Page 182 - April 2017

Speedhorse Donates Eastex Bronze
John Bachelor (left), president of Speedhorse, donated the 1997 AQHA World Championship Show Versatility Showcase Exhibitor bronze in appreciation of Eastex for “Demonstrating the Versatility of America’s Horse” to Remington Park. Scott Wells, the president and general manager of Remington Park and Lone Star Park, accepted the bronze that is to be placed in Remington Park’s perma- nent display honoring 2-time Champion Eastex (Texas Dancer TB-Tall Cotton, Easy Jet).
Louisiana Downs Announces 2017 Leaders
The leading owner, trainer, and jockey of the 2017 Louisiana Downs Winter Quarter Horse meet were honored on closing day March 22. Manuel Alvarez and Julien R. Stevens III were the co-leading owners with eight wins each, while Alejandro Moya was the leading owner by earnings with $232,792; Orlando Orozco was the leading trainer with 29 wins; and Damian Martinez was the leading jockey with 37 wins, and he also led all jockeys by earnings with $322,310.
Record-Breaking Season For Rillito
After a record-breaking season that ended March 19, the Rillito Park Foundation announced they will use the off-season to make barn repairs and to improve the facility with a $1 million grant. Rillito Park has a contract to continue racing until 2021.
Jockey Larry Gamez Announces Retirement
Jockey Larry Gamez, 55,
announced his
retirement after the
closing of the 2017
meet at Rillito Park.
Gamez, who has
been racing horses
for 40 years, had
placed first 12 times
already this year and
is a leading rider with
nearly 750 career
wins. Among his his
many victories was
the $1,920,887 All American Derby-G1 aboard Too Flash For You in 2014.
Kentucky Derby Party At Turf Paradise
The Stella Artois Derby DayClub will host
a Kentucky Derby party on May 6 at Turf Paradise in Phoenix, Arizona, with live racing, private betting terminals, all-inclusive VIP tick- ets, air conditioned tents, and Mint Juleps. Race goers are encouraged to wear their hats, pastels and bow ties. The party begins at 10:30 a.m. with live racing starting at 11:30 a.m. Tickets are available at www.thepoloparty.com/derby.
Support For Wildfire Victims
Many individuals, organizations, and companies have donated time and supplies
to help those affected by the recent wild-
fires wreaked havoc in the Texas Panhandle, Oklahoma, Colorado and Kansas. Among others, EquiResp donated respiratory treat- ments for animals and Vetericyn gave their time and product to injured animals. To help, contact: Kansas Livestock Association at (785) 273-5115; Colorado Farm Bureau Foundation at (970) 520-3565; Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Foundation at (580) 735-2252; or Texas Farm Bureau at (806) 862-4601 or (806) 669-8033
USDA Authorizes Emergency Grazing Following Wildfires
Acting in response to a directive from President Trump, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) on April 4 authorized emergency grazing on Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) lands in Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas for ranchers facing the ruination
of their herds due to lack of sufficient graz-
ing land following the wildfires that began on March 6. With fires still burning, an estimated 630,000 acres were lost in Kansas, 390,000
in Oklahoma, and 550,000 in Texas; with an estimated loss of livestock ranging between 11,000 - 17,000.
Fair Meadows Undergoing Rebuild Project
According to Oklahoma Quarter Horse Racing Association executive director Debbie Schauf, the Tulsa Fairgrounds has demolished both the south and north end grandstands over the past two years. Now, the middle section of the grandstand is being removed and will be finished in time for the 2017 race meet, which begins June 8 and runs through July 29. Tulsa County voters also approved a bond issue that will pay for a new barn to be constructed in 2018.
Alberta Gaming Commission Approves New Track
The Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission on March 24 approved Horse Racing Alberta and Century Casinos’ plan to build a $50-million racetrack near Edmonton. The new track will be called Century Mile and will replace Northlands Park, which is sched- uled to race until June 30, 2018.
Arizona Hall of Fame Inductees
Loretta Brasher, executive director of the Arizona Quarter Racing Association, was inducted into the association’s Hall of Fame during the AQRA annual awards banquet
at Rillito Park on March 18. Cats Policy,
one of the top Arizona-breds of his day, was also inducted. Cats Policy (Reb’s Policy TB-Catspaw, House Cat TB) won 22 of 49 races over seven seasons. The 1979 gelding was bred by Dr. F.I. Skinner and Bill Byrne and raced under Byrne’s name.
Relay For Life Comes To Turf Paradise
The American Cancer Society will hold their signature fundraising event, Relay For Life, for the first time at Turf Paradise Race Course on April 22. The event opens with can- cer survivors and their caregivers being honored and celebrated through the Survivor Lap, and includes a Luminaria Ceremony to remember those lost to cancer, as well as entertainment, before concluding with a closing ceremony.
180 SPEEDHORSE, April 2017
news briefs
Linda Earley Coady Photography