Month: June 2022

OwnerView to host Instructional Webinar on Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority Registration

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OwnerView announced today that it has added a panel to its Virtual Owner Conference series with representatives from the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) to assist owners with the registration process for HISA.

 

The Zoom webinar will be held on Thursday, June 16, at 1 p.m. ET and last about 60 minutes. Participating in the webinar from HISA will be Lisa Lazarus, chief executive officer; Steve Keech, technology director; Ann McGovern, director of Racetrack Safety; and John Roach, general counsel. The session will include time to submit questions to the HISA team.

 

The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act, which was signed into law in December 2020, established HISA as an independent agency to draft and enforce uniform safety and integrity rules in Thoroughbred racing in the United States. The bill goes into effect on July 1, and owners are among the list of individuals who must register with HISA as a covered person prior to this date.

 

“The passage of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act was an important step forward for Thoroughbred racing, and this webinar will enable owners to engage directly with HISA to learn about registration and answer any questions they may have,” said Gary Falter, project manager for OwnerView.

 

Interested individuals can sign up for the virtual conference at ownerview.com/event/conference or send an email to Gary Falter, gfalter@jockeyclub.com. The webinar will be recorded and made available on the OwnerView YouTube channel for owners that cannot attend the live session.

 

OwnerView is a joint effort spearheaded by The Jockey Club and the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association to encourage ownership of Thoroughbreds and provide accurate information on aspects of ownership such as trainers, public racing syndicates, the process of purchasing and owning a Thoroughbred, racehorse retirement, and owner licensing.

 

The need for a central resource to encourage Thoroughbred ownership was identified in the comprehensive economic study of the sport that was commissioned by The Jockey Club and conducted by McKinsey & Company in 2011. The OwnerView site was launched in May 2012.

ENJOY THE BELMONT STAKES, LIVE RACING AND FAMILY FRIENDLY ACTIVITIES AT LOUISIANA DOWNS ON SATURDAY, JUNE 11

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First Live Thoroughbred Race Begins at 1:45 pm (Central)

 

Bossier City, LA – Louisiana Downs has the distinction of being the only Thoroughbred racetrack in the Pelican State to run live racing on each of the three Triple Crown Stakes. Opening day was Saturday, May 7, with an enthusiastic crowd on hand to enjoy the first day of the season and the Kentucky Derby. Three weeks ago, a nice crowd enjoyed an afternoon of festivities and the running of the second jewel in the Triple Crown, the Preakness Stakes.

This Saturday horseplayers will be able to enjoy live racing and the running of the 154th Belmont Stakes. Louisiana Downs will simulcast each of the races from Belmont Park. Kentucky Derby winner Rich Strike will take on a field to include  Mo Donegal , We the People and Barber Road  Family fun events including Bounce Houses, Face Painting. Jockey t-shirt toss and more! Fans can enjoy live music from Jimmy Wooten and  delicacies from  several of the top Food Trucks in the Metroplex. Additionally, there will be a  $5 Free Bet promotion at the Racing Promotional kiosks beginning at 11am.

Mitch Dennison, Louisiana Downs General Manager of Racing, looks forward to making Saturday, June 11 a very enjoyable day for racing fans of all ages.

“We are committed to building attendance and making sure that everyone enjoys our live racing, dining and activities,” said Dennison. “Our Clubhouse buffet will be open with a “Cajun style spread” for those fans who prefer air-conditioned comfort with great views of the racetrack. We are delighted to see the number of families who enjoy the festivities on the trackside apron and believe that that a good time can be had by all at Louisiana Downs!”

Multiple- Stakes Winner Net a Bear Continues to Thrill Her Connections

Each of the Louisiana racetracks host  a stakes day saluting Louisiana Thoroughbreds. Last Saturday, was Louisiana Legends Night at Evangeline Downs. One very familiar Louisiana-bred mare, Net a Bear did not disappoint as the favorite in the $75,000 Turf Distaff.  With Tim Thornton aboard, the 6-year-old daughter of Awesome Bet made her usual late run and drew off tin the one-mile turf stakes, winning by 1 ¼ lengths.

Bred by Lora Pitre and Elaine Carroll, Net a Bear is owned by Maximo Lamarche and Federico Deltoro and trained by Allen Landry. Since she began her career in 2018, the bay mare, versatile on turf or dirt, has won 12 of her 33 lifetime starts and following the victory at Evangeline Downs, upped her earnings to $615,970.  Her first stakes win came at Louisiana Downs when she captured the 2019 Elge Rasberry and she was a convincing winning last year in the Louisiana Cup Distaff.  Remarkably, Net a Bear has been a stakes winner at each of the four Louisiana racetracks and continues to delight her connections.

