#75 horseracingbc

HorseRacingBC Serving the British Columbia Horseracing community

Issue # 75

www.horseracingbc.ca

October 2015

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Harness Racing BC 2015 Sale Yearling and Mixed Sale 6 p.m. November 28, 2015 Show Barn, Cloverdale Note: BC Bred Yearlings that have participated in the 2015 sale will be eligible to race in the Sale Stake as a 3 year old in 2017 for an estimated stake final purse of $40,000 per sex.

Hastings Racing Club The HBPA is now organizing the 2016 Hastings Racing Club.

Anyone wishing to be part of this exciting opportunity should contact HBPA SecretaryTreasurer Richard Yates at rayates@shaw.ca Live Racing Continues!

Racing season to be extending to include live weekend racing up until October 25th.

The Wittup Report Harness Horsemen. We now feature a monthly report from racing secretary Jackson Wittup of Century Downs racetrack.

See pg. 3 HBPA-BC AGM Wednesday, Oct. 21 Hastings racecourse 6:00 p.m. in the cookshack (Trackers) The meeting will provide a forum for members to discuss their concerns.

All members are urged to attend Dinner will be served The Thoroughbred Ladies Club of BC The TLC of BC, whose charity work and scholarship program has benefited backstretch workers at Hastings Racecourse since 1973, meets the first Tuesday each month. If you would like to join them in their worthwhile efforts or help at the occasional function, please call: Linda Sentes 604-318-7949 Barb Williams at 604-542-8951.

HorseRacingBC is produced and edited by Prestige Publications.

Contact at: jimreynolds@uniserve.com Cel: 604-315-2508

Square Dancer wins the $100,000 Randall Plate by a nose in a thrilling photo finish.

An enthusiastic Hastings Racing Club over on the track for the win photo

photso courtesy of Four-Footed Photos

Hastings Racing Club Great Deal For Fans The Hastings Racing Club was introduced on Victoria Day, May 18, and it was full up with 200 members by Canada Day, less than a month and a half after the rollout. The first horse was acquired in the Barrett’s TwoYears-Old In Training Sale at Del Mar in late May. A month later, Square Dancer was purchased privately in Washington while training at Emerald Downs. The rest, as they say, is history.

“We got a late start on this and I thought for the first year,” Club Manager Richard Yates of the HBPA said, “that 60 members would be good enough, and eighty would be success. We had sixty before we had a horse. We had two-hundred before Square Dancer ever ran.”

Square Dancer did run, however, winning an optional $50,000 claimer and following up with wins in the Redekop Classic and the S. W. Randall Plate while earning a little south of $100,000. This from a horse that had been running for tags after taking a 25K optional at Turf Paradise in January.

“He loves this track,” said Yates, “you could see it the first time he worked here, and Steve Henson and his crew have done a great job to make a good horse even better.”

The Hastings Racing Club continues to grow, both in members and horses. There will be another hundred added, for a total of 300 and a yearling was purchased in the CTHS Sale to race for the Club in 2016. There is a waitlist for the 100 new spots in the Club based upon when the initial request to join was made.

“It is hard to say what the demand is,” Yates said. “Or for that matter, how we will meet it. Having a stakes horse that has not lost for you doesn’t hurt. But people liked what we were doing even before Square Dancer announced himself in these parts.”

He went on to say that the purpose of the Club is to introduce people to the excitement of racing thoroughbreds and the very interesting world that surrounds it. The goal of the Club is to provide people the opportunity to participate with little expense and less risk.

“As Club member Dave Bester says,” recounted Yates, ”you can get your feet wet without it costing you an arm and a leg.”

Issue # 75

Editorial…

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Thoughts from The Railbird

Now that the Thoroughbred season is winding down and the Standardbred season is about to begin some thought about how we relate to each other, breed to breed so to speak, is in order. Many horsemen on either side refer to the other with a ‘those people’ attitude. And yet, as one who works in and has friends in both camps I see very little difference in the inhabitants.

