year already provided Hot Springs with an exciting new feature in its attractions menu.

The additional live racing dates will further cement Oaklawn’s status as a premier economic engine for our city. We all look forward to this great new reason for everyone to visit Hot Springs.”

Purses for the season are projected to be $45 million to $50 million, the highest in America at that time of year, with all allowance races starting at $100,000.

“To be able to offer six-figure allowance races for five consecutive months is a very strong statement,” Oaklawn Racing Secretary Pat Pope said. “Between the purses and all of our new amenities, we should be part of every horseman’s annual calendar.”

The extended season and projected purse increases make it necessary for Oaklawn to restructure its stakes program, highlighted by realigning Oaklawn’s strong 3-year-old prep races.

“We will offer 2-­year-old racing in December,” Cella said, “and we anticipate additional exciting changes in our racing program, including an aggressive 2021– 22 stakes schedule. We are working on that now and will announce those changes soon. Suffice it to say that our stakes program will continue to be designed to attract the nation’s best horses and best horsemen to Hot Springs.”

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Trainers also are excited about the additional race dates.

“I love it,” Hall of Famer and 11-time Oaklawn leading trainer Steve Asmussen said. “The more Oaklawn the better.”

“I’ve been an advocate for this for years,” Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas said. “I think it’s a great addition and will keep our stables competitive. It’s also going to be a popular time. People are already in a festive mood around the holidays, and the weather in December is usually pretty good. I think there is going to be a strong fanbase. I’m 100 percent for it.”

“Oaklawn’s new dates allow us horsemen to participate in the most lucrative purse circuit in America without any interruptions,” trainer Ron Moquett said. “It’s now a smooth transition between Oaklawn, Churchill and Saratoga.”

Arkansas HBPA Honors Linda Gaston and Don Von Hemel On Wednesday, April 21, the Arkansas HBPA held a dinner party to honor Linda Gaston and Don Von Hemel for their years of service on the board of directors. The Arkansas HBPA board members, their families and friends gathered at Luna Bella restaurant in Hot Springs for this festive event. Gaston was honored for her 43 years of serving on the board, including several as president. Gaston was privileged to have her husband, Tommy, with her along with her son Larry, daughter Angel Pigot and son-in-law Walt.

DON VON HEMEL AND LINDA GASTON COMBINED TO SERVE THE ARKANSAS HBPA FOR NEARLY 90 YEARS.

Von Hemel was honored for his 45 years of dedicated service to Arkansas horsemen. By his side was his daughter Pam Young, her husband Doug and their daughter, son Donnie K. Von Hemel and family friend Norma Lee Stockseth.

Arkansas HBPA President Bill Walmsley made a presentation after dinner, telling funny and heartwarming stories about Gaston’s and Von Hemel’s lifetime of dedication to horse racing and the motto of the HBPA, horsemen helping horsemen. The honorees were presented with crystal awards thanking them for their years of service.

Both Von Hemel and Gaston have decided not to run for reelection in the upcoming board elections for 2022. The Arkansas HBPA will dearly miss their dedication to promoting the relationship between Oaklawn and the horsemen. Gaston and Von Hemel were very instrumental in the programs that are still moving forward today and in setting up the medical clinic for trainers and their employees and other benevolent programs.

The honorees were celebrated by other members of the board and friends including Walmsley and his wife, Janis; Gary and Beverly Woodall; Dr. Robert Tucker; Susan Millard; Staton Flurry; Danny and Carolyn Keene; Jinks Fires; Steve and Metzie Hobby; John and Pat Lively; Jason and Tiffany Milligan; and Val Yagos.

The event was hosted by Arkansas HBPA Executive Director Jeanette Milligan and assistant Patrice Smith.

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AFFILIATE NEWS CHARLES TOWN HBPA WV Attorney General Patrick Morrisey and HISA On behalf of the state of West Virginia and the West Virginia Racing Commission, West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey has joined a civil suit contesting the constitutionality of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA). The state joins the following fellow plaintiffs: the Oklahoma Attorney General, the United States Trotting Association, Hanover Shoe Farms Inc., Oklahoma Quarter Horse Racing Association and the three Oklahoma tracks, Remington Park, Fair Meadows and Will Rogers Downs. Among a number of constitutional issues, the lawsuit states that HISA gives a private corporation broad regulatory authority over the horse racing industry and does so with no funding mechanism, forcing the financial burden onto states. If a state refuses to pay, the state’s legislature and executive agencies would be punitively banned from collecting taxes or fees to enforce their own state regulations. If the court rules in favor of the law, states would be stripped of the authority to regulate important aspects of the horse racing industry in favor of the national Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority, a private corporation. HISA will go into effect no later than July 1, 2022.

I had the winner.” And that was exactly the outcome as his filly Our Diamond Girl won the Fancy Buckles Stakes for her fourth win in five starts this season.

Grams and his wife, Judy, bred Our Diamond Girl, a daughter of Windsor Castle, and race her in the name of their Grams Racing Stable LLC. Our Diamond Girl now has six wins from 10 career starts and earnings of $127,105.

West Virginia Thoroughbred Breeders Awards Champion 2-Year-Old Filly: Shutupn’kissme Champion 2-Year-Old Colt: Youthinkthatsfunny Champion 3-Year-Old Colt: Fancy Concho Champion Older Filly/Mare: Anna’s Bandit Champion Older Colt/Gelding and Sprinter: Dr. Feelgood Champion Sprinter: Dr. Feelgood WV-Sired, Not WV-Bred: Bridging the Gap Champion 3-Year-Old Filly and Horse of the Year: Star of Night West Virginia Broodmare of the Year: Happy Numbers West Virginia Stallion of the Year: Fiber Sonde West Virginia Breeder of the Year: Beau Ridge Farm (John and Cyndy McKee) Congratulations to all the winners and their connections.

Charles Town HBPA Updates

INDIANA HBPA

The Charles Town HBPA board of directors, along with track management at Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races, agreed to a 10 percent purse increase effective April 28. Also effective April 28, the Charles Town HBPA board of directors voted to increase the per start fee from $5 to $10 to support Aftercare Charles Town in its commitment to finding homes for qualified Charles Town Thoroughbreds that have retired from racing and are moving on to new careers.

