Page 196 - September 2015

Jockey Eddie Garcia Wins 5th Annual Sam Thompson Memorial Jockey Award
Los Alamitos’ all-
time leading jockey
Eddie Garcia has been
named the winner of
the 5th annual Sam
Thompson Memorial
Jockey Award and
was honored at an
awards presentation
in the winner’s circle
at Ruidoso Downs on
Sept. 6 during the All
American Weekend. Garcia received a trophy and belt buckle commemorating the peer-elected award, a signed print of a Sam Thompson paint- ing by artist Linda Manion, and his name was added to a permanent plaque to be displayed at each award ceremony and to be housed perma- nently at the AQHA headquarters in Amarillo, Texas. Previous winners include Roy Brooks in 2011, Gilbert Ortiz in 2012, G. R. Carter, Jr. in 2013, and Cody Jensen in 2014.
Ricky Ramirez AQHA July Jockey Of The Month
Jockey Ricky
Ramirez was named
the AQHA/Jockeys’
Guild Jockey of the
Month for the month
of July. An upset vic-
tory in the $1 million
Rainbow Futurity-G1
atop Tres Friends and
a win at the TQHA
Sale Futurity-RG2
gave Ramirez a lead-
ing stride for the month of June. Ramirez fin- ished the month with 14 wins, 10 seconds and seven thirds from 72 mounts and took first in AQHA earnings with $915,690 in purses won.
Double Bar S Ranch On The Market
According to co-owner Dawn List, the 153- acre Double Bar S Ranch is up for sale. Located in Moreno Valley, California, Double Bar S Ranch was founded in 1989 by Jens L. List Jr. and has produced top runners such as Champion Carters Cartel. Since Mr. List’s death in 1996, his widow Sharon and their two daughters, Dawn and Rhonda, have been managing the facility.
Trainer Salvador Soto Gets Fine, Suspension Over Drug Violation
New Mexico-based trainer Salvador Soto has been fined $6,000 and suspended for one year for two drug violations from earlier this year when two horses he trained tested positive at Sunland Park Racetrack. Both horses must pass a commission-approved exam before racing again. This is Soto’s fourth doping violation in a year.
Jason Boulet
Brad Bryant
Leonard Lantz
Fair Grounds Names Racing & Operations Leaders
Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots announced several racing and operations changes at the facility in New Orleans, Louisiana. Previous Racing Secretary Jason Boulet has been named Senior Director of Racing, overseeing all things related to the racing office, race surfaces, horseman rela- tions and more; Bradley Bryant was promoted to Senior Director of Operations and will oversee both Slots and all Racing departments that interact with guests; and Leonard Lantz joins the track as Senior Director of Facilities.
Trainer Arrested On Animal Cruelty Charges
Horse trainer Robert Howard Dimitt, 57,
was arrested Aug. 3 after
the Sequoyah
County Sheriff’s
Office was
tipped off about
several horses
which were left
in his care and were found dead, starved or muti- lated on his ranch near Sallisaw, Oklahoma. One of the horses, prominent runner Gold Digging Ashley, is currently recovering, but her racing career will be over should she survive. Dimitt is currently out on bond and no court date has been set as of press time.
Great Falls Ends Meet, Could Add Dates
The Montana State Fair meet at Great Falls ended July 26 after a 4-day race season. Total handle reached nearly $500,000, with estimated attendance at 12,000. With the suc- cess of the 2015 meet, officials are considering adding dates to the 2016 race season.
Correction: Frank Cavazos Trainer Of Jessa Louisiana Zoom
On page 122 of our June issue, we failed
to mention the trainer of LQHBA Lassie Futurity-RG2 winner Jessa Louisiana Zoom. The 2-year-old filly, who is unbeaten as of press time, is trained by Frank Cavazos. Since winning her trial and the finals to the LQHBA Lassie Futurity, Jessa Louisiana Zoom has since gone on to win her trial and finals to the Grade 1 Lee Berwick Futurity.
Longtime Texas Horseman Joe B. Allen Passes Away
Joe B. Allen,
78, passed away
Aug. 14 in
Colleyville, Texas.
Allen received
his BS degree in
Engineering from
Arkansas State
University. He
managed several
businesses after
college, and then
spent 30-years with
Texas Refinery Corp. Allen bred or owned in partnership the earners of over $3.8 million, including 1998 Heritage Place Futurity-G1 winner and multiple-stakes sire Gol, and he was a shareholder in leading sire Mr Jess Perry. Allen is survived by his wife of 60 years, Sandra Allen, children, Joe B. Allen Jr. and Terri A. Mason, numerous grand children and great grand children, and many other family mem- bers and friends.
Trainer Jerry Lazenby Passes Away
Trainer Jerry “Trainwreck” Lazenby,
64, passed away Aug. 2 in Denison, Texas. Lazenby worked for the MKT Railroad until 1980, where he earned his nickname. Saddling his first official starter in 1981, Lazenby conditioned over $2.4 million
in earners over three decades of train-
ing, including MD Hammertime, Dashers Moon Bar and Corona Ease, among others. Lazenby is survived by his wife Cathye, son Preston, daughter Amber D’Anne, three grandchildren and many other family mem- bers and friends.
194 SPEEDHORSE, September 2015
Gold Digging Ashley
news briefs