Page 12 - July 2020

TRACK CHATTER
THE MONTH IN REVIEW
by Jennifer K. Hancock
BLODGETT TO JOIN HALL OF FAME
AQHA Past President Dr. Glenn Blodgett of Guthrie, Texas, will be inducted into the Class of 2021 at the 2021 AQHA Convention in San Antonio. He will be honored at the convention, along with the Hall of Fame Class of 2020, whose induction was postponed due to the can- cellation of the 2020 AQHA Convention.
Blodgett received his bachelor’s degree
in animal science from Oklahoma State University and earned his degree in veterinary medicine from Texas A&M University and has since been recognized as an outstanding alumnus by both universities.
In 1982, he became the resident veterinar- ian and manager of the horse division at the 6666 Ranch at Guthrie, Texas. As the head
of the ranch’s horse division, Blodgett has made the ranch an industry leader in equine embryo transfer and artificial insemination, consistently producing and developing some of the most highly recognized racing and western performance American Quarter Horses in the world. In his tenure at the 6666 Ranch, the facility has become an all-time leading breeder of racing and performance Quarter Horses, and in 1993, won the AQHA Best Remuda Award.
Blodgett became an AQHA director in 1991, and in 2011, elevated to director-at- large. He served on the AQHA Stud Book and Registration Committee and as its chairman. He served on the American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame Selection Committee. He is
also a member of the AQHA Animal Welfare Commission. The 2011 recipient of the AQHA Racing Council Special Recognition Award,
Blodgett was elected to the AQHA Executive Committee in 2012 and served as AQHA presi- dent in 2015. In 2019, Blodgett was inducted in the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame.
Six horses and four AQHA members were chosen for induction into the American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2020.
The horses are A Good Machine, a 1993 bay stallion; Dual Rey, a 1994 sorrel stallion; Esters Little Klu, a 1968 gray Thoroughbred mare; Mr Eye Opener, a 1990 gray stallion; Triple’s Image, a 1969 sorrel stallion; and Zan Parr Jack, a 1979 sorrel stallion.
The individuals are AQHA Professional Horseman Bob Avila of Temecula, California; racehorse trainer C. Dwayne “Sleepy” Gilbreath of Dennis, Texas; the late Past Executive Committee Member George Phillips of Jackson, Mississippi; and AQHA Past President Johnny Trotter of Hereford, Texas.
Due to the cancellation of the 2020 AQHA Convention, as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, the Hall of Fame Committee will reconvene at the 2021 AQHA Convention
to nominate and approve the Hall of Fame Class of 2022. For more information on the American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame & Museum, visit www.aqha.com/museum.
THE REOPENING OF TRACKS
Twenty-twenty continues to be an interest- ing year. The 152nd Belmont Stakes, usually the last leg of the Thoroughbred Triple Crown, was the first leg in the series in a year that keeps throwing curveballs. The race, which is usually a grueling mile and half, was shortened to 1 1/8, and for the first time since 1882,
a New York-bred won the Big Apple’s jewel when Tiz The Law crossed the wire 4-lengths in front of the field. And now horse racing
fans will be treated to a double-header of
sorts on Labor Day weekend as the Kentucky Derby is scheduled for Sept. 5 ahead of the All American Futurity on Sept. 7.
While the stands were empty at Belmont Park as New York slowly emerges from the COVID-19 shutdown, racing at the Mountain in Ruidoso took a step toward normalcy on June 19 and welcomed some fans back to Ruidoso Downs Race Track. In June, Ruidoso opened the Turf Club and Jockey Club to horse owners, members, and season ticket holders at 50 percent occupancy. Track management was notified by Governor Grisham’s office on June
10 that the Turf Club and the Ruidoso Jockey Club would be allowed to operate as restau- rants using COVID-Safe Practices.
“This is some good news that we have
been waiting to hear,” said Jeff True, president and general manager of Ruidoso Downs Race Track. “Even though we cannot open to 100 percent, it is a start. We can now get our horse owners in to watch their horses run, and this gives us a path forward for getting some of our season ticket holders in to enjoy some racing. However, we have to keep in mind that 50 per- cent occupancy does not allow us to put fans on the Grandstand level.”
For the time being, any owner who has
a horse entered in the day’s program will be allowed four seats in the Turf Club for that day. The remainder of the seats that are avail- able will then be allocated for use by all season ticket holders who have paid for their seat in full for the 2020 season. These seats will be assigned in a random-number lottery drawing among eligible season ticket holders.
In order to enter the Turf Club or Jockey Club, all guests and members must wear face coverings and will have their body temperature screened by an infrared camera at the entrance to the track. Ruidoso Downs has added Safety Stewards whose job it is to constantly monitor the premises to make sure that all high-touch surfaces are wiped down frequently and that all safe practices are being adhered to by patrons.
“Obviously, we wish that we could open up the gates and welcome all of our fans back,” True said. “However, we understand that we must exercise an abundance of caution. We will continue our strict operational protocols with our employees, jockeys and trainers. We will also expect that our owners and season ticket holders will do their part to ensure everyone’s safety.”
The Billy the Kid Casino remained closed at press time. For fan unable to attend the races in person, more information on how to watch online, place bets with online wagering provid- ers or conduct drive-thru wagering locally, visit RaceRuidoso.com.
FAIR GROUNDS TRANSFERS 2020 DATES TO EVANGELINE DOWNS
The Louisiana State Racing Commission approved the transfer of the 2020 Fair Grounds Racing Course Quarter Horse
dates to Evangeline Downs. The Louisiana Quarter Horse Breeders Association and Louisiana Horsemen’s Benevolent & Protective
10 SPEEDHORSE July 2020