Page 168 - SpeedhorseMarch2021

NEWS BRIEFS
NM Lifts Mandatory Travel Quarantine
On Feb. 10, the New Mexico Department of Health stated that 15 counties had reached the Yellow Level and four counties were Green ac- cording to the state’s color-coding risk system. As such, New Mexico will no longer require self- quarantine for visitors or New Mexicans arriving in the state from “high risk” states. Visitors from outside the state are strongly advised to self- quarantine for 14 days and to get tested upon their arrival or return to the state.
Jefferson County Texas Horse Track
According to StallioneSearch, the Jefferson County Commissioners Court gave approval
to move ahead with the sale agreement of Ford Park, located west of Beaumont, Texas, with The Renaissance Group to build a horse racing track and entertainment venue.
RMTC Posts Advisory on PAHG
The Racing Medication and Testing Consortium (RMTC) posted an advisory on Polyacrylamide Hydrogel (PAHG) products that are being marketed for intra-articular use for treatment of joint pain and lameness in horses. Product claims of pain relief and delayed progression of joint disease have not been substantiated by inde- pendent research. RMTC indicates individuals using these products should know: they are not FDA-approved and their safety, efficacy, purity, concentration and stability haven’t been evalu- ated; substances registered as Medical Devices do not have FDA approval; products haven’t been studied beyond 56 days post-administration to equine joints and the long-term effects of PAHG on joint health are unknown; and the mecha- nism of action of PAHG in reliving lameness
is unknown and statements related to effects withing the joint are speculative. The RMTC went on to say, “Without an appropriate physical examination and relevant diagnostic modalities, treatments directed at relieving lameness have the potential to mask musculoskeletal disease thus putting the affected horse at increased risk of more serious injury or death.” For these reasons, the RMTC recommends extreme caution when considering the use of these products in horses engaged in racing and training.
All American Ruidoso Horse Sale Dates
All American Ruidoso Horse Sales LLC released the 2021 sale dates. The Ruidoso Select Yearling Sale will be held Labor Day weekend Sept. 3-5, before the running of the $3 million All Ameri- can Futurity on Sept. 6. The New Mexico-Bred Yearling Sale, which will also include the Select Foal-In-Utero Sale, will be held Aug. 20-21.
For entry deadline, entry blanks, or more in- formation, visit www.ruidososelectyearlingsale. com, call (575) 478-4474, or email dreed@ raceruidoso.com or wwiggins@raceruidoso.com.
Ruidoso Downs Updates
The Billy The Kid Casino at Ruidoso Downs is set to open their doors on March 22 for the first time in a year since being shuttered due to New Mexico COVID-19 restrictions. In compliance with the current regulations, the casino will open with a maximum of 33% capacity. Also, barns at Ruidoso Downs are scheduled to open April 15, with the track open for training on April 19 and training races beginning on May 3. Stall applications for the summer racing sea- son are available for the meet that is scheduled to run from May 28-Sept. 6. These dates are subject to New Mexico Racing Commission approval during their March 18 meeting. Visit raceruidoso.com/horsemen-information for stall applications.
Sunland Park Cancels 2020-2021 Live Meet
The New Mexico Racing Commission at their monthly meeting on Feb. 18 passed the motion to cancel the live horse racing meet at Sunland Park Racetrack & Casino, forcing trainers, jockeys and owners to relocate their stables to different tracks. The 2020-2021 meet was to feature 47 days of racing from Dec. 26 - March 30. The racetrack and casino both closed at
the beginning of the COVID-19 outbreak on March 15, 2020. The casino has been shut down for almost a year, along with casinos at Albuquerque, Hobbs, Ruidoso and Farmington. On Feb. 25, however, Sunland announced the re-opening of the casino on March 5 while horse racing remains on hold. According to the NMRC website, Ruidoso Racetrack & Casino, SunRay Park, The Downs at Albuquerque and Zia Park all have race dates scheduled for 2021 but could face changes to these dates if the casinos do not open.
Arizona Horse Racing Bill Moves To Senate
The Arizona Senate Bill 1794 moved through two committees, and it now awaits a date
for a vote by the full Senate. The gaming
bill authorizes historic horse racing, which
is projected to provide between $100-$140 million in new state tax revenues and sup- port to the state’s horse racing industry with 4,000 new jobs and more than $300 million in capital investments at Arizona Downs. The bill would modernize Arizona wagering laws while limiting the number of historic horse racing terminals to 15% of tribal gaming positions, minimizing any impact on those revenues. Supporters believe passage of the bill will better position Arizona as a year-round destination for horse racing.
Immigrant and Non-Immigrant Travel
Restrictions Lifted
On Feb. 24, President Biden issued a proclama- tion to revoke travel restrictions on immigrants into the United States. Former President Trump issued the original proclamation on April 20, 2020, with extensions in June and December. The original proclamation prevented certain immigrants and nonimmigrants from traveling to the U.S. Included in this group of denied
are immigrant laborers that the racing industry relies heavily on. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced it has filled the 33,000 available H-2B Visas, those utilized most for laborers. In December 2020, the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021
was passed, allowing the DHS discretionary authority to issue an additional 64,716 H-2B visas when need arose. This should help support many industries struggling with
labor issues.
Non-Stakes Races
Los Alamitos Maiden Stakes
Los Alamitos • Cypress, CA 02/21/2021 • 350yds
3yo • $101,250 • Fast
:17.715 Communicate, c,
(PYC Paint Your Wagon-Fovee)
Eduardo & Adolfo Perez/M Arrossa/J Nicasio Up For You, f, (Favorite Cartel-Up For It) Edward C Allred/S Willoughby/O Andade Jr Secretly Love, f, (Favorite Cartel-Secretly Hot) Gildardo Garcia/V Zamudio/R Lozano
166 SPEEDHORSE March 2021