North American Trainer - e-zine edition - May 2020

E-ZINE ISSUE – MAY 2020 www.trainermagazine.com

THE QUARTERLY MAGAZINE FOR THE TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE THOROUGHBRED

THE OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF THE

CORONAVIRUS E-ZINE EDITION

| OPINION |

GILES ANDERSON PUBLISHER’S OPINION Normally, in early May we look forward to producing our ‘Triple Crown’ edition of North American Trainer. But with the current situation as it is, I have taken the decision to push back publication of the next issue of the print magazine until the end of May. By which time, more tracks and training centers will be open and life returns to some sort of normality.

Instead, my team and I have produced this bonus e-zine publication. Over the coming pages you’ll read articles related to the virus and how many within our industry have been dealing with the situation; as well as a number of articles which one would expect to see in a regular edition of the magazine.

This year we are all dealing with COVID-19. Next year there will likely be another dilemma to face. Foals are still being born, horses are still being trained and sales preparation will still go ahead - the list goes on. However tough it might be for you or your colleagues right now, this virus will be beaten.

Much is written about the ‘new normal’ for when the virus passes and it has led me to think of some of the positives which we could take out of the current situation.

Will we continue to maintain the enhanced biosecurity measures in place on the backstretch for the health of our horses and those who care for them?

Does the lack of spectator participation in racing cast a light on the reliance of Advance Deposit Wagering (ADW) providers to help keep the show on the road?

Should there be a better distribution model for revenues generated through these ADW’s with a set percentage of revenue earmarked not only for the host track who have generated the signal as well as going directly to purse funds?

With racing set to be one of a handful of sports cleared to resume and thus garner more media exposure, isn’t now the perfect time to produce some type of complimentary Past Performance product to educate the casual viewer of racing?

With this e-zine, we are also giving all our readers complimentary access to our online back issues library for both our North American and European editions. In total, we have over ninety editions of the magazine and over 500 articles to read. So please follow the banner link below to sign up now to get your complimentary access. #staysafe this May and dream of the time when you’ll be back racing!

TO ACCESS OUR BACK ISSUES ARCHIVE SIGN UP AT TRAINERMAGAZINE.COM/REGISTER

CORONAVIRUS E-ZINE EDITION TRAINERMAGAZINE.COM

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| CONTENTS |

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CONTENTS 04 Alan F. Balch column 06 #soundbites

This quarter, Bill Heller asks trainers how they are handling the coronavirus pandemic and what advice they have for getting through this ordeal.

12 Bleeders

Dr. David Marlin looks at the facts, fiction and future direction of the treatment of exerciseinduced pulmonary hemorrhages.

18 Last five standing

Bill Heller fills us in what measures the five Thoroughbred-only tracks have taken to continue racing during the coronavirus shutdown. Those tracks are operating under guidelines aimed at keeping horsemen and anyone they come into contact with safe.

28 Are we going soft on our horses?

So asks Amy Bairstow - looking at the impact on different types of surfaces commonly found around racetracks and training centers.

36 Against the odds

How two tracks have kept racing during the pandemic and reaped handle rewards. During the month of April, Fonner Park and Will Rogers Downs were the two tracks whose signals kept bettors occupied at the start of

@ t ra i n e r _ m a g

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each week. With a somewhat captive audience, off-track handle exploded to record totals at both racetracks, but the bottom line effects were different with the backdrop of empty grandstands.

Editorial Director/Publisher Giles Anderson (1 888 218 4430)

42 How PET scanning reduces

Circulation/Website Charlotte Fossey (1 888 659 2935)

catastrophic fractures

Dr. Mathieu Spriet updates us on the installation of a PET scanner at Santa Anita Park, the iconic Southern California racetrack. A PET is the latest advance in equine imaging specifically designed to image horse legs.

50 Stakes winning owners

Sub-Editor Jana Cavalier Advert Production Charlotte Fossey

Advertising Sales Giles Anderson, Anna Alcock 1 888 218 4430 Cover Photograph Intimidating - trained by Jory Ferrell ridden by Curtis Kimes. Led in by Lynn Ferrell.

By Coady Photography

- spring 2020

Bill Heller profiles Stakes winning owners Michael Hui, who won his first Gr1 stakes with Zulu Alpha in the Pegasus World Cup Turf in January and the team that owns the “one-eyed filly” Hard Not To Love that won the Santa Monica Stakes at Santa Anita Park in February.

58 State by state

Bill Heller looks at what’s being done for horsemen in the major racing states during the coronavirus shutdown. As tracks continue to juggle their schedules regarding training and upcoming meets, we’ve put together a snapshot of what is happening across different racing jurisdictions as well as provide website links for horsemen who need support.

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Trainer Magazine is published by Anderson & Co Publishing Ltd. Contact details Tel: 1 888 659 2935 Fax: 1 888 218 4206 info@trainermagazine.com www.trainermagazine.com North America PO Box 13248, Lexington, KY 40583-3248 United Kingdom 14 Berwick Courtyard, Berwick St Leonard, Salisbury, Wiltshire SP3 5UA

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GE T B AC K ON T R AC K JUMPSTART YOUR TRAINING WITH A BOOST

By Mark Hansen

Now that it is time to get back to the tracks, the pressure to win is greater than ever before. Some will resort to whatever it takes to get an advantage . . . even if it means putting their horses’ lives in mortal danger by doping them with illegal synthetic erythropoietin (EPO) drugs to boost endurance.

Veterinarian Gary Smith said, “It’s a problem all over the industry. There is no way horses should be put on (synthetic) EPO.” So how do racers win? How are some trainers gaining a competitive edge? The answer may be found in a safe all-natural horse supplement that supports natural EPO function.

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| CALIFORNIA THOROUGHBRED TRAINERS |

ALAN F. BALCH

JUST A FEW QUESTIONS, PLEASE?

O

ne of the few upsides of having months to worry and reflect about where we all are in our lives and our sport, is that we have time to reflect.

And ponder the fundamentals.

So here are some impertinent questions we should consider, and should have considered seriously and resolved long before now, not just rhetorically, if horsemanship and our sport are really to have a prosperous future. Or any future.

Are breeders who breed unsoundness to unsoundness, or unproven to unsound, or unproven to unproven, likely to be breeding a better, sounder, more durable race horse? Which will, in turn, further improve the breed?

Does it really make sense to “surgically correct” conformation defects in weanlings?

For racing soundness? For future breeding soundness? For soundness, period? Is a surgically corrected yearling actually “sound,” in the sense of correct horsemanship?

Are conformation defects that have been corrected surgically likely to disappear magically when a corrected horse enters the breeding shed? Is it possible that “corrected” conformation defects are actually genetically compounded and multiplied during future generations of breeding?

Should surgical corrections to weanlings and yearlings be disclosed to potential buyers? To the breed registry? If not, why not? Is there any way to become aware of such procedures other than through “the honor system”?

Should The Jockey Club, as the breed registry, take responsibility for the proper phenotype (conformation) of the Thoroughbred, as well as for the genotype (genetic composition as determined through DNA testing)? If so, how, and if not, why not?

Given the economic Regression that is undoubtedly upon us now – note the use of that word instead of “recession” or “depression” – can or should or will this economic disaster present us some unavoidable opportunities to address these

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questions sensibly? The foal crop is already at 1965 levels. Given the delays that have been evident following previous economic calamities, will it be a year or probably two or more years from now that the foal crop numbers decline even more precipitously?

At some point, is it inevitable that the number of races conducted annually will finally begin to coincide once again with the supply of horses?

Will demand for durable, sound, substantial race horses ever reappear and return us to observing the maxim that racing is the proof of breeding? Where, when, and at what surviving tracks?

And just how can a track survive in the years to come? A breeder? A trainer?

An owner? Where do any of them find the will to survive? On what basis?

Haven’t common sense, as well as recent events, finally confirmed that our historic approach to testing for drugs and medications is desperately in need of thorough re-examination and restructuring?

With unfathomable millions being spent on routine testing concentrated on therapeutic medications as it always has been, shouldn’t we consider other approaches? Can correct, careful random testing of races going forward release necessary resources for concentrating on research, development, and sophisticated, expensive surveillance to discover and test for contemporary methods of cheating and abuse?

Is it likely that the ongoing collision of the profit-motive with the superior motives of enhanced horsemanship and respect for the breed itself – and the real reasons for breeding – will finally result in an heretofore unfathomable contraction of the sport in the aftermath of which those superior motives might again be asserted and respected? Weren’t those superior motives once the foundation of the sport, that enabled its growth and elaboration

TRAINERMAGAZINE.COM CORONAVIRUS E-ZINE EDITION

and the public support some of us can still remember, however dimly?

Isn’t it time, or is it already too late, to distinguish publicly between animal welfare and animal rights?

Clearly to separate the two, which are very different? To understand that believing in animal “rights,” a fantasy requiring that any animal provide its “informed consent” to participating in any activity, is actually contradictory to our long-held beliefs in the importance of animal husbandry, animal welfare, the humane treatment of animals, and even owning pets? Isn’t it true that all those worthwhile practices contradict the “rights” doctrine that every species of animal – whether poultry, fish, livestock, equine, canine, feline, or human – is literally equal to any other in the natural order?

Will it fall to the leaders of our sport to organize any and all humane activities involving animals – whether the infinite variety of equestrian sport, pet ownership, zoos and aquaria, wildlife conservation practices, nurturing of livestock, poultry, and fish for human consumption – and tell the public how threatened these activities are by vegan extremists who seek to impose their lifestyles and beliefs on everyone else? Who use their freedom of speech and comment in the public square to advocate against the freedom of others to choose their own lifestyles? And who condemn racing’s behaviors relentlessly while countenancing the wholesale and heartless, intentional kills of countless rescued pets and other animals? Isn’t that extremist behavior not only unethical, but hypocritical? Shouldn’t we be saying so?

I’m not sure whether these questions are actually impertinent – rude, insolent, and impolite – but I’m confident they’re necessary to answer clearly and intelligently.

Forcefully. And seriously.

| OPINION |

Bill Heller

Eclipse Sportswire

#SOUNDBITES We asked trainers how they are handling the coronavirus pandemic and what advice they have for getting through this ordeal.

# Todd Pletcher We had to close down our Belmont division. There were workers with symptoms. They went to the clinic and were quarantined. More than anything, it was making it difficult to have a safe workplace. At that time, we thought there wasn’t going to be racing in New York for a while. We had 20 horses at Belmont.

That normally would be the time we’d be sending horses to Belmont. We had to put that on hold.

We left it up to owners to decide what to do with their horses. Some went to their farms; a couple went to Fair Hill; some went to Ocala and some went to Palm Beach Downs. We did not move any workers (but) have about 100 horses at Palm Beach, a small string at Gulfstream Park (and) four at Oaklawn scheduled to run. We’ve been fortunate with Gulfstream being able to run. We’ve been able to keep some schedules. It’s juggling a lot of schedules.

It’s trying times for everyone. We want to make sure to keep our horses and our employees healthy.

Current practices at Palm Beach?

We’re just going by the recommendations as to what the government is saying. Masks are optional. Some are wearing them; most are not. At Gulfstream, we’re just trying to use common sense, keep people from congregating, keep six feet apart. The one thing we are learning is that social distancing is working.

We try to keep that policy in mind.

Planning ahead?

USE COMMON SENSE. TAKE CARE OF YOUR HORSES AND YOUR STAFF. IN TIME, WE’LL RETURN TO NORMALCY. TRY TO REMAIN POSITIVE.”

That’s something I have to work around. I’m a targetoriented trainer. I like pointing to specific spots. At Aqueduct, the condition book is in the garbage— Keeneland, too. These are unique times. You have to adjust on a daily basis. Everyone’s in the same boat.

Everyone’s facing several challenges.

Suggestions?

Use common sense. Take care of your horses and your staff. In time, we’ll return to normalcy. Try to remain positive.

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| OPINION |

# Eoin Harty It’s been no harder for me than everybody else. You worry about your family, in California and Europe. Every day you wake up, that’s the first thing on your mind. With horses, you have to take care of them every day. It would be a lot worse for me if we were home 24-7.

Precautions?

You can feel that tension in the air. I check every person in the barn; nobody’s coughing. Everyone is wearing gloves and masks—masks for sure around the barn. You don’t have to ask people twice.

Racing?

