Page 162 - December 2016

Apologies To O. J. McKay And Son-In-Law Jim Junot
Our sincerest apologies to O. J. McKay and his son-in-law Jim Juno whose pictures we took at the 2016 Heritage Place Yearling Sale but failed to publish in our October issue.
Schvaneveldt Featured In Orange County Register
Schvaneveldt
Racing Stables and
2016 Los Alamitos
Two-Million
Futurity-G1 finalist
Kissed By An Eagle
were featured in
the Orange County
Register. The column,
written by Jeff
Miller, discusses the
legacy of 12-time
AQHA Champion trainer Blane Schvaneveldt, who passed away six years ago at the age of 76.
Trainer Denny Ekins To Retire At Year End
Long-time
Quarter Horse
trainer Denny Ekins,
70, announced he
will retire from
training at the
end of 2016. The
California-based
horseman, along
with his wife Vandi,
plan to move to
Montana to enjoy
family time with their son Robbie, his wife, and their 4-year-old daughter. Ekins has trained the likes of World Champion Cold Cash 123 and Champions Ocean Runaway, Tolltac, Flying Fig, and Sterling Sport.
Racing Unhappy That Worker Visa Provision Not Being Renewed
A bill to keep the government funded through the end of April does not include
a provision to make it easier for the horse racing industry to hire foreign guest work-
ers, who groom horses and perform other
jobs. The National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA) wants Congress to renew
an exemption to the H2B visa cap that allows them to employ workers who have worked in the program in at least one of the past three years. The current H2B visa cap stands at 66,000 workers a year for the country, and the NTRA says horse trainers and breeders may not be able to find enough workers since they will be competing with other nonagricultural indus- tries that rely on temporary, seasonal help.
ARCI Industry Input Survey Reveals Support For Central Drug Rules
According to a release by the Association of Racing Commissioners International (ARCI), the results of 28 focus groups and an in-depth survey of industry stakeholders reveals wide- spread support for the creation of a centralized rule making entity in which the rules would apply to all and that is accountable to the existing racing commissions. With input from approximately 3,000 people, the top problems were perception and competition, followed by the lack of uniformity in rules, and doping and inconsistent penalties. The ARCI is facilitat- ing a meeting of industry leaders to encourage them to decide upon a consensus path based on the results.
New Senate Members Announced for Jockeys’ Guild
The Jockeys’ Guild announced on Nov.
30 that 27 members have been elected to
the organization’s Senate, including six new members: Jose L. Ortiz, Joe Rocco, Jr., William Antongeorgi III, Eddie Garcia, Esgar Ramirez, and Ricky Ramirez. The Senate is responsible for determining the levels of dues and assess- ments and selects the Board members, includ- ing Chairman of the Board.
ROAP Conference on Officiating Horse Racing Draws 75 Participants
The Racing Officials Accreditation Program’s (ROAP) Conference on Officiating Horse Racing was held Dec. 6 and attracted over 75 participants, including stewards, racing officials, regulators, and industry professionals. Areas of discussion included the use of safety stewards, the necessity of uniform rules for uniform regulation, race conditions, financial responsibility rules governing participants, chaplains counseling licensees, abuse of riding crop, drug rule violations, and repeat rule offenders.
Canterbury Park Request 2017 Dates
Canterbury Park officials have submitted a request to the Minnesota Racing Commission for approval for a 67-day race meet in 2017. The proposed schedule would begin May 5 and end Sept. 16. Horsemen purses are expected to exceed $14 million.
Dick Beach Passes Away
Longtime California-based trainer Richard “Dick” Beach passed away Nov. 6 at the age of 86 following a battle with Parkinson’s disease. Beach established himself as one of the top trainers at Los Alamitos in the 1960s and early 1970s. He won 285 Quarter Horse races at
the Orange County oval and was second in the standings with 20 wins from 144 starts
in 1971. Beach is survived by many family members and friends.
Dale Coleman Passes Away
2016 Louisiana Downs Horseman of the Year William “Dale” Coleman passed away on Nov. 8. The 75 year old was a member
of the original Louisiana Rodeo Cowboys Association (LRCA) Board of Directors in 1960, and was recently inducted into the LRCA Hall of Fame. Coleman is survived by his wife, Pam, along with many other family members and friends.
Rod MacPherson Passes Away
Quarter Horse
owner Rod MacPherson
passed away at the age
of 87 on Nov. 25 after
suffering a heart attack.
MacPherson cam-
paigned horses for over
40 years and was on
the PCQHR A Board
of Directors since 2001,
serving as chief finan-
cial officer. He was one
of only four to have been presented with the title of PCQHRA Owner of the Year more than once. MacPherson was perhaps most known
for owning 3-time Champion Separatist, sire
of World Champion DM Shicago and multiple Champion Moonist. MacPherson also owned 3-time Champion Sign Of Lanty, one of the top 870-yard Quarter Horses of all time. He is survived by his daughter, Robin, three stepsons, three stepsons, four stepdaughters, and many grandchildren, family members and friends.
Steve Sexton Passes Away
Longtime racing executive Steve Sexton,
57, passed away Dec. 5 after recently being diagnosed with a brain tumor. In 1994 after
a decade in various management positions at tracks across the country, Sexton was named an assistant general manager of Lone Star
Park, which was seeking one of the first Class 1 racetrack licenses in Texas. The track opened in 1997 and Sexton was named executive vice president and general manager in 2000. He
is survived by his wife, Kim, his son, Taylor, daughter, Kalli, and numerous family members and friends.
160 SPEEDHORSE, December 2016
news briefs