Page 21 - August 2022

TRACK CHATTER
THE MONTH IN REVIEW
by Jennifer K. Hancock
LQHBA SCHOLARSHIP FUND
The Louisiana Quarter Horse Breeders Association awarded four $2,000 scholarships to further the education of Louisiana students on July 16 at Delta Downs. The LQHBA Scholarship Fund was the vision of the late Jim Mitchell and Executive Director Emeritus Leverne Perry and is supported strongly by the LQHBA and its board members. More than $700,000 has been earmarked for this program since its inception in 2001. LQHBA Executive Director Bruce Salard and LQHBA board members assisted with the drawings. Winners of $2,000 scholarships were Karley LaFleur, Peyton Doyle, Erin Berwick and Samuel Jackson. Visit LQHBA.com for
more information on the LQHBA Scholarship Program.
CRAWFORD NEW SECRETARY AT LOUISIANA DOWNS
Matt Crawford became Louisiana Downs’ racing secretary on July 18. He will oversee racing office operations for both the current Thoroughbred racing season and the 2023 Quarter Horse meet.
Crawford began his career in horse racing
as an assistant trainer and his association with Louisiana Downs began in 1980 with one of his trainees, Big Sturgeon, who was named 1987 Horse of the Meet. Crawford made his transition to numerous racing office roles, beginning at Louisiana Downs where he was employed as assistant racing secretary from 2008-2013. He has served as racing secretary at Delta Downs, Canterbury Park, Sam Houston Race Park, Ruidoso Downs, Zia Park and Hialeah Park. Most recently, Crawford was racing secretary
for the Lone Star Park Fall Meet of Champions and assistant racing secretary for their 2021 and 2022 Thoroughbred live racing seasons.
Crawford is looking forward to returning to the Bossier City racetrack, encouraged by the dedication to racing by new owner Kevin
Preston and Mitch Dennison, who is Louisiana Downs General Manager of Racing.
“I know so many horsemen in this region who are thrilled with the direction of Louisiana Downs,” said Crawford. “As someone in the industry who began training racehorses, I share the commitment of Kevin and Mitch in creating energy and enthusiasm for our sport. They
have a great racing office team in place, led by Jennifer Sokol, Racing Operations Manager, and assistant Racing Secretary Tammy Peck. I am looking forward to this opportunity.”
In turn, Dennison knows that Crawford’s expertise as a racing secretary coupled with his long-term associations with Louisiana, Texas and Arkansas horsemen, will make for a smooth transition.
“Matt has a noted tenure in our industry and knows our region very well,” said Dennison. “We are fully committed to serving our horsemen at the highest level and know that Matt shares that goal. He joins an established racing office team, well-coordinated by Jennifer Sokol. There is no doubt that Matt will be a great fit as he returns to Louisiana Downs.”
Olmstead; Thoroughbred trainer Michael Biehler; and Cort Holten, who represented
the Minnesota Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association at the state capitol for more than three decades. These inductees joined a group of nearly 50 individuals and horses that comprise the best of Minnesota horse racing.
Amber (Blair) and Jason Olmstead have been involved in Canterbury racing since 2005. Amber’s first Quarter Horse win came June 24 of that year with Jason as the jockey. Following Jason’s retirement from riding, he became the couple’s trainer of record in 2014. Jason and Amber operate as a team with stables at multiple tracks. Jason has been leading Quarter Horse trainer seven consecutive seasons beginning
in 2015. Jason trained the Quarter Horse of
the Meet five times. He is second in all-time Quarter Horse earnings and wins at Canterbury.
Combined, the Olmsteads have won
the track’s premier Quarter Horse race, the Northlands Futurity, five times. Amber is seventh in all-time earnings and wins. Jason received national acclaim when named AQHA Champion Trainer for 2021.
The Canterbury Park Hall of Fame was founded in 1995 to recognize people and horses that have made important and lasting contributions to the racing industry within
the state. The selection committee consists of representatives of local horsemen organizations, media, and Canterbury Park.
Got Good News to Share?
Do you have a positive story that you’d like to share?
Send photos and news items to jennifer_k_hancock@hotmail.com.
CANTERBURY PARK HALL OF FAME CLASS OF 2022 ANNOUNCED
The Canterbury Park Hall of Fame
welcomed its newest inductees July 15. The Class of 2022 included Quarter Horse husband and wife training team Jason and Amber
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