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NEWS BRIEFS
Champion Cartel Jess Rockin Retired
Trainer John Cooper announced that 2019 Champion 2-Year-Old Filly Cartel Jess Rockin (Favorite Cartel-Feature Jess Rockin, Feature Mr Jess) has been retired after a successful sur- gery to repair a leg fracture. Cooper reported that the filly is recovering well and headed to Firth Ranch for rehabilitation. Owned by Ron and Jeryl Hartley, Cartel Jess Rockin won four of her 12 outs with earnings close to $850,000. She won the 2019 Los Alamitos Two Million Futurity-G1 and was a finalist in three other graded stakes races. The filly, who was also named the 2019 PCQHRA Champion 2-Year- Old Filly, was the #2 leading money earner and the #1 leading money earning filly of 2019.
Grade 1 Winner BH Lisas Boy Retires
BH Lisas Boy (Mighty Invictus-Apollo Snowbound, Snowbound TB) has been retired
by breeder/owner/trainer Bill Hoburg. The 2012 gelding won 23 races from 43 starts with earnings of $963,053 and was ranked #4 by wins in 2017. Among his stakes victories were the Champion of Champions-G1, Robert L Boniface Los Alamitos Invitational Championship-G1, Go Man Go Handicap-G1 and Vessels Maturity-G1.
Dreams Devine Retires to Broodmare Band
Dreams Divine (Apollitical Jess-Answer The Dream, Tres Seis) has been retired after suffering
a second chipped knee. Purchased by Reliance Ranches at the 2018 Ruidoso Select Yearling Sale, the 2017 filly broke her maiden in her first start wire-to-wire by 1/2-length, ran second by a nose in the Ed Burke Million Futurity-G1 and was third in the Robert Adair Kindergarten Futurity-G2. In
2019, she chipped a knee and underwent surgery and did not race the last half of the that season. Dreams Divine was undefeated in 2020, winning the AB What A Runner Handicap, her trial to the Los Alamitos Oaks For Fillies-G3, and then the $395,430 finals, after which she was retired. The filly has amassed total lifetime earnings of $408,209.
Horse Racing Handle Takes Huge Hit
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, horse racing wagering dropped 22.6%. Bettors placed $731 million in wagers during March, a $214 million drop from 2019. The number of horse races fell from 2,678 to 1,787, a 33.2% drop.
Canterbury Furloughs 850 Workers
Canterbury Park furloughed approximately 850 employees as a result of their temporary closure due to COVID-19. The park announced temporary suspension of activities, including card casino, horse race simulcast and special events operations with the intention to pay all regularly scheduled employees for two weeks. Canterbury will continue to operate with “significantly reduced staff of key personnel,” until Canterbury can resume normal operations. The stabling area will open no sooner than May.
Evers Named Grants Pass Downs President
Grants Pass Downs has named Randy Evers
as their new President. Evers previously served
as executive director of the Oregon Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association (OHBOA), as executive director of the Oregon Racing Commission (ORC) and spent over 30 years
with Oregon’s Department of Revenue. Evers has had a lifelong passion for racing and has been a Thoroughbred owner for more than four decades. “Randy understands the opportunity for Grants Pass Downs to be a driver of economic growth, as well as how a healthy racing industry benefits out communities,” said Kendra Lellis, vice president
of Grants Pass Downs. Unfortunately, due to COVID-19, Grants Pass cancelled its 2020 Spring Meet. Evers stated that they “will be exploring all opportunities to honor our Summer and Fall race meets. That will include dates to open the backside (and) setting final race dates.”
Record Purses at Indiana Grand
The 18th season of Quarter Horse racing at Indiana Grand Racing & Casino was set
to begin April 14 with the most money ever offered in the 24-year history of pari-mutuel Quarter Horse racing in the state. Parent company Caesars Entertainment, however, has temporarily shut down its owned properties in North America for the well-being of employees and guests. A total of 19 Quarter Horse stakes races were set to be held, with purses reaching $1.75 million. In addition to increased stakes purses, overnights were to receive a $270,000 boost during the 120-day race meet.
AQHA Opens First Satellite Office in OKC
The American Quarter Horse Association opened their first satellite office at Heritage Place Sales Company in Oklahoma City. Horseman can transfer, register, complete leases, embryo enrollments and more at this permanent service center. AQHA is considering opening additional offices in Columbus, Ohio, and Fort Worth, Texas. For additional information, contact Jackie Boggs at 806-378-4541 or email okc@aqha.org.
Over $3.2 Million Distributed to Wyoming Breeders Awards Fund
Historic Horse Racing terminals have helped boost and stabilize live horse events in Wyoming, with over $3.2 million distributed to the Wyoming Breeder Awards Fund last year to eligible owners, breeders and stallion owners of Wyoming bred horses that participate in Wyoming racing. More than $9.8 million has been allocated to the fund and over $24 mil- lion ($7.9 million in 2019) has been distributed to local municipalities since Historic Racing was implemented in 2013.
ARCI Annual Convention Cancelled
The Association of Racing Commissioners International (ARCI) has cancelled its 2020 Annual Racing Integrity and Equine Welfare Convention due to concerns associated with the spread of coronavirus COVID-19. The con- vention was set to be held April 7-10 in New Orleans, Louisiana.
World’s Richest Horse Race Canceled Due To COVID-19
The Dubai World Cup, which was set to run on Mar. 28, has been canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The $12 million contest is the richest horse race in the world. A total of 21 American horses were listed as likely par- ticipants on the Dubai World Cup card. The Emirates Racing Authority stated, “Following the precautionary measures taken by the UAE government against the spread of the virus, it
is our responsibility to contribute in stopping
it and safeguarding our participants, residents, and guests.”
Veterinarian Robinson Charged in Texas
Dr. Justin Robinson was charged a felony indictment from a Bexar County grand jury. The veterinarian received eight charges related to illegal influence of a race outcome and administering a prohibited substance to horses between May and June of 2017. Robinson was veterinarian for trainers Judd Kearl, Brian Stroud and Jose Sanchez, who all received positives for Class 1 drug nomifensine. Kearl received a 19-year suspension, Sanchez a four-year suspension and Stroud a one-year suspension.
188 SPEEDHORSE April 2020