The Horsemen's Journal - Summer 2024

HORSEMEN’S

TURF— Aug. 29, 31, Sept. 1, 5, 7, 8 & 11

$35 million with KTDF over seven race days including the world’s richest maidens at $170,000, allowance races worth up to $220,000.

Home of a record SIX $2 million races, including G1 Franklin‑Simpson. FIVE others $1 million or more 18 stakes overall, nine graded. Invitation request to the

22 Win-Win Programs

Stable Recovery, Taylor Made School of Horsemanship provide multiple benefits to participants and the Thoroughbred industry

26 Study the Studies

Examining HISA research on Lasix and exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage in racehorses

32

Choosing an Aftercare Option

Challenges of what to do for retired racehorses, from private sales to nonprofit donations and adoption

A look at what goes into promoting the safety of the racehorse and the integrity of the competition with RMTC Executive Director Michael Hardy, DVM

Racetrack’

NATIONAL HBPA

3380 Paris Pike

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P (859) 259-0451

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PRESIDENT/ CHAIRPERSON OF THE BOARD

Dr. Doug Daniels

SECRETARY/ TREASURER

Lynne McNally

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Eric J. Hamelback

VICE PRESIDENT SOUTHERN REGION

Rick Hiles

VICE PRESIDENT CENTRAL REGION

Joe Davis

VICE PRESIDENT WESTERN REGION

J. Lloyd Yother

VICE PRESIDENT EASTERN REGION

Sandee Martin

THE TIME TO STAND TOGETHER IS NOW—BEFORE IT’S TOO LATE

The last few months in horse racing have been trying, to say the least. While many in the industry seem to misinterpret what the role of the National HBPA actually is, I would hope the vast majority do not. With personal criticisms and attacks regularly hurled my way (mainly through social media), I do the best I can to keep my head down and offer help and assistance to horsemen. It is not the role of the National HBPA to guide and direct the policies of our affiliates, but we do offer assistance when needed and serve as the voice of our affiliates when directed to do so.

The National HBPA has long been committed to establishing uniformity in medication rules affecting our equine athletes using veterinary science and peer-reviewed research to formulate policy. However, horsemen and horsewomen do not make the rules; we only abide by medication rules set by a regulatory authority.

This is one reason the National HBPA continues to demand racehorse testing policies that incorporate common sense and science. We are urging the regulatory powers that be to insist that the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA)/Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit (HIWU) utilize established research and qualified veterinary scientists to set allowable thresholds below which substances have no pharmacological effect on racehorses.

The National HBPA has been working on behalf of the owners and trainers we represent and believes that representation has led to advisory groups of active racing participants being a part of the HISA construct. We called for that early on, and it should have been instituted on Day 1 but unfortunately was not.

We need more than seats on a glorified advisory committee. We need a new advisory group—not one created by HISA—that helps our horsemen and horsewomen navigate the difficult situation into which some have been thrust. We’re dealing with livelihoods, and they are being controlled by people with no idea of what we face on a daily basis. Horsemen want clean racing, but that’s not aided by the current “gotcha” chemistry that unfairly devastates horsemen’s reputations and finances for something beyond their control.

The National HBPA and its affiliates have been pushing for years on the issues presented in the recent HIWU findings that include methamphetamine, metformin, tramadol and even ethyl glucuronide. Long before HISA and HIWU, we were advocating that common sense and science must be used in recognizing no-effect levels of environmental transfer of banned substances, for which methamphetamine is now the poster child.

As the National HBPA has insisted all along, the levels that trigger an adverse analytical finding need to ensure that innocent horsemen are not trapped in a web of overzealous testing that goes far below any possible pharmacological impact. We are not aware of all the testing levels that recently led to HIWU violations, but we do know the levels initially found in Iowa horseman Dick Clark’s horse were less than 400 picograms per milliliter of plasma. (Again, for clarity, a picogram is one trillionth of a gram, or the equivalent of one second in the life of a person who is 32,000 years old.)

Should the positive even have been called if the amount could not have had any impact on the horse? What about when subsequent human testing suggests humans were the likely source of contamination? What happens when the person exposing the horse to a substance is not someone employed or contracted by a trainer? Often the source remains unidentified, because it could have been a gate hand, valet, jockey, pony person, test-barn employee or anyone who interacted with and contaminated the horse. Would the comparable level be called in human testing?

Horsemen continue to face fines and suspensions for what most see as an unavoidable exposure. Now is the time for us to come together with our collective numbers and demand our rights and representation on HISA policymaking. We know HISA is the law of the land, but don’t forget how it became law of the land. It was not through a majority vote or via normal legislative procedure. It was snuck in at the proverbial midnight deadline, and we believe the time is now for HISA’s policymakers to work in good faith with the majority.

Transparency equals consistency, and the National HBPA will continue to apply pressure to get the best results we can for our horsemen nationwide, through all means possible, including legislatively, requests for rule changes, direct interaction with HISA and, yes, legal action if that’s required to prevent a private corporation with unfettered taxation capability and little transparency from trampling on horsemen’s rights. We will continue to make this industry better for horsemen and horsewomen as well as our cherished racehorses.

SINCERELY,

ERIC J. HAMELBACK

WOULD LIKE TO THANK ITS CORPORATE

SPONSORS

AFFILIATES

BOARD OF DIRECTORS - AFFILIATES

Dr. David Harrington, Alabama

Lloyd Yother, Arizona

Bill Walmsley, Arkansas

James Miller, Charles Town

Kim Oliver, Colorado

Dave Brown, Finger Lakes

Jim Watkins, Illinois

Joe Davis, Indiana

David McShane, Iowa

Rick Hiles, Kentucky

Benard Chatters, Louisiana

Jason Uelmen, Michigan

Justin Revek, Minnesota

Jami Poole, Mountaineer Park

Garald “Wally” Wollesen, Nebraska

Anthony Spadea, New England

Dr. Paul Jenson DVM, New Mexico

Joe Poole, Ohio

Joe Offolter, Oklahoma

Ron Sutton, Oregon

Sandee Martin, Pennsylvania

Mike Dini, Tampa Bay Downs

David Ross, Virginia

Pat LePley, Washington

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 71 #2.

Postal Information: The Horsemen’s Journal (ISSN 0018-5256) is published quarterly by the National Horsemen’s Administration Corporation, with publishing offices at 3380 Paris Pike, Lexington, KY 40511. Copyright 2024 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

CONTRIBUTORS

Dr. Kimberly Brewer

Liane Crossley

Dr. Clara Fenger

Jennie Rees

Jen Roytz

Dr. Thomas Tobin

PHOTOGRAPHERS

Benoit Photo

Blue Haven Photography

Paulette Cigliana

Grace Clark

Coady Media

Gwen Davis/Davis Innovation

Samantha Decker

John Engelhardt

Gulfstream Park

Mike Kane

Mathea Kelly Jim McCue/Maryland Jockey Club NYRA

Christine Quinn

Jen Roytz

Ryan Thompson/NYRA J. J. Zamaiko

STAFF

Tom Law Editor P (859) 396-9407 hj@hbpa.org

Michelle McShane

Advertising Director P (515) 508-1811 info@hbpa.org

Limb Design www.limbdesign.com Graphic Design

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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 nonmember subscriptions are $25. 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 (859) 259-0451.

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GIVE YOUR CHAMPION A CHANCE TO SHINE. WITH COVETED TROPHIES AND PRIZE MONEY TOTALING $122,000 ON OFFER, TELL US WHAT MAKES THEM SPECIAL. DON’T DELAY – VISIT TIEA.ORG TODAY. NOMINATIONS CLOSE AT THE STROKE OF MIDNIGHT, MONDAY JULY 15.

Winners will be celebrated at our 2024 awards ceremony on Tuesday October 15 at Keeneland Race Course.

THE NORTHERN LIGHTS WERE VISIBLE IN EARLY MAY IN MUCH OF THE NORTHEAST, INCLUDING OVER THE OKLAHOMA TRAINING TRACK AND WHITNEY VIEWING STAND AT SARATOGA RACE COURSE.

Justify, Gun Runner Top 2024 Hall of Fame Class

JUSTIFY, WHO BECAME AMERICAN RACING’S 13TH TRIPLE CROWN WINNER WITH A DOMINATING PERFORMANCE IN THE 2018 BELMONT STAKES, EARNS INDUCTION INTO THE HALL OF FAME THIS AUGUST.

Nine new members, including 2018 Triple Crown winner Justify and 2017 Horse of the Year Gun Runner, have been elected to the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame. The class of 2024 also includes jockey Joel Rosario, who joins Justify and Gun Runner as a contemporary inductee; jockey Abe Hawkins and racehorses Aristides and Lecomte via the Pre-1900 Historic Review Committee; and Harry F. Guggenheim, Clement L. Hirsch and Joe Hirsch via the Pillars of the Turf Committee. Rosario, Gun Runner and Justify all were elected in their first year of eligibility.

The 2024 Hall of Fame class will be enshrined at 10:30 a.m. Friday, August 2, at the Fasig-Tipton sales pavilion in Saratoga Springs, New York. The ceremony will be broadcast live online at racingmuseum.org. The event is open to the public and free to attend.

Joel Rosario, 39, a native of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, has won 3,621 races (through May 27) and ranks No. 4 all time in North American purse earnings with $320,105,713 in a career that began in 2003. The Eclipse Award winner for outstanding jockey in 2021, Rosario won the 2013 Kentucky Derby with Orb and the Belmont Stakes with Tonalist (2014) and Sir Winston (2019). He has won 15 Breeders’ Cup races, including the Classic with champion Accelerate (2018) and Horse of the Year Knicks Go (2021). Rosario has ranked among the top 10 in North American earnings 15 times, including topping the list in 2021 with a career-best $32,956,215. He also ranked in the top 10 in wins five times.

Gun Runner, a son of Candy Ride bred in Kentucky by Besilu Stables, won Eclipse Awards for Horse of the Year and champion older dirt male in 2017. Racing from 2015 through 2018, Gun Runner compiled a record of 12-3-2 from 19 starts and earnings of $15,988,500, the second-highest total of any North American-based horse (behind Hall of Famer Arrogate). Trained by Hall of Famer Steve Asmussen for owners Winchell Thoroughbreds and Three Chimneys Farm, Gun Runner compiled a championship season in 2017 that included Grade 1 wins in the Breeders’ Cup Classic, Woodward, Whitney and Stephen Foster. As a 3-year-old in 2016, Gun Runner won the Grade 1 Clark Handicap, earned Grade 2 wins in the Louisiana Derby and Risen Star and won the Grade 3 Matt Winn. Gun Runner made one start in 2018 prior to being retired, winning the Grade 1 Pegasus World Cup.

Justify, a son of Scat Daddy bred in Kentucky by John Gunther, became America’s 13th Triple Crown winner and was voted the Eclipse Award winner for Horse of the Year and champion 3-year-old male in 2018. He crossed the

finish line first in all six of his career starts, spanning 111 days from his career debut February 18, 2018, through his Belmont Stakes coronation June 9. Justify’s record of six wins from six starts and earnings of $3,798,000 is subject to change pending an ongoing appeals process related to his disqualification in the 2018 Santa Anita Derby. Trained by Hall of Famer Bob Baffert for owners China Horse Club, Head of Plains Partners, Starlight Racing and WinStar Farm, Justify won his first two starts at Santa Anita and then crossed the finish line first in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby. He went on to defeat champion Good Magic by 21/2 lengths in the Kentucky Derby, beat Bravazo by a half-length in the Preakness and swept the Triple Crown with a 13/4-length win over Gronkowski in the Belmont, his final start.

GUN RUNNER AND JOCKEY FLORENT GEROUX RETURN TO THE WINNER’S CIRCLE AT SARATOGA RACE COURSE AFTER ONE OF THE FUTURE HALL OF FAMER’S 10 GRADED STAKES VICTORIES.

The three contemporary selections were chosen by a nationwide voting panel of 177 members from a group of 17 finalists submitted by the Hall of Fame’s Nominating Committee. To be elected, finalists are required to receive 50% plus one vote (majority approval) from the voting panel after earning two-thirds support from the Nominating Committee to advance to the ballot.

Abe Hawkins (the location and date of his birth are unknown) earned nicknames including “The Black Prince,” “The Dark Sage of Louisiana” and “The Slayer of Lexington” for his prowess as a jockey in the pre- and post-Civil War years. Arguably the most celebrated rider in America prior to Isaac Murphy and the first Black athlete to gain national prominence, Hawkins is remembered foremost for his victory aboard Lecomte versus Lexington at the Metairie Course in New Orleans on April 1, 1854. That day, Hawkins piloted Lecomte to a record 7:26 for the distance of four miles to hand Lexington the lone defeat in his Hall of Fame career.

Aristides, a son of Leamington bred by his owner H.P. McGrath in Kentucky, won the inaugural Kentucky Derby in 1875. Trained by Hall of Famer Ansel Williamson, Aristides, a week before the Derby, finished out of the money in the Phoenix Hotel Stakes (won by Hall of Famer Ten Broeck). He came back in the Derby before a crowd of 10,000 to defeat Volcano by 2 lengths, with Ten Broeck fifth. His time of 2:373/4 was the fastest to that date by a 3-year-old for 11/2 miles. Overall, he posted a record of 9-5-1 from 21 starts with earnings of $18,325. Aristides died June 21, 1893. In 1988, the Aristides Stakes was inaugurated at Churchill Downs to honor him. A life-sized bronze statue of Aristides by Carl Regutti stands in the Clubhouse Gardens at Churchill as a memorial.

Lecomte, a son of Boston bred in Kentucky by Gen. Thomas Jefferson Wells and foaled in 1850, made his debut at the Metairie Course in New Orleans April 5, 1853, in a 2-year-old sweepstakes at mile heats. Although he was a foal of 1850, Lecomte was still considered a 2-year-old. Southern rules that were in effect prior to the Civil War designated ages of horses as calculated from May 1. Lecomte won both mile heats, including in a time of 1:451/2 for the second heat, the fastest ever raced in America at the time. He went on to several victories,

including against Sallie Ward, considered one of the best mares in the South prior to the Civil War, and against eventual Hall of Famer Lexington. Lecomte went 11-4-1 from 17 starts with earnings of $12,360.

The Museum’s Historic Review Committee considered only candidates from before 1900 this year. The committee will review the era of 1900 through 1959 in 2025 and 1960 through 2000 in 2026.

Harry F. Guggenheim was a leading figure in the fields of publishing, mining, government service, aeronautics and philanthropy. Born in New Jersey in 1890, Guggenheim developed a passion for racing after graduating from Cambridge University. He became a significant figure in the sport as an owner, breeder and industry leader. Under the name Cain Hoy Stable, Guggenheim won 540 races as an owner with purse earnings of $6.2 million. He also bred the winners of 1,230 races, and those horses earned $8.7 million. Cain Hoy campaigned 1953 Kentucky Derby winner Dark Star, champion Bald Eagle and Hall of Fame member Ack Ack. Cain Hoy Stable-bred standouts included champions Crafty Admiral and Never Bend; Kentucky Oaks winners Lalun, Hidden Talent, Make Sail and Sally Ship; Bold Reason, winner of the American Derby, Hollywood Derby and Travers Stakes in 1971; San San, winner of the 1972 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe; and multiple stakes winner One-Eyed King. Along with Hall of Fame members John W. Hanes and Christopher T. Chenery, Guggenheim outlined a plan for a nonprofit to reorganize New York racing in the 1950s, which eventually led to the creation of the New York Racing Association.

Clement L. Hirsch, a native of St. Louis from a family of successful retail merchants, served in the Marine Corps in World War II and was involved in the invasion of Guadalcanal. Hirsch purchased his first racehorse in 1947. While a successful owner, Hirsch is best remembered in the sport as a co-founder and president of the Oak Tree Racing Association. In 1968, the operators of Del Mar decided to cancel their fall racing program and to host only a summer meet.

“We

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Hirsch, along with businessman/racehorse owner Louis R. Rowan, veterinarian Dr. Jack Robbins and other racing enthusiasts, formed Oak Tree to annually host a fall meet at Santa Anita Park. The meet proved successful, and Hirsch served as its president from its inception until his death in 2000. The Oak Tree meetings also benefited numerous racing charities. Hirsch was awarded the Commissioners Cup in 1998 by the National Thoroughbred Racing Association. He received a Special Eclipse Award in 1999. Following his death in 2000, the Oak Tree Racing Association honored him by changing the Oak Tree Turf Championship Stakes to the Clement L. Hirsch Memorial Turf Championship for the 2000 renewal.

