Page 136 - 8 February 2013

NRQHA Honors Kawananakoa, Hodges
The Northern Racing Quarter Horse Association (NRQHA) in Washington,
for each of the 10 positive tests, with 2 of the sentences running consecutively, for a total of 20 years and a $100,000 fine. The preliminary rul- ing for Alejandro Sanchez-Munoz is 5 years and a $5,000 fine as assistant trainer on 2 horses he owned to run consecutively, for a total of 10 years and a $10,000 fine. The fines and penalties are pending final approval of the commission.
Merrill Joins Bob Moore Farms
AQHA Past President and
(RCI). The bill would also require labs that test horse samples meet or exceed current standards established by the RCI. The New Mexico Racing Commission would administer the proposed fund.
Remington Park Announces New Policies
Remington Park in Oklahoma City announced new policies meant to ensure safety and integrity at their Quarter Horse and Mixed Meet, which begins March 8. Any horseman on the suspended list of either the AQHA or The Jockey Club or who has unresolved posi- tive test issues on Class 1 or Class 2 substances will not be allotted stalls nor be allowed to participate at the meet. Remington will also begin pre-race inspections at the discretion of the Stewards or Official State Veterinarian.
All finalists for futurity or derby races and all Grade 1 race participants will be examined,
as will random horses in any overnight race. Officials may also at their discretion select additional horses to be examined.
Wyoming Horsemen Encouraged To Call Legislators
Wyoming horsemen are being encouraged to call their representatives and ask them to support House Bill 25, the Simulcasting of Pari-mutuel Events bill. The state legislature is considering this bill that would allow Off Track Betting parlors to offer games of skill based on historical horse races. If passed, it is projected purses would increase by $1.1 mil- lion, and revenue to the Breeders’ Trust Fund would increase by $500,000.
Barajas New Canterbury Park Track Superintendent
Canterbury Park in Shakopee, Minnesota, has hired Javier Barajas as track superintendent for the 2013 racing season. Barajas currently holds the same position at Meydan Racecourse in Nad Al Sheba, Dubai, UAE, where the world’s richest race is held - the $10 million Dubai World Cup. The Canterbury meet does not conflict with the Meydan meet. Purses
at Canterbury for 2013 have doubled com- pared to 2011 due to an agreement with the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community that will inject $75 million into the horsemen purse fund over a 10-year period. The 69-day race meet at Canterbury Park begins May 17 and runs through Sept. 14. It will offer an estimated $12 million in purse money.
Frank Holmes Passes Away
Equine historian Frank Holmes, 65, passed away Jan. 12 after an 18-year battle with cancer. His love of horses began at an early age, and
the first article he submitted for publication
to Western Horseman was published when
at their annual
year-end awards
banquet on Jan. 5
honored Abigail
Kawananakoa
with its highest
honor, the Dick
Monahan Lifetime
Achievement Award.
Kawanankoa is only the second member to receive the honor, which is named for the late attorney and AQHA racing committee member who was a longtime member of the NRQHA. Kawananakoa has been a supporter of Quarter Horse racing in the state and member of the NRQHA for over 20 years. She has stepped in to support the NRQHA numerous times, includ- ing helping with jockey insurance and with
the electrical system at Sun Downs. According to a NRQHA release, “the honor bestowed on Princess Abigail Kawananakoa by the NRQHA is a tiny token in comparison to what this fine horsewoman has contributed to the entire racing industry over several decades.”
The NRQHA posthumously honored orga- nization pioneer member Veral Hodges with the Director’s Award for his five decade-long contribution to the Quarter Horse industry in the state. His breeding program, which began in 1964, produced such individuals as Miss Della Queen, Deckella, Deckabo, Kipadeucy, and many more. Hodges trained, exercised, ponied, and even headed many of the athletes he bred. Hodges passed away in 2012.
AQHA Suspends Trainers
The American Quarter Horse Association suspended the memberships of trainers Joseph R. Hebert, Alejandro J. Sanchez-Munoz and Roberto Sanchez-Munoz pending the out- come of their medication violation cases with either the Louisiana or Oklahoma Racing Commissions. Horses that race on or after Jan. 20 under these trainers will be ineligible to enter any AQHA Challenge races or to receive AQHA racing points, honors and awards. These trainers, however, have certain rights of appeal.
Oklahoma Hands Down Dermorphin Rulings
The Oklahoma Horse Racing Commission (OHRC) on Jan. 24 held hearings on der- morphin positives against trainers Roberto Sanchez-Munoz and Alejandro Sanchez-Munoz. The OHRC preliminary ruling for Roberto Sanchez-Munoz is 10 years and a fine of $10,000
AQHA/Oklahoma
Hall of Fame horse-
man Frank Merrill
has taken over
group operations of
Bob Moore Farms
as the Manager of
Bob Moore Farms
Group. Merrill has
been involved in
the horse industry
for over 50 years,
having bred, owned
and raised Champion Quarter Horses that have won honors in racing, cutting, reining, reined cow horse, roping halter, and other events, including 2 AQHA Hall of Fame Horses. Bob Moore Farms in Norman, Oklahoma, has been in the horse racing and breeding business for over 60 years, offering breeding, sales preparation, consulting and boarding. They have bred and campaigned World Champions such as Dashing Perfection and Mr Jet Moore.
NM Budget Proposes More Money For Racing Commission
New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez and the Legislative Finance Committee (LFC) on Jan. 9 proposed increased spending for the New Mexico Racing Commission. The budget recommenda- tion calls for $750,000 for improved testing
to catch illegal doping, while the LFC asks for $362,400 for the fiscal year. According to the New Mexico Watchdog Org, the Commission would like to increase the number of investiga- tors from two to five or six, and would also like to have necropsies performed on every horse that dies after breaking down on the track.
NM Introduces Horse Doping Bill
According to RuidosoNews.com, a bill
has been introduced in the New Mexico Legislature to add a new section to the state Horse Racing Act. The proposed legislation would create a racehorse testing fund that would make sure the testing of horses for drugs or other foreign substances meets or exceeds the current standards of the Association of Racing Commissioners International, Inc.
134 SPEEDHORSE, January 8, 2013
Abigail Kawanankoa
Frank Merrill
NEWS BRIEFS
Heather Lowe
Los Alamitos