Month: March 2017

The Elite Program, Inc. to Present Two April Courses

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Subject: Two important classes in April 2017; 

What/When/Where: 

Trainers Exam Prep Class at Lone Star Park April 5-7
Basic Grooming Workforce Preparation, Kenny McPeek’s Magdalena Farm, Lexington, KY April 17-21

Information: www.groomelite.com; www.purplepowerracing.com

The Elite Program, Inc. through it’s Groom Elite™ programming will present two important classes in April to be taught by National lead instructor and Executive Director, C. Reid McLellan, PhD.  McLellan  will conduct his popular Trainers’ Exam Prep Class at Lone Star Park for a 17th time from April 5-7. Two weeks later, April 17-21, “Dr. Mac” will be lead instructor for an inaugural Basic Grooming 099, a workforce preparation class at Magdalena Farms in Lexington, Ky.

 

Lone Star Park Trainers Exam Prep Class

The Lone Star Park Trainers Exam Prep Class will be held in the Chaplain’s classroom in the Lone Star Park racing office for three days immediately following the Texas Thoroughbred Associations two-year old in training sale on April 4. Tuition is $350 and participants that register early and pay tuition before March 24th pay a discounted rate of $299.

This will be the 17th class McLellan has taught at Lone Star Park. Over 120 have participated in this class including Texas based trainer Janine Winslow, a member of the fist Lone Star Park class in 1998. Winslow saddled winners at Delta Downs and Sam Houston in February 2017. McLellan, has instructed trainers since he established an award winning equine program at Louisiana Tech University in the 1980’s. Dr. Mac is an engaging speaker who spices up otherwise dull material with personal experiences and discussion of rule changes that effect those desiring to become trainers. Information and registration online at www.groomelite.com or www.purplepowerracing.com.

 

Basic Grooming 099

Basic Grooming 099 is a 16-hour hands on class designed for people with limited (or no) horse experience who would like to take advantage of the many job openings in the Equine Industry. Class will  be held at Kenny McPeek’s Magdalena Farms on Russell Cave Road in Lexington. McPeek and others will participate as their schedules allow. “I’ll be there every  day”, McPeek tweeted (@Kenny McPeek.}

Class is being held during the Keeneland meeting  and participants will have an opportunity to attend the races and see grooms and hotwalkers in action Wednesday or Thursday.

Participants will learn how to work safely with horses, starting with approaching safely, haltering and leading. The four day (4 hours per day) class will include daily hands on practice. Participants will demonstrate on Friday what they have learned. Each person completing the course that is interested in applying for a job in the equine industry, will be evaluated and counseled as to their readiness to work with horses. In addition, contact information of trainers and farms with job openings will be provided. Elite Program staff will assist participants in finding jobs compatible with their skill level and confidence. In addition to McPeek’s Magdalena Farm, Basic Grooming 099 is sponsored in part by The Jockey Club, TOBA (though its Thoroughbred Charities of America), NTRA and the Race for Education. As a result, tuition for this class will be only $99. Class size is limited to the first 20 signing up and paying a $25 deposit to hold a spot. The remaining $74 is due April 14th . Anyone out of work and in need of a job can register and request assistance with tuition. “If a person wants to work in our equine industry we want to provide them the training necessary for them to be qualified to apply for those jobs”, McLellan stated.

A waiting list will be established if class is over subscribed. Those interested are encouraged to go to  www.groomelite.com and sign up.  Anyone without internet access is invited to call 859-252-8648 (Race for Education) or Dr. McLellan at 859-321-4377 and sign up over the phone.

The Elite Program, Inc. is a 501(C)3 non-profit that provides equine education classes through it’s Groom Elite™ curriculum.  With its initial primary mission (in 2001) to provide education to grooms and hotwalkers or Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse Racehorses, Groom Elite continually adapts and updates it’s programming that now includes courses for grooms and owners of OTTB show horses and welcomes owners and grooms of any breed. One of it’s more noteable programs is its Second Chances Groom Elite curriculum taught in five adult correctional facilities in partnership with the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation and it’s local affiliates in which participants learn life lessons while developing an employable skill working with retired racehorses.

Louisiana Bred Two-Year-Olds Fare Well at OBS March

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Louisiana bred two year olds did very well at the OBS March Sale which concluded with record gross and average prices for the two day auction.