Horsemen are horsemen whatever breed they are in love with.

Horses don’t care what breed the other is. A friend in the Kootenays has an inseparable pair of horses, one a Thoroughbred the other a Standardbred and to watch them in the field is interesting. There is no animosity, no jealousy. They do everything together and follow each other around all day and at feed-time they often eat from the same tub. Somehow there is a lesson there.

If we want the ‘Mothership’ (GCGC and the various government satellites that control the industry) to hear us we have to stop using the term ‘them’ and instead use the more comfortable ‘we’.

Those who own, breed, and race horses in this province are all riding the same hay-wagon and must deal with the ‘Mothership’. Without cooperation they have the power but, if horsemen speak collectively the power transfers. It becomes a matter of numbers, not votes, special interests, and influence.

We must show and allow cooperation. The dichotomy between the various groups must end if the sport of horseracing is to survive.

Something to consider… Elections are the heartbeat of our country, We determine it’s course and it’s history with our vote. So, whether you’re an owner, trainer, hotwalker or groom, please vote.

Racing News The Jockey Club Releases 2014 Breeding Statistics

The Jockey Club reported on September 17, 2015, that 2,103 stallions covered 37,244 mares in North America during 2014, according to statistics compiled through September 14, 2015.

These breedings have resulted in 22,104 live foals of 2015 being reported to The Jockey Club The Jockey Club estimates that the number of live foals reported so far is approximately 90 percent complete. The reporting of live foals of 2015 is up 1.9 percent from last year at this time when The Jockey Club had received reports for 21,697 live foals of 2014.

In addition to the 22,104 live foals of 2015 reported, The Jockey Club had also received 2,598 No Foal Reports for the 2015 foaling season. Ultimately, the 2015 registered foal crop is projected to reach 22,000.

The number of stallions declined 5.7 percent from the 2,230 reported for 2013 at this time last year, while the number of mares bred increased 1.6 percent from the 36,656 reported for 2013.

The 2014 breeding statistics are available alphabetically by stallion name through the Resources - Fact Book link on The Jockey Club homepage at jockeyclub.com.

Emerald Downs Shows Big Gains In 2015

Buoyed by larger fields and increased purses in claiming races, daily average handle soared 10.7 percent at the 70-day Emerald Downs’ meeting that concluded September 27.

Average field size also showed a healthy increase—going from 6.27 horses in 2014 to 6.86 in 2015—while on-track horse population sailed over the 1,000 mark for the first time in three years.

Average total daily handle was $1,262,956, with a high of $2,421,017 for Longacres Mile Day on August 16. The Emerald Downs’ brand also grew substantially—showing a 16 percent increase in selling of its races in 2015.

First-year Emerald Downs’ President Phil Ziegler credited the successful meet to the

track’s strong financial foundation built by Ron Crockett, and the continued commitment from the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe, who officially acquired the track in March and have enhanced purses the last 12 seasons.

“The success we experienced this season would not have been possible without the support of our track founder Ron Crockett who continues to play an integral role at Emerald Downs, and the Muckleshoot Tribe who own our company and have invested over $13 million in purses since 2004,” said Ziegler, Last winter Emerald Downs announced a 20 percent purse increase for lower level claiming races and also added several incentives to lower costs for horsemen.

Stakes races fared well, too, with an average field size of 8.0 for 27 Thoroughbred stakes at the Meeting.

Horseracing World News

Washington: 2016-18 WHBPA Board of Directors Bellevue lawyer and longtime horseman Pat LePley was elected WHBPA president and will officially take over the position from Ron Maus on October 13, 2015. Maus, along with Jack Fabulich, Debbie Pabst, Sue Spooner and Keith Swagerty will serve as owner directors. The trainer directors are: Robbie Baze, Diane Garrison, Jeff Metz, Greg Moore and Blaine Wright. All will serve a three-year term.

Portland Meadows Meet The 2015-16 Portland Meadows racing meet opens on October 5.

