Page 12 - COVER__NOV22.indd

TRACK CHATTER
THE MONTH IN REVIEW
by Jennifer K. Hancock
REVOLUTIONARY RACING BREAKS GROUND
On Oct. 28, Revolutionary Racing broke ground for construction of its proposed world- class horse racing facility in eastern Kentucky. The new facility will be located at 11000 Paul Coffey Blvd. in Ashland.
In July, the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission awarded the Commonwealth’s ninth and final racing license to Revolutionary Racing Kentucky, which plans to invest
$55 million to build Kentucky’s first track dedicated to Quarter Horses, as well as an equestrian center and entertainment complex. The track is expected to open for the 2024 racing season.
“We are grateful for the opportunity and excited about what this will mean for the people of eastern Kentucky,” said Larry Lucas, Chairman of Revolutionary Racing Kentucky.
The project will create hundreds of union construction jobs, as well as more than 200 permanent jobs and nearly $1 million in new tax revenues each year. The centerpiece among the nearly 200 acres of development will be a 660-yard sprint track, while an adjacent former Sears store will be converted to a gaming facility. For more information, visit www. revolutionaryracingkentucky.com.
TEXAS HORSE RACING HALL OF FAME WELCOMES NEW CLASS
On Oct. 15, the Texas Horse Racing Hall of Fame hosted a gala at Lone Star Park in Grand Prairie to induct the newest inductees. The 2022 class of the Texas Horse Racing Hall
of Fame included Mike Carter, C. Dwayne “Sleepy” Gilbreath, Stan Sigman, Janet VanBebber and Refrigerator. The JoAnn Weber Distinguished Service Award was presented to Jeff Hooper. The mission of the Texas Horse Racing Hall of Fame is to preserve the history and convey the excitement of horse racing
in America while honoring trainers, jockeys, owners, horses and all other contributors who have impacted the racing community in Texas. In addition, the organization provides funding to non-profit groups that impact the Texas equine industry and for educational opportunities for persons in Texas associated with the equine industry.
The Texas Horse Racing Hall of Fame
is holding a fundraising event called “The Walk of Fame,” that gives individuals the opportunity to commemorate past and present stakes race winners that are owned, bred, raced
or standing in Texas. Owners and trainers
can put their name on a piece of real estate at Retama Park Race Track in Selma, Texas and become a living part of the rich history of horse racing in the state. Visit txhof.com/paver-project. html for more information.
HARDY TO LEAD RMTC
The Racing Medication & Testing Consortium hired Dr. Michael Hardy to serve as executive director. In this role, Hardy will manage
the RMTC’s Laboratory Accreditation and External Quality Assurance Program in conjunction with the new Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit. He will also be charged with the administration of the RMTC’s Scientific Advisory Committee process, the monitoring of emerging threats to the integrity of racing and the health and welfare of racehorses, administrative oversight of RMTC-funded research projects, and coordinating RegVet CE programs. In the near term, Hardy will lead the efforts of the RMTC to educate Thoroughbred racing participants concerning the significant changes in the regulation of anti-doping
and medication control to begin on Jan. 1, 2023, with the implementation of the new Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority ADMC program.
The RMTC selected Hardy based on his experience in developing regulatory safety initiatives for racehorses, management of
pre- and post-race drug testing, research into emerging threats to the integrity of horse racing and the regulation of horse racing in general.
“We are very pleased to have Dr. Hardy on board,” said RMTC chair Alex Waldrop. “He has been working with the RMTC for years now, and that will enable him to hit the ground running in this new capacity, at a pivotal time for the RMTC and the entire horse racing industry.”
Hardy also continues in his position as chief association veterinarian and newly appointed safety director for Horseshoe Indianapolis, and as a member of the Breeders’ Cup Veterinary Panel.
Hardy started his career as a racing regulatory veterinarian in 2008, first for the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission and subsequently since 2013 for Horseshoe Indianapolis.
Hardy has served on the RMTC Horseracing Testing Laboratory Committee (HTLC) since 2019, where he has assisted in the implementation of the Laboratory Accreditation Program. The HTLC serves as a consultant to the RMTC Board and Executive Committee on matters related to
the Laboratory Accreditation Program and RMTC-accredited laboratories.
The RMTC is a 501(c) 3 organization comprised of 23 industry stakeholder organizations with a shared commitment to engage in research, education, and advocacy for science-based initiatives that promote the health and safety of the racehorse and the integrity of competition. Learn more at RMTCnet.com.
MORE H-2B VISAS AVAILABLE
FOR 2023
On Oct. 13, the Department of Homeland Security and Department of Labor announced an additional 64,716 H-2B temporary nonagricultural worker visas will be available to employers for fiscal year 2023, on top of the 66,000 H-2B visas that are normally available each fiscal year.
By making these supplemental visas available at the outset of the fiscal year, which began on Oct. 1, 2022, those in the horse industry, such as trainers who rely heavily on the H-2B visa program to fill various backside positions, will be able to better address some of their labor needs this fiscal year.
“While this is good news for the industry, a permanent solution must be put in place to ensure our industry has a sufficient and reliable labor pool going forward,” said National Thoroughbred Racing Association President and Chief Executive Officer Tom Rooney. “We will continue to engage Congress and the administration to advocate for comprehensive immigration reform that will provide long-term solutions.”
The H-2B program permits employers
to temporarily hire noncitizens to perform nonagricultural labor or services in the United States. The employment must be of a temporary nature, such as a one-time occurrence, seasonal need, or intermittent need.
Got Good
News to Share?
Do you have a positive story that you’d like to share?
Send photos and news items to jennifer_k_hancock@hotmail.com.
10 SPEEDHORSE November 2022