Page 92 - January_2023

202 Y E A R i n 2 REVIEW
I’ve been part of the evolution of photography from film and chemical printing to digital and computer editing,” Scott said. “I’ve enjoyed capturing images of many legendary Quarter Horses thundering across the finish line. My greatest satisfaction comes from capturing the expressions of joy in people’s faces as they gather
Pate. In a letter dated April 14 from Texas Racing Commission Executive Director Amy Cook to HISA CEO Lisa Lazarus Cook stated that the Texas Racing Commission will not pay a demand payment of $371,377 nor expected monthly payments to the self-funded federal Authority, and that the Texas Racing Act contains no statutory
Good Shepherd Clinic charity; Humper the ostrich and Antonio Perez won the bird race for the charity Freedom School Oklahoma; and Zoo the camel and Bryan Candanosa scored in their race for the charity Positive Tomorrows.
SWEETWATER EVENTS EXTENDS PARTNERSHIP
Sweetwater Events Extends Partnership with Wyoming Horse Racing
in the win circle after a derby or futurity.”
WYOMING STATE BRED INCENTIVES
(Apr. 5) The Wyoming Legislature passed Historical Racing in the state, which will revive horse racing and promote the Wyoming Breeders Award Program by creating bigger incentives
to owners and breeders. Over $3.7 million was distributed to the Wyoming Breeder Awards Fund in 2021 to eligible owners, breeders, and stallion owners of registered Wyoming Bred horses that participate in Wyoming live race meets throughout the state, and more than $16 million has now been allocated to the fund
from Historic Racing terminals since 2013. The Wyoming Breeders Awards Program has made the state one of the most lucrative state-bred programs in the country.
SANCHEZ ARRESTED/SUSPENDED FOR HORSE ABUSE
(Apr. 9) According to the Paulick Report, multiple Graded stakes winning trainer Rodolfo Sanchez has been arrested in Texas and faces felony animal abuse charges from two videos posted on Facebook capturing an incident apparently showing Sanchez repeatedly whipping a downed horse tied to a tree with a short tie.
The Texas Racing Commission issued a summary suspension. Sanchez, the trainer of over $4.8 million, has made just one start in 2022 as he just finished a 60-day suspension for a testosterone overage at Delta Downs, which ended April 2. The horse was seized by county officials, who are caring for him at a county barn.
TEXAS WILL NOT COLLECT HISA FEES
(Apr. 13) The Texas Racing Commission at its meeting formalized opposition to the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA), which goes
into effect on July 1. HISA would usurp the commission’s role of making sure horses on a racetrack are not doped. Commission chair Robert Pate stated Texas state law does not allow the commission to pay a federal agency to do its job, and that doing so could force the commission to disallow wagering on those races. “Any race or meet subject to HISA regulation—without state staffing to adequately implement state law—will not be a race or meet that meets Texas racing statute, and the Commission cannot allow parimutuel wager
or simulcast wagering in those circumstances,” said
provision enabling Texas Racing Commission to become an agent of the federal government to collect and remit fees to create uniform nationwide standards for horses only in “covered horse races.” The Texas Commission is also part of a legal case debating the constitutionality of HISA.
ROYAL VISTA RANCHES SOLD
(Apr. 15) Cole Morehead of XCEL Farms
LLC has purchased Royal Vista Ranches in Oklahoma. “After 17 years of owning and operating Royal Vista Ranches with our business partner Laura Erickson, we are selling the ranch and allowing new enthusiasm and ideas to be pursued,” said Jill Cook. Erickson will stay on
as general manager, and Marty Powers will join the team as Ranch Director of Operations. “’Business as Usual’ is going to be the Royal Vista Ranches motto moving into the second half of 2022. Although we plan on merging the current operation with resources from the XCEL Farms Team, there will be no disruptions to the way business has been handled in the past at Royal Vista Ranches,” said Morehead, who will continue the tradition of breeding top stallions, raising foals, sales prep, providing reproductive services to the industry, and keeping client needs a top priority.
WITH WYOMING HORSE RACING
(Apr. 27) Wyoming Horse Racing LLC,
which operates live racing at Sweetwater Downs, has reached an agreement to extend
its partnership through 2030, including a $1 million commitment for improvements through donations to the Sweetwater Events Complex Foundation. Improvements to the horse racing facilities include the steward stand, paddock, test barn area, and a new race office and jockey quarters. “We are grateful for Wyoming Horse Racing’s long term financial commitment
to the Sweetwater Events Complex. We are excited to be working jointly on master plan improvements to the property that will greatly benefit horse racing as well as create improved facilities that will benefit out other events
and the citizens of Sweetwater County,” says Kandi Pendleton, Sweetwater Events Complex Executive Director.
REMINGTON INCREASED PURSES
(Apr. 28) Remington Park increased purses for the final 18 days of racing, with overnight purses upped by $2,500. The raise in purse was due to an increase in on-track business over the first eight weeks of the season, which ended May 28.
RECORD BREAKING AVERAGE AT TRIANGLE SALE
(Apr. 29-30) The Triangle Spring Sale in Oklahoma City registered a 42-year record high average of $14,500 on 367 cataloged horses, less withdrawals. Top sale averages by disciplines are: $33,000 average for reining-bred horses; $24,000 average for cow horses; and $16,000 for ranching and roping horses. The high seller was 2016 red dun gelding Rum Gunner (Colonels Shining Gun-ML Boonwith Freckles, Peptos Playboy), consigned by SQ Farms Agent and sold to Ross Falisi for $100,000. The second-highest seller at $76,000 was 2015 sorrel mare Sugar Railena (Kit Kat Sugar-A Little Reylena, Dual Rey) consigned by Lee Holsey and sold to Jessy Meyer.
MAY
SAM THOMPSON MEMORIAL BOURBON TASTING AT REMINGTON
(May 5) Remington Park held an exclusive bourbon tasting to raise funds for the
Sam Thompson Memorial Foundation, a
Dustin Orona
90 SPEEDHORSE January 2023
EXTREME RACING AT REMINGTON PARK
(Apr. 24) Remington Park in conjunction
with the Oklahoma Quarter Horse Racing Association hosted their annual Extreme Racing Day featuring exotic animals competing between the regular races. The day was also used as a fundraiser and awareness day for Remington Park Charities. There was pig racing on the apron, and Clydesdales, zebras, ostrich and camels competing in special events ridden by regular jockeys. Heather the zebra was the winner with Edwin Escobeda aboard for the