Indiana Grand Racing & Casino Announces $7 Million Barn and Dormitory Expansion

For Tim Grams, Fancy Buckles Is a Stakes to Remember

COADY PHOTOGRAPHY

The $75,000 Fancy Buckles Stakes for West Virginia-bred fillies and mares, named in honor of owner/trainer Tim Grams’ multiple stakes winner, took place on May 29.

“You know, Fancy Buckles changed my life,” Grams said. “She came along at a time when I was struggling, and she just turned my whole career around. I had some good horses before her but nothing like her.”

As the race approached, Grams commented, “It’s an honor to have a stakes named for one of the horses that you trained. It would be even more special if

OUR DIAMOND GIRL

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Caesars Entertainment, parent company of Indiana Grand Racing & Casino in Shelbyville, has announced plans to significantly expand the property’s barn and dormitory facilities. The addition will allow for more flexibility and stateof-the-art offerings for the 19th season of Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing. The $7 million investment project will include a new 100-stall barn and a 50-room dormitory, increasing stall space on the backstretch to accommodate nearly 1,200 horses. News of this expansion comes on the heels of Indiana Grand’s recent announcement of its $32.5 million investment to grow and enhance the existing casino gaming floor. The barn and dormitory project should be completed in the fall of 2021.

“Each year, we turn many stables away because we just don’t have the stall space for them,” said Eric Halstrom, vice president and general manager of racing at Indiana Grand Racing & Casino. “As our racing continues to grow at the national level, we receive even more requests to race at our facility. This addition will further solidify Indiana Grand as a premier racing destination.”

The new 100-stall barn, modeled after the Quarter Horse barn built in 2014 at Indiana Grand, will be enclosed and winterized with three large sliding doors on both sides of the barn. The structure will include 10 wash bays, two restrooms and 10 tack rooms.

The dormitory will include 50 additional rooms in a two-story structure next to the new barn. The facility will provide housing for those who care for the additional horses, featuring community bathrooms for both men and women, central air and heat and a laundry facility on both floors. Both structures will be located on the west side of the current backstretch area.

“Adding another barn will only strengthen our current program at Indiana Grand and build upon Caesars Entertainment’s growing position as a leader in sports and entertainment,” said Joseph Morris, vice president of racing for Caesars Entertainment. “This project is another example of how Caesars Entertainment is investing in the horse racing industry in the state of Indiana.”

The construction site will be fenced off from the existing barn area to provide safety and security to the current horse population at Indiana Grand.

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NEWS

IOWA HBPA

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COADY PHOTOGRAPHY

The annual Iowa HBPA awards for the category winners of the 2020 racing meet were presented on Preakness Day, May 15, with the winners receiving their respective trophies in the winner’s circle.

A video presentation chronicling the achievements of 2020’s respective winners was played during the races that night and is available to view on the Iowa HBPA’s website. Please look at the winners’ achievements at iowahbpa.org.

Below are several pictures of the award recipients in their respective categories.

OWNER OF THE YEAR ALLEN POINDEXTER AND HORSE OF THE YEAR FLAT OUT SPEED: (FROM LEFT) TRAINER LYNN CHLEBORAD, POINDEXTER (AN IOWA HBPA DIRECTOR), ITBOA PRESIDENT STEVE RENFTLE AND IOWA HBPA VICE PRESIDENT JOE KELLY COADY PHOTOGRAPHY

In a dual ceremony for a pair of distinguished jockeys, DeShawn Parker and Luis M. Quinones were officially honored as the 2021 and 2020 winners, respectively, of racing’s prestigious George Woolf Memorial Jockey Award on May 16 at Santa Anita Park.

Instituted by Santa Anita in 1950 to honor the legacy of the legendary jockey George Woolf, the award honors those riders whose careers embody class and dignity and have thus represented Thoroughbred horse racing in a consistently professional manner, and it can only be won once.

Currently based in Ohio, Quinones, America’s second leading rider by races won in 2019 with 314 victories, was originally scheduled to accept the 2020 Woolf Trophy in March of last year, but due to complications related to the COVID-19 pandemic, he instead participated in the May 16 Runhappy Winner’s Circle ceremony between races with fellow honoree and close friend Parker.

Quinones, 42, outpolled a highly respected group of finalists last year that included Tyler Baze, Javier Castellano, Chris Emigh and James Graham.

“It’s a great honor just to be on the ballot for this award,” said Quinones last spring. “Winning the Woolf Award is incredible. I’m looking forward to coming out there, and I know this is something I will never forget.”

Parker, who at 5 feet, 10 inches stands out in any jockey colony, became the first African American rider since 1895 to lead all American jockeys in races won in 2010, with 377 trips to the winner’s circle, and he becomes the 72nd Woolf Award winner.

In 2011, Parker upped his win total to 400 and was again the nation’s leading jockey by races won. A Cincinnati, Ohio, native, Parker, 50, was a dominant force at Mountaineer Park in West Virginia for more than 20 years, and he also DESHAWN PARKER has enjoyed much success at Indiana Grand, as he led all riders there in 2020, and at Sam Houston Race Park, where he was their leading rider in 2015.

Fast closing in on 6,000 career wins, Parker is the son of longtime and highly respected Ohio racing steward Daryl Parker, who passed away in Cincinnati on March 4.

“My idol, my best friend and a great father!” Parker tweeted on March 5.

“He meant so much to my life and my career. I can only hope to be as great as he was…”

Parker outpolled fellow jockeys Alex Birzer, Jorge Martin Bourdieu, Kendrick Carmouche and Aaron Gryder to win this year’s Woolf Award.

“I’m feeling great,” Parker said. “It’s been a long time I’ve been riding.

It feels very special the riders thought about me and gave me this award. I definitely want to thank my friend ‘Bobby’ here, or Luis Quinones—I know him as Bobby, but Luis, he’s like a little brother to me. We both had the same agent with Billy [Johnson]. Billy is looking down on us and proud of us; he did it for both of us. It’s a big accomplishment for him, and he didn’t even realize what he was doing for us. He was a great man. I’m grateful to have my family here and Luis’ family here. My dad is looking down on me, because he passed away.

I was hoping to have him here, but I’m just so happy that I finally got it done.”

