The Horsemen's Journal - Summer 2018 by The Horsemen's Journal

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JOURNAL

SUMMER 2018

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THE HORSEMEN’S JOURNAL CONTENTS | SUMMER 2018 | VOLUME 65/#2

DEPARTMENTS

FEATURES

Message from the National HBPA

Industry News

Alphabet Soup Still Beating the Odds The Old Friends resident is benefiting from a new cancer treatment that is helping gray horses

Embracing the Race A passionate supporter of horse racing is trying to raise the sport’s profile

The Power of Social Media How the Kentucky HBPA is using social media to spread the word about racing

Trace-Level Identifications Are Not Positives The scientifically correct and public relations-appropriate approach to medication regulation

HBPA News

Research & Medication Update

Medication Committee Corner

Affiliate News

THE HORSEMEN’S JOURNAL

Alphabet Soup Fights On SUMMER 2018

MESSAGE FROM

THE CEO

NATIONAL HBPA 3380 Paris Pike Lexington, KY 40511 P (859) 259-0451 F (859) 259-0452 racing@hbpa.org www.hbpa.org

PRESIDENT/ CHAIRPERSON OF THE BOARD Leroy Gessmann SECRETARY/ TREASURER Lynne Schuller CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Eric J. Hamelback VICE PRESIDENT EASTERN REGION Robin Richards VICE PRESIDENT SOUTHERN REGION Rick Hiles VICE PRESIDENT CENTRAL REGION Joe Davis VICE PRESIDENT WESTERN REGION J. Lloyd Yother

f you have not heard by now of the U.S. Supreme Court ruling striking down the entirety of the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA), you must be living under a rock. Make no mistake that this is a significant ruling that will have a major impact on the wagering marketplace and, yes, cause competition for horse racing wagering and simulcasting dollars. While my view is not shared by everyone, I feel strongly this can have a positive impact on our industry. The question that we have discussed for close to two years now, and most recently at the National HBPA Convention (audio is available on our website), is where do we go from here? As this new sports betting world moves forward, I would like to think the main goal for allowing state legislation permissive to sports betting is to minimize the illegal wagering dollars going off-shore or through local bookies and to allow that wagering to become legal bets within the United States. In my opinion, the first and key step is this: Racetracks, regulators and horsemen need to become very involved in state legislation efforts to make sure the racing industry gets access to sports betting licenses. Let’s back up a little bit and bring everyone up to speed. The state of New Jersey challenged the 1992 federal law banning sports betting outside Nevada, the law known as PASPA. New Jersey’s legal battle against the NCAA and the major pro sports leagues finally reached the Supreme Court in a case known as Murphy v. NCAA (formerly Christie v. NCAA). A decision was finally handed down on May 14. The decision primarily focused on states’ rights, and Justice Samuel Alito wrote in the opinion of the court, “The legalization of sports gambling requires an important policy choice, but the choice is not ours [the federal government’s] to make.” Part of the court’s basis for repealing PASPA is that there are no federal sports betting laws. The activity is governed under association with other statutes, including the interstate wagering provisions of the 1961 Wire Act. Prior to the May 14 ruling, PASPA simply prevented states from determining their own stance. The Supreme Court viewed that as commandeering, thus a violation of the 10th Amendment. However, Justice Alito went on to say, “Congress can regulate sports gambling directly, but if it elects not to do so, each state is free to act on its own.” This statement does leave the door open for Congress to potentially take the opportunity to regulate sports gambling. We saw this immediately when Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) announced his intentions to submit federal legislation that would provide overriding regulations. I have been following a betting legislation tracker that keeps up with the latest sports betting legislative developments and other sports betting regulation updates. You can go to the link of the map I use at sportshandle.com/legal-bettinglegislation-tracker. Now is the time to assess opportunities in legal sports wagering. The regulations supporting sports betting will certainly vary from state to state, and it will be critical for horsemen to work together with legislators, regulators, track operators and likely sports leagues to establish beneficial relationships moving forward. Horse racing, in anticipation of the decision, should continue to envision sports betting as a potential stimulus to our industry. Recently I read, “We would pursue [a sports book] at every one of our racetracks,” from Tim Ritvo, chief operating officer of The Stronach Group, even before the ruling came down on May 14. Some

states and organizations were well prepared for the decision and in earlier legislative sessions legalized sports betting within their statutes. Only some of these states include protections for horse racing. Protections for horse racing should be kept in mind because state legislation that fails to do so could cause negative effects in other states that choose to legalize sports betting. Remember that a majority of states would not have legalized gambling if it were not for the horse racing industry being present and established with gambling facilities in those states. Therefore, all horsemen and horsewomen owe it to our industry to be proactive in their state, and we must understand what is realistic and what is not as we approach the legalization and regulation of sports betting. Many of you are concerned—as am I—about the Interstate Horseracing Act (IHA), thinking that it may be subject to legal attack after this watershed event. While that could happen, we did receive some assurance from attorney Doug McSwain, who stated in a recent email that there are “many good legal reasons why the IHA remains constitutional notwithstanding the Murphy ruling. The IHA operates in a fundamentally different fashion, and that operational difference makes it perfectly constitutional irrespective of Murphy’s striking of PASPA. If anyone challenges the IHA’s constitutionality in court hereafter citing to the Murphy ruling, horsemen/women everywhere should remain vigilant in properly defending the IHA based upon its critical, operational differences from the PASPA law.” Wagering on horse racing, both on-site and simulcasting, must now proceed along with legalized betting on sports in other states besides Nevada. The IHA could very well be subjected to legal attack, and it is because of this that I urge our HBPA membership to become educated and fully understand sports betting and where things are going in your state. To me, it is imperative that each of us on the national and affiliate level be proactive in developing the new legislative landscape that will affect wagering and betting on all sports in order to preserve our racing industry as a whole. Here are a few points I believe need to be referenced when discussing sports betting as it relates to your state: • Review the current legislative landscape in your state. • Encourage sports betting to be regulated by your state’s racing commission. • Be proactive in shaping legislation and regulations in your state to benefit horsemen. • Coordinate with all racing industry groups within your state, and start strategic planning to be on the same page and unified before legislators. • Plan for an economic study that can aid in forecasting the sports betting market potential in your state. I truly believe if we work together and develop the act of legalized sports betting correctly, there should be no reason to dread sports betting or see it as the fall of wagering on horse racing. If we get involved now, I have confidence there will materialize a synergistic association that will benefit our horse racing industry and sports betting. However, I also truly believe that if we as horsemen are not diligent in laying the initial groundwork to bring sports betting to our states, it will most certainly come, and we will have been left behind. We all must make sure we fight for horse racing and our industry.

SINCERELY, ERIC J. HAMELBACK THE HORSEMEN’S JOURNAL

SUMMER 2018

THE

AFFILIATES

NATIONAL HBPA WOULD LIKE TO THANK ITS CORPORATE

SPONSORS

BOARD OF DIRECTORS - AFFILIATES Dr. David Harrington, Alabama Robert Hutton, Arizona Linda Gaston, Arkansas David Milburn, Canada Randy Funkhouser, Charles Town Kent Bamford, Colorado Dave Brown, Finger Lakes Stephen Screnci, Florida Eddie Essenpreis, Illinois Joe Davis, Indiana David McShane, Iowa Rick Hiles, Kentucky Benard Chatters, Louisiana George Kutlenios, Michigan Jack Walsh, Minnesota Jami Poole, Mountaineer Park Barry Lake, Nebraska Anthony Spadea, New England Joe Poole, Ohio David Faulkner, Oklahoma Sue Leslie, Ontario Ron Sutton, Oregon Sandee Martin, Pennsylvania Robert Jeffries, Tampa Bay Downs David Ross, Virginia Pat LePley, Washington

CONTRIBUTORS Rick Capone Dr. Clara Fenger Jennie Rees Peter Sacopulos Dr. Thomas Tobin PHOTOGRAPHERS Ackerley Images Laura Battles Denis Blake Rick Capone Coady Photography Coglianese Photos Horsephotos.com oksana – stock.adobe.com Reed Palmer Photography Cheryl Ann Quigley – stock.adobe.com SeanPavonePhoto – stock.adobe.com Sly – stock.adobe.com Jana Tetrault STAFF Denis Blake Editor P (512) 695-4541 hj@hbpa.org Jennifer Vanier Allen Advertising Director P (716) 650-4011 F (509) 272-1640 jallen@hbpa.org Limb Design www.limbdesign.com Graphic Design THE HORSEMEN’S JOURNAL 3380 Paris Pike Lexington, KY 40511 P (512) 695-4541 F (859) 259-0452 hj@hbpa.org HBPA WEBSITE: www.hbpa.org COVER PHOTO: kellyvandellen – stock.adobe.com

The opinions, representations and viewpoints expressed by the authors in the articles contained in The Horsemen’s Journal do not necessarily reflect the opinions, representations and viewpoints or the official policies or positions of The Horsemen’s Journal, National Horsemen’s Administration Corporation or National Horsemen’s Benevolent & Protective Association Inc. and its affiliates (collectively “HJ”). HJ is not responsible for, and expressly disclaims all liability for, damages of any kind arising out of use, reference to or reliance on any information contained within this issue. Information in this issue may become outdated due to the rapidly changing nature of the horse industry. The publication of any advertisements or articles should not be construed as an endorsement of any product, service or position unless specifically stated. The Horsemen’s Journal, Volume 65 #2. Postal Information: The Horsemen’s Journal (ISSN 0018-5256) is published quarterly by the National Horsemen’s Administration Corporation, with publishing offices at P.O. Box 8645, Round Rock, TX 78683. Copyright 2018 all rights reserved. The Horsemen’s Journal is the official publication for members of the Horsemen’s Benevolent & Protective Association, a representative association of Thoroughbred owners and

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trainers. HBPA is a non-profit 501(c)6 Kentucky corporation. Members receive The Horsemen’s Journal as a benefit of membership paid by the national office from affiliate dues. Annual non-member subscriptions are $14. Single-copy back issues, if available, are $7. Canadian subscribers add $6. All other subscriptions outside the U.S. add $20 payable in U.S. funds. To order reprints or subscriptions, call (866) 245-1711. The HBPA National Board of Directors has determined that the publication of this periodical is necessary in the transaction of the public business required of the association. Views and opinions expressed are those of the authors and/or advertisers and do not necessarily represent the opinion or policy of the publisher or HBPA board or staff. Query the editor prior to sending any manuscripts. Periodicals Postage Paid at Round Rock, Texas and additional mailing offices. CANADA POST: Publications mail agreement no. 41530527. Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to: P. O. Box 503, RPO West Beaver Creek, Richmond Hill, ON L4B 4R6. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Horsemen’s Journal, P.O. Box 911188, Lexington, KY 40591-1188.

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In praise of the unsung heroes There are outstanding people working at every level in the horseracing and breeding industry. Many of them work behind the scenes and are rarely recognized. The Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards reward those outstanding people at the heart of our industry. The awards are divided into six categories, with trophies for the winners and prize money totalling $128,000.

NOMINATIONS OPEN NOW. GO TO WWW.GODOLPHINUSAWARDS.COM FOR ALL THE CATEGORIES AND FULL DETAILS

NEWS

INDUSTRY NEWS

Justify’s Triple Crown Boosts Handle, Attendance Numbers

espite coming just three years after American Pharoah broke a 37-year Triple Crown drought, Justify’s winning performances in the Grade 1 Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes helped all three events post some impressive handle and attendance figures. Justify, owned in partnership by WinStar Farm, China Horse Club, Starlight Racing and Head of Plains Partners, won the 144th Kentucky Derby, worth COADY PHOTOGRAPHY/CHURCHILL DOWNS

JUSTIFY WINNING THE KENTUCKY DERBY

$2,192,000 this year, on a soggy May 5 afternoon before a crowd of 157,813, the eighth largest in Derby history. The big chestnut took command at the half-mile pole and roared away to a 2 ½-length victory over Good Magic under the lights at Churchill Downs. Justify became the first horse since Apollo in 1882 to win the Kentucky Derby without racing as a 2-year-old. He made his debut February 18, and only one other Derby winner broke his maiden at a later date—Brokers Tip, when he won the Derby on May 6, 1933. Justify also became the second horse in the past 100 years to win the Derby with only three career starts prior to the race, joining Big Brown in 2008.

The son of Scat Daddy gave trainer Bob Baffert his fifth Kentucky Derby victory and jockey Mike Smith his second. Baffert now trails only Ben Jones (six Derby wins). Baffert’s other victories came with Silver Charm (1997), Real Quiet (1998), War Emblem (2002) and Triple Crown winner American Pharoah (2015). Smith’s other Derby victory came in 2005 with Giacomo. Wagering from all sources was the highest all-time on both the Kentucky Derby Day program and on the Derby itself. Wagering from all sources on the Derby Day program totaled $225.7 million, an 8 percent increase over the 2017 total and previous record of $209.2 million. Wagering from all sources on the Derby increased 8 percent to $149.9 million from the previous record of $139.2 million set last year. All-sources handle for opening night of the Churchill meet on April 28, through Derby Day, May 5, rose to a new record of $311.2 million, up 9 percent from the previous record of $285.1 million set last year. Attendance for those five days was 375,346, up 7 percent over 2017. In the May 19, $1.5 million Preakness, Justify again battled the elements with rain, fog and a sloppy track but prevailed by a half-length at Pimlico Race Course. The Stronach Group and the Maryland Jockey Club announced that total handle on the 143rd Preakness card was $93,655,128 with a crowd of 134,487, both the third largest in Preakness history. Both figures were down from last year’s record totals of 140,327 in attendance and $97,168,658 in handle, which were achieved under more favorable weather conditions. The Belmont Stakes card, highlighted by Justify’s Triple Crown triumph, generated all-sources handle of $137,954,895, the second-highest one-day handle in NYRA history behind Belmont Stakes Day in 2014. With attendance of 90,327, on-track handle was $16,159,584. That wagering mark was up 1.6 percent from the total in 2015 when American Pharoah turned the trick. All-sources handle for the three-day Belmont Stakes Racing Festival was $168,975,295.

Churchill Downs Breeders’ Cup Tickets Now on Sale

he Breeders’ Cup has announced that tickets to the 2018 Breeders’ Cup World Championships at Churchill Downs on November 2-3 are available for purchase to the general public. The 2018 Breeders’ Cup will mark the ninth time that the sport’s most prestigious two-day racing event will be held under the historic Twin Spires, featuring 14 races and more than $30 million in purses and awards. Fans can purchase tickets online at breederscup.com/ tickets or by calling the box office at (877) 849-4287. Tickets are available for both days in grandstand, clubhouse and dining areas, as well as private hospitality areas through Breeders’ Cup Experiences, with add-ons like parties, ground transportation, VIP Fast Access Passes and hotel accommodations. Since the Breeders’ Cup was last held at Churchill Downs in 2011, the

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racetrack has invested more than $67 million in the facility to further elevate the experience for all fans and participants while also introducing new luxury seating and entertainment options. The improvements include clubhouse enhancements, additional suites, premium seating and the installation of the world’s largest 4K ultra-highdefinition “Big Board.”

Second IFAR Stresses Importance of Aftercare in Racing Industry

he second International Forum for the Aftercare of Racehorses (IFAR), held in May during the 37th Asian Racing Conference in Seoul, South Korea, concluded with discussions of global aftercare efforts and the significance of these efforts as part of the racing industry. With representatives from jurisdictions across Asia, Australia, New Zealand, the United States and the United Kingdom, the topic of responsibility for horses bred and raced around the world was unanimous. Lyndon Barends, the chief executive of the National Horseracing Authority of South Africa and the forum’s keynote speaker, stressed the significance of aftercare as being a priority to the racing industry. “Everyone in the racing and breeding industries derives their salary from the horse,” he said. “Aftercare cannot be an afterthought. It’s critical to the industry as a whole.” “Every jurisdiction in the racing industry should take steps to develop infrastructure to assist horses when they retire from racing, and IFAR is there to assist by providing insight, education and expertise,” said Di Arbuthnot, the chair of IFAR and the chief executive of Retraining of Racehorses, an aftercare organization in the U.K. Representatives from Japan and Korea spoke of the advances and newly developed work regarding aftercare of Thoroughbreds within the racing industries in their regions. Jock Hutchison of Horseback UK spoke of the intelligence and sensitivity of the Thoroughbred that makes it the ideal breed to assist war veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder. He noted that Thoroughbreds can be just as beneficial for humans as humans can be for Thoroughbreds. Erin Crady from Thoroughbred Charities of America described the efforts to rescue horses affected by Hurricane Maria and the means through which the organization was able to raise the necessary funds to assist these animals, while Martin Burns of New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing touched on the traceability of all Thoroughbreds and the importance of capturing data. He predicted that strong welfare guidelines will be in place in New Zealand by 2019. Godolphin’s head of global charity and one of the founders of IFAR, Diana Cooper, commented that “the horses we breed give us such pleasure, and they deserve a good life from cradle to grave. Aftercare is nonnegotiable.” At the Asian Racing Conference’s Equine Welfare seminar, Frances Nelson, the chair of Racing Australia, talked about Australia’s initiatives involving early foal registration and the emphasis on increasing the traceability of racehorses. James L. Gagliano, president and chief operating officer of The Jockey Club, delved into IFAR’s strategic goals and the significance of the Man O’ War Project, which aims to determine the effectiveness of equine therapy on helping military veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder. The 2018 IFAR conference was hosted by the Asian Racing Conference and proudly supported by Godolphin Lifetime Care and The Jockey Club. For more information on IFAR, visit internationalracehorseaftercare.com. For more information about the Asian Racing Conference, visit arcseoul2018.com.

First Digital Certificate of Foal Registration Issued

he Jockey Club announced in May that a colt by Pioneerof the Nile out of Mildly Offensive, born on February 19 at WinStar Farm, became the first foal to be issued a digital certificate of foal registration. The transition to digital foal certificates from hard copies begins with the 2018 foal crop and was first announced at the Round Table Conference on Matters Pertaining to Racing on August 14, 2016. Breeders, as well as those who act as agents for breeders, who do not have an interactive registration account should sign up for one at registry. jockeyclub.com so they can access their certificates of foal registration. “The initial rollout of digital certificates has gone well so far,” said Matt Iuliano, executive vice president and executive director of The Jockey Club. “We look forward to feedback from breeders and farm personnel as they register their foals.” Digital certificates of foal registration are expected to provide the following benefits:

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· Users will be able to access digital certificates at any time on computers and mobile devices. · Owners and agents will not have to worry about losing or damaging certificates. · Operations will be streamlined, whether in the racing office, on the sales grounds, while transporting horses internationally or when executing private transactions.

