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TRACK CHATTER
THE MONTH IN REVIEW
by Jennifer K. Hancock
RECORD HANDLE FOR LOS ALAMITOS
With many tracks shuttered across the country, many fans are tuning into Los Alamitos, and the handles are reflecting the new fans. On April 18, for the second straight night, the handle for the live racing program resulted in a record after $2,362,704 was wagered on the 10-race card. The figure bet- tered the previous night’s mark of $2,310,716, and was only $16,408 shy of the all-sources record handle of $2,379,112 set on Nov. 1, 2003. The handle for the eight-race program on April 17 was the highest figure ever for the live race card at the Orange County track. The track’s record all-sources handles took place during the AQHA Racing Challenge Night programs in 2003 and 2007, a pair of cards that each featured 13 live races plus additional out of state simulcast races. The all-sources handle in 2003 was $2,379,112, of which $1,989,071 was wagered on the 13-live races. The all-sources handle in 2007 was $2,375,988, of which $2,074,753 was wagered on the 13-live races. Those are the only single nights with higher all-sources handles at Los Alamitos as of press time than the two April 2020 programs.
CHANEY NAMED CHRB EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
California Horse Racing Board chairman Greg Ferraro on April 16 announced that Scott Chaney has been appointed executive director. Chaney replaces Rick Baedeker, who retired on March 31.
Chaney has been a steward in California since 2005, serving most recently at the Los Alamitos Quarter Horse meet. CHRB com- missioners and executives recognized Chaney’s talents early on when they assigned him to complicated legal cases, research and analysis of matters beyond the normal duties of stew- ards. He has been one of the CHRB’s hearing officers since 2010.
“I have known Scott since he first arrived
at the racetrack,” Ferraro said. “I have followed his career and know him to be a person with an excellent mind, fair in his judgments and totally committed to the integrity of horse racing. I look forward to working with him in his new position, and I know he will do a great job.”
Chaney’s office will be in Sacramento, but his relocation may be delayed due to COVID-19.
Sophy Weaver
SOPHY’S CINCH
A new star is stealing the show on TVG’s “The Quarters.” Racing fans watching the TVG show can now enjoy a new segment on the show starring Dave Weaver and his 6-year- old daughter, Sophy. The light-hearted segment is highlighted by the unveiling of “Sophy’s Cinch” of the night, one pick representing her best bet of the evening.
Not only does Sophy announce her selections, she also shares a few of the reasons as to why her “Cinch” will be tough to beat. So far “Sophy’s Cinch” at Los Alamitos have come through with flying colors, resulting in winners in four out of her first five attempts. All five of her picks made during the segments have resulted in a top-two finish. Sophy is becoming a fan favorite.
SAGE BECOMES CHAIR OF ARCI
Executive director of Nebraska Racing Commission Tom Sage has been named the newest chairman of the Association of Racing Commissions International (ARCI). Sage began his career in horse racing in 1988 as a security officer at a track in Omaha. In 1993, he began working for the Nebraska Racing Commission
as an investigator. Sage was later promoted to director of investigations until he was appointed as executive director of the racing commission in 2008. Sage is on the ARCI board of directors and is a member of the following ARCI committees: Executive Committee, Model Rules, Pari-Mutuel Auditors, Rider and Driver Welfare and Safety Committees. He is a member of the National Licensing Review Board and serves as Treasurer of the National Licensing Compact. Sage is
also involved with the American Quarter Horse Association Integrity Enforcement Teams.
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14 SPEEDHORSE May 2020