The Horsemen's Journal - Winter 2023

HORSEMEN’S THE

JOURNAL

WINTER 2023

OFFICIALSPONSOR SPONSOR OFFICIAL of the the National NationalHBPA HBPA of

THE HORSEMEN’S JOURNAL CONTENTS | WINTER 2023 | VOLUME 70/#4

DEPARTMENTS

02 Message from the National HBPA

FEATURES

25 Double Up Joe Sharp sends out the Claiming Crown Jewel and Emerald winners, plus recaps of the other six events on the day that puts the spotlight on the everyday horse

36 Fact or Fiction?

Dissecting the 60 Minutes piece on “one of the biggest horse doping investigations in U.S. history” and a look at the different adjudication process under HISA

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42

Industry News

Day in the Life Lifelong equestrian Emily Dawson gives horses the right start at Kinsman Farm in Ocala, Florida

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16 HBPA News

50 Affiliate News Good Save Fair Grounds maintenance crew applauded for efforts at 25th Claiming Crown, which returned to New Orleans in early December for the first time since 2011

THE HORSEMEN’S JOURNAL

WINTER 2023

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MESSAGE FROM

THE CEO WE DID NOT NEED TO BE HERE

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 Dr. Doug Daniels SECRETARY/ TREASURER Danielle Barber (Interim) CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Eric J. Hamelback VICE PRESIDENT SOUTHERN REGION Rick Hiles VICE PRESIDENT CENTRAL REGION Joe Davis VICE PRESIDENT WESTERN REGION J. Lloyd Yother VICE PRESIDENT EASTERN REGION Sandee Martin

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ooking around the industry today, I’ll repeat what I said on Steve Byk’s At the Races radio show: We did not need to be here.

Much of what the industry is experiencing right now is totally unnecessary. I’ll say it again: The proponents of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act should have simply engaged with the industry in good faith at the point the legislation was implemented to adopt the model rules from the Association of Racing Commissioners International (ARCI). Instead, Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) staff now point to the act and say something to the effect of, “Well, Congress said we must follow the international rules and the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities.”

The ARCI was referenced in the act until the 11th hour. That’s right—the ARCI was removed from the act, which was finally passed due to the efforts of Senator Mitch McConnell, who without proper legislative procedure inserted the act into a must-pass omnibus bill. Yet, in public, HISA and Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit (HIWU) staff say they can work in the best interest of U.S. racing and then pat themselves on the back when they boast of implementing a shorter withdrawal time on Bute than is recognized internationally. Let’s all clap our hands and say thank you—for doing what is right.

The ARCI model rules have been developed over decades by state racing boards, horsemen and the Racing Medication and Testing Consortium all working together. But, no, that is not the avenue taken by HISA. They continue to proclaim publicly, “We started with a blank sheet,” as if none of the hard work and rules under the ARCI even existed. Fact: The issues now causing industry chaos would most likely be nil or completely diminished if the rules under HISA began by adopting the ARCI model rules uniformly from coast to coast. But where are we now instead? Regulations taking the place of horsemanship.

I am going to reiterate this. One. More. Time: We are dangerously close to regulating horsemanship out of this industry, and we must understand and communicate that safety risks will never be eliminated by adding more layers of regulations. If we continue down this path of regulating horsemanship out of horse racing, we will find ourselves in even deeper trouble as an industry.

Solutions to our problems and concerns are out there and, in many instances, have always been there. Adding more regulations is not the answer; it is actually causing more issues. I’ll repeat: Participants in the industry complained about not having uniformity, but you never heard substantial complaints about the regulations under the ARCI. Again, we did not need to be here in this state of chaos and confusion.

There is no question that everyone in horse racing wants cheaters gone and punished for their actions.

Nevertheless, it’s apparent that a few in the industry are making the regulations and dictating terms to the rest of us. Who would actually want to shrink the industry? I believe if we remain on this path, that is exactly the industry’s fate.

As I see it now, HISA’s governance and rule-making and disciplinary practices are teetering on destroying the industry as we know it. Absent the legal challenges now within our judicial system changing the course for HISA, only HISA itself can heal the damage it has unnecessarily caused and right the path to necessary reform before it’s too late for the vast majority of us.

SINCERELY, ERIC J. HAMELBACK

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THE HORSEMEN’S JOURNAL

WINTER 2023

THE

NATIONAL HBPA

AFFILIATES

WOULD LIKE TO THANK ITS CORPORATE

SPONSORS

BOARD OF DIRECTORS - AFFILIATES Dr. David Harrington, Alabama Lloyd Yother, Arizona Bill Walmsley, Arkansas James Miller, Charles Town Kim Oliver, Colorado Dave Brown, Finger Lakes Jim Watkins, Illinois Joe Davis, Indiana David McShane, Iowa Rick Hiles, Kentucky Benard Chatters, Louisiana Jason Uelmen, Michigan Justin Revek, Minnesota Jami Poole, Mountaineer Park Garald “Wally” Wollesen, Nebraska Anthony Spadea, New England Dr. Paul Jenson DVM, New Mexico Joe Poole, Ohio Joe Offolter, Oklahoma Ron Sutton, Oregon Sandee Martin, Pennsylvania Mike Dini, Tampa Bay Downs David Ross, Virginia Pat LePley, Washington

CONTRIBUTORS Dr. Kimberly Brewer Dr. Clara Fenger Ed Martin Jennie Rees Jen Roytz Peter J. Sacopulos Dr. Thomas Tobin PHOTOGRAPHERS Denis Blake Coady Photography Conrad Photos Gwen Davis/Davis Innovation Eclipse Sportswire/Breeders’ Cup Englehardt Photos Hodges Photography Jim McCue/Maryland Jockey Club NYRA Dustin Orona Photography Pin Oak Stud/Mary Ellet Louise Reinagel Walter Wlodarcz/NYRA

STAFF Tom Law Editor P (859) 396-9407 hj@hbpa.org Michelle McShane Advertising Director P (515) 508-1811 info@hbpa.org Limb Design www.limbdesign.com Graphic Design THE HORSEMEN’S JOURNAL 3380 Paris Pike Lexington, KY 40511 P (859) 259-0451 F (859) 259-0452 hj@hbpa.org HBPA WEBSITE: www.hbpa.org COVER PHOTO: Hodges Photography

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 70 #4.

Postal Information: The Horsemen’s Journal (ISSN 0018-5256) is published quarterly by the National Horsemen’s Administration Corporation, with publishing offices at 3380 Paris Pike, Lexington, KY 40511. Copyright 2023 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

WINTER 2023

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 nonmember subscriptions are $25. 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 (859) 259-0451.

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

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

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HODGES PHOTOGRAPHY

LEADING OFF

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THE HORSEMEN’S JOURNAL

WINTER 2023

HORSES AND HORSEMEN FACED RAINY AND SLOPPY CONDITIONS WHEN THE CLAIMING CROWN MADE ITS RETURN TO FAIR GROUNDS IN NEW ORLEANS FOR THE 25TH RENEWAL.

THE HORSEMEN’S JOURNAL

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NEWS

INDUSTRY NEWS

ECLIPSE SPORTSWIRE/BREEDERS’ CUP PHOTO

Handle Declines for 2023 Breeders’ Cup at Santa Anita

FANS AND HORSEPLAYERS TURNED OUT FOR THE 40TH RENEWAL OF THE BREEDERS’ CUP WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS AT SANTA ANITA PARK, WHICH KICKED OFF A THREE-YEAR STRETCH OF THE EVENT BEING RUN IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA.

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otal all-sources global common-pool handle for the two-day Breeders’ Cup World Championships at Santa Anita Park was $176,281,989, a decrease of 6.7 percent from last year’s record-breaking event at Keeneland Race Course but the highest in eight editions run at Santa Anita under the current format.

Total common-pool handle on the 12-race Championship Saturday card November 4 was $114,145,050, down 7.1 percent from the record $122,918,607 wagered in 2022 at Keeneland. Total common-pool handle on the 10-race Breeders’ Cup Future Stars Friday card November 3 came in at $62,136,939, down 6.1 percent from the record $66,141,766 bet at Keeneland in 2022.

The 2023 Breeders’ Cup marked the sixth straight year the event’s 2-yearold races were run on Future Stars Friday and, for the first time, featured two Breeders’ Cup races after the $6 million Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic.

“Racing fans here and from around the world were treated to two days of the very best of our sport, including three repeat champions,” said Breeders’ Cup President and CEO Drew Fleming. “The 40th running of the Breeders’ Cup was certainly worthy of the vision of its founders, who set out to create one of the most prestigious international events in our sport. We want to thank all of the weekend’s participants, our sponsors, the communities of Arcadia and Pasadena and our partners from 1/ST Racing for their support.”

On-track handle for the two days was $19,419,844, down 31.4 percent from $28,326,478 a year ago. Attendance increased for the two-day event with a total of 109,624 fans on hand, including 66,247 on Championship Saturday.

Attendance for Championship Saturday at Keeneland in 2023 was 45,973.

The Breeders’ Cup World Championships will return to Southern California 8

in 2024 when the 41st edition will be held November 1-2 at the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club outside San Diego. The Breeders’ Cup also announced in November that the 2025 edition would be run at Del Mar.

Breeders’ Cup Two-Day Attendance and Handle (Common-Pool) History Year

Location

Attendance

Handle

2023

Santa Anita

109,624

$176,281,989

2022

Keeneland

85,824

$189,060,373

2021

Del Mar

47,089

$182,908,409

2020

Keeneland

No attendance reported

$160,472,893

2019

Santa Anita

109,054

$174,628,986

2018

Churchill

112,672

$157,445,841

2017

Del Mar

70,420

$166,077,486

2016

Santa Anita

118,484

$156,861,811

2015

Keeneland

94,652

$149,869,035

2014

Santa Anita

98,319

$151,158,813

2013

Santa Anita

94,628

$160,704,877

2012

Santa Anita

89,742

$144,272,332

2011

Churchill

105,820

$161,512,867

2010

Churchill

114,353

$173,857,697

2009

Santa Anita

96,496

$153,271,176

2008

Santa Anita

86,588

$155,740,328

2007

Monmouth

69,584

$129,197,262

THE HORSEMEN’S JOURNAL

WINTER 2023

Antonucci Wins 2023 Big Sport of Turfdom Award

WALTER WLODARCZYK/NYRA

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rainer Jena Antonucci, who became the first female trainer of a classic winner when she sent Arcangelo to victory in the Belmont Stakes, received the 2023 Big Sport of Turfdom Award from the Turf Publicists of America (TPA).

The award recognizes a person or a group that enhances coverage of Thoroughbred racing through cooperation with media and racing publicists. Antonucci received the honor during the University of Arizona Race Track Industry Program’s annual awards luncheon December 5 at the 2023 Global Symposium on Racing and Gaming in Tucson.

“I am grateful to be selected as the next recipient of the Big Sport JENA ANTONUCCI of Turfdom Award from the Turf Publicists,” Antonucci said. “I am incredibly honored to be included with such great past winners who were also as enthusiastic to share the incredible journey they were taken on by these amazing horses and, in doing so, promoting our great sport of horse racing. My team and I look forward to continuing to share our passion in the Thoroughbred industry and, in turn, help promote it for many years.”

Born in Hollywood, Florida, Antonucci was introduced to the hunter, jumper and equitation disciplines as a child. She was exposed to Thoroughbred racing

by her grandparents, who were racehorse owners in New York. Spending her formative years retraining and developing off-the-track Thoroughbreds for their second careers led her to move to Ocala, Florida. In 2000, she began breaking and training Thoroughbreds at Padua Stables under D. Wayne Lukas Racing Stables at the farm. She took out her trainer’s license in 2010 and started her first horse that March at Tampa Bay Downs.

The 47-year-old trainer achieved a banner year in 2023, culminating with historic triumphs in the Belmont and the Grade 1 Travers Stakes at Saratoga Race Course with Blue Rose Farm’s Arcangelo.

“It has been a historic and phenomenal year for Jena Antonucci,” TPA President Najja Thompson said. “Jena is deserving of this award chosen by the members of the Turf Publicists of America as the Big Sport of Turfdom due to her incredible achievements and leadership in our sport. From becoming the first woman [trainer] to win a Triple Crown race and campaigning 3-year-old Arcangelo to multiple Grade 1 victories to serving as an advocate for women in the industry and leading by example, she is always generous with her time and access to the media.”

The Big Sport of Turfdom has been presented annually since 1966.

Previous winners include jockeys Mike Smith, Pat Day, Chris McCarron, Bill Shoemaker, Angel Cordero Jr., Eddie Arcaro and Gary Stevens; trainers Art Sherman, D. Wayne Lukas and Jack Van Berg; and other individuals who have made significant contributions to the sport, such as Secretariat’s owner, Penny Chenery, a two-time winner; announcer Tom Durkin; author Laura Hillenbrand; broadcaster Jim McKay; Turf writer Joe Hirsch; and actors Tim Conway and Jack Klugman.

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NEWS

INDUSTRY NEWS

Bernhards, Bregman Named 2023 New Owners of the Year

PIN OAK STUD/MARY ELLET PHOTO

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wnerView announced its second straight dead heat for New Owner of the Year, sponsored by 1/ST RACING, with Jim and Dana Bernhard and Alex Bregman winning the title for 2023.

The Bernhards have been Thoroughbred owners since 2021, and in November 2022, they bought Pin Oak Stud in Versailles, Kentucky. In 2023, they campaigned Geaux Rocket Ride, winner of the Grade 1 Haskell Stakes. Other horses campaigned by the Bernhards over the past year include Boltage (third in the Grade 3 Del Mar Juvenile Turf Stakes), Parchment Party, Record Time and Empirestrikesfast.

“We were so fortunate to be able to purchase Pin Oak, and we hope to continue Ms. Josephine Abercrombie’s legacy and commitment to Thoroughbred breeding and racing,” said Jim Bernhard.

“Dana and I are very honored JIM AND DANA BERNHARD, OWNERS OF to receive this award, and we PIN OAK STUD IN KENTUCKY, EARNED are committed to supporting OWNERVIEW’S 2023 NEW OWNER OF the sport and modernizing the THE YEAR ALONG WITH MAJOR LEAGUE industry.”

BASEBALL STAR ALEX BREGMAN.

The Bernhards’ commitment to the sport is evident in their pledge to donate all of the proceeds from their online shop to accredited Thoroughbred aftercare charities. Pin Oak also has announced that its horses will wear biometric sensors during breezes, and at the tracks that have the necessary regulatory approval, the sensors will be in place for races as well.

Bregman, third baseman for Major League Baseball’s Houston Astros, and his wife, Reagan, entered the sport of Thoroughbred racing in 2022 with the purchase of eight horses and plans to race in states from West Virginia to California. Alone or in partnership, Bregman has campaigned three-time stakes winner No Nay Mets along with Game Seven, Cadillac Candy, Goldblooded, Kodiac Wintergreen, Soloshot, Homerunhappy and Miss San Gabriel.

During Bregman Family Racing’s debut at the track, more than a dozen of Bregman’s teammates gathered around his phone in the locker room at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, to watch Cadillac Candy finish second during the 2022 spring meeting at Keeneland Race Course.

Prior to the 2023 Breeders’ Cup, Bregman was one of the prominent horsemen who pledged their Breeders’ Cup earnings to support the fight against antisemitism, and he has signed on as a Breeders’ Cup celebrity ambassador.

“The love of horse racing goes back generations in my family, and I’ve always been a fan,” Bregman said. “It’s incredible to have my own horses now and to be able to share the sport with my teammates and fans and to be an ambassador for the sport. I am very honored to receive this award.”

The New Owner of the Year Award previously has been presented to MyRacehorse, Larry Best, the Churchill Downs Racing Club, Charles and Susan Chu, LNJ Foxwoods, Sol Kumin, Boat Racing and the 2022 co-winners, Richard Dawson and Pat Kearney.

Hall of Fame Announces Readers Up! Educational Program

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he National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame launched a new educational initiative, Readers Up!, a free program designed to expand learning opportunities and bring the museum experience into the classroom.

Readers Up! offers complimentary copies of equine literature to schools throughout the United States for use in their English language arts curriculums.

The program is sponsored by the upstate New York convenience store chain Stewart’s Shops.

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In conjunction with the program, the museum will visit participating schools either on-site or virtually with items and artifacts relating to the book the students are provided.

The program is intended to develop a passion for reading at the youth level by grounding the story in real, tangible history and to connect students to Thoroughbred racing in a new and unique way. There will be no costs involved for any of the schools participating in the program.

“The museum is committed to inclusive and accessible education, and a big part of that is removing as many barriers to entry as we can,” said Matt Reichel, educator at the National Museum of Racing. “We recognize that some schools may lack the time or resources to visit us, so we’ve decided to bring elements of the museum experience to them. … We are ecstatic to share this initiative with our local community and with schools throughout the country, and we are thankful to Stewart’s Shops for sponsoring the program.”

To learn more about Readers Up! or if you’re a teacher looking to sign up, visit racingmuseum.org/education/readers.

THE HORSEMEN’S JOURNAL

WINTER 2023

TAA Grants $3.8 Million to 86 Aftercare Groups

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he Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA) announced that $3.8 million will be awarded as grants to 86 Thoroughbred aftercare organizations that hold TAA accreditation for 2023. The TAA has awarded more than $31.9 million in grants to its accredited Thoroughbred aftercare organizations since its inception in 2012.

The TAA has experienced remarkable growth in its 11 years as the overarching entity for Thoroughbred aftercare, expanding from 23 to 86 accredited organizations and from $1 million to $3.8 million in annual grants.

The goal of this financial support is to empower TAA-accredited organizations to provide exceptional care and rehabilitation services for retired racehorses, and

through their collective efforts, these organizations have successfully retrained, retired and rehomed more than 16,500 Thoroughbreds across approximately 180 facilities.

Receiving accreditation from the TAA is a significant recognition for organizations dedicated to the care and support of retired racehorses. This accreditation signifies that these organizations adhere to specific standards and criteria concerning horse welfare, facility care and management. TAA accreditation serves as a testament to an organization’s commitment to maintaining high-quality practices in every aspect of equine well-being, reinforcing the assurance that the retired racehorses under their care receive exceptional treatment and support.

“Each year the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance team works hard to raise funds for our exemplary accredited organizations who are doing right by these retired Thoroughbred racehorses,” said TAA President Jeff Bloom. “We are very appreciative of our industry stakeholders for helping to raise these funds.

Your contributions this holiday season would greatly assist in caring for our Thoroughbreds throughout North America.”

The Jockey Club’s T.I.P. Announces Noncompetition Award Winners

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he Jockey Club Thoroughbred Incentive Program (T.I.P.) announced the recipients of its two noncompetition awards—the T.I.P. Thoroughbred of the Year Award to Kat, a therapy horse at Special Equestrians Therapeutic Riding Center, and the T.I.P. Young Rider of the Year Award to Scarlet Boucher, Eysley Hatfield, Allie Koss and Anna Szefc.