Joe Hirsch enjoyed a prolific journalism career that carried him from the eras of Citation and Native Dancer to the dawn of the 21st century. He spent 49 years at Daily Racing Form and became one of racing’s most visible and impactful figures. Hirsch became the Form’s executive columnist in 1974 and held that title until his retirement. Through his omnipresent and comprehensive reporting and personal access to the leaders and prominent participants in the sport, Hirsch became highly influential and used his platform to become one of the game’s greatest ambassadors. The author of five books, Hirsch was the founder and first president of the National Turf Writers Association in 1959. Hirsch earned an Eclipse Award for Outstanding Newspaper Writing in 1978 and the Eclipse Award of Merit in 1992. His British colleagues recognized Hirsch’s international reach with the Lord Derby Award from the Horserace Writers and Reporters Association of Great Britain in 1981. Among his other awards were the three primary honors given out annually by the National Turf Writers Association—the Walter Haight Award for excellence in turf writing (1984), Joe Palmer Award for meritorious service to racing (1994) and the Mr. Fitz Award for typifying the spirit of horse racing (1998).

Triple Crown Season Produces Strong Results

The 2024 Triple Crown produced three different winners—all upsets—for the sixth straight year since Justify swept the series in 2018, along with several records and increases in television ratings.

The 150th renewal of the Kentucky Derby and shifting the Belmont Stakes to Saratoga Race Course added plenty of interest to the series, which delivered with results on the track and produced safe racing.

The Belmont Stakes Racing Festival at Saratoga, a four-day extravaganza with 23 stakes, put a cap on the spring season with results that matched expectations in upstate New York.

Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce President Todd Shimkus called the Belmont at Saratoga experience—the first of two to be run at the summertime venue because of a $450 million reconstruction project on a new Belmont Park—the equivalent of a Super Bowl. Shimkus and the Saratoga Springs community rolled out the Belmont-hued green carpet for events leading up to and including Belmont Stakes week. The centerpiece of the week included a concert on Broadway featuring Blues Traveler.

“Oh my god, the schools are closed on Friday,” Shimkus said. “That tells

you everything you need to know about the difference with the way things are this year compared to how they usually are here in June. We never had to think about what might happen if we ran racing during school because it just doesn’t happen.”

The racing did happen, going off without many glitches and despite threats of rain and any signature Saratoga thunderstorms. A sold-out crowd of 50,000 came for the Belmont Stakes—some hardcore Saratoga regulars estimated there might have been more inside the gates—and watched 17-1 longshot Dornoch close the series with an upset win over Mindframe.

The crowd that turned out and others watching from afar bet with vigor. The New York Racing Association reported total paid attendance of 120,028 for the four days of the festival and total all-sources handle for the festival of $197,426,085. Belmont Day produced all-sources handle of $125,748,941, a NYRA record for a year without a potential Triple Crown sweep on the line. NYRA reported a 6.3% increase in the previous record of $118,283,455 set in 2023. All-sources handle for the Belmont Stakes was $60,904,557, while on-track handle on Belmont Day was $14,854,311.

MYSTIK DAN AND JOCKEY BRIAN HERNANDEZ JR. TAKE A BOW IN FRONT OF SOME OF THE 156,710 FANS THAT JAMMED INTO CHURCHILL DOWNS FOR THE 150TH KENTUCKY DERBY MAY 4.

THE FIELD FOR THE 156TH RUNNING OF THE BELMONT STAKES HEADS OFF IN FRONT OF A PACKED HOUSE AT SARATOGA RACE COURSE, WHICH HOSTED THE FINAL JEWEL OF THE TRIPLE CROWN FOR THE FIRST TIME JUNE 8.

The more than $197 million all-sources total also marked a 9.8% increase over the previous festival record of $179,779,835 set in 2018 when Justify won the Triple Crown in the Belmont Stakes.

NYRA’s results followed similar gains for the Kentucky Derby, won by 18-1 longshot Mystik Dan.

Churchill Downs Inc. reported record wagering of $320.5 million for Kentucky Derby Day, shattering last year’s mark of $288.7 million. All-sources wagering on the Kentucky Derby race was a record $210.7 million, which topped the previous mark of $188.7 million set in 2023. All-sources handle for Derby Week also rose to a new record of $446 million, topping last year’s mark of $412 million.

Churchill unveiled its new $200 million paddock in time for the 150th Derby, which saw a crowd of 156,710, the highest since 2018 and up more than 6,000 from last year. The 150th Kentucky Oaks, run on a soggy day and won by Thorpedo Anna, drew in a crowd of 107,236.

“The Kentucky Derby is a testament to the enduring spirit of sportsmanship, unity and the power of tradition,” said Bill Carstanjen, Churchill Downs Inc.’s chief executive officer. “We were honored to debut our transformational new paddock as we celebrated this milestone 150th Run for the Roses. The new paddock has fundamentally enhanced the experience of all of our guests as they pass through our front gates and is a stepping stone to the next chapter of this time-honored event.”

The Derby race betting figures included a record $10.1 million in all-sources wagering from Japan, which threw much of its support behind third-place finisher Forever Young and fifth-place finisher T O Password. Forever Young qualified for the Derby through his victory in the UAE Derby in Dubai while T O Password earned a spot through Churchill’s Japan Road to the Derby.

Television ratings for the historic Derby were the highest since Sunday Silence upset Easy Goer in 1989. NBC reported a total audience of 16.7 million for its Derby broadcast, the highest since 18.5 million watched in 1989. Viewership peaked at 20.1 million from 7 p.m. to 7:15 p.m. ET, when Mystik Dan scored his upset victory.

Ratings for the 149th Preakness Stakes May 18 at Pimlico Race Course also were strong. NBC reported that the Preakness averaged 5.5 million viewers, peaking at 7 million, for the largest audience since 2021 and a 7% increase from 2023 across NBC, Peacock and NBC Sports Digital.

Total wagering on Preakness Day dipped 2.7%, from $101,668,475 last year to $98,858,918 in 2024. Seize the Grey, a 9-1 longshot trained by 88-yearold Hall of Famer D. Wayne Lukas, denied Mystik Dan a chance at a potential Triple Crown sweep with a 21/4-length victory. —Tom Law

T.I.P. Announces Winners of 2023 Performance Awards

The Jockey Club Thoroughbred Incentive Program (T.I.P.), which encourages the retraining of Thoroughbreds into other disciplines upon completion of careers in racing or breeding, recently unveiled its 2023 Performance Awards program winners.

The performance awards recognize Thoroughbreds accumulating the most points at all horse shows and cover a wide variety of disciplines and experience levels. In 2023, 734 Thoroughbreds from 44 U.S. states and five Canadian provinces competed in more than 15,000 classes, divisions and events. Division awards were calculated in 16 categories as well as 99 discipline divisions and nine junior rider divisions. Category and division awards included the Green OTTB category for Thoroughbreds that last raced in 2021, 2022 or 2023, with generous sponsorship for these awards provided by Thoroughbred Charities of America (TCA).

2023 T.I.P. Performance Awards

Category

Barrel Racing

Dressage

Endurance/Competitive Trail

English Pleasure

Equitation

Eventing/Combined Test

IDOL OF KINGS, A KENTUCKY-BRED SON OF MARIA’S MON BRED AND RACED BY JOHN AND BETTY MABEE’S GOLDEN EAGLE FARM, DIDN’T WIN ON THE TRACK IN TWO STARTS BUT SHINES IN THE SHOW RING AS THE WINNER OF THE JOCKEY CLUB THOROUGHBRED INCENTIVE PROGRAM’S JUMPER CATEGORY.

Performance award winners receive ribbons, prize money and a variety of prizes, including coolers, halters, bags, tumblers and apparel.

In addition to the category and division awards, the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA) sponsored a performance award for horses adopted from TAAaccredited organizations, and the Retired Racehorse Project (RRP) provided awards for top-placing RRP Makeover alumni.

Performance awards are available once again in 2024 and will be based on results in shows from December 1, 2023, through November 30, 2024. The deadline for submissions is December 20, 2024. Forms are available at tjctip.com/About/TBPAF.

Created in October 2011, the T.I.P. recognizes and rewards the versatility of the Thoroughbred through sponsorship of Thoroughbred classes and high point awards at sanctioned horse shows, performance awards, a recreational riding program, championship horse shows and non-competition awards.

Name (State bred) “Show name”

Dream of Scipio (MD)

Easy Sailing (PA)

Stolen Track (FL)

Easy Sailing (PA)

Kisstheothercheek (MD)

Conquest Playmisty (KY)

General Goforthegusto (FL) “Otter”

Halter/Model/In-Hand

Easy Sailing (PA)

Hunter Congressionalwin (PA)

Jumper

Western

Western Dressage

Online Horse Shows

TCA Green OTTB—Last Raced 2021

TCA Green OTTB—Last Raced 2022

TCA Green OTTB—Last Raced 2023

Idol of Kings (KY)

Jon Knowsthecode (KY)

Fumin Numin (NY) “Apology Accepted”

Henke (ON)

Bribery (KY) “Steeldriver”

Joe’s Calling (KY) “True Calling”

Igottahaveit (NY) “I Gotta Have It”

Rider name (State)

Erin Burdick Bloom (MI)

Montana May (VA)

Debora Morse (FL)

Montana May (VA)

Kelly Hart (GA)

Jennifer Perkins (CT)

T.J. Watson (NC)

Montana May (VA)

Sarah Wynn and Emma Najdzionek (VA)

Samuelle Leerkamp (IN)

Wendy Frevert (IN)

Allison Andrews (SC)

Karla Pohl (AZ)

Samantha Schiff (KY)

Cathy Gomez (SC)

Freda Jessen, owned by Heather Stanley (SC)

Nominations Open for Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards

Nominations for the 2024 Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards (TIEA) are open and will continue through Monday, July 15. The awards, first held in the U.S. in 2016, are sponsored by Godolphin, the global racing and breeding operation founded by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum. The awards are presented in association with the National Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association, The Jockey Club, Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association and Breeders’ Cup. Godolphin also sponsors equivalent awards in Ireland, Australia, Great Britain and France.

Cash prizes totaling $122,000 will be awarded to the winners and two finalists in seven categories as well as monetary awards going to two runners-up. The awards are the Dr. J. David “Doc” Richardson Community Award, Katherine McKee Administration Award, Dedication to Breeding Award, Dedication to Racing Award, Newcomer Award, Support Services Award and Management Award.

ANTHONY KOCH (LEFT), HALLWAY FEED’S DIRECTOR OF SALES AND MARKETING, STANDS WITH THE DEDICATION TO BREEDING AWARD FINALISTS (FROM LEFT) PHILIP HAMPTON, JIMMY TATE (WINNER) AND RAFAEL ZAMBRANO, WITH TIEA EMCEE TODD SCHRUPP LAST YEAR AT KEENELAND.

TIEA’s category sponsors, which lent their support last year, are returning as sponsors again for 2024. They are the Keeneland Association, Churchill Downs Inc., 1/ST Racing, Hallway Feeds, New York Racing Association, Hagyard Equine Medical Institute and the National Thoroughbred Racing Association.

One additional highlight for several past TIEA winners was their inclusion in the 2023 Eclipse Awards ceremony earlier this year. Linda Doane, Dominick Merritt and Saul Castellanos were invited to celebrate the night in person by helping with the presentation of the trophies in three categories.

Keeneland will again host the TIEA ceremony, scheduled for Tuesday, October 15, in the Keeneland Clubhouse. For more information or to nominate, go to tiea.org.

PDJF Tabs Joe Clabes as Executive Director

The Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund (PDJF) expanded its staff in early April with the appointment of Joe Clabes as its new executive director, joining President Nancy LaSala. The appointment comes as the organization continues to grow its impact and support for permanently disabled jockeys.

With a strong background in nonprofit management and a deep understanding of the horse racing industry, Clabes will oversee finance, technology, internal operations and controls, and disbursement of benefits to disabled jockeys. He will work closely with LaSala and the board to implement strategic initiatives, support fundraising efforts and enhance the organization’s outreach and support programs.

“We are thrilled to welcome Joe as the new executive director of the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund,” said William J. Punk Jr., PDJF board chair. “Joe has strong leadership and management skills and is dedicated to supporting the needs of disabled jockeys.”

LaSala has served as president since the organization’s inception in 2006 and executive director since 2009. As president and primary spokesperson, she will continue to work with PDJF’s industry partners, donors, professional jockeys from the past and present, and financial assistance recipients to build

on and expand fundraising opportunities and initiatives.

“I am honored to have the opportunity to serve the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund as executive director and assist the organization in taking the next steps in its evolution,” said Clabes. “I look forward to working closely with Nancy, the PDJF team, our partners and the broader horse racing community to continue the important work of providing assistance and support to our permanently disabled jockeys.”

JOE CLABES, PDJF EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Jockey Wellness Conference Set for October

The Jockeys’ Guild and Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) will co-host the International Jockey Concussion, Safety and Wellness Conference October 9-11 in Lexington, Kentucky.

The event will serve as a forum for exploring ways to address critical mental wellness, concussion and medical issues affecting Thoroughbred jockeys and participants in other equestrian sports.

“The Jockeys’ Guild has long advocated for programs to support jockeys’ stress and challenges, and we’re pleased to be partnering with HISA this year, as we continue to build on our 15-year involvement in the international conference on the health, safety and welfare of the jockeys,” said Terry Meyocks, Jockeys’ Guild president and CEO. “We firmly believe insights from this year’s scheduled speakers will aid our collective efforts to further enhance jockey wellness and resources, with a long-term goal to expand mental health programs beyond jockeys to benefit all in our industry.”

The conference’s program will feature two days of engaging sessions, including roundtable discussions, presentations and lectures, on topics related to jockey safety and well-being, such as “The Landscape Around Athlete Health” and “Concussions and the Crucial Connection Between Brain Health

and Nutrition.” The information shared, including best practices and potential industry solutions, will be highly relevant to a broad range of attendees, including medical professionals, racetrack safety directors, EMTs and first responders, racetrack management, jockeys and their families, academics and other racing industry stakeholders.

Scheduled speakers include Dr. Margot Putukian, chief medical officer of Major League Soccer; Dr. Steven Broglio, director of the University of Michigan Concussion Center and Neurotrauma Research Laboratory; Dr. Shae Datta, vice chair of the American Academy of Neurology’s Sports Neurotrauma Section; and Dr. Mark Hart, cardiologist and International Federation for Equestrian Sports (FEI) Medical Committee chair.

The conference will take place at Fasig-Tipton’s sales pavilion.

Racing industry participants who are required to meet certain annual continuing education requirements under HISA’s Racetrack Safety Program will be eligible to receive credit for conference attendance. For more details and to register to attend, please visit hisaus.org/hisa-conference or contact Niki Robb at niki.robb@hisaus.org. HJ

National HBPA Conference Heads to Prairie Meadows

The 2024 National HBPA Conference, set for July 23-27 at Iowa’s Prairie Meadows, is designed to provide additional insight and clarity into horse racing’s most important issues. In that regard, session topics will range from computer-assisted wagering, fixed odds, importance of no-effect testing thresholds, aftercare, fostering a positive narrative about the industry and a status report on the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA) and the litigation challenging the constitutionality of the legislation and the corporation it created.

“A lot is changing in our industry at breakneck speed,” said Eric Hamelback, CEO of the National HBPA. “The objective of the National HBPA Conference is to get straight talk from industry experts and to start dialogue where we can come together to begin implementing solutions that truly make horse racing better for our participants, including horseplayers, and safer for our equine and human athletes.”

Conferencegoers will be treated to an opening reception on the evening of Tuesday, July 23, hosted by prominent Iowa horse owner Dennis Albaugh at his acclaimed car museum in the Des Moines suburb of Ankeny.

Among the conference’s panel discussions:

• Owner Brent Malmstrom will detail his ongoing challenges with HISA and its Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit. The status report on HISA also will feature Daniel Suhr, the main counsel in the National HBPA’s lawsuit challenging the legality of the enabling HISA legislation. They’ll be joined by equine attorney Pete Sacopulos with National HBPA General Counsel Peter Ecabert moderating.

• Thoroughbred Daily News reporter Dan Ross will moderate a panel with Pat Cummings and Jack Jeziorski discussing computer-assisted wagering.

• Michele Fischer from SIS Content Services will lead a panel on the establishment of fixed odds in Colorado with the Colorado Horse Racing Association’s Kim Oliver and GMA Consulting’s Dan Hartman.

• The annual Kent Stirling Memorial Medication Panel Friday, July 26, will discuss the massive problems facing trainers whose horses test positive for trace levels of substances that are prevalent in the environment. Dr. Clara Fenger, Dr. Brad Brown, Dr. Rob Holland and Dr. Thomas Tobin

PRAIRIE MEADOWS RACETRACK IN ALTOONA, IOWA, WILL HOST THE NATIONAL HBPA CONFERENCE JULY 23-27.

will lay out why it is vital for the industry to install no-effect thresholds for medications and drugs that can be easily transferred from the environment to racehorses.

• A panel chronicling successful outcomes for retired racehorses after finding new homes and second careers will feature New Vocations Thoroughbred Program Director Anna Ford, Retired Racehorse Project Executive Director Kirsten Green and Dr. Stephanie White, president of Hope After Racing Thoroughbreds and a partner in the Iowa Equine veterinary practice.

• Amplify Horse Racing Executive Director Annise Montplaisir, along with a representative of the Light Up Racing initiative, will highlight how the industry can move the needle in projecting a positive image for racing and changing errant perceptions in a discussion with National and Kentucky HBPA communications consultant Jennie Rees.

