Page 234 - September 2019

AQHA Challenge Races Return to Albuquerque
Last year, the AQHA announced the 2019 Bank of America Challenge Championships would be hosted by The Downs of Albuquer- que on Oct. 26. A recent agreement has been signed for the New Mexico track to also host the 2020 Bank of America Challenge Cham- pionship races. This will mark the third time that the races have been held in New Mexico in 28 editions, as well as the first time a track will host for consecutive years.
Prairie Meadows 2019 Hall of Fame
The three most accomplished jockeys in the history of Prairie Meadows were inducted into the Prairie Meadows Hall of Fame
on Aug. 10. They were Alex Birzer, Glenn Corbett and Terry Thompson. Combined, the jockey’s won 4,431 races with Corbett leading with 1,637. Ten-time Quarter Horse stakes winner AJS High (Apollitical Jess-Re- gally Rare, Rare Form) was also inducted into the Hall of Fame. The 2012 gelding, who is bred and owned by Michael Teel and trained by Charlton Hunt, won 15 of 33 starts with earnings of $854,238.
Wyoming Downs Sale Results
The second annual Wyoming Downs Select Mixed Horse Sale was held on Aug.
3, featuring Wyoming-bred horses. The sale topper at $6,600 was Hip #18, Cady Shack Creek (Maknmoves-Echo Creek Canyon, Saint Shackleton), consigned by Ben Peterson and purchased by Bob Fox. The sorrel year- ling filly’s third dam is Champion Deelish. The second highest seller at $4,500 was Hip #14, Lady Traveler (Valiant Hero-Runaway Vike, Runaway Winner), consigned by Lex Fabrizio and purchased by Gary Laramie. The 2013 brown mare is a half-sister
to Volcom.
ARCI Endorses Restrictions On NSAID & Corticosteroid Administration
Lexington, KY---The Drug Testing Standards and Practices (DTSP) Committee of the As- sociation of Racing Commissions International (ARCI) after a meeting on Monday (Aug. 5) endorsed instituting a 48-hour restriction on administration of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS), which include Phenylbutazone, and a 14-day restriction on the administration of corticosteroids, pending scientific review.
The restriction on corticosteroids would not apply to harness racing, as the sport is currently amidst proceedings to determine breed-specific rules due to different race schedules for Thor- oughbreds, Standardbreds and Quarter Horses. The corticosteroids were previously included
in the Model Rules but were removed per the instructions of the Racing Medication & Testing Consortium (RMTC). In a recent meeting of the RMTC the organization recommended the 48- hour restriction on NSAIDs as the science is avail- able to prove administration after that window can compromise a pre-race examination. “There have been situations, specifically in New York, where these restrictions have been implemented and been quite successful,” said Ed Martin, ARCI president and past executive director of the New York Gaming and Wagering Board.
Nominations Open For White Horse Awards
The Race Track Chaplaincy of America recognizes the unsung heroes of horse racing with the White Horse Award. Nominations are now open for the 17th annual event, which will take place at Santa Anita Racetrack on Oct. 31 prior to the Breeders’ Cup World Champion- ships that will be held at the California track. Nominees are being sought for these awards: the White Horse Award given to individuals who have done something heroic on behalf of human or horse; the Community Service Award given
to an individual who has made significant con- tributions to the welfare of racetrack chaplaincy ministries. To submit a nomination, call (859) 410-7822 or visit www.rtcanational.org/events for a list of rules, selection criteria and nomina- tion forms. Deadline for submission is Sept. 27.
Trainer Hubert Blankenship Passes Away
Longtime horse trainer Hubert Blankenship passed away on July 28 at the age of 86. Blanken- ship began training horses in 1960 and has saddled 184 winners with earnings of over $980,000, in- cluding such horses as Black Gold Championship- G3 winner Doitoem Gambler and Remington Park Challenge-G3 winner Wheel N Stuff Too. Blan- kenship was a member of the AQHA and OHRC. He is survived by his daughter Lisa, son Ross, and many other family members and friends.
Earl Pepper Passes Away
Longtime horseman Earl Pepper, 81, passed away on Aug. 5 in Idaho. Pepper raised and raced Quarter Horses for 20 years. Among Pepper’s horses, perhaps his most beloved was multiple Regional Champion and multiple stakes winner Bedazoom (Shazoom-Jessi Cheng, Beda Cheng). Earl is survived by his wife, Lucille, along with many other family members and friends.
“Empire Of Hope” Raises Funds For Retired Race Horse Care
Caesars Entertainment Corp. announced that nearly $47,000 was raised during the recent “Empire of Hope” event held July 20. The funds were collected through various activities, such as costume contests (shown above) and fundraising efforts at each Caesar racetrack: Harrah’s Louisiana Downs, Indiana Grand, Harrah’s Hoosier Park and Harrah’s Philadelphia. The money will provide support to accredited non-profit racehorse after- care organizations for Standardbred, Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse retirees.
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Dean Gillette Photography