The Thoroughbred of the Year Award recognizes a Thoroughbred that has excelled in a noncompetitive career, such as equine-assisted therapy or police work, and includes a $5,000 grant to the nonprofit organization associated with the horse or, if no organization is associated with the horse, to a horse-related charity chosen by The Jockey Club.

Registered with The Jockey Club as Kat’s Hope, Kat is a 15-year-old gelding

by Limehouse that works as a therapy horse at Special Equestrians Therapeutic Riding Center, a nonprofit in Warrington, Pennsylvania, that provides a variety of equine-assisted services for individuals with physical, cognitive, behavioral, emotional or traumatic-stress disabilities. Kat is one of the most active horses on the lesson roster, working in both the therapeutic riding program for special needs individuals and the Silver Saddles program for seniors with age-related disabilities. Bred in Kentucky by Steve Bush, Kat’s Hope won six of 37 starts and earned $118,435.

“He may have been born into the world of racing, but he was destined to be a therapy horse,” said Dana Fielding, ESMHL, program manager at Special Equestrians Therapeutic Riding Center. “At Special Equestrians, we harness the healing power of horses to transform lives every day, and having Kat as part of THE HORSEMEN’S JOURNAL

WINTER 2023

our program, we have witnessed the profound impact he has had on the clients we serve.”

The Young Rider Award recognizes riders 18 or younger (as of January 1, 2023) who own or lease a Thoroughbred for use in 4-H, Pony Club or other activities.

Boucher, 17, owns Ellie, a 5-year-old Tapiture mare bred in Ontario by Paul Buttigieg. Racing as No More Fences, the mare ran unplaced in seven starts at Woodbine. Boucher has aspirations of becoming a veterinarian and plans to put her award toward tuition at the University of Guelph for a Bachelor of Science in animal biology.

Hatfield, 13, owns and competes in eventing with Iskra, a 7-year-old Rabih gelding bred in Minnesota by Dr. Rifat Hussain that retired from the track in 2018 after three starts. Hatfield plans to put her award toward Iskra’s dressage training.

Koss, 16, owns and does show jumping with Strive to Be Happy, a 7-yearold Liaison mare bred in Pennsylvania by Blackstone Farm LLC that made seven career starts. Koss plans to use her award for Happy’s training and showing expenses.

Szefc, 18, also serves as a T.I.P. Youth Ambassador. She owns Tucker, a 6-year-old Charitable Man gelding bred in West Virginia by James W. Casey.

Racing as Man of the Night, the gelding was a two-time winner of $43,415.

Szefc plans to put her award toward her education at Virginia Tech as she studies agribusiness and rides for the Virginia Tech Intercollegiate Horse Shows Association team.

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NEWS

INDUSTRY NEWS

COURTESY OF GODOLPHIN

Godolphin Presents 2023 Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards

NICK CARAS (FAR LEFT), PROGRAMS DIRECTOR OF THE NEW YORK RACE TRACK CHAPLAINCY OF AMERICA, AND EMCEE TODD SCHRUPP (FAR RIGHT) FROM FANDUEL TV WITH THE FINALISTS FOR THE THOROUGHBRED INDUSTRY EMPLOYEE AWARDS’ NEWCOMER AWARD (FROM LEFT): NICK MERRITT (WINNER), DEJA ROBINSON AND SARA GORDON.

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wo members of the team at Churchill Downs were among the winners of the Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards (TIEA) presented by Godolphin in mid-October at Keeneland Race Course.

Kelly Danner, the racing operations manager at Churchill who proudly describes herself as being “raised on the backside,” was awarded the Katherine McKee Administration Award, sponsored by Keeneland, and Bill Vest, the Churchill backside security manager popularly known as the “Mayor of the Backside,” won the Support Services Award, sponsored by 1/ST Racing.

“What an amazing night,” said Vest, taking a break from his temporary job on the equine safety team working the Breeders’ Cup at Santa Anita Park. “It’s still overwhelming, and I’ve heard from so many people. What an honor.”

Vest has worked in racing for more than five decades in positions ranging from a blacksmith’s apprentice and farm manager to his current job at Churchill.

Vest collected $7,500 for the award, with fellow finalists Tracy Attfield and Rita Cutler each earning $2,500.

Danner earned a similar prize for the McKee Administration Award, named for Keeneland’s longtime and respected manager of horsemen’s hospitality and director of racing administration who passed away in 2020. Danner edged Samantha McGreevy and Jamie Bradley in the category.

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“I have the best job in racing,” Danner said. “I oversee the Triple Crown nominations, so every year in January, when people are thinking about the Kentucky Derby, I get to answer the phone and hear the special stories.”

Employees of Kentucky farms swept the Dedication to Breeding and Leadership categories, with WinStar Farm’s assistant broodmare manager Jimmy Tate winning the former and Walmac Farm manager Manuel Hernandez taking home the latter.

Dominick “Nick” Merritt, winner of the Newcomer Award, sponsored by the New York Racing Association, grew up in inner city Baltimore and was exposed to racing by an uncle who took him to nearby Pimlico Race Course. That planted the seed for a career in racing, which started for Merritt when he went to work at the Boniface family’s Bonita Farm in Darlington, Maryland, in 2018. From there, he landed a position as an exercise rider for Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher in New York.

The National HBPA is one of several sponsors of the TIEA, which awarded $147,000 to the winners and finalists in 2023. Tom Law, editor of The Horsemen’s Journal and managing editor of The Saratoga Special for ST Publishing Inc., served as chair of the final judging panel, and Todd Schrupp, analyst and host at FanDuel, served as the master of ceremonies at the 2023 awards dinner. —Tom Law

THE HORSEMEN’S JOURNAL

WINTER 2023

THOROUGHBRED INDUSTRY EMPLOYEE AWARDS

Dedication to Breeding Award, Sponsored by Hallway Feeds Winner: Jimmy Tate, assistant broodmare manager, WinStar Farm Runners-up: Phillip Hampton, Godolphin; Rafael Zambrano, War Horse Place Alternates: Harmon Sullivan, New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program; Abel Garcia, Four Pillars Holdings LLC

PRESENTED BY

USA

Newcomer Award, Sponsored by NYRA Winner: Dominick Merritt, exercise rider, Todd Pletcher Runners-up: Sara Gordon, Thoroughbred Daily News; Deja Robinson, recipient of the Newcomer Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital Award forDeVaux, 2022.

There areStable; Susan Kemper, Alternates: Adrianne Cherie DeVaux Racing so many hard-working and Coolmore America, Ashford Stud

Dedication to Racing Award, Sponsored by the National Thoroughbred Racing Association Winner: Myra Hall, Herringswell Stables Runners-up: Laura Tilbury, Todd Pletcher; Kathy Sanchez, Tom Amoss Racing Stable Alternates: Moises Morales, Gustavo Delgado; Carlos Davila, Craig Wheeler

Support Award, Sponsored by 1/ST Racing outServices there that should be Winner: Bill Vest, backside security manager, Churchill Downs recognized and take part in Runners-up: Tracy Attfield, TLore; Rita Cutler, NYRA this unbelievable experience.

Alternates: Raul Gutierrez, Santa Anita Park; Julie Adair, self-employed

Leadership Award, Sponsored by Hagyard Equine Medical Institute Winner: Manuel Hernandez, farm manager, Walmac Farm Runners-up: Loretta Lusteg, John Kimmel; Gene Guy, Glencrest Farm Alternates: Juan Aguilar, Indian Creek; Christine Jones, Pleasant Acres Stallions

Asmussen Racing Johnathan Estrada Alternates: Gwenn Pierce, WB PaysonAward Park LLC; Eleanor Poppe, TIEA Newcomer 2022 winner New York Race Track Chaplaincy

Dr. J. David “Doc” Richardson Community Award, Sponsored by Churchill Downs Winner: Linda Doane, lifestyle program director, The Healing Place/Churchill Downs Runner-up: Francisco Barrera, Backstretch Employee Service Team Alternates: Merlin Cano, Backside Learning Center; Diana Varon, Keeneland

well-deserving individuals

I would like to urge owners, trainers, friends Award, andSponsored co- by Keeneland Katherine McKee Administration Winner: Kelly Danner,to racing operations manager, Churchill Downs workers nominate their Runners-up: Samantha McGreevy, Taylor Made Sales unsung heroes in 2023!” Agency; Jamie Bradley,

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NEWS

INDUSTRY NEWS

RTCA Honors Fick, Pope With White Horse Awards

T

he Race Track Chaplaincy of America (RTCA) recognized David Pope and Dan Fick with White Horse Awards for 2023.

Established in 2003, the awards show appreciation to individuals for demonstrating acts of selflessness, bravery and dedication.

Fick, who has served the RTCA for decades, received the 2023 Community Service Award during the University of Arizona Race Track Industry Program’s Global Symposium on Racing in early December in Tucson. Fick has served as a board member or director or in other leadership capacities for numerous organizations, including The Jockey Club, American Quarter Horse Association, various state racing commissions, Winners Federation, Groom Elite, Thoroughbred Industry Employee DAN FICK Awards and many others.

Fick has been an exceptional steward, director of racing or racing secretary at several tracks across the country and was instrumental in establishing the Racing Officials Accreditation Program. Fick served on the RTCA national board as president and has reached director emeritus status with the organization.

Pope, former president at Siena Farm in Paris, Kentucky, received the 2023 RTCA White Horse Award. Pope’s path to the honor started when Matt Koch, manager at Shawhan Place Farm, learned that a friend and fellow Marine he had served with was in desperate need of a kidney transplant. Not being a match himself, Koch shared a Facebook post about the need.

After attending a church service where the message was about “meaningful giving,” Pope read the Facebook post the next day, and he took the initial step to see if he might be a match. Pope was tested and confirmed as a perfect match and in the fall of 2022 made the decision to donate his kidney to a total stranger.

The operation was a success, and DAVID POPE both men are doing well today. HJ

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NEWS

HBPA NEWS

JOHN ENGLEHARDT PHOTO

Horsemen Mourn Passing of Bob Reeves

THE LATE OHIO HORSEMAN BOB REEVES, FONDLY REMEMBERED BY HIS HBPA COLLEAGUES IN LATE 2023, AT THE RACES WITH HIS WIFE SARAH

F

riends and colleagues remembered Bob Reeves in many ways and

THG or in his many roles with the National HBPA, the Ohio affiliate and the Ohio

words after learning of the death of the longtime Ohio owner and

Thoroughbred Breeders and Owners.

breeder and staunch horsemen’s advocate this past autumn in Nashville, Tennessee.

“That was part of his unique gift; he knew the horsemen’s side, the trainer’s side of the business,” Shirley said. “He knew it inside and out. He was a longtime

They called him affable, analytical, empathetic, generous, gifted, kind,

supporter of the horsemen’s organizations in Ohio. Everybody trusted him. They

pleasant, sharp, trustworthy and witty. In a federal lawsuit against Reeves and

knew he was one of them. They knew he was on their side. He wasn’t a shill for

his colleagues involved with a horsemen’s organization formed to negotiate

the racetracks, he wasn’t in it for himself, and he knew the business from their

simulcast and advance deposit wagering contracts with racetracks, adversaries

point of view. They trusted him.”

gave him a nickname that he perhaps enjoyed most of all.

“In complaints, they always referred to us as the ‘national ringleaders,’ ” said Frank Petramalo, the longtime executive director of the Virginia Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association and a fellow defendant in a lawsuit filed

Reeves served as president of the THG, along with being a longtime member of the Ohio HBPA board of directors, former executive vice president of the Ohio HBPA and chair of the National HBPA’s wagering committee.

A third-generation horseman and successful owner and breeder in his native

by Churchill Downs Inc. “Bob, Wilson Shirley and I were the national ringleaders.

state, Reeves also came to racing with decades of executive experience in the

Bob always got a kick out of that when he saw it in the complaints.”

health, insurance and venture capital fields. He served as president of the Ohio

“Principally, he believed and thought that the horsemen’s associations had a fiduciary responsibility to owners,” said Shirley, a racing consultant who

Thoroughbred Breeders and Owners, and he and his surviving wife, Sarah, are gold members of the organization.

worked with Reeves at the Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Group (THG). “And since

“He was on the board when I got here 17 years ago,” said Dave Basler,

they were the authorized representative of horse owners, both contractually and

executive director of the Ohio HBPA. “He was instrumental in helping me to learn

in lobbying, he believed that they had a responsibility to represent and further

about the simulcasting end of the business. One of Bob’s major pushes was to

the interests, economic and otherwise, of owners.”

make sure horsemen received a fair share of the export revenue, and he was

Shirley remembered Reeves as “kind, empathetic and witty, with a really good sense of humor.” He also recalled a serious businessman who always had

instrumental in the formation of the THG, the group that attempted to receive a fairer share of export revenue nationwide.”

the interests of horsemen in mind, whether Reeves was working on behalf of the

16

THE HORSEMEN’S JOURNAL

WINTER 2023

Basler, who serves on several National HBPA committees including

bred and/or raced by Reeves were Beautiful Lass ($97,414), Almighty Adversary

medication, model rules and wagering and alternative gaming information, also

($89,929), Mae Hap ($86,000), Curious Ruth ($85,896), 12-time winner

remembered Reeves in capacities far from official.

Diamond Lad ($83,809) and Don’t Get Me ($80,191).

“He was an extremely generous man,” Basler said. “When he was resigning

Joe Santanna, the former president of the National HBPA and Pennsylvania

from the board, he wanted to do something to help our horsemen going forward.

HBPA, met Reeves when the two were serving their state horsemen’s groups and

We discussed various ways he could do that, and we set up together, with his

remembered his passion for the Buckeye State’s breeding and racing programs.

money, a scholarship program that he fully funded. He did not want his name

“He believed in the Ohio horse racing program very avidly,” Santanna said.

on it, and it went in the Ohio HBPA’s name and supported the child of a trainer

“He loved Ohio racing. It’s a claiming state, a lot like Pennsylvania. We were

in the state to have a full ride to Ohio University. He did that for a number of

claiming racing states, and he loved that.”

years. That was obviously a significant gift of over $100,000 for each student he sponsored. That was the kind of guy he was.”

Reeves won nearly 200 races as an owner from late 1999 to early

Santanna served the National HBPA during the 2000s and into the 2010s and counted Reeves among his closest advisors and friends.

“He did everything in a very understated way,” Santanna said. “If Bob didn’t

September 2023, including the 2011 Royal North Stakes at Beulah Park with his

have anything to say, he didn’t say anything. He didn’t have to be heard in the

homebred mare School Lass. He also campaigned the five-time-winning Ohio-

room, but when Bob spoke, everybody paid attention. … The HBPA arose from

bred mare Heavenly Mine, a daughter of Discreetly Mine purchased for $37,000

being a player but not being recognized as one to being recognized, and Bob

at the 2014 Keeneland September yearling sale who went on to earn $107,032.

played a critical part in that.

Reeves enjoyed his best season as an owner in 2015 with 12 wins and

“Bob was a pleasure to be around; you wanted to be around him,” Santanna

$221,353 in purses earned. He also won 13 races in 2017. Reeves’ first winner

continued. “In your lifetime, you learn certain things from certain people, and

came in December 1999 with Fratman, a 3-year-old homebred son of Private

it was like, OK, I can be serious but I can have fun and I can enjoy life and the

School in a 6-furlong $10,000 allowance at River Downs. Reeves enjoyed a

people around me. He was the guy that was in a subliminal way teaching you

longtime association with trainer Mark Thomas, and the last two winners for

that. It was remarkable. People flocked to him. He didn’t want any recognition.

them in tandem came in August at Belterra Park—Cat Corn in a $23,700 maiden

He just wanted to be one of the guys.”

—Tom Law

special weight and Sly Wink in $9,100 maiden claimer. Among the other runners

JOHN ENGLEHARDT PHOTO

A FAMILIAR SIGHT AT OHIO RACETRACKS—OWNER AND BREEDER BOB REEVES (LEFT) WITH HIS LONGTIME TRAINER MARK THOMAS AND JOCKEY JOHN MCKEE DECKED OUT IN REEVES’ BLUE-AND-SILVER SILKS

THE HORSEMEN’S JOURNAL

WINTER 2023

17

NEWS

HBPA NEWS

Kentucky’s Maline Earns Horseman of the Year Award

I

18

THE HORSEMEN’S JOURNAL

WINTER 2023

KENTUCKY HBPA PHOTO

n the understated parlance of the racetrack—where an outstanding horse is reverently termed “a runner”—the ultimate compliment paid a trainer or an owner is being called “a horseman.”

For almost 47 years, until his retirement last December 31, Marty Maline worked tirelessly to improve conditions for owners and trainers racing at Kentucky’s Thoroughbred tracks as executive director of the Kentucky Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association. For that decades-long effort helping horsemen, Maline earned the ultimate compliment as the recipient of the 2023 Warner L. Jones Jr. Horseman of the Year Award presented by the Louisville-based Kentucky Thoroughbred Owners (KTO).

“The biggest part is that with the people I have known and respected who have received that award, it was very touching to me, and I’m really honored that they would even consider me,” Maline said. “Many, many years ago somebody told me, ‘This isn’t your position; this is your life.’

And he was right.”

Maline received the honor at the Kentucky Thoroughbred Owners’ annual awards dinner November 18 at the Kentucky Derby Museum.

He ranked among the country’s best-known and most-respected executive directors of any racing organization. Not only was he the longest-serving Kentucky HBPA executive director but it’s unfathomable that any HBPA affiliate has had its top staffer in the job longer.

“I don’t know if anybody is going to be able to do what Marty did,” said KTO President-Elect Tom Drury. “My gosh, when you think about the people he’s helped and the way he’s helped the industry as a whole, I don’t know anybody else who has had as much effect, especially in FORMER KENTUCKY HBPA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR MARTY MALINE EARNED Kentucky, whether it’s the racing itself or going to bat for us to get THE WARNER L. JONES JR. HORSEMAN OF THE YEAR AWARD FROM THE historical horse racing or just making sure the HBPA members on the KENTUCKY THOROUGHBRED OWNERS IN 2023. backside were taken care of. Those are some big shoes to fill.”

By the end of his first day, the Kentucky HBPA had its first full-time executive The Warner Jones Award recognizes individuals for outstanding director. contributions to Kentucky racing and sharing the passion exemplified by Jones, Maline worked under Kentucky HBPA presidents Tommy Stevens, Ed Flint, who spent 50 years on the Churchill Downs board, including eight as chairman Stanley Conrad, Pete Salmen Jr., Dr. Alex Harthill, Susan Bunning and Rick Hiles, during the iconic track’s resurgence. Jones was the inaugural KTO award winner who is in his eighth term as president and with whom Maline worked in lockstep. in 1988, six years before his death.

He said his proudest moment came when a federal appeals court ruled “I was actually there when the KTO was originated,” Maline said. “[Horse in favor of the Kentucky HBPA in its 1993 lawsuit against Turfway Park over owner] Stanley Conrad and others had developed this idea of an educational and the track trying to send its signal to an out-of-state outlet without horsemen’s social organization that wasn’t going to get into the business aspect of contracts approval. The case remains the gold standard in upholding horsemen’s right to or anything like that. Of course, I knew Warner Jones from when we first got control where the signal showing their horses racing is sent. there with the HBPA. He was tough, but he was always fair in our dealings with Maline also helped get the regulations passed to fund the Kentucky Racing him. You could always tell how much he cared for the industry.”

