Page 59 - 11 May 2012

Ruidoso Opens For Training Races
Ruidoso Downs
opened for train-
ing April 27 with
hundreds of horses
heading out for their
morning gallops.
The summer racing
season at Ruidoso Downs starts May 25 with the trials to the $600,000 Ruidoso Futurity-G1, and culminates with the $2.4 million All American Futurity-G1 and the $2.3 million (est.) All American Derby-G1 on Labor Day weekend.
Andreini, Burns Join Los Alamitos Equine Sale
Fred Scane, John Andreini & Dr. Steve Burns.
Pacific Coast Quarter Horse Association (PC- QHRA) board members John Andreini and Dr. Steve Burns have joined with champion breeders Ed Allred and Vessels Stallion Farm for the 2012 Los Alamitos Equine Sale to be held October 6-7. Longtime breeder Andreini, who owns J/L Ranch, previously partnered with Blane Schvaneveldt on the Schvaneveldt/ Andreini Sale. He has bred, or bred in partner- ship, the earners of over $3 million. Dr. Steve Burns, who operates Burns Ranch, was the sec- ond leading breeder by money earned in 2011.
Kawananakoa Donates to Save NRQHA Program
According to The Racing Journal, leading breeder and owner Abigail Kawananakoa donated $20,000 to the Northern Racing Quarter Horse Association (NRQHA) incen- tive fund for the Sun Downs meet in Ken- newick, Washington. The track’s budget and added money incentives were being depleted due to rising jockey insurance costs, increased operating expenses and a reduction in state funding. Kawananakoa is a part-time resident of Kennewick, Washington.
G.R. Carter Wins Five At Remington
Nine-time Champion Jockey G.R. Carter Jr. won five races at Remington Park in Okla- homa City on April 30, moving him to 48 for the season and 16 ahead of the second leading jockey at the track. His wins were aboard Call Me Flyer, Queen Of Nuts, Icy Valentine, Sepa- racrest and Klassy Sassy.
Dean Miracle Colt Tops Brazil Sale
A yearling colt was the sale topper at the Velo- cidade Sale at Sorocaba in Brazil the weekend of April 21. Consigned by Haras Prata, The Miracle (Dean Miracle-Shes Signed, Signed To Fly) was purchased by Haras LM for $165,000 U.S. The Velocidade Sale is produced by Benny Rosset’s Haras Flor Do Campo, Marcelo Jorge’s Haras Sao Jorge and Erico Braja’s Haras Prata.
Sunland Park 2011-2012 Champions
Sunland Park ended its 77-day 2011-2012 race meet April 17 with a nearly 5% increase in total handle to more that $62 million and an average daily handle over $806,000. Cold Cash 123 was named Quarter Horse of the Meet and Cham- pion 3-Year-Old Colt/Gelding. Other champi- ons were: New Mexico Bred 2-Year-Old Filly
PJ Chick In Black; 2-Year-Old Colt/Gelding
Ed Duero; New Mexico Bred 2-Year-Old Colt/ Gelding First Blazin Love; 3-Year-Old Filly Kool Angel; 3-Year-Old Colt/Gelding TF Featured Effort; Older Colt/Gelding Rylees Boy; New Mexico Bred Older Colt/Gelding Here Kittykit- tykitty; Distance Horse Coronas Boy; Leading Owners Jaime Dominguez and S/M Cattle Export Co.; Leading Trainer Roberto Sanchez; and Leading Jockey Esgar Ramirez.
New Mexico Sending Tough Message
The five-member New Mexico Racing Com- mission (NMRC) is considering adopting Asso- ciation of Racing Commissioners International (RCI) rules, as well tripling the amount of money budgeted for drug testing in order to increase the number of horses tested following each race. According to New Mexico Watch- dog.org, NMRC Chairman Rob Doughty said adopting the RCI rules could lead to improve- ments in horse safety as RCI rules generally carry tougher penalties. The NMRC held a public discussion May 2 and a Commission vote is expected at a June 21 formal hearing.
USDA Rejects Second Bid For Yavapai
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), which had previously rejected a $3.25 million high bid from Gary Miller to purchase Yavapai Downs in Prescott, Arizona, failed to reach an agreement with the second-highest bidder, Texas horseman Joe Davis, who submit- ted a $3 million bid at the April 3 bankruptcy auction. Miller’s bid was rejected despite an additional $250,000 offer, and the USDA negotiated with Davis to increase his offer. The USDA has final say on the sale due to $14.7 million in loans made on the track. At this point, negotiations could continue, the track could be foreclosed upon, or the facilities could be given to the USDA.
Kansans Rally To Support Racing
Kansas horsemen on April 26 rallied at the cap- itol in Topeka to show their support of bringing racing back to the state. The Kansas Quarter Horse Racing Association (KQHRA) joined the Greyhound industry and Wichita Wins, a group of local business owners, in support of SB-241, the Kansas Agricultural Opportunity Act (KAOA). According to Support Kansas Racing, SB-241 would set the tax rate for slot machines at racetracks to the same level as it is at casinos. Kansas authorized gaming in 2007. If SB-241 passes, it could be economically possible for racetracks to reopen. According to some reports, more than 2,000 jobs would be created, with a direct economic impact to the state of over $200 million.
Smartphone Betting At Prairie Meadows
Prairie Meadows will offer betting via smart- phones and computers for the 2012 race meet. Players can set up accounts through advance deposit wagering, which was approved by the state legislature last year. The Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission accepted the agree- ment between Prairie Meadows and tvg.com, with proceeds to be split between the track and horsemen purses. Other tracks that offer mobile wagering include Del Mar Racetrack in California, and Hastings in Canada.
Pinnacle To Acquire Majority Of Retama
Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc. has announced that a wholly-owned subsidiary of the company has entered into agreements to execute a series of transactions to secure a 75.5% equity stake in Retama Partners, Ltd. (RPL), the owner
of the racing license for Retama Park. Under the terms of the agreements, Pinnacle will pay $22.8 million, comprising a purchase of debt securities and other interests related to Retama Park for $7.8 million and cash consideration
of $15 million that will be used primarily to refinance Retama Development Corporation’s (RDC) existing indebtedness and provide working capital. The initial purchase of debt securities and other interests related to Retama Park are expected to close immediately. The subsequent transactions are subject to the receipt of all applicable regulatory approvals and additional agreements with RDC, with closing expected by the end of 2012. In order to maintain continuity in the operation of Retama Park, Pinnacle intends to provide bridge loans of up to $2.6 million.
Fundraiser Saves Races At Sonoita
For the second year in a row since the state of Arizona dropped funding on fairs, rodeos and horse races, the Santa Cruz County Fair-
Morning Gallop.
SPEEDHORSE, May 11, 2012 57
NEWS BRIEFS
Los Alamitos Ruidoso Downs