Of the seven Louisiana breds offered, 5 sold through the ring for total of $780,000, and an average of $156,000. A sixth sold post sale for $55,000. The Louisiana breds that sold through the ring brought prices ranging from $100,000 to $260,000 all at or above the sale median price of $100,000. The top selling Louisiana bred was Hip #128, a Curlin filly bred by Rebecca Farms LLC, consigned by Top Line Sales LLC, Agent for Kinsman Farm and purchased by D. J. Stable LLC.

SAENZ, BROBERG AND END ZONE ATHLETICS INC. CAPTURE TITLES AT DELTA DOWNS FOR 2016-17 SEASON

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84-DAY SEASON CAME TO A CLOSE SATURDAY NIGHT 

VINTON, LA. – Delta Downs closed out its 2016-17 Thoroughbred season on Saturday night and the track honored its leading horsemen for the meet during the 10-race program.

Jockey Diego Saenz won his third leading rider title at Delta Downs by a wide margin this year while Karl Broberg won his sixth consecutive leading trainer crown. The title of leading owner went to End Zone Athletics, Inc. for the fifth time in the last six years. End Zone Athletics, Inc. is made up of Karl Broberg and Matt Johanson.

Saenz led all jockeys in terms of wins and mount earnings as he enjoyed 103 trips to the winner’s circle while his mounts earned a total of $2,174,058. The 38-year-old resident of Carencro, Louisiana had previously won titles during the 2009-10 and 2013-14 seasons when he booted home 108 and 116 winners respectively.

Following Saenz in the final jockey standings were Ashley Broussard (63 wins), Roberto Morales (53), Timothy Thornton (52), Gerard Melancon (50), Steve Bourque (44), Luis Negron (33), Eddie Martin, Jr. (30), Jose Guerrero (29), and Alexander Castillo (27).

Karl Broberg saddled 69 winners during the season and his barn also led all trainers in earnings with a total of $1,194,195. The 46-year-old resident of Arlington, Texas began his current streak of leading trainer titles at Delta Downs during the 2011-12 season and has led the entire nation in wins for three calendar years in a row, 2014-2016. 

Rounding out the top 10 trainers for the season at Delta Downs were Sam Breaux (53), Eduardo Ramirez (38), Joey Foster (28), Shane Wilson (21), W. Bret Calhoun (21), Henry B. Johnson, Jr. (20), Brett Brinkman (19), Tom Amoss (19), and Scott Gelner (17).

End Zone Athletics Inc. saw 37 of their runners make it to the winner’s circle from 137 starts this year. The barn, which is made up of primarily allowance and claiming horses, tallied total earnings of $615,513.

Rounding out the top 10 owners for the meet were Elite Thoroughbred Racing, LLC (Michele Rodriguez) (13), Wayne T. Davis (12), Maggi Moss (12), Red Rose Racing (Jimmy Johnson) (10), Patti Turner (9), Circle H Farm (Don Hargroder) (9), Richard Tate (9), St. George Stable LLC (German Larrea), and Henry Ray Dunn (7).

 Delta Downs is now preparing for its 2017 American Quarter Horse season, which gets underway on Friday, April 21. The 46-day stand will run through July 8 with live racing each Wednesday through Saturday night starting at 6:15 pm CT.

 Delta Downs Racetrack Casino and Hotel, a property of Boyd Gaming Corporation (NYSE:BYD), features exciting casino action, live horse racing and fun dining experiences. Delta Downs is located in Vinton, Louisiana, on Delta Downs Drive. From Lake Charles take Exit 7 and from Texas, take Exit 4 off I-10.

The LTBA Announces Changes to Louisiana Champions Day

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The Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association Board of Directors and the Fair Grounds Racetrack and Slots have agreed to a couple of changes to the Louisiana Champions Day race card.

The Louisiana Champions Day Ladies Stakes will be moving from the dirt to the turf course. The distance will remain the same at a mile and one sixteenth.

The Louisiana Champions Day Handicap Stakes will now be open to starters that have run for a claiming price of $7,500 or less. Previously the Louisiana Champions Day Handicap Stakes was restricted to horses that have run for a claiming price of $12,500 or less. The distance has been changed to 1 mile on the turf course.

The changes are effective starting with the 2017 running of Louisiana Champions Day to be run at Fair Ground Racetrack in New Orleans, on the second Saturday in December.

Five Bills To Benefit Racing Filed In Texas Legislature

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The Texas Thoroughbred Association and Texas Horsemen’s Partnership are excited to report that five bills have been filed with the Texas Legislature that could benefit the Texas racing industry.