Health and Welfare Fund, which assists needy horsemen and their employees.

Maline started out in racing’s trenches, grooming horses in the summers He was a pivotal part of the team that worked with lawmakers in 2021 to pass at River Downs while growing up and graduating from Ohio State in 1973 with legislation that protects historical horse racing, a game-changer for Kentucky’s a degree in animal science. The Kentucky HBPA position was part-time when Maline started in February 1976, having previously worked as a zookeeper at the entire racing circuit. In addition, he was at the forefront coordinating assistance when a tornado hit Ellis Park and after barn fires at tracks and training centers.

Cincinnati Zoo and an inspector for the health department in northern Kentucky.

—Jennie Rees

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NEWS

HBPA NEWS

Kentucky HBPA Names Foley Executive Director he Kentucky Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association went the homegrown route in hiring 32-year-old lifelong Louisvillian Alex Foley as only its second permanent executive director in history. Foley started his position November 13, filling the void left by Marty Maline, who retired at the end of 2022 after almost 47 years in the position.

Foley is the younger son of veteran trainer Greg Foley and the grandson of the late owner/trainer/breeder Dravo Foley. Alex Foley graduated from Bellarmine University with a degree in business management (and four years on the golf team) and from the University of Louisville’s Louis D. Brandeis School of Law. “He was interviewed by our search committee, and they were impressed by him and his credentials,” said Kentucky HBPA President Rick Hiles. “He’s a young man; he’s got a history in racing from his dad and grandpa. He knows everybody on the backside. He has a law degree. We thought he could get in that position and have some longevity.”

Foley had been serving as an assistant trainer to his dad, including overseeing the stable’s Ellis Park division throughout the spring, summer and into the fall. His brother, Travis, is on the Kentucky HBPA board and also works as an assistant trainer to their father, and their aunt Vickie Foley is a trainer.

Foley said the combination of being part of a racing family and his law degree made the Kentucky HBPA executive director position appealing.

“The horse racing industry and my legal background, I’ve always wanted to do both but didn’t have the avenue,” he said. “This job provides that. The connections I have on the backside—whether it’s horse trainers, gallop boys, assistants—I’ve known so many people that it was a perfect fit and something I’m passionate about.”

Asked if he thought he’d make 47 years like Maline, Foley laughed and said, “I know I have some pretty big shoes to fill. Marty said he’d mentor me. Rick Hiles has been great in the transition. I think we make a good team. I think being younger brings a different light to everything.” HJ —Jennie Rees

JENNIE REES PHOTO

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WINTER 2023

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HODGES PHOTOGRAPHY

FEATURE

From ClaimTo Fame

TIME FOR TROUBLE (OUTSIDE) DEFENDS HIS TITLE IN THE KENT STIRLING MEMORIAL IRON HORSE AT THE 25TH CLAIMING CROWN, WHICH

Horse must have started ONCE at the claiming level or less since January 1, 2013 be eligible.

RETURNED TOtoFAIR GROUNDS IN EARLY DECEMBER FOR THE FIRST TIME IN MORE THAN A DECADE.

GOOD SAVE

MAINTENANCE CREW APPLAUDED FOR EFFORTS AT CLAIMING CROWN

A

Gulfstream Park • Saturday, December 6, 2014 $1,000,000 in passerby Purses on St. Charles Avenue in New Orleans’ Garden District lamented the unfortunate timing of the heavy rains forecast for the following day, December 2—the date the Claiming Crown was returning to Fair Grounds for the first time since 2011.

“It’s really too bad; it hasn’t rained here in weeks,” she said. “We need the rain but maybe not this much.”

The forecast proved correct as more than four inches of rain fell in the New Orleans area from the evening of December 1 until the morning of December 2 when spoonsful of jambalaya, fried shrimp and fried catfish were doled out in the horsemen’s hospitality tent at Fair Grounds. The free food came courtesy of the Louisiana HBPA and Alabama HBPA, which sponsored the 250 pounds of catfish and jambalaya, and Louisiana Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser, who also serves as commissioner of the Louisiana Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism and worked with the Louisiana Seafood Promotion and Marketing Board to donate 250 pounds of shrimp.

National HBPA CEO Eric Hamelback promised good eating before the 25th Claiming Crown, presented by the National HBPA and Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association. The only item of business remaining was whether the races would be run. A decision to cancel the opening two races—non-Claiming Crown

For qualification criteria and nomination deadlines, call the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association (TOBA) at (888) 606-TOBA. Visit claimingcrown.com or email claimingcrown@toba.org for more information. The Claiming Crown is a partnership between the National Horsemen’s Benevolent & Protective Association and the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association.

22

events—came a few hours before the first scheduled post of 12:45 p.m. CT after Claiming Crown officials came together with Fair Grounds racing officials Jason Boulet and Scott Jones and track superintendent Pedro Zavala. The first Claiming Crown race—the Ready’s Rocket Express—was pushed back 45 minutes to 2:30 p.m. with a final decision on the card slated for 1:30 p.m.

“I didn’t get a lot of sleep Friday night with the storms coming in and wondering what was going to happen,” Hamelback said. “By 11 a.m. I was at the track, and we sat down with the stewards. The goal was to decide if we were going to run, period, and then set a secondary date if we couldn’t run. Pedro was on the telephone with the stewards, and the conversation was leaning toward we weren’t going to be able to run that day. Then Pedro stepped in, spoke up and said, ‘Guys, if you can delay the post time, I think I can have it ready.’

“We worked it out, canceled those [first] two races, decided to reconvene at 1:30, get Pedro’s opinion and go from there,” Hamelback continued. “We broke the huddle, went out, and it was a little before noon at that point. I met with the Louisiana HBPA, and as we were sitting there—it was 12:30—it begins pouring rain again, and I just didn’t really think we’d have a shot. But I’m watching the tractors go around, watching Pedro’s crew work, and it was pretty amazing.”

Several members of the jockey colony on outrider ponies took a tour of the

THE HORSEMEN’S JOURNAL

WINTER 2023

Take a Number Times the Claiming Crown has been run at Fair Grounds—2023 and 2011.

The event is also slated for the New Orleans track in 2024.

7

Entries apiece for trainers Mike Maker and Robertino Diodoro

19

Scratches in the eight Claiming Crown races after heavy rains in the days leading up to and including December 2

GWEN DAVIS/DAVIS INNOVATION

2

3,275

Victories for trainer Mike Maker after he sent out his record 22nd Claiming Crown winner in the Tiara with Anatolian

$2,857,091

Total wagered (all-sources) for the Claiming Crown

90

Entries for the eight Claiming Crown races

25

States where the 90 Claiming Crown entrants competed in 2023. Two also raced in Canada.

11

Breeding programs represented by the runners—Louisiana, Kentucky, Florida, Illinois, Washington, New Jersey, Arkansas, New York, Ohio, Minnesota and Pennsylvania

2,999

Wins for jockey James Graham after the Claiming Crown card. Graham rode Anatolian in the Tiara and Time for Trouble in the Kent Stirling Memorial Iron Horse and hit his 3,000-win milestone the next day aboard Vortex in the second race at Fair Grounds.

saturated main track a little before 1 p.m. and gave the thumbs-up, and the races were cleared to run by 1:27 p.m. The Ready’s Rocket Express went off at 2:32 p.m. Florida-based Caramel Chip splashed home by 3 1/2 lengths, and the remainder of the card went off without incident or injury.

“They were very much on board with trying to race; they just wanted to make it safe,” Hamelback said of the jockeys. “They were very accommodating, wanted to do anything they could to ride, and I certainly didn’t want to have anything negative happen.

“Fortunately, we were able to pull off a very successful, competitive day of racing,” he continued. “It was unfortunate that we weren’t able to run on the grass, but when you look at the horses that scratched, there wasn’t a significant amount. The Jewel didn’t have any. … And most importantly, all the horses and jocks came home safe, and a lot of credit goes to Pedro and his crew.”

Jockey James Graham came away with two wins—the lone rider on the card with multiple wins—and also praised the maintenance crew.

“These guys do an amazing job,” Graham said. “This track has always been good with water. About 12:30 today, we didn’t think we’d get to run. They did an amazing job. That’s why we like coming here for the winter, because we know

THE HORSEMEN’S JOURNAL

WINTER 2023

RAPID TRANSIT WINNER RICHIESONAROLL (EXTREME OUTSIDE) FLEW THE FLAG FOR THE ILLINOIS BREEDING PROGRAM AT THE CLAIMING CROWN.

these guys can take care of what they need to take care of. Time is brilliant when you have her on your side. When you don’t have her on your side, you maybe have to cancel two, but to save the rest of the card I think is the right thing to do. What a brilliant opportunity to have the Claiming Crown here again, after 12 years.”

Trainer Joe Sharp, a former assistant to all-time leading Claiming Crown conditioner Mike Maker, saddled two winners in Runway Magic for Dwight Baron’s Baron Racing Stables in the Emerald and Money Supply for Jordan Wycoff in the Jewel. Wycoff also picked up a victory in the Tiara with Anatolian, Maker’s 22nd Claiming Crown winner.

“They did a great job having the track ready after all the rain we got,” Sharp said. “When I came out this morning, I thought there was no way we would be able to make these races. Hats off to track management because every hour we checked on it, it got better and better. Really cool they didn’t have to have any interruption. Lot of respect for what they did today.”

The Claiming Crown, run at Churchill Downs under similar sloppy conditions albeit in much colder temperatures last year, will return to New Orleans in 2024.

—Tom Law

23

FEATURE

Shop Talk “Fast horses can run. Anybody can train a good horse.

It’s the bad ones that no one can train.”

— Trainer Doug Cowans, who saddled Mischievous Rogue to win the Canterbury Tom Metzen Memorial

“For the cheaper horses where the owners don’t have a big budget, this is great.”

— Graham (above), on the opportunities provided by the Claiming Crown

“There are no words to be here and get the trophy.”

— Owner Alessio Bianco, after winning the Ready’s Rocket Express with Caramel Chip

“Gritty.”

— Jockey Jareth Loveberry (above), after he won the Jewel aboard late‑running Money Supply, on what mud tasted like

“My husband and I had him at our farm in Florida and in a 2-year-olds in training sale. We had every intention of selling him and got $240,000 for him. Carole, God love her, said, ‘Let’s run him.’ I just told her, ‘It’s your horse, have at it.’

He’s worked out great and has gotten better with age.”

— Penny Lopez, racing manager for Southern Comfort Stable owner Carole Fernandez, on Canterbury Tom Metzen Memorial winner Mischievous Rogue

“Not very nice, but I do like playing in it.”

— Jockey James Graham, on the same topic after winning his second Claiming Crown event of 2023 aboard Time for Trouble in the Kent Stirling Memorial Iron Horse

“He’s a good kid, a good rider, and I know a lot of guys in New York like him. That’s enough for me.”

— Trainer Joe Sharp on Jaime Torres, who rode Emerald winner Runway Magic

“We wish the handle had been better, but for coming back to Fair Grounds for the first time in so many years and not having the ability to run on the turf, I believe we had a successful day.”

— National HBPA CEO Eric Hamelback

“Jordan Wycoff picked him out. We talked about it, and I think we won a shake for him that day. He looked like a versatile horse, looked like [his best races were on a] fast track on the dirt … and with blinkers ... and he’s done everything we’ve asked of him and then some.”

— Sharp on Jewel winner Money Supply

From ClaimTo Fame Horse must have started ONCE at the claiming level or less since January 1, 2013 to be eligible.

Gulfstream Park • Saturday, December 6, 2014 $1,000,000 in Purses

For qualification criteria and nomination deadlines, call the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association (TOBA) at (888) 606-TOBA. Visit claimingcrown.com or email claimingcrown@toba.org for more information. The Claiming Crown is a partnership between the National Horsemen’s Benevolent & Protective Association and the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association.

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THE HORSEMEN’S JOURNAL

WINTER 2023

HODGES PHOTOGRAPHY

MONEY SUPPLY, A $35,000 CLAIM AT SARATOGA IN AUGUST BY JORDAN WYCOFF AND TRAINER JOE SHARP, CAPS THE DAY WITH A VICTORY IN THE $200,000 CLAIMING CROWN JEWEL UNDER JARETH LOVEBERRY.

JEWEL—MONEY SUPPLY

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side from the heavy rains that led to races coming off the turf and a number of race-day scratches, the Claiming Crown’s return to Fair Grounds in New Orleans went off without a hitch—and without incident in the first seven events

on the card.

Jareth Loveberry and Joe Sharp felt like their good luck had run out when Jordan Wycoff’s 5-2 favorite Money Supply broke through his stall just before Fair Grounds starter Jeremy Bourgeois sent the field away in the featured $200,000 Claiming Crown Jewel.

“They don’t run well, usually,” Loveberry said. “But it didn’t rile him up, so I was thinking, ‘OK, he didn’t get too keyed up and antsy off it. That’s one positive.’ You never want to do it, obviously. That’s not a good sign, but he handled everything.”

Sharp, fresh off a victory in the off-the-turf Claiming Crown Emerald with Runway Magic, felt the same deflation before being talked off the ledge.

“When that happened, I looked over at one of my owners and said, ‘They never run good after that,’ ” Sharp said. “But he said, ‘Sometimes they do.’ The gate guy did a good job keeping him from going any further.”

Once that bit of pre-race unsettledness cleared up, Money Supply still needed to negotiate the Jewel’s 9 furlongs and a field that featured King’s Ovation, Saqeel, Frosted Grace, All West and others.

Loveberry and Money Supply found themselves seventh of nine around the first turn and up the backstretch, almost 6 lengths behind free-wheeling frontrunner and 3-1 second choice King’s Ovation through the opening half-mile in :49.45. Money Supply managed to get a smidge closer after 6 furlongs in 1:14.35 but still needed to make up almost 5 lengths turning for home.

“He had kind of a tough trip, but Jareth didn’t panic,” Sharp said. “Down the stretch the horse overcame everything. He’s really gotten good, and he’s gotten THE HORSEMEN’S JOURNAL

WINTER 2023

confident. You know how it is, when a horse gets confident, and as the bar gets raised, they keep stepping up. That’s what he’s continuing to do, and we hope to see the same progression moving forward.”

Money Supply picked off rivals in the lane while four paths off the rail, split Frosted Grace and King’s Ovation at the eighth pole and drew off late to win by 1 3/4 lengths. Luigi’s Spirit, second in back-to-back races in the Mid-Atlantic, rallied from eighth for the place spot, a neck in front of Frosted Grace.

“What a nice horse,” Loveberry said. “Joe’s done a really good job with him.

He turned for home, he got that hole, and he was running home. … It seems more of a closers’ track today. I didn’t get too uncomfortable because he was handling it the whole time. He never took a step off the bridle. He was ready to go.”

Bred by Jeff Little, Teresa Little, Marilyn Little and William Lynn and out of the Candy Ride mare Evita’s Sister, Money Supply started his career with Klaravich Stable and trainer Chad Brown after being sold for $400,000 at the 2020 Keeneland September yearling sale. He won once in his first nine starts—a debut victory at Tampa Bay Downs in February 2022 to start his 3-year-old campaign—before being claimed by Wycoff and Sharp for $35,000 out of an August 20 victory at Saratoga Race Course. After finishing second six days later in a 9-furlong starter allowance, Money Supply went with Sharp’s string to Churchill Downs and rattled off back-to-back victories in a starter allowance and $125,482 allowance before the Jewel.

“These are war horses, and it’s cool to see a horse change barns, change venues, change environment and then all of a sudden find themselves,” Sharp said. “It’s not that we reinvent the wheel; sometimes they just get good at the right time. It’s a lot of fun to watch that.”

—Tom Law

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HODGES PHOTOGRAPHY

FEATURE

JORDAN WYCOFF’S ANATOLIAN HANDLES THE SLOP—AGAIN—AND GIVES ALL-TIME LEADING CLAIMING CROWN TRAINER MIKE MAKER HIS 22ND VICTORY WITH A 2 ½-LENGTH TALLY UNDER JAMES GRAHAM IN THE TIARA.

TIARA—ANATOLIAN

s

avvy horseplayers and rival horsemen are almost required to scan the overnight for the Claiming Crown the moment it comes out to see in which races Mike Maker might factor.

The all-time leading Claiming Crown trainer held a strong hand in three events as the series made its return to Fair Grounds in 2023. He sent out six horses in those races and came away with a victory in the $150,000 Claiming Crown Tiara with Anatolian. Jordan Wycoff’s 4-year-old daughter of Not This Time, exiting a win in an off-the-turf 10-furlong optional-claiming race November 12 at Churchill Downs, gave Maker his 22nd Claiming Crown win.

The 1 1/16-mile Tiara also came off the grass following the soaking rains.

James Graham rode Anatolian, the first of his two Claiming Crown victories on the day.

“Mike is a man of few words; anybody that’s interviewed him knows that,” Graham said when asked if there were any pre-race instructions. “If he’s putting you on one, he’s expecting you to get the job done. I appreciate it. We wouldn’t be able to do this without the likes of Mike. Big claiming barn, good trainer, turns them out every year and brings a handful of horses for the Claiming Crown. This is like his Breeders’ Cup, and I know he’s won one of those, too.”

Maker, who also won the $100,000 Sandpiper Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs with Let Them Watch on Claiming Crown Day, claimed Anatolian on

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behalf of Wycoff for $35,000 in her debut at Gulfstream Park in late February 2022. She broke her maiden two starts later for a $16,000 tag, meeting the Tiara’s conditions for fillies and mares who have started for $25,000 or less in 2022–23.

Anatolian came in with four wins, three on the main track and one on a sloppy track in a $115,345 allowance at Saratoga Race Course. Bettors responded, sending Anatolian off as the 3-2 favorite in the field of eight, reduced by just one with the scratch of morning-line favorite Perhaps Tonight.

Graham allowed Anatolian to settle in seventh early—“probably a length or two further back than I wanted but they went quick,” he said—through the opening quarter-mile in :23.82. Anatolian remained in sixth through 6 furlongs before finishing off her wide run toward the leaders in the lane. She took over outside the eighth pole and widened to a 2 ½-length win over Enchanted Nile with Dana’s Beauty third.

“I don’t think it would matter what surface we were on today; she was going to win,” Graham said. “She’s very nice, very honest. Can’t complain.”

Bred in Kentucky by Springland Farm and out of the Curlin mare Lucky Winner, Anatolian improved to 5-for-13 and boosted her earnings to $313,840.

—Tom Law

THE HORSEMEN’S JOURNAL

WINTER 2023

HODGES PHOTOGRAPHY

BARON RACING STABLES’ RUNWAY MAGIC, CLAIMED FOR $20,000 LESS THAN TWO MONTHS BEFORE, SCOOTS AWAY TO A 1 1/2-LENGTH WIN UNDER JAIME TORRES IN THE OFF-THE-TURF CLAIMING CROWN EMERALD.

