Page 17 - May 2018 Speedhorse

RUIDOSO RIDE TV
Ruidoso Downs has once again partnered with Ride Television Network, Inc. as the of- ficial broadcast partner for the telecast of the 2018 series of Quarter Horse races known as the Triple Crown. RIDE TV will broadcast six Grade 1 stakes races live on the network dur- ing the summer and stream the trials for these events on RIDE TV GO. The six stakes finals will be live and shown exclusively on RIDE TV.
Ruidoso conducts the All American, the Ruidoso and Rainbow futurities, which com- prise the Triple Crown of Quarter Horse racing, along with the accompanying derbies. With
an estimated $3 million purse, the All Ameri- can Futurity is the richest race in the sport of Quarter Horse racing. Ride TV’s coverage will also include streaming the qualifying trials for Ruidoso’s six big stakes.
“RIDE TV is proud to partner with Ru- idoso Downs again in 2018 as the exclusive television provider for the richest Quarter Horse racing action in the world.” said Craig Morris, president of RIDE TV. “These events are important to our audience and provide great Quarter Horse racing action to a group of people who may have never been exposed before. Mr. Hubbard, one of our major share- holders, recently sold the track, and we are looking forward to continuing a great partner- ship with the new owners and Jeff True. Most people are familiar with the Triple Crown of Thoroughbred racing, but many have never seen the drag racing-type action that Quarter Horses provide. It’s quick, it’s exciting and there is a whole lot of money up for grabs.”
To watch the Ruidoso Futurity and Derby live June 9-10, the Rainbow series July 21-22 and the All American finals Sept. 2-3, visit www.ridetv.com or visit www.raceruidoso.com.
Ruidoso’s new ownership group and manage- ment team have been busy preparing the track for the upcoming racing season.
To learn more about the changes awaiting fans and horsemen for the 2018 meet, see page 48 in this issue of Speedhorse.
CONTINUING EDUCATION
The Race Track Industry Program (RTIP) at the University of Arizona in Tucson has a new four-year, full-tuition scholarship award available to students interested in learning more about the racing world.
The Odds On Racing Scholarship is avail- able to incoming freshmen and to transfer students, and will cover all tuition costs of at- tending the RTIP.
“This is such an incredible opportunity for students, who may have thought that attend- ing the UA to prepare for a career in racing was financially out of reach, to take that first step toward their career goals,” said Wendy Davis, director of the Race Track Industry Program.
The scholarship is made possible by a dona- tion from racing enthusiast/horse owner Dana Parham, who donated funding for the scholar- ship to support an industry that he’s passionate about and in which he has been involved with in a variety of areas over the years.
His gift is supporting the next generation who will take the sport into the future. The scholarship is named for Parham’s Standardbred racing operation, Odds On Racing Stable.
“We are incredibly grateful for this gift and the doors it will open for the students who re- ceive it,” Davis said.
“This award allows the best and brightest students, from any financial background, who are interested in racing to attend the UA and join the list of distinguished RTIP alumni,” continued the RTIP director.
NEW BOARD ELECTED FOR RACING PROGRAM
The board of directors of the Racing Of- ficials Accreditation Program (ROAP) elected its 2018-2020 officers and appointed two new board members at the end of March.
Dan Fick, who is an ROAP-accredited steward and previously served as the ROAP vice chairman, was elected ROAP chairman; Wendy Davis, director at the University of Arizona and previously ROAP secretary, was elected ROAP vice chairman; Jennifer Durenberger, ROAP- accredited steward and NYRA chief examining veterinarian, was elected ROAP secretary; and Kristin Leshney, senior counsel at The Jockey Club, was re-elected treasurer.
Fick served as AQHA executive director of racing from 1984-2003. He replaces Hugh Gal- lagher, who was the ROAP chairman for the past six years and will remain as director of the organization.
“I look forward to focusing my efforts on helping fulfill our mission to provide education- al opportunities and resources for horse racing officials for all breeds,” Fick said.
At the meeting, the University of Ken- tucky’s Ag Equine department was added as
a member organization on the ROAP board and selected Dr. Camie Heleski as its repre- sentative. Dr. Heleski brings a strong educa- tion background to the board, including distance learning expertise, to further ROAP’s mission to provide quality education to horse racing officials.
John Campbell was appointed as an at-large director. Campbell, president and chief execu- tive officer of the Hambletonian Society and member of the U.S. Harness Racing Hall of Fame, brings a strong Harness background to the board.
Dan Fick, who is an ROAP-accredited steward, was elected ROAP chairman
The Odds On Racing Scholarship . . . will cover all tuition costs of attending the UA’s RTIP.
SPEEDHORSE, May 2018 15
TRACK CHATTER