Page 211 - July 2022

NEWS BRIEFS
Sam Houston Declares Meet Leaders
Sam Houston Race Park on June 18 ended their Quarter Horse meet that began on April 22, declaring their 2022 meet leaders. Carlos Ponce was awarded his first leading owner title at the track with 8 wins, and he was also the owner with the most earnings including Sam Houston Futurity winner Bye Corona Bye. The leading trainer title went to Juan Diaz Jr. for
the second year in a
row, finishing with
25 wins including
the Sam Houston
Futurity and the
John Deere Sam
Houston Juvenile
Challenge. Rider
Ali Rivera, 20, was
awarded his first
leading jockey title
at Sam Houston
with 32 wins, including the Texas Twister Stakes and Sam Houston 250 Stakes. Sam Houston Race Park officials were pleased with the 25-day meet, which saw total handle of more than $15.5 million.
Ali Rivera and friends
Juan Diaz
1. This will eliminate in-state wagering on imported signals and out-of-state wagering on Texas tracks, where industry studies have shown up to 90% of handle comes via simulcasting - but will allow pari-mutuel wagering on in-state races only. “We are denying HISA jurisdiction by disapproving signal export for all ‘covered horse races,’” Cook stated. “Our goal is the prevention of regulatory chaos, and the cost will be the loss of revenue in that export signal ... but you cannot put a price on certainty.”
Los Al Names Stakes After Abigail Kawananakoa
Princess Abigail Kawananakoa, a direct descendant of the Hawaiian royal family, will be honored annually with a $100,000 stakes event for fillies and mares. Kawananakoa was inducted into the AQHA Hall of Fame in 2018, has
been among the top owners and breeders since the mid-1990’s, was named AQHA Champion Owner in 1994 and 1995, and received the Frank Vessels Memorial Award in 2011. She
has long been devoted to horses, was a talented equestrian, and a promoter of research and teaching in equine musculoskeletal health at Colorado State University where she received
an honorary degree. She is the owner of over $3.6 million in earners, including Champions Significant Heart, This Snow Is Royal and
Time For A Cigar, as well as 2-time Broodmare of the Year Timeto Takeoff. She is the breeder
of 2-time Champion Royal Down Dash & Champion Royaltime Classic. The first Abigail Kawananakoa Stakes was won by Kiss Thru Fire (Walk Thru Fire-Fredaville, Mr Jess Perry) by 1 1/2-lengths on June 12.
Claiming Scam Alert
According to The Paulick Report, the Association of Racing Commissioners International (ARCI) has issued a multi-state fraud alert over a claiming scam in which two individuals, going by the names of Helene Issa and Zakaria Tarabichi, ask a trainer to claim a horse for them and then tender a fraudulent cashier’s check for the horse, also asking for a portion
of the money to be remitted back to them. The ARCI reported scams at several tracks, including Horseshoe Indianapolis and Louisiana Downs.
Ruidoso Downs Raises Overnight Purses 20%
Ruidoso Downs announced a 20% increase in overnight purses beginning June 17. “This is a healthy increase,” said Chief Operating Officer Rick Baugh. “We will continue to reward our horsemen whenever we are able to pass along any purse increases for overnight competition.” Ruidoso Downs began racing May 27 and will continue through Sept. 5.
Apollitical Jess Breaks $50 Million Progeny Mark
World Champion Apollitical Jess (Mr Jess Perry-Apollitical Time, Apollo TB) broke $50 million in progeny earnings and surpassed First Down Dash in the number of foal crops to race to get to the mark. First Down Dash took 15 crops to make the $50 million mark, while Apollitical Jess has just 9 crops to race. Apollitical Jess is the #4 all-time leading sire of money earners. As of June 21, he has over $51 million in earners with 10 Champions, 111 stakes winners and $61,537 average earnings per starter.
Lip Chip Launches Pilot Project
Lip Chip LLC launched their Chip Link Pilot Project in conjunction with Ruidoso Downs, with the first horses enrolled coming from Keeton Racing in Otts Boy and Gettherefast, who finished 1-2 in the Grade 1 Ruidoso Futurity on June 12. The Chip Link System includes the following: Each horse is microchipped with a low frequency microchip, either in the superior lip placement, or the nuchal ligament; Each horse has their owner information, breed, age, sex, color, markings, and emergency contact information uploaded into the secure database; Each horse has 4 current photos as well as copies of current
coggins, piroplasmosis, health certificates, and registration papers uploaded into the secure database, and only a certified track identifier
or an approved veterinarian may upload information into the database; and once a horse has been implanted with their unique microchip, a simple scan with the Chip Link Reader will unlock this data and send it to a mobile app housed on a smartphone, tablet, or laptop.
OQHRA Supplement Warning
The Oklahoma Quarter Horse Racing Association on June 14 issued a warning to horseman regarding a supplement called “Tenda” by Fast Finish that is a direct violation of the Oklahoma Horse Racing Commission rules if administered per directions which state: “Give one 60cc syringe, orally 2 to 3 hours prior to event.” The supplement contains Sodium Bicarbonate which is in violation of OAC 325:45-1-27.
SPEEDHORSE July 2022 209
Plugged In Equine Marketing