Page 149 - January 2018

Jessies First Down is the 109th horse to be named AQHA Supreme Race Horse.
January 17
Pima County Supervisors voted unanimously
to extend the lease for Rillito Park through 2021. The track will likely receive a $1 million donation from the Bert W. Martin Foundation for repairs and improvements, with priorities listed as bringing racetrack bathrooms into ADA compliance, electrical work in the grandstand and clubhouse, and clubhouse roof repairs.
January 18
Ted G. Abrams’ homebred gelding Jessies First Down (FDD Dynasty-Jess A Classy Lassy, Mr Jess Perry) was honored at the 2016 AQHA Racing Champions ceremony for earning his AQHA Supreme Race Horse title, and was also named 2016 World Champion. The 6-year-
old gelding won three Grade 1 races in three months’ time, has a race record of 27-10(6)- 10(5)-1, and banked $582,107. The Supreme Race Horse title recognizes a racing American Quarter Horse that during his or her career earns $500,000 or more, wins two or more open Grade 1 stakes, and at least 10 races. Jessies First Down became the 38th horse since 2002 and the 109th horse to earn the award.
January 24
Churchill Downs Inc. named veteran gaming executive Douglas Shipley as President and General Manager of Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots in New Orleans, Louisiana. Shipley has over 30 years of leadership experience with companies like Grand Casinos, Delaware North, Ameristar,
Isle Of Capri, and Caesars Entertainment. Shipley will oversee the management team and all operations including gaming, racing and video poker/OTB operations.
January 24
Charles Landells Jr., 72, passed away following a long battle with cancer. Landells trained Thoroughbreds and Quarter Horses in the
70’s and 80’s, and served as a Washington
State Racing Steward for many years. He was married for 40 years to Nancy Sorick, who served as the Executive Secretary for Tri-City Horse Racing and the Northern Racing Quarter Horse Association. Landells was honored by
the NRQHA on Jan. 14 for his contribution to Quarter Horse racing in Washington.
January 26
The New Mexico Horse Breeders’ Association at their annual meeting voted to change the qualifying status for a New Mexico-bred foal. Beginning in 2017 to qualify for New Mexico Bred status, the mare must still be bred to a New Mexico stallion, but she can now leave
the state during her pregnancy. However, she must still deliver her foal in New Mexico. For Quarter Horse mares and embryo transfers to New Mexico stallions, the donor mare and/or recipient mare may leave the state. However, the recipient mare must return to foal. A $500 fee will be due for each mare that leaves the state in order for the subsequent foal to be eligible for registry as a New Mexico-bred.
January 26
A Court of Appeals overturned a California Horse Racing Board (CHRB) 2014 findings of regulatory violations by trainer Jose De La Torre. The CHRB had revoked De La Torre’s license and fined him $160,000 for alleged medication violations, but the court stated the “allegations against and findings of regulatory violations by De La Torre had no legal basis, and the penalties imposed upon him were equally invalid.” The CHRB was also ordered to pay appellant’s costs as a result of the decision.
January 26
A bill that would make it easier for the Woodlands Racetrack in Kansas City to reopen was introduced in the Kansas House. The bill would apply to pari-mutuel tracks in the state, including three owned by Las Vegas casino owner Phil Ruffin. The bill creates a privilege fee repayment fund and an escrow account repayment fund, which are both part of the state treasury to be administered by the Kansas Lottery.
January 28
Bob Gaston was elected president of the Texas Quarter Horse Association (TQHA) at their annual meeting. Other members include 1st vice president Andrea James,
2nd vice president Gus Barakis, secretary/ treasurer Tyler Graham, and parliamentarian Bill Melson.
2016 World Champion Jessies First Down was honored at the 2016 AQHA Racing Champions ceremony for earning his AQHA Supreme Race Horse title. He then went on to win four more graded stakes races in 2017 for owner Ted Abrams, including the All American Gold Cup-G1.
SPEEDHORSE, January 2018 147