• In a panel discussion on the art of classifying and filling races, a group of industry experts will address the possibility of horse racing establishing a new classification system for race conditions. Panelists debating this complex issue include racing consultant Rick Hammerle (Santa Anita, Kentucky Downs); Ocala Stud’s David O’Farrell, the current Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association (TOBA) chair; and Andy Schweigardt, TOBA’s director of industry relations and development. Radio personality Steve Byk will moderate.

The National HBPA will honor 2023 Claiming Horse of the Year Uncaptured Storm, along with his former majority owner Rick Burnsworth and Mid-Atlanticbased trainer Anthony Farrior, at the conference awards ceremony luncheon on Wednesday, July 24. Longtime Iowa HBPA director and owner-breeder Allen Poindexter will be honored as a National HBPA Living Legend at Friday’s Benefit Providers luncheon.

The National HBPA Executive Committee will meet Thursday, July 25, and the full board will meet and have elections Saturday, July 27, for the National HBPA officers. Prairie Meadows is hosting an evening at the races that Friday for conference attendees.

“We are immensely grateful to the Iowa HBPA, our affiliates and members, as well as our conference sponsors, for their generous support and unwavering commitment to the mission of the National HBPA,” said Dr. Doug Daniels, National HBPA president and board chair. “It is the contributions and time given by many that allow us to make this conference a resounding success. Together, we have fostered a collaborative environment where ‘horsemen helping horsemen’ remains the goal. We look forward to a great conference and having everyone join us for a wonderful event in Iowa.” HJ

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‘The Horsemen’s Racetrack’ Kentucky

Downs Continues Growth, Set for First Grade 1 Stakes

By Jennie Rees

Whenever the Sharp family drives past Interstate 65’s Exit 2 near the Kentucky-Tennessee border, trainer Joe Sharp tells his kids, “Oh, look! It’s Kentucky Downs,” as he waves at the track.

“We knoooow, Dad,” is the inevitable response.

“They’re like, ‘Dad, we know where Kentucky Downs is,’ ” said Sharp, a father of two boys. “They kind of get aggravated with me. But I have this nostalgia that always pulls me to point it out. Maybe it’s because that’s where I won my first race, I don’t know. It always holds a special place. Every time I drive by, I just want to pull in and stop there.”

Clearly, Sharp does not ever take Kentucky Downs and its handful of all-turf dates for granted. Since earning his first victory as a trainer there in 2014, he has subsequently won 24 races and surpassed $3.3 million in purse earnings at the track without benefit of winning a stakes.

Kentucky Downs’ purse largesse is such that for some owners one win can make the year, where a placing pays a lot of bills or provides additional funds for the Keeneland September yearling sale that overlaps the meet.

The 2024 meet is offering $35 million in purses (including more than $15 million in supplements for registered Kentucky-breds) for the 75 races spread over seven dates: August 29 and 31 and September 1, 5, 7, 8 and 11. Of the 18 stakes, nine are graded, including the track’s first Grade 1 race in the $2 million Franklin-Simpson Stakes for 3-year-old sprinters September 7.

Six stakes will be worth $2 million or more, including Kentucky Thoroughbred Development Fund (KTDF) money. Among them is the renamed $2.5 million, Grade 3 Nashville Derby August 31 (the first of two Saturdays), which for Kentucky-breds will be the richest race for 3-year-olds outside the $5 million Kentucky Derby. The second Saturday, September 7, will have six graded stakes, five offering purses of $2 million with KTDF money (and still $1 million for horses born elsewhere). Five other stakes at the meet are worth at least $1 million.

Purses for Kentucky-bred maidens remain the highest in the world, increasing to $170,000 from $150,000, with the top allowance races going for $220,000.

But the track’s escalating popularity is about more than dollars. There’s the uniqueness of the atmosphere: all-turf racing over a 15/16-mile undulating course shaped like a lopsided pear, including morphing into a right-hand turn where jockeys save ground on the outside rail before it transitions into an expansive left-hand turn atop a slightly dog-legged stretch that extends almost three-eighths of a mile.

“We’re kind of used to seeing the same old thing, just in different venues; this is a different place,” trainer Jonathan Thomas said during last year’s meet—and this was before he won two $1 million stakes on the September 9 card. “Outside of bills and horses not running well, the biggest complaint I hear from owners is ‘Where has the fun gone?’ I think guys have fun here.”

Jayson Werth, the standout outfielder for the 2008 World Series champion Philadelphia Phillies who got into horse ownership in 2021, said he knew nothing about Kentucky Downs before he went there last year to watch one of his horses. He said his partners assured him he’d love it and that the track is “like the hidden gem of Kentucky.”

“You go and you’re expecting something totally different,” Werth said. “You get into it, and you realize the charm of the place right away, just outside Nashville. It’s totally different than running at Churchill or Keeneland. It turns into just an amazing event.”

Under its past two ownership groups, Kentucky Downs has transformed from novelty to national leader. The ownership headed by longtime track executive Corey Johnsen and businessman Ray Reid bought the track in 2007 and brought historical horse racing (HHR) into Kentucky at the end of 2011. Kentucky Downs embarked on an upward trajectory, setting the blueprint for Kentucky’s other tracks.

The pace accelerated at a dizzying rate after the partnership headed by prominent horse owner-breeder and Las Vegas-based entrepreneur Ron Winchell and gaming executive Marc Falcone purchased Kentucky Downs in 2019.

Winchell and Falcone rebranded the HHR gaming operation as The Mint Gaming Hall at Kentucky Downs, their first year doubling the size of the HHR floor in the biggest expansion in the track’s history. The on-site Irons Steakhouse opened in 2022 with the adjacent Mint Event Center and the SpringHill Suites Franklin Mint hotel opening last year. The Mint Gaming Hall Bowling Green, a satellite HHR facility, launched in late 2021, generating additional purse money.

Purses have climbed from a total of $769,810 over four dates in pre-HHR 2011 to $24,251,361 spread over seven days last year. Similarly, all-sources wagering skyrocketed from about $3.6 million in 2011 to $83,640,261 in 2023.

“But it also has a cool vibe factor going for it,” Damon Thayer, a horse owner and outgoing Kentucky Senate majority floor leader, said at last year’s meet. “I also think the prestige of the meet is starting to get baked in across North America. It used to be kind of a quirky novelty track, and there were some people who wouldn’t run here. Now everybody is coming. All the jockeys are here, all the trainers, the big outfits. It exemplifies what’s going right with Kentucky racing.”

Not even 15 years ago Kentucky racing was on the ropes, with every track except Churchill Downs and Keeneland in varying degrees of financial peril. Kentucky-breds had little additional value, other than Kentucky breeding that could be easily transported to states with lucrative programs for horses foaled there. Pre-HHR, Kentucky Downs generated minimal if any KTDF money for purses.

Through HHR, Kentucky Downs became the linchpin for the renaissance, including sending purse money to other Kentucky tracks, which it continues to do through an agreement with the Kentucky HBPA. (The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission approves KTDF transfers.) As Kentucky racing improved, tracks embarked on massive construction projects, creating an upward spiral. The Kentucky-bred again possesses added value at the horse sales, including benefits for certain out-of-state wins through the Kentucky Thoroughbred Breeders’ Incentive Fund.

“A rising tide definitely lifted all boats in Kentucky,” said Ted Nicholson, Kentucky Downs’ vice president for racing and member of the senior management team since 2015. “For the first time, there are no weak links on the Kentucky circuit, with more and more horsemen opting to stay in the state year-round. We’re obviously very proud of Kentucky Downs’ role spearheading one of the greatest turnarounds and success stories in horse racing history, but

Kentucky Downs 2024 Meet at a Glance

Race dates August 29, 31 and September 1, 5, 7, 8 and 11

Address 5629 Nashville Road, Franklin KY 42134 (I-65, Exit 2)

Racing website themintkentuckydowns.com/live-racing/

General office (270) 586-7778; racing office (in season) (270) 598-9821

Reserved seating

Horsemen’s policy

Horsemen’s hotel rate

VIP Chalet, Finish Line Pavilion. Details, including additional options, will be available around mid-July and posted at themintkentuckydowns.com/live-racing/. Free general admission at the top of the stretch with tailgating area into the far turn.

The connections of a horse in a stakes receive up to eight tickets in a reserved-seating venue, with those in undercard races getting up to four. There is an option to purchase more tickets at the HBPA half-price rate. Details are on page 50 of the Kentucky Downs condition book (available at themintkentuckydowns.com/live-racing/).

Use the QR code on page 3 of the condition book to receive a special rate at the SpringHill Suites Franklin Mint.

DRONE VIEW OF KENTUCKY DOWNS DURING THE 2023 MEET

KENTUCKY DOWNS PREFERS TO AWARD WINNING CONNECTIONS WITH UNIQUE PRIZES THAT INCLUDE GUITARS SIGNED BY COUNTRY MUSIC LEGENDS AND COMMEMORATIVE BOURBON BOTTLES.

THE HAPPY OWNERS OF ANGLOPHILE CELEBRATE HIS VICTORY IN LAST YEAR’S $1 MILLION, GRADE 3 DUELING GROUNDS DERBY. OTHER OWNERS WILL BE PLEASED TO COMPETE IN THIS YEAR’S RACE, WORTH $2.5 MILLION AND RUN AS THE NASHVILLE DERBY.

we’re certainly not through. Ron and Marc challenge us every year to do everything better—and to make adding something new part of our routine.”

With the ticketed (all-inclusive, including an open bar) VIP Chalet and Finish Line Pavilion maxed out on Saturdays, Kentucky Downs continues to add to its reserved-seating inventory to accommodate rising demand from trainers, owners, racing fans and those just wanting to experience a slice of Americana.

For the upcoming meet, the old betting pavilion was knocked down and replaced with a 5,400-square-foot highceiling structure that encompasses a new enhanced wagering area as well as additional reserved seating and dining for the public and horsemen. Keeping the temperature pleasant will be ceiling fans from track sponsor Big Ass Fans.

Three 48-foot-wide modular air-conditioned suites, similar to those used at golf tournaments, will be positioned between the eighth pole and the sixteenth pole. The entire parking lot has been paved with lined spots.

“On the weekends, it’s very difficult to accommodate everybody,” Nicholson said. “So we’re always looking for ways to improve the customer experience and create more space as demand continues to develop. For instance, we’re seeing more and more horsemen coming down from Lexington who haven’t been coming before.”

Kentucky Downs sees aggressively recruiting more European participation as the way to secure additional Grade 1 stakes. For that mission, Kentucky Downs has enlisted the International Racing Bureau and hired veteran racing executive Martin Panza, who previously worked at Hollywood Park and the New York Racing Association, including creating NYRA’s popular Turf Triple series at Belmont and Saratoga for 3-year-old colts and fillies.

“We have gone from a top regional track to a top national track, and now our focus is to become an international destination,” Nicholson said. “We believe this will pay off for everyone. Our ultimate goal is for each of our eligible stakes to be a Grade 1 eventually. We broke the ice. Now we’ve got to keep up the momentum.”

2024 Stakes Schedule

All on turf; all include KTDF purse supplements for Kentucky-breds Thursday, Aug. 29—$500,000 Tapit Stakes, 3-year-old and up, 1 mile and 70 yards. Restricted to horses that have not won a stakes in 2024.

Saturday, Aug. 31—$2.5 million Nashville Derby (G3), 3-year-old, 15/16 miles; $1.5 million Ladies Turf (G3), 3-year-old and up fillies and mares, 1 mile; $1 million Ladies Turf Sprint (G2), 3-year-old and up fillies and mares, 6½ furlongs.

Sunday, Sept. 1—$750,000 Kentucky Downs Juvenile Sprint, 2-year-old, 61/2 furlongs.

Thursday, Sept. 5—$500,000 One Dreamer, 3-year-old and up fillies and mares, 1 mile and 70 yards. Restricted to fillies and mares that have not won a stakes in 2024.

Saturday, Sept. 7—$2 million Franklin-Simpson Stakes (G1), 3-year-old, 61/2 furlongs; $2 million Kentucky Downs Turf Cup (G2), 3-year-old and up, 11/2 miles, “Win and You’re In” for the Longines Breeders’ Cup Turf; $2 million Turf Sprint (G2), 3-year-old and up, 6 furlongs, “Win and You’re In” for the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint; $2 million Music City Stakes (G2), 3-year-old fillies, 61/2 furlongs; $2 million Mint Millions (G3), 3-year-old and up, 1 mile; $1 million Ladies Marathon (G3), 3-year-old and up fillies and mares, 15/16 miles.

Sunday, Sept. 8—$1 million Gun Runner, 3-year-old, 1 mile; $750,000 Kentucky Downs Juvenile Mile, 2-year-old, 1 mile; $750,000 Untapable Stakes, 2-year-old fillies, 61/2 furlongs; $750,000 Kentucky Downs Juvenile Fillies, 2-yearold fillies, 1 mile.

Wednesday, Sept. 11—$1.5 million Dueling Grounds Oaks, 3-year-old fillies, 15/16 miles; $500,000 Nashville Gold Cup, 3-year-old and up, 21/16 miles.

Returning August 29 for the third year are a pair of $250,000 open allowance races—one for males and one for fillies—restricted to 2-year-olds purchased at the 2023 Keeneland September yearling sale. The inaugural male division in 2022 produced last year’s Grade 1 Arkansas Derby winner Angel of Empire and Keeneland’s Grade 3 Kentucky Utilities Transylvania Stakes winner Mo Stash. Aspenite was second in last year’s male division, running back in 10 days to capture the Kentucky Downs Juvenile Mile, then worth $500,000 compared to its 2024 purse of $750,000.

“My owners target it,” trainer Kelsey Danner, who won the first male division of the Keeneland sales races in 2022 with Dunedin, said of Kentucky Downs. “That’s another reason we bought turf horses at the September sale, for those races.”

Kentucky Downs has adopted the motto of “the horsemen’s racetrack,” and that includes providing complimentary all-inclusive tickets for every horse running (up to eight for stakes, up to four for undercard races) in the seating venues. The track also prides itself on presenting the most unusual trophies in American racing, such as graded stakes winners receiving a guitar signed by a well-known country music artist and all winning horses’ connections receiving an etched bottle of the featured bourbon of the day.

“Pretty much nobody can say no to Kentucky Downs at this point, from a trainer and owner’s perspective, just because financially they’ve made it so attractive,” Sharp said. “And I think they’ve done a great job of accommodating owners and horsemen in general to come down there and be a part of that meet. They’ve just raised the bar as years have gone by and made it easier and a better place to visit—and they pay you to do it.” HJ

Jennie Rees is a communications consultant for the National and Kentucky HBPA as well as public relations director for Kentucky Downs. A multiple Eclipse Award winner, she covered racing for 32 years for the Louisville Courier-Journal.

MIKE KANE

RACE DATES | JULY 13 - SEPTEMBER 9

Race Dates: July 11 – September 7

Daily purse average over $700,000.

.

WIN-WIN Programs

By Liane Crossley

Stable Recovery, Taylor Made School of Horsemanship Provide Multiple Benefits to Participants, Industry

With multiple meanings of both words, the name Stable Recovery says it all. The program, which at first sounded far-fetched and almost ridiculous, has escalated into a revered solution to multiple problems that has many in the Thoroughbred industry asking, “What took us so long?”

Stable Recovery’s mission is to provide a safe and stable living environment for men in early recovery from addiction in a peer-driven therapeutic community with a focus on equine-related employment opportunities.

The program is the brainchild of Christian Countzler and Frank Taylor, whose family operates Taylor Made Farm in Nicholasville, Kentucky, in the famed Bluegrass region. The farm is a dominant breeding and sales operation with a stallion roster that includes leading sire Not This Time.

I can’t tell you if it will be Day 1 or Day 1,000, but one day your eyes will meet a horse’s eyes and your souls will connect.

WILL WALDEN WITH SOME ADVICE FOR MEMBERS OF THE STABLE RECOVERY PROGRAM

TRAINER WILL WALDEN IS A STABLE RECOVERY GRADUATE WHO HAD GOTTEN SOBER THROUGH THE SHEPHERD’S HOUSE PROGRAM.

Taylor acknowledges that he was met with doubt when explaining his idea of hiring people dealing with drug and alcohol addiction or with arrest records to work at Taylor Made Farm. With that initial idea, he started the Taylor Made School of Horsemanship with residents of Lexington’s Shepherd’s House who were transitioning back into the workplace during addiction recovery. The men learned skills that could lead to employment at the farm. The initiative led to Stable Recovery, a similar program with opportunities for both equine and mainstream jobs.

“I’m in recovery myself,” Taylor said. “I got sober, and then I wanted to give back.”

He started the horsemanship school about four years ago with Tyler Maxwell and Mike Lowery as the first two graduates. Along with Will Walden, they had gotten sober through the Shepherd’s House program.