EMERALD—RUNWAY MAGIC

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oe Sharp prepared his entries for the Claiming Crown a week out from the 25th renewal at Fair Grounds and put Runway Magic in the group with one thing in mind.

“Turf is a bit of an unknown,” Sharp said of the 5-year-old Runhappy gelding, who made just one start on the grass in a 1-mile allowance race at Ellis Park in August 2021. “We entered hoping it would come off. He’s run once on the grass. But like I said, it all worked out. We’re glad to see these fields hold up well when they come off the turf.”

Sound familiar?

Sharp did the same thing a year ago with Palace Coup, who drew into the Claiming Crown Emerald as the lone main-track-only runner and came away with a victory in the slop at Churchill Downs. He did it again with Runway Magic, who drew into the body of the race but won the off-the-turf $150,000 Emerald by 1 1/2 lengths under Jaime Torres for owner Dwight Baron’s Baron Racing Stables.

“Everything came together coming off the turf,” Sharp said. “When he’s doing well, he runs big. Jaime did a good job; he waited long enough because he kind of can have a tendency to hang. Great ride. Grateful for the opportunity from the owner. We always love the Claiming Crown; it’s fun to display these claiming horses, these warriors.”

The 5-1 fourth choice in the field of seven, Runway Magic pressed early leader Tatanka through the opening half-mile in :48.65 with 8-5 favorite Race Craft a few lengths back up the backstretch. Torres put more pressure on Tatanka and James Graham heading into the far turn and sent Runway Magic to

THE HORSEMEN’S JOURNAL

WINTER 2023

the front just before the field turned for home.

Runway Magic finished well out in the racetrack down the lane while Duke of Carthania claimed the place spot, 2 lengths ahead of Tatanka. Runway Magic, a Kentucky-bred out of the A.P. Indy mare Divine Escapade, won in 1:44.71 over the sloppy and sealed track.

Runway Magic gave Sharp his second Claiming Crown win, and the trainer made it three in the next race when Money Supply captured the $200,000 Jewel.

Starting his career for his breeders, Hill ‘n’ Dale Farm and Bruce Lunsford, and trainer Rusty Arnold, Runway Magic was claimed for $20,000 in early October 2022. Sharp claimed him for $30,000 one start later, a win at Keeneland Race Course, before losing him in January at Oaklawn Park for $50,000. Runway Magic didn’t show up at the races until October 28, when he ran for a $20,000 tag for trainer Tom Amoss at Delta Downs.

“Obviously he’s a horse we had a liking for,” Sharp said. “Dwight Baron brought him up. I didn’t see that he was in at Delta, and he said, ‘What about your old horse?’ We picked him back up over there. … Sometimes when they get back home in their environment they move forward. We’re very proud of him.”

The Emerald was one of three six-figure victories for the Sharp barn on the day, along with Money Supply and Brad Grady’s homebred Honey Dijon in the $300,000 FTBOA Florida Sire My Dear Girl Stakes at Gulfstream Park. Runway Magic picked up $90,000 for the Emerald to boost his earnings to $310,342 from a record of 4-3-3 in 18 starts.

—Tom Law

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HODGES PHOTOGRAPHY

SOUTHERN COMFORT STABLE’S MISCHIEVOUS ROGUE DELIVERS A RARE HOMEBRED VICTORY ON CLAIMING CROWN DAY UNDER LUAN MACHADO IN THE CANTERBURY TOM METZEN MEMORIAL.

CANTERBURY TOM METZEN MEMORIAL—MISCHIEVOUS ROGUE

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homebred winner on Claiming Crown Day, you say? Surely that’s a misprint. Think again.

Mischievous Rogue, bred by Carole Fernandez and raced in her white-and-red Southern Comfort Stable colors, delivered the rare win by a homebred during the showcase for the everyday horses with a powerful score in the $150,000 Claiming Crown Canterbury Tom Metzen Memorial. And the 5-year-old Into Mischief gelding won the off-the-turf 5 1/2-furlong event by 3 1/2 lengths under Luan Machado after almost staying in the barn.

“Early in the week when I was looking at the forecast I said, ‘I don’t know what we’re going to do, but I’m probably out,’ ” said Doug Cowans, who trains Mischievous Rogue from his base at Turfway Park. “I left it open a crack but said I was probably out.”

A conversation with Penny Lopez, who helps manage Fernandez’s horses, changed things.

“New Orleans lives in a hole,” Lopez said. “They’re used to this mud and slop. I figured they’ll have it straightened out by race time. You just know.”

Mischievous Rogue hadn’t run on an off track in 17 prior starts, but Cowans relented.

“Ten other people kept calling me and saying he had a big Tomlinson number for the mud,” Cowans said. “I didn’t think they would run at all. When I saw the water in the barn area this morning, it was up over the tires of the cars.”

The card went on, and Mischievous Rogue ran big, collecting his sixth win after taking the overland path to victory. The Kentucky-bred out of the Candy Ride mare Mahna came into the Metzen Memorial off four starts on synthetic followed by four starts on the turf, all sprints from 5 1/2 to 6 1/2 furlongs.

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Cowans watched Mischievous Rogue race seventh of nine in the early stages and figured he’d need his “built-in excuse,” but then the gelding and Machado got on track around the far turn while well out in the track. Mischievous Rogue came widest of all into the lane and poured it on late to win in 1:04.20 as the 8-5 favorite. Counterstrike finished second with Tilted Towers third.

“You’re on the inside, you’ve got to work out a trip, get off the rail; these horses are all closing,” Cowans told Machado in the paddock. “Don’t try to get in a big rush; there’s a lot of speed in the race. Just try to get him outside and see what he can do in the slop.”

Mischievous Rogue, a $240,000 RNA at the 2020 Ocala Breeders’ Sales April 2-year-olds in training sale and risked for a $20,000 tag in November 2022 at Churchill Downs, boosted his career earnings to $411,297 with his fourth win in eight starts in 2023—all for his breeder and owner.

“We got lucky running him for a tag once or twice,” Cowans said. “There was a long layoff, we gelded him, and then when he came back, we ran him for $20,000 the first time. That’s where we felt like he was. We weren’t trying to do anything out of line. When he got back on the [Polytrack] and turf, he took off. I tell you, the horse has gotten good. I told [Lopez], ‘The horse can’t be doing any better.’ When I got here, he shipped good, trained well.

“Early on I felt like the horse had talent, but I never could get it out of him,” Cowans continued. “Even Brian Hernandez rode him early on for me at Turfway once. He told me, ‘Whatever you do, run the horse back at Churchill.’ I took him over to Churchill, and he threw craps again. I looked at him after the race and was like, ‘The horse has talent, but he hasn’t shown it yet.’ ” —Tom Law

THE HORSEMEN’S JOURNAL

WINTER 2023

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HODGES PHOTOGRAPHY

FEATURE

APPRENTICE EMMANUEL GILES GUIDES RICHIESONAROLL FOR OWNER/TRAINER JOSE RODRIGUEZ IN THE CLAIMING CROWN RAPID TRANSIT.

RAPID TRANSIT—RICHIESONAROLL

T

he founders and presenters of the Claiming Crown promote the event as the “claiming horse owner’s Breeders’ Cup” and “one for the sometimes-forgotten ‘average owner,’ ” and it rang true a little after 5 p.m. CT at Fair Grounds December 2.

Take the $100,000 Claiming Crown Rapid Transit. It was won by a 3-yearold Illinois-bred gelding from FanDuel Sportsbook and Horse Racing (the former Fairmount Park) who was saddled by a trainer barely a year into his career and ridden by a five-pound apprentice in just his 500th race. Richiesonaroll delivered the biggest upset of the day, winning by a neck for owner/trainer Jose Rodriguez and jockey Emmanuel Giles.

Richiesonaroll, a son of Gone Astray claimed by Rodriguez for $12,500 in June at Hawthorne Race Course, closed from fifth in midstretch to edge Kentucky-based Startdfromdabottom by a neck with fellow FanDuel-based runner and pacesetter Faithful Ruler third in the field of 10.

“I wasn’t sure, but I’m glad to be here,” Rodriguez said of the tight finish.

“These days don’t come very often, and I’m glad I’m here.”

Giles, who rode Richiesonaroll in his last two starts, including a blowout victory in a state-bred allowance-optional at FanDuel when he wasn’t risked for a tag, knew he had come up with the biggest victory of his young career.

“For sure, I rode all the way to the end thinking I won,” Giles, the younger brother to former Illinois-based jockey Francisco Giles, said through Rodriguez as the impromptu interpreter. “It’s always better to be sure, so I kept riding to the wire.”

Rodriguez, 40, took out his license in the fall of 2022 and brought Richiesonaroll to Fair Grounds with a training resume of 22 wins in 155 starts.

He saddled 9-2 third choice Samarita to a fourth in the Glass Slipper early on the 30

card, which was maybe even more of a surprise than Richiesonaroll upsetting the Rapid Transit at almost 16-1.

“Samarita, I had more confidence in her,” Rodriguez said. “It didn’t work out. Maybe the surface, I don’t know. You can’t win them all.”

Richiesonaroll, who started his career sprinting on the grass at Colonial Downs in 2022 with trainer Larry Rivelli and owners Patricia’s Hope and Richard Ravin, now sports two wins and two seconds since being claimed by Rodriguez June 22. Richiesonaroll was claimed previously by trainer Gerald Bennett off Rivelli at Colonial in the gelding’s second start and then five starts later by Michael Campbell at Tampa Bay Downs.

Rodriguez dropped the slip two starts after that, when Richiesonaroll finished a well-beaten fourth after showing speed early going 1 mile and 70 yards on the dirt at Hawthorne. He didn’t immediately think of the Claiming Crown after that but wanted to shorten the gelding up for the rest of his summer campaign.

Richiesonaroll showed plenty of speed in his three starts for Rodriguez but came from 5 lengths back after a sharp opening half-mile in :45.36 in the 6-furlong Rapid Transit.

“It wasn’t the plan at all; there was a lot of speed, and it worked out the whole way,” Rodriguez said of the change in tactics. “[The Claiming Crown] wasn’t really a thought. I got a phone call from the guys in the office; they mentioned it and it took me a while to … decide to do it. I’m glad I did.”

Richiesonaroll, bred by Ravin and out of the Bring the Heat mare Sydneyrella, picked up $60,000 and boosted his bankroll to $143,170 from a record of 4-5-0 in 13 starts.

—Tom Law THE HORSEMEN’S JOURNAL

WINTER 2023

HODGES PHOTOGRAPHY

XYLOPHONE HELPED A PLAN HATCHED LAST SPRING BY HER FORMER TRAINER COME TO REALITY IN WINNING THE CLAIMING CROWN GLASS SLIPPER UNDER MITCHELL MURRILL.

GLASS SLIPPER—XYLOPHONE

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url McBride picked up his phone last spring and called Joseph Longtin with some news. Like any owner receiving a call from a trainer, Longtin listened to the update with hesitation.

“I sent your horse to Kentucky,” McBride said, referring to the 5-year-old Tonalist mare Xylophone, who had recently finished fifth in a $25,000 claiming race on the grass at Lone Star Park.

“You did what?” a surprised Longtin asked.

McBride had sent Xylophone to fellow trainer Chris Hartman, not out of frustration in the midst of a five-race losing streak since claiming the mare for $12,500 but with a plan.

“Chris is a longtime Oaklawn trainer, a Hot Springs guy; and he and Burl McBride, they’re good friends, so logistically it worked out,” said Longtin, himself a resident of Hot Springs and a regular at Oaklawn Park. “Burl actually made the decision to send her to Chris, which was huge. … He had a plan. This was it, and here we are.”

The plan involved sending Xylophone to New Orleans for the $100,000 Claiming Crown Glass Slipper, where she might factor with a return to her form of last February and March. Xylophone did just that, exiting a useful prep in a starter allowance in late October at Keeneland Race Course and turning the tables on My Good Fortune to win the 1-mile Glass Slipper.

Mitchell Murrill rode Xylophone, the 3-1 favorite in the field of nine, and she won by a widening 3 3/4 lengths in 1:39.02 over the sloppy track.

“With all this rain, Chris and I discussed it this morning that sitting on that far turn and keeping her four or five [paths] off the rail was the trip we wanted,” Murrill said. “Get a good clean path on the high ground, and then I could pick my

THE HORSEMEN’S JOURNAL

WINTER 2023

spot down the lane. It seemed to work out perfectly. Each stride down the lane she kept reaching and reaching and reaching, so I knew it was over turning for home.”

Xylophone, second to My Good Fortune in that Keeneland starter, won for the second time in nine starts in 2023. Longtin and McBride claimed her out of a starter-optional February 11 at Oaklawn, where she finished in a dead heat for second to start a run of three straight runner-up finishes. Xylophone ended the winless run with a victory in an off-the-turf starter-optional August 15 at Horseshoe Indianapolis in her first start for Hartman.

Xylophone not only defeated My Good Fortune, also trained by Hartman, in the Glass Slipper but also the race’s defending champ and 2023 Claiming Crown Horse of the Year Invaluable, who struggled in the off going on the way to finishing sixth. Xylophone improved to 6-for-31 with earnings of $189,224.

Longtin, attending the races with his nephew decked out in a Xylophone baseball hat, celebrated his first Claiming Crown victory with a trip to the fourth floor of the clubhouse to see if the band jamming in the entryway could pump out some tunes on a xylophone.

“That was a really stellar field; I’m so proud of her,” he said. “Marlon [Ortiz], Chris’ assistant, told me yesterday that she was training unbelievably. He had her at Keeneland, and she was training good there, but something is clicking in this mare. She’s getting better and better. … You hear the term from horsemen that they light up for certain reasons; well, her light bulb goes on when it gets muddy.”

—Tom Law

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HODGES PHOTOGRAPHY

FEATURE

TIME FOR TROUBLE (OUTSIDE) EDGES PROVERB IN DEEP STRETCH FOR HIS SECOND STRAIGHT VICTORY IN THE CLAIMING CROWN KENT STIRLING MEMORIAL IRON HORSE, ALSO THE THIRD CONSECUTIVE VICTORY IN THE EVENT FOR TRAINER JEFF HILES.

KENT STIRLING MEMORIAL IRON HORSE—TIME FOR TROUBLE

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eff Hiles aimed high with Time for Trouble in 2023.

The Kentucky-based horseman ran the 6-year-old English Channel gelding in graded turf stakes at Gulfstream Park and Churchill Downs, high-purse races at Keeneland and Kentucky Downs and a marathon dirt stakes at Saratoga before embarking on a trip to California for the most prestigious stamina test of the season on the Breeders’ Cup undercard. They didn’t make the Grade 2 Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance Marathon Stakes at Santa Anita Park—blame a superficial injury and inflammation that required treatment—but did defend their title in the $100,000 Claiming Crown Kent Stirling Memorial Iron Horse at Fair Grounds.

“Got lucky,” Hiles said after Time for Trouble gave him a third straight Iron Horse victory. “It’s good to win a Claiming Crown race. They’re difficult to win.

You’ve got to have the right horse, right place, right track. If you look at the PPs of these horses, some of them have [won] 13, 15, 20 races. These are fine horses to do that. It’s extremely difficult to beat them. To win it three years in a row, I never thought I would.”

Hiles also won the 1 1/16-mile Iron Horse at three tracks, with Blue Steel winning at Gulfstream in 2021 and Time for Trouble last year at Churchill.

Owned by Hiles and Paul Parker’s Thorndale Stable, the 6-5 favorite closed from next to last over the sloppy track under James Graham to win by a head over Proverb in 1:46.17. Time for Trouble, claimed by Hiles in a 13-way shake

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for $8,000 in June 2021, improved to 10-for-28 with earnings of $450,757 in five seasons.

“We’ve been fortunate with him,” Hiles said. “He’s been a blessing to my barn. This is why we do what we do. At the three-sixteenths pole, we didn’t think we had a shot. The emotions you experience that last three-sixteenths of a race are exactly why we are in this. The thrill, the agony. You’re going to win, you’re not going to win, you’re going to win, the adrenaline kicks in, the emotions. You can’t buy it.”

Hiles watched the race from a row of grandstand bleachers just before the finish, alongside fellow Kentucky trainer George Leonard III. They saw Time for Trouble, second in Saratoga’s Birdstone Stakes behind marathon specialist Next two starts earlier, drop back 8 lengths on the backstretch.

Graham and Time for Trouble were still 7 1/4 lengths behind after Coach Adams clicked off 6 furlongs in 1:12.74. Time for Trouble made steady progress at the leaders in the stretch and got up in time inside the sixteenth pole, despite a belated battle with Proverb approaching the finish.

“He ran great,” said Graham, winning his second Claiming Crown race after taking the preceding Tiara on Anatolian. “A little further back than I wanted to be, but he’s such a big, long, lanky horse he didn’t get around that [first] turn really good. But he got in a great rhythm down the backside, picked off horses.”

—Tom Law

THE HORSEMEN’S JOURNAL

WINTER 2023

HODGES PHOTOGRAPHY

FEATURE

CARAMEL CHIP AND FLORENT GEROUX SPLASH TO VICTORY IN THE $75,000 CLAIMING CROWN READY’S ROCKET EXPRESS TO KICK OFF THE 25TH CLAIMING CROWN CARD AT FAIR GROUNDS.

READY’S ROCKET EXPRESS— CARAMEL CHIP

O

wner Alessio Bianco and trainer Jose D’Angelo thought so much of Caramel Chip they considered moving the 5-year-old son of Midshipman up in class just in time for the Claiming Crown.

“That was my goal for the year,” Bianco said of running in the Claiming Crown’s return to Fair Grounds December 2. “He ran so many races, so many good races, beautiful numbers. The Claiming Crown for me was like [the goal]. I was in between the $8,000 or $16,000, but when you come here, you are like, ‘I don’t want too much stress.’ ” Eligible for the Claiming Crown Ready’s Rocket Express—for 3-year-olds and up who have started for $8,000 or less in their careers—and the Claiming Crown Rapid Transit—for 3-year-olds and up who have started for $16,000 or less in 2022–23—Caramel Chip wound up in the former and put his team in the winner’s circle.

“He’s a horse that can compete with anyone, but to come here and get the trophy, that’s the most important thing,” said Bianco, a native of Italy who lives in Florida and races as Bianco Stable. “Thank God. I’m very grateful.”

Bianco and D’Angelo, who bases his training operation at Palm Meadows in South Florida, ran Caramel Chip above where he was eligible in 2023. He finished fourth in an open-company allowance at Saratoga Race Course—about 5 lengths behind eventual graded stakes winner Everso Mischievous—in early August and won and placed in allowance-optional events in South Florida not long after Bianco claimed him for $8,000 in early January at Gulfstream Park.

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Caramel Chip had won six of 13 starts with three seconds coming into the $75,000 Ready’s Rocket Express, warranting a spot as the 2-1 second choice in the field of eight. He’d also won on a sloppy track, which he would face in New Orleans after the track experienced heavy rains for a solid 48-hour stretch before the race.

