Page 56 - 17 February 2012

Jacky and Tracey Martin.
Jockeys’ Guild Honors Jacky Martin
The Jockeys’ Guild on Jan. 30 honored three individuals who have shown a lifelong com- mitment to excellence. Among those was
Jacky Martin, who received the top award
for Quarter Horse jockeys—an award that
has been named in his honor for outstanding achievements to the Quarter Horse industry. The seven-time All American Futurity win-
ner is rehabilitating from a racing accident at Ruidoso Downs. He has won nearly 3,000 races and his mounts have earned over $45 million. The Guild, which also re-elected John Velazquez as Chairman and G.R. Carter as Vice Chairman, called for racetracks contribu- tions to help pay for insurance benefits. A video of Jacky’s acceptance speech can be seen at https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=3248 936666491&set=vb.279922305362474&type =2&theater.
Florida Voters Say Yes To Slots
Despite ongoing legal questions, voters in two Florida panhandle counties on Feb. 1 voted
yes to add slot machines to their local tracks. Nearly 63 percent of voters in Gadsden County voted to add slots to a Quarter Horse barrel racing facility in Gretna, and over 57 percent of Washington County voters said yes to adding slots at the Ebro Greyhound Track. However, voter approval does not guarantee the tracks will actually get slot machines as Governor Rick Scott said the licenses would not be
issued because state law permits referendums to authorize slots in only two South Florida coun- ties. A legal challenge is expected.
Wiley Named RTCA Executive Director
Retiring U.S. Army Chaplan (Col.) Craig Wiley has been named the new Executive Director of the Race Track Chaplaincy of America. Wiley has served in the U.S. Army since 1969, and in the Army’s Chaplain Corps since 1973. He will assume his duties as RTCA Executive Director in April.
The saddling paddock at Rillito Park in 1945. Rillito Park was recently inducted into the Arizona Quarter Racing Association Hall of Fame, and celebrates its 70th birthday this year.
AQRA Hall Of Fame Inductees
The Arizona Quarter Racing Association announced their 2011 Hall of Fame Inductees, hosting an induction ceremony Feb. 4 at Rillito Park in Tucson. The Inductees include: Rillilto Race Track, the 70-year-old track where Quarter Horse racing got its start; Howard King, former president of the Pacific Coast Quarter Horse Racing Association who was instrumental in bringing racing back
to Rillito following several dark years in the ‘50s; and James Kelly’s Double JK Ranch, a leading Quarter Horse breeder/owner located in Sonoita. Five Double JK Ranch horses have been inducted into the AQRA Hall of Fame, two have made it into the AQHA Hall of Fame and two are World Champions.
Remington Finishes Strong In 2011
Global Gaming RP LLC ended their second season as the owner of Remington Park with new standards set again in 2011 after a record- breaking 2010 season.
The Oklahoma City track broke the attendance mark by 9.3 percent with nearly 2 million patrons, over $4.2 million was wagered on-track during Remington’s Quarter Horse and Mixed Breed season, total purses reached more than $13 million, and the average daily purse of $261,552 was up 11.6 percent com- pared to last season.
Live Quarter Horse racing returns to Remington Park on March 2.
Claude Jeane Passes Away
Claude Nolen Jeane, 76, of Evans, Louisiana, passed away Jan. 23. Jeane owned and operated an insulation contracting busi- ness for 40 years, and was a breeder, trainer and owner of Quarter Horses since the 1960s. Among the many horses he owned were leading sires Rakin In The Cash and Dragon Wings,
as well as producer Sheisajoy and top run-
ner Heisajoy. Jeane is survived by his wife of
58 years, Bessie Lea Jean, two sons and two daughters, and numerous other family mem- bers and friends.
54 SPEEDHORSE, February 17, 2012
Claude Jean and Tonto De Bold in the 1970s.
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