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NEWS BRIEFS
Record QH Handle At Indiana Grand
Indiana Grand Racing & Casino ran its first
of four all Quarter Horse race programs on July 4, establishing a new record for most handle ever on such a program with $811,380 wagered on the 13 races that saw WRS Apolliticalivory win the Indiana Grand QHRAI Derby and trials to the Gordon Mobley, Heartland and Jaguar Rocket futurities.
Ruidoso Sales Moved To Oklahoma
vIndiana Grand Ownership Transfer Approved
The Indiana Horse Racing Commission on July 13 approved the petition of Eldorado Resorts, Inc. to acquire all ownership of Caesar’s Entertainment Corp. and its direct and indirect subsidiaries in Indiana, including Indiana Grand Racing & Casino, Harrah’s Hoosier Park Racing & Casino, and all Winner’s Circle Off-Track Betting facilities.
Wyoming Downs Opens July 4 With Spectators
Wyoming Downs opened their 2020 season on July 4 before a crowd of 1,326 spectators after track officials agreed to meet COVID-19 safety protocols set by county and state officials. Among the require- ments was a limit of 1,500 persons in the stands per day, and a requirement of all horsemen and fans to have temperatures taken prior to entering and all employees to wear masks. Fans were also encour- aged to wear masks and to social distance.
Los Alamitos Submits Safety And Enhancement Plan
Following an increase in racing deaths and
a suggestion by the California Horse Racing Board, the Los Alamitos Quarter Horse Racing Association submitted an Equine and Rider Safety and Enhancement Plan focusing on six specific areas: training, pre-race procedures, entry review panel, post-incident assessments, equine illness and recover, and rules and conditions.
Minnesota Stewards To Issue COVID Non- Compliance Fines
Minnesota Racing Commission (MRC) Executive Director Steve May on July 8 issued a letter to Mike Cronin of the Minnesota HBPA and Andrew Offerman of Canterbury Park (CBY) that, despite signage and verbal and written communications, numerous individu- als are not complying with state COVID-19 protocols while at Canterbury Park. May instructed MRC investigators and staff, CBY staff, and any licensee to report the name and badge number of any licensed individual who
is not in compliance while at the track to the Board of Stewards, which will issue civil fines beginning at $100 and escalating for repeat violations. May indicated he believes Minnesota pari-mutuel tracks can operate with protocols in place to offer a safe and secure facility.
Butch Wise: 2020-21 AQHA President Remarks
The American Quarter Horse Association
on June 15 released the fifth video in the 2020 AQHA Convention videos series – the 2020-21 AQHA President Remarks, presented by AQHA President Butch Wise of El Reno, Oklahoma.
In the video, Wise shares highlights from 2019 and discusses his commitment to what will occur during his presidency: fiscal responsibility, fair playing field, animal welfare, youth, international, improved website, AQHA committees, speed events, Versatility Ranch Horse, AQHA judges, Bank of America AQHA Racing Challenge, American Quarter Horse Journal, QStallions and AQHA championship shows. “In the coming year, there is a lot to be done while preserving the tradi- tions that make us who we are as an organization and a breed,” said Wise. “As AQHA members, your love of the horse and love of the lifestyle can only be protected by your involvement at a local, state and national level. We need your experience, knowledge and passion to keep AQHA great.”
View the 2020-21 AQHA President Remarks.
Additional Videos in the 2020 AQHA Convention Series include: AQHA Finance report, presented by AQHA Chief Financial Officer/Treasurer and Chief Operating Officer Aaron Bovos; AQHA Executive Vice President report, presented by AQHA Executive Vice President Craig Huffhines; American Quarter Horse Youth Association report, presented by AQHYA President Sierra Walter; and American Quarter Horse Foundation report, presented by Chief Foundation Officer Dr. Anna Morrison. To view these videos, go to www.aqha.com and search for President Remarks.
Fair Meadows COVID-19 Restrictions
Fair Meadows in Tulsa, Oklahoma, announced safeguards that include: Texas horsemen are not permitted on the grounds; entry of any horse from
Texas will only be accepted if horse(s) are dropped off to the care of another trainer and that the handlers are not permitted on grounds; and jockeys from Texas, Minnesota, Florida or Louisiana are not permitted on the grounds.
Gary Lester Hall Passes Away
Gary Lester Hall passed away June 29
after a short battle with pneumonia. Hall was
a successful businessman, and was a top seller
of Prudential life insurance in Missouri. He purchased and grew Sunflower Supply Company Inc., a cigarette and tobacco wholesaler, and started The Medallion Company Inc., a cigarette manufacturer, and turned it into a multi-million dollar business. His other business ventures include: Hall’s Food Mart; a custom cabinet company; restaurant franchises; an antique mall; a live performance theater in Branson; residential, retail and commercial properties; and a Quarter Horse racing and breeding operation. He has bred the earners of over $4.4 million, including Champions Miss Racy Vike, Hes Relentless and One Sweet Racy. Hall is survived by his wife Donna, several children and many grandchildren.
Roger ‘Sonny’ Knight Jr. Passes Away
Roger ‘Sonny’ Knight Jr., 89, passed away
on July 3. Born in and a lifelong resident of Madisonville, Texas, he became a trial lawyer in Madison County where he worked from 1965 to 2020. He first practiced law with his father, then with his son and his daughter, and two other daughters are law school graduates as well – a leg- acy that gave him great pride. Knight served two terms as County Attorney of Madison County, and was admitted to the American Board of Trial Advocates. He was named 1990 Man of the Year by the Madison County Chamber of Commerce, and served as President and Chairman of the Madison County Historical Commission from 1995 to 2020. Sonny was well known for his gen- erosity and support. He loved animals, and was the breeder/owner of two AQHA Champions
in Deceptively and Femmes Frolic, and was the breeder of Champion Treacherously. Sonny is survived by his wife Angela Dawn, a son and three daughters, three granddaughters and many other family member and friends.
178 SPEEDHORSE August 2020