Page 52 - 22 February 2013

2013 Annual Jockey Guild Assembly
Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse jockeys from across the country met Jan. 27-29 for the annual Jockey Guild Assembly in Hollywood, FL. The main topics included advances in safety equipment, track safety, racetrack contributions, insurance updates, medical breakthroughs, race day medication and build- ing awareness of jockey issues. Members passed a unanimous vote to support The Jockey Club’s Reformed Racing Medication Rules including a two-category medication classification, pro- gressive points-style penalties, and reciprocity among jurisdictions. The resolution, however, does not support ending the use of race-day furosemide, stating, “No race day medication shall be permitted with the exception of Lasix, which should be administered by an independent regulatory veterinarian.”
In addition, Mike Smith and Joe Bravo were elected to serve on the board of direc- tors, replacing Jerry LaSala and Perry Compton. Guild members re-elected all other Guild officers.
Four Honored By Jockeys Guild
The Jockeys Guild assembly honored four individuals for out- standing achievements and contributions
Florida Senate Gaming Committee Looks Into Misused Gaming Permits
Florida Quarter Horse Racing Association
(FQHR A) President Dr. Steve Fisch appeared before
the Florida Senate Gaming Committee alongside Florida Horsemen’s Benevolent
Pre-Race Exams At Remington In 2013
Remington Park has instituted pre-race exams for all graded race participants, all futurity and derby finalists, and selected horses in over- night races. Officials may also select additional horses to be examined at their discretion. All pre-race exam horses must be in their assigned location in the barn area and available for inspec- tion at least 4 hours prior to the first race. The overnight races will be randomly selected at the end of the draw for that race day and posted on the overnight so trainers will know for which races they must arrive early to the track.
Tentative Race Dates Set in Montana
The Montana Board of Horse Racing (MHRB) has tentatively allocated 25 race days to the state’s five tracks, but many may not have the finances, personnel or facilities to run. The MHRB hopes to have enough funding
to conduct at least 8-10 live race days. The tentative dates include: 8 days at Yellowstone Downs, which was forced to close last year
for the first time since it’s opening; 6 at Great Falls; 5 at Kalispell; and 3 each at Miles City and Missoula, which is recommending against hosting races at its track. The Board should determine the final dates by March 1st.
Retama Park Under New Ownership
Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc. recently paid
$15 million for 75.5 percent equity in Retama
Park located in Selma, Texas. The company will also manage Retama, and expects to improve the track’s operating performance. Pinnacle currently owns and operates 7 casinos in Louisiana, Missouri and Indiana, as well as a racetrack in Ohio.
Indiana No Longer Requires Piroplasmosis Testing
Effective Feb. 1, the Indiana State Board of Animal Health lifted the requirement of piroplasmosis testing for horses entering state racetracks due to the decline of positive tests.
Indiana Downs One Step Closer to New Ownership
Centaur Holdings LLC is closer to purchas- ing Indiana Downs in Shelbyville. Centaur already owns Hoosier Park in Anderson, and has plans to turn the facility into a strictly Standardbred track, while Indiana Downs would race both Thoroughbreds and Quarter Horses. Centaur expects the purchase of Indiana Downs to be finalized by March 1.
California Horse Racing Fatalities Up 5 Percent
According the California Horse Racing Board, horse racing fatalities increased 5 percent for the 12-months ending in June 30, 2012, when 207 horses were euthanized due to injuries sustained from racing, up from 186 the previous period. Tracks posting an increase in reported fatalities
and Protective
Association
(FHBPA) Executive
Director Kent
Stirling on Feb. 4 to address the unlawful misuse of state granted gaming permits that are tarnishing the legitimate horse racing industry. The FQHRA and the FHBPA urged legislators to stop the misuse of state gambling permits which allow phony horse events that can reduce the number of horses needed to hold a race meet down to two, thus eliminating thousands of jobs sustained by the state’s racing indus- try. Florida’s horseracing industry contributes $2.2 billion annually to the state economy and employs over 100,000 people.
Los Alamitos Proposes Expansion Project
Los Alamitos
plans to meet with
the city of Cypress
to discuss a design
and expansion pro-
posal that includes
enlarging its cur-
rent five-eighths-
mile track to just
less than a mile,
as well as adding
around 1,000 stalls
on vacant land
next to the existing
backstretch. If
approved, the renovations are expected be com- pleted by the end of 2013 in order to accom- modate Thoroughbred racing in 2014, as Los Alamitos is considered to replace Hollywood Park as a second TB venue.
Track Renovations At Remington Park
Remington Park has been working with renowned racetrack surface consultant Dennis Moore to renovate the track for the Quarter Horse meet. Over 1,200 tons of material was added,
and new equipment has been added to maintain the surface, including a new roller-type packing machine and new roller harrows. The track will be ready for the meet opening on March 8.
Steve Fisch
to the horse racing
industry: G. R. Carter,
Jr. received the Jacky
Martin Award for
Quarter Horse jockeys;
Ramon Dominguez
was awarded the Laffit
Pincay Jr. Award
for Thoroughbred
jockeys; and Jerry and
Nancy LaSala were presented with the Eddie Arcaro Award for their exceptional commitment to the industry.
Starter Kenneth Moore Dies
Kenny “Puff” Moore was injured in the starting gates at Hialeah Park on Jan. 20. He suffered a brain aneurysm and was hospitalized, but died on Jan. 27. Moore worked as a starter at many tracks, including those in Farmington, Ruidoso, El Paso, Hobbs, Albuquerque and Hialeah. He is survived by his wife Skeeter, three children and many other family members and friends. A Facebook page has been set-up called PrayersForPuff. Donations are needed and can be sent to Ruidoso Downs Race Track Chaplaincy, P.O. Box 449, Ruidoso Downs, NM 88346. Checks should be made to Ruidoso Downs Chaplain Benevolence Funds in Memory of Kenneth Moore.
50 SPEEDHORSE, February 22, 2013
G.R. Carter, Jr.
Ed Allred
NEWS BRIEFS
Los Alamitos
Speedhorse
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