2020 Race Meet Award Winners

CLAIMER OF THE YEAR SHWEET PERSUASION: (FROM LEFT) ITBOA PRESIDENT STEVE RENFTLE, CLEMENTE RAMIREZ ACCEPTING ON BEHALF OF OWNER END ZONE ATHLETICS INC. (KARL BROBERG) AND IOWA HBPA VICE PRESIDENT JOE KELLY COADY PHOTOGRAPHY

COADY PHOTOGRAPHY

Indiana Grand Jockey DeShawn Parker Wins George Woolf Memorial Jockey Award

TRAINER OF THE YEAR TIM MARTIN: (FROM LEFT) IOWA HBPA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR JON MOSS, MARTIN AND IOWA HBPA VICE PRESIDENT JOE KELLY THE HORSEMEN’S JOURNAL

SUMMER 2021

AFFILIATE NEWS HART Silent Auction Set for Festival of Racing On Saturday, July 3, during Prairie Meadows’ Fireworks Day, the local horse rehabilitation/retraining program Hope After Racing Thoroughbreds (HART) will be holding a silent auction in the fourth-floor clubhouse. All proceeds will benefit HART by aiding in the placing and/or retraining of Thoroughbreds when their racing careers are over at Prairie Meadows.

A few of the highlighted items for this year’s auction are a voucher for a local Lasik eye correction surgery valued at more than $4,500 through Wolfe Eye Clinic, a halter and signed winner’s circle photo of 2020 Kentucky Oaks winner Shedaresthedevil and a signed and framed print by Fred Stone titled The 1st Day. If you would like to donate an item or items to the silent auction or want to make a monetary donation to HART, please contact the Iowa HBPA office at (515) 967-4804.

Stay Current on Iowa HBPA News To keep up to date on news and issues occurring in Iowa, you can find us on our Facebook page, Iowa Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association Inc., follow us on Twitter @IowaHBPA and also sign up to receive our emails at info@ iowahbpa.org. You also can check out our redesigned website at iowahbpa.org.

KENTUCKY HBPA President’s Message Let me start my comments by expressing my deep appreciation and gratitude to everyone who has reached out to me with their concern and prayers during my battle with cancer. People know that I am a fighter, and I readily accept the challenge in front of me. However, facing the struggles before me would test even the most resolute among us. While I am determined to vanquish

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SUMMER 2021

this incorrigible evil from my body, it is your prayers that I absolutely believe provide me with the sustenance to achieve my goal.

Frank Jones has served the horsemen racing in Kentucky as the longtime Kentucky HBPA vice president and also as the vice chairman of the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission (KHRC). Earlier, while racing at Turfway Park, the Kentucky HBPA learned that the revenue cabinet had placed a hold on revenue generated from the new Oak Grove historical horse racing facility earmarked for the Kentucky Thoroughbred Development Fund to supplement purses. Frank reached out to Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear and was successful in having the funds released. In addition, Frank’s business acumen continues to be a guiding force in the Kentucky HBPA’s negotiating strategy of purse contracts with Kentucky’s racetracks, which are considered some of the best in the industry.

Buff Bradley, a Kentucky HBPA board member for several years, has decided to end his career as a Thoroughbred horse trainer. He is currently exploring various opportunities, hopefully remaining in the racing industry, but he will not continue to train. Buff and his late father, Fred Bradley, have been friends for a very long time and on behalf of myself, the Kentucky HBPA board members and Kentucky horsemen, I wish Buff the best.

At my request, the Kentucky HBPA has written a letter, included below with its response, to Marc Guilfoil, KHRC executive director, and Dr. Bruce Howard, KHRC equine medical director, regarding the veterinarians assigned to examine horses prior to racing. This is by no means an attempt to cast aspersions toward the inspectors but merely to express strong concerns that the Kentucky HBPA has received from several horsemen.

This fall, we will have an election for the Kentucky HBPA board of directors.

It is an opportunity for horsemen to be involved in the business of racing. Several meetings will be scheduled at various racetracks to garner nominations. If you are interested or you know of an owner or trainer that may be a viable candidate and willing to serve, call us at the office or attend one of the meetings and nominate someone. A schedule of the meeting dates and times is included below (see page 54 under “Kentucky HBPA Board Elections”) or by contacting the Kentucky HBPA office at (502) 363-1077.

Good luck in your endeavors, Rick Hiles, President, Kentucky HBPA

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NEWS

Great Purses on Tap in Kentucky

COADY PHOTOGRAPHY

As America eases back into a version of normalcy, Kentucky’s racetracks picked up where they left off pre-pandemic, welcoming fans and offering skyrocketing purses.

A year after Keeneland canceled its spring meet in the early stages of the pandemic, the Lexington track’s daily purses for its 2021 spring meet averaged $739,902, if not a record then still among the highest in the country. Even in limiting attendance under COVID-19 restrictions in place at the time, Keeneland saw average crowds of 6,416 that would be the envy of most tracks under normal conditions.

Churchill Downs raised its purses to post-Derby records, including $100,000 maiden races for Kentucky-breds (and still a lofty $62,800 as the base purse) and allowance races going up to $109,000 for Kentucky-breds for a fourth-level allowance with a $150,000 claiming option.

Ellis Park is scheduled to average a record $350,000 a day in purses, with maiden races at $51,000 and allowance races going for $52,000 and $53,000 for Kentucky-breds, during its meet June 27 through September 4. The 14-race stakes schedule features two new races: the $100,000 Kentucky Downs Preview Dueling Grounds Oaks for 3-year-old fillies at 1 1/16 miles and the $100,000

ELLIS PARK PURSES WILL AVERAGE $350,000 PER DAY.

Kentucky Downs Preview Dueling Grounds Derby for 3-year-olds at 1 1/8 miles.

That expands what had been a day into the Kentucky Downs Preview Weekend, August 7-8, featuring seven grass stakes worth at least $100,000 each and designed as launching pads to Kentucky Downs’ big-money races. The Ellis winners receive an entry-fees-paid spot in the corresponding Kentucky Downs stakes.

The Ellis increases are attributable to the track’s ongoing relationship with Kentucky Downs, which, through an arrangement with the Kentucky HBPA, is set to transfer $4.2 million into Ellis’ purse account for the 2021 meet. That money will be split equally between unrestricted association purses and Kentucky Thoroughbred Development Fund monies.

