Page 20 - June 2022

TRACK CHATTER
THE MONTH IN REVIEW
by Jennifer K. Hancock
WYOMING DISTRIBUTES MILLIONS TO HORSEMEN
The Wyoming legislative action regarding Historic Racing in Wyoming was passed to not only revive horse racing, but to focus on promoting the Wyoming Breeders Award Program in the state by creating bigger incentives for horse owners and breeders, and it has done exactly that. It has transported the racing industry as a major revenue
source to the State of Wyoming, Wyoming municipalities and agriculturally based businesses and communities.
More than $3.7 million was distributed to the Wyoming Breeder Awards Fund in 2021 to eligible owners, breeders and stallion owners of registered Wyoming-bred horses that participated in Wyoming live race meets throughout the state.
In 2021, 270 accredited Wyoming-breds raced throughout the state during the 50 days of live racing offered. More than $16 million dollars has now been allocated to the fund from Historic Racing terminals since 2013.
The top overall award participant
was Broken Bones Cattle Co. of Lander, Wyoming, which received $338,743.86 for being an owner, breeder and stallion owner of Wyoming-bred horses which earned them the prestigious title of owner and breeder of the year.
Also, their stallion, Eyesa Special Slim earned stallion of the year honors as a result of his foals’ performances including top runners Eyesa Special Rebel, Eyesa Special Hatchet and Eyesa Special Swirl.
The overall high point racehorse is Powell, Wyoming, residents Dan and Kim LaPierre’s Bigg Brown, whose 61.5 points earned his owners and breeders $28,718.
The Wyoming-bred stallion owner of the year is the late Mike Lipp, whose stallions Whata Corona Runner and Coronas Velvet sired foals that earned the Lipp Estate from Greybull, Wyoming, a check for $116,828.27.
The efforts of broodmare Pritzis Diamond Lil’s foals Diamond Dusting and Prit Pro earned Afton, Wyoming, breeder Rick Hillstead more than $26,383.24 and clinched the mare the title of Wyoming broodmare of the year.
The revenue from the historic racing terminals for Wyoming municipalities for 2021 reached more than $9.1 million to distribute back to cities and counties where the Historic Racing terminals are located.
More than $40 million dollars has been distributed to local municipalities since Historic Racing was implemented in 2013.
Wyoming will run 52 live race days in 2022. Live races will be conducted at the following racetracks:
Energy Downs in Gillette will run 16 days, May 21 - June 26
Wyoming Downs in Evanston will run 20 days, June 4 – Aug. 7
Sweetwater Downs in Rock Springs will run 16 days, Aug. 20 – Oct. 2
For more information on the Wyoming Breeders Award Program please visit the Wyoming Gaming Commission website at gaming.wyo.gov/.
RACING RETURNING TO GRANTS PASS
On May 3, the Oregon Racing Commission approved a plan submitted by the Southern Oregon Horse Racing Association to operate
a seven-day fair meet at Grants Pass Downs. The original meet at Grants Pass was cancelled following the commission’s denial in February of historical racing machines at the racetrack.
The Southern Oregon Horse Racing Association team is headed by Rod Lowe as the director of racing, and they are planning race dates of June 19-21, June 27-28, and July 3-4. Each day will include eight races per day, with Quarter Horse purses projected to be $5,000.
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