· Additional useful enhancements are expected to be rolled out in the future as various local and national racing entities incorporate their authentications to the certificate. “Overnight mail couriers may not be happy, but the digital foal certificates will save us a lot of money and time since we will no longer have to mail foal papers,” said Lisa Walker, farm secretary at Calumet Farm. Additional information is available at jockeyclub.com.

World Horse Racing Launched to Highlight Global Racing Festivals

new media company dedicated to telling the story of international Thoroughbred horse racing launched in May. World Horse Racing will give fans exclusive access to the thrills, glamour and culture of one of the world’s most enthralling sports. The new media brand is unique in being powered by four iconic racing festivals: Ascot and Goodwood racecourses in the United Kingdom, Breeders’ Cup in the United States and the Victoria Racing Club in Australia. Launched across the major social media networks, World Horse Racing aims to earn the respect of hardcore fans and attract sports enthusiasts who have yet to explore horse racing. World Horse Racing will focus on highlighting racing’s athletes and personalities—human and equine—along with the festivals that stage some of the sport’s largest spectacles. The authority and access afforded by its global network of founding partners will allow World Horse Racing to bring fans closer to the sport’s stars and offer innovative treatments of international Thoroughbred horse racing. World Horse Racing also will connect the sport’s stars with its fans by providing a platform for user-generated content. Coverage will be free to access on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube, along with an existing network of over a million people who follow the founding partner pages. “We already know horse racing is one of the most popular sports in the world,” said Ascot’s Chief Commercial Officer Juliet Slot, “but we felt there was real potential to tell our brilliant stories to a much wider audience. World Horse Racing gives us the perfect platform to reach a new generation of fans and give a more compelling and engaging story arc compared to standard news

coverage. All four of us have so many fascinating tales to tell and it’s these ‘Wow, I never knew that’ pieces of content that we’re looking to celebrate.” Breeders’ Cup Chief Marketing Officer Bryan Pettigrew said of the launch, “Breeders’ Cup continues to forge relationships and collaborate with international racing leaders to move the Thoroughbred industry forward. World Horse Racing is a prime example of the whole being greater than the sum of its parts. We anticipate a great partnership with Ascot, Flemington and Goodwood in promoting our sport on a global platform.” “Horse racing has always had the most incredible stories that sit behind the sport,” said Goodwood Managing Director Adam Waterworth, “and World Horse Racing will tell those stories to a new and wider audience. In recent years the sport has become increasingly global, and so it seems the perfect time for a collection of the world’s most important festivals to launch a new platform that will enrich the existing fans’ experience through some real behind the scenes and previously unseen content, as well as introduce racing to a new audience by focusing on the horses, the people and the sport.” World Horse Racing’s social media campaign will be produced and managed by Engage Digital Partners, which has a team of 80 staff in the U.K. and India with an on-ground presence in the Middle East, U.S., Argentina and Australia. Engage Digital Partners has an impressive sports pedigree, working with the likes of World Rugby, Major League Baseball, Godolphin, Arsenal FC and Vodafone. To find out more, search for World Horse Racing on social media or go to worldhorseracing.com.

Supreme Court Decision Paves Way for Sports Betting

n May 14, the Supreme Court released its opinion in Murphy v. National Collegiate Athletic Association, rejecting the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA), a federal statute that effectively banned sports gambling in most state jurisdictions. In a 6-3 opinion, the high court reversed a 2016 decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, which upheld the federal law. Importantly, the court affirmed Congress’ authority to regulate sports betting directly. However, the court struck PASPA on the grounds that the statute infringed on a state’s ability to authorize gambling within its jurisdiction, thereby violating the constitutional principle of dual sovereignty. The court stated that, in the event Congress doesn’t place direct regulations on gambling, states are free to enact betting laws as they see fit. “We have known that until today pari-mutuel wagering on horse racing

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was the only legal form of sports wagering available within the United States at physical locations as well as online,” said Eric Hamelback, CEO of the National HBPA. “As of today, the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act unconstitutional and now allows states to freely regulate sports betting. All stakeholders and horsemen in our industry must prepare for the challenges that may be ahead but also be willing to embrace opportunities that may arise from this expansion of sports betting.” In early June, Delaware Park, along with two of the state’s harness tracks, began accepting single-game sports wagers after previously being able to offer less popular parlay wagers. Monmouth Park in New Jersey, along with the state’s casinos in Atlantic City, are moving toward offering sports wagering soon, and other states are likely to follow. For more about sports betting and its possible impact on the racing industry, read Hamelback’s letter to the NHBPA membership on page 2. HJ

A DV ERT ISEMEN T

From Bleeding

to Winning

New Natural Approach Can Stop Bleeding In Its Tracks // BY MARK HANSEN

There it was again. A trainer’s worst nightmare. 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) wasn’t cutting it this time. The trainer was at a loss. What can be done? EIPH is a rough deal for any trainer, horse owner, and horse. After all, it can lead to poor performance, lost training days, costly treatments, or worse — a very sick horse that’s banned from racing for life. 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 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 the paste 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 race-day 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 Horsemen’s Journal readers: if you order BleederShield this month, you’ll receive $10 off your first order by using promo code HJ10 at checkout. You can order BleederShield today at www.BleederShield.com or by calling 800-557-9055. 1. Graham L. et al. J Vet Emerg Crit Care. 12:4 (2002) 279-282. 2. Graham L. Vet Clin North Am Equine Pract. 2006.

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NEWS

HBPA NEWS

LETTER TO THE EDITOR: THINGS I REMEMBER Have you ever visited a racetrack anywhere in this beautiful country of ours and run into an old racetracker you haven’t seen for years and wondered why is he still there? Why has life chosen to make that person a trainer living in his home near the racetrack, a jockey who has gained weight and still wakes every morning at 4:30 a.m. to hurry to the track and gallop horses, someone who serves as a steward for the meet or a groom living on the backside in a tack room? You walk through the barn area, and you see the hustle and bustle of horses and men and women scurrying everywhere with a horse on a lead in one hand and a sweat scraper in the other. You think this has to be the attraction, just the buzz of excitement that brings the racetrack alive. It is pretty easy to believe this is what keeps people there for years and years. If you pause for a minute, you can see some of the faces in your mind of old racetrackers who have passed on after doing the things here they seem to love so much. You can see the big smile of jockeys who have ridden for you and old grooms sitting in their tack rooms after the morning work. You can see why it would be an attraction that would be hard to leave. Have you ever watched the Kentucky Derby on TV and wondered what it would be like to own a horse in that race? Even though it is only a dream to most of us, it still brings back the memories of the backside and all the sights and sounds of the wonderful people and horses that have made it home to so many for so long. As you think of all these things that might draw you back, you think of

another thing that is always there to meet you each morning at the track. It is the amazing smell of horses being bathed and liniment being applied and working people, fresh straw and hay and the freshly piled manure ready to be hauled away to make compost for all of the things that grow. Then you know what it is that keeps drawing you back to the track. It is the wondrous smells all blended into a fragrance more pleasing and relaxing than any herb or flower. You wonder to yourself, will God’s gardens have this same beautiful smell? This is the one thing you never forget and is the same smell you can recall when you see a Derby horse galloping on the track on TV, even while you sit in your home far from the nearest track. Now I realize it is the smell you never forget and makes you feel at home at any racetrack in the world. And it is the heartstring that keeps pulling you back home.

Dannie Armstrong Warren, Ohio

The Horsemen’s Journal welcomes letters from horsemen. To submit a letter for consideration to be published, email it to hj@hbpa.org. Letters may be edited for length and clarity, and not all

ACKERLEY IMAGES

letters will be published.

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NATIONAL HBPA MISSION STATEMENT Founded in 1940, the National Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association (NHBPA) and its affiliates operate on behalf of Thoroughbred racehorse owners, trainers and backstretch personnel throughout the United States and Canada. Our mission is to improve and preserve Thoroughbred horse racing by: 1. Providing a representative voice for all Thoroughbred horsemen on matters integral to the advancement of Thoroughbred racing in the United States, Canada and at the state level. 2. Encouraging the highest standards of horsemanship to continuously improve the care, health and safety of the horse. 3. Facilitating guidelines to ensure the safety of the jockeys, trainers, grooms, exercise riders, hot walkers, farriers, veterinarians and all others who regularly come in contact with the racehorse.

5. 6.

Supporting the development, adoption, implementation and enforcement of nationwide uniform rules which promote safety and integrity in racing. Disseminating information on critical issues facing our industry to HBPA affiliates and to the general public as appropriate. Supporting and promoting programs and entities which provide general benevolence and other beneficial programs for affiliates and members. Assisting in the development of programs at affiliated tracks providing for the aftercare of our horses when their racing careers are over. Promoting the sport of Thoroughbred horse racing.

NATIONAL HBPA’S POSITION REGARDING THE REGULATION OF RACING MEDICATION 1.

5. 6.

commissions, and following an evaluation based on science and medical research with all industry stakeholders being heard, the rules should be adopted or rejected by a majority vote. The National HBPA contends that uniform medication rules must be based solely on published scientifically determined regulatory thresholds, with published scientifically determined withdrawal time guidelines, all based on and supported by data published in the scientific literature. The National HBPA believes that RMTC and ISO-17025 accredited laboratories should perform all medication testing. The National HBPA does not tolerate cheating in this sport. The NHBPA supports rules wherein repeat offenders of medication rules, after due process, should be severely penalized, including permanent expulsion from the industry. HJ

ACKERLEY IMAGES

The National HBPA’s focus has always been, and remains, the health and safety of the horse, the safety of the jockey, and the safety of all individuals coming into contact with the horse including grooms, hot walkers, trainers and veterinarians. The National HBPA believes a truly independent and transparent Racing Medication and Testing Consortium (RMTC) composed of industry stakeholders (including the NHBPA, The Jockey Club, the United States Trotting Association and Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association, among others) not dominated by any individual organization, with input from appropriate medical and veterinary professional bodies such as the American Association of Equine Practitioners, must be the final evaluator of medical and veterinary science. The National HBPA believes that RMTC approved medication rules should be reviewed by the Association of Racing Commissioners International on behalf of state racing

THE HORSEMEN’S JOURNAL

SUMMER 2018

ACKERLEY IMAGES

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NEWS

RESEARCH AND MEDICATION UPDATE

Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation Approves More Than $1 Million for Equine Research

The board of directors of the Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation has announced that, for the fourth consecutive year, it has authorized the expenditure of more than $1 million to fund veterinary research to benefit all horses. The 2018 allotment of $1,239,083 will fund 11 new projects at nine universities, seven continuing projects and two career development awards. “Our ability to report such a positive pattern results from the continuing generosity of individuals, associations and businesses that realize that improvements to horse health and soundness depend on expert equine veterinary research,” said Edward L. Bowen, president of New Projects (listed alphabetically by university) Thoroughbred Sales Radiology-Ultrasonography Study C. Wayne McIlwraith, Colorado State University This study will improve the industry’s understanding of the significance of sesamoiditis, ultrasonographic suspensory branch changes and stifle lucencies in sales yearlings and 2-year-olds. Development of Limited View 3D Imaging Chris Kawcak, Colorado State University The goal of this proposal is to develop a point-of-care, three-dimensional imaging technique that can be used to better characterize and prevent injuries in racehorses. Investigating Metabolic Stress and Viral Hepatitis Sabine Mann, Cornell University Researchers will study metabolic pathways and hepatic viral infection to find a relationship with maladaptation to training syndrome/high GGT (glutamyl-transferase) to help improve the health and performance of racehorses. Underlying Cause of Recurrent Exertional Rhabdomyolysis Stephanie Valberg, Michigan State University This project will study stress-induced modification to the skeletal muscle calcium release channel that forms the basis for tying up in Thoroughbreds and pinpoints a target for the development of effective new treatments. Host Factors Involved in EHM Pathogenesis and Latency Gisela Soboll Hussey, Michigan State University This project involves the development of tools to protect horses from equine herpesvirus-1 infection and to compare the immune responses in old and young horses to identify the mechanisms causing clinical equine herpesvirus myeloencephalopathy. AMPK Agonists and Insulin Dysregulation In Horses Teresa Burns, Ohio State University This project directly impacts the treatment of equine metabolic syndrome by assessing the efficacy of two drugs, metformin and acetylsalicylic acid, in the treatment of equine insulin dysregulation. Effects of Low-Dust Forage on Athletic Horses’ Lung Health Laurent Couetil, Purdue University This project seeks to provide a non-pharmaceutical solution to the widespread problem of equine asthma by evaluating the benefits of low-dust forage to athletic horses. Unraveling Complex Traits by Defining Genome Function 2 Carrie Finno, University of California, Davis The project involves developing an atlas of gene regulation in the horse. Firocoxib Properties on Equine Pregnancy and Placentitis II Margo Macpherson, University of Florida This project should provide a fundamental step toward determining if specific drugs (including firocoxibs) are performing expected functions, such as resolving inflammation, in pregnancies threatened by placentitis.

the foundation. “We salute the wisdom, generosity and dedication of all those donors.” The 2018 research slate brings Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation’s total since 1983 to more than $26 million to underwrite 358 projects at 43 universities.

Epidemiology of Drug-Resistant R. Equi at Horse Farms Steeve Giguere, University of Georgia Research is geared to determine if isolates of Rhodococcus equi highly resistant to antibiotics are widespread at horse breeding farms in Kentucky. Novel Analgesic Combination in Horses Alonso Guedes, University of Minnesota Researchers are developing a medication strategy for joint inflammation/pain that can provide pain relief as well as help protect the joint cartilage from damage caused by chemical mediators of inflammation. Ongoing Projects Evaluation of Kisspeptin and Pregnant Mares Christianne Magee, Colorado State University This proposal will allow us to gain insight as to how kisspeptins are involved in equine pregnancy and if they can serve as a biomarker for pregnancy compromise. Cytotoxic T-Cell Immunity to Equine Herpesvirus Type 1 Doug Antczak, Cornell University This research will develop critically needed knowledge about how the horse immune system responds to equine herpesvirus-1 vaccination and infection. Platelet Lysate Therapy in Infectious Arthritis Lauren Schnabel, North Carolina State University This proposal examines the antibacterial properties of platelets to treat joint infections in horses more effectively than conventional therapies, with the goal of reducing morbidity and mortality. Endocrinopathic Laminitis: Pathophysiology and Treatment James Belknap, Ohio State University This study will determine if continuous digital hypothermia is effective and therefore indicated in the management of endocrinopathic laminitis, the most common form of the disease. Host-Directed Control of R. Equi Foal Pneumonia, Part II Angela Bordin, Texas A&M University Researchers will use an inhaled product applied directly into the lungs to increase immune responses to protect foals against Rhodococcus equi, a bacterium that causes severe pneumonia in foals. Predicting the Risk of Equine Fatal Injury During Racing Tim Parkin, University of Glasgow The program is designed to use the Equine Injury Database to better predict and identify horses at greatest risk of fatal injury during racing and provide measures to further reduce the number of horses dying on North American racetracks. Bone Marrow Mononuclear Cells for Equine Joint Therapy Linda Dahlgren, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine The results from this study will pave the way to investigate a new cell therapy from equine bone marrow as a targeted regenerative therapy for horses suffering from arthritis.

The Storm Cat Career Development Award went to Dr. Stephanie Bond of the University of Calgary for a study titled “Airway Inflammation: On Pathogenesis and Performance.” The Elaine and Bertram Klein Career Development Award went to Jessica M. Gilbertie of North Carolina State University for a study called “Platelet Lysate Therapy in Infectious Arthritis.” Details on all the projects are at grayson-jockeyclub.org. HJ

THE HORSEMEN’S JOURNAL

SUMMER 2018

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NEWS

MEDICATION COMMITTEE CORNER

REGENERATIVE MEDICINE: GETTING HORSES BACK ON TRACK By Clara Fenger, DVM, PhD, DACVIM

acetrack veterinarians work hand in hand with trainers to maintain the health and peak athletic performance of the horses under their care. The musculoskeletal system of these elite athletes shares the same stresses as those of human elite athletes. Like their human counterparts, equine athletes are best suited for their jobs when they begin the process of modeling bone, muscle and ligaments while these structures are still developing. Just as we encourage our children to participate in sports for physical and mental development, beginning the training process for horses while they are still developing produces stronger bones and better neural connections. Research has borne this out, with horses that start as 2-year-olds making more starts and suffering fewer injuries than those who begin their careers as older horses. Studies have shown that exercise restriction for young foals can have negative lifelong effects on the strength and integrity of cartilage and bone. It is critical to a long and healthy athletic career that racehorses are trained as 2-year-olds when possible, while the bone is most able to adapt to the stresses of speed. Equine caretakers are responsible for ensuring that their athletes are in the best possible physical condition for competition; it’s a responsibility that exceeds even that of human athletes. Regenerative therapy plays an important role in that care, and some of the approaches that can aid in the return of equine athletes to competition after injury were presented at the North American Association of Racetrack Veterinarians Symposium in November. Discussion of regenerative therapies began with a presentation by the preeminent researcher on the effects of shockwave therapy on horses, Dr. Scott McClure. The benefits of shockwave therapy have been demonstrated in fracture healing, with treated bone showing greater bone density and less scar tissue formation. Using three treatments spaced three weeks apart, shockwave therapy has been shown to stimulate improved healing of saucer fractures, tibial stress fractures, condylar fractures and third carpal bone fractures in young Thoroughbreds. The shockwave stimulates proliferation and differentiation of osteoblasts, the cells in bone responsible for fracture healing and new bone production. Shockwave therapy produces similar benefits to other structures. Treatment of tendons and ligaments improves blood supply, enhancing the recruitment of fibroblasts and improving both the speed and quality of healing. Applying shockwave to skin and muscle wounds accelerated healing by an average of 15 days.