There’s been a lot of speculation about Santa Anita using Los Alamitos. I don’t know if it’s viable. I think we could be racing at Santa Anita again. The best case scenario is racing at the end of the month or in May. We haven’t had a single case on the racetrack. There hasn’t been a single one. That’s a good thing.

Personally?

I keep six feet away—don’t touch anything.

WE HAVEN’T HAD A SINGLE CASE ON THE RACETRACK. THERE HASN’T BEEN A SINGLE ONE. THAT’S A GOOD THING.”

Suggestions?

Do what you have to do to protect yourself and your family.

Right now, it’s common sense. Look out for your friends.

Racing will take care of itself.

# Tom Proctor I’m in a little better shape than most. Other than Gulfstream and Tampa Bay, I have horses at Oaklawn, and the rest are at Glen Hill Farm south of Ocala. Most of my horses are gathered up at Ocala.

We probably got 25 in Ocala and a dozen are at Tampa Bay. I’m spending most of my time in Ocala.

Precautions?

We did have horses at the Fair Grounds. We kept those people from Fair Grounds separate for two weeks. We did get out of New Orleans pretty early—about the middle of March.

In Ocala, gloves and masks?

Most of our people don’t leave the farm. We’re not really wearing masks. We’re washing our hands. The zip code we’re in hasn’t had a single case.

When you go to the track, do you take precautions?

I’ve stayed away from people—social distancing when I can. For a trainer, it’s easier than most. I check on the horses when nobody else is around.

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| OPINION |

#SOUNDBITES

# Graham Motion My family is all home. My wife is trying to run the business from home. As far as the barn, we’re taking a lot of precautions. We have one person disinfecting everything first thing in the morning and last thing in the evening. He takes everybody’s temperature when they come in the morning. We’re trying to have employees not group up in the tack room. After a week or two, you have to remind them.

Six feet away?

We try to. It’s not totally realistic. You have to give a leg up. Most of the time with gloves. We try to do the best we can.

We’re going to try to get everybody to wear masks. We tried to order some. We have 100 employees all told at all the locations: Fair Hill, Palm Meadows. Normally, we would have pulled out from Palm Meadows for Keeneland, but now we’re staying at Palm Meadows.

Normally I train down there while my son, Chappy, goes to spring break. We got from Fair Hill to North Carolina. We planned to overnight in North Carolina.

Once we got there, things were getting bad. We spent

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THE HORSES HAVE TO GET OUT OF THEIR STALLS. I THINK THE UNSETTLING PART IS NOT KNOWING WHEN WE’LL RACE AGAIN.”

two nights in North Carolina, and we decided we’d rather be in Maryland. We went back to Fair Hill.

It kind of reminded me of 9-11.

Advice for horsemen?

I think in general, the horsemen are lucky. We get to keep on doing what we do. The horses have to get out of their stalls. I think the unsettling part is not knowing when we’ll race again. We worry about our owners who are paying training fees every day. I’m worried about them. We have 60 horses at Fair Hill and 20 at Palm Meadows. I just brought in a few two-year-olds.

When new people come in, they stay away for two weeks. We’re trying to follow the guidelines.

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| OPINION |

I THINK EVERYONE HERE IS UNDER THE IMPRESSION THAT WE’LL BE RACING AT BELMONT. IT’S JUST A MATTER OF WHEN.” Response so far?

The help is doing great. Everyone is concerned. We watch the news. It scares the hell out of you. But it’s the old adage: the outside of a horse is good for the inside of a man, or a woman.

What’s going on with racing in New York?

# Linda Rice Handling this?

We’re doing very well. We’re being very careful on Long Island. We know New York City has a lot of cases.

We’ve been using masks, gloves and social distancing.

We’ve been doing that for three weeks now. We have a regular training schedule at Belmont. It’s good to have a routine. We’re happy to go to work every day. A lot of people are stuck at home. They can’t work. We can.

# Tom Amoss (Tom Amoss was exposed to the virus by being with New Orleans Saints Coach Sean Payton, who contracted the virus, at the Fair Grounds. Amoss self-quarantined for two weeks w hile continuing to work from home for TVG.)

Did you have the virus?

I never really found out. When it happened, it wasn’t easy to test. I stayed at home for two weeks. Now I’m going to work every day. They really don’t want us up and around in New Orleans. I’m here at my barn every morning from 6-10. My routine is the same.

Protocols at Fair Grounds?

That’s an evolving thing. Our temperature is taken when we come into the track. We’re not allowed in the buildings. Social distancing is a requirement.

Fifty percent of the people on the backstretch are wearing masks. We’ve had zero issues in my barn,

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Aqueduct, obviously, is being used as a hospital. I think everyone here is under the impression that we’ll be racing at Belmont. It’s just a matter of when. We’re looking at June 1st. If it’s sooner than that, great.

Outlook?

The entire world is dealing with this. If there is small business assistance, that’s great if it can get processed.

Unemployment for those out of work will help. We’re making sure of helping everyone on the backstretch who needs it. We’re making sure our horses and our people are safe.

and none in other barns as well. There’s a reason for that.

My help lives on the racetrack. They’re self-contained.

There’s a grocery on the backstretch—Canseco’s. We’re the opposite of how New Orleans is doing. We have nothing bad in our barn. I haven’t heard of one case.

Suggestions for other horsemen?

It’s a tough question. Look, there’s a difference between our horses and the horses in California. Our horses are allowed to ship to Oaklawn. No people are shipped. I’ve got a barn up there. I’m blessed in the fact that I already have people there.

Stables?

Ever-changing. There are a lot of horses I have who race on grass. They have been sold or turned out.

Other horses who don’t fit the condition and book at Oaklawn have been sold or turned out. We’ve downsized about 20 percent.

| V E TT EE RR IINNAARRYY | |

BLEEDERS T H E FA C T S , F I C T I O N A N D F U T U R E D I R E C T I O N Dr. David Marlin

W

e are now approaching half a century since Bob Cook pioneered the use of the flexible fibreoptic endoscope, which allowed examination of the respiratory tract in the conscious horse. One of the important outcomes of this technique was that it opened the door to the study of “bleeding” or exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage (EIPH). But nearly 50 years on the irony is perhaps that whilst we have become good at describing the prevalence of EIPH and some of the factors that appear to increase the severity of EIPH within individual horses, we still lack a clear understanding of the condition and how to manage it. I use the term manage rather than treat or prevent as our knowledge of EIPH

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Giles Anderson, Shutterstock must show us that EIPH cannot be stopped entirely; it is a consequence of intense exercise. The other irony is that in the past 50 years, by far the majority of research into the management of EIPH has focused on the use of the diuretic furosemide. Whilst we have good evidence from controlled studies that furosemide reduces the severity of EIPH on a single occasion, we still lack good evidence to suggest that furosemide is effective when used repeatedly during training and or racing; and there is also evidence to the contrary.

Let’s review some basic facts about EIPH, which should not be contentious.

• EIPH is the appearance of blood in the airways associated with exercise.

• EIPH occurs as a result of moderate to intense exercise.

In fact, EIPH has been found after trotting when deep lung

H – – ANY REAL PROGRESS? | || EE II PP H

wash (bronchoalveolar lavage or BAL) is done after exercise.

• EIPH most often involves the smallest blood vessels (capillaries) but can sometimes and less commonly be due to the rupture of larger blood vessels.

• The smallest blood vessels are extremely thin. Around 1/100th the thickness of a human hair. But this extremely thin membrane is also what allows racehorses such as Thoroughbreds, Standardbreds and Arabs to use oxygen at such a high rate and is a major reason for their athleticism.

• EIPH is a progressive condition. The chance of seeing blood in the trachea after exercise increases with time in racing.

• EIPH is variable over time, even when horses are scoped after the same type of work.

• If you ‘scope a horse after three gallops in a row, you can expect to see blood in the trachea on at least one occasion.

• EIPH damage to the lungs starts at the back and top, and over time moves forward and down and is approximately symmetrical.

• Following EIPH the lung becomes fibrotic (as scar tissue), stiffer and does not work as well. The iron from the blood is combined with protein and stored permanently in the lung tissue where it can cause inflammation.

• High blood pressure within the lung is a contributing factor in EIPH. Horses with higher blood pressure appear to suffer worse EIPH. • There is also evidence that upper airway resistance and breathing pattern can play a role in EIPH. • Airway inflammation and poor air quality may increase the severity of EIPH within individual horses.

• Increasing severity of EIPH appears to have an increasing negative effect on performance.

• Visible bleeding (epistaxis) has a very clear and marked negative effect on performance.

In order to make progress in the management of EIPH (i.e., to minimize the severity of EIPH in each individual), there are certain steps that trainers can take based on the information we have to date.

These include: • Ensuring good air quality in stables • Regular respiratory examination and treatment of airway inflammation • Reduced intensity of training during periods of treatment for moderate to severe airway inflammation • Extended periods of rest and light work with a slower return to work for horses following viral infection • Addressing anything that increases upper airway resistance (e.g., roaring, gurgling) • Avoiding intense work in cold weather • Avoiding extremes of going • Limiting number of training days in race preparation and increasing interval between races

What actually causes the capillaries to leak or rupture?

If you ask any vet, scientist or informed trainer what is the cause of EIPH, they will give the phrase “pulmonary capillary stress-failure”. But this is simply a description of what happens—NOT an explanation or a mechanism.

EIPH and pulmonary capillary stress-failure are both descriptions of what’s happening. We know high blood pressure makes the capillaries stiff. But what makes them actually rupture? A balloon filled with water may be distended and under a lot of stress. But a pin prick will actually make it burst. The pin is the cause.

Assessing EIPH At present the most common way to assess the severity of EIPH in horses in training and racing is by ‘scoping 30-40 minutes after exercise and scoring the amount of blood in the trachea. This is a crude method, and when we see a horse that has a score of 1 after one gallop and a 3 after the next gallop, we don’t know whether this is due to differences in how quickly the blood has moved from the periphery of the lung into the trachea or due to a true difference in the amount of bleeding. We know our ‘scoping scores vary from gallop to gallop; we just don’t know why. BAL (deep lung wash) is not the answer either. It will pick up blood when there is none to be seen in the trachea (i.e., it’s a more sensitive technique), but with BAL we are looking at relatively small areas of the lung. What we need is a technique that will allow us to image the whole lung and map the blood that is in the airways and not in the blood vessels so we can assess volume and distribution of hemorrhage.

Furosemide is not the answer A number of well-conducted and well-written scientific studies have shown conclusively that furosemide is effective in reducing the severity of EIPH in individual horses when used ONE time! We lack convincing studies that prove furosemide works as well when used one to two times a week for two to three months. In fact, several studies suggest that furosemide becomes less effective with regular use, such as the return to previous performance of horses after initial racing and improved performance on furosemide. In human medicine,

FUTURE OPPORTUNITIES IN UNDERSTANDING AND MANAGING EIPH We have to accept EIPH as a normal consequence of intense exercise in horses. Our aim should be to reduce the severity to a minimum in each individual horse.

However, there are areas in which we still need a much greater scientific understanding.

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repetitive administration of furosemide induces short-term (braking phenomenon, acute diuretic resistance) and longterm (chronic diuretic resistance) tolerance (i.e., if you give the same dose repeatedly, the body becomes tolerant and you get less and less urine production). A study in horses from Michigan State University in 2017 showed horses develop tolerance to furosemide. Why, when we have had nearly 50 years of research into EIPH with more published studies devoted to furosemide than any other aspect, do we still not know if furosemide is effective when used on a regular basis?

Is EIPH really blood?

The assumption has always been that what we see in the airways is blood. That is, it’s the same stuff as we would get if we put a needle in a vein. However, some data from my own studies as yet unpublished and indirect evidence from other studies suggest that initially the high pressures distend the capillaries and opens up a “hole” that allow protein and some red blood cells to squeeze out into the airways as opposed to obvious tears or ruptures developing the capillaries. This is consistent with observations that many “holes” close up when the blood pressure returns to normal and that EIPH does not continue once exercise has stopped.

If we viewed EIPH as being a protein-rich fluid in the airways with some red blood cells as opposed to blood, this may have important implications for some lines of research.

Inflammation: cause or effect It’s safe to conclude that EIPH and airway inflammation are often associated (i.e., observed to occur together), but we still lack clarity on whether one leads to the other. Racehorses experience intense exercise. Racehorses often have airway inflammation. But the two can occur in isolation or together.

This does not mean they are related in any way.