“They came to me and said they wanted to train racehorses, so we bought 10 yearlings to start Ready Made Racing,” Taylor said. “That was the evolution. We had outgrown Shepherd’s House, where we were getting the guys. We weren’t getting enough, and we weren’t getting the right ones. That is when Christian [former vice president of housing at Shepherd’s House] and I formed Stable Recovery officially in 2022.

“When Maxwell, Lowery and Walden graduated, we started Ready Made Racing,” Taylor continued. “After that we made a tweak, and instead of using Shepherd’s House as a source, we started Stable Recovery as our own 501(c) (3). We now use word of mouth. Sometimes people call me from within the Thoroughbred industry and say they have a really good worker with a drug or drinking problem and ask if they can send the person to Stable Recovery. There is a long waiting list. We are trying to expand for more capacity.”

There is no initial fee to join Stable Recovery. Housing, food and transportation are provided. Once the person gets a job, they pay $100 per week for all services. When they complete the 90-day program within the School of Horsemanship at Taylor Made Farm, their passion and ability with horses are assessed, and they are placed accordingly.

“So far, about 100 have gone through Stable Recovery, and about 68 are in the horse business,” Taylor said. “Generally, those who come from the racetrack want to go back to the racetrack. Once we get them sober and responsible, there are plenty of jobs even if it is not within the horse industry.”

The results are an exponential win-win situation for all involved, especially the men who readily acknowledge that the original and subsequent horses they have worked with changed—and, in some cases, saved—their lives. The program is already receiving accolades as well. Stable Recovery was honored by Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear at his annual Prayer Breakfast in March, and Taylor was named 2023 Kentucky Farm Manager of the Year, not only for his overall excellence in the Thoroughbred industry but for the innovative programs. He is now in discussions about expanding the program nationwide.

THIS SPRING, EXERCISE RIDER JEREMIE FENNEL REPORTED FOR WORK AT KEENELAND AT TRAINER WILL WALDEN’S BARN, AN OPERATION ROOTED IN THE STABLE RECOVERY PROGRAM.

STABILITY IN THE STABLE

After Taylor and his partnership bought those 10 prospects at the 2021 Keeneland September yearling sale to campaign as Ready Made Racing, he hired Walden to oversee their early racetrack lessons and Maxwell and Lowery to assist.

As the son of Elliott and Rebecca Walden, Walden was born to be a horseman. His father’s training career produced 1,017 wins and included a parade of graded stakes winners. He is best known for ending Real Quiet’s Triple Crown bid with 1998 Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes runner-up Victory Gallop in the Belmont Stakes. The elder Walden saddled his final starter in 2005 and is the longtime president, CEO and racing manager at WinStar Farm. Rebecca was an accomplished exercise rider before leaving the saddle to focus on family.

Conversely, Maxwell and Lowery could not have imagined a life revolving around racehorses while learning from the ground up at the School of Horsemanship. Maxwell had riding experience but honed his skills to become a first-rate rider in the Walden outfit. He now works at WinStar’s training division.

Despite having no horse experience, Lowery was a quick study. He traveled with the Walden barn throughout Kentucky for nearly a year before returning to Taylor Made to stay close to his family. He is now a manager in the farm’s broodmare division.

“We started the breaking process at Taylor Made,” Walden said of those first horses they purchased. “Then we packed up the truck and headed down to Ocala to continue the process. Then we brought them to Keeneland in the spring. That is when we officially started at the track.”

With his obvious ties to the Thoroughbred world, Walden naturally gravitated to the track, where his roles included working as an exercise rider before turning to training. Despite his seasoning, Walden viewed the progress with the Ready Made fleet with fresh eyes.

“We learned as we went,” he said. “Through the breaking process, one of the cool parallels to see was that we started with yearlings, not horses who knew what they were doing. I was able to witness them every day, and sometimes the yearlings would take one step forward and two steps back. The rider and the groom would also go one step forward and two steps back sometimes. But they learned on the same path. They taught each other. Each day, one of the guys would learn something new and teach it to the horse. Then the horse would get hold of it, and it just sort of snowballed day after day. When we came to Keeneland in the spring, we had 10 2-year-olds that acted like older horses.”

Walden attributes much of the horses’ manners to Maxwell’s and Lowery’s eagerness to bring out the best in themselves.

“The horses were well trained and well coached because these guys were desperate to learn,” Walden said. “They poured more effort into every

GWEN DAVIS/DAVIS

GWEN DAVIS/DAVIS INNOVATION

HAPPY HUMANS AND HORSES INCLUDING JORDAN MARKSBERRY, PICTURED WITH ONE OF WILL WALDEN’S CHARGES CAN YIELD POSITIVE RESULTS IN LIFE AND ON THE TRACK.

THE CONNECTION BETWEEN HORSE AND HUMAN, LIKE THE BOND BETWEEN KYLE BERRYMAN AND SICILIAN PRINCESS IN WILL WALDEN’S BARN AT KEENELAND, IS NO SECRET AND PLAYS A KEY ROLE IN EQUINE THERAPY PROGRAMS.

STABLE RECOVERY MISSION STATEMENT

To provide a safe and stable living environment for men in early recovery in a peer-driven therapeutic community with a focus on equine-related employment opportunities.

WHO Founded by Frank Taylor and Christian Countzler

WHAT Peer-driven therapeutic community focusing on equine-related employment

WHEN Began as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization in 2022

WHERE Based in Central Kentucky

HOW Participants learn horsemanship and other transferable job skills

WHY To assist in addiction recovery and supply staffing within the Thoroughbred community and beyond

day because they were more thirsty for knowledge than in an ordinary breaking situation.”

On May 13, 2022, Taylor’s concept quickly gained monetary and intangible success when Dazzlingdominika won a Churchill Downs maiden race for 2-yearold fillies who had sold via auction for $45,000 or less. First prize was $52,720. Two weeks later, the $30,000 September yearling sale graduate sold for $120,000 in a one-day Fasig-Tipton Digital Ready Made Racing “flash sale.”

PARALLEL PATHS

The magical connection between equines and humans is no secret. In recent years, those connections have been studied, documented and promoted for therapy. Walden saw it every day with the initial group of newbies.

“It was cool to witness, and I think about it a lot,” he said. “The horses and the guys were on a parallel path. Neither of them knew what horse racing meant or had any real experience with it, but they got to the destination at the same time.”

Animals are revered for their lack of prejudice and judgment; they accept humans for how they are in the moment and bond or don’t bond with them accordingly. Walden anticipated the moment of revelation when his employees learned this.

“I told these guys when they first started, ‘I can’t tell you if it will be Day 1 or Day 1,000, but one day your eyes will meet a horse’s eyes and your souls will connect,’ ” he said. “ ‘You will realize the horse accepts you. He doesn’t know anything about your past, doesn’t care. Horses accept you for who you are right here and now. It is an empowering feeling.’ ”

Walden reasons that the feeling was even stronger for the men yearning to turn their lives around.

“These guys in recovery are hungry to make something out of their lives even though they come in completely backwards and green,” he said. “They pick [horsemanship] up faster because they are desperate for it. For me and a lot of the guys, we are coming from a place that is defined in the recovery community as rock bottom. It is just another word for complete and utter hopelessness. Then you kind of get a breath of fresh air, new life breathed into you, whether it is an opportunity here or sometimes just an interaction with a horse.”

The transformation from despair to optimism is obvious.

“I probably see their growth more than they do,” Walden said. “I know what they looked like on Day 1, and I know what they look like now. Sometimes they feel like they are running their head into a brick wall because we are constantly on them to do things a certain way. I still push them just as hard because I know where they can go. They all started late [with horses] while others on my crew have been with horses for years.”

During Keeneland’s spring meeting this year, Walden had four Stable Recovery alumni working in his shedrow. Although Maxwell and Lowery moved to other Thoroughbred industry jobs, their inspirational roles with Walden paved the way for others. Stable Recovery has become highly regarded for changing lives and supplying the equine industry with dedicated employees grateful for their change of fate.

Taylor envisions expanding the Stable Recovery model to more racetracks and farms.

“Taylor Made School of Horsemanship and Stable Recovery started as a dream five years ago,” he said. “It is a win from every standpoint while solving two major problems—addiction and worker shortage. We take those in early sobriety and give them discipline, accountability, structure, responsibility and support from everybody. It is a win for the person, their families, society, businesses, employers and the horses. Spiritually, financially, mentally and physically, it is a win.” HJ

• LIVE RACING FROM May 10 - September 28

• 5% INCREASE TO PURSES

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• AVERAGE DAILY PURSES OF OVER $230,000

Coady Photography

STUDY THE STUDIES

Examining HISA Research on Lasix and EIPH in Racehorses

Horses are arguably the most well-adapted elite athletes of the animal kingdom. One of the most efficient biomechanical specimens, horses originally evolved this efficiency to elude predation, but as they were domesticated, their highly efficient system was adapted through selective breeding to develop speed and agility, originally to aid in military ventures but also to contest speed events.

By Clara Fenger, DVM, PHD, DACVIM; Kimberly Brewer, DVM; and Thomas Tobin, MRCVS, PHD, DABT

Among these adapted features is the ability of highly trained equine athletes to move as much as 250 liters (66 gallons) of blood per minute at maximal exercise through their muscles and lungs to deliver oxygen and remove carbon dioxide. This high throughput of blood is so fast that the horse does not fully oxygenate the blood, so horses are actually hypoxic, or low in blood oxygen, during maximal exercise, a feature unique to horses in the animal kingdom.

The Thoroughbred is a close-to-perfect animal for racing, flawlessly adapted to this assignment. While the horse is as well-equipped as several thousand years of selection allows, the incredible capacity to move blood through its lungs can work to its disadvantage.

EIPH in Horses

In a horse’s respiratory system, critical events occur at the interface between the airborne oxygen in the horse’s lungs and the red blood cell traversing the lungs’ capillaries.

The membrane between the air in the lungs and the red blood cell in the pulmonary capillaries is delicately thin, allowing rapid and efficient transfer of oxygen to the horse’s blood, one of the exquisite adaptations of the horse to racing performance. The horse’s pulmonary system is designed on the absolute edge of physical integrity because the more delicate the membranes between the red blood cell and the alveolar oxygen, the more rapidly and efficiently the transfer of oxygen to the bloodstream can occur.

One outcome of this delicate balance is that, during maximal effort, the pressure of 250 liters of blood per minute passing through the thin capillary walls results in some extent of bleeding into the lungs, or exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage (EIPH). Horses in all disciplines suffer EIPH, including any sport in which speed is important and even draft horses in pulling competitions. EIPH events can range from barely noticeable to impaired performance and include significant risk of injury or death for horses and their riders.

The horse’s white blood cells can clear small amounts of blood from the airways, but larger amounts can accumulate in the airways and be moved up the trachea, where it is observed by tracheobronchoscopy, more commonly known as scoping.

Scoping is routinely performed after exercise to evaluate the presence and severity of EIPH, which is scored from 1 to 4 with a score of 1 indicating minimal

specks of blood and 4 being extensive blood in the trachea. Post-race tracheal EIPH scores of 3 or 4 are associated with reduced racing performance.

EIPH and Furosemide

At some time in the 1960s, American horsemen became aware that pre-race administration of furosemide had a protective effect on the horse during racing events. What is particularly interesting is that the American racing community became aware of this protective effect well before the tracheal manifestations of EIPH were identified and understood by veterinarians. This presumably happened when horsemen became aware that their horses performed more formful overall when furosemide was administered pre-race.

The outcome of this observation was that, from the 1970s on, furosemide became increasingly authorized for pre-race administration in racehorses in the U.S.

The regulatory concern with pre-race furosemide administration was the potential masking of doping agents through urinary dilution. Furosemide produces significant urinary dilution, and in the early 1970s, equine drug testing was entirely dependent on urine testing.

Several research institutions took up this matter and were able to demonstrate that any drug masking of furosemide by urinary dilution was essentially over 2.5 hours after administration, leading to a three- to four-hour pre-race rule for furosemide administration in racehorses. These findings removed a significant barrier to the regulatory acceptance of furosemide for use in horse racing in the U.S., and the last major American racing jurisdiction to approve the use of furosemide in racehorses was New York, which legalized its race-day use on September 1, 1995.

Furosemide and the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act

The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act includes a provision for the prohibition of furosemide within 48 hours of a race three years after the program’s effective date, unless a unanimous vote of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) board decides that it should continue. The decision is supposed to be made after careful review of a study commissioned by HISA, as shown in the text of the Act:

HORSES IN COMPETITION—WHETHER RACING OR IN DRAFT HORSE PULLING EVENTS—SUFFER EXERCISE-INDUCED PULMONARY HEMORRHAGE.

THE THOROUGHBRED IS A CLOSE-TO-PERFECT ANIMAL FOR RACING, WITH AN INCREDIBLE CAPACITY TO MOVE BLOOD THROUGH ITS LUNGS.

Section 1206. HORSERACING ANTI-DOPING AND MEDICATION CONTROL PROGRAM. (e)(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than the program effective date, the Authority [Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority] shall convene an advisory committee comprised of horse racing anti-doping and medication control industry experts, including a member designated by the anti-doping and medication control enforcement agency, to conduct a study on the use of furosemide on horses during the 48-hour period before the start of a race, including the effect of furosemide on equine health and the integrity of competition and any other matter the Authority considers appropriate.

The purpose, it would appear, is to determine once and for all whether furosemide is detrimental or beneficial to the racehorse. Rather than conduct such a study themselves, the HISA committee funded a series of scientific studies on the matter of the pre-race use of furosemide in racehorses.

The quality of any research depends first and foremost on how it is designed. In medicine, the quality of evidence is ranked. Weak evidence is gleaned from studies in laboratory animals and cell cultures. Moderate-quality evidence comes from studies that involve case reviews and from observational studies in which the investigators are unable to control which animals receive which treatments and simply record what they see.

Strong evidence includes those studies that randomly assign animals to blinded or masked treatment groups, so no underlying bias can determine which group an animal goes into, and neither animal trainers nor investigators can interject their own opinions about treatments. For example, a randomized controlled study for Lasix (furosemide) would have the researcher randomly assign horses into a Lasix or no-Lasix group, with no regard for whether the horse has previously experienced EIPH. Neither the investigator nor the horse trainer would know which horses received Lasix and which received a placebo. This would prevent bias from people with known bleeders putting those horses into the Lasix group, which would skew the results toward a higher percentage of EIPH episodes in the Lasix group.

The absolute strongest evidence in research is from meta-analysis, in which multiple studies are analyzed as a group for overall conclusions.

In veterinary medicine, randomized clinical trials are uncommon because of the ethical considerations associated with potentially depriving an animal of necessary medication to be in a placebo group. Usually, these studies involve experimental animals because of the ethical considerations when using clientowned animals. Despite this rarity, one subject that has been investigated with strong scientific evidence is the use of furosemide in racehorses. The most recent of those studies was the 2009 landmark Hinchcliff paper that demonstrated unequivocally that pre-race furosemide decreases the incidence and severity of EIPH in Thoroughbreds.

Studies Funded by HISA

The first study chosen by HISA to fund with money taken from the industry falls into the moderate level of evidence category:

Examining Associations Between Furosemide Treatment & Racehorse Health and Welfare

Principal Investigator: Amanda Waller, BSc, PhD, research scientist, Center for Clinical and Translational Research, Nationwide Children’s Hospital

This study will examine the effects of race-day furosemide treatment on the health and welfare of Thoroughbreds as well as their long-term racing performance. An analysis will be conducted to assess the association between pre-race furosemide administration and fatal injury while also comparing the performance metrics—including lifetime earnings, career length, lifetime starts, starts per year, placings and average speed figures—of horses that raced exclusively on furosemide as 2-year-olds and horses that did not receive furosemide for any races during their 2-year-old year.

This is a completely observational study, in which the investigators simply record what happens or what happened. The study claims to investigate whether race-day administration of furosemide affects lifelong performance metrics and fatal injuries.

Since furosemide for works (breezes) is not banned in any type or class of horse in the U.S. or any other racing jurisdiction, any horse competing without furosemide is likely to have received almost as much furosemide as any horse competing with furosemide. Further, this study aims to look at horses that raced exclusively with furosemide as 2-year-olds and compare that group to horses that raced exclusively without furosemide. Since the implementation of HISA, no 2-year-olds in HISA-regulated jurisdictions are permitted to race with furosemide. Therefore, this study must simply use historical data dating to when some 2-year-olds were able to race with furosemide. Using historical data only, the researchers will have no access to any records, such as the HISA medication database, showing whether the same horses received furosemide at times other than races. This is an ambitious undertaking of mining huge amounts of data to achieve evidence that is moderately strong at best. It also lacks what is perhaps the most relevant piece of information, namely whether the same horses received furosemide for breezing.

If this study uses all data before HISA implementation, it also misses a major consideration. Before the 2-year-old furosemide ban, the reason certain 2-yearold horses might be administered furosemide would be based on individual decisions of the horse’s connections. In some cases, the horse might have already bled in a work, skewing the findings with the furosemide group having a greater propensity to bleed. This lack of control over the experimental design is precisely why this type of study does not meet the standard of strong evidence.