McClure pointed out that ascribing profound pain-killing properties to shockwave therapy is “a wildly inaccurate characterization of the modality.” While there is a mild analgesic effect for up to 48 hours, the primary effect of shockwave is to stimulate the production of cytokines, or endogenous messenger chemicals, by the body to encourage blood supply and recruit healing cells. The mechanical stimulus affects the cell membranes and intercellular space, even the DNA directly, causing the cells to react by changing protein and RNA (ribonucleic acid) production. The reaction to the pressure causes the production of cellular signals that stimulate the production of blood vessels. The new blood vessels bring nutrients to the region of injury, improving healing. “The beneficial effects of shockwave result from changes on a cellular level,” McClure said. “The analgesic effect is minimal, whereas the stimulation of healing subcellular factors provide benefits that pay off days to weeks later.” Cytokine production in regenerative medicine was discussed at length by the racetrack veterinarians at the meeting. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a regenerative modality that encourages the production of these cellular messenger molecules. Among the growth factors produced in PRP are those that attract stem cells and encourage their growth and differentiation into the appropriate cells required for healing. PRP has been used at length in the treatment of degenerative cartilage and torn tendons and ligaments. A novel application of the anabolic steroid hormone stanozolol also is being used in regenerative medicine. Tiny doses of the anabolic steroid, well below any amount that can induce anabolic effects on the horse, are injected into damaged joints, tendons and ligaments. This hormone acts similarly to PRP by stimulating the production of cytokines, recruiting stem cells and improving blood supply for more complete healing of injuries. This therapy shows great promise for conditions previously considered difficult to treat, or even commonly leading to permanent disability, such as osteochondral lesions (OCD) and palmar osteochondral disease (bone bruising). Surgery cannot be overlooked in the field of regenerative medicine. Even as these alternative treatments are showing great promise, surgery is still often indicated but can be used in concert with these other modalities. OCD lesions, particularly stifle cysts, have led more than a few horses to permanent disability. Dr. Chris Johnson shared his experiences with surgical screws across stifle cystic lesions and has had great success with this technique in gaining long-term soundness in young horses beset with this condition. HJ

“The beneficial effects of shockwave result from changes on a cellular level,” McClure said. “The analgesic effect is minimal, whereas the stimulation of healing subcellular factors provide benefits that pay off days to weeks later.”

THE HORSEMEN’S JOURNAL

SUMMER 2018

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AMERICAN RACEHORSE • SUMMER 2017 68

THE NATIONAL HBPA OFFICE IS

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SUMMER 2018

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FEATURE

ALPHABET SOUP

STILL BEATING THE ODDS

The Old Friends resident is benefiting from a new cancer treatment that is helping gray horses By Rick Capone

THE HORSEMENâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S JOURNAL

SUMMER 2018

ALPHABET SOUP (CENTER) DEFEATED CIGAR (OUTSIDE) AND LOUIS QUATORZE IN THE 1996 BREEDERS’ CUP CLASSIC (G1) AT WOODBINE; NOW THE 27-YEAR-OLD GRAY IS FIGHTING ANOTHER BATTLE.

It’s a quiet morning at Old Friends, the Thoroughbred retirement farm in Georgetown, Kentucky, and 27-year-old Alphabet Soup is enjoying the pensioner’s life. In a paddock across from the farm’s new barn, Alphabet Soup, a beautiful gray whose coat is now almost snow white, eats his breakfast, happily munching on some hay on one side of a rack, while his new buddy, Gorgeous George, an adorable donkey who recently arrived at the farm, grabs hay from the other side. The two have been inseparable since they were put in the paddock together. As is common for many gray horses, Alphabet Soup has cancerous melanoma, and with it, several tumors on his body. But thanks to the wonders of medical science, his condition has improved greatly in the past couple of years. And it’s not the first time he’s beaten the odds. Twenty-two years ago at Woodbine, Alphabet Soup, at odds of nearly 20-1, faced off against the great Cigar—the odds-on favorite—in the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1). The race was a classic in every sense of the word. Alphabet Soup, Cigar and that year’s Preakness Stakes (G1) winner Louis Quatorze hit the stretch together, battling for the lead. Alphabet Soup, trained by David Hofmans and ridden by Chris McCarron, was in third, between the other two foes. On his inside was Louis Quatorze, ridden by Pat Day, and Cigar with Jerry Bailey in the irons was to his outside. Three Hall of Fame jockeys asked their mounts for everything they had to win the biggest race of the year. In the end, a courageous Alphabet Soup took the lead and held on to win by a nose over Louis Quatorze, while Cigar finished third by a head. The teletimer further evidenced the quality of the race, with the 1 1/4 miles clocked in track record time of 2:01. Alphabet Soup raced only once more, finishing second in the San Antonio Stakes (G2) at Santa Anita the following February. The son of Cozzene was retired to stud with a record of 24-10-3-6 and earnings of nearly

THE HORSEMEN’S JOURNAL

SUMMER 2018

LAURA BATTLES

ALPHABET SOUP FOLLOWS HIS BUDDY GORGEOUS GEORGE, A DONKEY WHO RECENTLY ARRIVED AT THE FARM, AROUND THEIR PADDOCK AT OLD FRIENDS. WATCHING THE PAIR INTENTLY OVER THE FENCE ARE FIGHTING CITY HALL (LEFT) AND DANTHEBLUEGRASSMAN.

$3 million. His stallion career, which started at Adena Springs in Kentucky and included stints in Florida, New York and Ontario, was solid if unspectacular. In 2015, the then 24-year-old was pensioned to Old Friends. Now, even though his Breeders’ Cup win is more than two decades in the past and his final crop of foals is on the track, he is making an impact in another way.

THE CURSE OF GRAY HORSES According to Dr. Bryan Waldridge of Park Equine Hospital at Woodford in Versailles, Kentucky, melanoma, or cancer of the skin’s pigment cells, is most common on a horse’s hind end. However, it also can occur in other spots, such as at the base of the tail (as is the case with Alphabet Soup), on the perineum around the rectum, on sheaths on males or near the parotid salivary gland at the throat line. “In horses, it is rarely malignant,” said Waldridge, who is also the chief equine veterinarian for Old Friends. “It is what is called locally invasive. So where it is [located on the horse], it causes trouble, but it doesn’t tend to go other places. Whereas in humans, it tends to be a malignant cancer. In dogs, it [also] tends to be malignant. “On these gray horses—usually they start out darker and they turn white—so as they turn white, [doctors and medical professionals] believe there’s a change in the melanocyte—the cell that makes that pigment; it makes it more likely to become cancerous over time. It’s not UV light exposure and things like that as it is in humans.” Waldridge originally tried cimetidine, an anti-ulcer drug that has been shown to stimulate the immune response to melanomas, on Alphabet Soup. The horse is still on the medication, but his condition was starting to get a little worse, so the veterinarian began looking at other treatment options.

A NEW APPROACH After reading about the IFx-VET multi-indication cancer vaccine, a new immunotherapy produced by Veterinary Oncology Services–Morphogenesis in Tampa, Florida, Waldridge thought it might be worth trying on Alphabet Soup. He discussed it with Michael Blowen, president and founder of Old Friends, and Blowen gave the go-ahead. 24

“Dr. Waldridge approached us and said they’re doing this experimental work with immune therapy for horses down in Florida, and [Alphabet Soup] might be a good candidate for it,” Blowen said. “My attitude was ‘Of course!’ because we always try to do what’s best for all these horses.” Blowen then called Adena Springs to explain the procedure they were going to try on Alphabet Soup, which led to a wonderful surprise. “It was going to be a fairly expensive procedure,” Blowen recalled. “We would have raised the money, but I called over to Adena Springs and talked to Frank Stronach’s people, and they paid for the whole procedure. So it was full speed ahead.” According to Waldridge, the way the procedure works is that they take a sample of the horse’s cancerous tumor (melanoma cells), grow the cells in a lab and then put a bacterial antigen on them. The resulting vaccine is then injected into the horse. The antigen turns on the horse’s immune system by telling it that the cancerous cells don’t belong there. The horse’s immune system then attacks the cancerous cells in the tumors, and if all goes well, the size of the tumors is reduced or they are cleared up completely.

RESULTS TO DATE Waldridge began the treatment on Alphabet Soup about two years ago, and to date, he has seen a 75 percent to 80 percent reduction in the size of the tumors. “I haven’t looked at it in a while, but it was, I’d say, an 80 percent reduction,” Waldridge said. “That is way more that you usually get. … It’s incredible to me.” Added Blowen, “Oh, it’s amazing. They were almost the size of softballs, those three tumors, and now they’re the size of golf balls. And Alphabet Soup’s disposition has improved immeasurably. He’s a really kind horse. He’s really, really sweet. Before, he was sweet, but he was a little bit standoffish, and I think it was because those things were really bothering him. It worked out for everybody, and if we ever get another horse in similar conditions, I wouldn’t hesitate to do the same procedure over again.” According to Waldridge, Veterinary Oncology Services–Morphogenesis believes this treatment also can be used on other cancers, and it is also possible it might be adaptable to be used in humans some day.

THE HORSEMEN’S JOURNAL

SUMMER 2018

RICK CAPONE

DR. BRYAN WALDRIDGE, THE EQUINE VETERINARIAN AT OLD FRIENDS WHO TRIED A NEW CANCER TREATMENT ON ALPHABET SOUP, SHARES A MOMENT WITH THE PENSIONED STALLION.

LIFE AT THE FARM TODAY Thanks to this new medical treatment, Alphabet Soup is not only living a much more comfortable life but he’s also getting more face time with his fans. “He’s great with his fans,” Blowen said. “He loves it. He’s out during the day, and then he come in around four o’clock. And he always sticks his head out the window. He does a fabulous impersonation of Mr. Ed when the carrots go by.” The other reason Alphabet Soup sticks his head out the window is to see his buddy Gorgeous George, who stays in the paddock and is usually bellowing for his friend, while the classy gray neighs back in return. Joked Tim Wilson, Old Friends’ farm manager, “Every day, Alphabet Soup comes in for the night and breaks the heart of that little guy.” Another horse does spend the night in the paddock with Gorgeous George, but it just isn’t the same for the little donkey. But no worries, early each morning Alphabet Soup comes back out, and the two are happily reunited and enjoy another day together.

“He’s a great horse,” Blowen said. “We show a video [before each tour, which includes] that ’96 Breeders’ Cup Classic when he beat Cigar and Louis Quatorze. So people get to see him run, and then they get to see him and feed him carrots every day.” Alphabet Soup was never “supposed” to be a great horse—he twice went through the sales ring and didn’t meet his reserve, with the bidding stopping at less than $30,000—and few thought he could beat Cigar that afternoon outside of Toronto. But he was, and he did, and now he’s beating the odds again and perhaps showing the way for other horses in the future to battle melanoma. HJ

Rick Capone is a freelance writer in Versailles, Kentucky, just down the road from Keeneland. He is also a volunteer at Old Friends, where he is part owner with friends Michael Blowen and Tim Ford of Miss Hooligan, a loveable retired mare at the farm.

RICK CAPONE

For more information about IFx-VET, contact

Veterinary Oncology Services–Morphogenesis at (813) 877-7896 or visit morphogenesis-inc. com/veterinary-oncology or ifx-vet.com.

For more information about Old Friends or

to make a tour reservation or a donation, call

(502) 863-1775 or go to oldfriendsequine.org.

THE HORSEMEN’S JOURNAL

SUMMER 2018

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FEATURE

EMBRACING THE RACE A PASSIONATE SUPPORTER OF HORSE RACING IS TRYING TO RAISE THE SPORT’S PROFILE

COURTESY MIKE DEANZERIS

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MILLENNIALS AT SARATOGA RACE COURSE ARE SPORTING THE EMBRACE THE RACE HATS.

THE HORSEMEN’S JOURNAL

SUMMER 2018

consumer saying, ‘Man, I know racing has its ups and downs and ins and outs, but at the end of the day, it’s a wonderful intangible, tangible thing that people aspire to be a part of.’ We want to give people a way to express that through our brand.” DeAnzeris grew up in Connecticut, and while his dad and granddad were casual fans, he certainly did not grow up in a racing environment. He played college baseball as a shortstop for Villanova. “I was a good player on great teams. It was a wonderful experience. I walked on and then earned a scholarship and was captain. I think probably to a large extent I’m shaped by that experience and sort of what it takes to achieve at high levels.” DeAnzeris entered the business world in trade and consumer marketing, ad sales and brand consulting in Boston. A client brought him to Albany, where he met his future wife, Jill, at Saratoga Race Course during a mutual client event. DeAnzeris fell in love with Jill, the track and the sport. They married in 2005 and have two children, 11-year-old Sophia and 8-year-old Michael, with DeAnzeris

COURTESY MIKE DEANZERIS

ike DeAnzeris would be an outstanding motivational speaker or preacher had his calling not been media marketing. As it is, profession merged with passion in his Embrace the Race line of racing apparel, jewelry and accessories that range from umbrellas and belts to dog collars, tote bags and duffels. DeAnzeris, who in June opened an Embrace the Race store in downtown Saratoga Springs, New York, is not just selling racing merchandise. He’s selling the fervor, heart and spirit of Thoroughbred racing. In fact, you could call him an evangelist for the sport. “I just connected in my mind and in my heart all the intangible things that people want to be a part of,” DeAnzeris said. “We believe in the aspiration for excellence … of everybody connected with horses pushing for something bigger, greater, never-ending.” Embrace the Race is just one of DeAnzeris’ trademarked phrases for his merchandise line, others being “the exclusive provider of The Apparel for the Horse Racing Lifestyle” and “the Official Apparel of Horse Racing.” Other DeAnzeris sayings include “One Passion. One Sport. One Brand.” and “Wear What You Love.” Greeting cards don’t have anything on embracetherace.com as far as inspiration goes, with the website bearing slogans like “A Magical Connection … Human and Horses unite producing everlasting emotions and memories, EMBRACE It.” There is also this: “What does it mean to you? It’s a power and aura that moves you. Visual, emotional, transcendent. This is the world of EMBRACE THE RACE.” And this: “The Passion of Horse Racing. The timeless sense of opportunity and possibilities. The allure and pursuit of achievement. The memories and moments that form a never-ending bond among those who share the experience.” “We put forth the brand we feel that everyone in racing can be proud of,” said DeAnzeris, whose company contributes and donates product to many industry causes. “I am very much a part of the industry, but I still look at it from a

MIKE AND JILL DEANZERIS FELL IN LOVE WITH RACING AT SARATOGA.

COURTESY MIKE DEANZERIS

THE EMBRACE THE RACE STORE IN SARATOGA SPRINGS IS ALONGSIDE OTHER HIGH-PROFILE RETAILERS ON BROADWAY.

coaching both kids’ hockey teams as well as his son’s baseball team. “When I moved to Saratoga, I very quickly realized a lot of great things about horse racing,” he said. “I followed it, and I was a fan, but I didn’t know that there was this massive industry on the B2B [business-to-business] side, nor did I understand the extent of the reach of the horse racing experience into the consumer world. “We decided to raise our family in town,” he continued. “I went to the racetrack, bought part of a couple of horses, just got to know much more about it. With me being a brand person, a marketing person, a sports background, it sort of all started coming together. I would go to meetings and want to give a racing thing as a gift, and I wanted to wear a racing thing when I’d go play golf. There are some great things that I’d call singular events—a track, a race, a horse—but there wasn’t a brand I could find that exemplified the racing experience. Through a series of events, we created Embrace the Race. I actually used the phrase ‘embrace the race’ in an email on a plane to a friend of mine. And it’s so true.” The distinctive Embrace the Race logo depicting a running horse and rider is made of nine curving strokes representing segments of the industry: breeder, owner, trainer, jockey, hotwalkers and grooms and other support staff, fans, handicappers, horses and tracks and wagering. In that regard, Embrace the Race is a fitting industry partner with the National HBPA, acknowledging and paying tribute to the village it takes to build a racehorse. “What I like about Embrace the Race, Mike and his family and putting together this operation is that they believe and they urge people to understand the Thoroughbred industry as an experience,” said Eric Hamelback, CEO of the National HBPA. “It’s unique and a wonderful thing in which to participate. They’ve become what I would call a brand for racing. I just feel their ability to capture that and express that through their logo and for them to be involved, they’re obviously fans, enthusiasts. 30

“The message from them is a great one for the industry,” Hamelback continued. “Because we all need to be more proactive about embracing this industry for what it is, for the love of the sport, for having the unique and special ability to work in this industry. For some who don’t necessarily understand it or live it, when they get in it, then they understand that it’s not just an industry. It’s not just a job. It’s a way of life. Embrace the Race gets that. That to me is what makes them special.” Here’s what DeAnzeris said about the horsemen of the National HBPA: “I look at it as a collection of very passionate people who are serious and committed to their industry, and those are the people that we want our brand to be connected with.” Embrace the Race has gone from an office with online retailing to a store with international business to a showcase brick-and-mortar location at 327 Broadway in the heart of Saratoga Springs. DeAnzeris said the store will be a “complete brand destination.” When it was suggested that it sounds like a horse-racing microcosm of L.L. Bean’s signature retail shop in Freeport, Maine, he agreed. “You don’t just come to shop; you come to immerse yourself in the experience,” he said. According to DeAnzeris, he and Jill have put their heart and soul into the business, but it has been a logical progression to this destination rather than it being their initial intention. “We didn’t set out to create an apparel brand,” he said. “I set out to sort of embody all of that passion about racing and it evolved into an apparel brand. I used the phrase and then said, ‘I just want a really great logo to go with a great phrase. I don’t know how we’ll monetize it. Just create something that is great, cool, and you put your heart and mind into it and worry about monetizing it later.’ ” DeAnzeris retains a consulting business with Embrace the Race, a full-time venture that includes customizing merchandise with logos, silks or THE HORSEMEN’S JOURNAL

SUMMER 2018

COURTESY MIKE DEANZERIS

THE EMBRACE THE RACE LOGO INCLUDES NINE CURVING STROKES REPRESENTING ALL SEGMENTS OF THE INDUSTRY.

