Page 208 - July 2016

2016 Inductees for Texas Hall of Fame Announced
The Texas Horse Racing Hall of Fame on June 15 announced their 2016 inductees: First Down Dash, Hugh Fitzsimons, Dr. Nat Kieffer, John T.L. Jones, and Jay Pumphrey. The Texas Horse Racing Hall of Fame gala and induction ceremony will be held at Retama Park on Oct. 29.
USA Wins World Jockey Challenge At Indiana Grand
Team USA won the third annual World Jockey Challenge, which was held June 25 at Indiana Grand Racing & Casino. 39 jockeys competed in their regularly scheduled races with hopes of bringing in accumulative points for their home countries. Countries represented this year included Brazil, Panama, Cuba, Peru, Mexico, Italy, Puerto Rico, Venezuela, and the United States. Mexico had the biggest repre- sentation with 17 riders, while team USA was represented by 10 jockeys: Kaylia Albright, Malcolm Franklin, Shanley Jackson, Martin Metcalf, Perry Ouzts, Smitty Oxendine, Berkley Packer, Tommy Pompell, Rodney Prescott, and Marlon St. Julien. Last year, Panama won the event while only having two riders; and the United States was the inaugural winner in 2014. The outcome was based on finishes during the night, first place received 10 points, second place awarded 5 points and 3rd place getting 3 points. Four of the 12 races were Quarter Horse races.
Equine Specialty Hospital Being Constructed in Indiana
Centaur Equine Specialty Hospital is being constructed near Indiana Grand Racing and Casino in Shelbyville, Indiana, serving as a sat- ellite facility of the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine. The hospital is being built on land purchased by the Purdue Research Foundation with $2.3 million in support from Shelby County and the city of Shelbyville,
and Centaur Gaming pledged $3.1 million to name the facility. Overall, the project will cover 18,000 square feet and cost around $8.8 mil- lion. The facility will provide specialty medical and surgical services for horse owners, and support equine research and education of future equine specialists with advanced diagnostic imaging, shockwave therapy, nuclear medicine, regenerative medicine, and much more.
Ruidoso Lifts Barn Quarantine
Ruidoso Downs on July 1 lifted a 14-day quarantine of one barn in which a horse that tested positive for the neurotropic form of EHV-1 was humanely euthanized. There have been no positive tests in that barn or
in any other stable at the track since that incident.
Oklahoma Racetrack Policy Regarding EHV-1
Following confirmation of the neurologic strain of Equine Herpesvirus (EHV-1) On June 17 at Ruidoso Downs in New Mexico, Oklahoma racetracks are enforcing the policies to safeguard the welfare of horses. The following is required to enter or operate within the enclosure: a current health certif- icate issued within 30 days prior to arrival at the track which shows a vaccination record for each horse, the horse must have been vaccinated with an FDA approved modi- fied live or killed virus vaccine for EHV-1 not less than 14 days and not more than
90 days prior to date of entry; horseman must keep every horse admitted to or in the enclosure on a current 90 day FDA approved EHV-1 vaccine schedule until further notice, and evidence of a booster vaccine will be required prior to any horse reaching that 90 day deadline. Until further notice, no horses will be admitted into the enclosure of an Oklahoma Licensed Racetrack if they are coming from Ruidoso Downs, New Mexico, or a county adjacent to a county where quar- antine has been implemented. For additional information, please contact: Fair Meadows racing office at (918) 744-6999; or Will Rogers Downs racing office at
(918) 283-8813.
Prairie Meadows Changes EHV-1 Policy
Due to concerns regarding the recent positive confirmation of EHV-1 at Ruidoso Downs in New Mexico, Prairie Meadows Racetrack in Altoona, Iowa has changed
its EHV-1 policy. Until further notice, no horses will be allowed to enter the stable area if they are coming from Ruidoso Downs. The following requirements are currently
in effect: a current heath certificate issued within 72 hours prior to arrival which shows a vaccination record must be presented before entering; the horse must be vacci- nated with an FDA approved modified live or killed virus vaccine for EHV-1 not less than 10 days and not more than 60 days prior to date of entry; and horsemen must keep every horse admitted to or in the barn area on a current 90 day FDA approved EHV-1 vaccine schedule. For more informa- tion, contact Chad Keller in the racing office at (515) 957-3027.
Fundraiser For Injured Trainer Mike Taylor
Horse trainer Mike
Taylor, 55, was seriously
injured in an accident
on June 10 when his
truck collided with a
semi-trailer in Idaho. A
longtime trainer on the
Intermountain racing
circuit, Mike has been
an asset to the racing
industry. Due to his
critical condition, many
expenses have been accumulating. A silent- auction fundraiser will be held at Wyoming Downs Racetrack on July 24. For more infor- mation or to donate an item or funds, contact Ms. Koltiska at (512) 517-9532 or email at bkoltiska@gmail.com.
RMTC Forms Task Force
The Racing Medication and Testing Consortium (RMTC) formed a new task force to address the issue of recent positives for Glaucine, which is suggested to have thera- peutic effects that include bronchodilation
and anti-inflammation. Glaucine, reported
to be an abused drug amongst humans due
its psychedelic properties, has the potential to enhance performance and also has the possibil- ity to contaminate the environment. The task force will determine what research needs to be conducted, develop a plan to address the use
of Glaucine as a performance enhancer, and address the potential dangers.
Arrests Made in a Drug Trafficking & Money Laundering Conspiracy
Fifteen individuals were charged in con- nection with a drug trafficking and money laundering conspiracy occurring in South Texas, Central Texas, and Oklahoma. Three of the 15 were arrested and charged with one count of conspiracy to structure transactions to evade reporting requirements. The defendants allegedly purchased Quarter Horses from an auction in Oklahoma using drug proceeds. The indict- ment seeks the forfeit of 12 properties with an estimated value of $15 million. Throughout the investigation, authorities seized more than 100 kilograms of cocaine, approximately $500,000
in farm equipment, around 20 vehicles, over 60 firearms, more than 30 horses, and over $50,000.
2016 Champion of Champions Format Set
The format for the Dec. 10, $600,000 Champion of Champions-G1 is unchanged from 2015, as eight Grade 1 stakes will offer automatic starting berths. Those races are: Los Alamitos Winter Championship, Remington Park Invitational Championship, Vessels Maturity, All American Derby, Mildred Vessels
206 SPEEDHORSE, July 2016
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