The second study funded by HISA appears to fall into the stronger evidence category, a controlled study with experimental animals:

Effects of Repeated Furosemide Administration on Electrolyte Homeostasis and Bone Density in Healthy Adult Exercising Thoroughbreds

Principal Investigator: SallyAnne L. DeNotta, DVM, PhD, DACVIM, clinical assistant professor, Large Animal Medicine, University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine

This study will examine the effects of repeated furosemide administration on electrolyte homeostasis, parathyroid response and urinary electrolyte excretion in exercising adult Thoroughbreds. The study also will examine the effects of repeated administration on bone density

Are You Covered?

What is it?

A program to protect your assets in case of an injury or damage to property arising from your equine activities (breeding, racing, sales, training). This is not a substitute for workers’ compensation coverage.

What Does It Cover?

• Liability claims arising from injuries to participants (non-employee jockeys and exercise riders)

• Contractual liability (i.e. hold harmless in Race Track Stall Agreements)

• Premises and Operations liability coverage for all equine operations including breeding, boarding, training, and racing.

How Much Does It Cover?

Each member additional insured has their own $1,000,000 coverage for each occurrence or offense and $2,000,000 general aggregate. Damage to premises rented to you or occupied by you with the permission of the owner is provided with a limit of $50,000. Medical payments coverage applies as well in the amount of $5,000 per person.

NO 2-YEAR-OLDS COMPETING IN HISA-REGULATED RACES, INCLUDING EVENTUAL STAKES WINNER ALPINE PRINCESS, WHO WON ON CLOSING DAY AT SARATOGA RACE COURSE LAST YEAR, ARE PERMITTED TO USE FUROSEMIDE.

and strength using minimally invasive methods of measurement, including DEXA scan and OsteoProbe.

Very little besides the titles of the HISA-funded studies have been released to the public, and little about study design can be discerned from this title. Presumably the subjects in this study are research horses since similar studies have been conducted at the University of Florida using exercised Thoroughbreds. The advantage of this type of study is the ability to control variables to limit confounding factors. The disadvantages include the inability of a laboratory environment to realistically mimic race training.

A previous experimental study in 2019 found no effect of furosemide administration on bone density over seven weeks of weekly furosemide administration in non-exercised research horses that were considerably older than most racehorses. The University of Florida proposal would therefore add information to the current state of knowledge by seeing if this lack of impact of furosemide on bone mineral density also is seen in horses closer to the age and exercise status of racehorses. While interesting, decreased bone mineral density has never been demonstrated to contribute to fractures in racehorses.

Interestingly, that 2019 study showed that the weight loss effect of furosemide was attenuated over the seven weeks of the study. In other words, the horses get “used to” furosemide and respond with less weight loss, a recognized phenomenon with this class of diuretic. This effect is from an upregulation of the electrolyte channels in the kidneys and is unrelated to the effect of furosemide in the lungs.

Electrolyte changes in horses administered furosemide also have been previously demonstrated, with prolonged effects on calcium. This effect would be likely to be attenuated if the electrolyte channels are upregulated in horses with weekly administration. If this phenomenon of accommodation of the horse’s kidneys to repeated furosemide administration is confirmed with the University of Florida study, it is likely that the findings will mirror the 2019 study.

Presumably, HISA chose this study on the premise that the fractures identified in racehorses result from abnormal bone density and that furosemide adversely affects bone density. In humans, the literature is mixed on the risk of fracture with chronic furosemide use, with some researchers finding no effect and others finding increased risk. However, it is important to note that these studies evaluate human patients with substantial underlying disease who take furosemide twice daily on an ongoing basis. In the racehorse, at least in the case of proximal sesamoid fractures, there is no difference between bone mineral density of horses that fracture and non-fractured controls. So, even with the stronger tier of evidence used in this study than the others funded by HISA, regardless of what the researchers find, no extrapolation to fracture incidence can be made.

The third study funded by HISA appears to be an observational study: Does Pre-Race Administration of Furosemide to Thoroughbred Racehorses Prolong Their Racing Careers?

Principal Investigator: Warwick Bayly, BVSc, PhD, DACVIM, professor, Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Washington State University

This study will examine the impact of severe exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage on horses’ careers and the health of the racing industry more broadly. In doing so, the study will assess whether regular furosemide treatment is associated with more career starts and greater longevity and the impact of banning furosemide for 2-year-olds on the duration of their careers and number of lifetime starts. The study also will seek to determine the extent to which severe EIPH impacts the number of subsequent race starts, the periods between them and, when applicable, the time between the diagnosis of severe EIPH and retirement.

It is unclear from the study title how these investigators will determine if horses experience severe EIPH. Epistaxis, or bleeding from the nose, is commonly associated with severe EIPH, but horses can bleed from the nose with any grade of EIPH and even without EIPH at all. Further, horses that die of EIPH often have no blood at the nose. Therefore, without actual endoscopy of the horses, there is no way to determine if a horse has suffered severe EIPH.

The projected comparison of career duration and number of lifetime starts between 2-year-olds that could race on furosemide and those that have started under the 2-year-old ban has a number of confounding factors. First, since May 22, 2023, a complete ban on furosemide in all 2-year-old races has been in place. Therefore, to have a group of 2-year-olds that raced with furosemide, the comparison must be made between horses that were 2-year-olds in 2023 and those that were 2-year-olds in 2022 and before. The regulations between those two groups of horses are wildly different and include many other factors that could contribute to career duration and number of lifetime starts.

The limitations of this study are even greater than the first observational study. By necessity, this study must compare horses from different time frames, which would include different regulatory infrastructures. It is hard to imagine how these researchers are going to determine if a horse has experienced a severe bleeding episode. If they rely solely on events identified by regulatory veterinarians and resulting in a period on the vet’s list, many horses will be misclassified as never having endured a severe EIPH event.

Interestingly, these studies in no way question the primary benefits of prerace furosemide administration, namely the protection of the horse against the various manifestations of EIPH.

Perhaps this is because the protective effects of furosemide administered pre-race are well established in clinical experience and the published scientific literature. All three projects will contribute to the base of knowledge regarding furosemide and racing, but not one provides strong evidence that could, on its own, answer the questions required by the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act to modify the requirement that race-day furosemide be eliminated from U.S. horse racing.

Per the Act, the study must provide evidence that (1) continuing to permit race-day furosemide is warranted, (2) continuing to permit race-day furosemide is in the best interest of horse racing, (3) furosemide has no performanceenhancing effects on individuals, and (4) public confidence in the integrity and safety of horse racing would not be adversely affected by permitting the continued use of race-day furosemide.

The conditions set forth by the Act are vague and subject to personal interpretation by the individual Authority board members, who must vote unanimously to permit the continued use of race-day furosemide. Notably, the Act specifically requires that furosemide must be shown to have no performance-enhancing effect on individuals, and none of the studies that were funded even attempt to answer that question. It simply looks like the Authority provides the appearance that it is adhering to the requirement of the Act with no intention of addressing the four underlying requirements necessary to preserve the use of race-day furosemide in the U.S. HJ

2024 Ohio HBPA Board of Directors

Election Ballots due by Friday, September 6th will be mailed to Ohio HBPA members by August 1st.

If you are a member of the Ohio HBPA and did not receive a notice of election letter in April please contact Diane Sexton in the Ohio HBPA main office at 614-875-1269. Have your OSRC license number and mailing address available and she will add you to the mailing list for an election ballot.

Choosing an Aftercare Option

PRIVATE SALES VS. NONPROFIT DONATIONS AND ADOPTION

By Jen Roytz

Aftercare can vary greatly from one organization—and horse— to the next. From intake requirements and procedures and rehabilitation and training capabilities to capacity and adoption screening and protocols, it can be challenging to know which approach is best for not only the horse but also its connections. Potential buyers and adopters can vary greatly as well. While some may be seasoned riders with ample experience evaluating and bringing along young

Thoroughbreds, others may be embarking on horse ownership, much less a Thoroughbred, for the first time.

For Thoroughbred owners and trainers, racing retirement is far from a onesize-fits-all model. That’s why being aware of the options available and what they truly entail can make all the difference in creating an aftercare plan that works for all involved.

Nonprofit Aftercare

Thoroughbred trainer Bev Strauss has built a career not only in racing but also in aftercare. In addition to her string at Delaware Park, she is one of the founders of MidAtlantic Horse Rescue (MAHR), a Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance-accredited organization serving the Mid-Atlantic region’s tracks as well as rescuing horses bound for slaughter at area auctions such as New Holland in Pennsylvania.

Founded by Strauss and fellow trainer Ginny Suarez, MAHR was originally formed to offer horses a similar safety net and path to retirement that their own horses had. Since its inception, they have adopted out more than 3,000 horses into non-racing homes.

“When I began training, people didn’t think about or didn’t want to think about where their horses ended up after racing, and many ended up in the slaughter pipeline,” Strauss said. “Aftercare has become much more mainstream and a legitimate part of racehorse ownership. Most trainers really do care and are aware of what can happen if their horses are not placed responsibly. Aftercare has become much more accepted and monitored.”

Many nonprofit aftercare organizations require that a financial contribution be made to assist with costs associated with a horse’s care, retraining and adoption, especially for horses that will require rehabilitation for an injury and will have potential physical limitations in a non-racing career.

Horses that come to MAHR through on-track programs like Beyond the Wire in Maryland come with a stipend to assist with costs associated with their care. While MAHR hasn’t required donations to be made for horses not coming through such programs in the past, it is a policy they are in the process of  changing.

“The expenses have become so significant, especially for horses needing rehab,” Strauss said. “We have a streamlined, cost-effective method for transitioning horses, but due simply to the cost of caring for horses in this day and age, we can’t stay viable without instituting a donation policy, especially for those needing rehab.”

According to Strauss, the biggest challenges organizations like MAHR face are simple yet staggering.

“Funding and space, it’s as simple as that,” she said. “We can only take in as many horses as we have physical space for and funding to care for.”

Private Sales & Retraining

Many trainers have opted to sell their retiring racehorses privately rather than donating them to a nonprofit aftercare organization. A sale can potentially make a trainer several thousand dollars rather than costing them the financial donation a nonprofit may require, but a sale also needs the right kind of horse.

Thoroughbred owner and breeder Justine Howell has been involved with aftercare for as long as she has been in racing. A third-generation horsewoman who breeds both commercially and for the regional Mid-Atlantic racing circuit, Howell and her family have long retrained and sold their homebreds as part of their overall business model. She also works with CANTER Pennsylvania to assist trainers in listing their retiring racehorses for sale and helps to coordinate the annual Presque Isle Downs End of Meet Showcase, which offers approximately 50 horses for sale to non-racing homes at the conclusion of the race meet each fall.

“The private market can be much pickier about what horses they will purchase off of the track,” said Howell, talking about those who purchase horses from trainers either with the intention of training and selling them for a profit or keeping them for themselves. “With private aftercare, you can only afford to take so much risk, because you don’t have the backing of the grants or donations. Trying to overcome an injury in the mind of an off-track buyer can be a tall task.”

Howell explained that those who choose to sell a horse themselves rather than donating it to an aftercare organization take on the responsibility of not only answering questions from potential buyers but also vetting those buyers to ensure they are ethical and responsible horse owners capable of managing a horse fresh off of its racing career. While some people are comfortable taking that on, others are not or simply don’t have the time to do so.

“When I began training, people didn’t think about or didn’t want to think about where their horses ended up after racing, and many ended up in the slaughter pipeline.”

—Bev Strauss

A RETIRING RACEHORSE JOGS AT THE CANTER PRESQUE ISLE DOWNS END OF MEET SHOWCASE, WHICH OFFERS APPROXIMATELY 50 HORSES FOR SALE TO NON-RACING HOMES AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE RACE MEETING IN WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA EACH FALL.

JUSTINE HOWELL PHOTO

JUSTINE HOWELL COMPETES AT THE 2021 THOROUGHBRED MAKEOVER ABOARD AWESOME TRACKER, A WINNING GELDING BY AWESOME AGAIN WHO STARTED HIS CAREER AT CHURCHILL DOWNS IN 2018 AND RACED IN THE MID-ATLANTIC ON THE FLAT AND OVER JUMPS IN 2019 AND 2020.

Sometimes it is also a function of the jurisdictions in which they race.

“At some tracks, trainers can send their horses into an on-track aftercare program, such as Beyond the Wire in Maryland or Turning for Home at Parx, and that makes it really easy,” Howell said. “In other parts of the country, such as near Presque Isle, there aren’t as many aftercare organizations, so private sales are the more viable option. It’s quite common for trainers to have a relationship with someone like a private rehoming agent who lists their horses for sale through their own network or to list them through one of CANTER’s affiliate listing services.”

While nonprofit and private aftercare have their own advantages and challenges, Howell believes there is one factor that could significantly improve both as well as the industry as a whole.

“The single thing that could help aftercare the most—regardless of whether we’re talking nonprofit or private—would be to retire horses sooner and sounder,” Howell said. “Sometimes injuries are unexpected and just happen, but if a horse isn’t panning out as a racehorse, it is in the best interest of the horse and the long-term sustainability of the industry [to retire them] before they are in need of rehab and difficult to place, thus taking up more resources that could otherwise be used to help more horses.” HJ

AFTERCARE ACCOUNTABILITY

STRAUSS NAMED HONORARY POSTMASTER FOR PREAKNESS 149

Beverly Strauss, co-founder and executive director of Chesapeake City, Marylandbased MidAtlantic Horse Rescue (MAHR), was recognized by the Maryland Jockey Club at the annual Alibi Breakfast as the Honorary Postmaster for Preakness 149.

A licensed Thoroughbred trainer with more than 50 years of experience, Strauss has worked with horses in numerous disciplines including eventing, racing, foxhunting, showing and providing lessons. A Graduate A of the U.S. Pony Club, she helped launch MAHR in 2002 with the goal of helping to find and transition former racehorses to new homes.

MAHR began by saving three horses and has grown to rescue more than 2,600 horses since its inception, earning full accreditation from the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance and national recognition. A 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, MAHR buys ex-racehorses bound for slaughter and, after quarantine and careful evaluation, adopts them into good homes as pleasure and sport horses.

In 1996, the U.S. Postal Service opened a temporary station at Pimlico Race Course the week of the Preakness. Located on Pimlico’s first-floor grandstand, it allows fans to have a special Preakness cancellation applied on any item to which first-class postage is affixed.

Past Honorary Postmasters have included Hall of Fame horsemen D. Wayne Lukas, Bob Baffert, Nick Zito, Bud Delp and Edgar Prado; champions Cigar, Ben’s Cat and Knicks Go; and the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance.

At the 2023 Round Table Conference on Matters Pertaining to Racing, The Jockey Club announced preparations to launch a traceability initiative in 2024 that requires anyone with a digital certificate of foal registration in their account for a horse no longer in their possession to transfer the certificate to the current owner.

The first phase of the initiative, which will focus on racetracks and sale companies, will send emails to certificate managers of horses that have had no racing activity and no Thoroughbred Incentive Program number in the past two years.

“The goal of traceability is to ensure that every horse’s certificate stays with the horse, which is where it belongs,” said Kristin Werner, senior counsel for The Jockey Club. “Whereabouts of registered Thoroughbreds will improve our understanding of where Thoroughbreds go after their racing and breeding careers, in addition to supporting aftercare initiatives.”

MIDATLANTIC HORSE RESCUE

PHOTO

Nebraska Horse Racing

Help Your Fellow Horsemen

Make a Tax Deductible Donation to the National HBPA Foundation

The National HBPA Foundation, a tax-exempt 501 (c)(3) fund, was developed as a safety net for horsemen and horsewomen when other forms of assistance are unavailable or have been exhausted after disaster strikes. Every year the National HBPA Foundation helps horsemen and horsewomen make it through difficult times such as disease quarantines at a racetrack or natural disasters like floods and fires by providing tens of thousands of dollars in needed assistance.

“It was just fabulous. I can’t thank the HBPA enough; I really appreciate all that they do. It’s because of the National HBPA Foundation combined with our insurance and other supporters like Fasig-Tipton’s Blue Horse Charities, we were able to build this kind of barn.”–Old Friends’ Michael Blowen after receiving aid from the National HBPA Foundation following a barn fire.

The National HBPA Foundation extends heartfelt gratitude to the Estate of Bob Reeves for its generous donation. The contribution will make a significant impact on our motto, “Horsemen Helping Horsemen.” Bob Reeves’ legacy of compassion and generosity will continue to assist Horsemen everywhere as we work towards the Foundation’s mission. We appreciate honoring his memory in such a meaningful way. Scan the QR code or visit https://nationalhbpa.com/remembering-bob-reeves/ to read the Winter 2023 The Horsemen’s Journal article remembering Bob Reeves.

