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NEWS BRIEFS
Ruidoso Downs
Declares Meet Leaders
Ruidoso Downs declared their meet leaders for the 2020 season that ran from May 22 through Sept. 7. Bobby Cox was the lead- ing owner with 10 wins, Mike Joiner took the leading trainer spot with 24 wins, and Ricky Ramirez led all jockeys with 24 wins. Each winner received a belt buckle to com- memorate their success.
Hurricane Forces DED, EVD Closures
Hurricane Laura hit the coastlines of Louisiana and Texas on Aug. 26, forcing a mandatory evacuation of all citizens in Vinton, LA, the location of Delta Downs which ended its meet Aug. 22. Racing
and training were also cancelled as a precautionary measure at Evangeline Downs in Opelousas, LA. The tote board at Delta Downs was destroyed and the starting gate was overturned when the category 4 hurricane hit the facility.
Mosquitos Swarms Kill Livestock After
Hurricane Laura
According to the Paulick Report, the mosquito population in Louisiana exploded to an un- precedented level following Hurricane Laura on Aug. 27. The insects attacked defenseless horses, cows, and other livestock, with an estimated
loss of hundreds of cattle. Spraying has since brought the mosquito population under control.
LQHBA Fall Mixed Sale Cancelled
The LQHBA Board of Directors on Sept. 14 announced that the 2020 LQHBA Fall Mixed Sale that was scheduled for Nov. 21 has been cancelled due to the low number of consign- ments. Many of the horses that had been con- signed to the sale will be offered at the Heritage Place Fall Mixed Sale to be held Oct. 30-31.
AQHA Opens Service Center In Ohio
The American Quarter Horse Association opened a second AQHA Service Center at the Ohio Quarter Horse Association office in Co- lumbus, Ohio, which will be open the first week of each month and by appointment. The first AQHA Service Center was opened earlier this year at Heritage Place Inc. in Oklahoma City. For more information, visit www.aqha.com/ service-centers.
National Horse Racing Integrity and Safety Legislation
U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) on Aug. 31 in Lexington, Kentucky, an- nounced plans to introduce legislation to set na- tional horse racing standards through the Horse Racing Integrity and Safety Act. Congressman Andy Barr (KY-06) introduced companion leg- islation in the House of Representatives, and the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee advanced the bill on Sept. 9, which now moves to the full House of Representatives for action. The new legislation is an expansion of a bill crafted by Barr and U.S. Rep. Paul Tonko, who have been working to increase horse racing regulation for many years. Also announced was the launch of the independent Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority, a non-governmental regulatory body responsible for improving current regulations and to develop uniform standards for horse racing. If passed, the bill will align U.S. racing standards with international practices.
Bill To Improve Racing Safety Passes
California Legislature
The California legislature on Aug. 30 approved Senate Bill 800 to improve horse racing across the state, including veterinary medical review prior to races and increased transparency in drug testing. The bill builds on reforms adopted last year through Senate Bill 469, which allowed the California Horse Racing Board to suspend rac- ing at tracks where dangerous conditions exist.
Move To Bring Virtual Horse Racing To Montana
Jon Dehler, CEO of Fleetwood Gaming, said they have entered into an agreement to form a partnership with Exacta Systems to manufacture and distribute Historic Horse Racing (HHR) machines in Montana. The move will be con- sidered in the upcoming session of the Montana Legislature, which previously passed legislation instructing the Montana Board of Horse Racing to propose language surrounding HHR.
AQHRA Sale Results
The 2020 Alberta Quarter Horse Racing Associ- ation Canada Cup & Yearling & Mixed Sale was held at Westerner Park in Red Deere, Alberta, on Sept. 18. The $14,000 high seller was Hip #21, O Tuxedo (First Timber-Burners Beauty, El Rey Burner), a 2019 black gelding consigned by Wesley Oulton and purchased by Preston Crow Chief. O Tuxedo is a sibling to four stakes hors- es and is by the sire of $1.5 million in earners. The second highest seller at $9,500 was Hip #6, Obsessed Bug (Obsessed With Corona-Paulina Bug, Shazoom), a 2019 bay filly consigned by Ralph Danard and purchased by Travis Reay, whose 1st-4th dams are all stakes winners and/or stakes winner producers.
Indiana Quarter Horse Speed Sale Results
The 10th annual Indiana Quarter Horse Speed Sale was held Sept. 19 in Lewisburg, Ohio, re- porting 28 of 52 head selling for gross receipts of $196,600 and an average of $7,032. The $31,000 high seller was Hip #37, Royal Pepsi (My Royal Wagon-Chics Pepsi, Lucks Chic Gay), a 2019 bay colt consigned by Brian L. Gunder and purchased by Keith Bode. Royal Pepsi is a half- brother to 3-time stakes winner Tinys First Pepsi ($292,444). The second-highest seller at $20,000 was Hip #28, Liaison On Fire (Sixes Liaison- Blazin Fire, This Snow Is Royal), also consigned by Gunder and purchased by Bode. The 2019 sorrel colt is a sibling to six blacktype runners and out of Champion Blazin Fire.
Judge Blocks BLM Director
A federal judge on Sept. 25 blocked U.S. Interior Department Bureau of Land Management acting director William Perry Pendley from continuing to serve after Montana governor Steve Bullock sued to remove Pendley, saying the former oil in- dustry attorney was illegally overseeing the agency. Pendley has held the position without being con- firmed to the post by the Senate as required under the Constitution, an administration practice of filling key positions. The legitimacy of his deci- sions will be reviewed, including two sweeping plans to open 95% of federal lands in Montana to oil and gas development. According to an Interior Department spokesperson, the ruling will imme- diately be appealed, and agencies have defended the skipped deadlines for Senate hearings – for this and other positions – saying the officials were carrying out the duties of their acting positions.
Morris Animal Foundation Awards Nearly $1 Million
According to the Paulick Report, the Mor-
ris Animal Foundation has awarded nearly
$1 million in grants this year for new studies benefiting equine health. The Foundation selected teams at 13 universities and institu- tions, including the University of Minnesota, Colorado State University and the University of Calgary. Grants were selected based on sci- entific merit and impact, and those with the greatest potential to save lives, preserve health and advance veterinary care. The 2020 funded studies include genetic testing for heart ar- rhythmias, health and well-being guidelines for air-transported horses, understanding changes in gut microbiome and health, and a novel treatment for eye cancer. The Foundation is currently funding 150 studies covering a wide range of species and diseases.
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192 SPEEDHORSE October 2020
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SPEEDHORSE MARCH 2020