Horseracingbc nov

HorseRacingBC Serving the British Columbia Horseracing community

Issue # 56

B it s & Bi kes FREE HorseRacingBC Subscription Can’t find a copy? Anyone wishing to receive this paper on their computer can email jimreynolds@ uniserve.com and simply ask to be put on the mailing list. You will receive it in a unique PDF format (free of course) each month.

www.horseracingbc.ca

November 2013

The Joy of Winter Racing

2013 Two-Year-Old Bonus Depletion of funds totaling $0,000 for 2013 Two Year Old Bonus Program has been reached as of October 18, 2013, Race #7.

Final payment for 2013 will be distributed on Nov 8th, 2013.

Susan Mccombe Passes Harness Racing BC has recently been notified that standardbred owner Susan McCombe of Surrey, BC and proudly known as ES Stables has recently passed away.

The Directors, Staff and Membership would like to offer their deepest condolences to her family and friends.

2013 Mixed Sale November 30th HRBC is pleased to announce that a Mixed Sale will be held on Saturday, November 30th @ 1:00 pm in the Paddock of Fraser Downs. Entry fee is $50 and the deadline to enter is November 27th.

HBPA Children’s Christmas Party

The HBPA Children’s Christmas Party will be held December 1st, 2013 from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM, at Hastings Racecourse in the Old Casino Room.

Deadlines To Remember The 2013 New Foal Applications must be submitted to the Harness Racing BC office no later than December 31st.

The Thoroughbred Ladies Club 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 at 604-318-7949 or Barb Williams at 604-542-8951.

Popular Fraser Downs driver John Abbott enjoys a few hours of sunshine after a week of early winter weather.

CatchaMoment photos

Harness Superstar Bill Davis Jr. returns to Fraser Downs

Bill Davis Jr., who competes on a daily basis against the best drivers in Canada, returned to his hometown of Cloverdale, BC to compete in the BC Breeders Classic Day, the richest day in BC harness racing with over $300,000 in purse money up for grabs.

In what has become a tradition for visiting drivers, Davis, who has 349 wins and $3,391,06 in purse money on the big circuit, donated his $5,300 winnings to the horse recovery program Greener Pastures.

It was an opportunity to take a break from a busy eastern schedule and visit his family, friends and his father Bill Davis Sr. now back on the BC circuit training and driving for JJJ Stables.

Bill Davis Jr. (L) and Sr. mark a return to Cloverdale Davis Jr. won two races on Saturday and three on Classic Day including both the $75,000 Robert Murphy and the $75,000 Mary Murphy Breeders Stakes, both for trainer/ owner Rod Therres.

HorseRacingBC is owned and produced by Jim Reynolds.

For advertising and editorial contact: Jim Reynolds 604-533-4546 jimreynolds@uniserve.com

www.horseracingbc.ca

Issue # 56

Leaders For The 2013 Meet At Hastings Racecourse The Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association of British Columbia offers its congratulations to the leaders at Hastings Racecourse for the recently concluded 2013 thoroughbred season.

Worth noting is the fact that the trainer, jockey and owner categories were all taken by first-time winners.

Craig MacPherson led all trainers with 34 wins, including 4 stakes, from 156 starts at Hastings (he won 2 more races at Northlands, including a stake).

MacPherson started his first horse in 1981 at what was then called Exhibition Park. Thirty-two years later he finished 4 races ahead of the runners-up Dino Condelinios and Troy Taylor to take his first training title. He won 22% of his starts and finished second among trainers with

10 or more starts by running 1-2-3 in 63% of his races.

Enrique Gonzalez won 8 races the last weekend of the meet to secure his first Hastings riding title with 59 wins, 2 more than last year’s leader Amadeo Perez.

Gonzalez won 6 stakes and led in money won with $953,000. Gonzalez moved his tack to Hastings in 2012 and won 40 races. In his second season he has emerged as leading rider with agent Trapper Barroby booking mounts for him.

Swift Thoroughbreds won 30 races at Hastings in 2013 while winning their first owner’s title.

Swift numbered 6 stakes wins among their 30 local victories. This is the 5th consecutive year the stable has won 30 or more races, most of those victories having

'I put $20 on a horse last week and he came in at twenty five to one.', 'Wow! you must be loaded' 'Not really 'the rest of the field came in at twelve thirty.'

Great Christmas Gifts!

Langley’s Hour Glass Studio features hand etched horse images on stemware, plates and giftware.

We also etch stable and corporate logos.

