Page 254 - Speedhorse April 2019

Louisiana Downs Concludes 2019 QH Meet
Louisiana Downs concluded their 2019 Quarter Horse season on March 12, reporting positive increases in both on-track and off- track handle. The leading owner award went to Jose Barron, who finished the meet with 12 wins; Lanny Keith, for the second consecu- tive year, was announced as leading trainer with 27 wins; and Everardo Rodriguez won his second leading rider title with 47 victories. Rodriguez was also honored as 2018 LQHBA Co-Champion Jockey on April 13.
New Career For World Champion Bodacious Eagle
2018 AQHA World Champion Bodacious Eagle has been retired from racing and is now being trained for halter and performance
by Ross Roark. Owned by Johnny Trotter,
the gelding won 14 of 33 starts, earning $1,293,444. His Grade 1 wins include the Champion of Champions-G1, All American Gold Cup-G1, Texas Classic Derby-G1 and Leo Stakes-RG2. In 2018, along with being named World Champion, Bodacious Eagle was also named Champion Aged Horse and Champion Aged Gelding. “I would like for him to become a Supreme Champion with his achievements on the racetrack, and now hope- fully in the performance arena,” says Trotter.
No Racing in 2019 For Fort Pierre
There will be no live horse racing in Fort Pierre for the 2019 season. Director of the Verendyre Benevolent Association described the decision as, “indescribably difficult.” According to published histories, news archives and racing sources, Fort Pierre horse racing dates back to 1948.
Portland Meadows Closing After More Than 70 Years
Longtime Quarter Horse and Thoroughbred track Portland Meadows in Oregon, which began operations in 1946, announced that it will be closing its doors for good in June of 2019. In 2013, the track underwent rebranding efforts by Portland creative agency OMFGCO. Portland Meadows was home to the Far West Futurity, Baxter Andruss Futurity and the Portland Meadows Fall Derby.
Lone Star Park Charity Foundation Awards $50,000 to 24 Charities
The Lone Star Park Charitable Foundation (LSPCF) for Grand Prairie hosted its annual grant ceremony at Lone Star Park on March 19. Since its formation in 2001, the LSPCF has awarded over $1.1 million. The LSPCF selected 24 local Grand Prairie charity and non-profit organiza- tions to receive funds, including Big Brothers
Big Sisters, Boys & Girls Club of Greater Dallas, Brighter Tomorrows, Children First Counseling Center Inc., Christian Women’s Job Corps,
Crime Stoppers Inc., Kids In Need of Clothing, NAACP, Food & Clothing Co-Op Grand Prairie, Association of Grand Prairie Artists, Grand Prairie Arts Council, GPPD Police Explorer Post, GPFD Hearts & Hoses, Helping Us Help Her, LifeLine Shelters for Families Inc., Pregnancy Resources Center of Grand Prairie, Santa Cop Inc., Grand Prairie Pride, Grand Prairie United Charities, Grand Prairie Police Youth Boxing Program, Rotary Club of Grand Prairie, Crisis Response Ministry, Vietnam Veterans of America GP Chapter 1013 and YMCA of Grand Prairie.
Dr. Robert Miller To Speak at The Movement Symposium
Dr. Robert Miller DVM, 92, the founder of Foal Imprint Training, will be speaking at The Movement Symposium at Flag Is Up Farms in Solvang, California on April 29-30. Dr. Miller spent 30 years at his practice Conejo Valley Veterinary Clinic before retiring as renowned veterinarian and expert in ethology. He is most known for his system of training newborn foals, called imprint training. If done correctly, it is the fastest and most profound method of perma- nently shaping a horse’s responses and attitude. The Movement was founded by Monty Roberts and is based on the belief that non-violent forms of communication are essential to build trust and achieve results, and to help individuals discover the power of horses to teach better ways to interact across all aspects of life.
2019 Lincoln County Cowboy Symposium Lineup
The 30th annual edition of the Lincoln County Cowboy Symposium will be held at Ruidoso Downs Race Track and Casino on Oct. 10-13. The most awarded band in western swing music, Ray Benson’s Asleep at the Wheel, will
play on Oct. 11 with special guests The Quebe Sisters. Symposium events will include the World Champion Chuckwagon Cookoff, over 100 vendors with western products, equine seminars, three daily music stages and more. For more information, visit www.cowboysymposium.org.
Wyoming Downs Select Mixed Horse Sale
Wyoming Downs has set its second annual Select Mixed Horse Sale for Aug. 3 following the track’s race day. The sale is estimated to begin at 5:30 p.m. Consignments for race bred horses of all ages and breeds are welcome. Early consignments will be accepted through May 3, with consignments closing June 3. Contracts are available at www.wydowns.com/horsesale.
Turf Paradise Begins Pre-Race Vet Exams for All Horses
As of March 18, Turf Paradise began pre- race vet exams for all horses. A recent study by the Arizona Department of Gaming showed 50 horses were euthanized during the 2017-18 sea- son, mostly after leg or ankle injuries, which is double the national equine death rate at tracks. Officials hope these extra pre-race exams will lower the number of equine fatalities.
CHRB Votes To Ban Jockeys From Using Whips
The California Horse Racing Board (CHRB) on March 28 voted to ban jockeys from using whips to urge their mounts. The new rule will limit riders to using whips “when necessary to control the horse for the safety of the horse or rider.” The current rule, which allows jockeys to use the whip three times in succession before pausing, will be eliminated. The racing board also approved rules that will suspend the use of 11 medica- tions and will reduce by half the permitted race-day dosage of Lasix. The medications that are suspended are phenylbutazone, flunixin, ketoprofen, bethamesasone, dexa- methasone, diclofenac, firocoxib, methylpred- nisone, triamcinolone and Isoflupredone.
Jockey’s Guild Statement On Bisphosphonates
The Board of Directors of the Jockeys’ Guild on March 28 stated that until the research being conducted by the RMTC, AAEP and Grayson Jockey Club Foundation determines the effects that Bisphosphonates has on young horses, it would be best to ban the use of this medication immediately in horses under four years of age. Bisphosphonates are
a class of drugs that prevents the loss of bone density and are often used to treat osteoporosis. Experts believe that the use of this drug could cause bones to be more susceptible to fractures. The board would also like to see improved methods of detection and strict guidelines for its use in horses over 4 years of age.
252 SPEEDHORSE, April 2019
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