Page 211 - September 2020

Grants Pass Downs Ends Meet
Grants Pass Downs in Oregon ended its meet that ran from June 16 through July 8, registering
a total handle of over $2.2 million – nearly four times more than last year due to a dramatic jump in online and off-track betting. Horsemen received $619,511 in purse money for a $68,835 average per day and $7,942 per race, representing a 130% increase over 2019. The track field size was also up to 7.94 horses per race compared to 5.34 in 2019.
Elko Cancels Meet Due To COVID-19
The Elko County Fair Board voted unanimously to cancel what was to be the 100th anniversary of the Elko County Fair scheduled for Aug. 7-Sept. 7.
Zia Meet In Question
Following an Aug. 6 meeting between leaders of Zia Park, parent company Penn National, and the New Mexico Horse Breeders Association, the 2020 Zia Park fall meet, which is scheduled to run Sept. 21-Dec. 22, appears uncertain due to impacts from COVID-19. Before making a final decision, however, Penn National stated they will wait for
a determination by the New Mexico Governor’s office as to whether they will allow racetrack casinos to open. If allowed to open, it would be
six weeks before racing could begin and perhaps it would not be advantageous to open if the decision is not made by Sept. 30. The hotel and casino have been shuttered at Zia Park since March 16.
Equine Serum In COVID-19 Clinical Trials
According to the Paulick Report and the Buenos Aires Times, people in Argentina may be able to participate in clinical trials for a new COVID-19 treatment using equine serum to deliver antibod-
ies to affected people. Horses are unaffected by the disease and generate large amounts of antibodies, and it is expected that the antibodies will prevent the virus from entering cells. Developed by biotech com- pany Inmunova in conjunction with San Martin University, trials will be held at four hospitals and 10 health care centers around Buenos Aires.
Nancy Yearsley Downsizing
On page 68 of our July 2020 issue, it was stated that Nancy Yearsley had decided to withdraw from the industry. Yearsley, however, is just downsizing. She has been partners with J. Garvan Kelly since 1993, starting with Thoroughbreds in Kentucky. They then partnered on Quarter Horses, their first being multiple Grade 1 producer Sky Chicks, dam of Grade I horses such as Dutch Schultz, Spike It And Fly, Duke Kahanamoku, and others. Together, they bred and raced Graded stakes such as horses Value The Man, Bon Accord, Celtic Emblem, and more; and are the breeders of many other top money earners. They have also bred such promising runners such as Knuckles O Toole, Kitty Kiernan and Power Fade, the recent winner of the Speedhorse Paint & Appaloosa Futurity-G1 on July 25.
First Impression Stallion Power Jam TB
In our July 2020 issue we included a special feature on First Impression Stallions, which
are those with first crop yearlings of 2020. The photograph above, which is a more recent picture, should have been used for the Thoroughbred stal- lion Power Jam, who stands at Jumonville Farms.
Free Thought Extends Consecutive Wins Record
Free Thought (Stel Corona-Just Think, Pritzi Dash), the current world record holder for consecu- tive wins, extended his streak to 18 in his first start of 2020 with a victory in the Evergreen Park Distance Stakes on Aug. 15. The 2011 gelding began racing as a two-year-old and has now won 28 of 50 starts, and has been in the money in 44 of those races. His win record began in 2017 with a wire-to-wire allowance victory at Lethbridge. Free Thought was bred by Edward C. Allred, is owned by Charles G. Stojan, and conditioned by Willam H. Leech.
No Spectators At 2020 Kentucky Derby
The 146th running of the Kentucky
Derby will be held Sept. 5 without spectators. Churchill Downs Inc. stated, “. . . the health and safety of our team, fans and participants is our highest concern.” Only essential personnel and participants will be permitted on grounds. Gov. Andy Beshear supported the decision.
Elliot Clark Sr. Passes Away
Elliot Clark, Sr., 84, passed away Aug. 8 in Opelousas, Louisiana, due to complications from COVID-19. A lifelong resident of Louisiana, Clark began his love of the industry when he was given his first horse. At the request of Clark, trainer John Brasseaux purchased Mr Jess Perry for $15,500
at the 1993 LQHBA Yearling Sale. Two-time Champion Mr Jess Perry is the #3 all-time leading sire of over $57.6 million with nine Champions, including World Champion Apollitical Jess. Clark is survived by his seven children.
Galen Hill Passes Away
Longtime Rocky
Mountain Quarter Horse
Association director
Galen Hill, 66, passed
away following an illness
on July 24. Hill was born
in Colorado, owned a
paper recycling business,
and developed a love
of racing and breeding
Quarter Horses. Perhaps his best horse was stakes placed/multiple Graded stakes finalist Sky Seraph. Hill is survived by his wife Kathy of 42 years, father Keith Hill, two sisters, and many other family members and friends.
NEWS BRIEFS
Cassandra Crest Dies
Cassandra Crest (Holland Ease-Diamon For Leigh, Cameronian) was euthanized the end of July. The 2011 mare, who was bred and owned
by Danny Joe Miller, is a multiple stakes-placed winner as well as a multiple Graded stakes finalist that earned $75,671. Cassandra Crest is the dam of 3-time Champion Apocalyptical Jess ($2,204,240), stakes winner CC Seis ($90,742), and Grade 1 stakes placed winner CC Kachina Eagle ($133,568).
Little Surfer Dies
Little Surfer (First Down Dash-Runaway Wave, Runaway Winner) was euthanized due to inoperable melanoma and laid to rest on Aug. 12 at Royal Vista Southwest in Purcell, OK. Bred and owned by Lucas Racing Inc., the 2006 mare earned $102,749 winning the Lone Star Distaff Challenge and the Hialeah Derby, where she
set a 440-yard New Track Record. A dam of 19 starters, 15 winners and 17 ROM, Little Surfer produced the likes of 2019 Champion 2 Year Old, 2019 Champion 2-Year-Old Colt Uncle D (2020, $685,365), stakes winner Rip Tide ($123,283) and stakes placed Call Me Cole ($298,122).
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