Sen. Lois Kolkhorst (R) filed three bills in the Senate:

SB #1971 (Co-authored by Sen. Dawn Buckingham (R)) – Would create a purse matching fund from the state’s general revenue fund that is expected to increase purses by $25 million. Committee substitute language is expected to clarify specifics.

SB #1972 – Would shift Accredited Texas-Bred funds from the Texas Racing Commission’s budget and establish an escrow account for the money.

SB #1973 – Would utilize existing state tax revenue on simulcast wagers that currently goes to the Texas general revenue fund in order to help pay the costs of operating the Texas Racing Commission. Presently, all of the costs of operating the Commission are borne by the racing industry through track and occupational license fees.

Rep. John Kuempel (R) of Seguin filed two bills in the House of Representatives. Kuempel, Chairman of the House Licensing and Administrative Procedures Committee, is a longtime friend of the Texas racing industry. The House bills are:

HB #3925 – Would legalize account wagering on Texas racing and create mechanisms for the Texas Racing Commission to license and regulate account wagering operators.

HB # 3926 – Would authorize purpose-driven pari-mutuel wagering at the 10 Texas facilities currently licensed to conduct live or simulcast racing. Purpose-driven pari-mutuel wagering would provide funding for enhanced bulletproof vests and body armor for all peace officers in Texas, funding to increase death benefits for the spouses and families of law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty, and donor-directed funding for 501(c)(3) charitable organizations operating in Texas. It would also increase purse money available for racing in Texas.

It can be a long and arduous process to get a bill passed by the Texas Legislative. However, this is the first time in many years that so many beneficial bills have been filed on behalf of the Texas racing industry.

“The TTA would like to thank Senators Kolkhorst and Buckingham and Representative Kuempel for sponsoring these bills and recognizing the importance of the racing and breeding industry in this state,” said Mary Ruyle, executive director of the TTA. “We encourage horsemen to voice their support for these bills.”

EHV-1: KY Dept. Of Agriculture Issues Revised Protocol For Horses Shipping In From Louisiana

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“Earlier this year, in response to the EHV-I outbreak at Fair Grounds Race Track in New Orleans and pursuant to 302 KAR 20:040, we initiated a directive addressing horses originating from or having been stabled in the past 30 days at a premises in Louisiana where EHV-I infection had been diagnosed. The directive required these horses test negative prior to gaining entry onto a Kentucky racetrack or associated training facilities. Our objective in requiring this testing was to help us better define (understand) what if any elevated risks horses originating from these environments might pose to our equine populations here in Kentucky. Unfortunately, the reluctance of trainers to test their horses to qualify for movement to KY has not provided enough testing of those horses to enable us to conclude the risk is not elevated. With the lack of needed evidence, we do today continue to have concern that allowing unrestricted and less regulated movement of those horses to a Kentucky track continues to pose elevated risk (albeit undefined) of disease introduction to our racing environments.

“We did last week initiate conversation with regulators and animal health officials in Louisiana, and they shared their thought and comments that they are not aware of suspicion of EHV1 cases on the track. Additionally, there has apparently been a number of horses moved from Fair Grounds to other racing jurisdictions, and we’ve had no reports of disease events having occurred in those jurisdictions.

“Appreciating, while there remains concern today, we do have an identified need to facilitate interstate movement of horses from those environments to KY race tracks is a safe and efficient manner. Based on the above factors we are today amending our directive by removing the requirement that horses originating from (or having recently resided) Fair Grounds be tested prior to entry onto the track. We will though continue to require these horses (Fair Grounds) to enter Kentucky via an Entry Permit (described below) issued by our office and recorded on the CVI. Copies of this CVI and the EIA testing certificate are to be on file in the track’s stable office and a copy also available in the barn. Post arrival, temperatures for each horse are to be taken three times daily and recorded on an individual log sheet that is to be maintained in the barn. Regulatory and/or track officials will be making periodic visits to the barn.

“Feel free to contact us should you have any question, comment or concern regarding this revised directive.