“The three-way deal among Kentucky Downs, Ellis Park and the Kentucky HBPA has proven a win-win-win for all parties and the state and really helps strengthen the entire circuit,” said Kentucky HBPA Executive Director Marty Maline. “Kentucky Downs Preview Weekend is so fitting because it also casts the limelight on Kentucky Downs several weeks before they open. Ellis adding two 3-year-old turf stakes will keep those horses in Kentucky throughout the summer and heading into Kentucky Downs.”

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Both Ellis Park and Kentucky Downs announced plans to operate at full capacity this summer. (Churchill Downs was set to open to full capacity on June 11, the day on which Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear was ending almost all COVID-19 restrictions.)

Kentucky Downs again will pay out record purses, which rank among the highest in the world at almost $2.5 million per day on average. A record $14 million will be up for grabs September 5, 6, 8, 9, 11 and 12. That includes 16 stakes worth a track-record total of $10,050,000, including Kentucky-bred supplements (see related story).

Kentucky Downs is adding a new upscale venue, the VIP Chalet, for sponsors, horsemen and invited guests. Tables for eight were available for purchase every day but September 11 in the glass-enclosed, air-conditioned structure.

The Chalet was last used for horsemen’s hospitality at the 2019 Breeders’ Cup at Santa Anita and was purchased this year by Kentucky Downs. The track also is bringing back free general admission after last year’s meet was limited to horsemen and their parties.

Horsemen and jockeys should be thrilled with the Kentucky Downs turf course because nearly half of the kidney-shaped, 1 5/16-mile surface was redone. It’s the first major renovation of the course since it was laid down in a field in 1990. A swath five-eighths of a mile long and 63-feet wide around the spacious far turn and into the stretch was replaced with sod featuring a blend of 90 percent Kentucky 31 fescue and 10 percent Kentucky bluegrass. A new rail also was to be installed, promising more accurate timing.

For the second year, the Kentucky HBPA will underwrite the buffet for horsemen in the Finish Line Pavilion.

The Kentucky HBPA also was scheduled to team with Ellis Park and Kentucky Downs to bring back College Day and its traditional laptop giveaway.

One laptop will be given away after every race to full-time students, including those enrolled in two- or four-year degree programs and graduate, technical, vocational, barber and beauty colleges.

What would seem to be a promising summer faced one hurdle. The Churchill Downs backstretch was to be closed for stabling starting July 6, with horses able to get back in on September 8, in order to put in a new state-of-theart turf course. Ellis expected to have its 750 available stalls filled to capacity, with other trainers scrambling to find space at area training centers or sending horses out of state that normally would have stayed home for the summer.

Turfway Park also was to open for stabling, albeit as a 3 1/2-hour ship to Ellis Park.

The two-month shutdown figures to underscore the importance of Churchill as a training hub to the Kentucky circuit.

Meanwhile, the strength of Kentucky racing continues to be on display in the Triple Crown, with lifelong Louisvillian Brad Cox earning his first victory in America’s revered series as Godolphin’s Essential Quality wore down pacesetting Hot Rod Charlie to take the Belmont Stakes. Cox joins D. Wayne Lukas, Kenny McPeek, Steve Asmussen and Dale Romans as Louisville-based trainers who have won at least one spring classic. That fraternity’s description could be expanded to include horsemen such as Bill Mott and Mark Casse, who have prominent divisions in Kentucky but have their headquarters elsewhere.

Almost $15 Million Up for Grabs at Kentucky Downs Meet Kentucky Downs will offer almost $15 million in purses at its six-date allturf meet in early September. Horsemen can view all the scheduled races in the condition book posted on Kentucky Downs’ page on Equibase.com.

Over the six days of racing—September 5, 6, 8, 9, 11 and 12—a record $14,903,000 will be up for grabs, including a track-record total of $10,050,000 for 16 stakes, with $4.85 million coming from Kentucky-bred purse supplements

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AFFILIATE NEWS provided through the Kentucky Thoroughbred Development Fund.

The $1 million, Grade 2 Calumet Turf Cup and $1 million, Grade 3 Kentucky Downs Turf Sprint will be showcased September 11 on the NBC Sports Network from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. Central. The Breeders’ Cup announced that those stakes are part of the “Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series: Win and You’re In, presented

by America’s Best Racing” television schedule for the run-up to horse racing’s world championships November 5-6 at Del Mar in California. The winners of Challenge Series races earn a fees-waived spot in the corresponding Breeders’ Cup event.

The Calumet Turf Cup at 1 1/2 miles for older horses was one of only two new Challenge Series stakes added this year and is a qualifier for the $4 million Longines Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1). The Kentucky Downs Turf Sprint, at six furlongs, will serve as a qualifier for the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (G1) for the third year.

COADY PHOTOGRAPHY

“I need to get more grass horses,” quipped reigning Eclipse Award-winning trainer Brad Cox, who won last year’s Calumet Turf Cup for the second time in three years with Donegal Racing’s Arklow. “Kentucky Downs has been very good to us over the past four or five years. We definitely point to that meet, not only with stakes horses but maiden and allowance races. It’s a good clean strip.

Horses come off that strip in good shape. We look forward to having a presence at that meet.”

Kentucky Downs purses since 2011 Year (days) purses 2021 (6) $14,903,000 2020 (6) $11,668,473 2019 (5) $11,520,380 2018 (5) $10,273,630 2017 (5) $8,625,396 2016 (5) $7,923,476 2015 (5) $6,609,355 2014 (5) $4,875,722 2013 (5) $4,150,687 2012 (5) $2,086,650 2011 (4) $796,810

Immigration News

KENTUCKY DOWNS WILL OFFER NEARLY $15 MILLION IN PURSES.

“Earning a second ‘Win and You’re In’ race and getting both of our Challenge Series stakes on NBCSN are benchmarks in our escalating development as a national leader,” said Ted Nicholson, Kentucky Downs’ vice president for racing. “A huge day for us on September 11 just got even bigger. We look forward to showing off Kentucky Downs, our turf course renovations, unique atmosphere and large fields to an even broader audience.”

The Calumet Turf Cup and Turf Sprint are part of a blockbuster card featuring five graded stakes on September 11, the only Saturday of the short meet.

“Circling that date and working backwards,” said Michael Hui, owner of 2019 Calumet Turf Cup winner Zulu Alpha, who finished third in last year’s running. “Every horse I own wholly or in partnership will be pointed to the entry box for the Kentucky Downs meet.”

