Evangeline Downs has cancelled Live Thoroughbred Racing for Wednesday, August 30, 2017 due to the expected weather conditions associated with Tropical Storm Harvey.
Month: August 2017
Sam Houston Shelters Horses Displaced by Texas Flood
More than 100 horses being stabled as of Aug. 29.
So far the Texas Thoroughbred industry appears to have escaped the worst of Hurricane Harvey, which battered the Gulf Coast with damaging winds when it made landfall Aug. 25 and has since saturated the Houston area with a record 49 inches of contiguous rain.
Sam Houston Race Park, which is located northwest of downtown Houston and adjacent to the Sam Houston Tollway, has not sustained any major damage or flooding, according to Roland Tamez, who is with the track’s security team. The track did not have any racehorses on the grounds when the storm hit because its live racing season ended in May.
The barn area is now being used to provide free shelter for horses being evacuated out of flooded areas. Several horses had been sent to the track ahead of the storm because their owners had experienced flooding in the past.
“We’ve got over 100 horses in three barns right now,” said Tamez, who added that anyone who needs shelter for their horses can call the track at (281) 807-8790 and arrange for a security officer to assist.
“These stalls do not have gates,” Tamez said. “So horse owners need to provide a gate or stall webbing, hay, feed, bedding, tubs, and buckets. The track is providing water.”
Tamez said the roads around the racetrack are clear, and he noted there is no flooding along the nearby segment of the tollway and the feeder roads. He said roads also are clear between the racetrack and I-45.
Sam Houston president Andrea Young said the barn area will be available as long as necessary.
“There are areas that may take three weeks to a month before people can get back into their homes, because that’s how long it will take for the water to go down,” Young said. “We’re prepared to help as long as we need to.”
Heavy rains much farther inland did effect the Gillespie County Fairgrounds, which had to cancel live racing this weekend at its track near Fredericksburg and will conduct three of its Quarter Horse stakes races at Retama Park in San Antonio, which is about 70 miles away. No damage was done to the facility, but state stewards determined the saturated racing surface was unsafe.
Aside from the horses being sheltered at Sam Houston, the Texas Thoroughbred Association has not fielded many calls for assistance over the past few days, according to TTA executive director Mary Ruyle.
“We are compiling and will publish a list of resources,” Ruyle said. “But it is surprising we haven’t heard more.”
One reason, she said, may be because a majority of the farms are located inland from the hardest hit areas. James Leatherman, racing secretary at Retama, said the racetrack only got two inches of rain with winds of 45-50 mph, which caused only minor damage to some fencing.
In Louisiana, the Equine Sales Company has announced that its Consignor Select Yearling Sale set for Aug. 31 in Opelousas, will be held as scheduled starting at 10 a.m. local time. The sales facility and the surrounding area have not been significantly affected by Hurricane Harvey.
Equine organizations offer disaster relief funds to Help Those Affected by Hurricane Harvey
(Washington, DC)- In the wake of one of the worst tropical natural disasters to hit the United States, the residents and animals of Texas need your help. A record 49 inches of rain has fallen in the Houston area, and even more is expected. So what can you do?
There are several equine specific disaster relief funds that you can donate to that will support the efforts of emergency response groups and organizations that are helping horses impacted by the flooding.
- United States Equestrian Federation Equine Disaster Relief Fund: Developed in 2005 during the aftermath of Hurricanes Rita and Katrina, the USEF Equine Disaster Relief Fund was formed to help ensure the safety and well-being of horses during trying times. Since its inception, over $370,000 has been donated to aid horses across all breeds in disaster-related situations. All money donated to the fund is strictly used to benefit horses and horse owners, and the USEF will be working with the Houston SPCA to help animals that have been displaced. To donate to the USEF Disaster Relief Fund: https://www.usef.org/donate
- American Association of Equine Practitioners Foundation Equine Disaster Relief Fund: The AAEP Foundation will work with agencies and veterinary members in Texas, Louisiana and other affected states to identify the needs of the equine community. Supplies are not being accepted currently as the catastrophic storm is still occurring. Once the Foundation receives an assessment of need and distribution protocols from the agencies and veterinary members in the afflicted areas, the Foundation will work to support them with supply needs as well. To support the impending needs of these equine victims, please donate online at: https://foundation.aaep.org/form/foundation-donation. If you wish to offer assistance with supplies or other resources, please email Keith Kleine at kkleine@aaep.org and you will be contacted with further instructions.
- Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International Disaster Relief Fund: The fund helps centers in need due to catastrophic disasters not normally covered by operating insurance. This includes flooding. The fund was started in 2005 to help centers with the damage inflicted by Hurricane Katrina. To donate, click here: Donate to the PATH Intl. Disaster Relief Fund. Additionally, if your PATH Intl. Center needs disaster relief, click here for information and to download the Disaster Relief Fund application.
Additionally, Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner has established the Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund that will accept tax deductible flood relief donations and will be administered by the Greater Houston Community Foundation.
Please share with your fellow members of the horse community, and with anyone wanting to help all those in need!
NOMINATIONS CLOSED FOR SUPER DERBY DAY AT HARRAH’S LOUISIANA DOWNS
Special Post Time of 12:00 pm Set for Saturday, September 9
Bossier City, LA – Nominations have closed for Super Derby Day at Harrah’s Louisiana Downs, which will take place on Saturday, September 9. The marquee day of the 2017 Louisiana Downs Thoroughbred meet will get underway at a special post time of 12:00 pm (Central).
The Super Derby program will feature seven turf stakes, highlighted by the $200,000 Super Derby, for 3-year-olds going a mile and one-sixteenth on the Franks Turf Course. The Super Derby closed with 34 nominations.
Trainer Brad Cox has nominated five runners for the Super Derby, including Flurry Racing Stable LLC’s Mr. Misunderstood, winner of the $60,000 Super Derby Prelude, here on August 5. That victory gave the gelded son of Archarcharch, who in undefeated in each of his four turf starts, a berth into the Super Derby.
Arklow, owned by Donegal Racing, Joseph Bulger and Peter Coneway, is also nominated. Sired by Arch, Arklow has bankrolled $246,987 to date with his most prestigious score coming in the Grade 2, $300,000 American Turf at Churchill Downs in May. Cowboy Culture, who has won four of his six turf starts, is also nominated. The son of Quality Road has not run since winning the Grade 3, $100,000 Arlington Classic on May 27.
Several other nationally prominent conditioners are considering shipping in for the Super Derby.
California based Tim Yakteen has nominated George Krikorian’s homebred Big Score. He has tested Grade 1 company twice, beginning with a fifth-place finish in the 2016 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf last November at Santa Anita. Fern Circle Stables’ Senior Investment has been nominated by trainer Kenneth McPeek. The colt by Discreetly Mine competed in both the Grade 1 Preakness and Belmont Stakes.
A trio of turf specialists from Mike Maker also is on the list of nominations. Kenneth L and Sarah K. Ramsey homebreds Gorgeous Kitten and Kitten’s Cat, both sired by Kitten’s Joy are graded stakes placed runners. Maker also trains Skychai Racing LLC’s Benefactor, who made his last start at Saratoga and could ship in for the Super Derby.
Current leading Louisiana Downs trainer Joey Foster has nominated Culp’s Hill and Mizztic Tale, who placed fifth in the Super Derby Prelude.
The draw for Super Derby Day will take place on Saturday, September 2. The featured stakes are:
$60,000 Unbridled 3 YO & Up 1 1/16 miles (T)
$60,000 River Cities 3 YO & Up F&M 1 1/16 miles (T)
$60,000 Happy Ticket 2 YO Fillies One Mile (T)
$60,000 Sunday Silence 2 YO One Mile (T)
$50,000 Tellike 3 YO & Up F&M 5 Furlongs (T)
$50,000 Need for Speed 3 YO & Up 5 Furlongs (T)
$200,000 SUPER DERBY 3 YO 1 1/16 miles (T)
$75,000 All Stakes Pick 4 on Super Derby Day
Officials have announced that there will be a $75,000 Guaranteed All-Stakes Pick 4 on Saturday, September 9, beginning on race 8. The wager will encompass four stakes, including the $200,000 Super Derby.
“We feel that with seven stakes, including the richest race of our meet, that our fans will enjoy the All Stakes Pick 4,” said Trent McIntosh, Louisiana Downs assistant general manager. “With full fields and a very competitive field of turf specialists in the Super Derby, this wager will be compelling for both our local fans and horseplayers across the country.”
About Harrah’s Louisiana Downs
Located near Shreveport in Bossier City, Louisiana, Louisiana Downs opened in 1974 and was purchased by Caesars Entertainment in December, 2002. With annual Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing seasons, the track is committed to presenting the highest quality racing programs paired with its 150,000 square foot entertainment complex offering casino gambling, dining and plasma screen televisions for sports and simulcast racing.
For further information, please contact:
| Trent McIntosh | Assistant General Manager O 318-752-6980 8000 East Texas Street | Bossier City, LA 71111 www.caesars.com |
LTBA Office Open
The New Orleans LTBA office is open today and will be open regular hours of 8 am to 4 pm. The office had closed early, Tuesday, August 29, due to Tropical Storm Harvey.