No Order Too Small!

www.HourGlassStudio.com

or call 604.308.9481 for more information

occurred here. Swift’s first title marks a climb to the top that began in 2001 when they started 6 times at Hastings without a win. Their staunch support of all aspects of British Columbia’s thoroughbred industry makes their ascent well deserved.

The two-year old filly Architecture, owned by Swift Thoroughbreds, was the leading earner at Hastings in 2013, winning $134,269 with 3 firsts and 3 seconds in 6 starts with all 3 wins coming in stakes. Architecture, a daughter of Dixie Chatter out of the Yankee Gentleman mare Harmony Creator, was bred in British Columbia by Whitewood Farm.

No listing of the accomplishments of British Columbia’s horses and horsepeople could fail to include the amazing Herbie D. who won the Lieutenant Governor’s at Hastings prior to heading to Emerald Downs to take the Mt. Rainier Handicap.

Four weeks later he won the Grade 3 Longacres Mile. It was the second straight year a BC-

bred won the Mile.

Herbie D., who recovered from a serious tendon injury, was bred by George Robbins, is owned by Robbins and Darcia Doman and benefited from the exceptionally patient handling of trainer Rob Gilker.

When recognizing outstanding achievements for the 2013 season at Hastings, it is not possible to ignore the phenomenal season trainer Rosann Anderson put together. She won 11 races from 24 starts, including the Ladies Express with the resurrected claimer Cry Cry Cry. She led all trainers (5 or more starts) by winning 46% of her starts and finishing in the first three 71% of the time.

As for small barns with just a few starts, no one was better than trainer Bruce Unwin who did win 3 of 4.

Congratulations to all, Richard Yates HBPA Secretary Treasurer

Will’s Auto Service Ltd. Truck & horse trailer repair Audi BMW Complete mechanical services Free pick up and delivery 604-530-3057 6808 216th St at Glover Rd.

November 2013

Remembering…

John Bey November 1933 - October 2013

John Bey passed away after a brief and courageous battle at Princeton General Hospital on October 30, 2013 at the age of 79 years.

John was born in Hazel Dell, Saskatchewan, November 3, 1933 and went to school in Allenby, British Columbia. He moved to the Princeton area in 1946 and married Ruby Willis in 1956.

John was an accomplished repairman with journeyman tickets as a welder, machinist, millwright, and heavy duty mechanic. He was an active member of the Princeton Racing Days and Princeton Exhibition Association as well as past president of the Interior Horse Racing Association.

John will be lovingly remembered and sadly missed by his wife Ruby, daughter Sharon Beacom (Mark), son Allen Bey, grandchildren Bill and Mitchel Beacom, Jacob, Jeffrey, and Sydney Bey, sisters Mary Millar (Merv), Lily Bourassa, and Elsie Bey, and brothers Carl Bey (Ira May), Harry Bey (Pauline), Nick Bey (Gail), and Peter Bey (Liz). He was sadly predeceased by brothers Mike and Paul Bey. A Celebration of John’s life was held at the Princeton Legion Branch #56 on Monday November 4, 2013, officiated by Eric Goodfellow with internment following at Princeton Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made in person to Princeton General Hospital or mailed care of: South Okanagan Similkameen Medical Foundation 550 Carmi Avenue, Penticton, BC V2A 3G6.

Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.hansonsfuneral.ca .

Issue # 56

Racing News

www.horseracingbc.ca

The Jockeys’ Guild Jockey Injury Database

OwnerView Launches Host Program To enhance the information available to prospective owners of Thoroughbred racehorses, OwnerView announced in midOctober a new service called “OwnerView Host.” The free service will provide a further source of basic information for people interested in owning Thoroughbred racehorses, covering topics such as business plans, ownership options, licensing, costs and expenses, and aftercare.

“There is a lot of information available to prospective owners before they hire a trainer or make that first horse purchase, and OwnerView hosts will help them digest many of the basics of owning Thoroughbred racehorses,” said Gary

Falter, project manager for OwnerView. “We won’t offer specifics on the selection of agents, trainers, and horses, but we will explain where to go, how to make contacts, and what to do to become a Thoroughbred owner.”

Anyone interested in using the OwnerView Host service can fill out a form at ownerview.com available through the link, “Contact us to discuss your plans.”

“When we receive a request, we will reply to the prospective owner to setup an initial discussion,” Falter said. “After the introductory contact, prospective owners will have the opportunity to speak to an OwnerView host who can walk them through ownership topics at

November 2013

OwnerView.com and answer questions.”