“I don’t have words for this horse,” Bianco said after Caramel Chip won by 3 1/2 lengths over Beverly Park, North America’s leading horse by wins in 2022 with a record of 15-for-30. “Since I came here, I knew it. I knew he had a big heart. Just to be around him, you can tell he’s an amazing horse. We put him in each race, and he runs like crazy, just amazing to have him. A real pleasure to have him and to be around him is a pleasure.

“He’s super intelligent,” Bianco continued. “You just go in there, give him a kiss and so much love. When you give love to horses and they understand you, I’m telling you, they change a lot.”

Florent Geroux rode Caramel Chip, bred in Kentucky by Bugle Hill Farm out of the Speightstown mare Nandira. Caramel Chip covered the 6 furlongs in 1:10.25 and improved to 10-for-34 with earnings of $286,490.

The Ready’s Rocket Express, which featured a field with a combined 97 wins, kicked off the card after track management opted to cancel a state-bred claiming race and maiden special weight on the grass that were originally carded to start the program. HJ —Tom Law

THE HORSEMEN’S JOURNAL

WINTER 2023

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THE HORSEMEN’S JOURNAL

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FEATURE

By Sherri Boland; Kimberly Brewer, DVM; and Clara Fenger, DVM, PHD, DACVIM

COADY PHOTOGRAPHY

Dissecting the 60 Minutes piece on “one of the biggest horse doping investigations in U.S. history”

A RECENT REPORT ON 60 MINUTES CAST RACING IN A POOR LIGHT, INCLUDING A GROSS MISREPRESENTATION OF THE FACTS AND FOOTAGE OF BREAKDOWNS.

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THE HORSEMEN’S JOURNAL

WINTER 2023

O

n November 12, 2023, 8 million viewers tuned in to watch 60 Minutes and a segment titled “Horse Racing

Reform?” hosted by correspondent Cecilia Vega.

The segment began with an overview of the Justice Department winding down its “Sport of Kings” investigation on “one of the biggest horse doping investigations in U.S. history,” ultimately “convicting 29 veterinarians, horse trainers and drug distributors,” most notably Jorge Navarro and Jason Servis.

The beginning of the segment includes a gross misrepresentation of the facts, as 29 people were not convicted. Of the 29 people indicted, 25 were convicted. Of those convicted, only seven were Thoroughbred racing, aka the Sport of Kings, participants, which represents only about 0.03 percent of Thoroughbred horsemen nationwide. In comparison, 0.7 percent of the American populace is incarcerated. This hardly reflects rampant corruption as portrayed by Vega. The minimal corruption associated with Thoroughbred racing reflects the effective gatekeeper role of the state racing commissions, which place restrictions on licensure.

Another seven of those convicted were drug manufacturers or distributors.

The remaining convictions were from Standardbred racing, which is not included in the definition of Sport of Kings. The case revolved around the misbranding and adulteration of drug products, which centered mostly on drug products manufactured according to an ISO 9001 Quality Standard instead of the more appropriate FDA GMP standard. The drugs also were marketed with wild unsubstantiated claims to enhance performance.

Even the most infamous of those products, SGF-1000, was repeatedly tested and determined to contain no special growth factors at all. The investigation was, without a doubt, “one of the biggest horse doping investigations in U.S. history,” although whether actual doping was ever identified remains an outstanding question. Nonetheless, penalizing those seven Thoroughbred racing people involved in the scandal is universally embraced by the vast majority of hard-working and honest Thoroughbred horsemen.

If the goal of Vega and 60 Minutes was to deal a blow to horse racing, regardless of the facts, they could not have done a better job. Early in the segment, they sensationalized several high-profile breakdowns. They mentioned the 12 horses that perished at Churchill Downs in the runup to the 2023

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Kentucky Derby, and while the new Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) medication rules (the Anti-Doping and Medication Control [ADMC] regulations) were technically not yet adopted, they were actually already in place, because the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission had already put them into action.

When asked about the breakdowns, HISA CEO Lisa Lazurus responded, “We’re here now.”

Vega referred to HISA as set up by Congress to “clean up the sport, which for years has grappled with drugs and cheating.” Vega failed to do even the simplest of investigative journalism.

A simple phone call to Ed Martin of the Association of Racing Commissioners International could have set her straight. Horse racing has an annual positive test rate in the range of 0.5 to 0.7 percent, lower than the rate found in the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA). In contrast to USADA, which typically finds performance-enhancing substance violations as a result of its testing, the majority of positive tests in horse racing have been overages of therapeutic medications or the presence of trace quantities of drugs that spill over as contamination from humans. This hardly reflects an industry “grappling with drugs and cheating.”

When Vega mentioned the deaths at Churchill and Pimlico Race Course and asked Lazarus if “drugs had anything to do with these deaths,” Lazarus had the opportunity to tell Vega that no drugs were identified in any of the injured horses. Instead, she said, “Now that we have control over all of it, I’m confident that we can do our job.”

The public was led down a road of assuming that the use of illegal performance-enhancing and banned drugs was at the heart of the breakdowns.

Lazarus conveniently failed to mention that not one single horse in the footage of very public breakdowns occurring at signature meets had tested positive for any substance.

When questioned about the breakdowns that occurred at Churchill’s spring meeting and Saratoga Race Course’s summer meet, Lazarus willfully stated that they were still under investigation. However, a HISA-appointed commission had already completed its investigation of the breakdowns.

Despite extensive investigation and analysis, HISA did not identify any singular explanation for the fatalities at Churchill Downs and continually reported no findings due to track surface or misuse of drugs. Lazarus finally had the perfect window of opportunity to defend racing, but she remained silent.

Vega went on to question whether the newly formed HISA could “get ahead of corrupt veterinarians and horse trainers.” To get an understanding of doping in horse racing, Vega interviewed Stuart Janney III, whose resumé boasts ownership of champion racehorses and chairmanship of The Jockey Club, the Thoroughbred breed registry. While Janney has influence in horse racing, his qualifications hardly make him the most knowledgeable person on the subject of doping.

Vega and 60 Minutes failed to make a simple phone call to Dr. Steven Barker or Dr. George Maylin, lab directors who have actually dedicated their lives to uncovering doping in horse racing. Janney went on to say that doping in racehorses is a huge problem and is getting worse and that state racing commissions have failed at regulating the sport, despite the identification of substances such as etorphine, dermorphin and AH-7921 and their successful prosecution.

During her interview with Janney, Vega stated, “When you talk about something that is as institutionalized as corruption has been, I don’t know how you clean that up.” This statement elicited a gut reaction from most participants in horse racing, because it paints us all with a very sinister brush.

Janney fails to defend the more than 99 percent of horsemen who are simply trying to make an honest living working with the most elite of athletes,

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TRAINER JASON SERVIS, SERVING A FOUR-YEAR PRISON SENTENCE FOR HIS ROLE IN A SCHEME IN WHICH HORSES WERE DOPED WITH APPROVED AND UNAPPROVED DRUGS DESIGNED TO IMPROVE PERFORMANCE, WAS ONE OF SEVEN FROM THE THOROUGHBRED INDUSTRY CONVICTED IN “ONE OF THE BIGGEST HORSE DOPING INVESTIGATIONS IN U.S. HISTORY,” ACCORDING TO A RECENT SEGMENT ON 60 MINUTES.

NYRA PHOTO

NYRA PHOTO

COADY PHOTOGRAPHY

FEATURE

CHURCHILL DOWNS LANDED IN THE INTERNATIONAL SPOTLIGHT IN THE RUNUP TO THE 2023 KENTUCKY DERBY AFTER SEVERAL HIGH-PROFILE BREAKDOWNS, WHICH OCCURRED WITH HISA ADMC REGULATIONS IN PLACE AFTER THE KENTUCKY HORSE RACING COMMISSION PUT THEM INTO ACTION.

Thoroughbred racehorses. Instead, he says you have to send them out of the sport and send some of them to jail. Before the passage of HISA and the hostile takeover of Thoroughbred horse racing by a private corporation, people did go to jail, and they were eliminated from the sport.

In the late 1980s the development of ELISA testing for illegal drugs, spearheaded by Dr. Tom Tobin of the University of Kentucky’s Maxwell H. Gluck Equine Research Center, revolutionized drug testing and exposed the use of any number of substances. This advance in testing was funded by a joint venture between the Kentucky Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association and the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission, reflecting the common goal of horsemen and regulators alike of ridding the sport of drugs. For example, in 1989, trainer Carl David Butler was ruled off for five years in Oklahoma for etorphine, also known as elephant juice, one of the first ELISA identifications.

More recently, in 2015, Roy Sedlacek was suspended for 10 years for using AH-7921, an experimental opioid. In 2018, a Louisiana veterinarian was sentenced to 15 months in jail for selling dermorphin, another opioid-like drug.

Beyond these finite suspension periods, the state racing commissions have the discretion to never relicense these horsemen again. These commission victories are few and far between because actual instances of doping in horse racing, contrary to the opinions of Vega, Lazarus and Janney, are few and far between.

Nonetheless, when novel doping agents have filtered into racing, they have been identified, the perpetrators apprehended and sanctions put in place by the state authorities that oversaw racing.

Vega also characterized the 2020 indictments as sweeping and reaching the highest levels of the sport. These are grandiose claims for indictments that included exactly four Thoroughbred horse trainers and three Thoroughbred veterinarians.

The investigation by 5 Stones Intelligence is described, with both Jeff Gural, a New York real estate businessman and owner of the Meadowlands Racetrack, and Janney quoted as saying they provided a targeted list of trainers they suspected to be “corrupting the sport.”

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STUART JANNEY III, A SUCCESSFUL OWNER AND BREEDER AND CHAIRMAN OF THE JOCKEY CLUB, WAS A KEY SUBJECT IN THE 60 MINUTES SEGMENT TITLED “HORSE RACING REFORM?” THAT MISSED THE MARK IN SEVERAL AREAS.

There can be no doubt that individuals were targeted based on the personal opinions of a couple of influential people. This was all so that a ring of co-conspirators using SGF-1000, a substance that was repeatedly tested and found to contain nothing, could be brought down. Nothing rising to the level of etorphine, dermorphin or AH-7921 was identified in “one of the biggest horse doping investigations in U.S. history.”

In the concluding segment, Vega stated that since HISA has taken over the industry’s anti-doping program, 33 trainers have been suspended for banned substances. This statement is made as if the HISA program is starting to make a dent in the “institutionalized corruption” of horse racing. In fact, the basis for not one suspension rises to the level of dermorphin, etorphine or AH-7921.

Of the 33 provisional suspensions, six were already lifted and the allegations completely dismissed at the time of the 60 Minutes segment. There is no mention in the Vega piece of the reputations tarnished and income lost as a result of erroneously applied suspensions. Two additional cases—both altrenogest (Regumate) positives—have had their provisional suspensions lifted pending final adjudication of their cases. Notably, new regulations currently proposed by HISA change the status of altrenogest in male horses from banned to controlled, substantially decreasing the penalty.

Five of the 33 suspensions were for the possession of thyroxine (Thyro-L).

Before May 22, 2023, thyroxine was not only legal but commonly prescribed.

Published research has supported its use in horses for non-sweaters, tying up, anemia and equine metabolic syndrome. Many veterinarians prescribed its use for failure to thrive cases in which the thyroxine level in the blood is low. In human medicine, thyroxine is the fourth most commonly prescribed medication, and it is also a common canine therapeutic. The basis for this important therapeutic’s inclusion on the HISA banned list remains elusive but appears to be based on the nonscientific assumption that thyroxine supplementation is associated with sudden cardiac death. Nonetheless, despite many presentations

by HISA before the implementation of the medication rules on May 22, 2023, at least three horse trainers failed to dispose of legally prescribed Thyro-L before THE HORSEMEN’S JOURNAL

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the rules went into effect. Two of the Thyro-L possession violations were for veterinarians, who would legitimately have possession for use in non-covered horses, such as track ponies and riding horses off-track.

Five more suspensions were for metformin, the most commonly prescribed medication for type 2 diabetes, a medication excreted in the urine that breaks down slowly in the environment. Metformin is so ubiquitous in the environment that it can be found in drinking water whenever it is looked for, including at the racetrack where two of the violations were found. Metformin use is so common in humans that many studies have been conducted to determine if it has an effect on athletic performance, and the overall conclusion of those studies is that the only measurable effect is increased perception of exertion. This effect would detract from performance rather than enhance it. Of these positives, two suspensions were already withdrawn at the time of the 60 Minutes segment, a fact conveniently overlooked by or unknown to Vega.

Another five suspensions were for trace levels of methamphetamine, well below any possibility of an effect. By way of comparison, in human drug testing, a level below 500 nanograms per milliliter in urine would be considered of no consequence, and the athlete would not even be informed that it was detected.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, which sets these cutoffs, clearly understands that trace methamphetamine exposure is common and inconsequential. In the horses of the five trainers suspended for detection of methamphetamine, the levels were far below the level considered to be irrelevant in humans.

Two suspensions were for isoxsuprine, a vasodilator commonly used with non-racing horses for treatment of foot soreness. A prolonged withdrawal time and a high risk of environmental transfer have limited its use in racehorses for at least 20 years. However, its use in non-racing horses like track ponies continues

to pose a risk of environmental transfer. There is no mechanism of performance enhancement associated with isoxsuprine. Both trainer suspensions were associated with the treatment of the same track pony with isoxsuprine. The trainer who owned the track pony took the penalty without a hearing, and the second trainer fought the allegation and won.

One of the suspensions was for cobalt, a naturally occurring mineral that is both a required trace mineral and present in every bag of feed and bale of hay that a horse consumes at a level only slightly above the HISA threshold. The HISA regulatory scheme calls for no violation below a blood level of 25 parts per million (ppm) but a 24-month suspension and $25,000 fine above the 25 ppm.

This severe penalty exists despite published research indicating that horses can have a blood concentration of up to 70 parts per billion naturally, and this level in the blood cannot possibly have any impact on athletic performance. In addition, under the previous regulatory scheme, an intermediate threshold between 25 ppm and 50 ppm was in place wherein the horse was placed on the vet’s list until its cobalt level came down. This scheme protected the integrity of racing by using a level well below any possibility of an impact on athletic performance and permitting a horseman to investigate their feed and hay to determine a possible source.

Two suspensions were for the opioid tapentadol. Both positive blood samples were collected after the horses had been euthanized using fatal overdoses of pentobarbital. In neither case did HISA test the bottle of euthanasia solution, but the accused horsemen had a bottle tested and it contained tapentadol, likely a manufacturing impurity of the pentobarbital. The cases were dismissed, but not until after the trainers were suspended for 2 1/2 months, and all their horses had been transferred to other trainers.

Continued on page 41

Oh what fun it is to ride... “

From all of us at Horsemen’s Track and Equipment, Inc., we wish you the good tidings of the season, and a New Year filled with peace and hope.

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FEATURE

Different Adjudication Process Understanding and Preparing for HISA’s Equine Anti-Doping Rules, the Arbitral Body and Arbitration

By Peter J. Sacopulos, JD

Prior to May 22, 2023, positive drug test results in horse racing were adjudicated by state racing commissions. Typically, the process was a merit hearing conducted by an administrative law judge followed by the right of judicial review in district court after exhaustion of administrative remedies. This system has been completely changed by the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) rules for alleged Anti-Doping and Medication Control (ADMC) violations.

That system has, as its basis, arbitration.

Arbitration is one of the most common forms of alternative dispute resolution (ADR), in which disputes are handled outside of trial courts. HISA’s adjudication rules require all alleged ADMC violations to be arbitrated. While mediation, another common form of ADR, is informal and allows the parties to select a neutral mediator and negotiate a settlement typically for a cost of less than $2,500, arbitration is quite different in that a neutral, trained arbitrator serves as a judge responsible for resolving a dispute. HISA does not provide for or allow mediation, nor do HISA’s rules allow for a dispute to be tried by a jury in a civil court of law—a right guaranteed by the Seventh Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.

One of the main selling points for arbitration is that it is less costly than adjudicating a matter in a civil court of law. However, under HISA’s adjudication scheme, that is not the case. In fact, one of the first cases from HISA and the Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit (HIWU) that was arbitrated involved an international arbitrator. In that case, HISA/HIWU flew a Canadian arbitrator to Florida to conduct the hearing. The cost for the arbitrator was nearly $15,000 for one day of professional services. This, of course, was in addition to legal and expert fees. HISA’s arbitration process is no cost savings to the Thoroughbred horseman.

To illustrate the HISA arbitration process, assume a trainer is alleged to have an equine anti-doping (EAD) violation. How does the arbitration process work, and what should that trainer do in their defense?

If the trainer/covered person requests a hearing, the matter is assigned an arbitrator or panel of arbitrators. Also, within 14 days of requesting a hearing, the covered person is required to submit a pre-hearing submission. That submission includes the identity of witnesses, lay and expert, to be called on behalf of the covered person and the anticipated testimony of each. Additionally, the submission must include any documents that the covered person intends to introduce in support of their defense. Fourteen days thereafter, HISA/HIWU is required to submit a response to the covered person’s written submission.

The arbitration hearing must then be conducted within 60 days of the hearing request.

Once filed, the administrative complaint is assigned to a HISA-selected arbitrator. The covered person has no input in selecting the arbitrator.

Significantly, HISA’s rules regarding arbitration are not consistent with the

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American Arbitration Association rules. For example, under HISA, arbitration is mandatory and binding; the covered person has no right to a trial by jury. The American Arbitration Association rules allow the parties the right to decide which issues are to be arbitrated. Under HISA, the covered person has no say in which issues will be subject to arbitration. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, the covered person has no input regarding which rules will govern the arbitration process.

Arbitration of the pending alleged violation is required to be conducted within 60 days. Therefore, the covered person must immediately seek and retain counsel and, most likely, an expert witness or witnesses. They also must secure laboratory test results as well as the results from any confirmatory test and provide those results and investigative information to the expert or experts.

Counsel for the trainer will, within this time frame, need to interview witnesses, meet and consult with expert witnesses and prepare defense strategy. All of this must take place within a very limited time.

In defending the allegations, the counsel in a civil arbitration is not afforded the right to conduct discovery. Discovery consists of written questions that must be answered under oath, known as interrogatories, as well as requests for production of documents and requests for admissions. Additionally, in a civil action, the defendant/covered person is afforded the right to take depositions of both lay and expert witnesses. Under HISA’s adjudication system, the covered person’s rights to serve discovery and/or depose witnesses, lay or expert, have been taken away and denied. And, if the HISA-selected arbitrator or panel of arbitrators decides, as has been done in previous cases, to utilize the World AntiDoping Code rather than the Federal Rules of Evidence, the covered person’s ability to dispute and contest the qualifications and testimony of HIWU’s experts is significantly restricted. These rules create an unlevel playing field for adjudication of alleged EAD violations.

The arbitrator or arbitral body is required to issue a decision within 14 days of the completion of arbitration. If the decision is adverse, the covered person may appeal the decision of the arbitrator to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).

The appeal, known as a request for review under HISA, even if filed in a timely manner, does not guarantee a review by the FTC. Such a review is discretionary.

