Page 90 - January_2023

202 Y E A R i n 2 REVIEW
racing, dining and entertainment experience
for our guests,” said Senior Vice President and General Manager at Horseshoe Indianapolis Steve Jarmuz. Horseshoe Casinos have been operational since 1951.
SUNLAND RAISES PURSES 25%
MARDI GRAS TRIALS SET NEW RECORD HANDLE
(Mar. 7) Trials for the Mardi Gras Futurity- RG2 at Louisiana Downs were contested over two days for the first time in history, as a record number of Louisiana bred juveniles were nominated to the $382,658 event. On- track and simulcast reported a total handle of
website, Sun Downs is cancelling horse racing for the third consecutive year. Although the Kennewick, Washington track was given clearance to race in 2020 and 2021, the COVID-19 pandemic shuttered the track as the state used the fairgrounds parking lot to distribute vaccinations. According to Nancy
Sunland Raises Purses 25%
(Feb. 25) Sunland Park in New Mexico stated they will raise purses 25% beginning March 4 and through the end of the meet on April 3. The increase should result in an approximate $50,000 per day in additional purse money.
2022 AQHA EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
(Feb. 25) The 2022-2023 AQHA Executive Committee was elected at the 2022 AQHA Convention in Las Vegas. The committee is: President Dr. Scott Myers, First Vice President Kenneth Banks, Second Vice President James Hunt, and Members Jeff Tebow and Jim Brinkman.
MARCH
INDIANA RESTRICTS THYROXINE
(Mar. 1) The Indiana Horse Racing Commission joined other jurisdictions, including Minnesota, in the restriction of thyroxine, a hormone secreted by the thyroid gland. It is now prohibited to be in possession of thyroxine, any thyroid analog, or thyroid supplement if it does not meet the conditions set forth by the Indiana Horse Racing Commission at their March 1 meeting. The administration of thyroxine has been found to be given to racehorses for reasons unrelated to the horses’ thyroid health.
LONE STAR ANNOUNCES HAIR TESTING REQUIREMENT FOR 2022 FALL MEET
(Mar. 2) Hair testing will be introduced as
a condition of entry for all Quarter Horse,
Paint and Appaloosa breeds for the 2022 Fall Meeting of Champions at Lone Star Park beginning on Sept. 16. A negative hair test
free from prohibited substances set out in the Texas Racing Act and the Texas Rules of Racing will be required before any horse can enter at Lone Star Park. Texas Racing Commissioners and Executive Director Amy F. Cook are supporting the introduction of the hair testing program. “The overall awareness garnered from our Remington program has proven to be very successful. Our goal with this testing is to ensure a level playing field for all, and we hope our participants understand how this change helps us achieve that goal and is a benefit to racing at Lone Star Park.”
$1,026,942 for the two days, which was up considerably from the total handle of $552,000 for the 17 trials run last year. “This exceeded our expectations, and it was rewarding to see the interest in the trials, with good crowd support on-track and solid wagering from horseplayers across the country,” said Louisiana Downs Director of Racing David Heitzmann.
PRESTON MAKES IMPACT AS NEW OWNER/ PRESIDENT OF LOUISIANA DOWNS
(Mar. 8) Kevin Preston is now the new president and owner of Louisiana Downs after purchasing it earlier this year for $22 million with approval from both the Louisiana Gaming Control Board and Louisiana State Racing Commission. He is the founder and president of Premier Gaming Group, Magnolia Bluffs Casino & Hotel in Natchez, Mississippi. Preston was onsite for the Mardi Gras Futurity trials, meeting countless members of the racing community. Preston
is committed to elevating both the racetrack
and onsite casino with ongoing improvements. “Race fans, get excited because we are bringing this iconic racetrack back to life again,” he said.
INAUGURAL CLAIMERS SERIES AT LONE STAR PARK
(Mar. 16) Lone Star Park has announced the inaugural running of the 2022 StallioneSearch. com Claimers Cup, sponsored by StallioneSearch.com in partnership with Lone Star Park. The new race series will be contested on Dec. 17, closing day of Lone Star Park’s Fall Meeting of Champions. The Claimers Cup is
a stakes event that consists of three races for Quarter Horses, Paints & Appaloosa’s that have competed in a claiming race in 2022 at any recognized racetrack in the United States. Each Claimers Cup race will have a set of trials and the 12 fastest qualifiers will contest the finals
of each race. “These races are geared towards providing a chance for the “blue-collar horse” of our industry, the claimer, a chance to compete against horses at their performance level for far more money than most horses at the claiming level would have competed before in their career,” said Greg Thompson of StallioneSearch.
SUN DOWNS CANCELS SEASON FOR THIRD YEAR
(Mar. 16) According to an article by Jeff Morrow published on the Tri-City Herald
Sorick, president of the Tri-City Horse Racing Association (TCHRA), the state of Washington canceled liability insurance for all small tracks in the state. “We weren’t able to get liability insurance in time,” she said. Benton County has agreed to a new three-year contract for the TCHRA to run horse racing in 2022-2024. “We’ll be up and running next February through June.”
Speedhorse
88 SPEEDHORSE January 2023
SPECIAL DAY FOR ALVAREZ FAMILY
(Mar. 20) The fifth trial on March 6 for the Mardi Gras Futurity at Louisiana Downs marked a memorable milestone for the Alvarez family. David Alvarez Jr. rode in his first career race alongside his father David Alvarez, one of the top Louisiana Quarter Horse jockeys with over $20.8 million in earners. David Alvarez Jr. finished second aboard Blue Bueno in the race. “I really thought I was going to win,” he stated.
“Last year, I decided that I wanted to get my license, but after today, I can’t wait to win
my first race!” Alvarez Jr. went on to break
his maiden on March 20 at the track aboard Ddeez Kiss My Dash (Fast Prize Dash-Dashin For Royalty) in a 250-yard $10,300 maiden. The 3-year-old colt was also breaking his maiden for owner Jose M. Montoya and trainer Pedro Lopez.
TRAINERS SUSPENSIONS FOR POSITIVE ZILPATEROL TESTS
(Mar. 22) Suspensions loom for trainers Lanny Don Keith, Manuel H. Macias, Manuel Pizana, and Rosendo Valdez Jr. for several positive Zilpaterol tests in January and February at Louisiana Downs, with track stewards ruling that the trainers had multiple Zilpaterol overages. The trainers declined their right to