THE REASON WHY WE DO IT IS WE’RE VERY PROUD OF THE INDUSTRY WE’RE PART OF AND EXTREMELY PROUD TO REPRESENT IT. —Mike DeAnzeris

THE HORSEMEN’S JOURNAL

SUMMER 2018

stable names. He is supportive of numerous racing organizations, frequently supporting charitable ventures with donated products. Embrace the Race is a sponsor of the Lexington-based Horse Racing Radio Network (HRRN) as well as a founding sponsor of the Thoroughbred Owner Conference and a supporter of the Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation, the Maryland Horse Industry Foundation’s Maryland Thoroughbred Career Program and “countless retirement initiatives,” DeAnzeris said. “The reason why we do it is we’re very proud of the industry we’re part of and extremely proud to represent it,” he said. “Getting involved with industry events, you can do right by doing good and help people find out about your brand. The racing industry is probably one of the most charitable industries you could be a part of. If you have an opportunity to help raise some money, to help a program take off so that new people can get involved in the industry, we want to be a part of that.” Mike Penna, HRRN’s president and co-founder, hooked up with Embrace the Race through Sean Clancy, an HRRN analyst/trackside reporter who is publisher of the Saratoga Special, in which DeAnzeris advertises. Embrace the Race provides cool items for guests on HRRN’s popular Saturday morning show, “Equine Forum.” “His whole philosophy when he started Embrace the Race was to create a brand that said you are a fan of the sport of horse racing—not just any one horse or any one trainer or any one jockey,” Penna said. “That’s all kind of rolled into it but more you’re fan of the entire sport. That’s the basis of everything he’s done. He put a ton of thought and money into that logo. He takes it a step further and talks about the passion of horse racing. It doesn’t matter what level it’s on, whether a groom or someone working on a farm or a guy like Todd Pletcher or Bob Baffert or an owner. It’s all tied into one, and everyone has that passion and love for the sport.” HJ

Prepare Your Future

CHAMPION at

Kentucky Oaks heroine and America’s leading 3-year-old filly Monomoy’s Girl prepared for her 2-year-old season training at Ellis Park. A lot of our good 2-year-olds were there last year, and will be again this year. It’s a great track surface. — Brad Cox, trainer of Kentucky Oaks winner Monomoy’s Girl and leading trainer at the Fair Grounds and Keeneland this year

Lookin At Lee, the 2017 Kentucky Derby runner-up and leading contender for the Grade 1 Stephen Foster Handicap, spent the summer of 2016 training and racing at Ellis Park. The young horses do well there and have gone on to have a lot of success. — Steve Asmussen, trainer of Lookin At Lee and who prepared graded-stakes horses Dream Baby Dream and Title Ready at Ellis Park last summer

Ellis Park Runs JULY 1 THROUGH LABOR DAY, FRIDAYS-SUNDAYS, PLUS JULY 4, 5 AND SEPT. 3. (No live races on Saturday, Sept. 1)

Ellis Park: Something for every stable • Purses scheduled to average a record $230,000 a day • Ten stakes, including four $100,000 turf stakes Aug. 5 on Kentucky Downs Preview Day • Grade 3, $100,000 Groupie Doll for fillies and mares at a mile Aug. 12 • $75,000 Ellis Park Juvenile and $75,000 Ellis Park Debutante at 7 furlongs Aug. 19 • Maiden and claiming races offering among the Midwest's best summer purses

Eclipse Award champions and/or Breeders’ Cup winners Boston Harbor, Lawyer Ron, Cat Thief and Caressing came out of Ellis Park’s 2-year-old racing program. So did Grade 1 winners Daddys Lil Darling, Brody’s Cause, On Fire Baby, Java’s War, Keen Ice, Noble’s Promise, Outofthebox, Pure Clan, Pure Fun, Request for Parole, Richter Scale and Turallure, as well as multiple graded-stakes winners Repent, Hurricane Bertie, Judge TC, Mountain Cat, Kathmanblu, Mi Cielo and Dothraki Queen. I like to try to test my young horses going long as early as possible. I’m comfortable getting their maiden out of the way at Ellis Park. There’s a nice list of graded stakes horses that came out of there. — Daddy’s Lil Darling trainer Kenny McPeek, who has launched at least seven Grade 1 horses out of Ellis Park 2-year-old program

Stall space remains available, with free stabling through mid-October. For more information or to request stalls, contact racing secretary Dan Bork at 812-425-1456 or dan.bork@ellisparkracing.com.

3300 US-41 N, Henderson, KY 42420 - www.EllisParkRacing.com /EllisParkRacing

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n the early years, the sport of horse racing seemed simple. There was no simulcasting, discussion appropriate strategies, super testing or betting direct computer n the early of years, the sportmarketing of horse racing seemed simple. There was noviasimulcasting, links. Thereofwas no NTRA, THA, TOC, TOBA, UTTA, AQHA or other organizations discussion appropriate marketing strategies, super testing or betting via direct computer representing horsemen’s interests. links. There was no NTRA, THA, TOC, TOBA, UTTA, AQHA or other organizations representing horsemen’s interests. Horsemen have a habit of taking care of their own. If someone was sick or down on his luck, they “passed the have hat,”ataking uptaking collections, a time-honored tradition racetrackers. Horsemen habit of care ofwhich their is own. If someone was sick oramong down on his luck, they “passed hat,” up collections, whichof is committed a time-honored tradition amonginto racetrackers. It was inthe 1940 in taking New England that a group horsemen brought existence what known as the National Benevolent horsemen and Protective Association. From It wasisinnow 1940 in New England thatHorsemen’s a group of committed brought into existence this has developed into anProtective organization representing the whatmeager is nowbeginning known as the the National National HBPA Horsemen’s Benevolent and Association. From horsemen’s onthe a myriad of issues. this meagerinterests beginning National HBPA has developed into an organization representing the horsemen’s on a myriad30,000 of issues. Today, thereinterests are approximately owner and trainer members throughout the United States Canada focused on a30,000 common goal—the betterment of racing on all the levels. Today,and there are approximately owner and trainer members throughout United Statesthis andpurpose Canada in focused commonand goal—the betterment of racing on the all levels. With mind,on weawelcome encourage all horsemen to join National we urgeweour members take an active role in the With thisHBPA, purposeand in mind, welcome andtoencourage all horsemen todirection join the and policies of our organization. It is we oururge members who make a difference. National HBPA, and our members to take an active role in the direction and policies of our horsemen organization. It isNational our members who make a difference. We are the HBPA. We horsemen are the National HBPA.

We are Leading into the Future and we are…… Horsemen Helping Horsemen We are Leading into the Future and we are…… Horsemen Helping Horsemen The National HBPA Inc. EricNational Hamelback, CEO The HBPA Inc. Phone: 859-259-0451 • Toll Free: 866-245-1711 • Eric Hamelback, CEOEmail: ehamelback@hbpa.org 3380 Paris Pike • Email: ehamelback@hbpa.org Phone: 859-259-0451 • Toll Free: 866-245-1711 Lexington, KYPike 40511 3380 Paris Website: www.hbpa.org Lexington, KY 40511 Facebook: www.facebook.com/NationalHBPA Website: www.hbpa.org• Twitter: @nationalhbpa Facebook: www.facebook.com/NationalHBPA • Twitter: @nationalhbpa

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SUMMER 2018

THE POWER OF

SOCIAL MEDIA HOW THE KENTUCKY HBPA IS USING SOCIAL MEDIA TO SPREAD THE WORD ABOUT RACING By Jennie Rees

ven if you don’t use social media, you probably understand its significance in today’s society, particularly for the younger generation. Sure, social media is a much different form of communication than radio, TV and even websites, but it’s also quite similar in that it influences what and how people think about almost everything, from politics to world issues to sports. So how can horsemen use social media to help promote the sport to both the media and the general public? The Kentucky HBPA launched a YouTube channel this spring, using the platform to host videos of horsemen and horses with the goal of promoting Kentucky owners, trainers and racing. As part of that mission, the content is available to the media to use in any appropriate fashion. In my role as communications specialist for the Kentucky HBPA, I posted interviews with horsemen and videos of horses leading up to the Kentucky Derby and Oaks and then did the same leading up to the Preakness and Belmont stakes. The videos are posted at youtube.com/kyHBPA, which makes it easy for me or anyone else to send and share the content with media outlets across the country. This is important because the media of today is not like the media of yesteryear, and most outlets have few, if any, staff who are familiar with horse racing. Thankfully, members of the mainstream and trade media are becoming increasingly aware of this content and that it is provided as a courtesy of the Kentucky HBPA. The content has been used for TV, radio and social media as well as by writers simply seeking quotes for stories. We also target markets, such as Louisiana, where there is an overlap with Kentucky among horsemen, trying to fill a void for media who will use such localized content if made available but don’t have the resources or expertise to get it themselves. In a sign that this is working, the FOX TV affiliate in New Orleans requested video of Lone Sailor, trained by New Orleans native and Kentucky-based trainer Tom Amoss, heading into the Preakness. WHAS radio in Louisville used audio from the same video. It’s a win-win for everyone involved. Obviously, we cannot and do not try to be a full-fledged news service, but these videos, which are shot on an iPhone that has quality suitable for television broadcasting, help fill a void for some media while also publicizing our horsemen. The videos also send a powerful message that the Kentucky HBPA is a proactive, progressive organization working hard to get racing in the spotlight and to be part of the solution. Our #KyDerbyKids social media initiative—having sons and daughters of Derby and Oaks participants share their experiences by tagging #KyDerbyKids on Twitter and this year Instagram as well— went into year three. Jane Motion, the daughter of trainer Graham Motion, enjoyed participating so much in 2017 that she wanted to be involved this year even though her dad wasn’t in the Derby. Jane, who worked for NBC Sports as a production assistant Derby weekend, launched our Instagram account, @DerbyKidsKY. We’re still learning about the best way to structure the THE HORSEMEN’S JOURNAL

SUMMER 2018

MOTION

COURTES Y JANE

NE MOTION COURTESY JA

and Travis Foley, himself in our target age group. The major investment in this #KyDerbyKids campaign to enterprise is sweat equity. its greatest effect, but the Certainly having the world’s most famous race in our backyard helps a bit reception has been very good when launching a social media campaign, but the basics of this effort can work and the future looks bright just about anywhere. While it might not be the same as free publicity, social for this being one way to try media comes pretty close. An impactful social media strategy takes time and to engage with the younger effort but not a lot of money. generation. Whether you are a trainer trying to reach new owners, an owner just trying On that front, we’re to raise the profile of racing or an HBPA affiliate trying to highlight all the launching a new venture in positive things happening in your state or province, social media can help. And 2018 under the Kentucky if you don’t have the expertise yourself, reach out to the younger generation and HBPA banner to attract engage them in the effort. HJ 20- and 30-somethings to horse racing with the working name GenNextRacing. I’m teaming with 23-year-old University of Kentucky graduate R.J. Condren, who is president of the North Oldham High School R ER OF TRAINE THE DAUGHT N, TIO C MO Alumni Association, to NB NE JA D AS AN N WHO WORKE NG RI GRAHAM MOTIO DU stage social events at T STAN UCTION ASSI CHED SPORTS PROD UN LA , ND which young adults can KE RBY WEE KENTUCKY DE INSTAGRAM ’S PA HB learn about racing in a KY THE KENTUC ERBYKIDSKY. @D T, UN fun environment. We’re CO AC keying in on the greater Louisville area, at least as the starting point. R.J.’s mom is a close friend, and we previously led a parallel grassroots initiative that sought to demystify horse racing for women. R.J. is a real go-getter who loves horse racing and is working on having members of the Young Professionals Association of Louisville out to Churchill Downs for a Thursday Happy Hour featuring a 5 p.m. first post. Churchill Director of VIP Services Gary Palmisano is enthusiastic and said the track could offer the spacious second-floor balcony overlooking the paddock as the venue. We’d have people on hand who could explain how to read the program, how to place a bet or the basics of handicapping on a one-on-one or small-group basis amid what will essentially be a party atmosphere. Horsemen and jockeys will be brought by for the group to meet. We plan to work with Brown-Forman Assistant Master Distiller Elizabeth McCall—at 33 one of the youngest female distillers in the country and herself an equestrian—on an event that combines learning about racing and bourbon, and we’re working on organizing a trip to the races and/or backside for University of Louisville students. R.J. and I will take advantage of the expertise of Kentucky HBPA board THIS PH OTO OF P ROMINE members Mark Bacon of Brown-Forman NT OWN BRO UGHT A

TOUCH O F

ER SOL K UMIN’S KIDS WA GOOD LU S A HIT O CK TO K N INSTA ENTUCK WHOM K GRAM AN Y OAKS (G UMIN OW D PERHA 1) WINN NS IN PA ER MON PS RTNERS OMOY GIR HIP. L,

THE HORSE-

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2017 Indiana Horse of the Year • Bucchero (Kantharos – Meetmeontime, by General Meeting) Breeder: Southern Chase Farm Inc./Karen Dodd Owners: Ironhorse Racing Stable LLC Trainer: Tim Glyshaw • Jockey: Fernando De La Cruz 2017 Earnings: $326,875 ($44,740 in Indiana Breeder Incentives) Li Lifetime Earnings: $770,741 ($131,434 in Indiana Breeder Incentives) Grade 2 Stakes Winner • 2017 Record: 8 4-1-0

2017 Breeders of the Year Michael & Penny Lauer Michael Lauer Racing Stables 2017 Earnings: $1,653,905 ($187,475 in Indiana Breeders Incentives)

2017 Stallion Owners of the Year Swifty Farms Seymour, Indiana 2017 Stallion Awards: $75,455 (Pass Rush)

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FEATURE

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SUMMER 2018

TRACE-LEVEL IDENTIFICATIONS ARE NOT POSITIVES THE SCIENTIFICALLY CORRECT AND PUBLIC RELATIONS-APPROPRIATE APPROACH TO MEDICATION REGULATION By Clara Fenger, DVM, PhD, DACVIM; Peter Sacopulos; and Thomas Tobin, MVB, MRCVS

CHERYL ANN QUIGLEY – STOCK.ADOBE.COM

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SUMMER 2018

ensational headlines sell advertising for media outlets. In horse racing, the words “drug positives” are a prime example and may help generate attention for websites, blogs and print media, but they also can create a public relations dilemma for the industry. Time and again, irrelevant trace levels of substances found in racehorses are reported as drug positives, making headlines that lead lay readers to shake their collective heads: “if only horse racing could eliminate the endemic problem with drugs.” The facts are sharply different and would not sell a single newspaper or generate any online clicks. The problem is that horse racing has the most highly advanced and sensitive drug testing on earth. Period. Horse racing boasts the longest established drug testing program on this planet, with drug testing in horses beginning more than a century ago. Racehorse drug testing has always been at the leading edge of testing technologies, and improvements are constantly being undertaken. Since Dancer’s Image won the 1968 Kentucky Derby and then was disqualified for a trace-level positive of (then-impermissible) phenylbutazone, the sensitivity of equine testing has increased one-billion-fold, and there has never been another Kentucky Derby positive. This marked improvement in the sensitivity of drug testing in horse racing has not come without a price. An inevitable side effect of this one-billion-fold increase in testing sensitivity is the identification of irrelevant, trace levels of the almost 1,000 foreign substances classified by the Association of Racing Commissioners International (ARCI).

ARCI UNIFORM CLASSIFICATION GUIDELINES FOR FOREIGN SUBSTANCES

The ARCI has recognized nearly 1,000 substances that may be identified in a horse’s post-race test and classified them according to their potential to influence the horse’s performance, including the appropriateness of their use in the horse. The classifications are shown in Table 1. A key point implied but not expressly stated in the guidelines is that these foreign substances have been classified according to their potential effects on the horse when they are present in the horse in sufficient amount to exert an effect during the race. In other words, size matters. The size of the dose and the size of the blood level determines the effect, just as much or more than the identity of the drug.

THERAPEUTIC MEDICATIONS AS FOREIGN SUBSTANCES

Racehorses, as living, breathing animals, share the same organ systems and physiologic processes as humans. They fall ill; they become injured; they require intervention with modern medicine and therapeutic medications. The rigors of athletic endeavor require that every medical issue be addressed in the athlete, and horses are no exception. The obligation to treat every malady in a horse, no matter how minor, is even higher than in humans, simply because we hold great responsibility as their caretakers. They rely on us for everything. To this end and in pursuit of uniform medication regulations, legitimate therapeutic medications that are appropriate for use in the athlete in training

TABLE 1. ARCI UNIFORM CLASSIFICATION GUIDELINES FOR FOREIGN SUBSTANCES Class 1

Stimulant and depressant drugs that have the highest potential to affect performance and have no generally accepted medical use in the horse

Class 2

Drugs with a high potential to affect performance but with less potential than drugs in Class 1; drugs generally not accepted as therapeutic agents in racing horses and with a high potential for abuse

Class 3

Drugs that may or may not have generally accepted medical use in the racing horse, but the pharmacology suggests less potential to affect performance than drugs in Class 2

Class 4

Therapeutic medications that would be expected to have less potential to affect performance than Class 3

Class 5

Therapeutic medications that have very localized actions only, such as anti-ulcer drugs and certain anti-allergic drugs, for which thresholds have been established

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THE OHIO RIVER RUNS NOT FAR FROM CHURCHILL DOWNS IN LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY, AND IS USED FOR THE CITY’S DRINKING WATER; LIKE MOST OTHER RIVERS IN POPULATED AREAS OF THE UNITED STATES, IT CONTAINS A VARIETY OF PHARMACEUTICALS AND RECREATIONAL SUBSTANCES.

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SUMMER 2018

OKSANA – STOCK.ADOBE.COM

WINTERCRESS, SOMETIMES CALLED YELLOW ROCKET, MIGHT LOOK PRETTY AND MAKE FOR NICE PHOTOGRAPHS, BUT IT HAS ALSO BEEN LINKED TO POSITIVE TESTS FOR AMINOREX.

but that should not be present at pharmacologically effective concentrations on race day have been identified with a specific threshold concentration set in blood or urine and practical withdrawal time guidelines developed to enable compliance with these thresholds. In lay terms, the approach was to identify an appropriate timeframe for withdrawal and determine a blood or urinary concentration at that withdrawal point below which any identification is, by definition, an event of no regulatory significance. As a rule, these thresholds are well below any possibility of a pharmacological effect.