LTBA Office to Close at 11am Today, Tuesday August 29, Due to TS Harvey
The New Orleans office of the Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association is closing at 11:00 a.m. today, August 29, due to worsening weather brought by Tropical Storm Harvey. The office will re-open as soon as it is safe for staff to return.
The LTBA urges everyone to stay safe during this dangerous storm.
Hurricane Harvey: USEF Equine Disaster Relief Fund Supports Houston Emergency Response Groups
Sweeping across the Gulf Coast of Texas as a Category 4 hurricane over the past weekend, Hurricane Harvey’s catastrophic flooding has put the Houston and surrounding area equine community in a state of distress. Declared a major disaster and weather event, hundreds of horses and livestock have been affected.
Banding together as a community, emergency rescues, fellow equestrians opening up their barns for shelter and extensive veterinary care has been required over the last several days. As the rain continues to fall, rising flood waters will make extended care for displaced large and small animals on an ongoing need.
Supporting the efforts of emergency response groups and organizations that are helping horses impacted by the flooding, US Equestrian is providing financial assistance through the USEF Equine Disaster Relief Fund.
Developed in 2005 during the aftermath of Hurricanes Rita and Katrina, the USEF Equine Disaster Relief Fund was formed to help ensure the safety and well-being of horses during trying times. Since its inception, over $370,000 has been donated to aid horses across all breeds in disaster-related situations. All money donated to the fund is strictly used to benefit horses and horse owners.
Make a donation to the USEF Disaster Relief Fund here.
US Equestrian will be working with the Houston SPCA to support their rescue and rehabilitation efforts through the USEF Equine Disaster Relief Fund.
Encouraging donations to help the horses affected by Hurricane Harvey, US Equestrian CEO Bill Moroney said, “as part of our commitment to the health, welfare, and safety of horses, the USEF disaster relief fund was created to assist horses impacted by devastating natural disasters such as Hurricane Harvey. The outreach and generosity of the equestrian community to support the ongoing emergency assistance in this and future disasters allows us to provide direct financial assistance to the groups involved in the ongoing rescue efforts.”
For more information on the USEF Equine Disaster Relief Fund, please contact Vicki Lowell, vlowell@usef.org.
AAEP Foundation Disaster Relief Fund Accepting Donations to Assist Horses Affected by Hurricane Harvey
The American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) Foundation’s Equine Disaster Relief Fund is accepting aid to help horses in Texas, Louisiana and other states affected by Hurricane Harvey. Fund donations will be distributed among credible programs and organizations that are helping with recovery and rebuilding efforts in the aftermath and towards preparedness efforts for future disasters.
The AAEP Foundation will work with agencies and veterinary members in Texas, Louisiana and other affected states to identify the needs of the equine community. Supplies are not being accepted currently as the catastrophic storm is still occurring. Once the Foundation receives an assessment of need and distribution protocols from the agencies and veterinary members in the afflicted areas, the Foundation will work to support them with supply needs as well.
“The AAEP, AAEP Foundation and the equine veterinary community are saddened by the tragic loss of life and incredible destruction and flooding caused by Hurricane Harvey,” said AAEP President R. Reynolds Cowles, Jr., DVM. “We are compelled to reach out, together with our members, horse owners and industry leaders, as part of the effort to support the disaster’s equine victims.”
To support the impending needs of these equine victims, please donate online at
https://foundation.aaep.org/form/foundation-donation
Donations by mail can be sent to: Equine Disaster Relief Fund, AAEP Foundation, 4033 Iron Works Parkway, Lexington, KY 40511; (800) 443-0177 (U.S. only) or (859) 233-0147.
If you wish to offer assistance with supplies or other resources, please email Keith Kleine at kkleine@aaep.org and you will be contacted with further instructions.
Harvey Help For Horses
|
|
|
|
Equine Sales Consignor Select Yearling Sale Will Be Held Thursday As Scheduled
The Sales Committee along with several consignors have met this morning and are in complete agreement that the current weather should not affect the sale. The sales facility is fine and safe with no flooding. Yearlings are already on property and most are shipping in today. Some consignors are already showing horses. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Equine Sales Company (337) 678-3024.
2017 CONSIGNOR SELECT YEARLING SALE
August 31, 2017
10:00 AM
TO BE HELD AT THE:
EQUINE SALES COMPANY PAVILION
372 HARRY GUILBEAU ROAD
OPELOUSAS, LA
You must be logged in to post a comment.