OwnerView was launched by The Jockey Club Information Systems Inc. and the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association (TOBA) in May 2012, in the wake of McKinsey & Company’s economic study of the sport that recommended a central resource that would encourage Thoroughbred ownership and provide accurate information about purchasing and owning a Thoroughbred.

OwnerView includes information relevant to Thoroughbred owners, including information on trainers, racing syndicates, licensing, aftercare, and state incentive programs.

For more information, visit OwnerView.com.

The Jockey Injury Database, a new program aimed at preventing rider injuries in the future, has been developed by The Jockeys Guild.

The Jockey Injury Database will collect information on jockey injuries at racetracks, including where, when and how injuries occurred, what type of equipment riders were wearing, and the nature and severity of the injuries.

This information will be gathered confidentially by medical personnel at racetracks, as well as by Guild representatives, and then entered into a database to be analyzed at a later date. In the database, jockeys will not be identified by name nor will the tracks where incidents occur.

“We constantly work with tracks and the industry to ensure the safety of jockeys,” said Terry Meyocks, National Manager of the Jockeys’ Guild. ” The new data collection system has been created with the assistance of Keeneland, The Jockey Club and the National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA) Safety and Integrity Alliance. Keeneland was the first racetrack in the country to start collecting the data at their April 2012 meet.

“Once we are comfortable with the process, we will be sending information packets to each racetrack further explaining the goals and design of the project while encouraging their participation,” said Meyocks.

As data is collected, it will be analyzed for trends. There is no cost to tracks to participate in this project, and those providing data will be recognized when the analysis is ultimately published in the medical literature.

“This prospective collection of information will allow us to better evaluate rider safety equipment, racetrack surface type, first-responder options, and a host of variables just as other professional sports do on behalf of their athletes both in the U.S. and abroad,” said Dr. Barry Schumer, Keeneland medical director and co-creator of the program.

Increasing Your Horse’s Stamina With Leg Saver!

The basic Leg Saver treatments are quite simple.

3 Treat the lung and heart ting points (located on the front coronet band) once, 3 days before a race or event.

3 Treatments are for one hour each.

3 Treatments should be done separately, one after the other.

3 It will take 2 hours to complete both.

3 The following day the horse should be walked for ½ hour to one hour.

3 The morning of the race the lungs should be treated for ½ hour as early as possible (about 8 am).

Do not treat the heart.

3 This will increase performance about 4 to 8 lengths, depending on the horse.

3 Always check on the shoulders, hocks, poll & whirlbone to make sure the horse is ready for optimal performance.

3 Always treat the hocks if there is any heat in them at all.

A number of trainers have been experimenting with the amount of exercise needed to keep the horse performing at its peak.

Here is what we have found: 3 Horses that have their training reduced the week before the treatment are significantly improved over horses that are kept at their regular degree of exercise. They win a lot more money.

3 Reducing the exercise program the week before the treatment produces a much fitter horse. Results show about 80% wins & seconds—mostly wins (rider error caused some of the second place finishes).

3 These treatments reduce stress and strain on the horse’s body (hooves, ankles, tendons, ligaments, knees, hocks and other areas of stress).

3 Protocol for young race horses – treat their heart and lungs once every 2 weeks. This builds stronger horses with tremendous stamina. This will not make them run faster it just makes them finish stronger.

This new protocol will give you the best results in your performance horse. Having more stamina down the stretch run results in more wins! Try it with one horse and see the results.

I’m reluctant to tell a world-class trainer what to do but this protocol really generates superior results!

CONTACT: GARY DESROCHES www.equi-stimlegsaver.com legsaver@gmail.com 1-800-595-7408 toll free 1-604-215-3622

Issue # 56

www.horseracingbc.ca

November 2013

2013 Thoroughbred Season‌ by CatchaMoment Photos

Issue # 56

www.horseracingbc.ca

November 2013

British Columbia Breeder’s Classic Day…by CatchaMoment Photos & Win Photos by David James

Robert Millbank Breeders Stake For 2 Year Old Colts & Geldings

Betty Millbank Breeders Stake For 2 Year Old Fillies

Need You So Bad— b,g,2 - American Ideal-Sendingforth-Cams Card Shark, Owner: J J J Stables,Aldergrove,BC. Driver/Trainer Bill Davis, TIme: 1:57.2

Run And Tell— b f 2 - Power Of Art-Muddy Waters-Kents On Nuk) Owner: Mark P Anderson, Willows, CA, Trainer D McCarthy, Driver: K Anderson, Time:1:57.3