DIETARY SUBSTANCES AS FOREIGN SUBSTANCES

This threshold approach is now well established for therapeutic medications in North American racing, and a broadly similar system is in place in Europe. The thresholds are far from perfect, but the concept is sound. The next hurdle to overcome in the regulation of foreign substances in horse racing remains somewhat problematic. Hay, oats and water all include substances foreign to the horse. Hay is, by its very nature, contaminated with weeds. Soil is routinely amended with fertilizers and animal manure, and any number of possible foreign substances may be directly applied to the plants. One such example is acetanilide, a common broadleaf herbicide used in corn and soybean production; it is also listed as a Class 4, Penalty Class B foreign substance in the ARCI guidelines. In addition to inadvertent contaminants, horse feeds also contain innumerable additives, mostly for the purpose of balancing the feed to contain all nutrients that the horse may require. Common feed additives for food animal production, such as ractopamine, may carry over in infinitesimal quantities in a feed mill from a ruminant feed batch to a horse feed batch, spurring a positive test. Even water fails to be foreign substance-free. The tap water in nearly every major metropolitan area contains measurable levels of pharmaceuticals and recreational substances. Louisville, Kentucky, home of Churchill Downs, draws

THE HORSEMEN’S JOURNAL

SUMMER 2018

its drinking water from the Ohio River, which contains as many as 56 different pharmaceuticals in measurable concentrations at any given time. Clearly, foreign substances are present, albeit at relatively low concentrations, in all biological systems, including horses, at all times. This problem of casual contact with foreign substances is not lost on regulatory agencies. Both the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA) and ARCI have begun to address the matter of feed contaminants and environmental substances. The IFHA has published what it terms “residue limits” for nine substances—caffeine, theophylline, theobromine, atropine, scopolamine, morphine, hordenine, bufotenine and dimethyltryptamine—that inadvertently show up at trace levels in post-race urine. ARCI similarly has produced a list of screening limits for endogenous and feed-contaminant foreign substances that may show up at trace levels in blood or urine. Long story short, the basic concept of cut-offs or screening limits well below any possible pharmacological effect on the horse also has been internationally accepted for dietary substances and feed contaminants and environmental substances. Of course, there are many more than nine dietary substances that may inadvertently find their way into the feed or hay of a horse. A recent case of aminorex, possibly from the wintercress (Barbarea vulgaris) plant family, is a classic example. Aminorex was an amphetamine-related substance that was prescribed for weight loss in the 1950s and rapidly lost its appeal for human use because of untoward side effects such as high blood pressure. It has not been available as a commercial pharmaceutical for decades. Nonetheless, aminorex began to show up as positive tests in horse racing, first in 2004, then in increasing numbers to a peak in 2009. Investigation determined that these identifications were in connection with the use of levamisole for the treatment of equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM). Levamisole is available over the counter as a dewormer for ruminants but gained popularity for its immune-modulating benefits for treatment of EPM in the 2000s. Levamisole is metabolized into several components, one of which is aminorex. The aminorex produced in this 45

SLY – STOCK.ADOBE.COM

COMMON COUGH AND COLD MEDICINES, SUCH AS NYQUIL, CAN BE TRANSFERRED FROM A GROOM OR TRAINER TO A HORSE, BUT IN SUCH CASES THE CONCENTRATIONS ARE FAR TOO LOW TO HAVE A PHARMACOLOGICAL EFFECT.

manner is in irrelevant amounts, unable to exert its stimulant effect but present nonetheless, and it turned out to be responsible for the rash of aminorex positives between 2004 and 2009. The story of aminorex does not end with levamisole. In 2017 there were seven aminorex identifications in the United States, all among horsemen who were adamant that their horses had not received levamisole. At the same time, a cluster of aminorex positives appeared in non-racing horses in the United Kingdom. The testing laboratory LGC-Fordham launched an investigation that led them down an unexpected path. They identified aminorex as a component of members of the wintercress plant family, a ubiquitous weed that infests hay fields the world over with a vengeance. The weed is not palatable, but some horses will eat it. A possible environmental source of aminorex is currently under investigation.

ENVIRONMENTAL SUBSTANCES AS FOREIGN SUBSTANCES

The third area of concern is environmental transfer of human prescription medications and recreational substances showing up as trace-level environmental substances in post-race samples. In the United States, a highly significant environmental substance detected in post-race urine is benzoylecgonine (BZE), the major urinary metabolite of cocaine. Cocaine at trace levels is widely distributed in the Unites States, readily found on dollar bills. Keep in mind that money is perhaps the most frequently exchanged human artifact. This wide distribution is further complicated by the fact that BZE is very efficiently concentrated in equine urine, up to 2,500 fold, making it a highly effective biomarker of inadvertent exposure to trace amounts of environmental cocaine. Cocaine is, in fact, so widely distributed in the United States that the urinary BZE cut-offs for airline pilots are 150 ng/ml screening and 100 ng/ml 46

confirmation. Below these urinary cut-offs, a BZE identification is of no regulatory significance and is not considered to in any way influence the ability of a pilot to fly an airplane. Consistent with these scientific and regulatory realities, a number of U.S. racing jurisdictions—Illinois, Ohio, Louisiana, Minnesota, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania and Washington—have adopted similar urinary cutoffs for BZE of between 50 ng/ml and 150 ng/ml. Another human recreational substance of concern is methamphetamine, which shows up sporadically worldwide as trace amounts in equine samples. A recent example of inadvertent environmental exposure to methamphetamine involved a Michigan trainer racing Quarter Horses near Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Shortly prior to shipping north, the trainer purchased a large used horse trailer, loaded three of her four horses on this trailer and vanned them to Canada. The three horses shipped in the newly purchased trailer tested positive in Canada for traces of methamphetamine, while the fourth horse shipped in a different trailer tested clean. The Ontario authorities reviewed this matter and swabbed the newly purchased trailer, which tested positive for methamphetamine. The Ontario stewards fined and suspended the trainer. The trainer appealed the ruling, and on appeal the Ontario Racing Commission set aside the stewards’ penalties and accepted the trainer’s position that the traces of methamphetamine identified in the three horses were both pharmacologically irrelevant and of inadvertent environmental origin. In other words, the commission fully accepted the concept that methamphetamine may be present in a concentration well below any chance of an effect on the horse as a result of environmental transfer. Additionally, the commission’s ruling on this matter noted that with environmental substances the need was “to set limits high enough to cut off the environmental noise and low enough to stop performance enhancement”—words defining the scientifically correct application of the threshold concept to environmental substances. Based on the Ontario data, we proposed an interim urinary cut-off for methamphetamine of THE HORSEMEN’S JOURNAL

SUMMER 2018

at least 15 ng/ml in urine. This has since been adopted by the Oklahoma Horse Racing Commission. A more recent sequence of trace-level environmental identifications occurred in Kentucky, where the first of a sequence of urinary dextrorphan identifications was traced to the use of the over-the-counter product NyQuil by the groom of the horse in question. As might be expected, the dextrorphan concentrations were in the 15 parts per billion range and completely unlikely to be associated with a pharmacological effect. This lack of any possible pharmacological effect apparently led the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission to decide that “further prosecution of these cases is not necessary,” and the cases were dismissed “in the interests of fairness to the trainers and owners involved,” effectively setting a urinary cut-off for dextrorphan of at least 15 ng/ml in urine. Based on our review of the concentrations identified in these three Kentucky dextrorphan identifications, we have suggested an interim 25 ng/ml urinary environmental substance cut-off for dextrorphan in equine urine. A second important take-home message from the Kentucky dextrorphan identifications is that these identifications appeared to be primarily cold season/winter identifications. This seasonal pattern is consistent with the fact that NyQuil is a medication for upper respiratory conditions, and inadvertent equine exposure events would therefore be more likely to occur during the winter months. This suggestion is supported by the seasonal pattern of dextrorphan concentrations in the South Platte River downstream from Denver, Colorado, where the amounts of dextrorphan found are five-fold higher in the winter months than during the summer months. This finding suggests marked seasonal differences in the rate of use of NyQuil and similar medications and parallel seasonal variations in the probability of an inadvertent environmental exposure to NyQuil, as apparently occurred in Kentucky.

ZERO TOLERANCE AS PART OF THE ABSOLUTE INSURER RULE

The principle of defined thresholds for therapeutic medications and dietary and environmental substances is now recognized and applied worldwide in racing regulation. This brings us to the next step in racing regulation, which is to remove the word “positive” from analytical reports. In current usage, a positive means “a chemical identification that is evidence of a deliberate attempt to improperly influence the outcome of a race.” However, such findings are rare, an estimated one in 6,700 samples tested in horse racing. Usually what the chemist identifies is nothing more than a trace-level overage of a therapeutic medication or a trace-level identification of a dietary or environmental substance, totaling about one in 400 of all samples tested. These trace-level overages are most commonly due to horse-to-horse variability in the metabolic handling of substances, are not associated with any possibility of a performance effect and are effectively background noise picked up by a highly sensitive modern piece of laboratory equipment. These trace findings called “positives” in post-race samples have had a chilling effect on every trainer and owner. When the call comes in from the racing commission shortly after a race, the heart of every

trainer now skips a beat. The absolute insurer rule immediately kicks in, and the trainer is held responsible, in most jurisdictions, regardless of the acts of third parties, including, apparently, Acts of God. The first step is a hearing, scheduled and conducted before the track stewards or judges. Because of the absolute insurer rule, in most cases, the result of this first stage is adverse to the licensee. If the trainer chooses to appeal the decision, an administrative complaint is filed and an administrative law judge appointed. The administrative process then proceeds to a hearing on the merits before the administrative law judge. In most cases, the findings of the administrative law judge are similarly adverse to the licensee because the trainer is still the absolute insurer of the horse. Most administrative law judges’ findings of fact, conclusions of law and penalties are subsequently reviewed by the state’s racing commission, concluding the administrative process. The next step is an appeal in the form of a petition for judicial review to a state trial court. At each step along the way, the trainer/licensee remains the absolute insurer of the horse. The absolute insurer rule, also known as the trainer responsibility rule, states that a trainer is responsible for any prohibited substances found in the horse. Depending on the jurisdiction, this rule may provide a presumption of responsibility on a trainer or an irrebuttable presumption. The key difference is that an irrebuttable presumption precludes the trainer from presenting exculpatory evidence. Where trainers may rebut the presumption of guilt, there is still the presumption that trainers are responsible for the positive test results. However, the trainer is afforded an opportunity to rebut the presumption by presenting evidence, in the form of testimony or documentation, that demonstrates a lack of responsibility of the trainer. In presumption states, the burden of persuasion, that being by a preponderance of the evidence, rests with the trainer. This is often difficult and nearly always an uphill battle involving considerable expense. Trace-level identifications and zero tolerance become not only problematic but arguably unconstitutional in states having an irrebuttable presumption that a trainer is responsible for positive results. Many states, including Louisiana, Florida, Maryland, New Jersey and Texas, have promulgated rules that make a positive finding irrebuttable. It has long been argued that the absolute insurer rule that incorporates an irrebuttable presumption deprives horsemen of due process rights. For decades, that argument was not persuasive. However, in a recent case before Judge Thomas Wingate of the Franklin County Circuit Court in Frankfort, Kentucky, the court held that: “Trainers must be able to present evidence to rebut their liability in an instance of a violation. To disallow a trainer to safeguard its license, a trainer must receive due process to be heard on the propriety of his action to challenge liability for a dosing violation.” Judge Wingate’s decision is both refreshing and forward-thinking, especially given the ever-increasing sensitivity of equine testing and the advancing position that therapeutic medications, dietary substances and environmental substances are all foreign substances at ever-increasing miniscule trace levels.

CONCLUSION

It does not require a scientist to realize that zero tolerance of foreign substances is neither achievable nor desirable in the regulation of horse racing. None of us nor our equine athletes are ever foreign substance-free. With contaminants in the food, water and even the air surrounding us, we are bombarded constantly by foreign substances. As testing technology becomes ever more sensitive, the line between meaningful and irrelevant levels of medications has become blurred. The size of the dose matters, and it is more important than ever to understand at what point a level has meaning in relation to the racing contest. In order to move the integrity of racing forward, we need to move away from regulations that make it easier to penalize horsemen with minimal investigation and toward fairness and integrity for all participants. HJ

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SUMMER 2018

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NEWS

ALABAMA HBPA

ARIZONA HBPA

Remembering Milton McGregor

Turf Paradise Meet Wrap-up and Award Winners

It is with due respect that the Alabama HBPA wishes to express our sincere condolences to the family of Milton E. McGregor, who passed away March 25 at the age of 78. McGregor served as chairman, president and CEO of VictoryLand in Macon County, Alabama, and of Birmingham Race Course in Birmingham, Alabama. McGregor also served on the boards of civic and charitable organizations including the boards of trustees of both Troy State University and Tuskegee University. He is survived by his wife, Patricia Turner McGregor; two daughters, Kim McGregor (Dan Hicks) and Cindy Benefield (Lewis Benefield); and seven grandchildren.

Turf Paradise successfully concluded its 63rd season on May 6. The final weekend with the Kentucky Derby and Oaks was record-breaking in both attendance and handle. The 2017–18 season showed increases in handle and attendance over last year. During the closing weekend, Turf Paradise recognized the following connections with awards. Congratulations to all! Horse of the Meet and 3-Year-Old Colt/Gelding—Primo Touch Owner: Dino Bates • Trainer: Dan McFarlane 3-Year-Old Filly—Gorgeous Ginny • Owner: Randy Howg Trainer: Robertino Diodoro 4-Year-old Colt/Gelding—Pink Grove Road • Owner: Pink Cloud Racing Trainer: Wade Rarick 4-Year-Old Filly—Fight to Glory • Owner: Charlie Garvey Trainer: Robertino Diodoro Older Mare—Comet Sixty Two • Owner: Barro Racing LLC Trainer: Dan McFarlane Arizona-bred—Fortified Effort • Owner: Lloyd Yother, Kevin Eikleberry, William Matthews and Marvin Fleming • Trainer: Kevin Eikleberry Sprinter—Chief Cicatriz • Owner: Roy Gene Evans • Trainer: Shawn Davis Turf Horse—Power Corrupt • Owner: Mitch Sutherland Trainer: James Brown Claimer—Royal Privacy • Owner: Tim Bankers • Trainer: Manny Ortiz Owner of the Meet—Tijuana Racing Stables Trainer of the Meet—Robertino Diodoro Jockey of the Meet—Scott Stevens Apprentice Jockey—Laura Werner Quarter Horse Trainer—Matt Fales Quarter Horse Owner—Ralph and Carolyn Fales Quarter Horse Jockey—Martin Bourdieu Quarter Horse of the Meet—Texas Tornadoe • Owner: Angel Valenzuela Trainer: Raul Valenzuela Walter Cluer Award—Bob Hutton Whinny Award—Turf Paradise Paramedics

Kenneth Cotton Memorial

COADY PHOTOGRAPHY

On May 12, Evangeline Downs in Louisiana presented the third running of the $25,000 Kenneth Cotton Memorial for Alabama-breds. The race was a six-furlong allowance for 3-year-old and up maidens or non-winners of two who broke their maiden for a claiming price of $25,000 or less. We had a hotly contested field of eight, which included two entries. On a fast track and with a good start for all, the 6-5 favorite Noisy Ripples won by three-parts of a length over Indy’s Code. The remaining order of finish was Perdido Wildcat, Red Tide, Two Mikes N Doc G, Alabama Brass, Whatisitaboutit and Bubbassecondchance. Congratulations to the winner, a 3-year-old filly by Kantharos out of Spawning Brook, by Montbrook. Noisy Ripples was bred in Alabama by Doyle Hamby and is owned by Hackett Brothers Thoroughbreds Inc. and trained by Randy Nunley. To help support our Alabama-bred owners, the Alabama HBPA will reimburse up to $500 of shipping costs for horses that ran fourth and beyond. A valid bill or gas receipt must be submitted to Nancy Delony by email at nancy.m.delony@ms.com, by fax at (205) 413-4152 or by mail to 3221 Ridgely Drive, Birmingham, AL 35243. We continue to have Alabama-breds qualifying for our supplemental purse monies racing at various tracks around the country. The 2017 total distribution of $28,600 was a record that we would love to break in 2018. Alabama-breds running at the four Louisiana tracks continue to be eligible for added purse monies there as well. As always, may the racing luck be with you. Nancy Delony, Executive Director

NOISY RIPPLES

Also, at the Arizona Thoroughbred Breeders Association Banquet, Arizona HBPA Vice President Lloyd Yother was recognized with the Julep Cup Award. Lloyd would like to thank the ATBA and BloodHorse for this award. Lloyd’s passion for the horse industry began in Arizona back in 1982 and has grown ever since. He would like to thank everyone in our beloved horse industry. We all need to keep pushing to improve racing in the state. This includes breeding Arizona-bred horses, purchasing Arizona-bred horses and, of course, racing them in our home state. The industry is not in great shape, but better days are coming. Just keep the faith and keep raising and racing Arizona-breds. Lloyd thanks everyone once again for this honor. During the first week of May, Arizona HBPA President Bob Hutton and National HBPA President Leroy Gessmann, who serves as a consultant to the Arizona HBPA, were kept busy with several meetings, which included discussing the race meet and stakes schedule for next year as well as the purse account. After discussing several different options, everyone agreed to a 131-day race meet and maintaining the overnight purse structure, the same as for the 2017–18 meet. The stakes schedule and purse amounts will be the same as last year. Opening of the backside will be September 10 for barn setup with horses arriving on September 13. The Arizona HBPA office will open on Monday, September 10. THE HORSEMEN’S JOURNAL

SUMMER 2018

AFFILIATE NEWS President Hutton and the board members held a year-end party, which included a barbecue put on by Turf Paradise. The evening also featured karaoke. A special thanks to Shawn Swartz, who got the party started with his singing. We were surprised at all the good singers we have working on the backside. Plans are already in the works for a welcome back party next fall, so if you missed this one, be sure to make the next one! Everyone had a great time.

Yavapai Downs Update On May 10 at the Arizona Racing Commission meeting, JACOR Partners’ application for reopening Yavapai Downs in Prescott was approved unanimously. The permit goes into effect July 1. The remodeling of the grandstand has begun, and their goal is to have the facility open and taking simulcast wagers on July 1. Corey Johnsen, CEO of Yavapai, has stated they have some OTB opportunities that he will be pursuing immediately. The goal is to have enough wagering revenue acquired during the next nine months to cover the purses for the 2019 race season. Their plan for the 2019 meet is to open for racing on May 24 for a 35-day meet. Johnsen has mentioned they will be announcing a new name for the track as soon as it has been approved by the copyright authorities. Watch for the release of the new name! President Hutton has started conducting quarterly meetings with the stakeholders of the three tracks. Yes, we have had all three parties at the table for two different meetings so far, all working together to structure year-round racing in Arizona again! Rillito officers have had talks about possibly changing their race meet to the fall; however, for 2019, they will be running their 12-day meet again in February and March. In 2019 Yavapai will be adding their summer race meet, and we all hope by 2020 for Rillito to add a fall meet. Everyone is excited about the announcement that Governor Ducey made on sports betting. Ducey said there is a possibility that sports betting could be handled by the tracks and OTBs. He also announced he is reworking the Arizona gambling compact. If that happens, it may open the door for many new possibilities for Arizona racing. Everyone have a great summer, and if you’re still in Arizona, stay cool!

