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TRACK CHATTER
THE MONTH IN REVIEW
by Jennifer K. Hancock
2022 AQHA HALL OF FAME
The American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame announced the inductees for 2022.
Six horses and seven AQHA members have been chosen for induction into the American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame as part of next year’s class. Those chosen for induction are recognized for their lifetime of accomplish- ments and service.
The horses are Big Step, a 1956 sorrel stallion; Corona Cartel, a 1994 bay stallion; Easter King, a 1951 sorrel stallion; Impressive, a 1969 sorrel stallion; Sun Frost, a 1979 palomino stallion; and Topsail Whiz, a 1987 chestnut stallion.
Corona Cartel (Holland Ease-Corona Chick, Chicks Beduino) was a 1994 bay stallion bred by Robert Etchandy and owned by the Corona Cartel Syndicate. He earned $577,142 and won three stakes races, includ- ing the Los Alamitos Million Futurity-G1 and Kindergarten Futurity-G2. He finished his race career with six wins and three seconds
in 14 starts. Corona Cartel died December 18, 2019, and at the time of his death he had 1,862 foals registered from 21 crops, progeny earnings of more than $62.8 million, 1,069 winners from 1,542 starters, and 179 stakes winners. He is the #2 all-time leading sire of money earners with over $65.1 million.
The individuals selected are 30-year breeder and horseman John Andreini of San Mateo, California; AQHA Past President Sandra Arledge of Encinitas, California; renowned owner, breeder and trainer James V.A. Carter of Clovis, California; advocate for youth and equestrians with disabilities riders Mary Hopkins of Vicksburg, Mississippi; longtime owners, trainers and exhibitors Walter and Nancy Hughes of Damascus, Maryland; and record-setting world champion Jerry Wells of Norman, Oklahoma.
AQHA 30-year breeder, horseman and AQHA Director Emeritus John Andreini became involved in the horse industry in 1965 when he was invited to a trail ride. In his own name, Andreini raced the earn- ers of more than $2.1 million, plus more in
partnership, including Champion Jumping Tac Flash ($147,065). He bred the earners of more than $6.9 million, including, among others, top runners like Volcom ($430,433) and Deefirst ($319,029) and AQHA Dam
of Distinction Jusjumpin. Andreini was the founder, chairman and CEO of Andreini & Co., an insurance brokerage he established in 1951. He served the racing industry in many capacities, including as a leader in the Pacific Coast Quarter Horse Racing Association and a partner in entities such as the Los Alamitos Equine Sale and Ruidoso Downs. After his death in 2018, a special racing recognition award, the John Andreini Special Recognition Award, was renamed in his honor.
James V.A. Carter spent the 1940s on a ranch in Shaville, Oregon, near the Idaho border. He bred Moon Deck to his band of Barred and Midnight Jr mares to create horses that could run faster and farther, includ-
ing Top Moon. He eventually left the cattle business to focus on raising fast horses. He then moved to Clovis, California, and was
a leading trainer on California tracks while running only horses he bred and raised. Many of Carter’s horses are still found in racing pedigrees today, including 2008 Champion Heartswideopen who traces through her dam, Dashing Phoebe, to Top Moon.
The American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame & Museum showcases the hundreds of horses and people who have earned the dis- tinction of becoming part of the American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame. Inductees
of the American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame are reviewed and recommended
by the Hall of Fame Committee to the American Quarter Horse Foundation Board of Trustees. Inductees are honored at the American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame & Museum Induction Celebration, and their stories and artifacts are featured in the Hall of Fame located in Amarillo, Texas, and on the museum’s website. For more
information on the American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame & Museum,
visit www.aqha.com/museum.
VANCE NAMED EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT OF RACING
Officials with Global Gaming Solutions recently announced Matt Vance has been named executive vice president of racing for Remington Park in Oklahoma City and Lone Star Park in Grand Prairie, Texas.
Skip Seeley, Global Gaming Solutions CEO, said Vance’s thorough knowledge of the horse industry and his passion for working collaboratively with horsemen, jockeys, racing fans and employees played an instrumental role in this decision.
“For several years, Matt has overseen racing operations at Remington Park and over the past couple years he has served in an advisory role at Lone Star Park. His leader- ship and commitment to horse racing helped us navigate a very trying time during the pandemic at both tracks. He led the 2020 Quarter Horse Season through uncharted territory that enabled racing to continue throughout the pandemic. He then used that experience to guide health and safety proto- cols and operations in Grand Prairie when its season opened.”
Seeley noted that Vance also received the 2020 Gordon Crone Special Achievement Award from the American Quarter Horse Association for his work during the pandemic.
As executive vice president for both tracks, he will oversee all mutuels/simul- casting, operations, track maintenance and racing operations.
“It is an honor to be able to live my pas- sion for horse racing every day and to do that alongside some of the best horsemen, jockeys and fans in the sport,” said Vance. “As we build on our current successes, which include purse increases at both tracks, I look forward to working with our committed employees
in both states to enhance our horsemen and patron experience.”
Vance has served as vice president of racing operations at Remington Park since 2015. He has worked in the racing industry for more than 35 years, starting with Louisiana Downs in 1986 then to Remington Park from 1988 to
“It is an honor to be able to live my passion for horse racing every day and to do that alongside some of the best horsemen, jockeys and fans in the sport.” - Matt Vance
16 SPEEDHORSE July 2021