“Qualifying Horses to Move from Fair Grounds in New Orleans LA onto KY Race Tracks = Effective Wednesday, March 15, 2017

1. A licensed accredited veterinarian shall examine and issue a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI) within the day preceding a horse’s departure from Fair Grounds*.
2. The veterinarian issuing the CVI shall obtain an entry permit from the Office of KY State Veterinarian 502-782-5901, Monday – Friday, 8:00 am – 4:00 pm (EST).
3. The issuing accredited veterinarian shall record the entry permit number on the CVI.
4. The issuing accredited veterinarian shall record the EHV-1 vaccination on the CVI.
5. A statement is to be included that each horse(s) listed on the CVI has not demonstrated any evidence of infectious illness during the preceding 30 days nor exposure to any such illness.
6. Trainers shall provide to the stable office copies of the CVI and EIA test certificates in addition to keeping a copy of each document in the trainer’s assigned barn. These documents will be presented to regulatory and/or track officials when requested.
7. Animal health officials, racing officials and track officials will be conducting random inspection of horses, the stabling environment and applicable health documents that does include temperature logs during the race meet.
8. These requirements shall remain in effect until further notice.”

*or having been located at Fair Grounds during the 30 days preceding departure for Kentucky

Equine Injury Database: Rate of Fatal Injuries Declines for Fourth Consecutive Year

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An analysis of data from the Equine Injury Database (EID) has shown a reduction in the rate of fatal injury for a fourth consecutive year and a 23 percent drop since 2009, The Jockey Club announced today.

When comparing 2016 statistics to 2015 statistics across all surfaces, ages, and distances, the rate dropped from 1.62 per 1,000 starts in 2015 to 1.54 per 1,000 starts in 2016. The overall rate of 1.54 per 1,000 starts is the lowest since the Equine Injury Database started publishing annual statistics in 2009.

 

Statistical Summary from 2009 to 2016

Thoroughbred Only

Calendar Year

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

Rate

2.00

1.88

1.88

1.92

1.90

1.89

1.62

1.54

 

Dr. Tim Parkin, a veterinarian and epidemiologist from the University of Glasgow, who serves as a consultant on the Equine Injury Database, once again performed the analysis.

“One of the primary objectives of this project from the outset was to build a comprehensive data source we could utilize to improve safety and prevent injuries, and we are now clearly achieving that goal,” said Dr. Parkin. “The racetracks, the horsemen, and the regulators who have implemented safety initiatives over this time period deserve a great deal of credit for this encouraging trend.”

On dirt, there has been a 19 percent drop since 2009.

On turf, there has been a 44 percent drop since 2009.

The rate on synthetic surfaces, according to Parkin, has remained stable since 2010, hovering in the 1.0 to 1.2 per 1,000 starts range.

A graph depicting all updated statistical data pertaining to surface, distance, and age is available at jockeyclub.com/pdfs/eid_8_year_tables.pdf.

“The sport, as a collective entity, has made a sustained difference that should serve as motivation to continue the search for new safety and welfare initiatives and to permanently eliminate the usage of ‘part of the game’ from the lexicon when discussing equine injuries,” said Dr. Mary Scollay, the equine medical director for the Commonwealth of Kentucky and a consultant to the EID.

The EID statistics are based on injuries that resulted in fatalities within 72 hours from the date of the race. The statistics are for Thoroughbreds only and exclude races over jumps from the calculations. Summary statistics for the EID are subject to change due to a number of considerations, including reporting timeliness.

Since March 2012, racetracks have been able to voluntarily publish their statistics from the EID in the Safety Initiatives section of The Jockey Club website. There are 25 tracks that self-reported during 2016 and their aggregate rate was 1.41.

The list of racetracks participating in the Equine Injury Database and detailed statistics from those tracks that voluntarily publish their results can be found at: jockeyclub.com/default.asp?section=Advocacy&area=11.

Throughout the course of 2017, racetracks accounting for approximately 96 percent of flat racing days are expected to contribute data to the EID.

The Equine Injury Database, conceived at the Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation’s first Welfare and Safety of the Racehorse Summit, was launched by The Jockey Club in July 2008 and seeks to identify the frequencies, types, and outcomes of racing injuries using a standardized format that generates valid statistics, identifies markers for horses at increased risk of injury, and serves as a data source for research directed at improving safety and preventing injuries.

The Jockey Club, founded in 1894 and dedicated to the improvement of Thoroughbred breeding and racing, is the breed registry for North American Thoroughbreds. In fulfillment of its mission, The Jockey Club, directly or through subsidiaries, provides support and leadership on a wide range of important industry initiatives, and it serves the information and technology needs of owners, breeders, media, fans and farms. It is the sole funding source for America’s Best Racing, the broad-based fan development initiative for Thoroughbred racing. You can follow America’s Best Racing at americasbestracing.net. Additional information is available at jockeyclub.com.