Mary Murphy Breeders Stake For 3 Year Old Fillies

Robert Murphy Breeders Stake For 3 Year Old Colts & Geldings

Allittleforplace— b,f,3 - Allamerican Cobalt-Jennys Place-Artsplace, Owner: Rod

Why We Were Chosen — b,c,3 - Allamerican Cobalt-Dal Reo Damsel-Scruffy

Therres, Surrey-Blair W Miller, Langley, BC, Driver Bill Davis Jr., Time: 1:56.3

Hanover) Owner: Rod Therres, Surrey, BC. Driver Bill Davis Jr., Time: 1:54.3

David James

Nationally Accredited Member of the Professional Photographers of Canada and the Professional Photographers of BC.

Portraits on location: horses & family portraits

604-534-8249

www.OutTakes.ca

Issue # 56

Handicapping Tips… Times (Final and Fractional) Time is probably the easiest way to handicap a harness race. It is an important factor, but it MUST be evaluated in light of the other factors highlighted in this pamphlet—condition, class, trainer and driver, and prospective “trip.” It’s still true that some horses are just plain faster than others, but raw time is not nearly as meaningful as time tempered in valuation with the above-mentioned factors.

Often, the individual fractional times are of more importance to the handicapper than the final time. A horse who shows consistent miles in the 2:04-2:05 range may throw in a 2:07 mile, and the handicapper might be tempted to dismiss the horse as off form.

However, if the horse was hard used early on a fast pace, the

final time might be excused, and the horse may still be a factor.

Similarly, a horse that goes consistently in 2:02 deserves extra credit if he achieves it after a bad trip.

The faster the individual quarter, and the harder the horse worked during that fast fraction, the more leeway that should be given in excusing the performance. A horse used hard in a 29 quarter and finishing in 2:03 is not necessarily better than a horse arguing during a 28.2 quarter while finishing in 2:04.

Times must also be adjusted for horses from different tracks, for track condition, and for temperature variations. The lastnamed factor is often overlooked, but if your track carries post time temperatures, you have a definite advantage in winter

www.horseracingbc.ca

handicapping, with temperature treated in a parallel fashion to the quick quarters described above (e.g., 2:03 at 30 degrees is not necessarily better than 2:04 at 10 degrees).

Time, in and of itself, is an important factor in harness racing but it must be evaluated in terms of the fractions of the race and the ‘work’ a horse had to do during that race.

There is a vast difference between a 2:00 mile by an animal who stayed on the rail and a 2:00 mile by one who was outside and battling much of the way.

These clockings, without any sign of “work” being done (racing on the lead, or on the outside), are often non-reflective of a horse’s ability, and fool the public.

Popular Race Caller Rick Uppal moves to Hoosier Park

His passion for harness racing has been his greatest asset as a race caller. Rick Uppal has been the “Voice of Harness Racing” for 34 years and in his career has called around 40,000 races—and been excited about every one of them.

Uppal is leaving British Columbia to join his wife Cassandra who is currently training horses in Peggy Udall photo Florida. When that meet is over they will join nephew Ed Hensley at Hoosier Park in Anderson, Indiana where they will make their new home.

The popular Uppal will be missed by fans and horsemen alike at Fraser Downs.

“I'd like to thank everybody in the harness racing community,” he says.

“I'll miss them all. I thought I would be here forever but it hasn't worked out that way.”

Born in Vancouver, Uppal was introduced to racing as a boy when his parents took him to Exhibition Park.

“I always wanted to be an announcer,” says Uppal who originally envisioned himself calling hockey or football.

“I came to Cloverdale and offered my services saying that I would do whatever was required and started calling one night a week.”

It was a part-time job that led to a long career. “ The Keelings were great. They knew who you were and treated people right.”

“It's disappointing to see a long-timer leave,” said Harness Racing BC's executive director Jackson Wittup. “We are losing a passionate member of our community,”

Need stabling in Ontario?

Langley’s Neighbourhood Feed Store

Winfola Stables, located north of Woodbine and a few miles from Guelph, offers excellent care for Thoroughbred and Standardbred horses featuring: 12’ X 12’ soft matted stalls, individual turn-out paddocks.

Contact Winfola Stables 1-519-731-2474

November 2013

Issue # 56

www.horseracingbc.ca

November 2013

The Surgeon’s Corner…by Dr. Antonio M. Cruz DVM, MVM, MSc, DrMedVet, Equine Surgery and Sports Medicine Specialist How Can An MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) Help You? Lameness costs the horse industry in North America an estimated $1 billion annually and it is the leading cause of financial loss in the racing industry. Approximately 25% of affected horses experience fetlock pain.