The 2015-16 Portland Meadows meeting opens October 5 and runs through February 16 on a MondayTuesday schedule with a noon post time.

The opening day races include two $9,000 stakes at 5 1/2 furlongs for runners three and up: the Diamond Lake Handicap (fillies and mares) and the Frog Lake Handicap. The 27 Thoroughbred stakes schedule also includes seven stakes on the December 27 Oregon Championship Day, the $25,000 Portland Mile on January 26 and the $20,000 Oregon Derby February 9.

Complete stakes schedule at www. portlandmeadows.com.

Barretts Fall Yearling And Horses Of Racing Age Sale

Del Mar, CA Wednesday, November 4, 2015 Contact: (909) 629-3099 or info@barretts.com

David G. Milburn Barrister & Solicitor Personal Injury Law Criminal Law

I.C.B.C. Claims

(604) 526-1805 Fax: (604) 526-8056 david@davidmilburn.ca KM Law #100- 624 Agnes Street New Westminster, BC V3M 1G8

Vet Talk…

A horse’s body is like a suspension bridge: the front limbs are attached through muscles and function like a sling as the body propels forward.

Much like humans, equine athletes performing at a high level can be at risk for certain conditions that cause poor performance.

“Factors that make them athletes also predispose them to disease,” says Dr. Julia Montgomery, a specialist in large animal internal medicine at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM).

Horses have a very large heart with a low resting heart rate. They have big lungs and have evolved to run, with an elevated foot.

Horses essentially walk on their tiptoes, and their entire musculoskeletal structure has developed to accommodate this motion. When health problems appear in a performance horse, they often show up as a change of attitude.

“If a horse that always liked to perform doesn’t want to perform, I like to give them the benefit of the doubt,” she says.

When a horse begins showing signs of poor performance there are three major body systems to be considered: respiratory, cardiovascular and musculoskeletal.

Respiratory Upper airway obstructions are caused by malfunctioning structures that lead to airflow obstruction.

One common condition of the upper airway is known as roaring, or laryngeal hemiplegia. It can cause difficulties in active horses and can manifest as noises i.e. “roaring”. The lower respiratory tract is at risk for viral diseases

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Health management for horses in training

and bacteria that can affect the lungs.

Performance horses are especially vulnerable. Common viral diseases are rhinopneumonitis (equine herpesvirus) and equine influenza.

Performance horses have increased risk of exposure to these diseases and should be vaccinated.

Several risk factors are associated with the spread of viral diseases: -Horse shows where lots of animals mingle.

-Many animals of different age or immune states.

-Transportation often causes stress in horses.

-Stress acts as an immunosuppressive, which may cause the horse to pick up a virus.

Preventive measures include: -Quarantine horses coming or returning to the farm.

-Don’t share tack between new arrivals and those already on the farm.

-Prevent nose-to-nose contact.

-During transport, horses should be able to lower their heads, which helps clear the airway of dust and other particles.

-If a disease outbreak occurs, control animal and human traffic to minimize spread.

There are no specific treatments for viruses, but Montgomery recommends a low-dust environment and time to heal. If the animal has a low fever, they may go off their feed.

“Really, the most important thing is rest.

I can’t stress that enough, because once the clinical signs go

away, the lungs are not completely healed,” she says.

Viral respiratory infections can lead to complications such as bacterial pneumonia or inflammatory airway disease. Researchers are also investigating the connection between viral respiratory disease and recurrent airway obstruction (RAO or heaves) – a chronic, asthma-like condition.

Horses that perform at maximum lung capacity — such as racehorses —are also at risk for developing a condition called exercise-induced pulmonary haemorrhage or EIPH. It’s thought that damage to veins within the lungs results in pulmonary bleeding.

By Jeanette Stewart Jeanette Stewart of Rockglen, Sask., is a communications

officer at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine.

Reprinted with permission from the Canadian Horse Journal (horsejournals.com).

