Page 21 - 25 May 2012

Jockey Alex Baldillez Passes 1,500 Wins
On April 15, Alex Baldillez became Quarter Horse racing’s 34th jockey to score 1,500 wins, doing so at Remington Park in a claiming race aboard the Ralph Muniz owned/trained 4-year- old gelding Kool Cowboy (First N Kool-Special Laveaux, Special Effort). Baldillez has ridden the earners of over $16.2 million. According
to the American Quarter Horse Association, Alex and Roy Baldillez are the first brothers to both ride All American Futurity winners, Alex winning the 1987 event with Elans Special and Roy winning the 2011 race aboard Ochoa.
SunRay Park Cuts Races, Stakes Purses
Following an agreement with the New Mexico Horsemen’s Association, SunRay Park in Farm- ington, New Mexico, cut the number of races run per day from 11 to nine, beginning May 8. SunRay Park management suggested the move, as its casino revenues have decreased since the January 16 opening of the Northern Edge Casino on the nearby Navajo reservation. Both SunRay Park and the NMHA have agreed to review the nine-race provision after the track’s second condition book. Also, SunRay Park has cancelled the SunRay Park and Casino Fare- well Claiming Stakes and has cut the purses of most of its remaining stakes races by $10,000.
Calif. Approves Bill To Aid Retired Race Horses
On April 24, the California Senate Committee on Governmental Organization unanimously approved SB1523, a bill to establish a fund for the rehabilitation of retired racehorses by in- mates in correctional facilities. The plan would provide horses training in a second career
such as dressage, jumping, western events, and pleasure riding, as well as provide vocational and rehabilitation training for inmates, who could then go on to work in the horse industry after their release. Funding would come from penalties, fines, and licensing fees paid to
the California Horse Racing Board (CHRB). The program would likely be overseen by the California Retirement Management Account (CARMA), a charitable organization appointed by the CHRB to oversee the spending of purse
money to help fund charitable efforts. Similar programs have been successful across the country, including Kentucky, Virginia, South Carolina and Indiana. The bill now moves to the Senate Appropriations Committee.
Proposed Child Labor Rule Withdrawn
The American Horse Council (AHC), along with a coalition of agricultural organizations, has been working to convince the Administra- tion and Congress that a proposed Department of Labor (DOL) child labor rule would have
a negative impact on family owned farms and ranches as well as on young people trying to become involved in agriculture. The Admin- istration on April 26 agreed and announced plans to withdraw the rule. In an AHC release, president Jay Hickey stated, “We are pleased the Administration responded to the concerns of the agricultural community and decided against changing the current rules for young people working on farms and ranches.” The Administration said it would work to, “develop an educational program to reduce accidents to young workers and promote safer agricultural working practices.”
ASPCA Issues Statement On TRF Lawsuit
The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) on May 3 issued a statement after Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman took legal action to remove the board of directors of the Thoroughbred Retire- ment Foundation (TRF) following an inves- tigation into their failure to provide basic care for 1,100 horses. ASPCA Equine Fund senior director Jacque Schultz stated, “after giving their all on the track, these horses deserve after- care that guarantees them a safe environment with plentiful food and appropriate veterinary, farrier and dental care.” The ASPCA Equine
Fund last year awarded nearly $1.7 million in grants to support equine rescue groups in 38 states. TRF was a one-year recipient of ASPCA funding, but was not picked up for a second year after failing to provide veterinary inspec- tion reports or proper accreditation. Schultz stated they were, “disappointed in TRF’s animal care oversight and that they were not adhering to operational best practices.”
Race Track Industry Program Conference
The annual Race Track Industry Program Global Symposium on Racing & Gaming will be held December 3-6, 2012, at the Westin La Paloma Resort in Tucson, Arizona. Topics will include current racing issues such as expan- sion and attendance. For more information, contact Doug Reed at (520) 621-5660 or e-mail dreed@ag.arizona.edu.
Minnesota Signs Gaming Legislation
Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton has signed leg- islation approving House File 2795, amending the laws governing Canterbury Park Holding Corporation’s card room. The amendments, which are effective immediately, will increase the company’s flexibility to operate its card room which should lead to increased revenues, as well as increased purses for live races at Can- terbury Park’s Racetrack. In a separate provi- sion, the amended law establishes a framework for the possible implementation of pari-mutuel simulcasting of horse races conducted at Can- terbury and other racetracks to Tribal casinos in Minnesota. Canterbury Park President and CEO Randy Sampson stated, “We are grateful the Legislature and Governor recognized the current, fragile state of horse breeding and horse racing in Minnesota and provided new tools we can use to strengthen our business and enhance purses.”
Ruidoso Hosts Welcome Horsemen Barbecue
The Welcome Back Horsemen Barbecue was an enticing success on May 9 after the final training race was held at Ruidoso Downs. The event attracted hundreds of hungry horsemen for the feast at the chapel in the Ruidoso Downs stable area.
SPEEDHORSE, May 25, 2012 21
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Ty Wyant
Ty Wyant
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