After individual purses paid out to owners last year dipped amid a threemonth COVID-19-related shutdown, maiden races in 2021 will be $125,000 (including $60,000 in Kentucky-bred money) and first-level allowance races will be $135,000 ($65,000 from KTDF).

The slated purses are fueled by $8,208,000 in unrestricted association money and $6,695,000 in KTDF supplements, for which the vast majority of horses racing at Kentucky Downs are eligible. Making the purses—and thousands of jobs across Kentucky—possible is the innovative technology powering historical horse racing, which combines the feel of electronic gaming with the time-honored pari-mutuel wagering upon which horse racing is based. The purses average out to $2,483,833 a day, which does not include $1,000 paid out to every starter who finishes sixth through last.

THE HORSEMEN’S JOURNAL

SUMMER 2021

While visiting racetracks across the country, Julio Rubio, Kentucky HBPA’s backstretch services coordinator and Hispanic liaison, and Will Velie, immigration attorney and president of Horseman Labor Solutions, have experienced firsthand the lack of grooms and exercise riders that has become a growing concern. The dearth of workers in industries nationwide has created a desperate situation for trainers in their quest to fill skilled positions. Employees are leaving the track and taking positions in construction and factories, and some are opening their own businesses. It is difficult for racing to match salaries and smaller workweeks being offered by other industries.

One possible solution for this worker shortage in our industry would be the H-2B Temporary Non-Agricultural Worker program, which some trainers across the country have been relying on for years. There are plenty of experienced grooms and exercise riders in Mexico and other Latin American countries. In light of increased labor demands, the program’s visa cap was reached this February, and that’s because H-2B visas on a national level are used in various industries. The Department of Homeland Security subsequently announced a supplemental increase of 22,000 H-2B visas, which were made available this June, with 6,000 reserved for nationals of the Northern Triangle countries of Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala. President Biden’s Executive Order 14010 is a way to expand lawful pathways for opportunity in the United States to manage migration in those countries. The additional visas will only be made available to employers that attest that if they do not receive workers under the cap increase, they are likely to suffer irreparable harm to their businesses.

Thanks to the sustained efforts of the National HBPA in Washington, D.C., our horsemen have been able to sustain a strong working relationship with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Department of Agriculture and Department of Labor to ensure visas, while making every effort to train and retain interested Americans to fill the jobs first.

Trainers who move their operations to different states during the winter months should start signing up now for H-2B visas that will be available this October. Trainers needing workers should contact Julio Rubio at the Kentucky HBPA office at (502) 363-1077.

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NEWS

Kentucky HBPA Board Elections

LOUISIANA HBPA

Several meetings for the purpose of taking nominations for the Kentucky HBPA board of directors have been scheduled at the following locations:

Evangeline Downs Racing Employees Assistance Program (REAP) is an organization that supports the good work of our Chaplain Dwight Brown and provides financial assistance to horsemen in need. REAP will hold its annual fundraiser this summer. We would like to thank everyone who supports the event each year.

For more information regarding this year’s event, call Chaplain Brown at (337) 308-0960.

The 2021 Thoroughbred meet at Evangeline Downs began April 28 and ends September 18. For additional information, contact the Evangeline Downs racing office at (866) 349-0687.

Reminder: The Fair Grounds 2021 Quarter Horse meet has moved to Evangeline Downs. The meet is scheduled to run at Evangeline Downs as part of a combined Evangeline Downs/Fair Grounds Quarter Horse meet beginning October 6 and concluding December 30. The meet will feature the Sales Futurity on October 30 with trials held on October 8. The meet also will feature the Louisiana Million Futurity on December 18, with the trials being conducted on November 26.

Trackside—August 10, 10:30 a.m., next to the Kentucky HBPA trailer Belterra—August 11, 11 a.m., Rec Hall Turfway Park—August 12, 11 a.m., Rec Hall Kentucky Thoroughbred Training Center— August 13, 10:30 a.m., HBPA office Keeneland—August 13, 12 p.m., outside the Track Kitchen Ellis Park—August 14, 10 a.m., Picnic Grove

The HBPA Is You The HBPA, established in 1940, is an organization of owners and trainers numbering more than 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:

Louisiana Downs The Backside Benevolence Fund (BBF) will be conducting its annual fundraiser this summer. Items will be available for auction. Plans and preparations are in development for this fundraising effort. Proceeds will help the BBF continue its support of the Louisiana Downs Chaplaincy, thrift store and the backside workers. If you would like to help the BBF, please contact Chaplain Jimmy Sistrunk at (318) 560-7466.

The 2021 Louisiana Downs Thoroughbred Meet began May 1 and concludes September 22.

• The HBPA negotiates in sessions with each racetrack regarding purse structure, equitable share of simulcast revenues, overall track safety, sanitation and security.

• The HBPA provides benevolence to horsemen in need; education and recreation programs to the backstretch; and various insurance packages, which include, free of charge to members, fire and disaster insurance.

Visit one of the fully staffed HBPA offices at the currently running racetrack in Kentucky for details.

Delta Downs

• 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 2021 Quarter Horse meet at Delta Downs began May 14 and ends July 31, featuring the $200,000-added Lee Berwick Futurity for 2-year-olds to be contested on the final day of the meet. Last year’s purse was more than $1 million. For additional information, contact the Delta Downs racing office at (888) 589-7223.

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

HOW CAN I JOIN? You are invited to drop into the HBPA office to meet the staff and learn more about current projects and how you can get involved in helping to improve the industry. There are no membership fees. Remember that 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 “Become a Member.”

54

DENIS BLAKE

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

THE HORSEMEN’S JOURNAL

SUMMER 2021

AFFILIATE NEWS

Delta Downs Racetrack & Casino 2021 Race Meet

Evangeline Downs Racetrack & Casino 2021 Race Meet

2717 Delta Downs Dr., Vinton, LA 70668

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

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Harrah’s Louisiana Downs Fair Grounds Race Course

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THE HORSEMEN’S JOURNAL

1751 Gentilly Blvd. New Orleans, LA 70119

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NEWS

MINNESOTA HBPA Canterbury Park Update The 2021 meet at Canterbury Park began May 18 with a backstretch full of horses (the most in recent memory), which is due, in part, to collaborative initiatives by Canterbury Park, the Minnesota Racehorse Engagement Project (MNREP) and the Minnesota HBPA. Likewise, MNREP, funded by Canterbury Park and the MNHBPA, has attracted new owners to the sport with a consistent and potent marketing campaign.