OBS March Sale begins Tuesday, March 14

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The OBS March Sale of Two Year Olds in Training begins Tuesday, March 14th. Hip No.’s 1 – 338 will sell Tuesday and Hip No.’s 339 – 677 will be offered Wednesday, March 15th. Both sessions will begin at 10:30 a.m. As always the sale will be streamed live via the OBS website at obssales.com and the Blood-Horse and DRF websites.

The catalog is available online via the OBS website. A sortable master index provides searchable pedigree and consignor information as well as access to pedigree updates occurring since the catalog was printed.

The iPad version of the catalog can be accessed via the equineline Sales Catalog App. The App allows users to download and view the catalog, receive updates and results, record notes and also provides innovative search, sort and rating capability. For more information and downloads go to:http://www.equineline.com/SalesCatalogApp/

At the Under Tack Show, Hip No. 153, a son of Super Saver consigned by de Meric Sales, Agent, sped a quarter in :20 1/5 at Thursday’s opening session, equaling the fastest quarter mile breeze ever recorded at an OBS Under Tack Show.  The bay colt is out of stakes placed Sandi’s Ready, by More Than Ready.

Hip No. 176, a bay colt by Midshipman consigned by Thoroughbred Champions Training Center LLC, worked a quarter in :20 2/5 on Thursday. He’s out of Shine a Spotlight, by Nobiz Like Shobiz, from the family of graded stakes winner Take the Cake.

The lone quarter in :20 3/5 was turned in on Saturday by Hip No. 605, consigned by All Dreams Equine, a bay colt by Point of Entry out of stakes placed Hug It Out, by Medaglia d’Oro, a half sister to graded stakes winner Macho Macho.

There were ten quarters in :20 4/5, four at Thursday’s first session.

Hip No. 93, a chestnut colt by Curlin consigned by Thoroughbred Champions Training Center LLC, is a full brother to stakes winning 2016 OBS March graduate Undulated out of stakes placed Polly Alexander (IRE), by Foxhound.

Hip No. 156, Homasassa, consigned by Journeyman Bloodstock Services, Inc. (Brent & Crystal Fernung), Agent, is a chestnut filly by Winslow Homer out of Sanibel Sole, by Miswaki, and is a half sister to graded stakes placed stakes winner Sweet Belle.

Hip No. 204, Appleseed, consigned by Crane Thoroughbred Services, Agent, is gray or roan colt by The Lumber Guy out of Spanish Post, by Flatter, a daughter of stakes winner Spanish Play.

Hip No. 211, a bay daughter of Exchange Rate out of stakes placed Spring Jump, by Jump Start, is consigned by Eddie Woods, Agent.

Friday’s only quarter in :20 4/5 was turned in by Hip No. 364, Libellule, consigned by de Meric Sales, Agent, a gray or roan filly by Kantharos out of Barbarella, by Cutlass Fax, a daughter of stakes winner Beneficial Bartok.

There were five :20 4//5 quarters on Saturday.

Hip No. 456, consigned by Doble Jak LLC, is a dark bay or brown colt by Quality Road out of Cool Flame, by Dixie Union, from the family of grade one stakes winner Raging Fever.

Hip No. 480, a dark bay or brown colt by Tale of Ekati consigned by Pick View LLC, Agent, is a half brother to stakes placed Obsessionsoptimist out of Dark Obsession, by Grand Slam.

Hip No. 515,  a dark bay or brown colt by Arch consigned by Tom McCrockln, Agent, is out of Enhancing, by Forestry, a daughter of champion Heavenly Prize and a half sister to grade one stakes winner Good Reward.

Hip No. 586, consigned by Eddie Woods, Agent, is a bay colt by Pioneerof the Nile out of Heavenly Vision, by Forestry, and is a three quarter brother to graded stakes winner Cairo Prince.

Hip No. 608, also consigned by Eddie Woods, is a bay colt by Tiznow out of I’m a Flake, by Mineshaft, a daughter of grade one stakes winner November Snow.

The Under Tack Show fastest eighth was :9 3/5, turned in Saturday by  Hip No. 462, a son of More Than Ready consigned by Cary Frommer, Agent. The bay colt is out of graded stakes placed Cowgirl Mally, by Gone West, from the family of graded stakes winner General Meeting.

