Page 16 - August/September 2008 The Game

16 The Game, August/September 2008 Canada’s Thoroughbred Racing Newspaper First-ever track “invasion” at Assiniboia
Race fans jumped for joy at being able to invade the racetrack at Assiniboia Downs
First winner for sire
Perfect Soul
Classy Gem, trained by Carl Anderson for Mr. & Mrs.
R.J. Bennett, became the rst winner for Canadian Champion and freshman sire Perfect Soul. The Kentucky-bred 2-year-old lly was the winner of the second race, a 5 furlong Maiden Special Weight at Assiniboia Downs on July 27 winning by 3 1/4 lengths in this her debut race.
For the rst time in Assiniboia Downs’ 50-year history, fans were given the opportunity to invade the highly restricted racetrack after the races on Sunday, Aug. 3.
with our many friends and fans than on Derby weekend.”
The public were permitted to walk, jump, hop and run on the surface
and get the feel of a place that has generated countless thrills in some 200,000 races that have been run
over the track since 1958. They’ll
even be able to scoop a sample of
the track as a souvenir of their “invasion.”
Jockeys were also available to autograph a group picture, pose
for individual pictures and answer questions. Their riding equipment, too, was available for inspection, includ- ing their saddle which people are often surprised to see bears no resemblance to their perception of a proper riding saddle.
“We know being out on the track has a very special sensation,” said operations manager and track announcer Darren Dunn, “and what better time to share that experience
The “invasion” happened the day before the biggest day in Manitoba racing: the running of
the $100,000 Manitoba Lotteries Derby and three major undercard stakes races worth $130,000 in purse money all to be run on holiday Monday, Aug. 4.
HBPA Ontario Update
HBPA Administrative Of ces: 135 Queen’s Plate Drive, Suite 370, Toronto, Ontario M9W 6V1 Phone: 416-747-5252
Report from the Executive Director - Nick Coukos
The National HBPA held its summer convention in Hershey Pennsylvania last month hosted by the Pennsylvania HBPA and National HBPA President and Chairman Joe Santana.
Nearly 200 horsemen representing National HBPA af liates from
across North America convened during the three days to discuss and
analyze various contemporary issues which are currently having a
signi cant effect on our industry. Of the several topics covered, which
included, “Why Owners have the right to x the simulcast model”, an
update from Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Group president Bob Reeves,
“Equine Medication and Drug Testing Updated”, chaired by National
HBPA medication specialist, Kent Stirling of Florida, the highlight of the agenda tackled the current hot button issue surrounding the racing industry’s move- ment toward improved safety of the horse and rider. This issue has once again been brought to the forefront after the tragic breakdown of Eight Belles in the Kentucky Derby as well as the recent US congressional hearings into horse racing and drugs. A speaker forum entitled “Welfare and Safety of the Horse— Where are we going?” was moderated by National HBPA CEO Remi Bellocq and included speakers: Nick Nicholson, CEO and President of Keeneland, Jay Hickey, President of the American Horse Council, Ed Martin, President of Rac- ing Commissioners International, Alex Waldrop, President and CEO of NTRA, and Dr Scott Palmer who gave an exceptional presentation on the topic.
Dr Palmer provided an overall veterinary point of view and an approach for addressing attacks from outside industry groups. Dr Palmer’s presentation started off by saying that the cause of catastrophic injury is complex. “It is likely that there are many factors that contribute to catastrophic injuries, including race track design and surface composition, track maintenance procedures, environ- mental considerations, conditioning, nutrition, medication programs, shoeing, breeding for market factors such as precocious speed, and year round racing schedules. Although it’s natural in times of tragedy to single out any of these factors as the root of the problem, accidents, either on the street or on the race- track, involve an unlikely combination of factors. To oversimplify the causes
Furthermore Dr Palmer addressed the role of medication and the relationship between medication and safety. Although he was clear that there were con icting opinions regarding this issue and meaningful answers require us to look beneath super cial layers of the emotional dialogue, he did state that he believes that therapeutic medications such as antimicrobials and anti-in ammatory medica- tions play an important role in ghting disease and injury. “Therapeutic medica- tions play a positive role in the safety of the racehorse. For the most part, they are used outside of competition to address the common health concerns that are found in any athlete.”
Final HBPA Trainer Testing of 2008
Shedrow of the Month
HBPA Annual Boat Cruise
Ahoy Mates!
The annual Woodbine HBPA Boat Cruise for 2008 is scheduled to set sail on Tuesday, August 26.
Tickets are $15 per person and will be available at the HBPA backstretch of ce in early August.
Included with your ticket is a bus ride to and from the cruise dock as well as door prizes and lunch.
For more information contact the HBPA Backstretch Of ce, 416-675-3802.
The winner of the Shedrow of the Month award for July at Fort Erie is trainer Mike Newell of barn 7a.
New Backstretch Office Hours at Woodbine
The HBPA Backstretch Of ce at Woodbine will now be open Tuesday to Saturday from 7am - 3pm; Sunday 7am - 2pm and Monday from 8:30am - 1pm.
Congratulations to Mike and his crew for maintaining a clean and safe work space.
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that lead to tragedy, does a disservice to the victims and distracts us from appropriate and prudent analysis that can lead to meaning- ful answers. Since the causes of catastrophic injury are complex, it follows that there are no simple answers that will x the problem. The reality is that there will always be injuries in racing. However, it is our responsibility to reduce the prevalence of catastrophic in- juries as much as possible. Dr Palmer recommended the following three things to make racing safer: 1) A core value system that puts the safety and welfare of the horse rst, 2) evidence-based infor-
mation to critically analyze current procedures and policies that may put the horse at increased risk, and 3) the courage and determination to effect real change over time.
Finally, Dr Palmer emphasized the need for our industry to understand the agendas of outside groups in order for us to effectively address their concerns. The core concern of course being the welfare of the horse. “It is far better to plan ahead and address these issues proactively rather than being forced to react to external criticism. It follows, then, that the best way to address the welfare concerns of organizations outside our industry is to work internally to emphasize welfare our number 1 priority.”
The current climate of the public clearly demands us to provide a prescription for improving the welfare and safety of the thoroughbred. Our future will be dependent on our actions!
The nal date for HBPA Trainer Testing for 2008 is September 24, 2008 at both Woodbine and Fort Erie Racetracks.
The winner of the Shedrow of the Month award for July at Woodbine is trainer Catherine Day Phillips and her crew.
Applications for Trainer and Assistant Trainer testing
are due two weeks prior to the test date. Only complete applications will be accepted. Applications are available at the Woodbine HBPA Backstretch Of ce.
Shedrow of the Month winners will receive a $100 cheque from the HBPA and another $100 cheque from Woodbine Entertainment Group.
Congratulations to Catherine and her barn!
Visit the HBPA on-line at www.hbpa.on.ca