ARKANSAS HBPA Oaklawn to Race Beyond Arkansas Derby in 2019 The track with the highest purses of any winter-spring race meet in the country is making the most significant change to its racing schedule since World War II. In 2019 Oaklawn Park will open Friday, January 25, and run through Saturday, May 4, three weeks after the $1 million Arkansas Derby (G1). Other than in 1945, when the track had to postpone its season until that fall because of wartime restrictions, Oaklawn has traditionally concluded its annual racing season with the Arkansas Derby, which in modern time has been mid-April. “This is a sea change in our scheduling,” Oaklawn President Louis Cella said. “This is an idea that has been discussed internally for a number of years, and now the time seems right to make the change. The quality of our program is calling on us to present racing in the most favorable weather conditions. There is nowhere in America more beautiful for great racing than Arkansas in the spring.” Oaklawn’s 2019 racing schedule was met with enthusiasm by Arkansas racing commissioners, horsemen and Hot Springs business leaders. “This is going to be great for racing and great for Arkansas,” Arkansas Racing Commission Chair Alex Lieblong said. “I applaud Mr. Cella and Oaklawn THE HORSEMEN’S JOURNAL

SUMMER 2018

for thinking outside the box. This is proof again of their commitment to quality racing.” Arkansas HBPA members agreed. “We are essentially trading January race days, when there is always the chance of cancellation due to weather, for April race dates, when Arkansas weather is at its finest,” said board member Bill Walmsley, who has served as national president of the HBPA. “The later closing should be an additional enticement to the top racing stables to come to Arkansas. And continuing to race following the Arkansas Derby will keep the excitement for racing going another three weeks.” Linda Gaston, president of the Arkansas HBPA, said the shift will create more exciting days of racing. “This makes all the sense in the world,” she said. “Oaklawn is one of the top tracks in America with some of the richest purses. It stands to reason that showcasing racing in the best possible weather will benefit the entire program. Our board supported this plan unanimously.” Oaklawn lost two race days this past January due to weather. Over the last decade, it has lost a total of 14 days in January due to weather. The change to the racing calendar also will have an impact throughout the economy of Hot Springs and Central Arkansas, according to Gary Troutman, president of the Hot Springs Chamber of Commerce and Metro Partnership. “Oaklawn has always been one of the pillars of our economy,” Troutman said. “This change to the racing schedule will greatly enhance our local businesses that rely on racing fans coming to town.” Steve Arrison, CEO of Visit Hot Springs, agreed. “Oaklawn continuing to race after the Arkansas Derby should be a major bonus to the tourism business in our area,” he said. “The weather is always better in April and May than it is in early January, and that will mean larger crowds at Oaklawn. This means more visitors at our hotels and restaurants, so it’s a win-win.” Oaklawn will maintain its regular Thursday through Sunday schedule. In addition, it will race Presidents’ Day, Monday, February 18. The Arkansas Derby, which has become one of the most productive prep races for the Triple Crown races over the last 15 years, will be run Saturday, April 13. “Arkansas Derby Day will still be the pinnacle of the season,” Cella said. “But now, live racing at Oaklawn will also be part of the Kentucky Derby experience three weeks later, when our racing fans will be able to cheer on the horses representing them in Louisville.” Oaklawn has never hesitated to try new things. In the 1970s, Oaklawn founded the Racing Festival of the South, and its multi-stakes card format has been copied by numerous racetracks. In the 1990s, Oaklawn was the first track to implement full-card commingled simulcasting, which is now a staple around the world. At the turn of the 21st century, Oaklawn created Instant Racing, which eventually led to the creation of electronic games of skill wagering and 18 consecutive seasons of purse increases.

Record-Setting Days Lead to Upswing in 2018 Business Record-setting Arkansas Derby (G1) and Rebel Stakes (G2) days contributed to an 11 percent increase in total handle during Oaklawn’s recently concluded 2018 live season. An estimated crowd of 64,500 turned out April 14 to watch Robert and Lawana Low’s Magnum Moon score an impressive victory in the $1 million Arkansas Derby. The total handle of $16,159,771 wagered on the 12-race card broke the previous single-day record of $15,133,537 set in 2000 on Arkansas Derby Day. Four weeks earlier, a crowd of 37,500 came out to watch Magnum Moon win the $900,000 Rebel Stakes, and the total handle that day of $10,771,984 was 51

NEWS the highest non-Arkansas Derby Day in the 114-year history of the track. “Despite missing two days due to weather in January and 16 inches of rain in February, we are extremely excited to have ended the meet with a double-digit increase in handle,” General Manager Wayne Smith said. “It’s a testament to the great product we were able to put on the track this season. I want to thank the owners, trainers and jockeys who put on the greatest show in racing. I also want to thank our entire management team and staff for such an incredible season. Most of all, a huge thank you goes out to our fans for their continued support.” Oaklawn raced 55 of 57 days after two weather cancellations in January for total handle of $209,695,403. The average total daily handle of $3,812,644 was up 15 percent over 2017. Export handle also saw big gains during the 2018 season, growing by 15 percent to $175,125,149 despite racing two fewer days than 2017. The horsemen once again benefited from the highest purse structure of any winter-spring track in the country. Maiden special weight purses started at $75,000 and grew to $81,000 at the end of the season after two purse increases, while purses for open allowances began at $76,000 and grew to as high as $83,000. The lucrative purses are demonstrated in the fact that 16 jockeys rode horses that earned more than $500,000 and 10 trainers stabled full time at Oaklawn earned more than $500,000. In addition, the claim box was extremely active during the season with 452 claims made for $7,241,500, a 16.3 percent increase over 2017. “From start to finish, the quality of our racing has never been better,” Smith said. “Our regulars all had strong meets, but it was also great to see trainers like Doug O’Neill and Norm McKnight come in and find success as well as jockeys Gary Stevens, David Cohen and David Cabrera.” Hall of Fame Trainer Steve Asmussen collected his ninth leading trainer title with 44 victories and $2,977,921 in purses, while his main jockey Ricardo Santana Jr. earned his sixth consecutive leading rider title with 69 wins and a single-season record of $4,240,304 in purses. Both trainer and jockey had a successful Racing Festival of the South. They teamed to win the $150,000 Bachelor Stakes with Mitole, and Santana, who reached the 1,000-win milestone during the final week of racing, also won the $700,000 Apple Blossom Handicap (G1) with Unbridled Mo and the $400,000 Count Fleet Sprint Handicap (G3) with Whitmore.

West Virginia Day Celebrated on the Streets of Charles Town

CHARLES TOWN HBPA

Turf Course Rehab

Changes to the West Virginia Rules of Thoroughbred Racing Changes to the Thoroughbred Racing Rule will be effective June 27, including the following: · Changes to the rule pertaining to horses having common ties through ownership or training · Changes to the process for drug testing of permit holders on the racetrack · Changes to the veterinarian’s list rules · Changes to the rule pertaining to selling a horse to slaughter · Amending the rule regarding mistreatment of animals · Updating Version 13.2 of the ARCI Uniform Classification Guidelines for Foreign Substances · Updating Version 3.2 of the ARCI Controlled Therapeutic Medication Schedule For a link to the complete set of rules, please visit the Charles Town HBPA website at cthbpa.com or contact the office at (304) 725-1535. 52

The West Virginia Thoroughbred Breeders Association celebrated West Virginia Day in downtown Charles Town on June 16. It was a family-oriented day of fun, with lots of food, live music, arts and crafts and activities for the kids. The WVTBA promoted horse breeding and racing in the community by providing pony rides for children, poster displays, a jockey silks display and more. We hope you were able to join us and share in the fun.

FLORIDA HBPA Florida HBPA Board Election Owner/breeder/attorney Steve Screnci was the leading vote-getter in the 2018 election for a new three-year term on the board. At the first meeting of the new board in April, Steve was unanimously elected to continue serving as president for 2018–19. Also elected to three-year terms as board members were trainer Joe Orseno, trainer Teresa Pompay, owner Troy Levy and owner Adam Lazarus. Elected as one-year alternate board members were trainer Carlo Vaccarezza and owner Bob Edwards.

No Decoupling Efforts to pass a gaming bill in the state that would allow the decoupling of pari-mutuel facilities in South Florida have failed again. Decoupling would allow tracks that were granted casino gaming facilities to continue operating their gaming facilities without the requirement of continuing their racing obligations. The FHBPA has continuously fought this effort, including with a proposed constitutional amendment on the fall 2018 ballot, which, if it passes, would not allow expansion of gaming without a statewide vote so any future decoupling threat could become a remote one. The likelihood of sports betting coming to the tracks in Florida in the near future also becomes remote if the amendment passes.

Gulfstream Park has undertaken a full rehabilitation of the turf course this summer. Gulfstream runs 10 months straight during the year, and the break in October and November when we race at Gulfstream Park West (Calder) has not been long enough for the turf course to recover. This summer, the inner half of the turf course is being reseeded, and when that process is complete, the outer half will be reseeded. By the start of next winter’s Championship Meet, the turf course should be in a much better and more sustainable condition than in recent years.

THE HORSEMEN’S JOURNAL

SUMMER 2018

AFFILIATE NEWS Spring/Summer Florida-bred Stakes Series

COGLIANESE PHOTOS

For the second straight year, the FHBPA and Gulfstream Park have agreed to a series of stakes races during the spring and summer promoting Florida-breds. There are six $100,000 Florida-bred races, which began with the Big Drama Stakes on May 12 and finish with the Sheer Drama Stakes on September 8. In between, there are four additional open $100,000 stakes that have a $25,000 purse enhancement for Florida-breds that finish first through third.

Brian Elmore: New Executive Director for Indiana HBPA After 40 years in nearly every possible sector of the horse racing industry, Brian Elmore has started in a new role. On May 1, he became the new executive director for the Indiana HBPA. He has been a trainer and owner and has worked as vice president and general manager at Bandera Downs in Texas and Ellis Park in Kentucky. At Ellis Park, he led a complete rebuild after a tornado devastated the facility in 2005. For more than 20 years he worked for Centaur Gaming in Indiana, serving as Indianapolis off-track facility manager, vice president of off-track betting operations and, until 2016, director of racing operations. “I’ve spent a lot of time working in the horse racing industry in Indiana,” Elmore said. “It’s grown immensely, and I’m excited to work with the Thoroughbred horsemen and women of the Indiana HBPA to keep that momentum going.”

Indiana HBPA Chaplain Builds a Busy Program at Indiana Grand

FLORIDA HBPA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR GLEN BERMAN (FAR RIGHT) JOINS IN PRESENTING THE FHBPA TROPHY TO THE CONNECTIONS OF MR. JORDAN, WINNER OF THE BIG DRAMA STAKES.

INDIANA HBPA ‘Snow Kidding’: Live Racing Returns to Indiana Grand Express Charge, with apprentice jockey Edgar Morales, charged home in the stretch to win the season opener Tuesday, April 17, at Indiana Grand. The race kicked off the 120-day racing season that extends to Wednesday, November 7. Nine races were contested for the first day. Although snow was falling the previous day and the wind was more than a little cold, a beautiful, sunny day greeted racing fans to help kick off the 16th season of Thoroughbred and American Quarter Horse racing. “Today’s two operative words are no snow,” said Jon Schuster, vice president and general manager of racing. “I’m looking forward to improving on the past three years where we saw record numbers. We hope to continue the upward trend.” The opening party continued into the weekend, with fun family activities, a free concert and fireworks on Saturday, April 21. Family-friendly events included face painting, airbrush tattoos, an inflatable bounce house, strolling entertainment and a special video gaming truck. Indiana Grand’s Always Turned On party tent, open on select Saturday nights throughout the season, featured skilled contests, interactive giveaways and cocktails in a party-themed atmosphere. The meet offers live action Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 2:05 p.m. EST with Saturday racing beginning at 6:05 p.m. Two special Thursday racing dates will be held July 19 and September 6 at 2:05 p.m. The season includes a Thoroughbred stakes program, highlighted by the 24th running of the Grade 3, $500,000 Indiana Derby on July 14, and six dates specifically dedicated to Quarter Horses. Additional information, including the full racing schedule and a complete list of racing promotions and events, is available at indianagrand.com.

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Chaplain Ailsa Calderon is keeping busy during the 2018 meet, and Indiana Grand horsemen and women are all the better for it. In only her second year as Indiana HBPA chaplain, she has worked with Indiana HBPA Benevolence Administrator Lisa Stephens to identify a broad spectrum of needs and programs to meet those needs. A native of Costa Rica, Calderon served a church in Indianapolis in partnership with her husband, Marvin, when she felt called to minister to the backside community at Indiana Grand. The Indiana HBPA has made great strides in reaching out to our Hispanic community. It’s been a point of emphasis, and Calderon has led that effort. She has put in place a Monday computer class, beginners English class, intermediate English class and an exercise class. On Tuesday evenings, she has established a Spanish-language AA class, and Wednesdays are for crafts and cooking. She leads a bible study on Thursdays, and she has put in place a Spanish-as-second-language class for Fridays. All of this is in addition to walking the barns to meet with workers, keeping regular office hours in the chaplain trailer, translation assistance, visiting sick and injured horsemen, helping to transport backside workers to in-town medical appointments, praying with jockeys before races and her ongoing work at her Indianapolis church. In the middle of May, she hosted the second annual Chaplain’s Welcome Back Picnic at the track. Members of her Indianapolis church community came to Indiana Grand and shared fellowship, a program and plenty of good food with horsemen and women. By the time this article is published, she will have started monthly cookouts at the backside trailer. As a direct result of Chaplain Calderon’s efforts, and because of the support and leadership of our officers and directors, the Indiana HBPA is truly living up to the motto “Horsemen Helping Horsemen.”

IOWA HBPA 2017 Awards Banquet for Iowa HBPA and ITBOA The annual Iowa HBPA Awards Banquet held for the category winners of the 2017 racing meet was a tremendous success with an excellent turnout. The banquet has been held in combination with the ITBOA now for seven 53

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NEWS years to the benefit of members of both organizations. The format has been a resounding success and will continue this way for the foreseeable future. Danny Caldwell received the Owner of the Year Award from VICTORIA MOSS ACCEPTS THE TRAINER OF the Iowa HBPA. This is THE YEAR AWARD FOR KARL BROBERG. the fourth time Danny has held the title. In 2017 he had 214 starts and his horses won 71 races, including multiple stakes races, with earnings of $1,250,913. A job well done, Danny! Horse of the Year honors went to Chanel’s DANNY CALDWELL (CENTER) ACCEPTS THE Legacy, who started OWNER OF THE YEAR AWARD. nine times in 2017 as a 3-year-old and won three with two seconds for earnings of $328,750. Two of her wins were listed stakes races. A daughter of Dominus, Chanel’s Legacy is owned by Poindexter Thoroughbreds LLC and trained OWNER ALLEN POINDEXTER AND TRAINER LYNN CHLEBORAD ACCEPT THE HORSE OF by Lynn Chleborad. THE YEAR AWARD FOR CHANEL’S LEGACY. Claimer of the Year went to Basic Chance with total earnings of $100,960. The now 4-year-old Iowa-bred started eight times in 2017, taking firstplace five times. Basic Chance is owned by Gene Burkholder and trained by William TRAINER WILLIAM MARTIN (LEFT) ACCEPTS Martin. THE CLAIMING HORSE OF THE YEAR AWARD Karl Broberg FOR BASIC CHANCE. earned Trainer of the Year honors for the second year in a row. He had 285 starts with 75 wins and earnings of $1,164,369. During the awards ceremony, we honored National HBPA President Leroy Gessmann with an appreciation award for his time served on the Iowa HBPA board. Former longtime Iowa HBPA Secretary/Treasurer Barbara Carroll made the trip to Iowa to surprise Leroy with his award.

HART Silent Auction Set for Festival of Racing On Friday, July 6, during the Prairie Meadows Festival of Racing, the local horse rehabilitation and retraining program Hope After Racing Thoroughbreds (HART) will hold a silent auction in the fourth-floor clubhouse. All proceeds will benefit HART by aiding in the placing and retraining of Thoroughbreds when their racing careers are over at Prairie Meadows. A few of the highlighted items for this year’s auction are a voucher for a local Lasik eye correction surgery valued at more than $4,500 through Wolfe Eye Clinic and a signed and framed print by Mark King titled Morning Hunt with a retail value of more than $2,500. If you would like to donate an item to the silent auction or want to make a monetary donation to HART, please contact the Iowa HBPA office at (515) 967-4804. Also, follow us on Facebook!

KENTUCKY HBPA President’s Message I have previously reported on House Bill 2651, the Horseracing Integrity Act of 2017. The bill would essentially eliminate each state from regulating testing and, in turn, place it in the hands of an organization with no experience in racing. The cost of the testing would be borne by horse owners and not each state’s regulatory body. In addition, Lasix on race day would be eliminated. This boondoggle and the associated cost to horse owners could well send the racing industry into a downward spiral. The Supreme Court’s ruling regarding the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act may have strong adverse implications on the constitutionality of the Horseracing Integrity Act. The Supreme Court’s ruling may have strong implications for the racing industry as well. In Kentucky, it is important that horsemen receive assurances that a portion of the wagering revenue from sports betting will be set aside for purses. The KHBPA will strongly pursue an equitable share of the commissions. Following Judge Thomas Wingate’s opinion that Kentucky’s version of the absolute insurer rule is unconstitutional, the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission Rules Committee, chaired by Mark Simendinger, has decided to change the language in the rule. It appears the revised rule will, once again, provide horsemen with a rebuttable presumption, which enables a trainer to present mitigating circumstances in his defense. This is especially important in today’s racing climate in which the sensitivity of testing places every trainer in jeopardy with the potential of a positive test due to the possibility of contamination. There comes a time when no-effect thresholds should be considered as opposed to a “gotcha” mentality. In other words, if a prohibited substance is found in the horse in such a small amount that it has no performance-enhancing effect, perhaps it should not be called a positive test. This fall, the KHBPA will send ballots to all members for the purpose of electing directors to the KHBPA (see following story). Please take a few minutes to select horsemen of your choosing and send the ballot in. It will be greatly appreciated. Good luck in your racing endeavors! Rick Hiles, KHBPA President

Kentucky HBPA Election The KHBPA election will be held this fall. The committee responsible for overseeing the election includes Jack Stewart, Dr. Randy Scheen and Jeff Greenhill. The nominating committee of Jeff Barkley, Tony Fargnoli and Bobby Sturgeon will submit names for consideration. In addition, several meetings will be held at which horsemen can nominate fellow horsemen (nominations must THE HORSEMEN’S JOURNAL

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AFFILIATE NEWS be seconded twice) at the following locations: · Churchill Downs, Wednesday, August 8, 10:30 a.m. in the recreation hall · The Thoroughbred Center, 3380 Paris Pike, Lexington, Thursday, August 9, 10:30 a.m. at the KHBPA office · Keeneland, Thursday, August 9, 12 p.m. at the recreation center next to the track kitchen · Belterra Park, 6301 Kellogg Ave., Cincinnati, Friday, August 10, 10:30 a.m. in the track kitchen · Ellis Park, 3300 U.S. 41 North, Henderson, Saturday, August 11, 10:30 a.m. in the picnic grove If you need further information, please call the KHBPA office at (502) 363-1077.

