Page 35 - NMHBA Spring 2020

racetracks target short Thoroughbred fields as the crux of their economic woes. The NMRC apparently agrees. Also, of note is that no one moans or groans about a shortage of Quarter Horses. The overall ring of the message is racing in New Mexico depends solely on the TBs which, of course, is absolutely untrue. Yet, no one feels inclined to tamper with that long-ago, 60/40 handshake agreement. So.....
What we have is a situation that’s
turned completely backwards, with the dominant breed handed the smaller share of responsibility and the non-dominant breed expected to carry the heavier side of the yoke. If you didn’t know better, you would define it as “designed for failure.” Self-sabotaging. For one thing, the solution to the so-called “problem” is so simple that it’s laughable. Except, it’s too serious for laughter. And if it’s so simple, why doesn’t someone take a step forward and say, “For goodness sake, let’s just turn around the equation and use our available resources logically.”
There is an abundance of Quarter Horses, many of which have trouble getting into one or two races. Change the split to 60% Quarters and 40% Thoroughbreds. Think that’s too drastic? Then go 50/50 and see how that works. It’s as easy as initiating a new handshake.
There are verifiable facts and numbers to underwrite a change.
First, New Mexico, like most other states in this area of the country, is predominantly Quarter Horses. There were 2,874 QH starters in New Mexico in 2018, and 2,919 in 2019. By contrast, there were only 429 Thoroughbred foals registered in New Mexico in 2017.
That may sound like an apples and oranges comparison, but it’s really not. It’s obvious that 429 foals can come nowhere within striking distance of 2,874 or 2,919 Quarter Horses.
Thoroughbreds will never close that numbers gap for obvious reasons. The Quarter Horse industry has harnessed reproductive technology through AI, embryo transfer, shipped/frozen semen, frozen/multiple embryos; dead stallions continue siring babies, frozen embryos from deceased mares are locked away for future use and mares are allowed to perform like breeders in a puppy mill.
None of that is necessarily a criticism. It’s simply a statement of reproductive procedures that have put Quarter Horse numbers at least 20-lengths ahead of TB numbers. What all of that amounts to is Quarter Horses provide
the more abundant resource, and the more abundant resource is the one that should be used more abundantly if lucrative, successful racing programs for horsemen are the goal.
New Mexico has worked itself into a very good racing profile but the racing industry, as
a whole, has always been about as volatile as
the stock market. It will slide and wallow if the wrong person sneezes or if there are rumors that the wrong person might sneeze. The high-as- a-kite swings are no different. The market will soar and leave everyone looking into the corners to find the source of the big bounce.
One of the most important foundation blocks in racing (and in the stock market) is customer confidence. Things such as cuts in race dates chip away at the confidence blocks. Low sale numbers contribute to deepening the chink. Instability in any area is capable of eliciting a negative reaction from breeders, buyers, trainers and on down the line to people who are industry suppliers and workers.
New Mexico is in a good place right
now. Breeding farms are riding high on the successful crest of the 2019 breeding seasons. The sales have been better than good for the past two years. The Rainbow and All American futurities and derbies are up in nominations and sustaining payments. And, whether or not it’s talked about out loud, New Mexico stands in
a relatively short line to inherit some valuable racing opportunities.
New Mexico mailed $3,938,197 in incentive award checks on November 26, 2019. That’s a nice piece of change, as well as $100,000 (appx.) over the previous year.
A lot of things are looking good in New Mexico. It would be a flat-out shame to screw up any portion of that package because, for one thing, it wasn’t a walk in the park to get there.
HORSEMEN’S OPINIONS
Some of the horsemen speaking about
the reduction in dates felt the New Mexico Racing Commission should possibly be reminded of their mission statement which is: We exist to provide regulation in an equitable manner to New Mexico’s pari-mutuel horseracing industry to protect the interest
of wagering patrons and the state of New Mexico in a manner which promotes a climate of economic prosperity for horsemen, horse owners and racetrack management.
These horsemen further felt particular attention should be paid to the word “equitable.”
Kim Saunders
Sierra Blanca Equine/Ruidoso Downs, NM
Saunders is a hard-working horsewoman who has paid her dues and used a mountain of effort to gain respected success in the industry. She stands eight stallions, seven Quarters and one TB.
“We could get our Quarter Horses out only one or two times, even before the date cut. The cut will do nothing but make it more difficult for us. This will impact breeders, especially those who keep some of their stallion’s fillies for the track in an effort to prove their siring ability. It’s part of a stud horse’s ‘campaign’ strategy, but you can’t prove very much if you can’t get those fillies in a race.
“There are so many factors that aren’t considered, or thought through, before
doing things as serious as reducing racing opportunities. For instance, the bloodlines represented by our New Mexico stallions are good. They should be attracting people from out-of-state to breed here and run here. Instead, we’re doing things to drive them away. Program changes of almost any kind can impact breeders negatively, which is why it’s so critical that any changes be considered from all angles.
“In my opinion, there’s even a possibility that cutting race dates could result in increased drug usage. Why? Because with racing opportunities being so limited, trainers and owners are pushed to keep their horses at a peak performance level. You certainly don’t want to shoot for one of those few opportunities and end up cancelling because your horse is ‘off.’ Some people will do whatever is necessary to not miss a chance because the next race may not be around the next corner.
“Changes such as reducing the race dates definitely contribute to an unstable
New Mexico is in a good place right now. Breeding farms are riding high on the successful crest of the 2019 breeding seasons. The sales have been better than good for the past two years.
SPRING 2020 33