Fourteen youngsters breezed eighths in :9 4/5, four at Thursday’s opening session.

Hip No. 58, consigned by Crupi’s New Castle Farm, Agent, is a bay colt by Into Mischief out of stakes placed Nefertiti, by Speightstown, a daughter of graded stakes winner Clearly A Queen.

Hip No. 76 is a dark bay or brown filly by Violence consigned by Sequel Bloodstock, Agent, out of Passion Du Coeur, by Distorted Humor, a full sister to graded stakes placed stakes winner Distorted Passion.

Hip No. 79, a chestnut colt by Speightstown consigned by Top Line Sales LLC, Agent, is a full brother to grade one winner Lighthouse Bay out of Pay Lady, by Seeking the Gold.

Hip No. 81, consigned by de Meric Sales, Agent, is a gray or roan filly by Flatter out of graded stakes placed stakes winner Penny Marie, by Sky Classic, and a half sister to graded stakes placed Centrique.

There were three on Friday.

Hip No. 339, consigned by King’s Equine, Agent, is a chestnut colt by Shackleford out of stakes winner Annie’s Apple, and is a half brother to graded stakes placed K. D.’s Shady Lady.

King’s Equine also consigned Hip No. 353, a dark bay or brown Mineshaft colt out of Aurora Prospect, by Arch, from the family of grade one stakes winner Scan.

Hip No. 360, a dark bay or brown filly by Congrats consigned by McKathan Bros., Agent, is out of Azalea Belle, by Dixie Union, a daughter of graded stakes winner Westerly Breeze.

Seven horses worked an eighth in :9 4/5 on Saturday

Hip No. 491, consigned by McKathan Bros., Agent, is a dark bay or brown colt by Mineshaft out of graded stakes placed stakes winner Devil House, by Chester House.

Hip No. 498, a bay colt by Into Mischief consigned by Cary Frommer, Agent, is out of Doolittle, by Polish Numbers, a half sister to grade one stakes winner Her Smile.

Hip No. 508, consigned by Advanced Thoroughbreds LLC, Agent, is a dark bay or brown filly by Gio Ponti out of stakes placed Eastside Westside, by Eastern Echo, and is a half sister to graded stakes placed stakes winner Courageous Act.

Hip No. 568, a dark bay or brown filly by Ghostzapper consigned by Harris Training Center LLC, Agent, is a full sister to grade one stakes winner Contested out of Gold Vault, by Arch.

Hip No. 576, consigned by Halcyon Hammock Farm, Agent, is a gray or roan filly by Shanghai Bobby, a half sister to stakes placed Escondera out of Hallnor, by Horse Chestnut (SAF), a half sister to Canadian champion Hollinger.

Hip No. 657, a bay colt by Colonel John consigned by Mayberry Farm, Agent, is out of Lemme, by Lemon Drop Kid, from the family of grade one winner Critical Eye.

Hip No. 664, consigned by de Meric Sales, is a dark bay or brown colt by Violence out of stakes placed Light of a Star, by Muqtarib, a half sister to graded stakes winner Summer Hit.

The Under Tack Show videos are posted online at obssales.com as well as viewable on site via video kiosks located around the sales pavilion. Current information about OBS sales, consignors and graduates is now also available via social media sites Facebook and Twitter. A link on the homepage directs users to either site.

Sales results are updated frequently during each session on the OBS website and available in sortable, .pdf and excel formats at the conclusion of each session. The latest news regarding OBS graduates, sales schedules, nominations, credit requests, travel information and other news relevant to OBS consignors and customers is also available. E-mail should be addressed to obs@obssales.com.

For more information regarding the March Sale or OBS website, please call (352) 237-2154.

OAKLAWN INCREASES PURSES FOR FINAL MONTH OF MEET

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Hot Springs, Ark. (Sunday, March 12, 2017) – One of the richest racing seasons in the country just got richer.

Oaklawn, which already has the highest purses in the country for this time of year, is increasing purses as much as $8,000 per race effective Saturday, March 18, thanks to strong business across the board and good weather.

Purses for Maiden Special Weights will increase from $72,000 to $80,000 and Allowance races will be as high as $84,000 after the starting the season as high as $76,000.

Saturday’s card was already going to be the second richest of the meet with the $900,000 Rebel Stakes (G2), $350,000 Azeri Stakes (G2) and the $250,000 Essex Handicap included in the 11-race card. With the purse increase, the total purses for the day should exceed $2 million.

