Page 16 - December 2016

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by Jennifer K. Hancock
Jockeys’ Guild AnnuAl Assembly
To increase participation, the Jockeys’ Guild Annual Assembly moved from the beginning of the year to the end when fewer tracks are running. The 2016 event happened Dec. 11-13 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
“It is important that all jockeys in the United States attend the annual Assembly because they are a vital part of the horse racing industry,” said Jockeys’ Guild Chairman John Velazquez. “We need input from every jockey – Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse – based anywhere and everywhere in the U.S. to ensure our organization and industry remain strong.”
Noted speakers at the Assembly included Justin Bullock of PROVE Performance; Sarah Jane Cullen, an assistant lecturer in the department of health, sport, and exercise science at Waterford Institute of Technology in Waterford, Ireland; and Gillie O’Loughlin, a sports dietitian, discussing the importance of nutrition for jockeys.
The Guild continues to raise awareness about jockey health issues and is attempting to increase participation in its concussion protocol program launched last year. Several sessions were dedicated to concussion awareness and featured experts on the effects of concussions and how to manage medical issues.
Jockey Aaron Gryder acted as the emcee at the Dec. 13 annual award banquet. Mike Penna of HRRN Radio received the Eddie Arcaro Award, Russel Baze received the Laffit Pincay Jr. Award, Esgar Ramirez received the Jacky Martin Award, and Stacy Burton received the Courage Award.
The Jockeys’ Guild, Inc. has approximately 1,170 members, including active, retired and disabled jockeys. The purpose is to protect jockeys, strive to achieve a safer racing environment, to obtain improved insurance and other benefits for members, and to monitor developments in local, state and federal laws affecting the racing industry, and in particular, the jockeys. More information at www.jockeysguild.com and www.facebook.com/ jockeysguild.
An Honor for A Princess
Colorado State University (CSU) presented Princess Abigail Kawananakoa, a longtime breeder of racing American Quarter Horses and direct descendant of
the Hawaiian royal family, with an honorary doctorate degree during a winner’s circle ceremony at Los Alamitos Racecourse Dec. 11. This was the night of
the Los Alamitos Two-Million Futurity-G1, in which Kawananakoa won in 1995 with Evening Snow. She was voted AQHA Champion Owner in 1994 and ‘95.
Renowned equine surgeon Dr. Wayne
McIlwraith, Distinguished Professor of Orthopaedics and Founding Director of the Orthopaedic Research Center at Colorado State University, presented his 90-year-old friend with the degree and a ceremonial commencement hood.
Kawananakoa earned the honorary degree for her longtime support of global equine health and for her leadership in preserving native Hawaiian culture. The princess has directed her energy and philanthropic resources toward the preservation and perpetuation of Hawaiian language, culture and history, noted Dr. Mark Stetter, dean of the CSU College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, and has been a lifelong devotee of horses. Her passion connected her to CSU and inspired her to promote research and teaching in equine musculoskeletal health. She has generously supported
the CSU Orthopaedic Research Center for many years. Because of similarities in the joints of horses and humans, the center’s discoveries often translate into advancements in human orthopaedic care.
Kawananakoa owns Lakeview Quarter Horse Farm
in Nuevo, California, as well as ranches in Hawaii and Washington. The acclaimed horsewoman is perhaps best known as owner of Champion A Classic Dash, winner
of the 1993 All American Futurity. McIlwraith operated on both A Classic Dash and Evening Snow, using arthroscopic surgery to remove bone fragments from their joints. A Classic Dash then retired to stud, but Evening Snow returned to the track, and in 1996 he became the first horse of any breed to sprint the quarter-mile from a standing start in less than 21 seconds.
idAHo sHortfAll
The Idaho Racing Commission is facing a funding crisis after Les Bois Park, its primary revenue source and the largest horse racing facility in the state, closed earlier in 2016.
The Idaho Commission is funded by takeout from bets at the track and licensing fees. Current projections show the commission will receive around $80,000 in revenue for its next fiscal year budget, but this amount is less than needed to hire part-time staff and veterinarians to oversee the remaining nine race tracks in the state.
With funding from Les Bois Park now shuttered, proposed legislation seeks $334,000 for fiscal year 2018. The proposal has the commission receiving a larger share of online betting revenue, resulting in a reduction
Send photos and news items to jennifer_k_hancock@hotmail.com.
The MonTh in review
14 SPEEDHORSE, December 2016
Track chaTTer
© Los Alamitos