Page 14 - Speedhorse, February 2019

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by Jennifer K. Hancock
HISTORIC RACING BENEFITS WYOMING
Founded in 1967, the Wyoming Pari-Mutuel Commission has more than five decades of experience regulating pari-mutuel wagering, and now utilizing new technology through historic racing terminals is revitalizing the racing industry in the Cowboy State. When it comes to historic racing, Wyoming is setting the pace as one of the few states in the nation permit- ting the public to bet on historic races at off-track betting sites.
The combined historic racing handle for
2018 in Wyoming from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31 was $570,598,999.60. Of the $570 million wagered, more than 92%, or over $525 million, was returned to the public. The revenue from the terminals for Wyoming municipalities for 2018 reached more than $5.7 mil- lion to distribute back to cities and counties where the historic racing terminals are located. More than $16.2 million has been distributed to local municipalities since historic racing was implemented in 2013.
It also generated more than $2.2 million for the Wyoming breeder awards fund in 2018, which will be paid out to eligible owners, breeders and stallion owners of Wyoming-bred horses that participated in Wyoming live race meets. More than $6.5 million has been allocated to the fund from historic racing terminals since 2013.
“Integrity and transparency are critical,” stated Charles Moore, executive director of the Wyoming Pari-Mutuel Commission. “The continued growth depends upon the public’s confidence and trust in licensed wagering activities. Therefore, public confi- dence is maintained by strict regulations of all persons, places, practices, organizations and activities related to the operation of licensed wagering establishments.”
INDIANA CELEBRATES SPRINTERS
The Indiana Quarter Horse Breed Development Program and the Quarter Horse Racing Association of Indiana celebrated a bright year of Quarter Horse racing in Indiana in 2018 with a year-end awards banquet (see award winners on page 128).
Prior to the banquet, the QHRAI’s annual stallion service auction brought in $70,500. Kiss My Hocks was the highest selling stallion, garnering $4,500 for a 2019 breeding. Indiana stallion Escondido Beach sold for $500 more than his minimum. Since the conclusion of the auction, nine additional stallions sold, bringing the total to $83,975.
“Even with the inclement weather, we had a great turnout for the Stallion Service Auction and the awards banquet. We are grateful for Janet VanBebber attending our event. It was a pleasure having her,” said Dianne Bennett, QHRAI executive director.
The Indiana Quarter Horse Breed Development Fund receives 30% of the revenue generated from slot machines that is allocated for Quarter Horse Racing.
NUNEZ WINS 500TH VICTORY
Trainer Jesus Nunez won his 500th Quarter Horse race at Los Alamitos after saddling EG High Desert Farms’ Eagles Policy to victory in the sev- enth race on Jan. 11. Nunez is the 19th trainer to reach the mark at the Orange County track. He has won a total of 535 Quarter Horse races at all tracks during his career.
In 2018, Nunez saddled Jess Ravin to victory in the Grade 1 Mildred Vessels Memorial Handicap. The trainer also saddled Champion Buccaneer Beach to win the Grade 1 Los Alamitos Winter Championship in 2004. His other stakes winners include Apollos Favorite in the 2005 Las Damas Handicap, which was a Grade 2 race at the time. Nunez has won nine graded stakes and 22 total stakes races during his 24-year career, including graded stakes winners A Mere Chocolate, Jess Hawk, Feature Mr Liquidity, A Mere Splash and Bac To Streak.
Nunez is also a winner of 366 Thoroughbred races at Los Alamitos and has been the track’s leading trainer with the breed each of the past two years.
THE MONTH IN REVIEW
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SPEEDHORSE, February 2019
Jennifer K. Hancock
TRACK CHATTER