Although cartilage disease is the focus of much therapeutic intervention in these horses (i.e. joint injections, chips, etc…), it is still uncertain whether cartilage injury is the primary and solely factor responsible for joint disease. Actually we believe that the bone beneath the cartilage is really where the pain comes from and the important player while the cartilage is an innocent bystander.

Traditionally we have been unable to look at the bone with any more detail than the one provided by x-rays, so out of sight, out of mind sort of thing. X-rays while being a practical tool are clearly inadequate to image many of the changes that happen to the bone and that are responsible for a racehorse lameness. In fact over the years we have been focusing solely on the joint surface when the real problem lies just beneath it.

It’s the bone!

With the development of new technologies we are starting to see the real problem, not just its consequences.

Some years ago, during my tenure at the University of Guelph, I reported in several scientific journals the

changes occurring to the bone in fetlock joints in racehorses using a microscopic x-ray tool called micro-CT. This research tool allowed us to see the sequence of damages that lead not only to lameness and chips but also to catastrophic fractures.

We were able to see how the structure of the bone changed to the point that became vulnerable to fracture and actually fracture!

We all know that catastrophic fractures in racehorses are common and seen by many as a “fact of racing horses”. But is it so? It is clearly obvious that fractures are the end-stage of a chronic problem, not just the result of a fluke accident. So is there a way that we can see the changes in the bone before it’s too late?

Today with the use of MRI we can see these changes and new work

by Dr. John Peloso from Florida gives a compelling story to use this technology to screen racehorses in order to identify those horses at risk of breaking down and to diagnose problems above and beyond what a radiograph may not tell you.

The fetlock joint is the most common site for fracture formation in the Thoroughbred racehorse. Good evidence exists to show that these conditions develop deep to the cartilage layer in the underlying bone due to a silent process known as non-adaptive bone modeling.

The condition has two hard facts: It is difficult to identify in its early stages yet its effects are reversible if recognized early and the tools available for disease identification, namely clinical examination, x-rays, ultrasound, or a bone scan, are not sensitive indicators for the spectrum of this condition.

Because MRI gives useful information about both bone MRI as a diagnostic tool structure and bone chemistry, it can be using this technique for not only screen horses ness and see the entire used to detect bone early fracture identififor future fractures, but picture, not just a piece injury in the early of it! cation. also investigate lamstages of disease, well In Dr. Peloso’s study Paton & Martin Veterinary Services Ltd. Dr. David Paton, Dr. Eric Martin before it can be identi- it becomes crystal clear Dr. Antonio Cruz and Dr. Marielle St-Laurent Full Service Hospital and Surgical Facility fied on X-rays. The • Board Certified Surgeon how horses with • Advanced Lameness Diagnostics & Treatments: PRP, IRAP, Stem Cell, availability of MRI Therapy, Mesotherapy, Physiotherapy, Acupuncture, Extracorporeal subsequent cannon Shock Wave Therapy, Cryotherapy and much more! systems for imaging • Condylar Fracture Repair, “Chips”, Throat Surgery, Colic and more! bone fractures have • Videoendoscopy (1.5 to 3 metres) for upper airway horses under standing and stomach problems (ulcers) increased MRI signal • Located 10 minutes from Thunderbird Show Park sedation and without at specific sites, again 25939 - 40th Ave. Aldergrove BC V4W 2A5 Telephone: 604-856-3351 the need for general not seen on x-rays. www.pmvetservices.com admin@pmvetservices.com anesthesia is particuTherefore it would larly beneficial for only seem logical to horses in training as

use this technology to

trainers and owners are very reluctant to for all your horse insurance needs anesthetize horses for a lameness diagnosis, especially during the racing season. Anesthetic death, a poor recovery from anesthesia, or recovery from general anesthesia on a limb with a hidden orthopedic fracture are all legitimate reasons for concern. MRI is identified as the imaging modality of choice for stress fracture detection in human medicine. MRI can also provide diagnostically valuable images in the standing patient so the risks of general 106 - 3701 E. Hastings St. anesthesia are avoided.

Burnaby, B.C. V5C 2H6 Racing jurisdictions (604) 293-1531 FAX: (604) 293-1248 in the United Kingwww.equineunderwriters.com dom, Europe, and Dubai are currently

Equine Insurance Underwriters Ltd.

since 1980

Issue # 56

www.horseracingbc.ca

November 2013