Page 183 - Speedhorse April 2021

Correction
In our March issue on page 64, we had the own- ers of Fade Shot listed incorrectly. The APHA Broodmare of The Year is owned by Kelly/ Yother Equine and bred by Kelly/Yearsley Equine LLC. We apologize for this oversight.
Los Al To Open To Fans
Los Alamitos Race Course will open its main grandstand to fans on April 2. Fans will also be able to watch the races from the Vessels Club, Mezzanine Patio and terrace, as well as from the outdoor grandstand apron. Indoor wager- ing and seating facilities will remain closed. Face coverings will be required.
Ruidoso Adjusts Trial/Final Dates For 2021 Season
Ruidoso Downs Race Track has adjusted trial
and final dates for their 2021 summer racing season that begins May 28. Quarter Horse stakes changes include: Ruidoso Futurity trials May 28-29, finals June 13; Ruidoso Derby trials May 30, finals June 12; Mountain Top Futurity trials June 4, finals June 20; Mountain Top Derby trials June 5, trials June 19; Ruidoso Maiden Stakes trials June 6, finals June 19; Rainbow Futurity trials July 9-10, finals July 25; Rainbow Derby trials July 11, finals July 24; All American Futu- rity trials Aug. 20-21, finals Sept. 6; All American Derby trials Aug. 22, finals Sept. 5. More infor- mation can be found on 2021 nomination forms or by visiting www.raceruidoso.com.
G.R. Carter Jr. Named AQHA Racing
Committee Chairman
G.R. Carter Jr. was named the new AQHA Racing Committee Chairman at the 2021 AQHA Convention held March 18-20 in San Antonio, Texas. The 10-time Champion Jockey and AQHA’s all-time leading jockey by money (over $75 million) and wins (3,900), Carter has served on the AQHA Racing Committee and on the board of the Jockeys’ Guild. He also works with Jockeys and Jeans to raise money for the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund. “We are excited to have G.R. step into the role with all the experience and leadership he has to offer,” said AQHA Chief Racing Officer Janet VanBebber. Carter was elected as the new chairman following AQHA Racing Committee Chairman Mark Brown stepping down following his three-year term of service.
Multi-Million Expansion At Indiana Grand
Caesars Entertainment Inc. on March 17 an- nounced plans to invest $32.5 million to expand and enhance the casino gaming floor of Indiana Grand Racing & Casino, adding an additional 25,000 square feet, new slot machines and table games, a premium poker room with ways to qualify to the World Series of Poker, over 100 new jobs and millions to local and state gaming tax revenues. Expansion is set to begin in April and to be completed by the end of the year. “This investment at Indiana Grand is a testa- ment to our continued commitment to Indi- ana,” said President and Chief Operating Offi- cer of Caesars Entertainment Anthony Carano.
2021 Champion of Champions Format
The 2021 Champion of Champions-G1 format will feature changes as to how its starting field is assembled. Five Los Alamitos Grade 1 stakes events, as well as an “invitational” aspect, will determine the presumptive starting berths.
The five Grade 1 races are the Brad McKinzie Los Alamitos Winter Championship, Vessels Maturity, Mildred Vessels Memorial Handicap, Robert L. Boniface Los Alamitos Invitational Championship, and Los Alamitos Super Derby. A Champions of Champions selection com- mittee will consider all 2021 Grade 1 stakes winners 3-year-old and older on a national level, selecting three Grade 1 stakes winners to receive presumptive invitations. If any horse wins more than one race with a berth, or if any berths de- cline to participate, the winner of the Go Man Go Handicap-G1 will receive that berth. Two presumptive berths will be offered to the win- ners of the Z. Wayne Griffin Directors Trials.
Starters in the Champion of Champions will be subject to regulations listed on the Los Alamitos Race Course Equine & Rider Safety Enhance- ment Plan, plus a hair follicle test conducted by Los Alamitos prior to the running of the Cham- pion of Champions, and the owner/trainer must be in good standing per house rules at the track.
Idaho Senate Passes Horse Racing Bill
The Idaho Senate on March 17 passed Senate Bill 1178 to preserve the state’s horse racing in- dustry by a vote of 26-5. The bill will redistribute a portion of the revenue the Idaho Racing Com- mission collects from the pool of advance deposit wagers (ADW) due to an expected $141,000 shortfall for 2021. Currently, the Idaho Racing Commission is allocated 10% of the ADW mon- ey, which is then split between purses (40%), one simulcast site (30%), racetrack operators (10%), racetracks (5%), breeders (5%), public schools (5%) and the Idaho Racing Commission (5%). SB 1178 would allow the Idaho Racing Com- mission to retain 10% off the top its 10% share of the ADW before the remainder is split, as well as its 5% split. The bill now heads to the House State Affairs Committee.
Arizona Mayor Supports Historic Horse Racing
Prescott Valley Mayor Kell Palguta issued a state- ment on March 28 in support of Senate Bill 1794, which will make Historic Horse Racing a reality, assist rural small business owners, and generate millions in new state tax revenues. Palguta urged legislators to help horse racing by backing the bill, saying horse racing has been an important indus- try to Arizona since statehood and that Arizona Downs is one of the state’s leading attractions.
NEWS BRIEFS
SPEEDHORSE PHOTO ARCHIVES
Can you identify the horse in this photo? Here’s a hint: She is the dam of the 2002 AQHA World Champion. The answer is on page 182.
SPEEDHORSE April 2021 181