Good news: The benevolence program is back in full force after a temporary hiatus in 2020. In addition to the summer camp and English as a Second Language course, Furlong Learning is marking its inaugural year in the Canterbury stable area. Furlong Learning will provide tutoring for pre-K through 12th grade. This tutoring includes distance learning for when the students are not on the grounds at Canterbury. Also new this year is a mental health counseling program that utilizes retired racehorses in therapy sessions. This program has received some of its funding through the Minnesota Racing Commission.

Meanwhile, the expansive Canterbury development continues on course with ground being broken for two new residential projects. The Triple Crown Apartments, which were completed last year, are nearing full capacity.

Restaurants and stores are on the horizon, and the overall development will be horse themed. The Canterbury development is arguably the most unique and attractive project in the Twin Cities metro area.

The Canterbury meet runs through September 16 with record daily purse money of $230,000.

Mountaineer Park Chaplaincy Welcomes Rick Anderson The Mountaineer Park Chaplaincy welcomes Rick Anderson as the new chaplain. Rick serves as the pastor of Tri State Community Church in Chester.

He received his Bachelor of Science in Community Ministry from Geneva College.

Rick then obtained his Master of Divinity from the Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary.

MOUNTAINEER PARK HBPA New West Virginia Thoroughbred Rules of Racing Go into Effect July 28 The following are changes to the West Virginia Thoroughbred Rules of Racing that go into effect July 28. For more details, please call or visit the Mountaineer Park HBPA office.

• Adopt RCI Uniform Classification Guidelines for Foreign Substances, Version 14.1.

• Adopt RCI Endogenous, Dietary or Environmental Substances Schedule, Version 4.1.

• Adopt an amendment to allow persons age 16 to be granted an occupational permit if they are the child or grandchild of a licensed jockey (Section 24.1.i. and following).

• Adopt Mid-Atlantic’s continuing education rule for trainers and assistant trainers (Section 26.1.c.).

• Adopt changes to the riding crop rule (Section 45.7.f. and following).

• Adopt the RCI Model Rule on Bisphosphonates (Section 48.5.f. and following).

MUFFINS FOR MOTHER’S DAY WAS ONE OF MANY RECENT EVENTS ORGANIZED BY CHAPLAIN RICK ANDERSON.

In his initial letter of interest regarding the position at Mountaineer, he stated, “I am a pastor who is highly driven to see souls won for Christ and lives changed to reflect his holiness.”

Rick has been working hard to meet the spiritual needs of the racetrack community through morning devotions, Monday midday ministry, muffins for Mother’s Day, donuts for dads and visits in the barn area, jockeys’ room and with the gate crew. The chaplaincy is working on additional programs and welcomes suggestions.

Save the date for the Annual Mountaineer Park Chaplaincy Picnic on August 12 at Tomlinson Run State Park. There will be a barbecue, swimming, games and fellowship. Please make plans to join us!

Mountaineer Raises Purses $1,000 Across the Board In early June, Mountaineer Casino Racetrack and Resort increased the purses for all races by $1,000, and the increase will continue through the remainder of the 2021 meet.

• Increase minimum jockey mount fees (Table 178-1 B).

• Adopt amendments related to shockwave therapy that clarify that it is the treating veterinarian who is required to report treatment and that the day of the treatment is to be considered the first day of the 10-day period in which treated horses cannot race.

56

Mountaineer Hosts West Virginia Derby Day Mountaineer Casino Racetrack and Resort will host the Grade 3, $500,000 West Virginia Derby and the Grade 3, $200,000 West Virginia Governor’s Cup on Saturday, August 7, with a 2 p.m. post for the first race.

THE HORSEMEN’S JOURNAL

SUMMER 2021

AFFILIATE NEWS NEBRASKA HBPA Casino Updates Work continues to open casinos at racetracks in Nebraska. Legislative Bill 561, which streamlines the licensing process, was passed overwhelmingly and signed by the governor at the end of May. The first hearing of the Racing and Gaming Commission was held June 11 to elect a chair and other official procedures. The commission also heard about the updated progress at the Lincoln and Omaha facilities.

Lincoln Race Course in Lincoln and Horsemen’s Park in Omaha are both owned by the Nebraska HBPA. Plans in Lincoln include almost 900 new stalls, and additional land is being acquired to accommodate the barns. Additions will be built in Lincoln and Omaha to allow for totally new facilities for horsemen, jockeys and racing officials. Plans and layouts will be included in future editions of The Horsemen’s Journal. The Nebraska affiliate has partnered with WarHorse Gaming to provide casino services at its locations. WarHorse also will operate the South Sioux City racetrack location.

OHIO HBPA Best of Ohio Update The Best of Ohio series, with each Thoroughbred track in the state hosting five $100,000 stakes for Ohio-breds in various divisions annually, planned to kick off at Belterra Park in May of last year. Unfortunately, the pandemic changed those plans with the event being canceled due to the Ohio State Racing Commission’s order ceasing live racing in the state.

Fast forward a year to Friday, May 28, and Belterra Park had its chance to host the first leg of the Best of Ohio series in 2021. Despite intermittent heavy rain that forced the two scheduled turf stakes to be run on the sloppy main track, the day was a huge success. A healthy on-track crowd braved the rain, and more than $1.87 million was wagered from all sources on the all Ohio-bred eight-race program.

The stakes action kicked off with the $100,000 Sydney Gendelmen, run at 1 1/16 miles on the sloppy main track after originally being scheduled for the same distance on the turf.

Wicked Warrior ($5.80) tracked the pace, racing three wide before taking over entering the far turn and widening through the stretch to score an easy 10 ¼-length victory while stopping the clock in 1:43.68 under Ricardo Feliciano in a driving rain. The 6-5 favorite, Forewarned, was up in the final stride to gain second in front of Mobil Solution.

Benny Feliciano trains Wicked Warrior, a 4-year-old gelded son of Wicked Strong, for owner Bruce Tallisman. Wicked Warrior recorded his sixth victory from 13 career starts, pushing his lifetime earnings over the $200,000 mark.

