Page 50 - 8 June 2012

AQHA Files Motion To Dismiss
AQHA’s legal team has filed a Motion to Dismiss the cloning lawsuit filed in Judge Mary Lou Robinson’s Federal District Court in Ama- rillo. The Motion presents extensive case law that, as a voluntary private association, AQHA has the right to make and adopt its own regula- tions without intervention by the courts. The Motion also explains that a careful analysis of the Plaintiffs’ Complaint reveals that there is no factual or legal basis for a viable antitrust claim against AQHA. AQHA says they will continue to vigorously defend the lawsuit.
Clenbuterol Changes In Oregon & California
On May 17, the Oregon Racing Commis- sion adopted a temporary rule to lower the threshold levels for clenbuterol in blood from 25 picograms to 2 picograms for all horses racing in Oregon. The rule went into effect im- mediately, with a 30-day withdrawal period as recommended by the state laboratory.
On May 24, the California Horse Rac-
ing Board voted to suspend authorization for clenbuterol at all racetracks for all breeds in California for a period of one year commencing July 18, 2012, opening day of the Thorough- bred meeting at Del Mar. The Board instructed the equine medical director and the Maddy Laboratory to administer a 21-day withdrawal period for clenbuterol, extending the current suggested withdrawal time of four days. This action expands on the restrictions already in place for Quarter Horses at Los Alamitos.
Sam Houston Meet Ends
Sam Houston Race Park announced that Charmin Chief
throughout the 27-day meet. Jockey Rodrigo Vallejo picked up his third leading rider title at Sam Houston Race Park. As the first call rider for leading trainer Judd Kearl, Vallejo won 38 of his 136 starts as well as 26 seconds and 15 third-place finishes. The battle for owner of the meet went the distance with A.D. Maddox hav- ing sole possession until the sixth race of the May 19 closing day card. Filimon Saucedo’s Ex- ecutive Tone won a 250-yard allowance to vault him into a tie for leading owner with Maddox with seven wins each. This was the first owner title at Sam Houston Race Park for Saucedo, whose horses are trained by his son, Juan. Mad- dox has captured three previous titles.
Michigan Recognizes Walter & Carolyn Bay
Carolyn & Walt Bay
On May 5, Walter and Carolyn Bay, whose T-Bill Stables bred and own 2011 World Champion, Champion 3-Year-Old and Cham- pion 3-Year-Old Gelding Cold Cash 123, re- ceived a certificate of recognition and a plaque of special tribute from the State of Michigan for their work in the Quarter Horse industry. The Bays have been breeding racing Quarter Horses since 1986 and have campainged the earners of over $2 million, including Cold Cash 123, the first Michigan-bred to receive World Champion honors.
Phillip Calais, Sr. Passes Away
Longtime horseman Phillip James Calais, Sr., 69, passed away May 11. A resident of Breaux Bridge, Louisiana, Calais became in- volved with horses at the age of 15. Horses were a continuous part of his life ever since, and he trained horses for over 40 years. Calais is sur- vived by his wife of 48 years, Joyce, a daughter, two sons, numerous grandchildren, and many other family members and friends.
Billy Jay Eiland Passes Away
Horseman Billy Jay Eiland, 85, passed away May 10 following a lengthy illness. A resident of Snyder, Texas, Eiland was in the Navy dur- ing WWII, was a bank director of West Texas State Bank for 56 years, and served on the Sny-
der City Council School Board. He was also
a cattle rancher and horseman, racing horses with trainer Russell Harris for 40 years. Eiland is survived by his wife of 49 years, Mary, three daughters, one son, numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and many other friends and family members.
Boyd Gaming Buys Evangeline Downs
Las Vegas-based Boyd Gaming Corp., the parent company of Delta Downs, has entered into an agreement to purchase Peninsula Gaming, LLC, the owner of Evangeline Downs Racetrack & Casino as well as four additional properties, including casinos in Kansas, Iowa and Louisiana. Subject to approval by the Louisiana Racing Commission, the $1.45 billion transaction is expected to close by the end of the year.
Beneto Appointed To CHRB
California Gov. Edmund G. Brown Jr. ap- pointed Steve Beneto, 74, of Carmichael, to the California Horse Racing Board. He has been president of Beneto Inc. since 1979. After own- ing racehorses for more than four decades and being heavily involved in racing matters at Cal Expo, Beneto is familiar with the issues in horse racing. He served 11 years on the California Ex- position and State Fair Board, and was chairman of the racing committee for seven of those years. His CHRB appointment replaces Jerry Moss, whose second term expired Jan. 1, 2012.
Aber Appointed To TRC
Gary Aber of Simonton has been appointed by Gov. Rick Perry to the Texas Racing Com- mission. The commission oversees wagering
on horse and greyhound racing in the Lone Star State. Aber is a veterinarian and owner
of Simonton Veterinary Clinic, as well as a member of the American Association of Equine Practitioners. He received a bachelor’s degree from Texas Tech, and his Doctorate of Veteri- nary Medicine from Texas A&M. His term will expire in Feb. 2015.
Devon Lane Dies
On May 21, the 19-year-old Thoroughbred stallion Devon Lane passed away after a termi- nal cardiovascular event in the breeding barn at TNL Farm in Bosque, New Mexico. Devon Lane (Storm Cat-To The Hunt, Relaunch) was a half-brother to millionaire mares Stellar Jayne TB and Starrer TB. Devon Lane produced 18 stakes winners, both Thoroughbred and Quar- ter Horse, and the earners of $10.4 million, including multiple stakes winner River’s Prayer TB ($921,958). According to the AQHA, Devon Lane sired 11 Quarter Horse crops to race, with 52 winners from 127 starters that
Judd Kearl
Corona, a 3-year-old filly bred and owned by Gary Kurz, was named 2012 Horse of the Meet. The talented filly won three of her four starts in the 2012 American Quarter Horse meeting, which concluded on May 19. Judd Kearl continues his domination at Sam Houston Race Park, winning 35 races from 133 starts to clinch his fifth leading trainer title. Kearl’s runners hit the board at a rate of 55.6%, with claim- ing, allowance and trial victories. He earned purses of $213,977
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SPEEDHORSE, June 8, 2012
Rodrigo Vallejo
NEWS BRIEFS
Sandra Beck/Coady Photography Sandra Beck/Coady Photography
Stacy Pigott/Speedhorse