If the FTC decides not to approve the request for review, the arbitrator’s decision is final, and the next step is an appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals.

As stated earlier, the HISA adjudication system provides for arbitration but not trial by jury. The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, the same court that will decide the National HBPA’s constitutional challenge regarding HISA, has ruled that one facing a monetary penalty is entitled to a trial by jury (Securities and Exchange Commission v. Jarkesy, 22-859, 5th Cir.). Those challenging HISA are optimistic this same court and the U.S. Supreme Court will rule HISA unconstitutional. HJ

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JIM MCCUE/MARYLAND JOCKEY CLUB PHOTO

Commentary: The 60 Minutes Fallout

By Ed Martin

THE 60 MINUTES PIECE SUPERFICIALLY DELVED INTO BREAKDOWNS AT CHURCHILL DOWNS AND PIMLICO RACE COURSE (ABOVE), WITH HISA’S LISA LAZARUS ASKED IF “DRUGS HAD ANYTHING TO DO WITH THESE DEATHS.” LAZARUS HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO SAY THAT NO DRUGS WERE IDENTIFIED IN THE INJURED HORSES BUT DID NOT, INSTEAD SAYING “NOW THAT WE HAVE CONTROL OVER ALL OF IT, I’M CONFIDENT WE CAN DO OUR JOB.”

Continued from page 39

The remaining suspensions were for clenbuterol, a Food and Drug Administration-approved bronchodilator; a naturally occurring substance, diisopropylamine, also known as vitamin B15; and two common environmental contaminants, methylphenidate (Ritalin) and venlafaxine (Effexor). Estimated levels of these substances were not provided by HISA, but based on experience with the levels from previous cases, the levels are likely to be very low.

So, of 33 suspensions referenced by Vega in the 60 Minutes segment, a small handful might represent attempts to dope but are more likely associated with inadvertent environmental exposure. The majority of these suspensions are due to inadvertent transfer from the environment beyond the control of the horsemen. Extended suspensions and excessive fines will not clean up this problem because trainers simply cannot control inadvertent environmental transfer.

Vega’s implication that HISA is just starting to clean up horse racing and Lazarus’s statement that “it is going to take a long, long time to clean it up” are a little misleading. A simple phone call to Eric Hamelback, CEO of the National HBPA, would have cleared all this up for Vega.

There is no way to know what drove the 60 Minutes segment, but Vega clearly had no intention of providing a balanced story. In interviews that occurred after the segment’s airing, even Janney and Lazarus have suggested that they were taken out of context.

Nonetheless, Janney and Lazarus must take ownership of the poorly rolled out HISA medication regulations and the perception of our industry. The mere fact that 33 suspensions for violations that fail to rise to the level of intentional doping have occurred since the medication regulations have been in place reflects poorly thought-out regulations.

Even HISA has acknowledged its ill-conceived penalty structure by adjusting the classifications and penalties after lives and reputations have been destroyed. Most of the problems could have been averted had the organization simply read the HBPA/North American Association of Racetrack Veterinarians submission, first to HISA and then to the Federal Trade Commission, in which the deficiencies in the regulations were detailed.

Janney and Lazarus allowed Vega’s characterization of the Thoroughbred industry as “institutionally corrupted” to go unchallenged, which is perhaps the worst part of their contributions to the segment. Our unelected leaders need to wake up and realize that we need each other for there to be any path forward.

Imposing their will unilaterally on the industry will only destroy it. HJ

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The 60 Minutes report in mid-November underscores why 68 percent of the American people have no or little trust in the legacy media anymore according to an assessment by Gallup in October. Having once worked with Mike Wallace on a piece years ago, it is sad to see his journalistic descendants fail so miserably.

I had a couple of lengthy conversations and email exchanges with line producers working for CBS correspondent Cecilia Vega on this report some time ago. I was shocked to learn that they had already taped interviews in July before they had even requested the information and records they requested of me. In other words, the story was already written before the facts came in.

Upon watching, one would think the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) has not been in charge of racetrack and equine safety for well over a year now. When asked about the breakdown problem, HISA CEO Lisa Lazarus’s response was lame at best one year after being in charge. Excuse me, but “HISA is here, and now we’re going to address it” shouldn’t even cut it for a first-year journalism student.

When asked if drugs had anything to do with the deaths at Churchill Downs, saying, “That’s a good question,” doesn’t cut it either, especially since HISA’s investigation has since concluded and made no such claim. Mike Wallace certainly would have asked about PETA’s assessment of the HISA review as “disgraceful, incompetent.”

The piece started with Vega reporting that the Justice Department is winding down its investigation. Yet three years ago, Stuart Janney promised more indictments that never came. There’s a reason why the FBI doesn’t confirm or deny what they work on.

Did those public statements undercut an investigation the same way the NBA commissioner’s office undercut the FBI investigation into crooked referees as reported by investigative sports journalist Tim Livingston? I guess we will never know for sure.

The 60 Minutes piece provided no new information and ignored pertinent facts. When queried about the piece by a longtime friend who formerly worked at CBS News, I expressed frustration at its lack of substance, especially since they had all sorts of up-to-date information.

The response via text said it all: “In my experience, stories on off-the-radar topics such as horse racing often originate with someone in a position of power pushing a particular narrative to well-connected news VPs, who, if they find it intriguing, send it down the food chain to the production units. But if the reporter comes back with a different story than the higher-ups envisioned, it breeds tension, embarrassment and might even lead to job insecurity.”

My reaction to the piece is sadness in that there’s not a better story to tell yet for racing and that this is yet another example of why more and more people no longer accept what they are being told on television.

Ed Martin is president and chief executive officer of the Association of Racing Commissioners International. In addition to his role at RCI, Martin worked for a decade as a U.S. Senate press secretary with extensive interactions with national news organizations and personnel.

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LOUISE REINAGEL

A Day in the Life Giving Horses the Right Start

By Jen Roytz

S

tarting young Thoroughbreds under saddle is more than just one in a series of steps toward their first race.

It is about giving them the foundational lessons and coping mechanisms to handle a wide variety of environments, handlers and scenarios and honing their competitive nature into ontrack talent, giving them the best possible chance to reach their racing potential.

KINSMAN FARM IN FLORIDA SPECIALIZES PARTIALLY OR EXCLUSIVELY ON DEVELOPING THOROUGHBRED YEARLINGS AND NEWLY TURNED 2-YEAR-OLDS FOR PUBLIC AUCTION AND FOR THE RACETRACK.

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LOUISE REINAGEL

While there are nearly as many ways to start horses under saddle as there are farms that do it, for many in the Thoroughbred industry, long gone are the Wild West-style days of simply throwing a rider up and having them ride out the bucks to “break a horse in.” Rather, horses are introduced to the idea of accepting a rider and working with them as their pilot, which is as much about the physical work involved as it is about horse psychology.

Kinsman Farm in Ocala, Florida, is one of many operations that specialize partially or exclusively in developing Thoroughbred yearlings and newly turned 2-year-olds, both for the 2-year-old sales and for the racetrack. There, young horses are treated as individuals and develop incrementally through a step-bystep process that prepares them for all that lies ahead.

Get To Know Emily Dawson, Farm Trainer, Kinsman Farm Hometown

Shaker Heights, Ohio

Education

University of New Hampshire (B.S., Equine Science and Sports Medicine)

Family

Gabriel DeJesus (fiancé)

Notable horses started

Princess Grace (millionaire and multiple group/graded stakes winner in the U.S. and Europe), Spirit Prince (stakes winner and graded stakes-placed in 2023), Catnip (Grade 3 winner and Grade 1-placed in 2023), Bye Bye (Grade 3 winner), Strong Quality (threetime allowance winner in 2023), Pandagate (won career debut by 9 lengths at Belmont at the Big A in October 2023)

Favorite part of your job

I love climbing on my pony and watching the sunrise as a set of horses jogs off. I am so thankful to Jessica Steinbrenner [president of Kinsman Farm] and her family and Kevin Adler [Kinsman chief financial officer and director of racing] for the opportunity to train horses on this majestic farm.

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PREPARING HORSES FOR THE TRACK …

AND FOR LIFE

Founded in 1969 by the late George Steinbrenner and his wife, Joan, Kinsman Farm is situated on 750 acres of prime land in Ocala’s horse country and each year plays home to approximately 40 or more young Thoroughbreds as they are started under saddle.

Overseeing that process is Emily Dawson, the farm’s trainer and a lifelong equestrian. Originally from the hunter/jumper world, Dawson fell in love with horse racing early on, thanks to visits to Thistledown, Keeneland Race Course and other regional racetracks with her father, but she never thought of the industry as a career pursuit.

After graduating from the University of New Hampshire with a degree in equine science and sports medicine, Dawson worked for several sport horse outfits in New Hampshire and Wellington, Florida, including for Olympian and seasoned international competitor Laura Kraut and at Groton House Farm, where she first discovered her talent and passion for starting and developing young horses.

“They had three-day event horses, and most of them were ThoroughbredWarmblood crosses that were started at age 3,” said the 51-year-old Dawson.

“By the time we started the breaking process, they were big, strong animals, so we spent a lot of time with them in the round pen and a lot of time line-driving to really get a good foundation on them before we ever sat on them.”

Dawson moved to Ocala in 1999 and became friends with Thoroughbred trainer and equestrian Kaye Prough. The two rode together often, and through Prough, Dawson met several people who would change the trajectory of her career.

“Kaye introduced me to Clyde Rice, the father of New York-based trainer Linda Rice,” Dawson said. “The first time I met Clyde at his Indian Prairie Ranch, he gently laid down a 2-year-old Quarter Horse he was starting. The young gelding laid there and ate grass, relaxed and comfortable, until Clyde asked him to get up. From my background in hunter/jumpers, it was truly the coolest thing I’d ever seen a horseman do. Kaye and I often rode at Prairie Ranch with Clyde, and I became interested in the Thoroughbred breaking and training world.”

She soon found herself working with Prough’s daughter, respected Thoroughbred conditioner Jill Stephens, learning her style of starting young horses destined for racing and eventually becoming her assistant trainer.

“I learned an incredible amount working for them, but when the Kinsman position as head trainer opened up, it was the right opportunity at the right time to take that next big step in my career,” she said.

For the past eight years, Dawson has overseen all aspects of the farm’s training division, which includes yearlings that are sent to the farm in the fall

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LOUISE REINAGEL

EMILY DAWSON OVERSEES KINSMAN FARM’S TRAINING DIVISION, WHICH EMPLOYS SEVEN FULL-TIME RIDERS AND FEATURES FIVE BARNS, A THREE-QUARTERMILE RACETRACK, ELECTRIC STARTING GATE, MULTIPLE ROUND PENS, PADDOCKS AND PASTURES FOR TURNOUT AND RIDING TRAILS THAT WIND THROUGHOUT THE PROPERTY.

LOUISE REINAGEL

and winter months for breaking and also layup horses who come to the farm for rehabilitation or refreshening.

Kinsman employs seven full-time riders under Dawson and provides her and her team with a variety of training tools and environments, including five barns, a three-quarter-mile racetrack, an electric starting gate, multiple round pens, numerous paddocks and pastures for turnout and riding trails that wind throughout the property.

They work with some of the leading trainers in the country to start young horses or bring horses back after layoffs, including Bill Mott and Christophe Clement.

“I worked with Christophe back when I was with Jill [Stephens], and he started sending me horses when I started this role with Kinsman,” she said. “He and Bill both are great to work with.”

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It is important not to force things and treat each horse as an individual. We have three riders whose specialty are those first few weeks of driving and riding.

EM ILY D AW S ON

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LOUISE REINAGEL

EMILY DAWSON AND HER TEAM GROUP HORSES INTO SETS BASED ON WHERE THEY STAND IN THE TRAINING PROCESS AND ALSO TRY TO MATCH UP PERSONALITIES THAT FIT BEST. DAWSON ESCORTS EACH SET HEADING TO TRAIN ABOARD HER SEASONED TRACK PONY.

A DAY (OR 180) IN THE LIFE Each fall, young racing prospects, thoughtfully bred and carefully raised, arrive at Kinsman Farm full of promise and potential to begin their formative training. For those that have spent the past 90 or more days in sales-prep programs and cycled through the various North American yearling auctions, their first few weeks at the farm are a respite from a regimented training routine.

For those that bypassed the sales scene, their first few weeks offer a gradual introduction to a more structured schedule.

“We think of October 1 as the unofficial beginning to breaking season,” Dawson said. “Sometimes when they come from the sale, they can be so fit or wound up mentally. We try to give them a chance to get acclimated to their new surroundings and environment in those first few weeks.”

While horses in full sales prep or at the racetrack are inside for the majority of the day, Dawson and her team try to keep them outside as much as possible.

They come in from their paddocks and pastures at 6 a.m., going into their assigned stalls, and are handled by the same groom each day before heading back outside around 1 p.m.

“Little things like that help them to settle in and gain a sense of familiarity,” Dawson said.

Once the horses have settled in, Dawson and her team take a gradual approach to the initial starting and breaking process, making each training

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session short and easy and allowing each horse to progress at its own pace.

“The first day we just use a headstall and a rope and teach them to turn in the stall; the next day you might add a surcingle,” Dawson said. “Some might be ready to go outside to the round pen by the second or third day, while others may need a few days of just putting equipment on, turning them around in the stall and leading them around the shedrow.”

Once the horses go to the round pen, they begin learning to free lunge and line drive, the latter allowing them to learn the cues a rider might give with their hands through the reins and bit or with their legs against the horse’s sides.

“We try to accomplish things step by step, progressing from one step to the next based on what each horse is comfortable with, and try to avoid the explosion factor,” Dawson said. “The flip side of that is that they are a lot smarter than we give them credit for, and we need to keep things interesting and not let them get bored. When they understand a concept, it’s time to move on to the next step.”

Once a horse demonstrates a clear understanding of moving forward, turning and stopping with driving lines, it is time to introduce a rider. On the first day, that involves one person holding the horse and a rider bellying up on the horse’s back while the horse stands, walks forward and turns around the stall. If all goes well, the next day they’ll do it again and add on by having the rider swing their leg over and sit up.

If the horse seems intimidated by a person bellying up on their back, the rider might bounce up and down next to the horse on both sides and gently slap the stirrup leathers against the sides of the saddle to desensitize the horse to having someone at their sides before approaching the bellying up process again.

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“It is important not to force things and treat each horse as an individual,” Dawson said. “We have three riders whose specialty are those first few weeks of driving and riding. Each has a little different style, but they all know when the horse is or isn’t ready for the next step in the process based on what they’re feeling and seeing.”

Dawson and her team group the horses into sets based on where they are in the process and also try to pair them based on their personalities, putting more excitable or insecure horses with those that are steadier and more confident. Dawson escorts each set aboard her seasoned track pony.

“The pony gives them a lot of confidence as well, especially as we progress to taking them out in the fields and on trails,” she said. “Some horses need to spend more time with the pony than others, and some need to be hooked to the pony for their first few times out in an open field or on trails, but that’s OK. Horses progress at different paces, and it’s our job to give them what they need to work through anything they find scary.”

Once they are comfortable riding in groups, Dawson and her team start incorporating the training track into their routine, rotating going to the track some days and trail riding or working in the fields on other days.

“We have a lot of different places to ride, and that is one of the best aspects of our facility,” she said. “From starting them in the round pens and shedrows to riding in paddocks and fields, on the track and trail riding through trees, under Spanish moss and around the pond, there is a lot of variety for them to see, and they just like exploring.”

Dawson prefers having five to six months with a young horse to put a solid foundation on them mentally and physically.

“If they get here close to October 1, we like to see them head to the racetrack around May 1, usually with a few short, easy breezes in them,” she said. “It really depends on the trainers you’re sending them to though as well as the horse. If they’re going to a training center as opposed to a racetrack, they might go a little earlier, or if they look like they’re going to be a really precocious 2-year-old.”

On the flip side of that traditional timeline, explained Dawson, are the horses that might need more than the average amount of time. The training process is not always linear, and there are some horses, for any number of reasons, that are well-served by having a break or several breaks during the process.

“Sometimes you notice that things are just getting hard for one and not the others, or sometimes they get a bit too forward and keen too quickly,” Dawson said. “I try to take stock of their demeanor. Are they getting abnormally sweaty

or anxious about things that in theory shouldn’t be that hard or acting sour when being asked to work or go forward? I try to figure out if this is their personality or is something bothering them. Are they going through a growth spurt? Is their stomach bothering them? Are they uncomfortable somewhere? Then we make the appropriate adjustments.”

Dawson said the solution sometimes is as simple as changing the rider or giving them veterinary or gastrointestinal support. Other times giving them a break from training refreshes them both physically and mentally.

“When they get time off, we keep them on the same routine, coming in and going out [from turnout] with the rest of their group and getting groomed, but they don’t work them,” Dawson said. “It’s amazing how much many of them can mature both mentally and physically with that time off.”

MENTAL VS. PHYSICAL Starting horses under saddle is as much a mental exercise as a physical one. Being able to read the nuances in a horse’s body language and demeanor can make all the difference in how they develop during their formative months and years of training. That goes for not only Dawson and her riders but the grooms as well.

“I really feel like the grooms’ care and interaction with the horses is equally as important as the riding and training,” Dawson said.

While they try to give each horse a wide breadth and depth of experiences before sending them to the track, they are also careful not to do too much with them and risk burnout or unnecessary behavioral problems.

Training sessions are kept short, and horses only train Monday through Friday, giving them the weekends to mentally and physically absorb and process what’s been worked on that week.

“The most important part [when starting horses under saddle] is the mental aspect,” Dawson said. “I don’t think that getting them broke means getting them tired. When horses get too tired, they can do weird things to try to get out of doing what you’re asking them to do. You want to make them eager to learn and work.”

Sometimes that means not always ending a session on a good note.

“Horses have good days and bad days, and sometimes it’s better to just put them away and try again tomorrow,” Dawson said. “Sometimes people make the mistake of trying too hard to get it right. You don’t want to allow yourself to get frustrated, and you don’t want the horse to get frustrated.” HJ

Starting horses under saddle is as much a mental exercise as a physical one.

Being able to read the nuances in a horse’s body language and demeanor can make all the difference in how they develop during their formative months and years of training.

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THE HORSEMEN’S JOURNAL

WINTER 2023

LOUISE REINAGEL

EMILY DAWSON EMPHASIZES THAT IF YOU BUILD TRUST WITH HORSES, “THEY WILL DO ANYTHING FOR YOU” DURING AND AFTER THE BREAKING PROCESS.

WHAT MAKES SOMEONE GOOD AT STARTING YOUNG HORSES UNDER SADDLE? In the same way it takes a certain set of skills to excel as a jockey or breeze rider or even a barrel racer, dressage rider or show jumper, there are certain key elements that make a rider well suited to starting young horses under saddle.

“When you’re riding babies, it’s about guiding them rather than forcing them,” said Emily Dawson, farm trainer at Kinsman Farm in Ocala, Florida. “You’re guiding them with your legs, working them from your legs into your hands. The best riders of young horses have really soft hands.”

