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TRACK CHATTER
THE MONTH IN REVIEW
by Jennifer K. Hancock
BANK OF AMERICA CHALLENGE CHAMPIONSHIPS
The 2022 Bank of America Challenge Championships takes place at Horseshoe Indianapolis in Shelbyville, Indiana, Oct. 19-22. The AQHA Racing Workshop
opens Thursday morning, and the Racing Committee meeting will be held Friday. The Bank of America Racing Challenge Championships will be contested Saturday night, and an owner’s celebration will be held before the races. If attending the Bank of America Challenge Championships, table reservations must be made directly with the Horseshoe Indianapolis Turf Club in order to purchase dinner and watch the races. Call (317) 421-8979 for table reservations. The AQHYA National Racing Experience will be held in conjunction with the Bank of America Challenge Championships. For more information, visit www.aqha.com/ youth-racing-experience.
MARTINEZ NAMED HORSESHOE INDIANAPOLIS SUPERINTENDENT
Horseshoe Indianapolis named Tony Martinez as the next track superintendent and will replace current track superintendent Roy Smith, who will retire at the end of the track’s 2022 season.
Martinez, who has been involved in track maintenance for more than 30 years, brings more than 15 years of experience as a track superintendent. The third-generation trackman has expertise in all surfaces
and is especially known for his work in
fine grading, track moisture evaluations, extensive harrowing, and soil composition. Over the years, he has been involved with the construction of more than 25 training and arena facilities. Martinez has served as superintendent at seven racetracks over his career, with his most recent post being at Gulfstream Park.
“We are extremely pleased to bring in Tony as our next track superintendent,” said Horseshoe Indianapolis Vice President and General Manager of Racing Eric Halstrom. “Roy (Smith) has developed a great track maintenance program at our facility. We look forward to welcoming Tony in to continue the hard work already implemented. We have a great foundation for both our dirt and turf courses and are confident in Tony’s skills to take the lead in this department.”
Horseshoe Indianapolis underwent a total track renovation during the 2018 racing season with an investment that topped $800,000. Prior to that, a new $3.3 million track maintenance building was
constructed with upgrades in equipment added for both surfaces.
“I’m very excited to join the team at Horseshoe Indianapolis,” said Martinez. “Their facility is state of the art and being able to walk into a program like this is a great opportunity for me.”
Martinez will begin his duties alongside Smith this fall. Smith will remain on property in a consulting position until his retirement at the end of the year.”
“Having a top-notch track man like Roy (Smith) is hard to replace,” added Joe Morris, Senior Vice President of Racing for Caesars Entertainment. “Being able to secure a talent like Tony is another way we can continue
our upward momentum in the Indiana horse racing industry. It shows our continued commitment to both the Thoroughbred
and Quarter Horse programs. We strive to provide the best possible racing surfaces and will continue that goal under the guidance of someone who is a third-generation track man and who is invested in our vision in taking our program to the next level.”
Horseshoe Indianapolis’ 20th season of live Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing runs through Nov. 23.
SAM’S LEGACY CONTINUES
On the final night of the 2022 All American Select Yearling Sale, the Sam Thompson Memorial Foundation teamed with Lip Chip LLC to pull off a surprise for Bryce Bourdieu, who was injured in a starting gate accident on Aug. 11.
Lip Chip purchased all the remaining
Sam Thompson Foundation t-shirts, and the proceeds went directly to Bryce and his mom, Julie Farr, to help with his medical expenses and recovery. James Flores donated his helmet and signed cover from his 2022 All American Futurity win and Dara Lynn donated a photo of the victory, which raised $9,000 when Brad Bolen donated them back to sell again to Connie Young & Janet VanBebber, who then donated the items to Bryce. Prior to the start of the sale, supporters wearing the shirts gathered at the venue, and the group made a video call with Bryce so he could see everyone supporting him. Chaplain Darrell Winter said a prayer
for Bryce during the video chat. Donations to Bryce can still be made through the foundation at www.samthompsonfoundation.org.
CANTERBURY WRAPS RECORD MEET
Canterbury Park’s 64-day meet concluded Sept. 17 with a 13-race program that attracted $2,364,097 in handle. Business was robust throughout the meet, as a track-record $97,615,998 was wagered, a 7.4% increase compared to 2021. Saturday evening racing, absent since 2019, returned in 2022 and was accompanied by large crowds and handle.
The track’s average daily handle of $1,525,250 marked a 9.5% increase over last season. Record purses were also paid during the meet that was originally scheduled for 65 days of racing.
A total of $15,715,307 in purses were paid, 1% more than 2021 even though 12 fewer races were run. Field size was consistent with last year with an average of 7.31 starters per race.
Edwin Escobedo was Canterbury Park’s leading Quarter Horse jockey with 22 wins from 61 mounts, 15 more than runners-up Stormy Smith, Ismael Suarez Ricardo and Luis A. Valenzuela. Jason Olmstead topped all Quarter Horse trainers with 27 winners from 126 starters, 12 more than runner-up Mallory Norton,
who sent out the winners of 15 races from 67 starters. Tom Maher and Lunderborg LLC were Canterbury’s leading Quarter Horse owners
with seven wins each. Canterbury Park’s richest Quarter Horse race, the $105,100 Mystic Lake Northlands Futurity, was won by fastest qualifier Alotta Oh La La. Mallory Norton trained the homebred daughter of the Hawkinson stallion BF Farm Boss for owner Leon A. Glasser.
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