The Wittup Report…An Update From Century Downs As I write this article the first weekend of racing has taken place at Fraser Downs and the second week has been drawn, I am jealous of the full fields but I think our turn will come next summer.

Good luck to everyone in the Breeders Stakes, the starting field sizes look pretty good!!!

Nice to see such a large turnout of people standing along the fence when there was a moment of silence for Bill Young.

The newest thing to happen at Century Downs is the second barn walls are starting to go up vertically as opposed to laying horizontally. I have a new appreciation for what builders that have to deal with contractors.

I am sure the new barn will not be of much use to us in 2015 with the meet coming to an end the middle of November but everything should be in place for what is being talked about winter training for Standardbreds in January and racing anywhere from the middle of February to the first week of March.

October 27th will be a very important day in Alberta politics as that is the day the new NDP Government is

David G. Milburn Barrister & Solicitor Personal Injury Law Criminal Law

I.C.B.C. Claims

(604) 526-1805 Fax: (604) 526-8056 david@davidmilburn.ca KM Law #100- 624 Agnes Street New Westminster, BC V3M 1G8

supposed to roll out their first Provincial budget, I hope after that day we will find out where horse racing fits in the scheme of things in the Province of Alberta.

I guess the two big stories out of Alberta were the ASHA Yearling Sale which was held September 4th and the two exhibition races that were held August 29th and 30th for retired Standardbreds under saddle.

Seventy yearlings went through the ring for an average of just over $9,000 (down slightly from last year) which I thought was good considering there were twenty more yearlings offered and five sold for less than $2,000. I had a short visit with Kelly Macmillan after the sale and he seemed happy with the prices he received.

I was happy to see that people from across Western Canada signed the sales slips (BC, Ross Sharp, Ray Soh and Veikko Pajunen, MAN., George Isman and Val Emerson) Good luck to everyone as I look forward to seeing the two-year-olds in 2016 at Century Downs!!!

I believe Century Downs made history by hosting two exhibition races for

Issue # 75

retired (could not have raced in the last 90 days) Standardbred pacers under saddle.

(There is a professional circuit in the East that use trotting racehorses).

Congratulations to all the girls as safety was the first priority, sponsors and the ASHA which contributed in many different forms. I think this event will grow and I am sure Kim Schneider and Jaline Munkholm will get a chance to defend their titles. (IDEA – BC/ ALTA challenge for charity, hmmm). I would like to thank Dave and John Hudon, Darren Poloway, Travis Tracey, Chris Linford, Jim Marino, Justin Currie and others for contributing to our first meet and hope you will consider coming back next year.

Good luck to all Horsemen and management at Fraser Downs with the 2015/16 meet!!!

Until next time…

Issue # 75

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Trainer Nancy Betts twosteps out of the way of the flying hooves of My Secret Cause in the Hastings Paddock “Normally a quiet horse,” something obviously startled him.

He ran 4th

Patti Tubbs photo

Hall of Fame jockey Chris Loseth and Hastings’ current leading rider Richard Hamel horse around after Hamel won the Chris Loseth Stakes on July 1st 2015.

Jackie Humber photo

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Ralph Bower’s View…

The 2015 BC Derby

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(Ralph Bower has shot 60 BC Derby winners since 1955)

ACEDEMIC, Bay filly by Henny Hughes out of Awesome Lass, by Awesome again was ridden to victory

by BC native and Hastings graduate Justin Stein. Owned

by Bear Stable LTD and Riversedge Racing Stables the winner of the Woodbine Oaks and the Canadian Derby stormed down the rail to win in a time of 1:50.2

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Issue # 75

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Issue # 75

2015 CTHS-BC Sales Results

Sold: 61 Sales Gross: $$1,047,400 Sales Average: $14,571 Yearlings Sold: 61 Yearling Gross: $1,043,000 Yearling Average:$17,383 Median: $14,000 Sales Top: Hip #44, c, Hansen - Victory With Class Seller: Jim Demetrick. Buyer: Glen Todd Leading Consignor: Bryan and Carol Anderson Sold: 2 Gross: $78,000 Average:$39,000 Leading Buyer: Glen Todd Bought: 3 Gross: $114,000 Average:$38,000