Heritability Many trainers believe that there are certain bloodlines that are likely to bleed more severely. As yet, there is no good

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H – – ANY REAL PROGRESS? | || EE II PP H

scientific evidence to suggest that EIPH severity is heritable.

However, if specific factors, which increase the severity of EIPH such as high blood pressure, are heritable, then it is entirely conceivable that EIPH severity will be found to have some component of heritability.

Future directions EIPH is not a condition solely restricted to racehorses. It has been reported in other horses—including polo ponies, showjumpers, barrel-racers, endurance horses, eventers and even in Shetland ponies. It is also not a condition restricted to horses as it has been reported in camels, greyhounds and in human subjects exercising intensely such as swimmers, skiers and military personnel. A primary goal of research into EIPH should be to understand why a portion of the population bleeds more severely and to attempt to reduce the severity in this population. We also require more sensitive and informative techniques to allow us to research EIPH. ‘Scoping is at best a crude, insensitive and potentially misleading technique which may well be hampering our ability to make significant steps forward in our understanding of EIPH. Within the next decade, I also expect to see clear evidence that furosemide is of limited value in the long-term management of EIPH, and we will be judged harshly for having relied on it for so long as the mainstay of treatment.

A DV E R T I S E M E N T

| OPINION |

EIPH AND BLEEDING Best Solution When LASIX Are Banned

By Mark Hansen hile bleeding from the nose in racehorses is uncommon, it is accepted that most every horse will experience some level of bleeding in their lungs. Even though this may only cause slight discomfort for the equine athlete, it is a trainer’s worst nightmare because it can lead to poor performance, lost training days, costly treatments, or worse — a very sick horse that’s banned from racing for life.

For one trainer, this is exactly the nightmare that happened to him. Suddenly not just one, but two of his best horses were bleeding from EIPH (Exercise Induced Pulmonary Hemorrhage). They were in danger of being banned from racing, even though they were still in their prime. Lasix (Salix) was not an option.

The trainer was at a loss. What can be done?

Facing these concerns for two of his horses, the trainer (who asked us to withhold his name for competitive reasons) was willing to try anything. So, he searched for another option.

He gave his horses an alternative to bleeder drugs and treatments; something he had read about called BleederShield. This natural respiratory horse supplement helps control bleeding. It is just as effective in improving the health and performance of bleeders but without any of those “drug issues” that come

W

with most race-day bleeder medications.

“I used BleederShield paste on two horses that had been bleeding. Now, neither horse has bled. This is a great product; it saved the careers of two very good horses.”

The Science Behind BleederShield

To understand how BleederShield works, we looked at a controlled study run by veterinarians at the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine.

They investigated the effects of the active ingredient in BleederShield, yunnan baiyao, which has been shown to help reduce bleeding in people and animals.

The veterinary team wanted to see how this active ingredient specifically affected bleeding in horses. They measured template bleeding times in horses before and after receiving a supplement with the active ingredient.

The researchers reported that the supplement significantly reduced bleeding time. They concluded that the active ingredient in BleederShield was effective at minimizing blood loss in horses.1 What surprised us the most about BleederShield is its effectiveness without the use of drugs. Having a drug-free option is critical in countries that ban most raceday EIPH medications. And even though Lasix/Salix isn’t banned in the USA yet, its day may be coming. There’s a serious need NOW for a natural solution that can help

control bleeding in performance horses.

Trainers and owners alike are impressed with the results they are seeing from BleederShield. One winning trainer told us: “I have horses that bleed and when I use this product I have no problems. I’m sure there are a lot of products on the market but I stand behind this one all the way.”

Now you can improve the health of your horses while protecting the investment in their racing careers.

With the results from the scientific studies, you can expect BleederShield to reduce bleeding events in horses during intense exercise… repair damaged blood vessels … and provide support for normal lung function and normal blood flow.2 Best of all, BleederShield is easy AND affordable. It could be the smartest investment you make to avoid pricey problems related to EIPH. It’s well worth the small price to avoid a banning risk or losing a great horse.

A company spokesperson confirmed an exclusive offer for Trainer Magazine readers: if you order BleederShield this month, you’ll receive 10% off your first order by using promo code TM10 at checkout.

You can order BleederShield today at www.BleederShield.com.

1.

2.

Graham L. et al. J Vet Emerg Crit Care. 12:4 (2002) 279-282.

Graham L. Vet Clin North Am Equine Pract. 2006.

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| INDUSTRY |

LASTFIVE STANDING What measures have the five Thoroughbred-only tracks taken to continue racing during the coronavirus shutdown?

Bill Heller Brad Mellema, Coady Photography, Douglas DeFelice/Prime 360, Eclipse Sportswire, Lauren King

T

horoughbred racing hasn’t escaped the pandemic of the coronavirus that’s changing the world every day we wake up. Accordingly, during the first two weeks of April, there were only five racetracks offering spectator-less Thoroughbred racing in the county.

Those five tracks—Fonner Park in Nebraska, Will Rogers Downs in Oklahoma, Tampa Bay Downs, Gulfstream Park and Oaklawn Park—offer the horsemen lucky enough to be at those tracks the opportunity to keep working while millions of other Americans have become unemployed. Thousands of other Americans have died from the virus.

This is a new world, and these five racetracks are operating under guidelines —some mandatory and some not—aimed at keeping horsemen and anyone they come into contact with safe. Keeping the horses safe is a given.

Fonner Park switched its daily schedule in late March, going from a Thursday, Friday and Saturday operation to Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday—the same schedule Will Rogers Downs is operating to take advantage of simulcasting revenue.

“We started this schedule March 23rd,” Fonner Park Racing Secretary Doug Schoepf said. “There were a lot of racetracks shutting down. The horsemen are very thankful that we are able to continue to run. They’re able to run for some purse money. If we close down, they have nowhere to go. Tracks around us have delayed their meets.”

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THERE WERE A LOT OF RACETRACKS SHUTTING DOWN. THE HORSEMEN ARE VERY THANKFUL THAT WE ARE ABLE TO CONTINUE TO RUN” DOUG SCHOEPF - FONNER PARK

ABOVE: Fonner Park

BELOW: Will Rogers Downs

20

Schoepf said that every person working at the track wears a mask and gloves. “They also do social distancing—10 people or less,” he said. “There’s an empty stall between each stall with a racehorse. We limit it to two people in the stall: the trainer and the groom. Trainers and grooms must wear masks and gloves. Our valets wear masks and gloves.”

Asked about the effectiveness of the safety protocols, Schoepf said, “It’s working well.”

Fonner Park was approved for 12 extra dates of spectatorfree racing from May 4th through May 31 on a Mondaythrough-Wednesday schedule.

At Will Rogers Downs, the March 16 through May 19 meet has proceeded without interruptions. “We all wear masks, plexiglass and gloves,” Paddock Judge Scooter Rippy said. “We draw cards in open air. The governor has put restrictions on people coming in. It’s really kind of crazy, but it seems to be working.”

Will Rogers Downs Race Secretary John Lies said, “For out-of-state shippers, per the governor of Oklahoma two weeks ago, we are not allowing entries or jockeys from six states: New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, California, Washington and Louisiana.

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He said that all track employees must wear a protective mask while on the property. “We provide gloves for all,” he said.

Additionally, the clerk of scales in the jockey room takes all riders’ temperatures.

Asked if horsemen are following the protocols, he said, “They definitely are following it. They want to keep the track open.”

Tampa Bay Downs, has just extended its meet through until the end of May given that horsemen would have nowhere to go if the meet had finished at planned at the start of the month . “We’re not letting in any backside help or riders that haven’t been here already,” Racing Secretary Allison De Luca said. “We’re not letting in a horse who started in another state unless they have a workout in Florida. The main thing is we’re about the health of horses coming in. We’re trying to keep it down and use horses from here, Gulfstream Park, Palm Meadows or training centers in Ocala and Miami.”

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De Luca said everybody is wearing gloves and masks “pretty much all the time.” That includes jockeys, officials, all the pony people. “Every time they come into the track, their temperature is taken at the stable gate,” De Luca said. “And then, when they go into the paddock, their temperature is taken again. Security workers are also taking temperatures on the backside and are reminding people not to gather (into) groups, even if it’s by accident.

We’re just trying to keep people separated—trying to keep people apart. So far, it’s worked out pretty well.”

The response from horsemen has been very positive.

“At first, I just don’t think we had everything in place,” she said. “Now people are responding very well to it, and they’re happy that we’re still racing.”

She added that the racing office has been closed and that entries are being taken by phone. “We’re trying to be safe for everyone,” De Luca said. “The horses are here, and they have to be taken care of. Everybody that’s back there has to be.”

AT FIRST, I JUST DON’T THINK WE HAD EVERYTHING IN PLACE, NOW PEOPLE ARE RESPONDING VERY WELL TO IT, AND THEY’RE HAPPY THAT WE’RE STILL RACING.” ALLISON DE LUCA - TAMPA BAY DOWNS

De Luca also said that the track has procedures for quarantines. “But they haven’t been needed yet,” she said.

Gulfstream Park seemed to be in danger of losing its signature race—the Grade 1 Florida Derby on March 29, but the track remained open, ran the race, and has continued to operate on a Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday schedule.

“We’ve put in place many, many protocols for human safety and horse safety,” Racing Secretary Mike Lakow said. “I believe at this point, they (the officials making such decisions) are comfortable with what we’ve put in place.”

That doesn’t mean it’s business like usual. “It’s weird,” Lakow said. “After Tiz the Law won the Florida Derby, I went over to ( jockey) Mike Franco and told him, ‘Manny, I’m really sorry. There should be high-fives and cheering.’

He said, ‘I get it,’ and nodded.”

ABOVE & BELOW: Tampa Bay Downs

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RIGHT NOW, IT’S WORKING GREAT. THE HORSEMEN HAVE BEEN TREMENDOUS. THEY’RE BENDING OVER BACKWARDS BECAUSE THEY KNOW WE’RE TRYING TO KEEP RACING GOING. THEY’RE INCREDIBLE.” MIKE LAKOW - GULFSTREAM PARK

| CARRY ON RACING |

ABOVE: 60-1 outsider Identifier wins Hal’s Hope at Gulfstream Park in March.

In South Florida, no horsemen, including jockeys, from out of state have been allowed at the Stronach properties; Palm Meadows, Gulfstream Park and Gulfstream Park West (Calder). “If they come from out of state, they must quarantine for two weeks at a facility in Florida,” Lakow said. “Jockeys, if they haven’t been riding here, they’re not allowed here.”

Among the many protocols at Gulfstream Park include keeping jockeys apart and ensuring all humans wear gloves and a mask or bandana. “Social distancing is key to us,” Lakow said. “We’re limiting it to two people or occasionally three in the paddock. Right now, it’s working great. The horsemen have been tremendous.

They’re bending over backwards because they know we’re trying to keep racing going. They’re incredible.”

Asked if those protocols are keeping people safe, Lakow said, “Of course.”

JOCKEY JOHN R. VELAZQUEZ TALKS TO THE MIAMI HERALD ABOUT RACING WITHOUT FANS AT GULFSTREAM PARK Y PLAY VIDEO Credit: MATIAS J. OCNER / mocner@miamiherald.com

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SPRING // SUMMER MEET

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Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, Ark., is hopeful its current 57-day meet, which ends May 2, will be held in its entirety—racing on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

“We only take horses shipping in for stakes,” Racing Secretary Patrick Pope said. “We’re basically allowing horses from everywhere, but no people, especially from New York and Louisiana. Vans drive in and drop the horses off.

Trainers are calling friends here to saddle their horses.”

Among the precautions being taken include taking everybody’s temperature. “We’re asking for social distancing,” Pope said. “We keep minimum people in the paddock: two people and that’s it.”

Gloves and masks are recommended but not mandated.

“We’ve seen some,” Pope said. “Some trainers do wear them, some don’t. But if the governor of Arkansas says wear them, we’ll wear them, or they won’t be allowed in.”

Asked if he’s happy with this routine, Pope said, “It seems to be working. We’re trying to do everything we can to let them run for purse money with so many other tracks not open. You’ve got to take care of the horses and feed them. We’re fortunate to be working. We try to keep any negatives out of it—anything to keep the people and the horses safe.”

BELOW: An empty grandstand overlooks racing at Oakland Park.