To make a tax deductible donation to the National HBPA Foundation and make a difference in the lives of your fellow horsemen and women who may find themselves in need, either:

• Log onto https://nationalhbpa.com/donate/ to make a credit card donation

• Mail a donation check made payable to National HBPA Foundation to: National HBPA Foundation, 3380 Paris Pike, Lexington KY 40511

A Day in the Life… …Promoting the Safety of the Racehorse and the Integrity of Competition

By Jen Roytz

The sport of horse racing is serious business, and the Racing Medication and Testing Consortium (RMTC) strives to ensure a level playing field for all involved. The RMTC works with all stakeholders in the racing community—racetracks, racehorse owners, breeders, trainers, veterinarians, jockeys, breed registries, racing associations and regulators—to pursue a common goal of safety, integrity and uniformity for horse racing.

Get To Know Michael Hardy, DVM

Hometown Wilkinson, Indiana

Family Jenna (wife), Madison (daughter, age 12), RaeLynn (daughter, age 9) and Paislee (daughter, age 5)

Pets Two farm dogs, several show pigs and cattle (shown by his daughters in 4-H)

Favorite smartphone app Weather Channel

When you’re not working

Favorite part of the sport

“Our daughters are involved in sports and 4-H, so I enjoy watching them play basketball and help to coach their softball team in the spring as well as watching them show livestock on the weekends.”

“I love standing along the outside rail during morning training hours just as the sun is coming up and watching the hustle and bustle of it all. I have a whole lot of respect for the people on the backside and the care that is provided to these horses and all of the skill, time and effort that goes into it.”

At the helm of that critical effort is RMTC Executive Director Michael Hardy, DVM. His work as a regulatory veterinarian in Kentucky and Indiana over the past 15 years and in private practice gave him an appreciation for a sciencebased approach to advancements in medication testing and uniformity as well as how best to monitor and address emerging threats to the integrity of racing.

WHAT IS THE RMTC?

In 2001 the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) brought together a group of racing stakeholders from all walks of the industry for the AAEP Racehorse Medication Summit to discuss the challenges and consequences of conducting pari-mutuel racing in 38 different jurisdictions, each with its own set of rules. They acknowledged that while rules varied from state to state, the health needs of racing’s equine athletes remained the same.

The group achieved consensus on several key fronts, including the need to do the following:

• Develop and promote uniform rules, policies and laboratory testing standards on a national level.

• Fund research and develop educational programs to promote the integrity of racing and the health and welfare of racehorses, jockeys and drivers.

• Protect the interests of the racing public.

Speaking specifically to the use of medications, the summit’s attendees agreed on a philosophy that allows racehorses to receive ethical and humane care, promotes competition of healthy, sound horses and prevents medication from affecting the outcome of a race.

By the end of the summit, the framework of the RMTC was formed.

Over the two decades since its formation, the RMTC has become the standard-bearer for uniformity of medication regulations and testing procedures across the U.S., thanks in large part to its 20-person Scientific Advisory Committee. Composed of laboratory directors, veterinary pharmacologists, analytical chemists and regulatory veterinarians from around the world with more than 300 years of experience between them, the committee focuses on medication administration, withdrawal and testing protocols for regulatory thresholds, medication control strategies, the identification of and approach to emerging threats related to doping and illegal drugs and the development of new or improved testing methods.

“The goal of the RMTC’s Scientific Advisory Committee—and really at the core of RMTC’s mission—is to meet the ever-changing needs of the industry as it relates to integrity and safety of competition and all activities related to it,” Hardy said. “We work closely with the industry stakeholders to develop withdrawal guidelines for therapeutic and allowable medications and with the Association of Racing Commissioners International (ARCI) to make recommendations on penalty classifications to ARCI’s Model Rules Committee for new substances.”

JEN

ROYTZ PHOTO

One of the RMTC’s most notable functions is its laboratory accreditation program, which is overseen by the six-person Horseracing Testing Laboratory Committee (HTLC). Many North American racing jurisdictions require the laboratory they use for drug testing to be RMTC-accredited, and that accreditation program ensures uniformity across detection efforts of both therapeutic medications and banned substances.

Equine drug testing laboratories can receive several types of accreditation, and International Standards Organization (ISO) accreditation is the foundation for all of them.

ISO accreditation verifies the consistency of a laboratory’s processes, from receiving samples to issuing test results. RMTC accreditation builds on ISO accreditation by establishing performance standards the lab must meet, including having validated methods to detect and confirm substances on its Controlled Therapeutic Substances list at regulatory thresholds as well as multiple substances not on the list. The HTLC manages the laboratory accreditation process and continually monitors the performance of RMTC-accredited laboratories.

The science and technology surrounding medications and testing are ever evolving to both protect the sport’s integrity and catch those with nefarious intentions. To stay abreast of the newest techniques, information and threats to the integrity of the sport, the Scientific Advisory Committee solicits and monitors research projects and reviews data to refine current protocols and testing methods. To date, the RMTC has invested more than $3 million into research studies focused on the detection of illicit substances and the control of therapeutic medications.

“Supporting key research initiatives is one of the most important functions of the RMTC,” Hardy said. “We fund post-doctoral fellowships to support research specific to the racing industry. We also have a research grant funding program that invests in things like new method development for laboratory testing, new drug detection technology or gaining a better understanding of how substances act, metabolize and are eliminated in a horse.”

The RMTC also hosts RegVet CE, an annual continuing education (CE) conference for regulatory and official racetrack veterinarians from around the world. The format includes lectures, labs and interactive, hands-on training focused on the latest scientific advancements in veterinary medicine, data collection and testing and medication issues directly related to the duties and responsibilities of regulatory veterinarians.

“One of our biggest and most meaningful initiatives is our educational program,” Hardy said. “The responsibilities of a regulatory veterinarian are unique, and we do both in-person and a webinar series that can be accessed on-demand. Last year, we had seven countries represented among our 120 participants.”

The RMTC’s educational initiatives also include regular advisories and technical bulletins. Advisories alert stakeholders to current or emerging medication issues and offer guidance on identifying and avoiding unapproved substances. Bulletins are issued to inform horsemen and veterinarians to changes in protocols and regulations.

The consortium also publishes brochures and other printed materials focused on medication control, biosecurity and other relevant or timely topics.

With so much of its work focused on interacting and collaborating with veterinarians, the RMTC is keenly aware of the growing crisis associated with the shortage of veterinarians in the horse industry, especially as it relates to regulatory work. In response, the RMTC has created a veterinary student externship program that will financially support a veterinary student’s externship with racetrack private practice and regulatory veterinarians.

Through the program, veterinary students will receive up to $2,000 in financial support as well as exposure to and networking opportunities in veterinary medicine within the racing industry.

“The future of horse racing’s veterinary care requires fostering exposure and mentoring young veterinarians,” Hardy said. “The goal is to establish a mechanism to identify, recruit and retain young veterinarians and encourage professional pursuits relevant to horse racing’s needs for veterinary care.”

A DAY IN THE LIFE

Hardy’s day-to-day routine has changed significantly since he stepped away from full-time regulatory work to take on his role with the RMTC. Rather than spending most days at the racetrack, from the pre-dawn hours to well after the last race has run, these days he is in the RMTC office in Lexington, Kentucky, more regularly, working to support regulatory veterinarians throughout the country.

“As a regulatory vet, your day has a predictable schedule and pace to it, with training in the mornings, racing in the afternoon,” Hardy said. “It’s a long day, but you more or less know what you’re going to be focused on at any given point in the day. While my role [with the RMTC] is more office-based, there is no lack of work to be done and a lot of irons in the fire at any given time, so no two days are the same. [The RMTC] provides a tremendous amount of service to the industry, and this allows me to contribute in different and meaningful ways.”

Hardy’s current workdays are mainly focused on sharing information and collaborating with the RMTC’s industry stakeholders as well as other national industry organizations, including the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) and its Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit (HIWU).

“While some of the roles of the RMTC, HISA, HIWU and ARCI overlap, unlike those other three, the RMTC is not a regulatory body,” Hardy said.

“Rather, our focus is science-based research, supporting RMTC-accredited laboratories, education and sharing of information with stakeholders. This type of research and data collection often takes time to generate and evaluate before it can become a valuable asset to the industry.”

Threats to the integrity of North American racing and to the welfare of our horses do not always originate within our borders. As such, the RMTC works to collaborate with and support international racing jurisdictions and regulatory bodies.

Industry Stakeholders

The RMTC is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization governed by a board composed of 23 stakeholder groups:

American Association of Equine Practitioners

American Quarter Horse Association

Arabian Jockey Club

Association of Racing Commissioners International Breeders’ Cup Ltd.

California Thoroughbred Trainers

Churchill Downs Inc.

Del Mar Thoroughbred Club

The Hambletonian Society

The Jockey Club

Jockeys’ Guild

Keeneland Association

Kentucky Equine Drug Research Council

Kentucky Thoroughbred Association

National HBPA

National Thoroughbred Racing Association

New York Racing Association

Oak Tree Racing Association

The Stronach Group

Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association

Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association

Thoroughbred Owners of California

Thoroughbred Racing Associations of North America

Scientific Advisory Committee

Co-chaired by Jeff Blea and Petra Hartmann, the RMTC’s Scientific Advisory Committee identifies tactical research needs, develops medication control strategies, solicits and monitors research projects, reviews data and formulates recommendations for regulatory thresholds and corresponding withdrawal guidelines.

Rick Arthur, DVM

Dionne Benson, DVM

Jeff Blea, DVM

Adam Chambers, DVM

Petra Hartmann, MS

Scott Hay, DVM

Brendan Heffron, MS

Lynn Hovda, DVM, MS, DACVIM

Heather Knych, DVM, PhD, DACVCP

Benjamin Moeller, PhD

Foster Northrop, DVM

Scott Palmer, VMD

Clive Pearce, PhD, CChem, MRSC

Mary Robinson, VMD, PhD, DACVCP

Stephen A. Schumacher, DVM, PhD

Soobeng Tan, MS

Horseracing Testing Laboratory Committee

The Horseracing Testing Laboratory Committee has six members, including representation from the AAEP, a state horse racing authority, a member of the racing industry and a member appointed by the group, each with full voting privileges, as well as two members representing RMTC-accredited laboratories who get a half vote each.

Dionne Benson, DVM

Petra Hartmann, MS

Lynn Hovda, DVM, MS, DACVIM

Benjamin Moeller, PhD

Scott Palmer, VMD

Mary Scollay, DVM

“I have continued the work of Drs. Mary Scollay and Dionne Benson, who held this position previously, to develop collaborative working relationships with organizations such as the British Horseracing Authority, Hong Kong Jockey Club and the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board, among others,” Hardy said. “By working together with our international colleagues on the best methods to detect illicit substances, how they are controlled and welfare- and safety-related issues, we can be better prepared to identify and appropriately deal with such threats in a uniform manner.”

While Hardy’s main focus is on his role with the RMTC, he still assists with on-track regulatory and safety-related initiatives when the need arises and on the sport’s biggest days. He serves annually on the Breeders’ Cup’s Veterinary Panel, which includes veterinarians from throughout the country and internationally who work alongside the host jurisdiction’s veterinarians to monitor horses during morning training, help to fulfill pre-race examination requirements and assist with risk identification and assessment. He also fills in as needed for the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission in a regulatory capacity and in a safety and welfare role on major race days, such as the Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby.

“The two things the industry is asked to speak on most, both from the media and general public, are matters related to the safety of our horses and integrity of our competitions,” Hardy said. “To be in a position to collaborate with so many stakeholders, laboratories and researchers and to see the research that the industry and the RMTC supports become a resource and at times considered best practices for the industry is incredibly rewarding.

“When given the opportunity to collaborate both domestically and internationally, it is amazing how similar some of the issues we all deal with actually are,” he continued. “The sharing of information and ideas has become critical for harmonizing our collective efforts and to continue to look for ways to improve our efforts as it relates to these core initiatives in horse racing.” HJ

In the early years, the sport of horse racing seemed simple. There was no simulcasting, discussion of appropriate marketing strategies, super testing or betting via direct computer 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 hat,” taking up collections, which is a time-honored tradition among racetrackers.

It was in 1940 in New England that a group of committed horsemen brought into existence what is now known as the National Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association. From this meager beginning the National HBPA has developed into an organization representing the horsemen’s interests on a myriad of issues.

Today, there are nearly 30,000 owner and trainer members throughout the United States and Canada focused on a common goal—the betterment of racing on all levels.

With this purpose in mind, we welcome and encourage all horsemen to join the National HBPA, and we urge our members to take an active role in the direction and policies of our organization. It is our members who make a difference.

We horsemen are the National HBPA.

We are Leading into the Future and we are…… Horsemen Helping Horsemen

ALABAMA HBPA

Gaming in Alabama Killed in Senate

It was good for the horsemen of Alabama that proposed gambling legislation did not pass in the state legislature. The move gives horsemen additional time to reach out to more state legislators in pursuit of a bill that would include a live horse racing venue and revenues from the simulcast and historical horse racing machines already in use within the state.

In the meantime, with the help of Alabama HBPA board member Kent Gremmels working with the Birmingham Racing commission, we have three more Alabama-bred races scheduled at Louisiana Downs in July, August and September. All races are sponsored by the Birmingham Racing Commission and will be listed in the Louisiana Downs condition book.

• July 4: $50,000 guaranteed going 6 furlongs for Alabama-breds that have not won two Alabama-bred races

• August 21: $50,000 guaranteed going 6 furlongs for Alabama-breds that have not won an Alabama stakes race

• September 14: $50,000 guaranteed going 61/2 furlongs for 3-year-old and up. No restrictions on previous races won.

The Magic City Classic is scheduled to be run at Fair Grounds in December.

Siblings Kellys the Boss, Liken It Score at Evangeline

Kent Gremmels’ homebred Kellys the Boss held off Dromas late to win the inaugural running of the $50,000 Buggin Out Stakes for Alabama-breds that have never won a stakes race April 13 at Evangeline Downs. The 6-year-old Doc N Bubba G mare improved to 4-4-8 from 38 starts with the victory and picked up $27,500 to boost her earnings to $81,855. Ronnie Ward trains Kellys the Boss.

Dromas, owned by Live-Lee Farm and bred by Dennis and Mary Ellen Murphy, finished second, 21/2 lengths clear of third-place Unaffiliated, owned and bred by Laurie Sanderson and Nanette Cartier.

Gremmels also co-bred the winner of the $30,000 Kenny Cotton Memorial Stakes, which included $25,000 sponsored by the Alabama HBPA and $5,000 added from slot revenue. Jason Grudzien’s Liken It, a 7-year-old gelding by Doc N Bubba G and a full brother to Kellys the Boss, won the 7-furlong event by a half-length length over Diane Harrington’s homebred Fired Up Tiger. Foolish Steve, owned by Jana Pierce and bred by Jerry Hughes, finished third in a field of six.

Liken It picked up $17,100 for the victory—his eighth in 47 starts to go with 13 placings—and boosted his bankroll to $176,890.

Remember to contact Nancy Delony at (205) 612-1999 or nancy.m.delony@ms.com to let us know if your Alabama-bred has finished first, second, third or fourth in an open company race to claim your supplemental purse monies.

Nancy M. Delony Executive Director, Alabama

HBPA

ARIZONA HBPA

Turf Paradise Wraps 2024 Meeting

Turf Paradise just concluded its abbreviated 2024 race meeting. After a complete renovation of the racetrack last fall before the 2024 meet by Alvarez Construction, we just completed one of the safest meets at Turf Paradise in a very long time.

I am happy to report there were only two fatalities during afternoon racing on the main track at Turf Paradise. Two fatalities also unfortunately occurred on the turf course. This gave us a 1.41 per 1,000 starts fatality rate, which is just below the national average. As I stated, this was a major improvement over the previous years of racing at Turf Paradise.

We would like to thank all the parties that worked hard to make this possible, including the pre-race, post-parade and post-race examinations. Also, thanks go to the maintenance crew at Turf Paradise for their hard work of keeping the track in a safe condition. And thanks go to Alvarez Construction for all the work they did at the beginning of the meet and throughout the year to keep our track safe.

I would like to congratulate all the connections of the winners of the 482 races. It’s always exciting for the connections to reach the winner’s circle.

The category winners for the 2024 meet are pictured right.

Leading Thoroughbred Trainer

Justin Evans

Leading Thoroughbred Owner Taboada Racing Stables

Leading Thoroughbred Jockey Karlo Lopez

Leading Quarter Horse Trainer Matt Fales

Leading Quarter Horse Owner Ralph and Kari Fales

Leading Quarter Horse Jockey Louie Valenzuela

Three-Year Agreement in Place at Turf Paradise

For those who read my article in the previous edition of The Horseman’s Journal, I gave little hope of there being a long-term contract at Turf Paradise in the near future. However, strange things do happen. On May 7, the Arizona HBPA board of directors was able to come together with Turf Paradise on a three-year agreement.

The agreement guarantees racing for the next three seasons. Each year, the race meet will begin on Breeders’ Cup weekend in early November and run through the first Saturday of May, Kentucky Derby Day. I realize having a three-year contract creates a lot of excitement; however, we will be running approximately 978 races compared to 482 races, and the purses will be considerably less next year.

