Page 62 - January 2017

2016 A YeAr In revIew
April 21
Horse racing at the San Joaquin County Fairgrounds in Stockton came to an end when the California Horse Racing Board voted 4-1 to move the meet to the Alameda County Fairgrounds in Pleasanton. San Joaquin County Fair’s original race days of June 15 – July 4 were contested at the Alameda County Fair. Stockton’s track was the first in the state to conduct pari-mutuel wagering in 1933.
April 25
The Race Track Chaplaincy of America (RTCA) announced Dan Waits as the new Executive Director, replacing the recently retired Craig Wiley. Waits, an ordained pastor who recently served as executive pastor at two Kentucky churches, will support and assist training of chaplains to meet the spiritual, emotional, and physical needs of those in the horseracing industry across the U.S.
May 9
R.D. Hubbard became the sole owner of Ruidoso Downs after purchasing the interests of Dr. Ed Allred and Bruce Rimbo. R.D. Hubbard bought into the track in 1988 and previously owned 72% interest. Hubbard helped pass legislation allowing casinos at New Mexico racetracks. The Billy the Kid casino at Ruidoso Downs contributed large amounts of cash to race purses and helped keep racing viable in the state.
May 9
Jockey Ivan Carnero was named the AQHA-Jockeys’ Guild Jockey of the Month for April. The 23-year- old jockey was also the winner of the richest race in Quarter Horse racing in 2015, the $3 million All American Futurity-G1 at Ruidoso Downs aboard Jess Good Candy. Carnero led all riders in the month of April with 23 wins from 92 mounts, and was second in earnings with $446,813.
April May
April 28
The Woodlands Racetrack
is closer to reopening their doors after eight years when the Unified Government Commission met and unanimously passed a special-use permit for the owner of the track – Ruffin Woodlands, LLC - to start planning a horse racing, electronic gaming, and an entertainment facility. The track owner is looking to the Kansas Racing and Gaming Commission for an operating license as well as backing on a bill to allow track owners to keep more profits than currently allowed.
May 13
Celebrated breeder and direct descendant of the Hawaiian royal family, Princess Abigail Kawananakoa, was given an honorary doctorate from the Colorado State University (CSU). Kawananakoa was recognized for her dedication to global equine health and to cultural preservation in Hawaii. A breeder of multiple Champions, the acclaimed horsewoman is perhaps best known as the owner of 2-time Champion A Classic Dash, Champion Significant Heart, as well as Evening Snow, the first horse of any breed
to run the quarter-mile from a standing start in less than 21 seconds. She was the AQHA Champion Owner in 1994 and 1995, the Pacific Coast Quarter Horse Racing Association honored her for her contributions to the sport in 2012, and she also provides philanthropic support to revive and honor Hawaiian history and culture.
May 14
Longtime trainer Elmer January turned 90 and was honored at Los Alamitos. Born in 1926, January, the “dean of Quarter Horse trainers” at the California track, recorded his first training victory in 1951. He is the only remaining active member of the current trainer colony who was plying his trade during the inaugural Los Alamitos meeting in 1951. January was born in Texas, moved
to California when he was seven, and became involved with Quarter Horses after serving in World War II. He has won more than 500 races and can be found at Los Alamitos just about every racing night.
60 SPEEDHORSE, January 2017