WE’RE FORTUNATE TO BE WORKING. WE TRY TO KEEP ANY NEGATIVES OUT OF IT. ANYTHING TO KEEP THE PEOPLE AND THE HORSES SAFE.” PATRICK POPE - OAKLAWN PARK

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| S U R FA C E S |

ARE WE GOING SOFT ON OUR HORSES? Amy Barstow

O

Giles Anderson, Eclipse Sportwire, Caroline Norris

ver the years there has been a steady move away from traditional concrete surfaces in yards towards surfaces that are generally considered softer, such as rubber. Furthermore, in some areas, the surfaces of the tracks which link yards with training facilities (horse walks) have also moved towards “softer� surfaces. This has led some to wonder if our horses are missing out on a key opportunity to condition their musculoskeletal system. This article will explore what the scientific research tells us about how different surfaces affect the horse and what this might mean for musculoskeletal conditioning and injury resistance.

The majority of the research that has highlighted the links between surfaces and injuries is from epidemiology studies. These studies view large populations of horses and pull together lots of different factors to elucidate risk factors for injury. They, therefore, do not attempt to investigate why surfaces may be implicated as a risk.

To understand the link between surface and injury risk, other types of research must be done including biomechanics studies, lab-based studies on bone and tendon samples and prospective experimental studies.

Biomechanics studies explore how the horse, especially their limbs and feet, move on different surfaces and the forces and vibrations that they experience. Lab-based work investigates how musculoskeletal tissues respond to loading and vibrations at the cellular and extracellular level. Prospective experimental studies take a group of horses and expose them to different environments (e.g., conditioning on different surfaces). Then you compare the groups, for example, looking for signs of musculoskeletal

injury using diagnostic imaging techniques. The research done using these different techniques can then be pieced together to help us decide how to better manage the health and performance of racehorses.

There is a wealth of epidemiological data to suggest that the surface type and condition during racing influences the occurrence of musculoskeletal injuries in the racehorse.

Though it must be remembered that musculoskeletal injury is multifactorial with training regimens, race distance, the number of runners, horse age and sex all coming into play. Though there are comparably fewer data available relating to the effect of training surface type and properties on musculoskeletal injury rates, what is available also suggests that firmer surfaces increase the risk of sustaining an injury either during training or racing. For example, horses trained on a softer, wood fiber surface are less likely to suffer from dorsal metacarpal disease (bucked shins) than those trained on dirt tracks. However, horses trained on a traditional sand surface have been shown to be at a greater risk of injury (fracture) during racing.

This could be due to the soft sand surface not stimulating sufficient skeletal loading to adequately condition the musculoskeletal system for the forces and loading experienced during racing. It could also be the result of horses racing on a surface with very different properties to those that they trained on.

So far the majority of the scientific research discussed relates to horses galloping and cantering, which are not the gaits that they will generally be using around the yard or getting to and from the gallops. There is very little work to link sub-maximal (low) speed exercise on different surfaces to injury in horses. In a small group of Harness (trotting) horses, those trained on a softer surface CORONAVIRUS E-ZINE EDITION TRAINERMAGAZINE.COM

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had a lower incidence of musculoskeletal pathology identified using diagnostic imaging techniques, compared to those trained on a firm surface. There is also evidence of the benefit of softer surfaces in livestock housing.

Experimental work by Eric Radin in the 1980s found that sheep kept on a concrete floor compared to a softer dirt floor had more significant orthopedic pathologies at postmortem. Furthermore, the use of rubber matting reduces the incidence of foot lameness in dairy cattle. So it would appear that a softer ground surface is beneficial even at sub-maximal intensity locomotion.

The epidemiological data discussed so far tells us that surface can play a role in injury, but it does not provide any answers for why that may be the case. From a veterinary and a scientific perspective, I am interested in how different surfaces influence limb vibration characteristics and loading in horses. This is because bones can respond to

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their loading and vibration environment in ways that may both improve their ability to resist injury or fatigue them and make them more prone to injury. So there are two puzzle pieces to put together with the epidemiological data: 1) how load and vibration influence the skeletal system and 2) how surfaces influence the loading and vibrations experienced by the horses limbs.

So briefly, it’s known that bone adapts to the loading environment it is in. It adapts its composition to ensure that it is strong enough in the correct places to withstand the loads that are placed upon it. It does this by responding to the cycle of compression and release that occurs as it is sequentially loaded and unloaded as the horse legs alternate between periods of stance (when the foot is in contact with the ground) and swing (moving through the air). Vibrations cause micro-compression of the bone as they travel up the limb and so are also thought to have a role in the conditioning of bone too. There is however a balance to strike when it comes to conditioning bone.

There needs to be sufficient loading for it to adapt, but overloading or applying load (in the form of exercise) too often can result in micro-damage to the bone which then does not have time to sufficiently repair. A recent review article in The Veterinary Journal by Peta Hitchens highlighted two separate causes of fracture in racehorses.

One being the fracture of bone that has become damaged but not yet repaired (known as pathological bone) and the second being the fracture of healthy bone that was exposed to a force that it was not conditioned to.

How to strike the correct balance of sufficient but not excessive bone loading still somewhat eludes us when it comes to optimally conditioning the racehorse.

Biomechanical studies demonstrate that in general, softer surfaces reduce both peak horizontal and vertical force, peak deceleration at foot-ground impact and the frequency

| TRAINING |

and power of the resultant vibrations. So there could be two ways of viewing this. One is that softer surfaces may prevent the overloading of the musculoskeletal system of the horses, but the second is that there is not sufficient conditioning of the musculoskeletal through exercise on softer surfaces. This may be where the concerns about the use of softer surfaces may be arising. There is probably truth in both interpretations, but they must be contextualized within the whole approach to training a horse. Considering the role surfaces can play in the conditioning of the musculoskeletal system and injury risk of the horse, it would seem important to, as far as possible, train on the surfaces that the horses are going to race on, though that may not always be possible.

So how does this relate to the move away from concrete to softer surfaces around the yard and training facilities?

These surfaces are often used by horses at sub-maximal speeds such as walk and trot; and the current research largely focuses on horses moving faster than this and so cannot be directly transferred to the current situation.

Furthermore, there are no epidemiological studies to determine surface as a risk factor in horses locomoting at these low speeds. During my PhD, I carried out some biomechanics research to increase our understanding of how different firm surfaces—including tarmac and gravel—affected foot-surface impact in slow-moving horses. Previous work had shown how different softer surfaces influenced the foot-surface interaction in fastmoving horses, but there was limited research into whether these different firm surfaces altered the footsurface interaction. In response to the majority of the previous work being carried out in fast-moving horses, I also chose to focus on walk and trot in this study. Like

| S U R FA C E S |

previous studies, I utilized hoof-mounted accelerometers and focused on vibration, not force. The results showed that, in line with previous work, the vibration frequency was higher, and the vibrations more powerful on the firmer tarmac surface compared to the gravel. If we make the assumption that higher frequency vibrations could be a factor in musculoskeletal injury, then moving away from firmer surfaces to softer ones may be beneficial.

When considering which surfaces should be used for which purposes, it is important to consider the speed at which the horses will locomote on them. In the work that I carried out, the frequency of the vibrations was similar at walk and trot on the same surface; however, the power of the vibration was significantly higher at the trot than walk.

ONE SURFACE THAT IS QUITE UNDERRESEARCHED IS RUBBER. IT CAN BE VERY GRIPPY AS IT HAS A GREATER COEFFICIENT OF FRICTION.

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HORSES TRAINED ON A SOFTER, WOOD FIBER SURFACE ARE LESS LIKELY TO SUFFER FROM DORSAL METACARPAL DISEASE (BUCKED SHINS) THAN THOSE TRAINED ON DIRT TRACKS. Though there is little work to link the power of vibration to injury or bone adaptation, it’s worth considering that gait does change this component of the vibration make up.

One surface that is quite under-researched is rubber.

Though this surface is softer and more deformable than firmer concrete-based surfaces, it can be very grippy as it has a greater coefficient of friction. This extra grip could reduce the horizontal sliding of the foot that occurs after the foot has landed but before peak loading. The distance and duration of this slip are thought to be important for reducing the force at impact, so it is possible that if rubber decreases the slip period, then impact force could be increased. However, at this point, this is just speculation; further research would need to be conducted to determine if this is the case. As mentioned previously, the use of rubber matting in dairy farms—in both the housing, milking and walking areas—has been associated with a reduction in cattle lameness, foot bruising and carpal swelling. Though it should be kept in mind that there are obvious differences between horse and cattle hoof anatomy and cattle are often standing. When it comes to trying to weigh up the pros and cons of rubber

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matting, it’s important to consider the potential benefits of rubber flooring such as a reduction in horses slipping over and a softer landing for both the horse and rider should they fall onto the ground. These safety benefits may outweigh a possible reduction in musculoskeletal conditioning, which as a theory is currently not supported or refuted by sufficient evidence.

From previous work, we have an idea about both race-day and training factors, including surfaces that may influence the risk of a racehorse sustaining a musculoskeletal injury during racing. There is comparatively less research into training factors, including training surfaces and their effect of injury risk; currently, there is no data investigating the effect of yard and horse walk surfaces on injury. These are areas where research groups are starting to focus more of their research efforts with some interesting work from Ashleigh Morrice-West from Melbourne, Australia, who has investigated the proportion of training and racing carried out on different surface types. From the evidence, it seems that it is the work on the training surfaces that prepares horses to withstand the challenge of racing, so the yard and horse walk surfaces would be less likely to influence the risk of race-day musculoskeletal injuries.

However, work off the gallops prepares horses for work on the gallops so it’s possible—but currently lacking evidence to support or refute the idea—that the surfaces racehorses walk and trot on may influence their risk of injury during training. At this point, it is extremely important to remember that injuries are influenced by many factors, of which surface is only one and an area that still needs greater research probing to fully understand.

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Brad Mellema, Coady Photography| X X X |

HOW TWO TRACKS HAVE KEPT RACING DURING THE PANDEMIC AND REAPED HANDLE REWARDS F

onner Park and Will Rogers Downs were the surprise beneficiaries of national attention on the racing landscape in late March and throughout the month of April. They were the only racetrack signals available early in the week with a somewhat captive audience as so many sports-starved handicappers were stuck at home amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Off-track handle exploded to record totals at both racetracks, but the bottom line effects were different with the backdrop of empty grandstands.

Fonner Park in Grand Isle, Neb., has quietly built up an impressive on-track business model for its annual race meets, spanning from late February to Kentucky Derby weekend in early May. The meet has now been approved for 12 extra dates of spectator-free racing from May 4 through May 31 on a Monday-throughWednesday schedule.

The grandstand sells out most every Saturday for 11 straight weeks, and the revenue from tickets, on-track handle, food and beverage are a large piece of the track’s financial puzzle. The usual all-source handle for a Saturday at Fonner might not surpass $600,000, CEO Chris Kotulak said. Even though off-track handle skyrocketed to as much as a state record of $7.2 million for a mandatory Pick 5 payout and otherwise averaged about $2.5 million with the altered schedule, the track’s off-track take at a rate between 3 and 4 percent is not enough to completely make up for the missing revenue from on-track patrons, he said.

“You see those sexy mutuel numbers and might think ‘Wow, what a success!’” Kotulak said. “My response is ‘Really, we’re just surviving.’ The horsemen, other than reducing the purse values for a couple stakes races, the purses have not changed one penny. For them, it’s pretty much status quo. But people have asked me, ‘Are

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we going to stick with this Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday schedule to be more visible nationally,’ and I don’t even let them finish the sentence. Absolutely not. Fonner Park is not making any revenue on food, beverage or seating on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays now, and going forward we wouldn’t make anything comparable to what we do on the weekends. We need that revenue to put that into our coffers to keep up on maintenance and repairs for our facility, and on top of that, it’s the experience that is so important here.

“No one is going to get sold on horse racing by going to a racetrack on a Tuesday afternoon with a handful of people there. A lot of the nation doesn’t realize we sell out every Saturday for 11 weeks of racing, our grandstand is jammed pack, and Sundays are big here too. That vibe is what brings people back. We are very much alive and thriving on-track every racing weekend. We are a clean,

ABOVE: Fonner Park CEO Chris Kotulak

BELOW: Fonner Park during normal times.

