Page 70 - January 2022

202 Y E A R i n 1 REVIEW
VANCE NAMED EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT OF RACING
Officials with Global Gaming Solutions announced Matt Vance
excess of $7 million. He is second on the list in all-time leading purse earnings for a Quarter Horse jockey and holds the record for most jockey titles at Indiana Grand, winning the top spot five times (2005, 2008, 2009, 2011 and 2013). He also
July 31
DELTA DOWNS MEET LEADERS
Delta Downs concluded its 2021 American Quarter Horse season and honored their leading horsemen. Running away with his first leading
Claude W. Boutte, Tom Lepic Inducted into Louisiana, Iowa Horse Racing Hall of Fames
was named executive vice president of racing for Remington Park in Oklahoma City and Lone Star Park in Grand Prairie, Texas. Skip Seeley, Global Gaming
Solutions CEO, said Vance’s thorough knowledge
of the horse industry and his passion for working collaboratively with horsemen, jockeys, racing fans and employees played an instrumental role in this decision. Vance received the 2020 Gordon Crone Special Achievement Award from the American Quarter Horse Association for his work during the pandemic. As executive vice president for both tracks, he will oversee all mutuels/simulcasting, operations, track maintenance and racing operations.
JULY
July 2
TOM LEPIC INDUCTED INTO PRAIRIE MEADOWS HALL OF FAME
Tom Lepic was inducted into the Prairie Meadows Hall of Fame during a ceremony at the track. Lepic was recognized for his years of contributions to the growth of horse racing at the track and in the state of Iowa. Lepic
has been involved in the racing industry for nearly 50 years and is currently President of the Iowa Quarter Horse Racing Association.
July 3
INDIANA HALL OF FAME INDUCTS NEW MEMBERS
The Quarter Horse Association of Indiana celebrated two new inductees into the Indiana Quarter Horse Hall of Fame at Indiana Grand Racing & Casino. Noel Alexander, a longtime owner and breeder, and jockey Harold Collins were honored for their outstanding and dedicated service to the Indiana Quarter Horse industry. Alexander has been involved in Quarter Horse racing for 60 years and is ranked among the top 20 all-time leading owners at the track. Collins ended his riding career in 2018 with earnings in
has the most career stakes victories of any other Quarter Horse jockey in Indiana Grand history.
July 10
LOUISIANA QUARTER HORSE ASSOCIATION HALL OF FAME
Prominent Louisiana Quarter Horse breeder and owner Claude W. Boutte
Jr. and legendary racehorse and stallion Feature Mr Jess were inducted into the Louisiana Quarter Horse Breeders Association Hall of
Fame at Delta Downs. Boutte Jr. played a pivotal role in the history of the Louisiana Quarter Horse industry. He was one of the founding members of LQHBA and served as president in the early years. His Alexandria Pleasure Time Farms stood stallions Streakin La Jolla, who began his stud career on his farm, as well as Mr Jess Perry. Grade 1 winner and multiple Champion sire Feature Mr Jess won the Rainbow Futurity-G1 and Rainbow Derby-G1 and earned $539,327. He stood at JEH Stallion Station for an exceptional stallion career. From 10 crops to reach racing age, he is the sire over $24.9 million
July 26
ROB WERSTLER NAMED TQHA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Rob Werstler took the reins of the
Texas Quarter Horse Association, replacing longtime Executive Director Val Clark who is leaving the AQHA Texas state affiliate for a seasonal role with a Christian- based dude ranch in
Colorado. The son of a leading Thoroughbred trainer, Werstler steps up to the role of executive director from his former position as the TQHA director of racing which he held since 1998. Werstler has been instrumental in the operation of the TQHA’s Accredited Texas-Bred program and its annual yearling sale.
owner title was Rosendo Valdez, father of trainer Rosendo Valdez Jr., who saw his horses win
15 races during the meet. The owner with top earnings was Ebelyn Rojos’ Rojas Racing Stables LLC with $602,181. Kenneth Roberts Sr. took the title of leading trainer as his trainees visited the winner’s circle 40 times during the meet. The trainer with top earnings was Rosendo Valdez Jr., whose runners amassed a total $1,305,683. The leading jockey was Everardo Rodriguez, who won 55 races. Rodriguez also led all riders in terms of mount earnings with a record
total of $1,663,763, eclipsing the old mark of $1,396,410 set by Alphonso Lujan in 2008.
JOHN VELAZQUEZ NEWEST JOCKEYS &
JEANS AMBASSADOR
John Valazquez was named the latest Ambassador for Jockeys & Jeans, which hosts charity events for the benefit of the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund (PDJF). Ambassadors are well-respected current and former jockeys who have played a significant role in the betterment of the industry, and they advocate for their fellow riders. Valazquez is in the Hall of Fame and has won the Eclipse Award. He is one of the leading jockeys in the world with over 6,000 wins and more than $437 million in earners. He is the Chairman of the Board for the Jockeys’ Guild and serves on the board of the PDJF.
PETERSON JOINS IHRC AS EQUINE MEDICAL DIRECTOR
Dr. Kerry Peterson DVM is the new Equine Medical Director for the Indiana Horse Racing Commission (IHRC). Peterson brings over 15 years’ experience to the position, including as Director of Animal Health
Programs for the Indiana State Board of Animal Health. Most recently, she served as the Medical Director and Veterinarian of Pet Wellness Clinics with nine locations in central Indiana. Peterson will provide oversight for all Commission related veterinary and equine health needs, including testing procedures, compliance, enforcement
of regulations, and developing new programs affecting equine welfare.
68 SPEEDHORSE January 2022
Susan Bachelor, Speedhorse
Speedhorse Archives
Courtesy IHRC
Coady Photography Dustin Orona Photography