Page 202 - July_2023

NEWS BRIEFS
Correction
In the June 2023 issue, the Mares and Foals Behind The Lens feature photos were taken
at Royal Vista Southwest, not Royal Vista Ranches. We apologize for this oversight.
Sam Houston Race Park Wraps Up QH Meet
Sam Houston Race Park began their 2023 Quarter Horse meet on April 21 and the meet ended on June 17. The last weekend of racing saw six stakes events. On the 16th, the $125,945 John Deere Sam Houston Juvenile Challenge-G3 was won by Stormguard, and the $73,304 Adequan Sam Houston Derby Challenge was won by Dash For The Flash. On the 17th, the $56,500 Sam Houston
250 Stakes saw Jess A Dashin Angela as
the winner, the $54,250 Sam Houston 550 Stakes was won by Onthrocks, the $55,000 Willie Hickman Memorial was won by Jess The Leader, and the $54,000 Jesse Yoakum Memorial was won by Eye Will Decide.
The track also declared their meet leaders. Sarah Huskey captured her first Leading Owner title, finishing with eight wins including the Colors of Houston Paint Maturity-G2 with Just Wishin. Juan Diaz Jr. earned his third Leading Trainer title, ending the meet with 32 victories and
$847,923 in purse money including a win in the track’s richest stakes race - the $461,835 Sam Houston Futurity-G2 with Jess Flying Cowgirl, as well as the John Deere Sam Houston Juvenile Challenge-G3 for the third year in a row with Stormguard. Ali Rivera scored the Leading Jockey title with 33
wins and he finished in the money 55% on 148 mounts, including winning the Willie Hickman Memorial with Jess The Leader.
Jim McIngvale: Jockeys and Jeans Person of the Year
Jockeys and Jeans, an all-volunteer group, held its annual fundraiser at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas on June 24, where they honored Jim “Mattress Mack” McIngvale as its Person of the Year. McIngvale is the owner of 3 furniture stores in Houston and is known
for his philanthropy, community involvement and success as a Thoroughbred breeder and owner. Jockey Edgar Prado,
one of 16 Hall of Fame riders scheduled to attend the event, rode his horse Runhappy to win the $1.5 million Breeder’s Cup
Sprint in 2015. McIngvale is a supporter
of the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund (PDJF) and advocates drug-free racing. He opened the doors of his furniture store to feed and house thousands of storm victims;
he operates a child daycare for his employees and a vocational school that teaches trades to adults; he helped fund the nation’s first Mobile Stroke Unit; and donated millions
to NASA to develop an artificial heart. “Mattress Mack is truly one-of-a-kind,
and I believe his acceptance speech will
be something the entire racing world will
be eager to hear,” said Jockeys and Jeans President Barry Pearl. To date, the volunteer group has raised more than $2.6 million for the PDJF, which pays a monthly stipend of $1,000 to 60 jockeys who suffered career- ending injuries. After the fundraiser this year, the group expects to raise more than $3 million.
Industrial Laboratories To Serve As Louisiana State Chemist
The Louisiana State Racing Commission (LSRC) selected Industrial Laboratories of Denver, Colorado, to serve as the interim state chemist beginning July 1. Industrial Laboratories will conduct post-race, out- of-competition, vets’ list, and TCO2
testing in the state. A longer contract for Louisiana state chemist will be on public bid in compliance with state public bid laws. Industrial Laboratories began drug-testing for performance sports animals in 1953, and currently conducts drug-testing for various states, racing jurisdictions, fairs, and other sporting events. It specializes in analytical chemistry and microbiology and is accredited to ISO 17025, and is accredited by the Racing Medication & Testing Consortium
to provides state-of-the-art technical testing services with outstanding quality to protect the interests of equine athletes, horsemen, and the wagering public. Previously, testing was conducted by the Equine Medication Surveillance Laboratory at LSU’s School of Veterinary Medicine under the leadership
of Dr. Steven Barker and then Dr. Levent Dirikolu. The LSRC and LSU have mutually and amicably agreed not to renew their contract for equine drug-testing.
Trainer Ebert Munoz Summarily Suspended in NM
The New Mexico Racing Commission has issued a summary suspension of Quarter Horse trainer Ebert Munoz, who was ranked among the top 100 trainers by earnings
in 2022. On June 18 at Ruidoso Downs, Munoz was found to be in possession of hypodermic needles, syringes, and “an unlabeled box of Russian tablets,” according to the ruling posted on the Association
of Racing Commissioners International website. Munoz is scheduled to be at a summary suspension hearing on June 24
at the board of steward offices at Ruidoso
200 SPEEDHORSE July 2023
SPEEDHORSE PHOTO ARCHIVES
Can you identify the horse in this photo? Here’s a hint: He was inducted into the AQHA Hall of Fame in 1999. The answer is on page 202.
© Walton Wiggins, Jr.