Page 204 - August 2015

New Mexico Bans Clenbuterol
New Mexico Racing Commission
on July 22 announced that Clenbuterol
has been banned in Quarter Horses and Thoroughbreds at all New Mexico tracks. Although the ban is immediate, the full affect of the ban will take place Aug. 19 and all parties are advised to not use the medication leading up to and after that date.
National Uniform Medication Program Progress
Reforms developed by the Racing Medication and Testing Consortium (RMTC) and model rules enacted by the Association of Racing Commissioners International (RCI) have gained significant progress toward the uniform adoption of a national medication program. The program includes: third-party administration of furo- semide; a Controlled Therapeutic Substances (CTS) list; a multiple medication violation (MMV) penalty system; and a requirement for a laboratory accreditation and participa- tion in a quality assurance program.
Zia Park Announces Dates
Zia Park will host a 56-day Quarter Horse & Thoroughbred meet beginning Sept. 12 and running through Dec. 15. The New Mexico track, which expects total purses to reach nearly $4 million, will host the richest day of state- bred races in the country Nov. 1 paying out over $2 million on New Mexico Cup Day.
2015-16 Dates Set For Hialeah Park
Hialeah Park in Florida will begin their 40-day meet Dec. 26, 2015, and will run through Feb. 29, 2016. The track’s 7th annual Quarter Horse meet will offer 24 stakes races as well as a Sprint Series with a $15,000 bonus and a Distance Series with a $20,000 bonus.
Delta Downs Expansion Plans
Boyd Gaming Corp. announced a $45 million expansion of Delta Downs Racetrack
& Casino Hotel set to be completed by the end of 2016. Plans include a 167-room hotel tower, redesign of the existing 200 rooms, and expan- sion of the special events center. Construction is set to begin in Sept. of 2015.
Hazel Park Meet To End August 8
The Michigan Gaming Control Board
has granted a request by Hazel Park to end
its 2015 meet Aug. 8 due to lack of financial resources. Hazel Park originally requested and was awarded 40 days of racing which would have run until Sept. 12. Hazel Park took over the Quarter Horse racing schedule after Mt. Pleasant Meadows shut down live racing in 2013. Several of the races that will be lost will be Quarter Horse races.
Los Al Wienerschnitzel Wiener Nationals
Los Alamitos Race Course hosted their 20th annual Wienerschnitzel Wiener Nationals on July
19 where 86 dachschunds competed to raise funds for the Seal Beach Animal Care Center. Finn, a 2 1/2-year old dachschund owned by Josh & Brittany Snook, beat the competition in the 50-yard dash to win the title of Fastest Weiner In The West, a $1,000 cash prize, a doghouse in the shape of a classic A-Frame Wienerschnitzel restaurant, a championship trophy, a blanket, and a berth into the national championship race at the Holiday Bowl in San Diego. Over the years, the Wienerschnitzel Wiener Nationals at Los Alamitos Race Course have raised nearly $250,000 to benefit the no-kill shelter.
Hazel Park Hosts Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fundraiser
Hazel Park Raceway in Michigan, held
a fundraiser for the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund on July 31 to benefit jockeys who have been seriously injured in on-track acci- dents by providing financial assistance to cover medical expenses.
Cody Joiner Steps Down As Trainer
Cody Joiner announced he will no longer offer training services as of Aug. 1. He will remain involved in the Quarter Horse rac- ing industry as an owner and breeder at his Circle CJ Racing stable.
Family Day At Ruidoso Downs
Ruidoso Downs held their annual Family Day of Fun on July 6 after a weekend of trials to the Rainbow Futurity and Derby. Patrons toured the paddocks and jockey quarters, and enjoyed Dollar Day food, face painting and stick horse races.
Pink Day At Ruidoso Downs
The 4th annual Pink Day at Ruidoso Downs to increase awareness of breast cancer was
held at the New Mexico track July 25. Led by former trainer and breast cancer survivor Jamie Zamora, the event is held at all New Mexico tracks and has distributed $35,000 throughout the state. The beneficiary of the proceeds is
the Ruidoso Chapter of Altrusa International, which provides low cost mammograms.
Youth Racing Program At Canterbury Park
The Minnesota Quarter Horse Racing Association held their MQHRA Youth Racing Experience at Canterbury Park on June 20. The participants were Minnesota 4-H Horse Project members, and they visited trainers, owners, stewards, track photographers, the horsemen’s bookkeeper, the Minnesota Racing Commission office, and the track’s equine swimming pool. Afterwards, participants took a test to compete for scholarship money. Kennedy Stanek, 14, had the highest score and earned a $1,000 scholarship from MQHRA. Emily Schminich, 17, earned a trip to the AQHYA National Racing Experience to be held at Lone Star Park in November.
Alejandro Luna June Jockey Of The Month
The AQHA-Jockeys’ Guild Jockey of the Month for June is Alejandro Luna with two wins from nine mounts for a 22% win percentage and $426,163 in purses won, including a win in the Ed Burke Million Futurity-G1 aboard Walk Thru Crystal. The veteran rider has won over 700 races in his career, including 61 stakes and 18 Grade 1 events.
Joe Neff Passes Away
Joseph “Joe” Neff, 58, passed away on July 11. Born in Fairfax, Oklahoma, and a resident of Sallisaw, Neff loved horses and trained Quarter Horses for most of his life. He is survived by his mother, a sister, and numerous other family members and friends.
202 SPEEDHORSE, August 2015
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