Page 14 - May 2021

TRACK CHATTER
THE MONTH IN REVIEW
by Jennifer K. Hancock
LOS ALAMITOS WELCOMES BACK FANS
On April 2, fans returned to Los Alamitos Race Course in Southern California to enjoy live racing action for the first time in more than a year.
Trackside, the fans were treated to four debut winners starting with Double Bar S Ranch’s homebred Commander Cartel, who won the first 300-yard race of the meet for 2-year-olds after leaving the gate quickly and then pulling away late. Ridden by Ramon Sanchez for trainer Paul Jones, Commander Cartel was also the first of two juvenile winners of the night for Sanchez and Jones as they were back in the winner’s circle
after teaming up to win a 220-yard dash
for juveniles with Powerhouse, a gelding by first-year Thoroughbred sire Power Jam.
Link Newcomb’s Valente One, a gelding by Corona Cartel, was the next juvenile winner
of the evening and he did so in strong fashion, closing powerfully under Armando Viramontes for trainer Juan Aleman, a jockey/trainer combo that is expected to join forces on a regular basis in the upcoming months. A newly elected Pacific Coast Quarter Horse Racing Association Board Member, Newcomb has a lot of expe- rience holding executive positions at major corporations. Newcomb is looking forward to being a part of the PCQHRA at the board level. “I think for the most part in the beginning I need to learn and maybe some of the things
I’ve done and been a success in business can be applied here as well,” he said. “We have plenty of challenges and plenty of opportunities.”
Ed Allred and trainer Scott Willoughby wrapped up the list of juvenile winners on the night after the Kiddy Up filly Hitters Count won the sixth race at 220 yards. Oscar Andrade Jr. piloted Hitters Count, whose dam is the A Regal Choice mare What A Hit.
Racing fans looking to attend the live action on track can purchase tickets at LosAlamitos.com.
RACING UNDERWAY AT INDIANA GRAND
The 19th season of Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing began on April 13 at Indiana Grand in Shelbyville, Indiana. Tagged with the theme, “Run for the Money,” the track is offering an added bonus on three exotic wagers with reduced takeout rates in 2021 in the Pick 5, Pick 4 and the Jackpot Pick 6.
The 2021 Quarter Horse season will feature six all-Quarter Horse racing programs set for spe- cial Saturday cards. Action will be held June 5, July 3, July 24, Aug. 14, Sept. 4, and Oct. 9. The top Thoroughbred and Quarter Horses in the State of Indiana will be featured during a special Indiana Champions Day on Oct. 30. Between the two breeds, eight stakes will be on the card with purses nearing the $1 million mark.
Racing fans will be treated to some new fea- tures added to the television production of the live racing broadcast at Indiana Grand. A drone will be implemented into the current lineup of camera shots, opening up a whole new realm of possibilities for enhanced camera angles.
“Our team has been challenged to take Caesars’ racing to the forefront in technology and a drone is one step in doing so,” Halstrom said. “As we began to pull this new concept
in, we started realizing how this drone could really showcase our racing program and set our TV production apart from others. It’s impor- tant to note we do not plan on changing the way people watch our races but rather comple- ment our current production with innovative views that nobody else is offering in their daily broadcasts. Lastly, we also view this as a poten- tial way to assist the stewards in reviewing races, especially in areas where current camera angles are more difficult than others to see the full action of a race”
The Matrice 200 Drone is engineered
and equipped with all the latest options available in aerial production. The device
is a little less than three feet in width and stands 16 inches high. It’s capable of zoom options with adjustable speed and is program- mable from location to location. Operators
are required to be licensed with the Federal Aviation Administration with a Remote Pilot Certificate. Three of Indiana Grand’s audio- visual department team members recently completed training and are now licensed to fly the drone.
In addition to the drone, Indiana Grand has also implemented a new audio and visual system for the IHRC Stewards. Upon comple- tion of any ruling regarding a decision made on a race, Senior State Steward Eric Smith will be televised live with an explanation from the steward’s room on how they made their deci- sion during an infraction.
“We feel providing an explanation directly from the stewards is a great way to inform fans watching and wagering on our product,” noted Halstrom. “They will now be able explain
how they came to a conclusion on a specific ruling and give insight on the information they reviewed and gathered from the jockeys involved in the incident.”
Racing continues at Indiana Grand through Nov. 8. More information about the 2021 racing season is available at www.indianagrand.com.
Commander Cartel winning a Maiden race at Los Alamitos on April 2.
12 SPEEDHORSE May 2021
Los Alamitos