Julio Rubio Update Over the years, my job duties with the Kentucky HBPA have evolved and expanded. Originally my job was to help the workers on the backside of Kentucky tracks with the day-to-day challenges of life, such as helping them interpret and navigate situations like insurance, courts or immigration issues. Over the more than a decade that I have worked with KHBPA, the people that I know have spread out across the racing world, and I have developed relationships across the HBPA tracks with backstretch workers who all seem to inevitably come through Kentucky. As the number of backstretch workers that I know has grown, I have had the ability to reach out to them and gauge the immigration-related circumstances affecting them at the many tracks at which the HBPA does its good work. My wise bosses Rick Hiles and Marty Maline realized that a valuable service that the Kentucky HBPA can offer to its trainer members is to be a liaison to the backstretch workers regarding immigration issues. Since many Kentucky trainers travel in the winter to Florida, Louisiana and Arkansas, it makes sense for me to travel on brief visits to these locations to meet with the workers and consult with them regarding the various immigration circumstances that may affect them. Especially during these challenging times with the new focus on immigration by the government, many people are anxious about their personal situations, and we are able to meet with them and give them at least an understanding of what their rights and options are under the current law. Typically on such a trip, we coordinate with the track’s racetrack chaplain, such as Waverly Parsons at Fair Grounds or Tom LaPointe at Gulfstream Park, to set a meeting location for after morning training. We walk barns during training, letting the workers know that there will be a free immigration meeting after training at which they can ask any questions they may have about their own personal situations or family members. On many occasions, we meet more than 100 workers in a day and answer questions until late into the afternoon. I have found this approach to be very valuable for the workers and trainers and an equally valuable service that the HBPA can offer to its members. I am grateful to Marty and Rick for recognizing the important nature of this outreach to the trainers and the workers and allowing me the opportunity to travel to the workers to meet with them directly and let them know the HBPA cares about them. Marty asked me to give a brief description of the activities I have taken on behalf of the backstretch workers over the last several months. In December, we were asked by Tampa Bay Downs HBPA leaders Robert Jeffries and Linda Mayhew to come meet with the workers during the Christmas party and picnic. Over three days, immigration attorney Will Velie and I held private consultations with workers in the HBPA office. We traveled next to Hollywood, Florida, and went to Gulfstream, Palm Meadows, Gulfstream Park West (Calder) and Payson Park. Florida HBPA leaders Stephen Screnci and Glen Berman facilitated our meeting with workers in the trainers’ area at Gulfstream and the kitchen at Palm Meadows. Both of these THE HORSEMEN’S JOURNAL

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places have many workers, so we held extensive meetings during our visits there. We returned again to those locations March 2-6 and met again with Stephen and Glen to strategize the best way to reach out to workers and employers. Will Velie, who is also the head of Horseman Labor Solutions, and I walked the barns and consulted with the workers and trainers. The next week I traveled to the National HBPA Convention in one of my favorite cities, New Orleans. I was one of the speakers that week and offered an update on the most recent immigration issues and the shortage of workers nationally in racetracks. I walked barns at Fair Grounds and consulted with workers and some trainers on issues ranging from immigration to DUIs. We returned to Florida a final time at the end of March and early April before the trainers and workers shipped north back to our HBPA member states Kentucky, Indiana, Iowa, Ohio, West Virginia, Minnesota and Pennsylvania (among others). At the time of this writing, I am preparing to travel to Washington, D.C., where Will and I are meeting with the directors of policy with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and U.S. Department of Labor Office of Foreign Labor Certification to discuss issues unique to our sport in relation to immigration. We find regular advocacy regarding the welfare of the backstretch workers does yield positive treatment of our issues. We will explain to the agencies the efforts that our sport makes through Groom Elite to recruit, train and retain Americans to fill jobs but also ask for common-sense fair treatment of our immigrant backstretch workers as well so they can be employed legally. I hope to report positive feedback soon!

Kentucky HBPA Embraces Social Media Social media has become a part of everyday life, and the Kentucky HBPA has been using it to raise the profile of horsemen and the sport. Our most recent effort includes having noted racing journalist Jennie Rees post content to YouTube highlighting the horses with Kentucky connections. The effort has paid off with TV and radio stations, print media and other social media channels disseminating the information. Please turn to page 36 to read more.

The HBPA Is You The HBPA, established in 1940, is an organization of owners and trainers numbering approximately 30,000 nationally in 23 states and Canada and more than 6,000 in Kentucky. The association is governed by a board of directors consisting of owners and trainers volunteering their time and elected by the membership every three years. The HBPA is committed to working for the betterment of racing on all levels. The HBPA represents owners and trainers on several fronts: · The HBPA is present in negotiating sessions with each racetrack regarding purse structure, equitable share of simulcast revenues, overall track safety, sanitation and security. · The HBPA provides benevolence to horsemen in need, education and recreation programs to the backstretch, and various insurance packages that include—free of charge to members—fire and disaster insurance and claiming coverage. Visit one of the fully staffed HBPA offices at the currently running racetrack in Kentucky for details. · The HBPA works in conjunction with the chaplaincy program and the Kentucky Racing Health and Welfare Fund to provide support and benefits for horsemen. · The HBPA supports scientific research and marketing initiatives on a regional and national level to help promote interest in Thoroughbred racing. · The HBPA is at the forefront in litigation and legislation on issues involving horsemen’s rights in regard to interstate simulcasting, proprietary rights, casino gambling, therapeutic medication, sports betting and many other 55

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Harrah’s Louisiana Downs 2018 Race Meets

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AFFILIATE NEWS areas of concern to horsemen. How can I join? You are invited to drop by the HBPA office to meet the staff and learn more about current projects and how you can get involved in helping to improve the industry. There are no membership fees. Remember, this is your organization. Become an active participant and one of the horsemen helping horsemen. To join, all you need to do is fill out our membership card and fax, mail or email it back to us. For more information, please visit our website at kyhbpa.org and click on “How to Join.”

MICHIGAN HBPA Thoroughbred Racing in Michigan Dealt a Serious Blow On April 4, as trainers with trailers full of horses lined up at the stable gates at Hazel Park Raceway, track management suddenly refused admittance to the horsemen and announced they were closing the racetrack. The track was operating under a contract with the Michigan HBPA for Thoroughbred and American Quarter Horse racing, and Hazel Park had been encouraging horsemen to prepare for opening of the summer meet, as approved by the Michigan Gaming Control Board and scheduled to run through September. Horses that had been moved to barns prior to the abrupt announcement were given two weeks to vacate the property. Trainers en route to Hazel Park were called and told to turn around. Michigan horsemen, planning on the meet opening, scrambled to find alternate, last-minute stalls in surrounding states to accommodate their horses. As expected, racetracks throughout the Midwest and Canada called and offered every available accommodation to the displaced owners, trainers and horses. It, again, became painfully obvious that the only support for Thoroughbred racing in Michigan was coming from horsemen. Over the past decade, Thoroughbred racing populated four separate racetracks. During a $30-million investment in a new track, Pinnacle Race Course promised a racino to justify the investment, but Governor Granholm withdrew the support, forcing the track into bankruptcy. Horsemen were called upon to help pay for electric, water and facility expenses to keep Pinnacle open. The horsemen responded during all three years of Pinnacle’s short-lived existence. Then, for three additional years, the Thoroughbreds raced at an impoverished bullring in Mount Pleasant, with horsemen paying exorbitant “starter fees” as a forced pay-to-play option. This step was taken only to keep Thoroughbred racing alive until a suitable track could be found and to let the slow-to-respond legislature have an opportunity to pass any bills to help our industry. During this time, the Michigan house and senate approved a bill to allow historical racing machines for the racetracks. The bill was similar to almost every other state that has allowed this additional form of revenue to the tracks. Again, caving to external pressure and turning a blind eye to the plight of agriculture and racing, the governor pocket-vetoed the bill. After funneling nearly $3 million of horsemen’s money into Mount Pleasant Meadows (and still nothing from Lansing), the Michigan HBPA reached an agreement with Hazel Park Raceway. As expected, Hazel Park had the Michigan horsemen pay for the flat track conversion and continued to extract starter fees from horsemen to slow their losses. Our efforts all but eliminated the losses at Hazel Park, and the track may have been profitable for 2018. The Michigan HBPA introduced a new state bill in Lansing to help “level the playing field” between the breeds and the tracks. The bill was designed to allow the individual tracks to increase their share of the purse pool revenue while reflecting a fair distribution between Standardbreds and Thoroughbreds. Language was included in the bill for a provision to allow advanced deposit wagering (ADW) in the state. After pressure from the casinos, the ADW language was THE HORSEMEN’S JOURNAL

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removed only when assurances were given to the Michigan HBPA by the state regulator that an ADW “rule” would be immediately provided after bill passage to allow ADW wagering. Again, the state regulator did not follow through with their promise, forcing a new, separate ADW bill to be written and introduced. The new bill was introduced and passed both agriculture committees and the house of representatives, principally through the efforts of a handful of representatives and senators who understood the importance of the bill to the agriculture and horse racing industry of the state. It reached the senate for a vote nearly a year ago. The bill has been kept from a vote because the casino interests and other gaming interests wanted their bills passed and, knowing the Michigan HBPA bill had the necessary votes for passage, forced a few senators to “hold” the ADW bill until their bills received more traction. The Michigan HBPA continued pleading for a vote on the ADW bill. We emphasized that the state wasted little time passing and approving “advanced deposit lottery” for Michigan, which is principally the same as ADW. They didn’t care. We clearly demonstrated how ADW was the only portion of the racing industry in the country that was showing growth. We pointed out that every state and Canadian province surrounding Michigan had additional forms of track revenue or ADW and that Michigan was losing horsemen to other states. We showed that nearly every state in the country that has Thoroughbred racing has ADW. We were able to demonstrate that nearly $100 million was being wagered illegally online, yielding nothing to the state fund, the agriculture fund, the horsemen or the tracks. Still, the casino and expanded lottery interests took preference. Even after the reckless closing of Hazel Park Raceway, the senate was asked, again, to please put the ADW bill up for a vote. The senate made it clear that, regardless of the plight of the agriculture interests and horsemen, the fear of offending the 23 tribal casinos or the three commercial Detroit casinos, in their opinion, takes precedence. One just has to look at Ohio, Pennsylvania, Indiana, New York, West Virginia and other states that have recognized the value of horse racing to their state agriculture industry. Each of these states has a viable, profitable and robust racing industry, providing millions of dollars of revenue to the respective states. Michigan, once considered a leader in the country, has fallen to the bottom, primarily due to an unresponsive legislature and a disinterested regulator. At this writing, the U.S. Supreme Court has paved the way for sports wagering. This will obviously continue to help the states that recognize the importance of wagering revenue. The Michigan HBPA is seeking, and will continue to seek, an appropriate venue for the future of Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing in Michigan. As we have demonstrated in the past, Michigan horsemen will do almost anything to preserve our industry. And, as we have clearly seen, we will continue these efforts, not because of the government, the regulator or the tracks, but in spite of them. George M. Kutlenios, Michigan HBPA President

MINNESOTA HBPA Canterbury Park Update The Minnesota HBPA and Canterbury Park agreed during the off-season to partner on two projects for the 2018 meet. Now, with the meet nearing its halfway point, the two projects are receiving high marks. The first project was a renovation of the stable area administration building, including the rec room, a popular meeting place to watch the races or shoot a game of pool. The rec room received a new paint job as well as new furniture and games. 57

NEWS For the other project, free air mattresses were supplied for those who reside in the stable area housing. The mattresses were greatly welcomed and we will continue this project in subsequent years. The Minnesota HBPA also was assisted by Canterbury Park staff and management with its recent addition and installation of a new Equi-Ciser jogger. Though the Twin Cities area was rocked by a blizzard just weeks before Canterbury’s opening, the jogger was up and running by the time the horses sprung from the gate on May 4. On the election front for the board of directors, the general nominating meeting will be held June 23. Of the nine seats, three are up for election on September 1.

MOUNTAINEER PARK HBPA West Virginia Racing Commission Retirement Plan for Backstretch Workers The enrollment period for the 2017 plan year ended May 15. Applicants must enroll each year to be eligible.

Welcome Back! The Mountaineer Park Chaplaincy and the Mountaineer Park HBPA welcomed back backstretch workers with complimentary coffee and donuts in the chapel on opening day. Both organizations plan on hosting these breakfasts throughout the racing meet.

3. Update from Version 3.0 to Version 3.2 of the ARCI Controlled Therapeutic Medication Schedule. 4. Persons holding occupational permits who are actively engaged in management of any aspect of operations of a licensed racetrack shall not directly or indirectly wager on the outcome of a race under the jurisdiction of the racing commission. 5. Changes to the process for drug testing of permit holders on the racetrack. 6. Changes to the rule pertaining to selling a horse to slaughter. 7. Amending the rule to prohibit permit holders from abandoning, mistreating, abusing, neglecting or being cruel to any livestock or domestic animals kept on association grounds and allowing the commission to take action against a permit holder who has been convicted of animal cruelty. 8. A jockey agent shall not name a jockey on a horse without the consent of the trainer. 9. Changes to the rule pertaining to horses having common ties. 10. Changes to the veterinarian’s list rule. See sections 41.2.g, 44.14, 44.18, 44.19 and 52.3.

Mid-Atlantic Compact Members of the Mountaineer Park HBPA attended the Mid-Atlantic regulatory meeting at which participation in the Interstate Compact on Anti-Doping and Drug-Testing Standards was discussed. While the legislative session in West Virginia was completed at this time, all states were encouraged to adopt the compact legislation that would allow for a more streamlined approach to adopting medication rules.

JANA TETRAULT

Mountaineer Park HBPA Medical Trust Members are encouraged to visit the trust office and complete their application to be eligible for benefits through the trust. Trainers are encouraged to complete their employee lists and encourage their employees to complete the necessary paperwork. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter for information on events and news!

NEBRASKA HBPA Columbus Meet and Board Election

Changes to West Virginia Thoroughbred Racing Rules The following is a brief overview of the changes to the Rules of Racing that go into effect June 27. A complete version of these rules along with the updates to the ARCI Uniform Classification Guidelines for Foreign Substances and the ARCI Controlled Therapeutic Medication Schedule is available in the HBPA office. 1. Members of the racing commission and commission employees will not directly or indirectly wager on the outcome of any race under the jurisdiction of the racing commission. 2. Update from Version 12.0 to Version 13.2 of the ARCI Uniform Classification Guidelines for Foreign Substances. 58

The Columbus live meet will start August 3 and conclude September 3 for a total of 14 live race days. In addition, the Nebraska HBPA will be counting ballots for the 2018 president and board of directors election on August 31 in Columbus during the Columbus Exposition and Racing live meet. If you have any questions about the election or need a ballot, please call Lynne Schuller at (402) 499-3398.

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AFFILIATE NEWS NEW ENGLAND HBPA

OHIO HBPA

Massachusetts Racing Update

Track and Board Election News

By Lynne Snierson Optimism, enthusiasm and excitement always abound at the opening of a new season of live racing, but this year the horsemen in New England have even more reason to be upbeat as the curtain was raised on the Suffolk Downs six-day meet on June 9. The ownership of Sterling Suffolk Racecourse LLC (SSR), the New England Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association Inc. (NEHBPA) and the Massachusetts Thoroughbred Breeders Association (MTBA) have agreed to jointly pursue legislation that will restructure current laws affecting horse racing in Massachusetts. Moreover, the three groups also have decided to jointly develop a new, state-of-the-art Thoroughbred horse racing facility to succeed Suffolk Downs since the 161-acre racetrack property was sold to a real estate development company in May 2017. Under terms of the sale, SSR retained the racing and simulcasting rights and is currently leasing them from the property’s new owner. The 2018 live meet will be the last at the East Boston landmark, which will be turned into a mixeduse housing and retail development. As part of the exciting joint agreement between the NEHBPA, the MTBA and SSR, the parties worked together to identify and secure suitable land for a new track facility at a different Massachusetts location. The project also may include related horse and equine activities, and an expanded facility would support the Massachusetts breeding program while also giving a big boost to agriculture such as hay farmers and other ancillary Massachusetts businesses. The new racetrack will allow racing and breeding to not only survive but thrive in New England and at the same time preserve open green space, protect industry jobs and even create new employment opportunities. “We know even from the limited number of racing days [eight] in 2017 that Thoroughbred racing remains a popular activity that is also about jobs and tax revenues for Massachusetts,” said NEHBPA President Anthony Spadea. “But we need to move forward on this now so that we have a racing season in 2019 after Suffolk Downs has shut down.” This year Suffolk runs the weekends of June 9-10, July 7-8 and August 4-5 under the two-day racing festival format that has proved popular with racing fans and enticed crowds of up to 10,000 per day to come to the track and enjoy live racing, food trucks, craft beers, children’s entertainment and family fun. There is the possibility of adding two more live days, pending funding from the state’s Race Horse Development Fund and approval by the Massachusetts Gaming Commission. This season there is plenty of reason for horsemen to support Suffolk’s entry box enthusiastically. Purses, which in 2017 were just shy of an average distribution of $500,000 daily, will see a 15 percent increase for overnight races in 2018, and purses for open stakes races at Suffolk are climbing from $75,000 to $100,000. Stakes restricted to either horses foaled in Massachusetts or sired by a Massachusetts-based stallion continue to offer a purse of $50,000 each. With the hike, Suffolk will offer the second-highest average daily purse distribution in the East, second only to those at the NYRA tracks, and the purse structure will be the third-highest overall in the country. Even better, Suffolk is continuing its lucrative starter incentives for trainers at $400 per horse, and owners will be rewarded with $500 for horses finishing first through fifth on top of purse money. The owners of horses finishing sixth through last are to get a bonus of $1,500.