Aside from being “sticky,” meaning they will not get loose in the tack or come off when horses get fractious or spook, a rider must be able to remain calm and unemotional when a horse gets excited, anxious or scared.

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“Good riders know when to ask more of a horse and when to back off,” Dawson said. “It’s reading the horse. Horses want to be your friend.

Build that trust and they will do anything for you. Break that trust and you will have a big project on your hands.”

Another quality Dawson looks for in both her riders and her grooms is a true love and respect for horses.

“The best riders are kind and assertive,” she said. “It’s very important to be able to correct a horse and then leave it alone. Don’t pick at it. Riders and grooms must have compassion for the animals.”

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FEATURE

TRADITION OF SUCCESS Since 1973, Race Track Industry Program graduates have been united by passion – for the horse, for racing, for making their own mark. This passion and drive connects them long after the degree has been earned and careers have been launched.

From winning Triple Crowns to running racetracks, managing bloodstock enterprises to calling races, RTIP alumni are leading the industry.

Become a part of this legacy.

Horsephotos.com

Race Track Industry Program | ua-rtip.org

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

NEWS

ALABAMA HBPA Alabama-Bred Races Off and Running Two new $50,000 Alabama-bred races were run at Louisiana Downs this past summer with sponsorship from the Birmingham Racing Commission.

Kent Gremmels’ homebred Uncle Brad won the first running of the $50,000 Alabama Stakes June 24. Zadar, owned and bred by Belinda Hubbell, finished second, with Unaffiliated, owned and bred by Laurie Sanderson and Nanette Cartier, third.

On August 19, Diane Harrington’s Fired Up Tiger won the first running of the $50,000 Alabama Cotton State Stakes—not to be confused with the Alabama HBPA-sponsored Ken Cotton allowance. Foolish Steve, bred by Jerry Hughes and owned by Winalot Racing, finished second, and Liken It, bred by Kent Gremmels and owned by Jason Grudzien, finished third.

The 13th running of the $50,000 Magic City Classic was slated for December 8 at Fair Grounds.

If you are running an Alabama-bred in open company races and have not already sent paperwork to receive the supplemental purse funds, please do so before year-end. These are additional funds for Alabama-breds that finish on the board in an open company race. If you need information or the paperwork, please contact Nancy Delony at (205) 612-1999 or email nancy.m.delony@ ms.com.

The Alabama HBPA is pleased to be able to pay out supplemental funds in addition to the added-money purse funds paid to horses running at the four Louisiana racetracks.

As we close out 2023, we wish all a prosperous racing year in 2024.

Nancy M. Delony Alabama HBPA Executive Director

ARKANSAS HBPA Oaklawn Winter Meeting Underway Oaklawn Park’s 2023–24 season kicked off Friday, December 8, and continues for 66 racing days through the first Saturday in May 2024. Racing will generally be Friday through Sunday throughout the season, but Thursdays will be added to the racing calendar in parts of March and April. There also will be two Monday cards—New Year’s Day and Presidents’ Day, February 19.

Purse distribution for the 2023–24 season is set for $60 million. That will be a $10 million or 20 percent increase over last season’s record-setting $50 million distribution. Average daily purses will top $900,000. At the start of the season, purses for allowance races were $140,000 to $145,000, maiden special weights were $115,000, and the minimum purse on any race was $30,000.

Oaklawn and the Arkansas HBPA again will offer participation bonuses to owners and trainers. Owners will receive $200 for every starter during the season. Trainers will receive $250 for any starter that does not finish first, second or third.

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Medical Clinic Hours The Arkansas HBPA Medical Clinic will be open every Tuesday and Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. for trainers and their employees. A chiropractor will be in the clinic every Thursday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Walmsley Honored at Kickoff Banquet Bill Walmsley, president of the Arkansas HBPA, received the Jack Van Berg Horse Racing Award during the 16th annual Oaklawn Kick-Off Banquet hosted by the North Little Rock Chamber of Commerce at the Wyndham Riverfront Hotel.

The November 29 event was presented by Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort in partnership with Frank Fletcher Racing, CJRW, Mainstream Technologies, CHI St. Vincent, Little Rock Coaches, Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas and North Little Rock Economic Development.

Oaklawn Pegs Dinerman as Next Announcer The Oaklawn Jockey Club hired Matt Dinerman as the track announcer for the 2023–24 meeting that started December 8. Dinerman, 31, comes to Hot Springs following a six-year stint as the track announcer at Golden Gate Fields in Northern California.

“I’m honored to be selected for such a prestigious role, following in the footsteps of some very talented announcers,” said Dinerman. “Oaklawn has tremendous racing with great field sizes, outstanding connections, top-quality horses and great purses. I look forward to my interaction with an enthusiastic and knowledgeable fan base and being part of the Oaklawn family.”

A native of San Diego and graduate of Chapman University, Dinerman grew up attending races at Del Mar Thoroughbred Club. While in high school, he worked as a stablehand for trainer John Sadler and later served as part of the Del Mar publicity department. In 2015, he was hired as the track announcer at Emerald Downs in Auburn, Washington, becoming one of the sport’s youngest announcers. Dinerman said calling the 2021 El Camino Real Derby at Golden Gate Fields, won by eventual Preakness Stakes winner Rombauer, is among his career highlights.

“We are excited to welcome Matt Dinerman to our racing team at Oaklawn,” said Wayne Smith, Oaklawn’s general manager. “He brings a passion and highenergy style to the announcer’s booth that builds anticipation at each turn and reaches an exciting climax down the stretch and across the finish line. Oaklawn fans will be entertained and informed by Matt’s style.”

Dinerman also has worked in racing media, having served as a television racing analyst and as a blogger by posting race analysis, making selections and offering wagering strategies.

CHARLES TOWN HBPA Charles Town Celebrates 90 Years of Racing The headline of Daily Racing Form from December 4, 1933, announced, “New Track at Charles Town Opens.”

“Racing was given a hearty welcome in West Virginia today at the opening of the twenty-day meeting of the Shenandoah Valley Jockey Club. The delightful little course was still unfinished, but all comforts and conveniences for the big THE HORSEMEN’S JOURNAL

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AFFILIATE NEWS

COURTESY OF KEENELAND & CHARLES TOWN HBPA

In January 1969, Barbara Jo Rubin was supposed to ride at Tropical Park in Florida for her debut, but male jockeys threatened to boycott the track if Rubin raced. After a brick was thrown through the window of a trailer that served as Rubin’s changing room, she withdrew from that race but not from racing. On February 22, 1969, 19-year-old Rubin became the first female jockey to win a race at an American Thoroughbred track when she rode Cohesion to victory in the ninth race at Charles Town.

As a teenager, Sylvia Rideoutt Bishop started grooming horses and, after learning to ride, came to the track in the early morning to exercise horses. After years of experience working with Thoroughbreds, Bishop decided to go to the next level. Just SYLVIA RIDEOUTT BISHOP before the start of World War II, she received her trainer’s license, and in 1961, Ebony magazine recognized Bishop as the first African American female Thoroughbred trainer not only at the Charles Town track but in the United States.

Now, 90 years after its opening day, Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races is celebrating the event with an evening of racing honoring the winners of inaugural races and the future of racing in the state.

West Virginia Breeders’ Classics Coastal Mission cruised to a 5 3/4-length win in the 1 1/8-mile, $300,000 Sam Huff West Virginia Breeders’ Classic Stakes, the headline event on the October 14 West Virginia Breeders’ Classics Night.

A 4-year-old Great Notion gelding trained by Jeff Runco and bred and raced

by Coleswood Farm, Coastal Mission recorded his sixth straight victory and eighth win in nine outings this year.

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COASTAL MISSION RUNS HIS RECORD TO 8-FOR-9 IN 2023 WITH A VICTORY IN THE SAM HUFF WEST VIRGINIA BREEDERS’ CLASSIC STAKES. COADY PHOTOGRAPHY

COURTESY OF EBONY

BARBARA JO RUBIN

COADY PHOTOGRAPHY

crowd were provided and excellent sport was witnessed,” the accompanying article began, and so did a legacy of Thoroughbred racing in the small West Virginia town.

From the early days of racing at Charles Town, when special trains ran from Baltimore and Washington, D.C., and races wouldn’t start until the trains arrived, through the founding of the West Virginia Breeders’ Classics and the Charles Town Classics, racing has been an integral part of the community, with many of the descendants of the early horsemen continuing in racing through the generations.

Racing history also was made here by Barbara Jo Rubin and Sylvia Bishop.

“He had really been training great coming into this,” Runco said. “I trained him a mile, and he got the last 3 furlongs in 36 seconds, so I knew he was ready.

But until you run, you never know. He just does everything so easily. He just tends to glide over the track.”

“It’s really been exciting watching him win these races,” added Susan Runco. “His family has always been really good sprinters. So, we were asking him to do something different. But he has so much natural early speed. When he made the lead in those fractions, I knew he was going to be tough to beat.”

Winners of the West Virginia Breeders’ Classics races: Sam Huff West Virginia Breeders’ Classic Stakes—Coastal Mission Trainer: Jeff C. Runco Owner/Breeder: Coleswood Farm Inc. Jockey: Arnaldo Bocachica West Virginia Cavada Breeders’ Classic Stakes—Hessica Trainer/Breeder: Kristy Petty Owner: KP Racing Stables LLC Jockey: Antonio Lopez

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NEWS West Virginia Triple Crown Nutrition Breeders’ Classic Stakes— Direct the Cat Trainer/Owner: Cynthia E. McKee Breeder: John D. McKee Jockey: Reshawn Latchman West Virginia Lottery Breeders’ Classic Stakes—Juba’s Hat Trick Trainer: Ronald G. Sigler Owner: Casey’s Legacy LLC Breeder: Taylor Mountain Farm Jockey: Gustavo Larrosa West Virginia Vincent Moscarelli Memorial Breeders’ Classic Stakes— Jubawithatwist Trainer: Kristy Petty Owner: KP Racing Stables LLC Breeder: John Casey Jockey: Gustavo Larrosa West Virginia Dash for Cash Breeders’ Classic Stakes Presented by ROCKWOOL—Penguin Power Trainer: Jeff C. Runco Owner: David M. Raim Breeder: John D. McKee Jockey: Arnaldo Bocachica West Virginia Thoroughbred Breeders Association Onion Juice Breeders’ Classic Stakes—No Change Trainer/Owner: Cynthia E. McKee Breeder: John D. McKee Jockey: Marshall Mendez West Virginia Roger Ramey Breeders Classic Distaff Stakes Presented by Beau Ridge Farm—Someday Is Today Trainer: Anthony Farrior Owner: Andrew N. Warren Breeder: Schiano Racing Inc. and Carpe Diem Syndicate Jockey: Arnaldo Bocachica West Virginia Department of Tourism Breeders’ Classic Stakes— Jubaslilballerina Trainer: Ronald G. Sigler Owner: Casey’s Legacy LLC Breeder: Taylor Mountain Farm Jockey: Gustavo Larrosa

ILLINOIS HBPA Autumn Highlights at FanDuel Sportsbook and Horse Racing This year’s annual golf tournament, held every August, was a blast. The tournament had 21 teams of four turn out for an afternoon of off-track fun and

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camaraderie. The tournament was followed by a diner catered by Ravanelli’s, a local favorite Italian restaurant.

In September, the Illinois HBPA sponsored a “Take Pride in the Backside” contest to encourage everyone to roll up their sleeves and clear up around the barns, and the event was a success. Every participant received $100 for paint and supplies, and nearly everyone on the backside took part. It wasn’t easy to pick winners because everyone did a fantastic job of cleaning, painting and decorating their barns. A panel of judges, including track personnel and HBPA board members, cast their votes, and five trainers won $500 each for their beautification efforts. Congratulations to Lori Plasters and her son Justin Plasters, Mike and Jody Durham, Rhonda Thurman, Kenny Jansen and David Williams.

The annual Du Quoin Fall Classic race meet was held October 12 at the Du Quoin State Fairgrounds in Du Quoin, Illinois. A huge crowd turned out for 13 races worth $220,000 in purses on the card, which was called by Jimmy Watkins Jr. FanDuel Sportsbook and Horse Racing hosted Illinois Day, celebrating Illinois-breds with a 10-race card worth $300,000 in purses on November 7. The card featured two stakes for 2-year-olds, each worth $50,000—the Jim Edgar Illinois Futurity Stakes and Pat Whitworth Illinois Debutante Stakes. Owner/ breeder Shellye Essenpreis and trainer Eddie Essenpreis sent out Jack Sprat to win the Futurity; it was the couple’s second consecutive win in the race. Trainer Michele Boyce won the Debutante with Rumbrandt for owner/breeder S.D. Brilie Ltd. Partnership. A record crowd turned out for a beautiful day of racing, and the track posted a handle of more than $1 million.

The meet wrapped up November 18. Scott Becker, who recorded 60 wins from 204 starts with 44 seconds and 27 thirds, earned Trainer of the Year honors. Jockey of the Year went to Reynier Arrieta, who had 82 wins in 331 starts with 58 seconds and 57 thirds. Two horses tied for Horse of the Year honors—Triple Scout and Go Madi Go. Owned by Dive Bar Dreamers LLC and trained by Ralph Martinez, Triple Scout won seven of 10 starts and earned $66,150. Go Madi Go, owned by the Estate of Ken Hutchens LLC and trained by Lori Plasters, won five of eight starts and earned $92,880.

We recognize and congratulate them for their amazing achievements.

As a fantastic 2023 comes to a close, we look forward to the 2024 meeting with great anticipation. We have 31 weeks of racing and 62 racing dates on the schedule, from Tuesday, April 16, through Saturday, November 16.

IOWA HBPA One Meet Ends, Iowa HBPA Prepares for Another As Prairie Meadows works on upgrades and improvements to the backside, the Iowa HBPA is preparing for the 2024 racing season.

The 80-day meeting will begin the second weekend in May, with only Thoroughbreds running for the first six weeks, followed by Thoroughbreds and Quarter Horses racing until the meet’s conclusion, which is tentatively scheduled for September 28.

Dates for the Festival of Racing and Classic Night, which highlight Iowabreds, are still to be determined, but the Iowa HBPA continues to engage with Prairie Meadows to ensure optimal placement of those events.

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AFFILIATE NEWS As of late November, the Iowa HBPA felt confident in holding a strong race season for 2024 with purses comparable to previous years. The Iowa HBPA also felt confident that the actions taken in 2023 will provide the stability and quality purses horsemen expect and deserve for racing in the state.

Aside from national meetings, conventions and major holidays, our office is open Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. You can also reach Jon or Michelle in the office at (515) 967-4804.

KENTUCKY HBPA Reason for Optimism in Kentucky The Kentucky HBPA heads into 2024 with a lot of optimism with our new young and enthusiastic executive director and record purses at Turfway Park.

In November, the Kentucky HBPA board hired 32-year-old Alex Foley to be only the second permanent executive director for the organization, following the retirement of Marty Maline after almost 47 years in the post. I knew Alex’s grandpa, the late owner/trainer/breeder Dravo Foley, for many years, and Alex’s dad, Greg, and I have competed against each other for more than 40 years.

Alex’s older brother, Travis, is a Kentucky HBPA board member, and I watched the Foley boys grow up.

Alex, who worked as an assistant trainer to Greg, is a University of Louisville Law School graduate and has a degree in business management from Bellarmine University, which he attended on a golf scholarship. We look forward to Alex bringing a fresh perspective and business acumen, and he has promised to revive our Instagram account with content. We also like our chances if there’s an HBPA executive directors’ golf scramble.

The minimum purse for the 20 stakes at Turfway Park’s 2023 holiday and 2024 winter-spring meet is $125,000, including Kentucky Thoroughbred Development Fund money. There will be at least one stakes every Saturday during the meet. That includes six on March 25, highlighted by the $700,000, Grade 3 Jeff Ruby Steaks and with the other stakes worth at least $250,000.

Maiden special weights again will be $70,000, including KTDF money. That surpasses Santa Anita Park and Del Mar ($61,000) and Gulfstream Park for nonFlorida-breds ($60,000) and is a few American dollars more than Woodbine for non-Ontario-breds. The average daily purse level offered for the 20-day holiday meet is $384,700.

Turfway Park’s stable area already is full, and Churchill Downs’ Trackside training center is expected to be at capacity all winter. A number of Kentucky trainers who traditionally have wintered in Florida, Louisiana or Arkansas are starting a Kentucky winter operation or increasing their current one. Among the new trainers with stalls at Turfway will be Tom Amoss, Josie Carroll, Phil D’Amato, Kelsey Danner and Cherie DeVaux.

But the optimism is tempered by the onerous regulations put on us by HISA and HIWU, with little regard for science or what is actually good for the horse. With no reason other than they can, the private corporation HISA and its henchman HIWU are piling regulation upon regulation and snuffing out horsemanship. They are increasingly telling us how and when we can train our horses. Their medication policies are hurting our horses, and I believe it’s why we’ve been seeing so many breakdowns and strung-out fields. No other professional athlete is denied, for all intents and purposes, the judicious use of therapeutic medication.

THE HORSEMEN’S JOURNAL

WINTER 2023

We’re in lockstep with the National HBPA in working to replace HISA with the Racehorse Health and Safety Act, which is everything HISA isn’t— transparent, broad-based, science over window dressing and without the crippling cost of HISA’s duplicative bureaucracy.

We also encourage everyone to email 60 Minutes at 60min@cbsnews.com to express your outrage at its completely one-sided, distorted attack piece on our industry on November 12.

There is so much good in horse racing. In 2024, let’s resolve to do all we can to promote the excitement and beauty of horse racing, including the mental challenge of trying to pick who will finish first. But at the same time, we need to keep the pressure on a flawed HISA if we want to truly make our industry better and safer.

Wishing everyone a blessed holiday season and a winning 2024.

Rick Hiles KYHBPA President

The HBPA Is You The HBPA, established in 1940, is an organization of owners and trainers, approximately 40,000 nationally in 23 states and Canada and more than 6,000 in Kentucky. The association is governed by a board of directors consisting of owners and trainers volunteering their time and elected by the membership every three years. The HBPA is committed to working for the betterment of racing on all levels. The HBPA represents owners and trainers on several fronts: • The HBPA negotiates with each racetrack regarding purse structure, equitable share of simulcast revenues, overall track safety, sanitation and security.

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

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

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

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

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

How Can I Join?

You are invited to drop into the HBPA office to meet the staff and learn more about current projects and how you can get involved in helping to improve the industry. There are no membership fees. Remember 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.”

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NEWS

Delta Downs Racetrack & Casino

Fair Grounds Race Course

2023-2024 Race Meets

2023-2024 Race Meets

2717 Delta Downs Dr., Vinton, LA 70668 * 337-589-7441 * www.deltadowns.com

1751 Gentilly Blvd. New Orleans, LA 70119

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2235 Creswell Lane Extension, Opelousas, LA 70570 Toll Free: 866-4-Racing * www.evangelinedowns.com Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri

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THE HORSEMEN’S JOURNAL

WINTER 2023

AFFILIATE NEWS concerning race days or stall applications for any location, please call Lynne McNally at (402) 499-3398.

