Page 12 - Speedhorse November, 2018

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by Jennifer K. Hancock
RTCA WHITE HORSE AWARDS RECIPIENTS
A hero is a person who is admired for cour-
age, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities. There are heroes all around the horse racing indus- try and the Race Track Chaplaincy of America recognizes some of these selfless servants through its White Horse Awards.
Established in 2003, the White Horse Awards rec- ognizes individuals within the horse racing industry for their acts of selflessness and bravery. The RTCA White Horse Awards is held in conjunction with the Breeders’ Cup World Championships, a week that honors the best in the sport. This year, the ceremony was held Nov. 1 at the Triple Crown Room at Churchill Downs. Hall of Fame jockey and Triple Crown winner Mike Smith served as the guest speaker.
The All American Ruidoso Downs ownership and management were awarded the Community Service Award. The award is presented annually to an individual or group who has made significant contributions to racetrack chaplaincy ministries through involvement and participation. The construction and dedication of a chapel on the grounds of Ruidoso earlier this year is a tangible reminder of the ownership’s support of the chaplaincy.
The White Horse Award, which goes to an individual or group who has performed a heroic act on behalf of human or horse, was given collectively. This was a unique year, as RTCA received multiple nominations regarding the events at San Luis Rey
on December 7, 2017, and beyond. All were heartfelt and deserved recognition. Therefore, the award was awarded collectively to “The Heroes from the San Luis Rey Training Center Fire.” San Luis Rey Downs General Manager Kevin Habell accepted the award.
RUIDOSO ADDS FILLIES ONLY RACES FOR 2020
Ruidoso Downs is creating two new opportu- nities for fillies with its 2020 season. The New Mexico track will be adding the All American Oaks and the Rainbow Oaks to its schedule. These optional races are restricted to 3-year-old fillies. The Rainbow Oaks will be contested in addition to the current Grade 1 Rainbow Derby for 3-year- olds of both sexes.
The format for foals of 2017 will cap the purse for the open Rainbow Derby division at $700,000. The remaining purse will be dedicated to the fillies-only division, which is expected to be in the $100,000 range in the first year.
Both divisions will race at 440 yards. As in the All American Oaks, 3-year-old fillies may enter either the open Derby or the Oaks.
“Few 3-year-old fillies can compete successfully with males in late summer at a quarter mile,” said
Jeff True, Ruidoso Downs President and General Manager. “We’ve had such a positive response from nominators and breeders to the new All American Oaks format, that we decided to expand the Rainbow Derby. The Quarter Horse fillies’ division will soon be energized with a high quality, national stakes schedule from California to New Mexico benefiting owners and breeders.”
All Quarter Horse foals of 2017 will be eligible
to enter the 2019-20 Rainbow series. Conditions and details for both the All American and Rainbow Oaks will be published in Fall 2018.
RAIN DANCE GALA, 2019
Ruidoso Downs Racetrack and Casino, in con- junction with Rainmakers Resort and Club and the Spencer Performing Arts Theater, will hold the inau- gural RAIN DANCE gala event in July 2019 in the Sacramento Mountains near Ruidoso, New Mexico.
RAIN DANCE will be an upscale, gala event surrounded by numerous activities taking place in the greater Ruidoso area. Currently planned activities include the $1 million Rainbow Futurity and Derby scheduled for July 20-21, with the Rainbow time trials on July 5-7. On July 12, a golf tournament will take place at Rainmakers Resort followed by the grand charity gala on July 13 at Rainmakers Resort and Club. Proceeds from the events will go to various charities, including the Lincoln County Medical Center building fund.
THE MONTH IN REVIEW
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SPEEDHORSE, November 2018
Jennifer K. Hancock
TRACK CHATTER