Belterra Park’s 93-day live racing season is in full swing. The meet kicked off on April 27 and runs through September 30. Lots of work took place behind the scenes to prepare for the 2018 live racing season at Belterra as the flooding of the Ohio River in February not only caused the track to close its simulcasting and VLT operations for 10 days but also led to lots of cleanup issues. The more than 1,000 stalls at Belterra were all sanitized and had new limestone placed in them following the flood. The top surface of the main track was peeled off, and more than 200 tons of new material was then added to the racing surface. Newly hired track superintendent Steve Breckling and his crew have done a good job of maintaining the new surface, which has drawn positive reviews from Belterra horsemen. General Manager Chris Corrado committed significant capital to maintain the racing surface by purchasing a new grader, two new harrows and two new floats during the off-season. Racing will be conducted on a Thursday through Sunday schedule each week at Belterra along with special programs on Wednesday, July 4, and Monday, September 3 (Labor Day). First post is 1:20 p.m. daily. The Thistledown live racing season is off to a solid start. On May 9, Thistledown recorded all-sources handle of $1,668,746 on the eight-race program. That is the highest total handle on a single program at Thistledown in more than a decade. Highlights of the 100-day live meeting include the 84th running of the Grade 3, $500,000 Ohio Derby for 3-year-olds on Saturday, June 23, and the Best of Ohio Day, consisting of five $150,000 stakes for state-breds on Saturday, October 23. Racing will be conducted on a Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday schedule each week at Thistledown through October 20 with a 1:40 p.m. first post each day. This is an election year for the Ohio HBPA board of directors with three owner-only spots and three trainer or owner/trainer spots up for election. Ohio HBPA members will receive candidate information along with their ballots in early August, and they are due back to the Jones Battles Group, the Ohio HBPA independent auditing firm, by Friday, September 7. Election results will be posted in the Ohio HBPA field offices at Thistledown and Belterra Park on Saturday, September 8, and available online at ohio-hbpa. com on that date as well.

THE HORSEMEN’S JOURNAL

SUMMER 2018

THOROUGHBRED RACING ASSOCIATION OF OKLAHOMA (OKLAHOMA HBPA) 2017 Oklahoma-Bred Throughbred Champions The seventh annual TRAO Awards Banquet and Auction honoring the top Oklahoma horses and horsemen was held May 18 at the River Spirit Casino in Tulsa. Congratulations to all the winners listed below. Champion Thoroughbred Female Racing Stock, 3-Year-Old Filly and Horse of the Year—Okie Diva (Chitoz—Dana Okie) • Owner: Richter Family Trust Champion Thoroughbred Male Racing Stock, Male Sprinter—Welder (The Visualiser—Dance Softly) • Owner: Ra-Max Farms Champion Thoroughbred 2-Year-Old Filly—Sydney Freeman (Tizway—Peach Brew) • Owner: Robert H. Zoellner 59

NEWS Champion Thoroughbred 2-Year-Old Colt/Gelding—Night Strike (Liaison—Concert Strike) • Owner: Erich Brehm Champion Thoroughbred 3-Year-Old Colt/Gelding—Hallelujah Hit (Mr. Nightlinger—Halo Hit) • Owner: C.R. Trout Champion Thoroughbred Female Sprinter—Hailstorm Slew (Munnings—Successful Slew) • Owner: C.R. Trout Champion Thoroughbred Female Turf Runner—Gianna’s Dream (Twirling Candy—Untamed Beauty) • Owner: Jordan V. Wycoff Champion Thoroughbred Male Turf Runner and Aged Stallion/Gelding—Pacific Typhoon (Don’t Get Mad—My Stormy Elaine) • Owner: Carol J. Nelson Champion Aged Thoroughbred Mare—Inagoodway (Save Big Money—Truth Takes Time) • Owners: Steve Duby, Mike Castor and Kent Blair Champion Thoroughbred Claimer of The Year—Eurobond (Euroears—Cabo Sunrise) • Owner: Danny Caldwell Champion Thoroughbred Horse Mixed Meets—Baby K (Kennedy—Perfect Southerner) • Owner: Jared Gary Leading Owner of Thoroughbred Racing Stock—C.R. Trout Leading Breeder of Thoroughbred Racing Stock—Center Hills Farm Leading Sire of Thoroughbred Racing Stock—Euroears • Owner: James E. and Marilyn Helzer Leading Dam of Thoroughbred Racing Stock—My Stormy Elaine • Owner: Clark O. Brewster Industry Service Award—Van French

Carter Sales Co.’s OKC Sale Set for September The Carter Sales Co.’s OKC Summer Sale with select yearlings and a mixed session is set for Sunday, September 2, at the Oklahoma City Fairgrounds Arena. Horses can be viewed on the Friday and Saturday before the sale from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. A light lunch will be served and a live band will play before the sale. The entry deadline is June 29. For more info, check out the revamped website at cartersalesco.com.

OREGON HBPA Summer Racing Schedule Set Several members of the Oregon HBPA board attended the National HBPA Convention in New Orleans and had a wonderful experience. The speakers on the panels were very informative, and we came away with ideas for our own horsemen and horsewomen. We thank everyone for all their hard work putting it together. The Oregon summer fairs schedule for 2018 is as follows: · Eastern Oregon Livestock Show: June 8, 9, 10 · Grants Pass Downs: June 16, 17, 23, 24, 30 and July 1, 4, 7, 8 · Crooked River Roundup: July 11, 12, 13, 14 · Tillamook County Fair: August 8, 9, 10, 11 · Harney County Fair: September 7, 8, 9 The Oregon HBPA will be adding funds of more than $70,000 to purses this year. We also will be sponsoring one race at each race meet with $1,000 added. We continued our popular Trainer of the Day program in which $100 is awarded each entry day for a lucky trainer. Our newest incentive will be a guaranteed $100 for each official starter.

The Oregon Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association will have these incentives for the meets: · Bonuses for owners of Oregon-bred Thoroughbreds based on their earnings will be distributed at the end of the summer meets. · Breeder awards for Oregon-bred Thoroughbreds of 10 percent will be distributed for first- through fifth-place. · Oregon-bred stakes races will add $500 to the purse. · A Hi-Point Challenge will be added for fillies/mares and colts/geldings. · An extra $1,000 will be added to two Oregon-bred races at each meet. The Oregon Quarter Horse Racing Association will be adding $4,000 to the Grants Pass Derby, $15,000 to the Firecracker Futurity and $1,500 to the Prineville Futurity. On all overnight Quarter Horses races, there will be an added $500. They will also guarantee $100 to all Quarter Horses that have an official start at the summer meets. The Oregon Racing Commission has set the minimum jock mount fee at $60, and a daily cash award of $50 will be made to each rider. An all-meets bonus that totals $12,000 will be divided among jockeys participating in all five fair meets. Additional incentives will be announced by individual fairs. Eastern Oregon Livestock Show, for example, offers a daily cash award of $50, which means the daily award to each jockey available to ride will be $100. The summer fairs pamphlet is posted on our website if you would like further information. We are very excited that we will be simulcasting the Grants Pass Downs meet and the Crooked River Roundup. Our contract committee is waiting for a response from The Stronach Group on our proposal, and we hope to share the details of our 2018–19 Portland Meadows race meet very soon. We hope everyone has a wonderful summer.

PENNSYLVANIA HBPA Groom Elite Basic Grooming Graduates 15 at Presque Isle Downs The Pennsylvania HBPA board of directors congratulates the graduating class of Groom Elite—Basic Grooming at Presque Isle Downs. The following individuals have successfully completed the requirements and will be receiving their graduation certificate: Gabrielle Bradley, Jaelynn Brown, Brianna Carnegie, Jolie Dickerson, Clowie Gill, Michael Glover, Kim Kleckner, Heather Magennis, Kristin Malone, Amber Malone, Bill Phillips, Bethany Randall, Camille Scarabino, Lance Schaefer and Tina Swope. The majority of the graduates plan to get licensed by the Pennsylvania State Horse Racing Commission and begin their careers in the equine industry. The PA HBPA will be sponsoring continuing education classes in the equine industry with Groom Elite 101, which will be offered at both Presque Isle Downs and Penn National in July.

Presque Isle Downs’ 2018 Meet Opens Presque Isle Downs’ 2018 race meet opened May 14 with a solid eight-race card. Major changes at the Erie track for the 2018 season include a new racing secretary, Alan Plever; a new race caller, Robin Burns; the installation of a new Equi-Ciser for use by trainers located on the backside; and a new Jackpot 6 pick-six wager. We are hopeful these changes continue to improve the facility, the experience for horsemen and horsewomen and the wagering experience for our patrons.

THE HORSEMEN’S JOURNAL

SUMMER 2018

AFFILIATE NEWS MATCH Is Back

TAMPA BAY DOWNS HBPA

The Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association and its affiliates in Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey and Pennsylvania; Maryland Jockey Club (Pimlico Race Course and Laurel Park); Delaware Park; Greenwood Gaming and Entertainment (Parx); Penn National Gaming (Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course); Darby Development (Monmouth Park); Eldorado Resorts (Presque Isle Downs & Casino); and the Pennsylvania HBPA are proud to announce their joint participation to revive the MATCH Series and expand cooperation among all stakeholders in the Mid-Atlantic region. Regional discussions during the past six months led to the agreement, The MATCH Series, which debuted in 1997 and ran for five years, is an innovative regional racing series and the only one of its kind in racing that combines rich stakes and bonuses for participating owners and trainers over a five-month span. Horses competing in MATCH races earn points based on participation and order of finish, and the leading point earners in each of the series’ divisions, as well as the overall owner and trainer point leaders, win lucrative bonuses. The 2018 series will be contested among five divisions: 3-Year-Olds & Up Long—Dirt; 3-Year-Olds & Up Sprint—Dirt; 3-Year-Olds & Up Fillies and Mares Sprint—Dirt; 3-Year Olds & Up Sprint—Turf; and 3-Year-Olds and Up Fillies and Mares Sprint—Turf. Each division will have five races from mid-May through mid-September. Total purse money is $2.9 million. Horsemen will compete for $450,000 in bonus money, all contributed by the participating horsemen’s organizations. The first-, second- and third-place owners in each division will earn $20,000, $15,000 and $10,000, respectively. The top three earning trainers will earn $15,000, $10,000 and $5,000, respectively. The MATCH Series’ overall top-earning owner will win $50,000, while the top-earning trainer will earn $25,000. Previous series winners include trainers Graham Motion and Ben Perkins Jr. and owners Arthur Appleton and Sam Huff. MATCH debuted Preakness Stakes weekend at Pimlico with the Skipat Stakes and the Jim McKay Turf Sprint on May 18, Black-Eyed Susan Day. It continued Preakness Day with The Very One Stakes and the Maryland Sprint Stakes. The series will be contested throughout the summer at Delaware Park, Laurel Park, Monmouth Park, Parx, Penn National and Presque Isle, culminating with Championship Weekend, September 15-16, at Laurel, Parx and Presque Isle. The participating tracks have all agreed to support the MATCH Series divisions and not run races in competition with them. Participating horsemen will have a regional roadmap of stakes for their horses from May to September. Racing directors at each of the participating tracks worked together to select divisions that could provide the least amount of overlap and, hopefully, larger fields for all concerned.

Tampa Bay Downs Meet Recap

THE HORSEMEN’S JOURNAL

SUMMER 2018

The first leg of the 2017–18 Tampa meet concluded on Sunday, May 6, with Gerald Bennett capturing the title of leading trainer with 53 wins and Anthony Gallardo running away with leading jockey honors with 120 wins. Two days of racing will be held on Saturday, June 30, and Sunday, July 1. Our election was held on April 17 and with the following members being elected to three-year terms: President, Robert Jeffries; Vice President, Mike Dini; Owner Directors, Joe Dibello, Josie Gump, Jan Meehan, Steven Mueller and Sharyn Wasiluk; and Trainer Directors, Gary Jackson, Wayne Mogge, Keith Nations and Dennis Ward. We appreciate their involvement and willingness to serve on the board and look forward to working together over the next three years. Bob Jeffries, who has served as Tampa Bay Downs HBPA president for almost 20 years, and his assistant Linda Mayhew have enjoyed the trials and tribulations of their work and appreciate the opportunity to serve our horsemen in the future. TAMPA BAY DOWNS HBPA PRESIDENT The 16th annual Florida Cup BOB JEFFRIES AND ASSISTANT Day was held on Sunday, March LINDA MAYHEW 25, and showcased registered Florida-breds in six $100,000 stakes races. Among the festivities was the annual Florida Cup Day Groom Awards, sponsored by the TBD HBPA and Tampa Bay Downs, where grooms with the best turned out horses were each given $100. Congratulations to the following: Jose Santos and Bonetown Wild, trainer Gerald Bennett; Uriel Sisneros and Polo Art, trainer Randy Klopp; Udardath Holassee and Duquesita de Alba, trainer Antonio Sano; Gelvin Kevedo and Claire’s Kitty, trainer Philip A. Bauer; Daniel Gonzalez and Valegro, trainer Victor Carrasco Jr.; Juan Garcia and Flashing Tiz, trainer Ignacio Correas; Martin Garcia and Mermaid of Honor, trainer Robert O’Connor; Luis Diaz and Expected Ruler, trainer Derek Ryan; Don Cameron and He’s Bankable, trainer Mark E. Casse; Martin Nolasco and Lord Barna, trainer Kathleen O’Connell; Francisco Rito and Cowgirl Tough, trainer Gerald Bennett; Vicencio Mendez and Call Me Handsome, trainer Karen C. Yanez. AAA Feed’s monthly Barn of the Month awards are as follows: December, Maria Bowersox; January, Brenda McCarthy; February, Joan Scott; March, Joe Mineri; and April, Benny Feliciano. Each lucky winner received a $200 gift certificate, which was graciously donated by Nancy and Jerry Porello. Our Groom of the Week winners for March were Ricky Moreno, trainer Stidham; Abel Codoro, trainer Stidham; Jose Jiminez, trainer Scott; Denny Ward, trainer D. Ward; Arturo Ward, trainer D. Ward; Wilmer Olivia, trainer Delacour; Hector Gutierrez, trainer Delacour; and Hector Perez, trainer Harvatt. We wish you all the best this summer and hope to see you in the fall.

REED PALMER PHOTOGRAPHY

NEWS

WASHINGTON HBPA

Washington HBPA Election

Emerald Downs Welcomes New Chaplain

The WHBPA board of directors election day is September 24, but the process started a few months ago when the election and nominating committees were named. The nominating committee, represented by owners Andy Evans and Bob Capeletti and trainer Terry Gilliahan, is in charge of soliciting members to run for office and formally announcing them at the nominating meeting on June 23. The election committee oversees the control and counting of the ballots on election day. Trainer Chris Stenslie, owner Dolly Woerman and WHBPA Executive Assistant Lanna Allen were appointed to the election committee. The Washington HBPA board is made up of 11 members: five owner directors, five trainer directors and a president. An election is scheduled every three years for all positions. Eligible WHBPA members may run for the board if they: A. Are association members in good standing on the date of nomination and have been during each of the two calendar years immediately preceding the nomination date; B. Started a horse, or the fractional equivalents of one horse, at a track in Washington with which the association has a current contract a minimum of five times in each of the two years immediately preceding the nomination date; C. If running owner candidates, have raced as an owner-only at a track in Washington with which the association has a current contract during each of the two calendar years immediately preceding the nomination date; and D. If running trainer candidates, have raced as a trainer or owner-trainer at a track in Washington with which the association has a current contract during each of the two calendar years immediately preceding the nomination date. Previous directors who are licensed as an owner or owner-trainer and fulfill these requirements for three calendar years are eligible to run for president. Members should expect to receive their ballots by August 25. If you did not receive the invitation to the general meeting, the WHBPA may not have your correct mailing address. To ensure that you receive your election materials, it is imperative that the WHBPA has an updated address. Please provide the WHBPA corrections to your email and postal mailing address right away. If you have any questions regarding the election or wish to opt out of receiving election materials, please contact the office at (253) 804-6822 or email contactus@whbpa.com.

A welcome back barbecue, hosted by the Backstretch Chapel with the support of Emerald Downs and the Washington HBPA, was held in the stable area’s Fletcher Center on Thursday, May 24. The second annual event also served as a formal introduction of Chaplain Gilbert Aguilar, who was hired by the Backstretch Chapel board of directors on May 1. The new chaplain replaces Bryan Kahue, who left after eight years of service due to increased responsibilities with his church position and family. Chaplain Bryan and his church will continue to support the Backstretch Chapel and its ministry in other ways. Before accepting the position as racetrack chaplain, Aguilar’s experience with horse racing was limited to visits to the Emerald Downs front side. After CHAPLAIN GILBERT AGUILAR just a few short weeks walking the stable area, he has quickly connected with the horsemen. “I was surprised to see how many hard-working people there were in the barn area and quickly realized why a chaplain was needed to minister to this community of its own,” Aguilar said. “My goal for the year is to love people and help facilitate their needs whether social, physical, mental or spiritual.” His other goals for the Backstretch Chapel include re-establishing weekly chapel services (in addition to Father Gallagher’s weekly mass), opening the rec area at least three evenings a week plus adding organized activities, opening the Clothing Closet weekly and connecting with local churches to educate them about the ministry and community at Emerald Downs. Aguilar became a Christian at the age of 16, while in high school, and received his calling to enter the ministry in 2015 while very ill in the hospital after suffering critical complications from back surgeries. He entered pastoral ministry after his illness forced him to retire from a 34-year-career as a physician assistant. Aguilar is bilingual (Spanish and English) and has an extensive education and work history, which includes seven years on active duty as a medic and degrees from MEDEX Northwest, the University of Washington and University of Phoenix. More recently he graduated from the Christian Leadership Institute in August 2017 with a commissioned pastoral diploma. He continues to study at the Christian Leadership Institute to earn a Master of Divinity degree. Aguilar served his pastoral practicum and later became the associate pastor at Solid Ground Christian Fellowship in Auburn, Washington. As a physician assistant, he worked as lead provider in several different urgent care centers and concluded working in the medical field in 2015, after 19 years with MultiCare Health Systems. Aguilar also served as the occupational health center leader, manager of workers’ compensation and manager of employee services for Allied Signal Aerospace. Originally from Pico Rivera, California, Aguilar has three adult children, a son-in-law and daughter-in-law, and four beautiful grandchildren. He resides in Auburn, with Patsy, his wife of 43 years.

WHBPA Annual and Election Nominating Meeting The WHBPA annual meeting and election nominating meeting will be held Saturday, June 23, at 12 p.m. at the WTBOA Sales Pavilion. Please RSVP by June 20 for lunch at (253) 804-6822 or contactus@whbpa.com. The annual meeting is open to all WHBPA members and their guests. You are a member of the Washington HBPA if you were licensed as an owner or trainer at Emerald Downs in 2017 or 2018. The agenda includes a presentation by the Washington State University Veterinary School about the necropsy program and what the data is teaching. Also, an open discussion is planned regarding strengthening racing and breeding in the state with representation from Governor Jay Inslee’s office, the legislature, racetrack management, the WTBOA and WHBPA. The nominating committee will announce the candidates for president and the board of directors. Any WHBPA member may participate in the meeting. Additional nominations will be accepted from the floor if they receive the endorsement of not less than three members present, including the nominator and two seconds, or if they are accompanied by a petition signed by no fewer than 10 association members. HJ

THE HORSEMEN’S JOURNAL

SUMMER 2018

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