“The Rebel Stakes is no longer just a stepping stone to the Arkansas Derby,” Assistant General Manager Wayne Smith said. “It stands on its own merit as one of the leading preps for the Triple Crown races. When you add in the Azeri and the Essex, you get one of the strongest days of racing anywhere – and it just gets better with these purse bumps that will have a positive impact on the under card races and the rest of our season.”

Also impacted by the purse increase will be all starter allowance races; claiming races with a claiming price of $30,000 or higher;  and maiden claiming races with a claiming price of $30,000 or higher – all with a $2,000 per race bump.

The popular Trail’s End, the 1 ¾-miles starter allowance race that traditionally ends Oaklawn’s season, also will receive a boost, from $50,000 to $55,000.

“For 113 years, Oaklawn’s motto has been ‘racing comes first,’” Smith said. “Our gaming operation exists to create a vibrant racing product. This year, we have benefited from strong business in racing and gaming, which is allowing us to increase purses during the season for the ninth consecutive year – that’s an exceptional run.”

The 2017 Oaklawn meet runs through Saturday, April 15.

NTRA Keeping Busy on Tax Withholding, Reporting Changes

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NTRA Keeping Busy on Tax Withholding, Reporting Changes

When it comes to making industry favorable changes on tax withholding and reporting of pari-mutuel winnings a reality this year, the National Thoroughbred Racing Association is continuing its efforts to what it hopes will be a successful finish, while working with the industry to make sure it will quickly transition to the new rules.

While the United States Treasury will not say much either way during the current 90-day comment period that runs through the end of the month, in December it issued a 31-page document that clarifies the total bet amount on a ticket will be used to determine the 300-1 threshold in reporting and withholding of large winnings.

Currently a $1 trifecta wheel of 10 combinations is viewed as 10 bets of $1 each. If a payout of $600 or more at odds of 300-1 or higher is awarded, that payout must be reported to the IRS. If that same wager pays $5,000 or more on odds of 300-1 or higher, some of the winnings must immediately be withheld for taxes.

The change would affect how the 300-1 threshold is determined. Under the change, the $10 ticket in the scenario above would be considered a $10 wager. To reach 300-1 odds, the payout must be more than $3,010, which means far fewer big payouts will need to be reported.

While the December report was favorable, the NTRA is working to make sure the changes clear any final hurdles while also acting to make sure horse racing will be ready to act should the changes become official.

During the 90-day comment period, the NTRA again called on the industry to show its support through e-mails in support of the change. The NTRA reports that virtually every comment submitted to the Treasury has been supportive of the proposed regulatory changes, and there appears to be no organized opposition to the updates.

Also, the NTRA is actively seeking the support of a bipartisan group of members of Congress from key racing states to urge the Treasury to finalize the changes in a timely manner once the public comment period concludes March 30. While nothing is guaranteed, it is expected to take a month to 45 days to become official after the public comment period closes.

The NTRA is leading the way on making sure the industry is ready to put the changes in place.

“We’re determined to implement this new tax structure on Day One without a hitch,” said NTRA president Alex Waldrop. “There are a lot of moving parts but fortunately everybody is working together. We have a broad cross-section of the industry, technology providers who are familiarizing themselves with the (regulations). We’re very optimistic.”

The NTRA continues to engage with its lobbyists in Washington, as well as major tote companies, racetrack operators, and ADWs—both individually and as a group—to outline an implementation plan for the proposed rules. Just last week, the NTRA led a conference call that included officials from tote companies AmTote, United Tote, and Sportech; as well as the Las Vegas Dissemination Company, William Hill, TVG, Thoroughbred Racing Associations, and the Thoroughbred Racing Protective Bureau, among others.

Tote companies would update their software to recognize the new definition of how the 300-1 threshold is determined.

“The collaboration around this effort is unprecedented and we are confident that we will be prepared to implement these important regulatory changes as soon as the new regulations become law,” said NTRA chief operating officer Keith Chamblin.

The NTRA also plans additional communication and education for horseplayers. A big part of that will be emphasizing the potential advantages of including multiple wagers on a single ticket.

“We realize that there may be a period of adjustment for customers as they gain a better understanding of the benefits derived from the new regulations,” Chamblin said. “A customer communications plan already is under way and will continue well after the proposed regulations become law.”