WE ARE VERY MUCH ALIVE AND THRIVING ON-TRACK EVERY RACING WEEKEND. WE ARE A CLEAN, TIDY, EFFICIENT LITTLE RACING FACILITY, AND IF YOU HAVEN’T BEEN TO US BEFORE, YOU WOULDN’T HAVE ANY REASON TO REALIZE WHAT WE DO WELL.” CHRIS KOTULAK - FONNER PARK

tidy, efficient little racing facility, and if you haven’t been to us before, you wouldn’t have any reason to realize what we do well. You’d think this is a dusty, five-eighths mile racetrack with a ratty old grandstand; and that is not us at all. We run a proper race meet, we keep up the facility, and we have more than 900 horses stabled here. So we are not just some carnival that comes to town; we’ve been operating since 1954 and it’s a rich tradition here.”

Kotulak realistically does not expect Fonner’s signal to become more popular or pervasive after this unique circumstance that thrust the track into the limelight.

“We’ll be yesterday’s news once other racetracks come back online,” he said. “I get it. I understand most people would rather bet on $200,000 stakes races with horses running on the turf, but with what we’re offering, we’re presenting full fields and competitive racing, so it makes

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sense that as the only show in town, we’re benefiting with huge off-track handle totals compared to what we’re used to; but I don’t want to overstate what that means for our bottom line.

“One other piece of this equation is that there is never a race run at Fonner Park where the commission of the mutuel handle on that race pays for the purse of that race.

We’re offering $50,000 in purse money a day for our (original) 31-day race meet not for what they wager on a big Saturday or a big week or a season. It’s the season plus the Triple Crown races, plus the Breeders’ Cup and our big, mega handicapping challenge we offer in January each year that is either the third- or the second-best weekend we have annually. All that put together, we’re able to scratch and claw together a condition book with roughly $5,000 a race in purse money.”

Trainer David Anderson has been racing at Fonner for 40 years and said the surreal circumstances are never far from his thoughts in this meet.

“It’s just a weird feeling every step of the way,” Anderson said. “You’re saddling horses with no people in the stands and with our masks on. There’s no rah-rah and go-go, which is totally different for Fonner Park. It’s always been a track with great crowds; the clubhouse sells out all the time. It’s a big thing in Grand Island, Neb., and people come from all over the state. It’s a real social gathering.

Without all that, we’re holding our own; but trust me, no one is liking this. There’s the anxiety that if someone on the backside were to test positive for the virus, you got to think we’d be shut down right away. Then, there’s no place to go. Every day we get to race; we’ve got to be thankful.”

T

he big difference at Will Rogers Downs compared to Fonner is the presence of an onsite casino. Will Rogers—about 30 miles outside Tulsa, Okla.—is owned and operated by the Cherokee Nation. On-track attendance for racing is not that important in the overall revenue model, but Will Rogers was already positioning its schedule for more exposure by racing early in the week when there is less competition from bigger tracks. In March and April, Will Rogers only races on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays. In May, Saturdays are added in.

Will Rogers Downs handled $16.8-million during an entire 25-day Thoroughbred meet in 2019. This year, that total was surpassed by the eighth day of racing.

“We have been the beneficiaries of this global pandemic that has shuttered racetracks—there is no question about it,” said Jon Lies, who serves triple duty as the Will Rogers racing secretary, track announcer and oddsmaker. “Our racing product has really improved. Not only is field size up, but more importantly, the quality of the races has increased tremendously. The class levels of races that I’m able to offer have also increased; it results in much better cards, and the horseplayers have responded very positively.

Purse levels have not changed and look to remain the same for the foreseeable future. The main catch right now is that the casino is closed, and the simulcast operations have also stopped at this point; and that’s a lot of our purse money for the future. The additional handle that we’re getting now is obviously much greater than before, so the percentage of that going back into purses has increased dramatically. So time will tell as far as what impact that will have for future race meets here.”

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A sign of the strange times is the availability—or lack thereof—of wagering for horsemen to bet on their own horses at Fonner and Will Rogers while much of the racing world is watching.

Fonner owners and trainers can bet online through an ADW. Owners can do so onsite at Fonner from the comfort of their vehicles.

The track is allowing owners to drive up to the track apron and watch their horses run live, but without getting out of their cars.

In Oklahoma, in-state owners and trainers with horses running at Will Rogers do not have a way to bet on the races; there is no wagering on-track or simulcast operations during the pandemic, and ADW wagering through an online provider was already not an option in the state.

“It’s a very unusual situation where this Oklahoma track is thriving as much as it is, but the horsemen that are here year after year can’t bet on their own races,” Lies said.

“Going forward, I think it’s opened up a lot of doors for us. We’ve gone international and had eyeballs on us that we never would have imagined. Our goal is to try to retain this new audience that we have gained to what we feel like is a very attractive wagering product.”

Will Rogers is the true home track for trainer Scott Young—he lives a few furlongs up the road and has led the trainer standings in recent years. This meet has been much more competitive, he said.

“It’s definitely tougher racing, but we’re just happy to be racing,” said Young, who had a division this winter at Sam Houston Race Park, which cut short its meet due to COVID-19.

“You have a lot of people shipping in since so many other tracks are closed, but I’m all for it. We’re able to take advantage of it and put out a product that the gamblers are liking and seeing since we’re pretty much the only game in town.

“It’s nice to see full fields and the horses we enter are able to race, as opposed to races getting called off because of four or five entries. Before, we were life and death to draw enough horses for the ‘two other than’ allowances and upper-level claiming races, but now we’re filling every race that’s written, and horses are shipping in from Kentucky, New Mexico—you name it. You see horses shipping 12 or 13 hours to come run here at Will Rogers and it’s kind of unbelievable.”

GOING FORWARD, I THINK IT’S OPENED UP A LOT OF DOORS FOR US. WE’VE GONE INTERNATIONAL AND HAD EYEBALLS ON US THAT WE NEVER WOULD HAVE IMAGINED.” JON LIES - WILL ROGERS DOWNS

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P E T: T H E L AT E S T A D V A N C E I N

EQUINE IMAGING Mathieu Spriet, Associate Professor, University of California, Davis

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anta Anita Park, the iconic Southern California racetrack, currently under public and political pressure due to a high number of horse fatalities during the 2019 season, announced in December 2019 the installation of a PET scanner specifically designed to image horse legs. It is hoped that this one-of-a-kind scanner will provide information about bone changes

S

in racehorses to help prevent catastrophic breakdowns.

What is PET? PET stands for positron emission tomography. Although this advanced form of imaging only recently became available for horses, the principles behind PET imaging have been commonly used at racetracks for many years. PET is a nuclear medicine imaging technique, similar to

scintigraphy, which is more commonly known as “bone scan”. For nuclear imaging techniques, a small dose of radioactive tracer is injected to the horse, and the location of the tracer is identified with a camera in order to create an image. The tracers used for racehorse imaging are molecules that will attach to sites of high bone turnover, which typically occurs in areas of bone subject to high stress. Both scintigraphic and PET scans detect “hot spots” that

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FIG 1

indicate—although a conventional X-ray might not show anything abnormal in a bone—there are microscopic changes that may develop into more severe injuries.

Development of PET in California The big innovation with the PET scan is that it provides 3D information, whereas the traditional bone scan only acquires 2D images. The PET scan also has a higher spatial resolution, which means it is able to detect smaller changes and provide a better localization of the abnormal sites.

PET’s technological challenge is that to acquire the 3D data in horses, it is necessary to use a ring of detectors that fully encircles the leg.

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Figure 1: The first equine PET was performed in 2015 at the University of California Davis on a research horse laid down with anesthesia. The scanner used was a PET prototype designed for the human brain (piPET, Brain-Biosciences Inc., Rockville, MD).

The first ever equine PET scan was performed at the School of Veterinary Medicine at the University of California in 2015. At the time, a scanner designed to image the human brain was used (PiPET, Brain-Biosciences, Inc.). This scanner consists of a horizontal cylinder with an opening of 22cm in diameter. Although the dimensions are convenient to image

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the horse leg, the configuration required the horse be anesthetised in order to fit the equipment around the limb.

The initial studies performed on anesthetised horses with the original scanner demonstrated the value of the technique. A first study, published in Equine Veterinary Journal , demonstrated that PET showed damage in the equine navicular bone when all other imaging techniques, including bone scan, MRI and CT did not recognize any abnormality.

A pilot study looking at the racehorse fetlock, also published in Eq uine Veterinary Journal , showed that PET detects hot spots in areas known to be involved in catastrophic fractures.

This confirmed the value of PET for racehorse imaging, but the requirement for anesthesia remained a major barrier to introducing the technology at the racetrack. To overcome this, LONGMILE Veterinary Imaging, a division of BrainBiosciences Inc., in collaboration with the University of California Davis, designed a scanner which could image standing horses. To do this, the technology had to be adapted so that the ring of detectors could be opened to be positioned around the limb.

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FIG 2

With the support from the Grayson Jockey Club Research Foundation, the Southern California Equine Foundation and the Stronach Group, this unique scanner became a reality and, after the completion of an initial validation study in Davis, the scanner was installed at Santa Anita Park in December 2019.

PET at the racetrack The new PET scanner has been used to image the equine limb from the foot to the knee. The current main focus at the racetrack is fetlock imaging, as the majority of catastrophic breakdown in racehorses affects this area. The UC Davis pilot study highlighted the value of PET for detecting abnormalities in the proximal sesamoid bones—the two small bones at the back of the cannon bone—that are commonly involved in catastrophic fractures. Previous necropsy research on horses which suffered breakdowns has shown that changes can be present in the bones prior to the development of major injuries. The goal of the Californian PET project is to detect these warning signs in order to avoid training and racing horses at high risk for catastrophic breakdown.

Figure 2: These are images from the first horse image with PET. From left to right, PET, CT, MRI and bone scan. The top row shows the left front foot that has a severe navicular bone injury. This is shown by the yellow area on the PET image and abnormalities are also seen with CT, MRI and bone scan. The bottom row is the right front foot from the same horse; the PET shows a small yellow area that indicates that the navicular bone is also abnormal. The other imaging techniques however did not recognize any abnormalities.

FIG 3

Alternative imaging techniques Other imaging techniques are available for examining equine bone. Scintigraphic bone scans are doing an excellent job at detecting stress fractures of the humerus or tibia, and this has helped markedly decrease catastrophic injuries in these areas.

Bone scan is also used for fetlocks; but “hot fetlocks” are common on bone scan, and the lower resolution 2D images often do not allow to truly determine whether horses are at high risk of fractures or have normal bone adaptation to training.

MRI is used for fetlock imaging too, and MRI scanners designed for imaging standing horses have been

Figure 3: The two images on the left are bone scan images from a 4-year-old Thoroughbred racehorse. The images on the right are 3D projection of PET images of the same fetlock.

The bone scan revealed an abnormality at the bottom of the cannon bone. The PET scan confirmed this abnormality and helped better localize it. In addition, several other abnormalities were found on the PET scan in the sesamoid bones.

FIG 4

available for over 15 years. Several large racing centers are equipped with such scanners, and MRI excels in particular at detecting changes in the cannon bone that precede condylar fractures. MRI can detect areas of bone densification, or even accumulation of fluid in the bone, typically indicative of microtrauma that can weaken the bone.

Computed tomography (CT) has also recently been used for standing imaging of the fetlock. At the moment, there are a few centers equipped with a CT scanner allowing standing fetlock imaging, but they are only available at, for example, New Bolton Center, Pennsylvania, and the University of Melbourne, Australia.

CT uses X-rays to create 3D images.

Similar to MRI, CT can detect areas of bone densification or areas of bone loss.

PET’s advantages Figure 4: The MILE-PET scanner (LONGMILE Veterinary Imaging, Rockville, MD) is the first PET scanner specifically designed to image standing horses. An openable ring of detectors allows easy positioning and safe scanning. The image on the right shows PET imaging of the fetlock at the Santa Anita Racetrack.

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The big advantage of PET is what is called “sensitivity”—the ability to detect early and subtle findings. This is because PET ISSUE 69 TRAINERMAGAZINE.COM

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detects changes at the molecular level before structural changes have occurred.

MRI and CT mainly rely on changes in the density and shape of the structures they are imaging; i.e., structural change must have occurred before these techniques can identify that the bone is abnormal. MRI and CT might miss early information that a PET scan can detect; but they provide complementary information, and these techniques will be important to further characterize abnormalities found on PET. For these reasons, PET and MRI or CT can be combined: a PET image is “fused” on an MRI or a CT, combining the sensitivity of PET with the anatomical detail of the other imaging tool.

