Page 210 - October 2015

AHC Appoints Dr. Blodgett To Board Of Trustees
The American
Horse Council
(AHC) has elected
Dr. Glenn Blodgett,
the current President
of the American
Quarter Horse
Association (AQHA),
to its Board of
Trustees. Holding
numerous positions
within AQHA, Dr.
Blodgett holds a bachelor’s degree in animal Science From Oklahoma State University (OSU) and earned his degree in Veterinary Medicine from Texas A&M University. In 1982, he became the resident veterinarian and manager of the horse division at the Four Sixes Ranch.
Perkins Named New AQHA Director Of Racing
Jen Perkins was named the new AQHA Director of Racing. Perkins, who began her
new position on Sept. 21, will direct programs intended to build ownership of American Quarter Horses among racing audiences, will implement and develop marketing strategies, and will coor- dinate the enrollment and nomination process for the Bank of America Racing Challenge.
Cruz Mendez AQHA Jockey Of The Month For August
Jockey Cruz
Mendez was named
the AQHA/Jockeys’
Guild Jockey of the
Month for August,
a month in which
his victories were
highlighted by the
$180,200 Golden
State Derby-G2
aboard Heza Dasha
Fire. Mendez has
been the only rider for Heza Dasha Fire, who has earned $1,041,940 in nine career starts. The jockey made a total of 53 starts in August, including 14 wins, 2 of them in stakes events, with $167,678 in earnings.
Canterbury Park Names Hall Of Fame Members
The Canterbury Park Hall of Fame Committee honored four Class of 2015 Hall of Fame inductees at a ceremony on Sept. 5. The newest members include former jockey Tad Leggett, Minneapolis Star Tribune sports reporter Rachel Blount, state veterinarian Dr. Richard Bowman, and Thoroughbred Wally’s Choice. The Canterbury Hall of Fame was founded in 1995 to recognize people and horses who have made important and last- ing contributions to the racing industry in Minnesota.
Canterbury Park Ends Meet With Upward Trend
Canterbury Park ended its 2015 meet with gains in total handle, attendance and out-of- state wagering. Attendance averaged 6,695 per day, up 5% from 2014 and total handle increased 5% to $716,585 per day, while out- of-state wagering on Canterbury races rose to 16% to $408,878 per day. An additional $6.9 million will be added to purses next year from a purse-enhancement deal with the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community.
Zero Cobalt Violations In Indiana
Midway through the 120-day meet at Indiana Grand Race Course, the Indiana Horse Racing Commission (IHRC) reports no viola- tions of the cobalt legislation that was imple- mented. All 221 samples tested lower than the 25ppb (parts per billion) threshold. The IHRC began testing in Sept. 2014. Indiana was the first state to regulate cobalt.
Los Alamitos Raises Purses
Effective Sept. 11, Los Alamitos Race Course raised purses for all Quarter Horse overnight races, highlighted by a $2,000 purse increase for non-maiden races and a $1,000 increase for maiden races.
End Of Historical Racing In Idaho
Idaho recently passed legislation banning historical racing machines, but the bill was vetoed by Gov. C.L. “Butch” Otter. The Idaho Supreme Court on Sept. 10, however, ruled Otter’s veto was invalid and ordered Secretary of State Lawerence Denney to certify the law banning the machines. It is unclear when the machines must be unplugged. Treasure Valley Racing, which owns Les Bois Park, has since shut down its instant racing machines and laid off 80 employees involved in those operations. Of the approximately 250 instant gaming machines in Idaho at three locations, includ- ing Sandy Downs and Greyhound Park, 200
of those are at Les Bois Park. Treasure Valley Racing president John Sheldon stated Les Bois Park will continue simulcast operations, but they are assessing the future viability of live rac- ing. Les Bois Park plans to keep the machines in hopes a compromise can be made in 2016.
Live Racing Returns To Southern Arizona In 2016
Live horse racing will return to three south- ern Arizona racetracks next year. Live racing will be held April 9-10 in Duncan, April 24-25 in Safford, and May 21-22 in Douglas. Racing will continue at Sonoita on May 7-8.
Fargo May Race In 2016
Racing at North Dakota Horse Park in Fargo, which was cancelled in 2015, is likely to return for the 2016 meet.
Fair Grounds Conducts Exotic Racing
Exotic animal racing returned to Fair Grounds in New Orleans, Louisiana, as part
of this year’s eighth summer Quarter Horse meet. The contenders were ridden by local meet jockeys, with NewOstrichLady a solid winner in the ostrich race and HumpThereItIs winning by a tongue in the camel race.
Review Of The Novel “Front Runner”
New York Times best selling author Felix Francis has written a fifth solo novel that brings back undercover investigator Jefferson Hinkley from his previous novel, Damage. The mystery thriller is set in the world of horseracing and encompasses blackmail, race scandals and murder. Felix Francis has co-authored many novels with his late father Dick Francis, a steeplechase jockey and crime writer whose novels centered on horse racing in England. Felix compliments his father and continues writing worthy of the Francis name.
Breeder Jack Bannon Passes Away
Longtime owner/
breeder Gearl “Jack”
Bannon, 94, passed away
Sept. 2. A 30-year breeder,
Bannon bred horses with
more than $1 million in
earnings, and he raced
horses that earned nearly
$900,000. Bannon was
a U.S. Army veteran and
served during World War II. He was a landowner and a builder and worked as an auctioneer and real estate broker, among other things. He owned and operated Jack Bannon Family Land and Cattle Company, and Jack Bannon Realty and Auction. He was known as a legend in the horse and cattle industries. Bannon is survived by five daughters and many other family members and friends. He was preceded in death by his wife Jenny and a daughter.
Jockey Jimmy Hunt Passes Away
Horseman and jockey Jimmy Hunt, 54, passed away Aug. 28 following
a traumatic brain injury sustained from a training acci- dent in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Hunt began racing at
208 SPEEDHORSE, October 2015
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