Ohio’s Horse of the Year in both 2018 and 2019, Altissimo ($12.20) returned to top form in his first outing of the year, rallying to score a 1 ¼-length victory in the Babst/Palacios Memorial Stakes. Ronnie Allen Jr. piloted the winner, who covered the six furlongs in 1:10.42 while besting Chief Randel.

Rich Zielinski trains Altissimo for owners Ronald Zielinski and co-breeder Nancy Lavrich. The win by Altissimo, an 8-year-old gelded son of Noble Causeway, was his 19th career score and pushed his earnings to $894,534.

The 6-5 favorite Buckeye Magic ($4.60) overcame a troubled start and rallied from last in the 10-horse Green Carpet Stakes for 3-year-olds to score a 1 ½-length victory over 42-1 shot Henry Mac, who also rallied from far back in the 1 1/16-mile event that was washed off of the turf course and run over the sloppy main track.

THE HORSEMEN’S JOURNAL

SUMMER 2021

John McKee rode the winner for trainer Tom Drury Jr. and owner-breeder Maccabee Farm LLC. Buckeye Magic covered the distance in 1:45.92 in winning for the third time in five career starts while recording his second stakes score.

Buckeye Magic, a son of Trappe Shot, ran his career earnings to $142,220 with the Green Carpet victory.

A pair of 3-year-old fillies in Alexandria and Esplanande scored a stakes double in the final two Best of Ohio races for trainer Tim Hamm, jockey Santiago Gonzalez and owners WinStar Farm LLC, Blazing Meadows Farm LLC and Michael Lewis. WinStar and Blazing Meadows also co-bred the fillies.

Alexandria ($2.80) was up first in the Norm Barron Queen City Oaks, which was restricted to 3-year-old fillies, tracking 40-1 shot Shez Shacked Up before taking command entering the final turn and widening from there to score an easy 10 ¾-length victory under Gonzalez. Shez Shacked Up gamely held the place with Angel’s Sassy checking in third in the 11-horse field.

Alexandria, a chestnut daughter of Constitution, covered the 1 1/16 miles in 1:45.03 while recording her fifth career win and fourth stakes score from nine starts. The victory pushed her earnings to $261,945.

Last year’s Ohio Horse of the Year Esplanande wrapped up the card with a dominating 12 ½-length front-running victory over older fillies and mares in the Diana Stakes with multiple stakes winner Drillit rallying from well back for the place, three-quarters of a length in front of Valley of Mo’ara, also trained by Hamm.

Esplanande ($2.80) clocked the six furlongs in 1:10.58 while being geared down in the final stages. She ran her career record to 5-3-0 from eight starts with three stakes wins as well as a runner-up finish in the Grade 1 Spinaway last season. The daughter of Daredevil pushed her career earnings to $281,880 with the Diana score.

THOROUGHBRED RACING ASSOCIATION OF OKLAHOMA (OKLAHOMA HBPA) Remington Announces 2021 Stakes Schedule Remington Park’s 2021 Thoroughbred season stakes schedule is punctuated by the Grade 3, $400,000 Oklahoma Derby on Sunday, September 26, and the $400,000 Springboard Mile on Sunday, December 19. The season is set to begin August 20.

The Oklahoma Derby will headline a massive program of stakes races on the final Sunday of September. Among the eight stakes events on that date is the Grade 3, $200,000 Remington Park Oaks for 3-year-old fillies at 1 1/16 miles.

The top 2-year-old race of the season, the Springboard Mile, is the main event on the season-ending card. The $100,000 Trapeze Stakes, for 2-year-old fillies, also at a mile, shares the final program that includes six stakes.

The stakes schedule has 34 races with purses reaching beyond $3.8 million. The first stakes takes place on the season’s opening night when the $175,000 Governor’s Cup Stakes for 3-year-olds and up going 1 1/8 miles is the main event.

The schedule also includes the annual Oklahoma Classics Night on Friday, October 15, featuring races in divisional categories for the top Oklahoma-bred horses. Purses for that night soar past $1 million.

Fans will most likely get to see Oklahoma-bred Welder, the three-time Champion Horse of the Meeting, on Oklahoma Classics Night. Welder, a millionaire 8-year-old gray gelding owned by Ra-Max Farms (Clayton and Toni Rash) and trained by Teri Luneack, is expected to try to break an all-time record at Remington Park when he races this meet. Only three horses from the more than 25,000 Thoroughbreds that have raced in Oklahoma City since the track opened 57

NEWS in 1988 have won as many as 15 races at the track. Welder joined Highland Ice and Elegant Exxactsy when he tied them with his last win there on December 19, 2020.

The Remington meet includes 18 stakes races worth $100,000 or more.

Seven stakes races are set for the turf, and 18 are restricted to accredited Oklahoma-breds.

The complete stakes schedule for the 67-day meet is available at remingtonpark.com.

pandemic. With limited tracks open, this created a move to an international audience for the simulcast signal, which resulted in a record $131 million handled on and off track.

Will Rogers Downs Finishes Strong Spring Meet

As of June 1, the Pennsylvania State Horse Racing Commission has banned the use of Lasix in 2-year-old and graded stakes races.

The commission has approved adding Tuesdays to the weekly racing schedule. Starting June 8, we’ll run Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays with a 6 p.m. post time. All race cards will contain eight races.

Purse account revenues from slots have improved dramatically in the last six weeks prior to press time for this issue. For the first time since the pandemic started, we have some clarity on our ability to fund purses at the current level for the remainder of the year.

COADY PHOTOGRAPHY

The spring Thoroughbred season concluded at Cherokee Casino Will Rogers Downs with a year-over-year increase in handle compared to 2019. More than $22 million was handled on and off track, up from $16.8 million in 2019. The average total handle per day increased from $676,000 in 2019 to $778,000 for 2021.

PENNSYLVANIA HBPA Penn National Race Course Update

Presque Isle Downs Update The backside was set to open June 14 with racing to begin in July. Purse account revenues at Presque Isle Downs from slots also have improved dramatically since March. If the trend continues, we will look to add race days beyond the currently scheduled 52-day meet. The open stakes schedule for the 2021 meet will consist of eight $75,000 stake races.