As PET is a newly available modality at the racetrack, there is still a lot to learn.

The goal of the first year at Santa Anita is to image as many horses as possible and compare the PET information with bone scan or MRI information. The pilot study at Davis and the initial cases at Santa Anita tend to show that it is normal to see some bone activity in specific areas of the fetlock, e.g., the palmar condyles; but the presence of hot spots in other areas, for example in the middle of the sesamoid bones, is an abnormal finding that could be an indicator of higher risk of fracture.

Figure 5: MRI and PET images of a racehorse fetlock (from left to right: MRI, fused PET/MRI and PET). The combination of the two techniques maximize the information available gaining anatomical detail from the MRI and detection of early changes from PET.

in sport horses has used the same bone tracer as in racehorses. The most common injuries found with this tracer in sport horses result in navicular disease and early arthritis (joint disease).

Other roles for PET In addition to its use in racehorses, PET has been used in over a 100 sport horses at UC Davis in the last three years. All these scans have been performed with horses under anesthesia and combined to a CT. The main reason to perform a PET scan is either when other imaging modalities do not find a reason to explain a lameness or to better understand changes seen with other modalities. PET is a “functional” technique; this means that a hot spot indicates an area where an injury is active. MRI can meet difficulties distinguishing between scar tissue and active injury, but PET is the ideal modality for this. The majority of the work done

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PET is not restricted to bone imaging; with an alternative tracer, it can be used to look at injuries in the soft tissues. This is something that is not possible with scintigraphy, and the soft tissue tracer has been used successfully to identify tendon injuries— distinguishing between active and inactive tendon lesions. Another important area of interest where the soft tissue tracer has been used is for the assessment of laminitis. This disease is extremely complex, and PET is bringing new information about laminitis, which hopefully will help find new ways to fight this serious life-threatening disease.

PET in the future The development of equine PET is the biggest step forward in horse imaging since the introduction of equine MRI over 20 years ago. The development of the standing system has considerably facilitated the use of the technique. PET is currently at the forefront of the solutions proposed to improve racehorse safety, but PET will also help with other important health issues in horses.

Cover Profile Trainer - Juan Carlos Avila - trainer of Triple Crown trail contender King Guillermo

Bleeders - the facts, fiction and future direction Modern Saddle Design - how technology can

quantify the impact saddles have on performance

Hoof Conditioning - are we going soft on our horses?

Chuck Simon - has a trait that equals or surpasses

his concern for horses and horsemen, it’s his penchant for storytelling

New Tech - Ultrasound Tissue Characterisation and how it helps injury prevention and optimal rehabilitation

Justify, Jimson Weed and Justice - from the racetrack to the courtroom

Remembering Seattle Slew CTT Trainer Profile - Peter Eurton PET: The latest advance in equine imaging - now available at Santa Anita

Racing Against the Odds - how Fonner Park and Will Rogers Downs survived the Coronavirus shutdown

NEXT ISSUE SUMMER 2020 ISSUE #56

The Balancing Act - key considerations when

reviewing what you feed and if you should supplement

Grade 1 winning owners in profile We meet Jessica Buckley - Woodbine’s new Senior Vice President of Racing Operations

#Soundbites - The Jockey Club’s new 2020 Fact

Book showed that horses in 2019 had the fewest number or average starts per year and the smallest field size since at least 1950. Does that concern you?

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TRAINERMAGAZINE.COM CORONAVIRUS E-ZINE EDITION

Bill Heller

Adam Conglianese, Eclipse Sportswire

MICHAEL HUI – ZULU ALPHA When Michael Hui made his first trip to the racetrack (Oaklawn Park), he was 15 years old. He saved his first bet, christening his entrance into horse racing.

“It’s the first wager I ever made—a $2 show ticket, an old Amtote ticket,” he said. “I definitely loved watching the horses.”

Forty-one years later, he’s saving much better souvenirs, thanks to his first Gr1 stakes winner, Zulu Alpha, a horse he claimed for $80,000 in September 2018. The seven-year-old gelding has emerged as one of the best turf horses in the country, thanks to consecutive victories in the Gr.1 Pegasus World Cup Turf and the Gr.2 Mac Diarmida Stakes.

“He’s exceeded every expectation,” Hui said. “I’m going to enjoy this ride. It could be a real fun year.”

But Hui not only owns a Gr1 winner, he and his wife have also bred a Gr1 winner, Nickname—the daughter of Nina Fever, a horse they claimed for $40,000. Nina Fever suffered a fractured sesamoid in the race she was claimed, was retired, and then was bred to Scat Daddy, producing Nickname—the winner of the 2015 Grade 1 Frizette.

This is heady stuff for Hui, who has only been in the game since February 25, 2010, when he claimed Diablo’s Holiday for $30,000 when she finished second in a maiden claimer at Oaklawn Park. He’d fallen in love with horse racing much earlier.

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Hui’s parents, Albert and Ellen, came to America for an education and wound up educating others as professors: Ellen in chemistry and Albert in math and physics at the University of Arkansas at Monticello, 100 miles southeast of Oaklawn Park.

When he started going to Oaklawn Park as a teenager with his friends, Hui said, “We had a blast. We continued going when we could through college.”

Hui graduated from the University of Arkansas with a double major in math and physics and tacked on a master’s degree in industrial engineering. Working in analysis and management, Hui spent nine years at a logistics company in Shreveport, La. He co-founded Transportation Insight, a logistics cost management consulting firm in Hickory, N.C., in January 2000; and it did well enough for him to relocate to Arkansas, where he reconnected with his teenage passion, in 2004. “It pulled me back in,” he said. “I’d be at Oaklawn Park most weekends.”

He thought about getting in the game. “I thought about it for a half dozen years,” he said. “I decided to take a little shot. It was cool to own a horse.”

His first claim, Diablo’s Holiday, didn’t give him his first winner.

Amelia, a $7,500 claimer, got the job done. “I didn’t really experience my first win until 10 or 11 months after I got in,” Hui said. “It was fun, but we ran second a lot, third a lot. It was all a positive experience.”

Not even close to how he did with two subsequent claims he made after connecting with Mike Maker. Taghleeb, a $62,500 claim at Saratoga in July 2016, won the $100,000 Remington Green Stakes at Remington Park, the H. Allen Jerkens Stakes at Gulfstream Park and the Grade 3 McKnight Handicap at Gulfstream Park in January 2017. He then finished second in the Grade 1 Man o’ War Stakes at Belmont Park.

I DIDN’T REALLY EXPERIENCE MY FIRST WIN UNTIL 10 OR 11 MONTHS AFTER I GOT IN, IT WAS FUN, BUT WE RAN SECOND A LOT, THIRD A LOT. IT WAS ALL A POSITIVE EXPERIENCE.” MICHAEL HUI

Another $62,500 claim, Greengrassofyoming at Churchill Downs in 2016, won the Grade 3 Stars and Stripes Stakes at Arlington and finished fourth in the Grade 1 Arlington Million.

An $80,000 claim, Hogy, captured the Grade 3 Kentucky Downs Turf Sprint and finished second in the Grade 2 Woodford Stakes at Keeneland.

But the best claim was yet to come. That was Zulu Alpha, claimed for $80,000 by Hui on September 14, 2018, with another trainer Hui used, John Ortiz. Zulu Alpha won that race by 9 ½ lengths. “When I claimed the horse, I offered John a half-interest,” Hui said. “He said, ‘No, I have enough horses.’”

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Zulu Alpha captured his first start for his new connections in the Grade 3 Sycamore at Keeneland.

Then Hui switched trainers to Maker, and Zulu Alpha won the Grade 3 McKnight, the Grade 2 Mac Diarmida and the Grade 3 Kentucky Turf Cup after finishing second by a neck in the Grade 1 United Nations. Zulu Alpha finished his six-year-old season by rallying from 12th to finish fourth by 1 ¾ lengths in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Turf to Bricks and Mortar, who would be named Horse of the Year.

In 2020, Zulu Alpha is two-for-two, and the sky’s the limit. Hui credits Maker: “He doesn’t say a lot, but when he talks about horses, he talks about balance and height.

I have faith in Mike.”

With Mike, Hui won his first Gr1 stakes with Zulu Alpha in the Pegasus World Cup Turf on January 25.

“I never thought when I got in this, I would win a Gr1,” Hui said. “For someone who didn’t think he’d win a Gr1, it was like Christmas.” Even if it was a month late.

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ABOVE: With Mike Maker, Hui won his first Gr1 stakes with Zulu Alpha in the Pegasus World Cup.

BELOW: Zulu Alpha winning the Pegasus World Cup Turf.

T HE TEAM THAT OWNS HARD NOT TO LOVE The ownership team of Hard Not to Love stretches from West Point Thoroughbreds in New York to Dottie Ingordo Shirreffs, the wife of trainer John Shirreffs, in California.

This one-eyed wonder captured the Grade 1 La Brea Stakes December 28 by 2 ¼ lengths and the Grade 2 Santa Monica February 15 by 3 ½ lengths with a magnificent three-wide sweep past horses she couldn’t even see with her lone right eye. On her latest start, she ran a gallant second behind Ce Ce in the Grade 1 Beholder Mile at Santa Anita.

The ownership team also includes Shirreffs’ son David—an accomplished pinhooker in Kentucky, F. Steve Mooney—an owner of a mine company in Denver, Ed Moody—a video gaming designer in Las Vegas, and Scott Dilworth—a pinhooker in Texas.

They are united by the accomplishments of their amazing four-year-old filly, a half-sister to 2018 Queen’s Plate winner Wonder Gadot, whose only loss in six starts was a third in a stakes as a two-year-old in May 2019.

Hard Not to Love may not have the immense talent of the Sherriffs’ massive 2010 Horse of the Year Zenyatta— the horse of a lifetime who won 19 of 20 starts—but she may be getting just as much love with plenty of racing left despite losing her left eye in a training accident after the ownership group purchased her for $400,000 as a yearling at Keeneland in September 2017. She was one of six purchases the group bought at that sale. Two of the other five are Carressa, who won the Grade 3 Megahertz Stakes, and Blue Norther Stakes victor Giza Goddess in her turf debut.

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LEFT: Hard Not to Love with Mike Smith wins the Santa Monica Stakes at Santa Anita Park, February 15, 2020.

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 DAVID INGORDO Asked if he’s getting tired of people asking him about Hard Not to Love, David Ingordo laughed, “If I get tired of talking about her, I should be out of the business. To have a horse like her is an honor.

It’s what everybody in the business works for.”

Now 43, he began working at the racetrack on his 14th birthday as a hotwalker for Hall of Fame trainer Bobby Frankel through a special license his parents procured. His late father, Jerry Ingordo, was a jockey agent for Laffit Pincay Jr., Sandy Hawley and Patrick Valenzuela. “He passed away when I was 21,” David said. “We were very close.”

David is also close to his stepfather. “I introduced my mother to John Shirreffs,” he said. “I chaperoned her first date with him.

We’re all very close.”

David became the youngest assistant trainer in the country when he was 18, then attended the University of Kentucky while working mornings at Juddmonte Farms. He worked for Walmac International for five years, quickly becoming the head of their bloodstock development before opening his own management and acquisition agency, Ingordo Bloodstock Services.

Among the horses he has purchased are Zenyatta for Jerry and Ann Moss, Stellar Wind, Honor Code, Ball Dancing, Gormley, Wicked Style, Majesticperfection, Personal Rush, Crisp, Switch, Mona de Momma and Uncle Mo. He patched the Hard Not to Love group together. “We were looking to put a group together,” he said. “A few people said, ‘Give us a chance.’ People want to have horses for John Shirreffs. It’s a rare thing for people like us to put in their own money to support John. There is no better horseman in the country, in the world, than John Shirreffs. Bobby Frankel said to me, that John is the

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IT’S A RARE THING FOR PEOPLE LIKE US TO PUT IN THEIR OWN MONEY TO SUPPORT JOHN. THERE IS NO BETTER HORSEMAN IN THE COUNTRY, IN THE WORLD, THAN JOHN SHIRREFFS.” DAVID INGORDO

best trainer in the world. He’s patient. He doesn’t have the super stable, but he’s a tremendous horseman. The horse is first. If he can’t do it, nobody can. He’s that gifted. I don’t think he gets the credit he deserves. He’s involved with the horse at a different level, but he’s very humble about it. Zenyatta was too big to stay in training. She had too many problems. John is a brilliant guy.”

