Page 18 - Speedhorse December 2019

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by Jennifer K. Hancock
LOUISIANA DOWNS 2020 MEET DATES
The 2020 Quarter Horse racing season will
get underway at Harrah’s Louisiana Downs in Bossier City, Louisiana, on Jan. 4 and run through March 18. The 46-day meet will include 12 stakes highlighted by the first official futurity of the year, the $100,000-added Mardi Gras Futurity-RG2 on March 14. Trials for the Mardi Gras Futurity will be contested Feb. 22.
In addition to the Mardi Gras Futurity for Louisi- ana-breds, the $75,000-added Harrah’s Futurity-G3 will be contested on March 18 and is an open stakes for two year olds.
“We have received strong interest from returning horsemen, including Lanny Keith, Vann Haywood, Or- lando Orozco, Kenneth Roberts Sr. and Martin Trejo,” Director of Racing David Heitzmann said. “Several new conditioners, including Heath Taylor, Robert Touchet and Shane Mason, have been assigned stalls this year.”
JOCKEYS ASSEMBLE IN VEGAS
The Jockeys’ Guild Annual Assembly, sponsored by Betfair USA began Dec. 9 at TopGolf, adjacent to the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas.
The morning session included opening remarks by Jockeys’ Guild President and CEO Terry Meyocks, and an update on the Jockeys’ Guild retirement
plan. Other presentations included a representative from e-Link Design discussing the development of the Jockeys’ Guild app, Jockeys’ Guild social media which includes Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, and an update on the Sports Medicine Research Institute.
Nancy Lasala, President of the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund, gave an update on the second telethon to benefit the PDJF, which took place in April, and discussed plans for the 2020 telethon, which will be sponsored by Betfair USA, as well as other fundraising efforts including Jockeys and Jeans and PDJF Day Across America.
Jockey Guild awards were presented at luncheon during the assembly. Jockeys’ Guild counsel Tom Kennedy received the Eddie Arcaro Award for his dedi- cation to the jockeys. Irad Ortiz Jr. received the Laffit Pincay Jr. award for outstanding Thoroughbred jockey, and James A. Flores received the Jacky Martin Award for outstanding Quarter Horse jockey. Rudy Baez and Paul Nolan received the Ron Turcotte award, which
is presented to jockeys who have suffered catastrophic on-track injuries and inspire others with their display of courage. Jockeytalk 360 awarded Irad Ortiz Jr. as Turf Jockey and Abel Cedillo for Breakthrough Jockey. Kendrick Carmouche and Miguel Mena were also awarded the Comeback award.
“Jockeys and Tracks Working Together for the Betterment of Our Industry” featured an open dis- cussion between members of the Jockeys’ Guild and several representatives of racetrack management.
“With all the issues that are facing our industry today, the Jockeys’ Guild Board of Directors expressed a desire to meet with members of racetrack manage- ment to explore how the jockeys can become more involved at the racetracks and work with management to improve the perception of our sport and increase the fan base,” Meyocks said. in a Quarter Horse.
RACETRACK EHV-1 HEALTH ALERT
In mid-November, a three-year-old Thoroughbred mare at Remington Park was diagnosed with equine herpesvirus-1 and subsequently euthanized from the disease. The barn where the infected horse resided was put under a 14-day quarantine by the state veterinarian, and horses were monitored daily for symptoms of EHV-1, which include fever, a lack of coordination and weakness or paralysis of the legs.
On Dec. 5, quarantine on the first barn was released. Horses in this barn completed the two- weeks with no exposure to an EHV-1 positive horse, no fevers, no symptoms compatible with EHV-1, and two negative tests a week apart. One additional horse in the second quarantine barn tested PCR positive for EHV-1 and was moved to the isolation facility. As of press time, Oklahoma has 11 confirmed cases of EHV-1, and 100 horses exposed to the virus.
Because of the Oklahoma outbreak, the New Mexico State Racing Commission restricted entry of horses from Remington Park, in Oklahoma City. No horses that are coming from Remington Park will be permitted on New Mexico racetrack grounds until further notice. Before shipping, it’s advised to contact the state veterinary office for the latest information on travel restrictions.
THE MONTH IN REVIEW
Jennifer K. Hancock
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SPEEDHORSE, December 2019
TRACK CHATTER