Page 116 - July 2020

NEWS BRIEFS
AQHA Registers 6 Millionth Horse
The American Quarter Horse Association reached a milestone when they registered their 6 millionth horse on May 19, 2020. The previ- ous mark of 5 million horses registered was hit on Dec. 26, 2007.
Jockey Prescott Scores 4,000th Win
Jockey Rodney Prescott scored his 4000th career victory in both Quarter Horse and Thoroughbred races combined, guiding the Thoroughbred Serena’s Hope to a 7 1/4-length vic- tory in a 5-furlong race at Indiana Grand Racing & Casino on June 17. Prescott, who has competed in all 26 years of pari-mutuel racing in Indiana, now has total earnings of over $54 million with over $3 million earned in Quarter Horse races.
Free Thought Breaks Consecutive Win Record
It has been confirmed that Free Thought (Stel Corona-Just Think, Pritzi Dash) broke the all-time consecutive win after scoring his 17th straight win on Sept. 9, 2019, breaking the previous record of 15 consecutive wins set by Snowbound Superstar in 2009. Those 17 wins for Free Thought were obtained at five different tracks in Canada, and he now has 27 wins from 49 starts and $109,728 in earnings. The 2011 bay gelding was bred by Edward C. Allred, is owned by Charles G. Stojan, and trained by William H. Leech.
Remington Records Record Handle
Remington Park recorded record handle for its 2020 Quarter Horse, Paint and Appaloosa season that ended May 30, even as they offered 37 fewer races over the 50-day meet. Racing mostly without spectators due to COVID-19, total pari- mutuel handle reached an all-time record of over $98.4 million – a 271.8% over 2019.
Beem Named Announcer At Grants Pass Downs
Veteran race caller Jason Beem has been named the track announcer for the 2020 spring and fall meets at Grants Pass Downs
in Oregon. Beem has called races around the country, including at Louisiana Downs. He hosts the Jason Beem Horse Racing daily podcast and is known for his annual “Beemie Awards” celebrating the best moments in horse racing social media.
R.D. Hubbard Complete Dispersal At Ruidoso
Horses owned by the late R.D. Hubbard will be sold in a two-phase complete dispersal. Thoroughbreds will be sold at the Ruidoso New Mexico-Bred Sale Aug. 21-22, and Quarter Horses will be sold at the Ruidoso Select Yearling Sale Sept. 4-6. Stallions, broodmares, horses in training, yearlings and weanlings will be selling, as well as Hubbard’s interest in leading freshman sire Hes Relentless, two syndicated shares in leading sire One Famous Eagle, a share in leading sire Valiant Hero, and frozen semen from Atilla’s Storm TB, A Revenant and The Down Side. Lazy E Ranch is the agent for the dispersal.
Ruidoso Bans Trainer Sanderson
Trainer Janell Sanderson was banned from starting horses at Ruidoso Downs after five of her charges tested positive for illegal medica- tions clenbuterol and zilpaterol in out-of- competition testing. The decision results in the withdrawal of three Sanderson trained horses that did not test positive, but had qualified to the June 13 Mountain Top Futurity-RG2, and must now be moved to approved trainers before they can reenter. According to track General Manager Jeff True, Ruidoso allows a trainer to have three positive out-of-competition tests in a 12-month period before being banned. Horses with positive tests are placed on the steward’s list and cannot start for 60 days after receiving negative tests and approval from the stewards.
CHRB Limits Whip Use
The California Horse Racing Board (CHRB) on June 11 voted to approve language restricting the type and use of whips available to jockeys. First, the rule lets riders use only the 360 GT whip, which is made of dense foam that absorbs shock, eliminates sting, bounces back from the horse, and shows a measurable impact force reduction compared to other whips. Second, the rule restricts whip use to the horse’s shoulder and hindquarters to no more than twice in succession without waiting for a response, and no more than six times total, and whip use is not allowed in training except for safety or correction. The rule will be reviewed by the California’s Office of Administrative Law and could go into effect by October.
Link Between Fracking And Foal Dysphagia
A breeder engaged researchers to determine why 17 of 65 foals born on his Pennsylvania farm between 2014 and 2016 were born with dysphagia, a birth defect in which foals inhale milk as they suckle. Over a 2-year period, the scientists determined the condition was linked to ingestion of water contaminated with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) likely from a fracking operation located 1 mile away, and that
the longer a pregnant mare spent on the farm increased the odds of a foal being dysphagic. The problem was eliminated after water filtration equipment was installed. Future studies were recommended to see if any health effects other than dysphagia for fetuses exists in humans and animals exposed to fracking, noting horses can serve as sentinels for human risks from fracking.
UHC Releases Searchable Database For In Need Horses
In the wake of COVID-19, the United Horse Coalition (UHC) pushed up their release date of a searchable Equine Resource Database listing
all known safety net programs available in the country to help owners, rescues and sanctuaries in need, as well as the equine industry as a whole. The database includes feed assistance, temporary foster, castration assistance, veterinary funding/ assistance, legal advice, educational materials, and more. Those in need and organizations offer- ing any resources can complete a brief question- naire at https://unitedhorsecoalition.org.
William F. Leach Passes Away
William F. Leach, 88, passed away on June
7. Bill served in the Army and was awarded the National Defense Medal. He began training at Ruidoso Downs in 1966, and was the track’s leading trainer for several years in the 80’s. He is the trainer of over $7.1 million in Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse runners, including as the co-owner and trainer of 1981 Champion Easily Smashed. Leach was inducted into the Ruidoso Racehorse Hall of Fame in 2016. He is survived by his wife Jeanne, several nieces and nephews, as well as many other family members and friends.
John Mayers Passes Away
John “Johnny” Mayers, 82, passed away on May 27. Raised in a family with a love of ranch- ing, land conservation and horses, he received
a 4-year scholarship from the King Ranch and graduated from Texas A&M in 1959. He served as a Captain in the U.S. Army, was as an instruc- tor at West Point, and then began a teaching career in which he served 14 years as Vocational Director for the Laredo Independent School District. In 2007, he was named LIFE Rancher of the Year. Mayers was the co-breeder with Tyler Graham of 2014 Champion 2 Year Old/ Champion 2-Year-Old Colt Kiss My Hocks, who
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