Page 226 - October 2023

NEWS BRIEFS
effective immediately, the Downs at Albuquerque reserves the right to conduct random blood and hair testing on any horse on its premises. The random testing will occur at any time and at any place. The horse will be tested for Class A and Class B substances by a special lab in New York. The Downs reserves the right to search any
person, vehicle, horse stall, trailer, and other personal property present on its premises.
Refusing a test or a search will be considered a positive test/violation. Violators and all related horses and property will be subject to immediate removal from the premises. The Downs reserves the right and will place security cameras throughout the premises, including but not limited to the barn area and individual horse stalls. The cameras may be placed in conspicuous locations or hidden. The primary purpose of the cameras is to ensure that no illicit or illegal activities are being conducted on the premises. During a pre-race inspection by the Regulatory Veterinarian, any horse scratched due to musculoskeletal issues may not enter a race at the Downs at Albuquerque until the Downs is presented with a clear ultrasound or x-ray of the area of concern and approved by the Regulatory Veterinarian.
AQHA Partners With Lip Chip
The American Quarter Horse Association wel- comes Lip Chip as an official sponsor for microchipping technology through 2026 for AQHA racing. Lip Chip will be implemented into racing Quarter Horses with the transition to microchip identification required in all racehorses beginning January 2024. “I am very excited that AQHA is moving forward with the use of micro- chips as a component in verifying racing Quarter Horse identity,” said AQHA Chief Racing Officer Janet VanBebber. CEO and founder of Lip Chip, LLC Brad Bolen stated, “Our company was built by horseman, for horseman. We build and develop our microchipping technology with the purpose of making the equine industry better as a whole. Lip Chip is excited to use our tech to help Quarter Horses safely compete at the highest levels of racing.” For more information, visit aqha.com/ racing or lipchipllc.com.
Wyoming Downs Closes With Richest Race & Highest Purses
Wyoming Downs began racing on June 3 and closed its 20-day meet on Aug. 6. Closing day handle was also the highest since the mid-1980s at $180,000. The track recorded the richest horse race in Wyoming history in the $200,400 Wyoming Quarter Horse Futurity won by Pappas Fame for owners Andrea and Eddie Jensen. The 2023 Wyoming Downs purses came in for an all-time high of $1.7 million. “It’s hard to beat a quadruple threat like we had this year: the rich- est race, the highest seasonal purse, the largest crowd and then a closing day with Wyoming’s highest handle in nearly 40 years,” said Wyoming
Downs Director of Government Affairs Frank Lamb. Track owner Eric Nelson predicts another record-breaking year in 2024 with purses over $2
million. Under Public Relations Director Judy Horton, Wyoming Downs hosted 20 special events throughout the season, including Native American Heritage Day, Ladies Day, Wyoming Downs Spirits and Brew Fest, Wyoming Downs Car Show, Special Olympics Wyoming and Wyoming Families of Hands and Voices Day, Kids Stick Horse Races, Wyoming Hunger Initiative, and Pink Out Day which celebrates cancer survivors with the annual “Raysha’s Race.”
Turf Paradise Announces Closure of Live Racing, Simulcasting
According to the Paulick Report, Turf Paradise on Sept. 18 announced live racing and simulcasting will cease on Oct. 1. The closure
will impact Turf ’s 37 off-track betting locations, which can only operate if there is a contract with the horsemen’s group for live racing. The track’s contract with the Arizona Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association (AHBPA) ends Sept. 30. In a memo to employees, track management said the planned sale to James Watson’s CT Realty in partnership with Revolutionary Rac- ing had fallen apart. The memo also stated there are other candidates interested in purchasing the property to continue live racing. At the August racing commission meeting, officials with Arizona Downs said they were in discussions with the AHBPA to shift dates from Turf to Arizona Downs, which did not apply for 2023 racing dates by the deadline and amid rumors indicating it was also under contract to sell. Larry Lucas of Revolutionary Racing, who sought approval of Historical Horse Racing machines, said he was grateful for the Arizona legislature’s willingness to help support racing at Turf Paradise but frustrated by Governor Katie Hobbs’ lack of interest in keeping thousands of jobs and hundreds of millions of dollars in economic impact the indus- try has in Arizona. Turf Paradise had been sched- uled to open its 2023-24 season in November.
QHRAI Speed Sale Results
The Quarter Horse Racing Association of Indiana held their 2023 Speed Sale on Sept. 16, with a median price for horses sold rising 32%. With almost half as many horses offered this year compared to last year, reported gross
receipts reached $174,300 on 20 horses sold. The sale’s average was $8,715 and the median price was
$6,750. The sale toper was Hip #42 Itsa Big Secret (Hez Our Secret-Jess Cranky, Mr Jess Perry), consigned by Amy Youngblood Peoples, DVM and purchased by Roberto Chavez for $22,000. The second highest seller at $20,000 was Hip #10 Lily Red Wagon (PYC Paint Your Wagon-Red Envelope, First Down Dash), consigned by Steve and Ashley Mullins and purchased by Jason Chinn. Roberto Chavez was the leading buyer with four yearlings purchased for $47,500. Cesar Cano was the leading consignor/agent with two head selling for $33,000. Freighttrain B was the sale’s leading sire by average with two or more sold, with two horses selling for an average of $16,000.
Daniel Ray Trahan Passes Away
Louisiana horseman Daniel “Danny” Ray Trahan, 65, passed away on Aug. 18. Danny was
born in 1958, to
Leonard “BB” & Mag- dalene Duhon Trahan. Danny married the love of his life Rebecca LeMaire, high school sweethearts since the age of 15, in
1981. As an engineer, he worked for United Gas Pipeline and Unocal, and later retired from Chev- ron after 30 plus years in the industry. Danny will be remembered by his dedication and love to his family, his devotion and impact in the Quarter Horse industry, his easy going humor, unwavering hard work, fighting spirit, and his unforgettable smile. Danny is survived by his wife Rebecca, his children Danielle Robicheaux, Tyler Trahan and Megi Moseley, his granddaughters Rhylan, London, Rheese, Rhayli, Meyers, two grandsons Maven and Lincoln. His called his two son-in- laws, Ryan Robicheaux and Mike Moseley, his buddies, as well as Sarah Ebarb and daughter Au- brey whom he loved as his own.
224 SPEEDHORSE October 2023
First Prize Doc Dies
Stakes winner and multiple stakes sire First Prize Doc SI 108 ($73,700) was euthanized Sept. 13 after complications from colic surgery. The 2009 stallion stood at the Louisiana Center For Equine Reproduction in Opelousas, Louisiana. Owned by DSK, Ltd. First Prize Doc won or placed in nine of 14 career starts, winning the Gentilly Dash. “We want to extend our appreciation