Page 211 - Speedhorse, October 2021

Correction
On page 88 of our September issue, in addition to their other recognitions, Bill Robertson Jr. & Becky Robertson Battershell would like to extend thanks to Randy Schalla their trainer. “We are so thankful for your hard work and dedication!”
QH Purse Increases at Prairie Meadows
Prairie Meadows and the Iowa Quarter Horses Racing Association announced an additional 10% purse increase for any Quarter Horse open overnight race with 7 or more betting interests, beginning on Sept. 3. Restricted Iowa-bred over- night races, trials and stakes races are not included in the purse increase. This incentive is to show appreciation for those committed owner, trainers, and jockeys who race at Prairie Meadows.
Yonkers Named Farm Manager at Bob Moore Farms
Mikayla Yonkers has been named the Farm Manager at Bob Moore Farms in Oklahoma, having previously served as their breeding assistant, Yearling Manager and Assistant Farm Manager. Yonkers graduated from the Horse Management program at Michigan State University in 2019. As the newly appointed Farm Manager, she is thrilled with the oppor- tunity and would like to follow in the direction of long-time manager Phillip Stewart who has called Bob Moore Farms home since 1982. Stewart sits on the AQHA Racing Committee, Racing Council, and Graded Stakes subcom- mittee, is a director emeritus for the OQHRA, and is on the board for the Heritage Place Sale Company. “I am very excited to be able to continue growing my career while learning from one of the most well respected and knowledge- able men in the industry,” Yonkers said.
LQHBA Cancels Fall Mixed Sale
LQHBA Board of Directors announced on Aug. 29 that they are cancelling the 2021 LQHBA Fall Mixed Sale due to low consign- ment numbers. “The strong demand for Louisiana-bred yearlings at the recently com- pleted LQHBA Yearling Sale resulted in fewer buy backs thus a reduction in the number of available horses,” LQHBA Executive Director
Bruce Salard said. “Our consignments were lower than expected and the decision was reached to cancel the 2021 sale.” Consignors are referred to Heritage Place, which is still accepting consignments for their Nov. 5-6 Fall Mixed Sale.
QHRAI Speed Sale Results
The Quarter Horse Racing Association of Indiana held their 11th annual QHRAI Speed Sale on Sept. 18 at Indiana Grand Racing & Casino. Twenty head sold for a total of $223,050 and an average of $11,152.50. The high seller at $26,750 was Hip #35, Streakindownthebeach (Habits Secret-Beach Runner, Escondido Beach), consigned by Ed Pennington and purchased
by Buddy Presley. The 2020 gray Indiana Bred gelding is the first foal out of stakes winner Beach Runner si 99 ($139,522). The second-highest seller at $22,000 was Hip #58, HF Eyes On
the Prize (Jess Zoomin-Fast Prize Karen, One Famous Eagle), consigned by Randy Haffner and purchased by Francisco Diaz. This 2020 Indiana Bred bay colt is from the family of Apolltical Chad si 97 ($930,730).
Former RP & FMT Bookkeeper Indicted On Embezzlement
Former Remington Park and Fair Meadows bookkeeper Patricia Bessonett has been charged with embezzlement and pattern of criminal offense for her actions while working at these Oklahoma racetracks. The grand jury indict- ment alleges Bessonett embezzled over $15,000 between 2018 and 2020 at both tracks. The total amount of money was not listed in the indictment, but state code provides for a maximum prison sentence of 5 years and a fine of no more than $5,000 for amounts between $1,000 and $25,000. A warrant for her arrest was issued on Aug. 31.
Ruidoso Downs Meet Leaders
Ruidoso Downs ended its 46-day meet
on Sept. 6 with KJ Desparado winning the
All American Futurity. AQHA Hall of Fame member Bobby D. Cox was named the top Quarter Horse owner with 10 wins from 41 starts. The partnership of John W. Lee, Kathy Lee and Ruben Mares were the leading owners by earnings with $1,597,540. Trey Wood was the meet’s leading trainer, winning 27 races. Wes Giles was the leading trainer by money earned with $2,015,044. Jockey Francisco Calderon was the leading jockey with 33 wins, while Adrian Ramos led all riders with mount earnings of $2,243,256.
Jess Savin Candy Rests Up For Derby Campaign
Ending his bid for the All American Triple Crown, Jess Savin Candy finished fourth in the All American Futurity. Pulled up by jockey
Francisco Calderon after the race, Jess Savin Candy was then vanned back to the barns as a precaution. Trainer Stinebaugh reported that Calderon felt the gelding leaning and decided to make the call just to be safe. The vet did a thorough examination, and the x-rays came back clean. Jess Savin Candy is currently at Lone Star Park, he will not make any more starts this year and is resting for this three-year- old campaign.
Successful Meet Coming to A Close At Canterbury Park
The 2020 meet at the Minnesota track was not without its difficulties due to the pan- demic. Track management moved race days in 2020 from their traditional slot of Thursday to Sunday racing to Monday through Thursday racing days. This allowed for the track to increase exposure with the national gambling audience. For 2021 officials adopted a hybrid schedule, with Tuesday through Thursday early evening post times, with Sunday afternoons. Canterbury loaded fan favorite promotional events such as corgi races and Extreme days on to the Sunday schedule. Track officials stated that more than 8,500 guests came to the races on July 4th weekend. The average Sunday simulcast handle for 2021 was $894,736, nearly triple the 2019 figure.
Zia Park Fails to Open for Training
Per the contract between Zia Park and the
New Mexico Horsemen’s Association, the
track was due to be open for training on Sept. 15. Horsemen were instead turned away from the racetrack because there was no staffed ambulance onsite and outriders had yet to arrive to the track to oversee safety during training. Both shortages leave Zia Park in viola- tion of the New Mexico Racing Commission rules. Due to an ongoing legal disagreement, no direct contact between the NMHA and NMRC can be made, lawyers have been in contact. Zia opened their meet as scheduled on Sept. 26.
Arizona Downs Meet Leaders
Jockey Elias Gutierrez clinched his first jockey title at the conclusion of the Quarter Horse meet at Arizona Downs on Sept. 15. Gutierrez ended the season with 11 wins from 36 starts and a 47% top-three finish, earn-
ing a total of $72,964. Highlights from his season include wins in the $30,600 Westfork Ranch Stakes on Skysthelimitcarver and in the $19,950 Arizona Downs QH Derby aboard Tres A Jess. Jesus Torres-Casas claimed the lead- ing owner title with 6 winners from 32 starts earning $41,423. There was a three-way tie
for leading trainer Jesus Torres-Casas, Heraclio Botello Jr., and Jesus Olivas-Valenzuela, each with six wins.
NEWS BRIEFS
SPEEDHORSE October 2021 209