The Arizona HBPA board is working diligently with the Arizona Department of Racing and the HISA Safety Committee to upgrade the backside, making it a cleaner and safer environment. However, Turf Paradise co-owner Jerry Simms said the backside is in good condition and does not need any upgrade. We will continue to negotiate and work with the state and HISA to accomplish all we can.

After the meet, the Arizona HBPA board highly recommended to Turf Paradise that we have a new food and beverage service. Simms informed us he is currently working with CD Sports Pub to return for the next three years. Simms said he was satisfied with the food and beverage service that was provided both

LEADING QUARTER HORSE JOCKEY, LOUIE VALENZUELA

LEADING THOROUGHBRED JOCKEY, KARLO LOPEZ

LEADING THOROUGHBRED TRAINER, JUSTIN EVANS

LEADING THOROUGHBRED OWNER,TABOADA RACING STABLES

to the clubhouse and the backside kitchen. Obviously, Mr. Simms did not visit Turf Paradise and eat the food.

The Arizona HBPA board will continue to negotiate with Simms on the backside conditions and the food and beverage program. Hopefully, we can have some changes in both areas in the future.

There is nothing new to report about Arizona Downs. There will not be a race meeting at Arizona Downs in the summer of 2024. The Arizona HBPA board will continue working to see if something can change for 2025.

Rillito Park Foundation is working on trying to assure us there is going to be a meet in 2025. Pima County is also working to find an operator for Rillito Park if the foundation is unsuccessful in implementing its reorganization plan. I will keep you updated as things progress on those two racetracks. Until next time, good luck in your summer racing ventures and be safe.

Leroy Gessmann

Executive Director, Arizona HBPA

ARKANSAS HBPA

Oaklawn’s 2023–24 Meet Posts Record Returns

Oaklawn Park completed its 2023–24 season May 5 with records in many categories, including in purses and average daily handle.

“What a great racing season Oaklawn had,” said Louis Cella, president of Oaklawn. “We experienced increases across the board, despite losing three days to weather. This is a true testament that the greatest race fans in the country are in Arkansas.”

Total purses distributed throughout the season were more than $60 million. The average of $950,000 per day was the highest in the track’s 120-year history.

Oaklawn’s daily handle averaged $7,147,035 over 63 racing days, a 7.1% increase from last season’s 68-day meet, which averaged $6,670,730. The total handle for Oaklawn’s races this season reached $450,263,230.

Oaklawn experienced one of the highest average starters per race in North America this season at 9.3. Oaklawn ran 631 races over 63 days at an average of 10 races per day. There were 5,907 total starts this year compared to 5,673 last meeting when more races were run. Overall, 2,010 horses started in at least one Oaklawn race compared to 1,849 last season. A total of 197 trainers started at least one horse during the season.

Staton Flurry of Hot Springs won 26 races to earn his first career owner’s title. Leading trainer Steve Asmussen finished second in the owner standings with 19 victories. Winchell Thoroughbreds led all owners in purse earnings with $922,342.

Hall of Fame trainer Asmussen authored one of the most dominant seasons in Oaklawn history en route to his record-extending 13th local training title with earnings of $6,678,207. Asmussen won two races closing day to equal the late Cole Norman’s single-season record of 71 victories in 2003.

Oaklawn had a record 11 trainers exceed $1 million in purse earnings, surpassing last season’s seven trainers who earned the same amount.

Jockey Cristian Torres secured his second consecutive Oaklawn title by winning 82 races, earning a single-season Oaklawn record of $6,200,702 in purses. In total, 18 jockeys earned more than $1 million in purses compared to only 13 in the previous season.

“What a remarkable story,” Cella said. “With the highest starters per race, record average daily handle and record average daily purses, it truly was a historic meet. When 11 trainers and 18 jockeys win over $1 million in purse earnings and both the leading trainer and leading jockey earn over $6 million each, why would any owner, trainer or jockey not race at Oaklawn?”

Other highlights from the 2023–24 season:

• Asmussen became the first trainer in Oaklawn history to win the same stakes race nine times when Valentine Candy captured the Bachelor for 3-year-olds.

• Trainer Bob Baffert won the $1.5 million Arkansas Derby, the richest race in Oaklawn history, with Muth and the $1.25 million Apple Blossom Handicap with Adare Manor.

• Valentine Candy became the first horse since Overpeer in 1991 to win four stakes races at the same meeting, winning the Advent, Renaissance, Ozark and Bachelor.

• Skelly, another Asmussen trainee, stretched his Oaklawn winning streak to eight with four victories, including three stakes races—the King Cotton, Grade 3 Count Fleet Sprint Handicap and Lake Hamilton.

• Trainer Brad Cox scored his 300th Oaklawn win.

• Trainers Kenny McPeek and John Ortiz scored their 100th Oaklawn win.

• Jockey Ramon Vazquez scored his 400th Oaklawn race.

• Ring the Bell donations raised $71,590 for the Arkansas Thoroughbred Retirement Program.

• Fun facts: 22,500 pounds of corned beef, 28,800 hot dogs, 26,400 bags of popcorn, 7,900 pounds of shrimp and 28,700 oysters were consumed by Oaklawn racing fans.

Oaklawn Runners Sweep 150th Kentucky Derby, Oaks

The Oaklawn Park season closed with a bang when two runners that participated in its lucrative 3-year-old Triple Crown prep series—Mystik Dan and Thorpedo Anna—went on to capture the historic 150th Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks, respectively, at Churchill Downs.

Grade 3 Southwest Stakes winner Mystik Dan captured the Kentucky Derby for owners Lance Gasaway, Sharilyn and Brent Gasaway, Daniel Hamby III and Scott Hamby. Grade 2 Fantasy Stakes winner Thorpedo Anna captured the Kentucky Oaks for owners Brookdale Racing Inc., Mark Edwards, Judy Hicks and Sherri McPeek’s Magdalena Racing.

Both horses are trained by Kenny McPeek and were ridden by Brian Hernandez Jr., marking the first time a trainer and jockey combination had swept the two races in the same year since 1952.

“Spectacular,” Cella said, referring to the sweep of Oaklawn horses. “It brings such joy to read national coverage and see the positive responses to what we’re doing. If you want to win a Triple Crown race or Breeders’ Cup, you have to start in Arkansas. It’s amazing. You can’t make it up.”

CHARLES TOWN HBPA

West Virginia Thoroughbred Breeders Association Awards

The West Virginia Thoroughbred Breeders Association held its annual awards dinner March 10 to honor the best horses of 2023.

Congratulations to the winners!

Champion 2-Year-Old Filly—Direct the Cat

Breeder: John D. McKee

Owner/trainer: Cynthia McKee

Champion 2-Year-Old Male—Jubawithatwist

Breeder: John A. Casey

Owner: KP Racing Stables

Trainer: Kristy Petty

Champion 3-Year-Old Fillies—Great Spirit

Breeder/owner: Jill Daniel

Trainer: Crystal Pickett

Jubaslilballerina

Breeder: Taylor Mountain Farm

Owner: Casey’s Legacy

Trainer: Ronald Sigler

Champion 3-Year-Old Male—Little Roo Roo

Breeder: Sherwood Bryant

Owner/trainer: Michael Jones Jr.

Champion Older Female—Someday Is Today

Breeder: Schiano Racing Inc. and Carpe Diem Syndicate

Owner: Andrew Warren

Trainer: Anthony Farrior

Champion Older Male—Coastal Mission

Breeder: Coleswood Farm

Owner/trainer: Jeff Runco

Female Sprinter—Stryda

Breeder: Jill Daniel

Owner: FTF Racing

Trainer: Jamey Johnson

Male Sprinter—Little Roo Roo

Breeder: Sherwood Bryant

Owner/trainer: Michael Jones Jr.

Horse of the Year—Coastal Mission

Breeder: Coleswood Farm

Owner/trainer: Jeff Runco

Broodmare of the Year—Smart Crowd

Owner: Susan Runco

Sire of the Year—Juba

Owner: Taylor Mountain Farm

Breeder of the Year—John D. McKee

CYNTHIA MCKEE ACCEPTS BREEDER OF THE YEAR HONORS FROM TIM GRAMS.

JILL DANIEL (LEFT) PRESENTS THE AWARD TO CYNTHIA MCKEE, OWNER AND TRAINER OF CHAMPION 2-YEAR-OLD FILLY DIRECT THE CAT.

MIKE SCHIANO DI COLA RECEIVES THE AWARD AS BREEDER OF CHAMPION OLDER FEMALE SOMEDAY IS TODAY.

OF AGRICULTURE, PRESENTS HORSE OF THE

COME BE PART OF OUR FAMILY AT FANDUEL RACE TRACK

• Equicizer on Grounds

• Plenty of stalls

• Casino coming soon

• We have Backside Dorms, Kitchen and RV Hookups

• We offer Dental, Medical, Burial, Eye Care, Employee Assistance

• Social, Family and Horsemen’s Services

(618) 345-7724

Fax: (618) 344-9049 Email: Theilhbpa@Gmail.com

CHARLES TOWN TRACK ANNOUNCER PAUL ESPINOSA WITH KRISTY PETTY AND ALLEN CASEY

KENT LEONHARDT (SECOND FROM RIGHT), WEST VIRGINIA COMMISSIONER

YEAR HONORS TO JEFF RUNCO, SUSAN RUNCO AND ARNALDO BOCACHICA FOR COASTAL MISSION.

Updates From Fanduel Sportsbook and Horse Racing

FANDUEL TV’S PETER LURIE (RIGHT) INTERVIEWS THE CONNECTIONS OF TOO MUCH TUESDAY AFTER HER VICTORY ON OPENING DAY AT FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK AND HORSE RACING. LURIE IS JOINED BY (FROM LEFT) TRAINER JIM WATKINS, OWNERS JAMIE GAVILSKY AND OFFSPRING FARM’S CYNTHIA RUSH AND JOCKEY CORY ORM.

The Illinois HBPA sponsored a well-attended backside clean-up day and barbecue April 13. Owners, trainers and backside workers rolled up their sleeves to complete beautification projects ahead of opening day and enjoyed a hearty meal afterward.

The 99th racing season at Fanduel Sportsbook and Horse Racing (formerly Fairmount Park) opened with a bang April 16. The track was packed with approximately 5,000 fans enjoying a glorious day of racing. The track took in $1,106,288 in handle.

Two-time Emmy Award-winning videographer Mark Wiemers was on-site with his production company 24Frames Inc. to capture some memorable moments of opening day.

The Illinois HBPA—in partnership with sponsors Saddleback Chocolates of O’Fallon, Illinois; several locally owned and operated Taco Bell stores; John Patrick Costello LLC; Lloyd Cueto Jr. of the Cueto Law Firm; and Southern Illinois University Edwardsville—also hired Wiemers and 24Frames Inc. to produce six video vignettes to give people a behind-the-scenes look at a typical day in the life of a racehorse. The vignettes also provide the opportunity for viewers to see all the things that go into taking care of an equine athlete—from birth to the track— to give it their best shot on race day.

The vignettes cover breeding, vet care, grooming, shoeing, chiropractic care and dentistry and are available, along with the opening day clip, on our website at ilhbpa.com.

The Illinois HBPA, with sponsor Taco Bell and in partnership with Fanduel Sportsbook and Horse Racing, also started a podcast for the 2024 season. Illinois HBPA President Jim Watkins and track announcer Keith Nelson share their betting tips for every Tuesday’s racing card. The podcast airs on YouTube and is off to a fantastic start.

Finally, true to our motto of “Horsemen Helping Horsemen,” we were able to provide more than $5,367 in benevolence assistance this quarter.

IOWA HBPA

2023 Race Meet Awards Winners

ALLEN POINDEXTER (CENTER) CELEBRATES THE 2023 OWNER OF THE YEAR TITLE WITH ITBOA PRESIDENT KRISTAL FREESE AND IOWA HBPA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR JON MOSS.

The Iowa HBPA held its awards ceremony May 11 to celebrate the stars of the 2023 Prairie Meadows meeting.

Allen Poindexter of Poindexter Thoroughbreds LLC won the leading owner title at Prairie Meadows in 2023, recording 21 wins, 69 top-three finishes and $655,794 in winnings. Those accomplishments earned Poindexter multiple recognition as the Iowa Thoroughbred Breeders and Owners Association (ITBOA) Owner and Breeder of 2023 and as the Iowa HBPA Owner of The Year.

Demidanu earned 2023 Iowa HBPA Claimer of the Year honors. She started the meet in the hands of owners Patrick Kuta, Lynette Dreifurst, Anthony Schieffer Jr. and Warren Hellbusch. She was claimed three times last season and ended up in the hands of trainer Tim Martin and owner Jashua Robinson out of a win July 24. Running for Martin and Robinson, the Iowa-bred daughter of Formidable became a five-time winner at the meet with a solid sprint score on the next-to-last night of the season. Demidanu ended the Prairie Meadows season with five wins and a second from eight starts with earnings of $136,830.

For the second consecutive season, Jon Arnett emerged as the leading trainer, and the very capable conditioner earned recognition as the Iowa HPBA Trainer of the Year for 2023.

Arnett saddled 60 winners last season, earning just under $1.5 million off of a 22% win rate and a 58% in-the-money rate. Arnett sent out a pair of stakes winners for longtime owner NBS Stable

JON ARNETT (LEFT), 2023 TRAINER OF THE YEAR AT PRAIRIE MEADOWS, WITH IOWA HBPA VICE PRESIDENT JOE KELLY

COURTESY

during the meet—Blaze Away N Hide in the Mamie Eisenhower June 23 and Kant Resist It in the $100,000 Prairie Meadows Debutante August 25.

The eye-catching gray Glengarry, bred by Highpoint Bloodstock and owned by Aaron Kennedy, Toby Joseph and trainer Doug Anderson, earned triple honors in 2023 as the ITBOA Champion 2-year-old Colt or Gelding, ITBOA Horse of the Year and Iowa HBPA Horse of the Year. The well-built son of Maximus Mischief out of the Tizway mare L. A. Way won his first three starts and earned $237,501 in 2023. Glengarry broke his maiden first time out under Ken Tohill August 28. He validated that victory a month later with a decisive score in the $100,000 Iowa Cradle Stakes on Iowa Classic night. He added another stakes to his resume

when he traveled to Keeneland Race Course and won the $170,000 Bowman Mill October 28. Glengarry picked up where he left off with a victory in the April 5 Lafayette Stakes at Keeneland.

Iowa HBPA News

To keep up to date on news and issues occurring in Iowa, you can find us on our Facebook page, Iowa Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association Inc., or follow us on Twitter @IowaHBPA. You also can sign up to receive our emails at info@iowahbpa.org or visit our redesigned website at iowahbpa.org.

GLENGARRY CAME AWAY WITH 2023 HORSE OF THE YEAR HONORS AND WAS REPRESENTED BY (LEFT TO RIGHT) TRAINER AND CO-OWNER DOUG ANDERSON, LONNIE UMDENSTOCK, IOWA HBPA VICE PRESIDENT JOE KELLY, MARK KENNEDY, TOBY JOSEPH AND JEFF WHITE.

LOUISIANA HBPA

Evangeline Downs

Racing Employees Assistance Program (REAP) is an organization that supports the good work of our Chaplain Dwight Brown and provides financial assistance to horsemen in need.

REAP will hold its annual fundraiser August 2 in Mojo’s at Evangeline Downs. We would like to thank everyone who supports the event each year. For more information, call Chaplain Brown at (337) 308-0960.

The 2024 Thoroughbred meeting at Evangeline Downs began April 5 and runs through August 24. The D.S. Shine Young Futurities in the fillies and colts and geldings divisions will be run August 2-3. The Louisiana Stallion Stakes fillies and colts divisions, presented by Coteau Grove Farms and with purses of $100,000 each, also will be run August 2-3. For additional information, contact the Evangeline Downs racing office at (866) 349-0687.

Fair Grounds

The 2024 Fair Grounds Quarter Horse meet is scheduled for August 15 to September 14. The meet will feature the LQHBA Sales Futurity September 14 with an estimated purse of $600,000. The trials are to be held in mid-August. For additional information, contact the Fair Grounds racing office at (888) 589-7223 or the LQHBA at (318) 487-9506.

Louisiana Downs

The Backside Benevolence Fund (BBF) will conduct its annual Chaplain’s Banquet August 30 along with the annual golf tournament. Items will be available for live and silent auction at the banquet. The proceeds will help the BBF continue their support of the Louisiana Downs chaplaincy, thrift store and the backside workers. If you would like to help the BBF, please contact Chaplain Jimmy Sistrunk at (318) 560-7466.

The 2024 Louisiana Downs Thoroughbred meet began May 4 and runs through September 26. Louisiana Cup Day, featuring $450,000 in purses for Louisiana-breds, is scheduled for August 31. The highlight of the meet will be the return of the Louisiana Downs Super Derby, featuring an estimated purse of $250,000, on September 14. For additional information, contact the Louisiana Downs racing office at (318) 741-2519.

