Page 209 - December2022

authority to a private entity. Since the 5th
U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals stating that
the HISA is “facially unconstitutional,” Texas expects Congress to modify the statute for it to be enforced. “We appreciate the tremendous support from Governor Greg Abbott’s office and Attorney General Ken Paxton’s team in challenging the federal government’s attempt to remove Texans from the critical leadership role they play in ensuring the fairness, integrity, and safety of the sport of horseracing in our great state. The best solutions in any field,
are derived from collaborative, not adversarial approaches. This is the best way to achieve the shared goal of promoting the integrity of the sport and the safety of all horseracing breeds and participants,” said Texas Racing Commission Executive Director Amy F. Cook.
Apollitical Jess Breaks Single-Season Earnings Record For 4th Time
Apollitical Jess (Mr Jess Perry-Apollitical Time, Apollo TB) has broken his own Quarter Horse racing single-season progeny earnings
set last year, and for the fourth time. In 2018, Apollitical Jess broke First Down Dash’s single- season earnings record with over $8 million in earnings; in 2019 he came back to set another record with over $8.1 million in single-season earnings. In 2021, Apollitical Jess broke the record for the third time with over $9 million, and this year through Dec. 13, the prolific stallion single-season earnings have reached over $10.2 million. Apollitical Jess currently stands as the #4 all-time leading sire with over $57.3 million in total earnings.
Louisiana Downs Prepares For 2023 Meet
Louisiana Downs in Bossier City is preparing for their 46-day 2023 meet that begins on Jan.
5 and ends April 1. The barn area opened Dec. 10. The 2022 Leading Trainer Jose Carrizales, 25, was honored last April as he picked up
his third consecutive training title. In 2022, Carrizales was the trainer of five stakes wins in the Open Me A Corona Stakes-RG2, Yellow Rose of Texas Stakes, Miss Retama Stakes, Esplanade Stakes and Gillespie County Fair Sprint Classic. His focus now is to ready his horses for the 2023 meet.
Horseshoe Indianapolis Ends 2022 Meet
Horseshoe Indianapolis ended their 20th season of racing that began on April 19 and ended on Nov. 23. Total handle reached nearly $235 million, an increase of 5.2% over 2021 and a 6.2% increase in on-track wagering. A total of 1,192 races were held with an average of 8.06 horses per race, with Quarter Horse starters seeing 9 horses per race. The 21st season of racing at the track begins April 18 for a 123-day meet. “Despite difficult weather conditions with
rain in most of May and a string of 100-plus heat index days that forced us to either cancel or move post times away from the heat in June, we ended up showing a solid season of business in 2022,” said Vice President and General Manager Eric Halstrom. “We have to thank the horsemen’s organizations and the Indiana Horse Racing Commission for their partnership in achieving these numbers over last season, which was strong to begin with. It’s definitely a group effort in moving the business levels forward in racing at Horseshoe Indianapolis.”
Wyoming Horse Racing Sees Record Year
Wyoming Horse Racing LLC saw a record-setting year in 2022 for Sweetwater Downs in Rock Springs, and for the racing industry in the state. Horsemen participating
in Wyoming racing received over $8.5 million in prize money, including purses and breeder awards. On Oct. 1, Sweetwater Downs recorded the richest day in the history of horse racing
in the state with $297,370 in purses and a $127,820 purse for the Wyoming All Breeds Futurity – the largest purse in the past 22 years of racing. Horse racing’s growth has more
than doubled since 2018, creating huge effect for veterinarians, feed suppliers, restaurants, hotels, and others in the communities where horse racing and breeding take place. “The numbers are telling us that significant growth is taking place in the state’s horse industry,” said President of Wyoming Horse Racing Nick Hughes. “We are meeting that growth with more than $1,000,000 in investments into the infrastructure at Sweetwater Downs for the benefit of the horses and horsemen.”
AQHA Supreme Race Horses Kiss Thru Fire & Instygator
The AQHA on Dec. 5 named their newest AQHA Supreme Race Horses in Kiss Thru Fire and Instygator. 2017 sorrel mare Kiss Thru Fire (Walk Thru Fire-Fredaville, Mr Jess Perry), owned by Gentry Farms, won 13 races and has earned $708,025 thus far winning the Charger Bar Handicap-G1 (twice), Champion of Champions-G1, Las Damas Handicap-G2, California Breeders’ Matron Stakes-G3 (twice), Denim N Diamonds Handicap-G3, among others. 2018 brown gelding Instygator (Ivory James-Eye Popping, Mr Eye Opener), owned by Barboza Racing Corp., has won 10 races and earned $1,582,551 thus far winning the Refrigerator Invitational Championship-G1, The Championship at Sunland Park-G1,
and All American Derby-G1. The Supreme Race Horse title is given to a racing American Quarter Horse that during its career earns $500,000 or more, wins two or more open Grade 1 stakes races and at least 10 races. KJ Desparado (Apollitical Jess-Tres Veses, Tres Seis)
with $2,706,013 earnings so far also earned an AQHA Supreme Race Horse title in November for owners John & Kathy Lee and Ruben Mares.
Sunland Park Announces $500,000 Gift
Sunland Park Racetrack & Casino in New Mexico, on Nov. 30 announced a $500,000 gift from the Stanley E. Fulton Family Foundation to the Community Foundation of Southern New Mexico. Stanley E. Fulton was a long-time owner of Sunland Park and the donation will benefit the residents of Dona Ana, Catron, Caves, Hidalgo, Otero, Sierra, Socorro, Grant, Lincoln and Luna counties. The funds will be used to feed the hungry, expand literacy, improve health, promote the arts, and support other meaningful causes and organizations in Southern New Mexico. “This gift is a very significant one and it will make a definite impact on our efforts to support Southern New Mexicans. This generous donation will improve the way of life for many of those
in our state in need,” said President and CEO
of Community Foundation of Southern New Mexico Terra Winter.
C.W. “Bubba” Cascio Passes Away
C.W. “Bubba” Cascio passed away at the age of 90
on Nov. 2. Bubba was the trainer of two All American Futurity winners in Three Ohs (1968) and Champion Rocket Wrangler (1970). He
was also the trainer of 2-time World Champion Dash For Cash, World Champion Dashingly, and additional Champions Pass Over, Queen For Cash, Six Fortunes, Some Dasher and Staunchs Velvet. Born in Houston, Texas, Bubba’s uncle managed Epsom Downs and
his father Jake was a highly respected trainer including Champion Tonto Parr. In his teen years, Bubba worked at Lester Goodson’s J3 Ranch. He soon became too heavy to work as a jockey and he began riding cutting horses. With Goodson, he went to the White House and presented President Eisenhower with two American Quarter Horses. Bubba was the first trainer to reach over $1 million in earners.
He is a leading trainer with over $20 million
in earners, including 957 wins and 45 stakes wins, and over $4.4 million in Thoroughbred money earners. He was inducted into the Texas Racing Hall of Fame in 2002, into the American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame in 2008, and into the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame in 2016.
NEWS BRIEFS
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