LOUISIANA HBPA Delta Downs The 2023–24 Thoroughbred meet concludes February 24. Louisiana Premier Day is February 3, featuring almost $900,000 in purses for Louisianabreds. For additional information, contact the Delta Downs racing office at (888) 589-7223.

Evangeline Downs The 2024 Thoroughbred meet is scheduled to begin April 3. Stall applications are due by late February. For additional information, contact the Evangeline Downs racing office at (337) 594-3022.

Fair Grounds The 2023–24 Thoroughbred meet began November 17 and runs through March 24. The 152nd race meet features the track’s largest stakes schedule with more than $9.5 million awarded. With 2023 nearing an end, Fair Grounds will host a final chance for Louisiana-bred juveniles to earn black type in the male and female divisions of the $100,000 Louisiana Futurity December 31.

Following the turn of the calendar into 2024, graded stakes action returns to New Orleans January 20 when Kentucky Derby hopefuls square off in the Grade 3 Lecomte Stakes on a card with five supporting undercard stakes. The “Road to the Kentucky Derby” continues February 17 with the Grade 2 Risen Star Stakes presented by Lamarque Motor Company and concludes March 23 with the Grade 2 Twinspires.com Louisiana Derby. Early-bird nominations for the Louisiana Derby, which include nomination fees for the Lecomte and Risen Star, are due January 1. For more information, contact the racing office at (504) 948-1288.

Louisiana Downs The 2024 Quarter Horse meet begins January 9 and ends March 30. The Louisiana Downs Futurity has a 41 percent increase in nominations over 2023 and will be contested March 30 with an estimated purse of more than $350,000.

The trials for the Futurity will be held March 7. On March 8-9, the trials for the 2024 Mardi Gras Futurity will be held with the estimated $650,000 final also conducted March 30. The estimated $100,000 Mardi Gras Derby and $100,000 Mardi Gras Oaks will be run March 29. For more information, contact the racing office at (318) 741-2511.

NEBRASKA HBPA Commission Approves 2024 Live Dates A total of 53 live racing dates for 2024 have been announced and approved by the Nebraska State Racing and Gaming Commission. Fonner Park will run 31 live days, beginning February 17 and ending May 4. The schedules for the other Thoroughbred tracks have not yet been announced, but the number of days will be Legacy Downs (four), Horsemen’s Park (one), Columbus Exposition and Racing (15) and South Sioux City (Atokad) (two). If there are any questions THE HORSEMEN’S JOURNAL

WINTER 2023

NEW ENGLAND HBPA New England Affiliate Optimistic About New Track The New England Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association (NEHBPA) continues its bid to restore live Thoroughbred racing in Massachusetts more than four years after the final race was run at the iconic Suffolk Downs.

There are signs of hope even after several setbacks forced the oldest horse racing association in the country to go back to the drawing board.

NEHBPA Executive Director Paul Umbrello said that the chapter is working in concert with a seasoned racetrack developer and expects to file an application for a new racetrack within the next few months. Umbrello added that while he cannot provide details on the proposed track’s location, he is more confident now that the process for approval by the local community is moving in the right direction.

“We’ve learned a lot through the process of town meetings about what the local community wants and how our interests overlap with theirs,” Umbrello said. “A Thoroughbred racetrack doesn’t work in every community, but the advantages become clearer when we are talking to folks in rural communities where preservation of farmland for haying and breeding is something they value.”

Approval by the Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC), which is the regulatory agency for all gaming and racing in the state, also is needed, and Umbrello expressed confidence in that process as well.

One incentive for racetrack investors is the $22 million-plus reserved for the Thoroughbred industry through the state’s Race Horse Development Fund that could be used for purse allocation. The Race Horse Development Fund is funded through a percentage of the taxable revenue collected from the lucrative Massachusetts gaming industry, and that total grows every month.

The NEHPBA has successfully lobbied to maintain that account even as some Massachusetts legislators have eyed it for state budget deficit reduction.

“Without a new track for live racing, that funding is always in danger of being stripped and swept into the state budget, so we are working hard to maintain the funds and the benevolence programs that it currently funds,” Umbrello said. “We must start small and go step by step to keep those programs going. That’s the way we’re going to be able to continue the funds to the breeders and continue to pay health and welfare benefits to the horsemen— past, present and future—who need them.”

Umbrello said he has met with the MGC to request that the $22 million-plus be placed into an escrow account for the horsemen.

“There is a follow-up meeting planned for the near future,” he said. “The struggle now is that those legislative simulcasting premiums we feel that are due to us from other facilities are not flowing in, and we fear as the oldest HBPA organization in the country we might lose all funding.”

Those premiums are a critical piece of the NEHBPA budget for administrative costs.

“Nearly five years after the closing of Suffolk Downs, we have been fighting for the resumption of racing and the restoration of the funding that supports our bid,” Umbrello said. “We have a very supportive board and an experienced development partner that we believe will lead us to success in 2024.”

—Lynne Snierson 55

NEWS

OHIO HBPA

A change in tactics led Ryvit to a 2 1/4-length upset victory in the $300,000 Steel Valley Sprint Stakes November 20 at Mahoning Valley Race Course.

Patricia’s Hope LLC’s Back to Ohio ran her career record to eight wins and a second from nine starts when she overcame a stumbling start to score a length victory in the $75,000 First Lady Stakes for Ohio-registered 3-year-old fillies on the Steel Valley undercard.

Back to Ohio, ridden by Jareth Loveberry for trainer Larry Rivelli, won the 6-furlong event in 1:11.76 and boosted her earnings to $377,100.

RYVIT

LIONISTIC

Ryvit entered the 6-furlong Steel Valley on a three-race losing streak after having won his previous three starts in gate-to-wire fashion. In the Steel Valley, jockey Keith Asmussen settled the 11-1 Ryvit well off the early pace in seventh in the field of 10 after the initial quarter-mile in :22.44. Asmussen guided Ryvit wide entering the stretch, and the pair powered past pacesetting 6-5 favorite Damon’s Mound approaching the final sixteenth to win going away in 1:10.65.

Ryvit is trained by Keith’s father, Hall of Famer Steve Asmussen, who was in attendance for the Steel Valley, the premier event of the year at Mahoning Valley.

The victory was Ryvit’s sixth in 12 starts and ran his earnings to $658,484 for owners Bill and Corinne Heiligbrodt. Damon’s Mound easily held second under jockey Junior Alvarado with Super Chow and Emisael Jaramillio third.

Lionistic, the 3-5 favorite taking on males, scored a front-running a 3 3/4-length victory in the $75,000 Cardinal Stakes. Luis Rivera rode the 4-yearold daughter of Animal Kingdom for trainer Jeff Radosevich and owner Mike Annechino. Lionistic won for the ninth time in 20 starts and covered the 6 furlongs in 1:12.

Ryvit Scores in Steel Valley Sprint

CONRAD PHOTOS

CONRAD PHOTOS

CONRAD PHOTOS

2024 Ohio Thoroughbred Racing Dates Set The Ohio State Racing Commission granted the following 2024 Thoroughbred date requests at its November 15 meeting: • Belterra Park—93 racing days April 25 through October 5 with a normal weekly racing schedule of Wednesday through Saturday • Thistledown—100 racing days April 22 through October 10 with a normal weekly schedule of Monday through Thursday with five Saturdays of racing • Mahoning Valley Race Course—100 racing days January 1 through April 19; fall meet October 19 through December 31; a normal weekly schedule of Monday through Thursday While the stakes schedule for 2024 has not been finalized by the racing commission, tentative dates for the 2024 Best of Ohio series are Belterra Park on Friday, June 7; Thistledown on Saturday, August 10; and Mahoning Valley on Saturday, October 26.

BACK TO OHIO

56

THE HORSEMEN’S JOURNAL

WINTER 2023

AFFILIATE NEWS THOROUGHBRED RACING ASSOCIATION OF OKLAHOMA

DUSTIN ORONA PHOTOGRAPHY/REMINGTON PARK

Ghost Hero Shines on Oklahoma Classics Night

DUSTIN ORONA PHOTOGRAPHY/REMINGTON PARK

GHOST HERO WINS THE OKLAHOMA CLASSICS CUP AT REMINGTON PARK UNDER FLOYD WETHEY JR.

DUSTIN ORONA PHOTOGRAPHY/REMINGTON PARK

DICEY TAKES THE OKLAHOMA CLASSICS DISTAFF SPRINT UNDER HARRY HERNANDEZ.

RUN SLEWPY RUN (4) HOLDS OFF DRENCHED TO WIN THE OKLAHOMA CLASSICS DISTAFF TURF. JOCKEY STEWART ELLIOTT WAS UP FOR THE SCORE.

THE HORSEMEN’S JOURNAL

WINTER 2023

Ghost Hero returned to his Remington Park stakes-winning ways October 20 with a victory in the biggest race of the Oklahoma Classics Night program—the $131,000 Oklahoma Classics Cup Stakes.

Norman Stables’ colt by Shaman Ghost won the Oklahoma Classics Juvenile and Don C. McNeill Stakes as a 2-year-old in 2022 before being soundly defeated in the $400,000 Springboard Mile. As a 3-year-old in 2023, Ghost Hero won stakes at Evangeline Downs and Will Rogers Downs before returning to Remington. His return was dismal as he finished 16 lengths back in 10th in the Grade 3, $400,000 Oklahoma Derby, but he rebounded in the Classics Cup under jockey Floyd Wethey Jr. Ghost Hero won by 7 1/4 lengths, going 1 1/16 miles in 1:45.37.

“He just bounced in his last race,” said winning trainer Jayde Gelner. “He had two big races before the Oklahoma Derby.”

Wethey continued to urge Ghost Hero on in midstretch of the Classics Cup despite the huge lead.

“I didn’t want to hold anything back, and I didn’t,” he said. “My first win on him I knew he was something special. I was going to stick with him [wherever he went].”

Ghost Hero gave Wethey his second win of the night along with the Oklahoma Classics Lassie Stakes aboard Miss Code West. Gelner also won two on the card, taking the Oklahoma Classics Distaff Turf Stakes with Run Slewpy Run. Ghost Hero won $78,600 for Robert Norman’s Norman Stables. He improved to six wins in 13 starts and earnings of $326,282. A $77,000 purchase at the 2021 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky October yearling sale, Ghost Hero was bred in Oklahoma by Clark Brewster of Tulsa.

Dicey may be 7, but she seems to love racing more now than ever and won her second in a row in the $99,600 Oklahoma Classics Distaff Sprint Stakes.

“Everyone always asks why she is still running [at 7], and this is why,” said trainer Pat Swan. “This is her Breeders’ Cup. She’s always been sound. She did have a little problem with her breathing a couple of years ago, but once we fixed that she’s been great.”

Dicey won her first start of the meet in a 6-furlong allowance September 15 before the Distaff Sprint. The daughter of Flat Out added another allowance November 11 before a runner-up finish in a similar race November 29.

“The first time I rode her, Pat told me to warm her up good, and she broke perfectly for me,” said Harry Hernandez, who rode Dicey in the Distaff Sprint.

“Tonight, I pushed her because I saw a lot of speed in the race, but the speed didn’t go to the front, so we took it.”

Dicey earned $59,760 for owners Swan and Judith Lewis of Jones, Oklahoma. The mare improved her career record to 10 wins in 51 starts and earnings of $420,917 through late November. She was bred in Oklahoma by John James Revocable Trust.

Mike Jones’ homebred Run Slewpy Run won the $99,600 Oklahoma Classics Distaff Turf Stakes for her second victory in the race in the past three years. Run Slewpy Run and her half sister, Alternative Slew, have won the race in four of the past five years, with Plenty of Vision breaking up the party in 2022.

Stewart Elliott rode the 5-year-old Den’s Legacy mare for his fourth Classics victory and first in the race. He brought home Run Slewpy Run for Jones of Bristow, Oklahoma, and trainer Jayde Gelner.

“That little gray mare sure is tough,” said Jones. “You give her a hole, and she’ll go through it.”

Gelner was thrilled with the ride Elliott gave her.

“This is a blessing; she’s great,” said Gelner. “It was a great ride from Stewart; he threaded the needle and got the win.”

57

DUSTIN ORONA PHOTOGRAPHY/REMINGTON PARK

NEWS

Advertisers’ Index Canada HBPA............................................................................29 CHRIMS-PGSI...........................................................................14 Daily Racing Form.................................................................... IBC Equine Equipment.................................................................... BC equineline.com...........................................................................9 FanDuel TV...............................................................................IFC Finish Line Horse Products Inc.....................................................5 BOOM BABY FLATS, UNDER JOSE ALVAREZ, WINS THE OKLAHOMA CLASSICS JUVENILE.

Boom Baby Flats was a soundly beaten fourth at 1-5 in an October 7 maiden special weight, but there is something magical about Oklahoma Classics Night for owner/trainer/breeder C.R. Trout of Edmond, Oklahoma.

Boom Baby Flats provided the latest victory, coming from well off the pace to win the $76,000 Oklahoma Classics Juvenile Stakes at 16-1 under Jose Alvarez.

Those odds are almost unheard of on a horse running on Oklahoma Classics Night for Trout, who won for the 16th time in the series. Only one other trainer has won more Classics races—Oklahoma Horse Racing Hall of Famer Donnie Von Hemel, with 31 Classics event wins.

“Yeah, it’s been a long time since one of my horses went off at those odds on Classics Night,” Trout said with a laugh.

Boom Baby Flats, a son of Flat Out from the Violence mare Va Va Va Boombaby, earned $45,600 for his first victory. He later finished sixth in the Don C. McNeill Stakes November 10 at Remington. HJ —Richard Linihan

Horseman Labor Solutions.........................................................13 Horsemen’s Track and Equipment..............................................39 Iowa Horsemen’s Benevolent & Protective Association...............19 Iowa Thoroughbred Breeders and Owners Association................21 Secretariat Center.....................................................................33 Sterling Thompson Equine.........................................................15 Thoroughbred Charities of America........................................4, 60 Thoroughbred Racing Association of Oklahoma..........................35 True Center Gate.......................................................................20 University of Arizona Race Track Industry Program.....................48

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SPRING 2024 ADVERTISING SPACE RESERVATIONS: FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 16

AD MATERIALS DUE: WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 21 For more information or to reserve space, contact The Horsemen’s Journal advertising department at 515-508-1811 or advertising@hbpa.org

58

THE HORSEMEN’S JOURNAL

WINTER 2023

Lexington, KY 40511 The Horsemen's Journal

ol I I 1-1

1 6 6 6 4 8. Complete Mailing Address of Headquarters or Genera! Business Office of Publisher0(Not0printer) I I 5. Number of Issues Published Annually 4. !ssue Frequency

National Horsemen's Administration Corporation 3380 ParisinPike, Lexington, KYand 40511 Quarterly March, June, Oct. Dec.

859-259-0451 11/30/2023

6. Annual Subscription Price

Statement of Ownership, Management, and Circulation Contact Person (All Periodicals Publications Except Requester Publications) Lauren Monnet $25.00

4

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Tom Law 3380 Paris Pike Oct. Lexington, KY 40511 3380 Parisin Pike, Lexington, KYand 40511 Quarterly March, June, Dec.

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Tom LawHorsemen's 3380 Paris Administration Pike Lexington,Corporation KY 40511 National Lexington, KY 40511 3380 Paris Pike, Lexington, KY 40511

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Complete Mamng Addresses of Publisher, Editor, and Managing Editor not and leave blank) Complete Mailing Address Full Name(Name and complete mailing address) Publisher Managing Editor (Name and complete mailing address)

Tom LawHorsemen's 3380 Paris Administration Pike Lexington,Corporation KY 40511 National 3380 Paris Pike, Lexington, KY 40511

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Owner (Doand not complete leave blank. ff theaddress) publication is owned by a corporation, give the name and address of the corporation immediately to/lowed by the names and3380 addresses al! stockholders owning or holding 1 percent or more of the total amount of stock. If not owned by a corporation, give the Tom Law ParisofPike Lexington, KY 40511 names and addresses of the individual owners. If owned by a partnership or other unincorporated firm, give its name and address as we!! as those of each individual owner. If the publication is published by a nonprofit organization, give its name and address,) Complete Mailing Address Full Name Managing Editor (Name and complete mailing address)

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IX: None Summer 2023 (mailed 8/20/2023) 10. Owner (Do not leave blank. ff thebox publication is owned by a corporation, give the name and address of the corporation immediately to/lowed by the The Horsemen's Journal of the total amount of stock. If not owned by a corporation, give the Complete Mailing Address Fullnames Name and addresses of al! stockholders owning or holding 1 percent or more the individual owners. If owned by a partnership or other unincorporated firm, give its name and address as we!! as of 15. names Extentand andaddresses Nature ofof Circulation Average No. Copies No. Copiesthose of Single each individual owner. If the publication is published by a nonprofit organization, give its name and address,) Each Issue During Issue Published Complete Mailing AddressPreceding 12 Months Nearest to Filing Date Full Name

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None paid 14,852 14,325 distribution above nominal rate, advertiser's proof copies, and exchange copies) Complete Mailing Address Full Name b. Paid Circulation (2) Mailed In-County Paid Subscriptions Stated on PS Form 3541 (Include paid 0 0 distribution above nominal rate, advertiser's proof copies, and exchange copies) (By Mail 12. Taxand Status (For completion by nonprofit organizations authorized to mail at nonprofit rates) (Check one) TheOutside purpose, function,Paid andDistribution nonprofit status of thls organization and the exempt status for federal income tax purposes: Outside the Mai!s Including Sales Through Dealers and Carriers, (3 ) the Mail) 0 0 Vendors, Counter Sales, and Other Paid Distribution Outside USPS® E Has Not ChangedStreet During Preceding 12 Months 11. Known Mortgagees, Security Holders Holding 1 of Percent orwith More of statement) Tota! Amount of Bonds, Mortgages, or □ HasBondholders, Changed During Precedingand 12 Other Months (Publisher mustOwning submit or explanation change this Other Securities. If none, box -----------------1.-.

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14,852 14,325 c. Total Paid Distribution [Sum of 15b (1), (2), (3), and (4)] 15. Extent and Nature of Circulation No. Copies of Single 12. Tax Status (For completion by nonprofit organizations authorized to mail at nonprofit rates) (Check one) Average No. Copies Issue Published d. Free or The purpose, function, andornonprofit of thls organization and included the exempt status for 3541 federal incomeEach tax purposes: Nominalstatus Rate Outside-County Copies on PS Form 0Issue During 0 (1) Free Preceding 12 Months Nearest to Filing Date Nominal E Has Not Changed During Preceding 12 Months Rate □ Has Changed During 12 Months (Publisher must submit explanation of change with this statement) 0 0 FreePreceding or(Net Nominal a. Distribution Tota! Number(2) of Copies pressRate run) In-County Copies Included on PS Form 3541 15,250 15,023 (By Mail PRIVACY NOTICE: See our privacy po!lcy on www.usps.com.

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WINTER 2023

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THE HORSEMEN’S JOURNAL

WINTER 2023

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