He also admires his mother: “She was one of the first female racing managers. She’s a brilliant woman. We’re all individuals.

There’s no nepotism in our family. If you don’t cut it, you can go work for Starbucks.”

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 SCOTT DILWORTH Born in San Antonio and raised on a ranch, Scott Dilworth made his name in livestock insurance before turning to pinhooking in 2005. “I’m a trader, and I love to trade,” he said.

He ran into David at Saratoga. “We talked about creating a partnership together and buying some fillies, with hopefully getting stakes horses, then reselling them,” Scott said. “I really wasn’t that interested in racing them. I was interested in selling them.”

That changed. Hard Not to Love became his first Gr1 stakes winner. “When you win a Gr1, you’re going to like racing,” Scott said. “She was a handful at the sale. She’s always been pretty fractious. The McKathan brothers did a heck of a job getting her ready. She would freeze on the track. They finally got her off to John Shirreffs.

John is the only person in the world who could get her to where she is today. John had a ton of patience with her. It was quite an experience.”

It still is. “Three of the six horses we purchased are stakes winners,” Scott said. “All credit to David and John.”

 STEVE MOONEY Mining has been F. Steve Mooney’s livelihood; horses have been his passion. “My wife Gayle and I have been involved in horses for a long time,” he said. “My daughter showed horses.”

After graduating from the Colorado School of Mines with a degree in geological engineering, Steve worked for the Utah Mining Company, the U.S. Borax Corporation in New Mexico

ABOVE: The West Point Thoroughbred ownership group celebrating Hard Not to Love’s win.

and then with the Gulf Oil Corporation for 18 years, becoming an executive vice president. After Gulf merged with Chevron, he joined Cyprus Minerals Company, becoming president. He formed the Thompson Creek Metals Company, Inc. and is currently the CEO, living in Denver. Among many honors, he was awarded the Distinguished Achievement Medal by the Colorado School of Mines and won the American Institute of Mining, Metallurgical and Petroleum Engineers (AIME) William Lawrence Saunders Gold Medal.

His business success has allowed him to own Thoroughbreds.

“Through a mutual friend, we got to know Will Farish,” he said.

“We’ve had some mares at Lanes End, gone through selling yearlings and kept a couple.”

One of his keepers was one of David’s major sales, Ball Dancing.

She gave Steve his first Gr1 victory by taking the Jenny Wiley at Keeneland on April 11, 2015. The horse who finished third in the race was Hard Not to Like.

LEFT: The “one-eyed-filly” Hard Not to Love with Mike Smith wins the Santa Monica Stakes at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California on February 15, 2020.

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Steve went from beating Hard Not to Like to owning Hard Not to Love. “We’ve got involved with the Shirreffs and David four or five years ago through our contact with the Farishes,” Steve said. “It’s a great story. I think John Shirreffs ought to get Trainer of the Year for bringing her along the way he did. I give all credit to John for that. I’ve really enjoyed getting to know John and Dottie.”

 ERNIE MOODY Born in Elizabeth, N.J., and now living in Las Vegas, Ernie Moody is a video game designer. “I designed video poker and invented Triple Play Poker,” he said. ”I got a patent on that, and I was making so much money, I needed a way to get rid of excess cash.”

Hello horse racing. “I did a great job of getting rid of that excess cash,” he laughed.

Ernie races in the name of Mercedes Stable, named for his girlfriend, Mercedes. They’ve been involved in some major partnerships, including Madeleine Paulson on Rock Hard Ten and former New York Yankees Manager Joe Torre on Game On Dude. “He won the Santa Anita Handicap three times,” he said.

“Unfortunately, he was a gelding.”

Hard Not to Love is a filly. “We just got involved with John,” Ernie said. “She is an amazing horse.”

 DOTTIE INGORDO How did Dottie go from teaching third and fourth grades to becoming a racing manager? “I’ve been around the business my entire life,“ she said. “David’s father was a jockey agent, so that was our whole life. We used to have handicapping contests at our house. I’d get the Form and start handicapping.”

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Dottie and Jerry Ingordo became close friends with Bobby Frankel, who told Harry Silbert—Bill Shoemaker’s longtime agent—that he needed help with his stable. So Harry asked Dottie, who told him she had a career in teaching. But she and her friend Allison developed a job-sharing program and suddenly, her workload wasn’t the same.

“After about two or three years of asking, I became Bobby’s racing manager,” Dottie said. Then, on a Saturday morning at Del Mar, Dottie got a call from owner Jerry Moss. Moss needed help with his stable, and as Dottie put it, “One thing led to another.” She became Moss’ racing manager, “It was a little intertwined,” she said.

IT’S A GREAT STORY. I THINK JOHN SHIRREFFS OUGHT TO GET TRAINER OF THE YEAR FOR BRINGING HER ALONG THE WAY HE DID. I GIVE ALL CREDIT TO JOHN FOR THAT.” STEVE MOONEY

John Shirreffs

She had no idea how intertwined her life would become.

Jerry wanted to hire a new trainer. John Shirreffs’ biggest client, John Mabee, had died. David called up his mom and suggested interviewing John. “Jerry and I interviewed John in 2000,” she said.

That must have been one hell of an interview. Dottie not only hired John but wound up marrying him in 2003. “We laughed at how many times we were in the paddock without knowing each other,” she said.

Dottie had a wonderful time watching Zenyatta become one of the greatest horses in racing history. “Zenny—she was a blessing,” Dottie said. “She came at a time when the sport needed her. John was the right one for her. He’s incredibly patient.”

He had to be with his huge filly: 17.2 hands and 1,217 pounds named for the album Zenyatta Mondatta by The Police, who were signed to A&M Records by Jerry Moss. She was 19-for-19 before losing her final start of her career by a short head to Blame in the 2010 Breeders’ Cup Classic, a year after she became the lone filly to win the Breeders’ Cup Classic.

Zenyatta’s nuances were nothing compared to the impairment of Hard Not to Love. “We love her—are you kidding?” Dottie said. “She’s very special. She had a little glitch at the training center. These people tried everything to save her eye. It caused her to make adjustments of course. She’s handled it with such grace. You have to be patient with her.”

And inventive. “John has a mirror in her stall,” Dottie said. “She thinks she’s with another horse. John came up with it. It’s a very clever idea. She travels with it. It’s comforting. You have to do a lot of things.”

Her groom, Martin, walked her all the way out on the track for her last start. “He started crying,” Dottie said. “He loves her. I think she’s symbolic for racing. It shows that in life, things can happen. It’s how you handle it.”

How does Dottie handle being partners with her son?

“He’s a great partner,” she laughed. “Fabulous. It’s cute. It’s a lot of fun. We have a lot in common. It’s great when your child becomes your friend. We never run out of things to talk about. We have a lot of fun.”

 JOHN SHIRREFFS Asked about this ownership group, John said, “It’s a very diverse group. We’re having a lot of fun with Hard Not to Love. Everybody has been pretty patient. You never know what the boundaries are with Thoroughbreds because they’re such athletes. They can do so many things.”

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Coronavirusillustration by Alissa Eckert, MS; Dan Higgins, MAMS

BY

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Bill Heller

Brad Mellema, Eclipse Sportswire, Gray Lyster, Shutterstock

Our look at what’s being done for horsemen in the major racing states during the coronavirus shutdown

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s tracks continue to juggle their schedules regarding training and upcoming meets, we’ve put together a snapshot of what is happening across different racing jurisdictions as well as provide website links for horsemen who need support.

Nationally, the Jockey Club Safety Net Foundation was set up to help backstretch workers. Working with the Racetrack Chaplaincy of America, the Safety Net Foundation is focusing on the immediate need of stocking food pantries at racetracks around the country. Donations are tax deductible and can be made at tjcfoundation.org/donate. Because of the coronavirus, checks are not being accepted.

On April 17, the National Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association (NHBPA) issued suggested guidelines for all tracks.

“We’re not trying to tell government health officials and racing commissions what to do,” Eric Hamelback, CEO of the NHBPA, said in a release. “We hope it provides a path forward.”

The NHBPA disclaims any liability for use of those guidelines, which can be found in its entirety on the NHBPA website: www.nationalhbpa.com.

Among the guidelines: •T o limit exposure and prevent the spread of germs and disease, no visitors or guests will be allowed to access the backside, racetrack, track aprons, paddocks or jockeys’ room. Nonessential personnel are prohibited on the grounds.

•T here must be multiple health check stations at every accessible gate/entry for the stable area.

Health check stations will take temperatures of all people and note any symptoms of illness before granting access. A log will be kept of all people granted access. Before authorized personnel arrive, all must have had their temperatures taken.

•R acetrack management is accountable for ensuring all their employees have had their temperatures taken and approved.

•A ll incoming van drivers not showing symptoms of illness must wear a mask, scarf or bandana over their nose and mouth and wear gloves to pick up or drop off horses. Drivers and attendants must have minimal contact with any stable personnel.

•A ll pony personnel must wear a mask, scarf or bandana over their nose and mouth and gloves when in contact with jockeys.

•G ate crew workers must wear a mask, scarf or bandana over their nose and mouth and wear gloves when loading horses in the starting gate. They will have no contact with any other personnel unless it’s in the best interest of safety.

•N o owners, media or fans will be allowed.

There will be no guests with no exceptions.

•A ll personnel should observe social distancing.

•A ll jockeys and essential personnel in the jockeys’ room, including valets and the clerk of scales, will have their temperatures monitored daily. Anyone showing any signs of illness must be denied access. All saunas and extraneous facilities must be closed. Showers can remain open but will be sanitized frequently throughout the day.

•A ll jockeys are required to wear riding gloves.

•T he guidelines include several suggested cleaning and hygiene protocols.

Even the long trip to normalcy begins with slow steps.

Additionally, the National Thoroughbred Racetrack Association has a wealth of information for horsemen at its website, www.NTRA.com.

•T rainers are responsible and accountable for ensuring all their employees have had their temperatures monitored and approved.

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� PLEASE CLICK HERE FOR ALL THE LATEST RACETRACK UPDATES �

HERE’S THE LATEST INFORMATION, STATE BY STATE: ARIZONA

DELAWARE

Delaware Park’s meet was scheduled to run from May 27 through October 31.

FLORIDA

Turf Paradise’s meet, which was scheduled to conclude on May 3, ended on March 14. The backstretch has remained open with over 700 horses on site. Horses are currently able to remain in situ until mid-May, but no training is permitted on the track.

See “Last Five Standing” article about Gulfstream Park and Tampa Bay Downs.

ILLINOIS

On April 23, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker extended the stay-at-home order through the end of May. Arlington Park, which was supposed to open on May 1, is now hoping to run a 45-day meet from July 4 to September 26. The meet was originally scheduled to conclude on September 30.

ARKANSAS

See “Last Five Standing” article about Oaklawn Park.

CALIFORNIA

Racing at both Santa Anita and Golden Gate Fields ended abruptly on March 17 and April 9, respectively by their respective county mandates.

Santa Anita has now issued a conditions book (click here), targeting May 15 for the resumption of live racing under strict protocols, including the exclusion of spectators.

Del Mar’s meet is scheduled from July 18 through September 7. The San Diego County Fair, which was supposed to run from June 5 through July 5, was canceled.

Los Alamitos, which is currently conducting Quarter Horse racing, will race Thoroughbreds from June 26 through July 5.

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INDIANA

Indiana Grand, which offers Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing, is temporarily closed. An opening day will be announced.

IOWA

BELOW: Sanitising according to the guidelines at Santa Anita.

Prairie Meadows, which had a Thoroughbred only meet from May 1 to June 8 and a mixed Thoroughbred/ Quarter Horse meet from June 12 through September 26, has temporarily ceased operations.

S U R I V A N O COR

� PLEASE CLICK HERE FOR ALL THE LATEST RACETRACK UPDATES �

KENTUCKY

Keeneland dealt with the pandemic early and efficiently.

Keeneland canceled its April 7th sale and its entire spring meet—scheduled from April 2–24.

Training has continued under specific protocols.

Checkpoints have been set up at all gates. Individuals with a temperature higher than 100.5 degrees are not admitted. They also must be showing no symptoms of the coronavirus.

The track kitchen has extended its hours to 6 p.m.

Churchill Downs’ owned Turfway Park closed its winter meet early on March 28, losing three race dates.

