Page 51 - 30 March 2012

“Luck”
With regards to the article this week on the HBO Series “Luck” written by Stacy Pigott,
I think it would have been more effective, as well as accurate, if she had seen the show she was critiquing. Although there are things about “Luck” perhaps, don’t represent horse racing at it’s finest, I think the show is, for all practical purposes, entertaining.
The point I’d like to make is, I think there is an opportunity here to promote horse racing as well as gaming at the racetracks. Instead of criticizing “Luck” I think somebody should contact them and educate them on the barriers racing faces because of the Casinos, especially in California. That is where the show is going and we’re missing an excellent opportunity
to promote and educate the general public. I have no idea how you’d go about contacting the producers, but there’s got to be a way. It’s being filmed at Hollywood Park and Santa Anita Park....where they don’t yet have slot machines!! I’d love to see the Racing Industry use this show (if possible) instead of printing articles like the one in this weeks issue.
Just my thoughts,
Ron Martin, Seal Beach, CA
Hi Ron,
Thank you for your response regarding my
Under Wraps column, “Luck,” in the March 16, 2012 issue of Speedhorse. I am sure I will, someday, watch “Luck.” However, by not see- ing it, I believe I was able to more objectively look at the publicity, both good and bad, surrounding the show and analyze its effect on the industry. My judgment was not clouded by whether I actually liked the show and found
it entertaining—which I am sure I will. I was only interested in the show’s effect on the general public’s view of horse racing.
You bring up a very good point in that the producers of “Luck” are in a unique position
to help the horse racing industry. I hope more people like you are willing to contact HBO and voice that opinion. HBO’s interactive website allows people to leave comments about each episode on the show’s page. I hope the produc- ers are monitoring that feedback and take it
to heart. You can also contact HBO online at www.hbo.com/#/about/contact-us.html, or call them directly at (212) 512-1208. Good “Luck!” (Editor’s Note: On March 14, HBO announced the cancellation of “Luck” following the death of a third horse during production of the series. The unfortunate accident happened on March 13, when a Thoroughbred reared and flipped over while being walked back to the barn area, suffering fatal injuries.)
G.R. Carter Jr.
G.R. Carter Is Now The #2 All-Time Winning Jockey
Nine-time Champion Jockey G.R. Carter Jr. moved to second on the list of all-time leading jockeys by wins with 3,338 when he captured two races at Remington Park on March 11, thereby surpassing Hall of Fame jockey Danny Cardoza. Alvin “Bubba” Brossette remains the all-time leading jockey by wins with a total of 3,631.
AQHA Past President Frank Howell Passes Away
AQHA past president Frank Howell, 79,
of Union City, Georgia, passed away March 6. Howell was named an AQHA director in 1996, served as president in 2005, and was inducted into the American Quarter Horse Hall of
Fame in 2011. His top show horses included four-time World Champion Sugar Ray Cool, World Champion Zoraya, as well as Private Twister, who set a record for the most points earned by a gelding. Another of his top horses was Miss Mergie, a mare Howell retired from the racetrack due to health problems and put into barrel training, where she became a world champion. Howell is survived by his wife, Lena, a daughter, and several grandchildren.
Indiana Trainers Suspended After Out Of Competition Testing
The Indiana Horse Racing Commission on March 7 suspended trainer Jesus Gonzales for
3 1/2 years and trainer James Garrison for 18 months after three horses in Gonzales’ stable and one in Garrison’s tested positive for zilpa- terol at a training center outside Indianapolis
in May, 2011. All of the horses were Quarter Horses. Zilpaterol is a beta-2 agonist typically used in production of beef cattle to promote lean muscle growth.
According to a press release from the Indiana Horse Racing Commission, the suspensions are the longest ever imposed for a beta-2 agonist and the first in North America to conform to the Association of Racing Commissioners International’s new penalty guidelines recommending a minimum one year
suspension. Indiana has one of the most exten- sive out of competition testing programs in the U.S., routinely testing horses stabled at its two race tracks, and at off-track training centers and farms. While some states limit testing to blood doping agents such as Epogen, Indiana also tests for beta-2 agonist, such as ractopa- mine and zilpaterol, and anabolic steroids that are not FDA approved for use in equines.
U of A Program Seeks Collaboration With Sonoita
The University of Arizona’s Race Track Industry Program is looking to collaborate
with the Sonoita horse races in order to provide students with hands-on learning. Students would attend races with faculty members and help in management duties, followed by a year-long proj- ect where they would assist in planning for next years’ races. If the program comes to fruition, the involvement of the U of A could bring new fund- ing to the cash-strapped races by providing grant money to further educational opportunities.
Trainer Paul Jones Receives Suspension, Fine
Quarter Horse racing’s all-time leading trainer Paul Jones, AQHA Champion Trainer each year since 2002, received a 60-day sus- pension (Feb. 29-April 28) and a $1,500 fine from the Sunland Park board of stewards for a positive zilpaterol test on Jess Hi Maintenance in a non-qualifying trial to the 2011 Rainbow Futurity-G1. Stewards ordered the loss of Jess Hi Maintenance’s share of the purse and a dis- qualification from first to last. In an interview with the AQHA, Jones balmed contamination and said and that he has never given any- thing like this to any of his horses. Jones, an outspoken opponent of these kinds of drugs, is appealing the ruling.
Swissle Stick TB Double Registered APHA
Thoroughbred stallion Swissle Stick
(Swiss Yodeler-Miss Soft Sell, Siyah Kalem) is officially double registered with the American Paint Horse Association. Swissle Stick, who sold for $600,000 at the Barretts Sale in California, is a multiple stakes-placed winner of seven races with $129,964 banked. His first foals are yearlings of 2012. Swissle Stick stands at MJ Farms in Veguita, New Mexico.
Ruidoso Stakes Show Increases
Futurities and derbies at Ruidoso Downs have shown increases through the Feb. 1 sus- taining payment and supplemental nominations. The All American Derby-G1 currently has 190 eligible horses and a purse that could reach $2.3 million; the Rainbow Derby-G1 has 138 eligible horses and a purse projected at $1 million; the Ruidoso Derby-G1 could hit $800,000 with the 103 eligible entries; and the Zia Derby, with 69 horses, should reach $150,000.
SPEEDHORSE, March 30, 2012 49
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