WASHINGTON HBPA Fans Return to Emerald Downs

LADY ORCHID EARNED HORSE OF THE MEET HONORS AT WILL ROGERS DOWNS.

“Will Rogers Downs completed a successful season that faced challenges, including a historic freeze in mid-February that set horses back in their preparations for the meet,” said John Lies, racing secretary and track announcer. “We were glad to see momentum build through the spring and produce comparable results to pre-pandemic meets.”

Lady Orchid, a 5-year-old mare by Oratory bred in Oklahoma, was named Horse of the Meet after winning two stakes races while defending her crown in capturing the More Than Even Stakes for the second consecutive year on closing day. Trained by Francisco Bravo for owner and breeder Lori Bravo, Lady Orchid has banked more than $300,000 with eight wins in 16 starts.

Leading rider accolades went to Floyd Wethey Jr. with 50 wins and a 32 percent win clip with agent Bubba Wood. He rode 15 more winners than second-leading rider Alfredo Triana Jr. with 35, while Curtis Kimes saw his meet cut short by injury and finished third with 34 victories.

Scott Young added another buckle to his collection by earning leading trainer honors with 25 victories and a win rate of 27 percent. He defeated trainer Steve Williams by just two wins, though Williams easily reported home as leading owner while winning 20 races with his own stock, a whopping 13 wins more than the second leading owner, Bryan Hawk.

In 2020, the track received attention from around the globe as one of the few tracks to continue racing without spectators during the COVID-19 58

Emerald Downs opened its 25th anniversary season on Wednesday, May 19, and it was a welcome sight to once again see fans cheering from the rail.

Although the meet started at 25 percent capacity, Washington’s governor eased restrictions in June, which allowed for increased crowds and the removal of masks for vaccinated patrons, giving freedom to urge on their favorites with enthusiastic shouting, which had been nearly banned during the pandemic.

Due to lessening restrictions, the planned Wednesday and Thursday racing will be modified to Thursday, Saturday and Sunday racing starting July 1.

After a warm Thursday night of live racing in June, track president Phil Ziegler commented, “It almost felt like 2019 out there tonight, people hanging out enjoying the weather, enjoying the races. It was great to see people having fun again.”

On June 20, Emerald Downs was to celebrate its 25th anniversary, which will be especially joyous with the return of fans. A full day of racing and entertainment and reflection on 25 years of great racing in the Pacific Northwest is sure to be a memorable day for all horsemen and fans. The 85th running of the track’s signature race, the $100,000 Longacres Mile, will take place on Sunday, August 15. It’s one of 21 stakes races scheduled during the 50-day meet, worth a total of more than $1 million.

Some of the track’s biggest draws for the local community are also back on the schedule, including the annual July 3 fireworks display, corgi races and Indian Relay Racing. These events draw newcomers to the track who often get their first experience with horse racing.

If you know of or are a groom, exercise rider or trainer looking to relocate to the beautiful Seattle area, there are multiple openings available at Emerald Downs. Contact the Washington HBPA for more information at (253) 804-6822.

THE HORSEMEN’S JOURNAL

SUMMER 2021

AFFILIATE NEWS Besides approval of the revised racing schedule, the Washington Horse Racing Commission also approved a revised stakes schedule that included

the addition of four stakes races from the original proposal. HJ

Purse

Stakes

Conditions

Distance

June 17

$50,000

Hastings S.

(3&UP F/M)

6F

June 17

$50,000

Budweiser S.

(3&UP)

6F

June 20

$50,000

Seattle S.

(3YO F)

6F

June 20

$50,000

Auburn S.

(3YO)

6F

July 11

$50,000

Governor’s S.

(3&UP)

6 ½F

July 11

$50,000

WA State Legislators S.

(3&UP F/M)

6 ½F

July 18

$50,000

Angie C. S.

(2YO F)

5 ½F

July 18

$50,000

King County Express S.

(2YO C/G)

5 ½F

July 25

$50,000

Kent S.

(3YO F)

6 ½F

July 25

$50,000

Irish Day S.

(3YO)

6 ½F

Aug. 15

$100,000

86th Longacres Mile (G3)

(3&UP)

1M

Aug. 15

$50,000

Emerald Distaff

(3&UP F/M)

1 1/16M

Aug. 22

$50,000

Barbara Shinpoch S.

(2YO F)

6 ½F

Aug. 22

$50,000

WTBOA Lads S.

(2YO C/G)

6 ½F

Aug. 22

$40,000

Bank of America Challenge

(3&UP)

440Y

Aug. 22

$30,000

John Deere Juvenile Challenge

(2YO)

350Y

Aug. 29

$50,000

Muckleshoot Derby

(3YO)

1 1/16M

Aug. 29

$50,000

Washington Oaks

(3YO F)

1 1/16M

Sept. 23

$50,000

Muckleshoot Tribal Classic

(3&UP WA/BC)

1 1/16M

Sept. 23

$50,000

WA Cup Filly & Mare S.

(3&UP F/M WA/BC)

1 1/16M

Sept. 23

$70,000

Gottstein Futurity

(2YO)

1 1/16M

COURTESY EMERALD DOWNS

Date

BUGLER DAN HARRINGTON IS BACK FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE 2019 AS FANS RETURN TO EMERALD DOWNS. THE HORSEMEN’S JOURNAL

SUMMER 2021

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Sterling Thompson Equine...................................................................24

ADVERTISING SPACE RESERVATIONS:

Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards.............................................38

TTA Sales................................................................................................4

FRIDAY, AUGUST 13

Thoroughbred Racing Association of Oklahoma................................. IBC

AD MATERIALS DUE:

Thoroughbred Charities of America......................................................12

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 18

True Center Gate..................................................................................60

For more information or to reserve space, contact The Horsemen’s Journal advertising department at 716-650-4011 or advertising@hbpa.org

60

University of Arizona Race Track Industry Program..............................16 Walters Buildings.................................................................................60

THE HORSEMEN’S JOURNAL

SUMMER 2021

$4 MILLION REASONS

BREED RACE $

$

WIN

Over $4 Million will be paid to Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders in Oklahoma this year

THOROUGHBRED RACING ASSOCIATION OF OKLAHOMA ONE REMINGTON PLACE 405.427.8753

OKLAHOMA CITY 73111

WWW.TRAORACING.COM