Churchill Downs has postponed the running of the 146th Kentucky Derby from the first Saturday in May (May 2) to the first Saturday in September (September 5). There will be a phased, systematic and controlled return of horses and their personnel to the stable areas starting on Monday, May 11.

The following is a listing of racetracks and when horses based there may return to Churchill Downs’ stable areas between the hours of 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. EST: • Fair Grounds in New Orleans, La. (May 11-13); • Gulfstream Park in Hallandale, Fla., Tampa Bay Downs in Tampa, Fla. and horses based at Florida training centers (May 14-16); • Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, Ark. (May 17-19); • All other locales (May 20) When racing returns to Churchill Downs it will be staged at a minimum of four days per week, Thursday through Sunday. A daily post time for the first race has not yet been finalized. A revised stakes schedule and condition book for the schedule of races also will be issued in the coming days.

Ellis Park is still scheduled to open on June 28 and concludes September 6.

To help horsemen, the Kentucky Equine Economic Advocate (KEEP) has a link to information about services at https://horseswork.com/covid-19-resources.

| COVID-19 UPDATE |

WE’RE WONDERING ABOUT FARMS AND SALES. WHAT ARE PUBLIC SALES GOING TO LOOK LIKE IN THE FUTURE? UP TO $200 MILLION IN TWO-YEAR-OLD SALES NEED TO HAPPEN. THAT’S AT THE TOP OF THE LIST.” ABOVE: Gray Lyster, president of the Consignors Breeders Association (CBA).

GRAY LYSTER - CBA

Information is available regarding contacts, resources, unemployment insurance, latest news and pending legislation. There is also a link to the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce about who’s hiring, resources for employers and advice for small businesses concerning the Disaster Loan Program.

As far as breeding goes, Gray Lyster, president of the Consignors Breeders Association (CBA) in Lexington, said, “We actually had a board meeting online. We’re wondering about farms and sales. What are public sales going to look like in the future? Up to $200 million in two-year-old sales need to happen. That’s at the top of the list.”

Lyster said he advised CBA membership “to get familiar with video cameras. Nobody knows where we’re going to be. Things seem to be changing by the day, or by the minute.”

Lyster said at farms, vets are wearing masks 100 percent of the time, social distancing is practiced, and contact is being limited whenever possible. “We’ve stopped nonessential work, be it tree trimming or adding a barn,” he said. “Elective surgeries are not being done. But the breeding season has gone on.”

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As of April 14, all four tracks: Fair Grounds, Delta Downs, Evangeline Downs and Louisiana Downs are currently closed for racing. Fair Grounds, which began its traditional winter meet on Thanksgiving Day, lost six racing days before its scheduled closing March 29 because of the pandemic. The track remains open for training.

Delta Downs, Evangeline Downs and Louisiana Downs were closed but then ordered to reopen for training on April 10 by Judge Sharon Wilson in

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accordance with an emergency order issued by the Louisiana State Racing Commission.

Boyd Gaming, which owns Delta Downs and Evangeline Downs, filed a temporary restraining order against the LSRC order citing the pandemic. Boyd argued that opening their facilities posed “a significant risk that by calling back their employees back to work, they may be exposed to the coronavirus and could become sick or die.” Boyd was not allowing training on its two tracks.

According to Keith Smith—president and CEO of Boyd Gaming Corporation—Boyd closed all of its 29 properties in 10 states over the course of six days because of the pandemic.

Caesars Entertainment, which operates Louisiana Downs, had told horsemen that the track was closed for maintenance, but the time period for that maintenance passed weeks earlier.

ABOVE: Fonner Park

MARYLAND

On the order of the Maryland governor, Laurel Park’s meet, which began February 15, ended on March 15.

There has been no announcement about the Pimlico meet, which was scheduled to begin May 7. There also has been no announcement about the Preakness Stakes scheduled for May 16.

“All of us are hopeful that racing can resume, even without fans if necessary,” Cricket Goodall of the Maryland Thoroughbred Breeders Association said.

“Laurel was racing for two weeks without fans when the governor really closed everything.”

Legislation, which would greatly enhance racing at both Laurel Park and Pimlico, passed earlier this year.

“It still needs to be signed by the governor,” Goodall said. “It would be huge. You’re going to have essentially brand-new facilities. I think it will be a huge boon for racing and breeding.”

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MINNESOTA

Canterbury Park will open its stable area May 8. A revised racing schedule will be announced shortly. Those wishing to ship to Canterbury must be pre-approved for entry and schedule arrival times for their horses.

NEBRASKA

See “Last Five Standing” article about Fonner Park.

NEW JERSEY

Monmouth Park’s 56 day meet has been trimmed to 36 dates, and opening day has been delayed from May 2 to July 3. The barn area will open June 1.

The Monmouth-at-Meadowlands this fall has been cut from 19 days to 15.

“The few tracks that are open are doing good business, and I wish we were open. But the bottom line is that this is a very scary pandemic, and it could cause a lot of people to not only get sick, but die; so we have to be serious about it,” Dennis Drazin, chairman and CEO of Monmouth Park, told The Blood-Horse April 21.

NEW MEXICO

Sunland Park closed on March 16 and postponed the Sunland Derby and Sunland Oaks.

Albuquerque Downs is temporarily closed. Its Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse meet is scheduled to run from July 17 through September 2.

Meanwhile, Ruidoso Downs is still scheduled to open on May 22, with the first horses allowed to ship in from the first week in May. Racing will be conducted on a mainly Saturday and Sunday schedule, through September 7.

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The New York Racing Association (NYRA), which canceled the Aqueduct spring meet to allow Aqueduct to be converted into a hospital, had planned to begin its Belmont Park meet on April 24 and conduct racing through July 12.

On April 16, NYRA announced the spring meet is postponed indefinitely. There will be an upcoming decision on possibly rescheduling the 152nd running of the Belmont Stakes, slated to be run on June 6.

Belmont Park continues to offer training for the 1,300 Thoroughbreds and 585 backstretch workers.

Starting April 17, and with approval by NYRA, trainers previously stabled at Belmont Park were allowed to ship in horses who had been relocated during the coronavirus pandemic. NYRA will not allow outside shippers to be accompanied by any staff not working at Belmont. Owners are not permitted access to the backstretch until further notice.

Specifically, NYRA will clean all high-touch areas and facilities; post coronavirus updates in English and Spanish; allow entry through Gate 6 only with health testing including temperature taking; not allow shippers except those with extenuating circumstances approved by NYRA; allow the Morning Line cafe and the track kitchen to continue to offer grab-and-go options, and the clockers’ stand will be limited to only essentially safety personnel.

Martin Zapata, a 63-year-old groom for trainer Tom Morley, died of the coronavirus on April 7. “Martin was a beloved member of our team for the past two years who always greeted you at the door with a huge smile,” Morley said. “He’ll be sorely missed by all those in the New York racing community.” Morley started a Gofundme project in Zapata’s memory.

NYRA still plans to begin the Saratoga meet July 14, but it has delayed the opening of the Oklahoma Training Track and Saratoga stabling area, which were scheduled to open April 15, due to the coronavirus.

NYRA is working with the New York State Gaming

BELOW: ​New York’s Aqueduct Racetrack is serving as a temporary hospital amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

| COVID-19 UPDATE |

Commission and public health agencies to determine an appropriate date to safely open the Oklahoma for training and stabling.

The delay does not impact the start of the Saratoga racing season, which is scheduled to begin July 16 and run through September 7.

“While we are monitoring the current conditions and consulting with the New York State Department of Health, we are planning for Saratoga to open as scheduled and run in its entirety across the 40-day meet,” NYRA Spokesperson Pat McKenna said. “We are working in earnest each and every day to prepare for the 2020 Saratoga season.”

In the interim, with no live racing in New York, the New York Race Track Chaplaincy of America has launched a gift drive for its food pantry that will benefit backstretch workers. Donations through June 6 will be matched up to $25,000 by a member of the NYRA Board of Directors. The Chaplaincy is accepting both monetary and food donations.

For more information about what to donate and the drop-off location, contact info@rtcany.org or text 516-428-5267.

On April 15, the Backstretch Employee Service Team of New York (BEST) is seeking additional donations. BEST operates the BEST Health Center on the Belmont Park backstretch. BEST has a staff of 15 and numerous volunteers. They provide backstretch workers free health care, life insurance, drug and mental health counseling, as well as food and clothing.

Donations can be made via www.bestbackstretch.org/ donate.

On April 21, NYRA and the New York Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association announced they will match the per-start aftercare contribution by New York owners to the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA) through the end of the canceled Aqueduct spring meet. New York owners donate $10 per start to the TAA, and NYRA matches that donation. That will amount to a $24,000 donation to the TAA. Meanwhile, Finger Lakes Racetrack in Farmington, N.Y., postponed its meet, originally scheduled to begin April 25, until further notice. The 127-date meet was scheduled to end November 25. Finger Lakes HBPA Executive Director Austin Reed said he’s hopeful the track can still run a meet of 85 to 90 days.

In the absence of live racing, the Finger Lakes HBPA, in conjunction with racetrack management, will send out checks of $25 to trainers for every start they made during the 2019 Finger Lakes meet and checks of $100 to owners for every start they made during the 2019 meet. The estimated cost of $827,000 will be funded through the canceled race days this year and a reduced stakes program.

“It’s designed to be a shot in the arm for our trainers and owners,” Finger Lakes HBPA President Chris Vaccaro told Horse Racing Nation April 21. “Our horsemen continue to feed and take care of their horses with no way to earn income to defray the cost, adding to their financial hardship.”

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OHIO

Belterra Park suspended its April 24th opener indefinitely.

The meet was supposed to run through September 25.

JACK Thistledown postponed its April 29th opening day indefinitely. The meet was scheduled to run through October 22.

Mahong Valley closed on March 20.

OKLAHOMA

See “Last Five Standing” article about Will Rogers Downs.

PENNSYLVANIA

On April 18, a Twitter message from Toss Mostoller (executive director of the Pennsylvania Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association) said that Churchill Downs-owned Presque Isle Downs, whose meet was scheduled to run from May 11 to October 22, will open its backstretch on May 15 and open its season on June 8. If new information arises to change that schedule, the meet will open on June 22.

Parx, which operates year round, closed until further notice. Penn National, which operates year round, is temporarily closed.

with that plan,” Jill Byrne, Vice President of Racing at Colonial Downs, said. “The stable area is scheduled to open July 9. We’ll be following all state and federal guidelines and protocols. We’ll be putting stall applications on our website: www.colonialdowns.com.

Everything will be on there. It’s a long way off. Fingers crossed for everything.”

Debbie Easter, executive director of the Virginia Thoroughbred Association and president of the Virginia Equine Alliance, said, “For us, just like everyone else, I worry about the fund for our breeders and owner awards that are distributed in the Mid-Atlantic. Hopefully, we’re going to run.”

WASHINGTON

On March 16, Emerald Downs shut down. Emerald Downs postponed its April 18th opening day indefinitely.

The meet was scheduled to run through September 20.

WEST VIRGINIA

Both Charles Town and Mountaineer Park have been cleared to resume racing on May 14.

CANADA

TEXAS

Lone Star Park, which was supposed to open April 16, now plans to reopen the backstretch in the first week of May. Training on track will be permitted, yet there is no date set for racing to start up again.

On March 20, Sam Houston Race Park canceled the final four days of its Thoroughbred meet. It also canceled its Quarter Horse meet that had been slated to begin April 10.

VIRGINIA

The governor has ordered a lockdown through June 10. Colonial Downs meet is scheduled from July 23 through August 29. “As of now, we’re going forward

Woodbine’s opener on April 18 was canceled and will now be expected to be run in June. The 161st Queen’s Plate has been postponed. There is limited training for the 1,100 Thoroughbreds stabled at Woodbine and horses have been able to breeze since May 1. Timed workouts are expected to available from the middle of the month.

Horsemen can get relief to get through this period of non-racing through the Ontario Racing Commission’s agreement with the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation, which provides $1,500 per month for Ontario Thoroughbreds in training. Two-year-olds are included as of June 1.

Hastings Race Course in Vancouver, British Columbia, will re-open May 1 for stabling and training.

WOODBINE’S JIM LAWSON TALKS TO JASON PORTUONDO IN A LIVE, STRONGER TOGETHER SESSION Y PLAY VIDEO

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