Sales Top: Hip #44, c, Hansen - Victory With Class by Storm Victory Jim Demetrick, agent. Buyer: Glen Todd ($65,000)

Hip #57 ch. f by Rosberg out of Archery by Yes It’s True Mike Anderson and Terry Clyde, consignors. Buyer Peter Redekop B.C. Ltd. ($59,000)

Hocks: One Of The Main Causes Of Equine Leg Lameness We are very successful at treating and repairing front leg lameness issues such as Bowed Tendons, Check ligaments, inflamed ankles/fetlocks, knees and hooves. The problems with the shoulders, bursa, whirl bone, hamstrings, sacroiliac & hunter bumps can also be attributed to inflamed or painful hocks. We have found that most horses that have any of the above lameness issues have Inflamed Hocks. The magnificent horse is so eager to please us, they will perform through pain and discomfort to best of their ability.

When the hocks are inflamed there is an infection in the synovial fluids in the hock. The horse will adjust its gait to compensate for the pain and stiffness in the hock joint. A lot of people inject the hocks for temporary relief. Whatever they inject into the hocks must travel throughout the body of the horse ie: the liver, kidneys, brain and other key organs. We have found that in human athletes there are negative complications. There is also the possibility of hock infection from the insertions of the needle. It happens more than people know. We know as we have to treat the infection which takes a long time. When a hock is infected any amount of antibiotics does not seem to help as the infection is considerable.

You should check the hocks in the morning before any exercise or turnout. If the hocks are ice cold then they are healthy. If there is any inflammation the hocks should be treated with the LEG SAVE hock treatment. This will help with proper maintenance and performance if the hocks are the problem.

Race horses, Grand Prix Jumper and Barrel Racers will really benefit with LEG SAVER treatments.

The LEG SAVER hock treatments is simple and effective and long lasting. It will have to be repeated only if the horse is actively performing or develops inflammation in the joint You can contact us via phone or email for help with this treatment and we will reply promptly.

For further information and a demonsration contact: GARY DESROCHES www.equi-stimlegsaver.com legsaver@gmail.com 1-800-595-7408 toll free

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A Very Special Memorial

Story and photo by Jackie Humber

Memorials most often are marked with a gravestone or headstone.

At most thoroughbred Racetracks memorials are also marked with memorial plaques placed around paddock areas or on a specific memorial board, for all people who pass by to remember their friends that are no longer here. Also benches with the names of the departed are generally placed outside racetrack cafes and in areas where one can sit and have a rest as they leaf through the day’s racing form. At Hastings there is even a life-size statue of B.C.’s Champion racehorse, George Royal standing prominently in the center of the paddock area.

However, the most unique Memorial at Hastings Racecourse has to be Kathy Dean’s memorial cabinet. It is a well-built wooden wall cabinet inside the women’s washroom. It is usually stocked with such items as shampoo, hair ties, socks, deodorant and all items utilized by women.

The cabinet gets restocked by women’s donations when needed.

Issue # 75

The Good Ol’ Days

Dean was an artist, who was a horsewoman. She was a breeder, an owner and also a trainer. She spent countless hours painting and lending her Family and friends gathered in the winner’s circle on September 8th for the Maurice Milne knowledge in the Hastings Learning Centre. She Memorial Purse to honour jockey and race track figure Maurice Milne.

Patti Tubbs photo had a real passion for sharing her artistic knowledge and supporting women in the backstretch. Her cabinet is welcome to all women who are busy taking showers and preparing for the racing day at Hastings.

Murphy’s Horse Laws

There is no such thing as a sterile barn cat.

No one ever notices how you ride until you fall off.

The least useful horse in you barn will eat the most, require shoes every four weeks and need the vet at least once a month.

A horse's misbehavior will be in direct proportion to the number of people who are watching.

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Issue # 75

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