Delta Downs

The 2024 Quarter Horse meet began April 26 and ends July 13, featuring the $200,000-added (last year’s purse was more than $600,000) Lee Berwick Futurity for 2-year olds to be contested July 13. The trials for the Lee Berwick will be contested June 23. For additional information, contact the Delta Downs racing office at (888) 589-7223 or LQHBA at (318) 487-9506.

President’s Message

There has been no better place to be than Kentucky this spring. The 150th running of the Kentucky Derby exceeded expectations on every level, shining brightly as all eyes were on Louisville and historic Churchill Downs.

A special congratulations to Kentucky-based trainer Kenny McPeek and jockey Brian Hernandez Jr. for their incredible achievement in winning both the $1.5 million Kentucky Oaks and $5 million Kentucky Derby.

Churchill completed the $200 million paddock just in time for Derby 150, making the event the spectacle we all hoped it would be. All-sources betting during Kentucky Derby Week surpassed $446 million, breaking last year’s record of $412 million. Kudos to the Churchill Downs Inc. staff and all the horsemen who made Kentucky Derby 150 one for the ages.

Kentucky Downs has released its jaw-dropping condition book for its upcoming meet, beginning August 29. Purses are set to total $35 million, including $16 million in Kentucky-bred money. The seven-day meet will be highlighted by the newly minted $2.5 million, Grade 3 Nashville Derby August 31. With Kentucky Downs offering the richest overnight and maiden purses in North America and allowance races up to $220,000, Franklin, Kentucky, is set to be a hotspot for horsemen this summer.

Turfway Park will be open again this summer for training, providing a yearround base for many Northern Kentucky-based trainers and their staffs.

Ellis Park is gearing up for a record-breaking summer meet, featuring $3.7 million spread across 18 stakes races starting on July 4. Looking ahead, Churchill Downs Inc. plans to open Owensboro Racing and Gaming in the first quarter of 2025. This facility will operate as an annex of Ellis Park Racing and

Casino, supporting purse funding during its traditional summer meet. The Owensboro facility is projected to generate $125 million in annual regional economic impact and create more than 350 jobs.

The Churchill Downs Trackside facility will close for renovations from July 16 to September 1. Improvements will include blacktop repairs, barn repairs, adding cushion to the track, a thorough clean-out of the track drainage system, shoveling behind the rail and fence repairs.

Thanks to historical horse racing, racetrack leadership, our state legislators and all the horsemen, purses continue to flourish and attract top talent to stable in the commonwealth year-round. The Kentucky HBPA will continue to serve as the voice of reason and advocate for horsemen against all that stands to take away from our great industry.

Good luck in your racing endeavors.

Rick Hiles

KYHBPA President

Kentucky HBPA 2024 Election Information

Nominating meetings for the Kentucky HBPA election will take place at the following locations/times:

Churchill Downs: August 12 at 11 a.m., Track Kitchen

Ellis Park: August 3 at 11 a.m., Backside Kitchen

Turfway Park: August 9 at 11 a.m., Kitchen/Rec Hall

Thoroughbred Training Center: August 14 at 11 a.m.,

Outside KHBPA Office

Keeneland: August 14 at 12 p.m., Track Kitchen

Trackside will be closed; therefore, we will not be holding a meeting at that location.

The HBPA, established in 1940, is an organization of owners and trainers, approximately 40,000 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 negotiates 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. 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 with regards to interstate simulcasting, proprietary rights, casino gambling, therapeutic medication, sports betting and many other areas of concern to horsemen. How Can I Join?

You are invited to drop into 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 that 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 “Become a Member.”

NEBRASKA HBPA

State of Nebraska Horseracing Industry Bill of Rights

2-1245

Horseracing industry participants; rights.

(1) A horseracing industry participant shall be entitled to reasonable treatment from those licensed to conduct thoroughbred race meets.

(2) Private property belonging to a horseracing industry participant at a racetrack facility shall not unlawfully be converted, seized, damaged, or destroyed by racetrack employees or agents without compensation.

(3) A horseracing industry participant shall not be deemed to forfeit or waive any right to privacy without reasonable cause guaranteed by law by virtue of being licensed by the state, by entry upon licensed horseracing facilities, or by engaging in the sport of horseracing in this state.

(4) A horseracing industry participant may not be excluded from the grounds of any licensed racetrack by track management without a hearing by the stewards at such racetrack unless there are reasonable grounds to believe such participant has committed a felony or is posing a physical danger to himself or herself, to others, or to animals in his or her care or his or her physical presence will bring immediate harm to horseracing. Such hearing shall be held as soon as practicable and shall be given first priority and precedence by the stewards. This subsection shall not apply to the allocation of stalls pursuant to an agreement between the horseracing industry participant and the licensed racetrack.

(5) A horseracing industry participant shall be free from unreasonable searches and seizures of his or her person without probable cause and shall be free from unreasonable searches and seizures of his or her housing, vehicle, papers, and effects.

(6) If a horseracing industry participant has been charged with a violation of a rule of racing which involves a substantial risk of loss or suspension of his or her license or which involves a criminal penalty, he or she shall be entitled to the following protections as a matter of right:

(a) To remain silent;

(b) To the benefit of counsel, including the opportunity to confer with counsel in preparation of a defense;

(c) To a speedy and public hearing;

(d) To present evidence and to testify in person at his or her hearing;

(e) To cross-examine the witnesses who testify against him or her; and

(f) To have prospective witnesses excluded from the hearing room during the hearing.

Nothing in this section shall prevent a horseracing industry participant from knowingly waiving any rights afforded under this subsection.

(7) A horseracing industry participant shall not be required to waive his or her constitutional rights nor the rights granted pursuant to sections 2-1243 to 2-1246 as a condition of pursuing a livelihood in this state or at any licensed thoroughbred horseracing facility.

NEW ENGLAND HBPA

Efforts Continue To Restore Live Racing

The quest continues.

The New England HBPA board is persisting in every effort to restore live racing to Massachusetts, and while it is premature to disclose any details, negotiations are ongoing with officials of a suitable host site. The board is hopeful that positive news of a potential racetrack development plan will be forthcoming.

“It has been a challenge over the last 10 years to find the right piece of land in conjunction with a town that is willing to support the return of racing but, more importantly, to support all the jobs and Thoroughbred breeding we hope to bring back and save at the same time,” said New England HBPA Executive Director Paul Umbrello. “We continue to work relentlessly toward that aim.”

The New England HBPA also remains steadfast in its mission to support its members.

In the absence of live racing since Suffolk Downs was sold to real estate developers and subsequently live racing ended June 30, 2019, the organization continues to receive a degree of financial support from the Race Horse Development Fund (RHDF) established in the Massachusetts expanded gambling legislation of 2011. A small portion of the monies collected is designated for backstretch welfare.

Nevertheless, state lawmakers repeatedly have attempted to strip the RHDF over the years and redirect the monies to the general fund and other purposes.

“The New England HBPA continues to fight preserving the scooping of the RHDF, and as a reminder to our trainers, you may be eligible for health and welfare benefits funded through the RHDF,” Umbrello said.

For more information, contact the New England HBPA at (617) 744-3603 or nehbpa@newenglandhbpa.com.

—Lynne Snierson

Thistledown, Belterra Open 2024 Stakes Slate

Ohio-bred stakes action kicked off at Thistledown and Belterra Park in May.

Thistledown hosted the $75,000 Michael F. Rowland Memorial Stakes on Kentucky Derby Day May 4 with defending champion Moester rallying from well

off the pace to record a widening 4-length upset victory under Mauro Cedillo in the field of 12 older Ohio-breds going 6 furlongs.

Glenroy Brown trains Moester, who had been winless in seven starts since his 2023 Rowland victory, for owners Judith Walkin-Blanchard and Recaldo Blanchard. A 5-year-old gelded son of Mobil, Moester recorded his fifth win and ran his earnings to $216,820. Oklahoma Joe held second in the Rowland, threequarters of a length in front of Excitement. Moester won in 1:11.28.

Heavily favored Candlelight Hours held on to a score a gate-to-wire three-quarter-length victory over Windy Lu Who in the $75,000 J. William Petro Memorial Stakes for Ohio-bred fillies and mares May 9 at Thistledown.

Terry Houghton was aboard Candlelight Hours for trainer James Jackson and owner-breeder Elkhorn Oaks Inc. Candlelight Hours covered the 11/16 miles in 1:49.26 while recording her 11th victory from 25 starts. The 5-year-old daughter of Dominus now sports earnings of $562,710.

The $75,000 Daryl E. Parker Memorial Tall Stack Stakes for 3-yearold Ohio-breds opened the 2024 stakes program at Belterra Park May 10. Alwaysintomischief recorded his second straight stakes victory in the Parker Memorial, stalking the pace to the stretch before wearing down front-running Spellcast to win by three-quarters of a length. Gunner Gabriel finished 2 lengths back in third.

Abel Cedillo was in from Kentucky for the mount on Alwaysintomischief for trainer Eric Foster and owners RMS Racing LLC. Alwaysintomischief, a bay colt by Maximus Mischief, covered the 61/2 furlongs in 1:18.57 and recorded his third win from five starts.

CANDLELIGHT HOURS FENDS OFF WINDY LU WHO IN THE $75,000 J. WILLIAM PETRO MEMORIAL FOR OHIO-BRED SOPHOMORE FILLIES MAY 9 AT THISTLEDOWN.

THE THOROUGHBRED RACING ASSOCIATION OF OKLAHOMA

Will Rogers Downs Thoroughbred Meet Recap

Will Rogers Downs wrapped up its 2024 spring Thoroughbred season with 238 races run over the 28-day meeting. Compared to 248 races run over 26 days in 2023, the meet yielded an average field size nearly identical to last year’s mark of 6.7 horses per race. Bettors wagered $18,903,876 on live races, down 11% from last spring.

Elvin Gonzalez was leading jockey with 35 wins, 25 seconds and 22 thirds while winning at a 25% clip. He finished six wins ahead of veteran campaigner Curtis Kimes and seven ahead of third-leading rider Alfredo Triana Jr.

Trainer Federico Villafranco notched leading trainer honors with 20 wins, 21 seconds and 16 thirds from 96 starts. He topped Joe Offolter, who conditions Horse of the Meet Take Me Serious, by three wins.

Both Gonzalez and Villafranco achieved these local honors for the first time.

Owner Bryan Hawk, who was recognized for his excellence in numerous categories at the 2023 TRAO banquet in early May, was the leading owner. His horses earned $258,434 and registered 13 wins, seven seconds and nine thirds from 53 starts.

Take Me Serious, a 5-year-old Oklahoma-bred mare by Munnings owned and bred by Hawk, was named Horse of the Meet. Following an impressive return to the races winning the Miranda Diane Stakes March 25 off a 15-month layoff, Take Me Serious finished second against open company in the Wilma Mankiller Stakes April 15 before returning to state-bred company and stretching out over a distance to win the More Than Even Stakes May 7. She earned $75,680 from three starts.

“One of the highlights this season was live racing on Kentucky Derby Day,” Racing Secretary John Lies said. “Local fans who maybe can’t make it on a weekday came out to enjoy the pageantry, and it was nice to have some on-track buzz.

“They continue to card races of a more competitive nature and somewhat higher caliber than in the years prior to the pandemic,” Lies continued. “They have attracted a variety of horsemen from numerous states to compete with our state-breds, and the stakes program has never been stronger. Some of the best races of the season were stakes—again, a departure from the earliest years in the track’s history.”

TRAO Election Information

TRAO will hold elections for Owner and Breeder positions on the board for three-year terms spanning from 2025 to 2027. The nominating process will begin October 1, with nominations ending October 15. Please follow the TRAO website and Facebook page in the upcoming months for more information.

Requirements to be eligible to run are as follows:

An Owner must have at least five Thoroughbred starts at an Oklahoma Horse Racing Commission-licensed racetrack during the previous 12 months.

A Breeder must be an individual or the managing partner of an entity during the previous 12 months prior to their nomination; (A)(i) is the breeder of record of at least one accredited Oklahoma-bred Thoroughbred foal; (ii) provides

sufficient proof to the board they bred at least five Oklahoma-bred Thoroughbred mares in the year prior to their nomination; or (B) owns an accredited Oklahoma stallion or stallions that covered 10 or more mares total in the year prior to their nomination.

TRAO Award Winners

The Thoroughbred Racing Association of Oklahoma held the 12th annual Champion Awards Banquet and Auction May 10 at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Tulsa, Oklahoma, for the 2023 Oklahoma Thoroughbred champions. Congratulations to all the award winners and winning bidders of auction items. TRAO wishes everyone a great year of racing and breeding.

2023 Oklahoma-Bred Thoroughbred Champions

Champion Thoroughbred Male Racing Stock: Fly to the Bank

Owner: Juan Carlos Gallegos

Champion Thoroughbred Female Racing Stock: Dicey

Owner: Patrick Swan and Judith Lewis

Champion Thoroughbred 2-Year-Old Filly: Miss Code West

Owner: Jeffry and Julie Puryear

Champion Thoroughbred 2-Year-Old Colt/Gelding: Chasin Jason

Owner: Patrick Swan

Champion Thoroughbred 3-Year-Old Filly: Nice Neighbor

Owner: Highland Training Center

Champion Thoroughbred 3-Year-Old Colt/Gelding: Dark Afternoon

Owner: Black Hawk Stable

Champion Thoroughbred Female Sprinter: Ragan’s Jet

Owner: Bryan Hawk

Champion Thoroughbred Male Sprinter: Fly to the Bank

Owner: Juan Carlos Gallegos

Champion Thoroughbred Female Turf Runner: Run Slewpy Run

Owner: Walter M. Jones

Champion Thoroughbred Male Turf Runner: Eakly

Owner: Cheyenne Stables LLC

Champion Thoroughbred Aged Mare: Dicey

Owner: Patrick Swan and Judith Lewis

Champion Thoroughbred Aged Stallion/Gelding: Fly to the Bank

Owner: Juan Carlos Gallegos

Champion Thoroughbred Horse Mixed Meets: Absaroka

Owner: Seth Covey and J.R. Caldwell

Leading Sire of Thoroughbred Racing Stock: Den’s Legacy

Owner: Center Hills Farm

Leading Dam of Thoroughbred Racing Stock: Inca Miss

Owner: Bryan Hawk

Leading Owner of Thoroughbred Racing Stock: Bryan Hawk

Leading Breeder of Thoroughbred Racing Stock: Bryan Hawk

Horse of the Year: Miss Code West

Owner: Jeffry and Julie Puryear

Meeting Dates

Fair Meadows at Tulsa State Fair

27 live pari-mutuel race days

Thoroughbred, Quarter Horse, Paint and Appaloosa race meeting

June 5, 6, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 15, 19, 20, 21, 22, 26, 27, 28, 29

July 3, 5, 6, 10, 11, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20

VIRGINIA HBPA

Colonial Downs Set To Run 27 Days

The Virginia HBPA is pleased to announce that Colonial Downs will host a nine-week, 27-day race meeting this summer at its New Kent track. Racing is on Thursdays through Saturdays from July 11 through September 7. Post time is 1:30 p.m. Thursdays and Saturdays, with a 4:30 p.m. twilight start Fridays. More than 75% of the racing will be on the 180-foot-wide Secretariat Turf Course.

Colonial’s stakes program of 17 races, with purses totaling $5.9 million, is highlighted by the August 10 Festival of Racing featuring three graded stakes—the Grade 1, $1 million Arlington Million, Grade 2, $500,000 Beverly D. and Grade 2, $500,000 Secretariat. Prep races scheduled for opening weekend, Saturday, July 13, include the Million Preview, Beverly D. Preview and the Boston. The latter is named for the legendary 19th-century Virginia-bred

racehorse and sire. Also on that card is a new stakes for 3-year-old fillies, the Penny Chenery, named in honor of Secretariat’s owner. Chenery owned and operated the Meadow Farm in Doswell, Virginia, where Secretariat foaled.

Virginia Day continues the stakes program with five turf races for Virginiabred, Virginia-sired and Virginia-certified horses August 31. They are the $125,000 Jamestown Stakes for Virginia-bred/-sired 2-year-olds and the Meadow Stable Handicap, the Camptown Handicap, the Bert Allen Handicap and the Nellie Mae Cox Handicap, all with $150,000 purses for Virginia-bred/-sired and Virginia-certified horses.

Wrapping up the meet September 7 are Colonial’s longtime signature races, the Grade 3, $500,000 Virginia Derby and the $250,000 Virginia Oaks. Both races are at 9 furlongs on the turf. Also on the card are four additional turf stakes races.

Throughout Colonial’s summer meet, the Virginia HBPA will conduct its traditional backstretch benevolence program including medical and dental care, Groom Elite training classes, recreational events, and chaplaincy and shuttle services.

Colonial Downs’ condition book, stakes schedule and stall applications are on its website and on equibase.com.

For further information and inquiries, please contact Virginia HBPA Executive Director Glen Berman at (312) 505-7722 or glenberman@aol.com or Virginia HBPA Field Director Aidan Turnage-Barney at (814) 424-2213 or aidanturnagebarney@virginiaequinealliance.com. HJ

STAKES SCHEDULE

Over