Page 192 - January 2021

NEWS BRIEFS
Sweetwater County Approves Horse Racing Terminals
Sweetwater County commissioners approved a plan by Wyoming Downs LLC to add more historic horse racing terminals in Sweetwater County. Wyoming Downs now seeks approval from the county governments and the Wyoming Gaming Commission to expand to new locations, such as bars that offer skill-based games. One percent of the amount wagered is split 50/50 between cities where terminals are located and the county.
ZIA Assistant Starter Aldavaz Jr. Suspended
Zia Park assistant starter Jamie Aldavaz Jr. has been summarily suspended by the New Mexico Racing Commission after an electri- cal device was discovered in his possession. Aldavaz was also cited for disruptive behavior for interfering with the conduct of the race meet prior to the start of races at the track
on Dec. 22. A teleconference hearing will be held Dec. 30.
Sunland Racing Facing COVID Hiatus
When Zia Park ended their meet on Dec. 23, over 1,000 horses and hundreds of backside personnel would move to Sunland Park. However, due to COVID-19 restrictions put
in place by New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, the New Mexico Racing Commission and Sunland Park management have not provided a start date for horses to enter the barns and resume training. Sunland Park and four other New Mexico tracks are considered
to be at “red level” restriction, with outdoor recreational facilities only able to operate at no more than 25% capacity, leaving an indefinite hold on the state’s short- and long-term racing prospects.
Braddick Named Turf Paradise Announcer
Craig Braddick on Dec. 30 was named the new race caller at Turf Paradise in Arizona. The veteran race caller is a native of Cambridge, England, and has called all types of horse rac- ing in the U.S. and abroad, including Quarter Horse, Thoroughbred, Arabian, Standardbred and Jumps racing. He most recently was the race caller at Rillito Park.
New $10,000 Pick Six Promo at Los Alamitos
Los Alamitos is offering a new $10,000 Pick Six promo on selected Sunday nights in January 2021. The Pick Six has always been a popular wager, and the track will now add $10,000 of company money to its Pick Six pool on Sunday nights when there is not a carryover going into that night’s program. “We wanted to build some added excitement for our horseplayers on nights when we already have some of our best stakes races of the week,” said Los Alamitos director of marketing Orlando Gutierrez.
Donalda Cochrane Passes Away
Donalda
Cochrane passed
away on Dec. 7 at
the age of 80 after
a battle with can-
cer. The Canadian
horsewoman
discovered horses
as a youngster and
spent her days as
a breeder, owner
and trainer of
Quarter Horses.
She was the owner
of 38 winners and 7 stakes winners with earn- ings of more than $868,000, including top earner Pow Wow Lane ($191,453); the breeder of 54 winners and 7 stakes winners with over $860,000 in earnings, including top earner Fast Fifty ($115,654); and she was the trainer of over $600,000 with 78 wins, including four in 2020. Donalda was proceeded in death by her husband Earl and is survived by many family members and friends.
of Atlanta Alexis de Tocqueville Society in recognition of his service and commitment to the United Way, a member of the Georgia Research Advisory Board, and a member of the Georgia Institute of Technology Advisory Board. In 2007, Sigman retired as CEO of AT&T Mobility and in 2010 was inducted into the Wireless History Foundation Hall
of Fame. As a child, Sigman attended the races at Ruidoso Downs with his parents and eventually bought a home in the area. Sigman operated five ranches in Texas, running
Black Angus and Santa Gertrudis cattle. He founded Namgis Quarter Horses, a division of his Santa Cruz Ranch and a state-of-the-art breeding and training facility. He co-owned 2-time Champion Kiss My Hocks and barrel sire Bucks Hancock Dude. Stan Sigman is survived by wife Gerry Lynn; son, Spicer; daughters Lourdes Funes and Jodi Adams; grandchildren Spicer Gripp II, Piper, Issac, Caleb, Stephan and Rilynn, as well as many other family members and friends.
190 SPEEDHORSE January 2021
Stan Sigman Passes Away
Stan Sigman passed away Dec. 21 at his home in Hondo, Texas. In 2017, Sigman became one of three members of the part- nership that purchased Ruidoso Downs Racetrack, Billy the Kid Casino, and the Ruidoso Horse Sale Company. Sigman is known as a wireless industry visionary. He helped establish SBC Communication’s wire- less business in the mid-80’s, managing the company and making it one of the largest wireless businesses in the nation. In 2001, SBC integrated with Bell South’s wireless group to form Cingular Wireless. In 2004, Sigman was appointed by President George W. Bush to the President’s National Security Telecommunications Advisory Committee. Also, in 2004 he was named RCR Wireless News Person of the Year. He was a member
Jerry Greer Passes Away
Longtime Quarter Horse trainer Jerry Greer passed away in Oklahoma City at the age of 86 on Dec. 21. Greer began training in the mid-1980’s. He conditioned the earners of nearly $500,000, including 1985 Blue Ribbon Derby-G3 winner Miss Rock N Moon. Greer, who was known
for his great sense of humor and kind spirit, is survived by his wife Caroline, a daughter and son, many grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and other family members and friends.
John “Bodie” Boatner Curtis Passes Away
John “Bodie” Boatner Curtis passed away on Nov. 13 at the age of 93. Bodie, who was a co-founder of Five Star Chemical Corp., was the owner of several Quarter Horse runners, including 2003 Lazy E Futurity-G2 winner Blazen Madie. He was preceded in death by his wife Joy Pauline, and is survived by a daughter, four grandchildren, six great-grandchildren and one great-great granddaughter.