“She’s unbelievable,” stated Landry. “She can win on dirt, but really runs well on the turf. In the Turf Distaff (on June 4 at EVD), she was next to last, got into a little trouble, but got clear and just took off! She just has an incredible turn of foot.”

Landry was asked if she would make a return to Louisiana Downs on August 6 for this year’s Louisiana Cup Day.

“Absolutely!” he said.  “That’s our plan.”

Nominations for  Louisiana Cup Day will close on July 23. The stakes are as follows:

$50,000 Louisiana Cup Juvenile                    2 YO LA-Bred                        5 ½ furlongs

$50,000 Louisiana Cup Juvenile Fillies          2 YO Fillies LA-Bred             5 ½ furlongs

$50,000 Louisiana Cup Filly & Mare Sprint  3 YO & Up F&M, LA-Bred  Six furlongs

$50,000 Louisiana Cup Sprint                        3 YO & Up LA-Bred              Six furlongs

$50,000 Louisiana Cup Turf Classic              3 YO & Up LA-Bred              1 1/16 miles (T)

$50,000 Louisiana Cup Distaff                      3 YO & Up F & M LA-Bred  1 1/16 miles (T)

Trainer and  Jockey Standings Through June 6

Shane Wilson, who was honored as 2021 Louisiana Down leading trainer, continues to top his fellow conditioners with 20 wins. Joey Foster has saddled 13 winners to move into second place.   Hall of Fame conditioner Steve Asmussenfollows with 10 victories and Greg Tracy is now fourth with nine wins.

Jose Guerrero continues to be the leader in the rider standings with 25 wins since the meet began on May 7. Last year’s leading jockey Carlos Lozada is second with 19 trips to the winner’s circle, followed by Emanuel Nieves, who has won 15 races, including four winners on the June 6 card. Nieves was the track’s leading rider in 2018, but missed the majority of the 2019 season recovering from an injury. Alexander Castillo rounds out the top four with 12 wins.

Registration Open for the Annual Charity Golf Tournament

Louisiana Downs will host its annual Charity Golf Tournament at Northwood Hills Golf Club in Shreveport, Louisiana on Wednesday August 31.The event will benefit The Winner’s Circle Church and Chaplain Jimmy Sistrunk for his many programs to assist the Louisiana Downs racing community and backstretch workers.

Sign in for the event’s Four Person Scramble kicks off at 10:00 a.m. with tee off at 10:30 a.m.  The fee is $80 per person or $320 for a four-person team.  The fee includes green fees, golf cart, lunch, and t-shirt/cap. Trophies will be presented to the first, second and third-place teams.

The deadline to enter is Wednesday, August 24. Attendees can register in person in the Louisiana Downs Racing office, or by mail. Checks should be payable to The Backside Benevolence Fund and mailed to:  Jennifer Sokol, Harrah’s Louisiana Downs, 8000 East Texas Street, Bossier City, Louisiana, 71111.  For further information, please contact Jennifer Sokol at (318) 741-2512 or (318) 573-5830.

Louisiana Downs Racing Dates and Post Time

The 2022 Thoroughbred meet at Louisiana Downs got underway on Saturday, May 7. The 84-day live racing season will run Saturday, Sunday, Monday and Tuesday through September 27. Post time on Saturday and Sunday is 1:45 pm (Central) and 3:05 pm on Monday and Tuesday. For details on simulcasting and special events, visit ladowns.com.

About Louisiana Downs

Located near Shreveport in Bossier City, Louisiana, Louisiana Downs opened in 1974 and is now owned by Rubico Acquisition Corporation. 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.

Colic Surgery In Foals: More Optimism For Positive Outcomes May Be Warranted

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Owners of foals needing an operation for obstruction of the small intestine should be optimistic about the outcome, a new study shows. Knowledge of colic surgery survival rates is important to horse owners making surgical decisions.

Dr. Sara Erwin reviewed the records of surgical colic cases from five academic referral hospitals in the United States to directly compare foal and adult horse survival rates following colic lesion surgery. In the past, lower survival rates have been reported in foals than adults when the affected horse has severe colic lesions which obstruct small intestine blood flow.

The scientists assessed 41 cases of foals six months and younger and 105 cases of adults between two and 20 years old. They discovered that 24 of 25 foals (96 percent) and 66 of 75 adults (88 percent) who recovered from surgery for a strangulating obstruction survived to be discharged from the hospital.

 

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2022 Claiming Crown Will Be Held at Churchill Downs

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The 2022 Claiming Crown will be held at Churchill Downs in November, according to Dan Metzger, president of the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association.

Speaking on Horse Racing Radio Network’s Equine Forum June 4, National Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association CEO Eric Hamelback first announced the news, saying: “I am over the moon excited to move the Claiming Crown for 2022 to Churchill Downs. Saturday, Nov. 12 is the plan for now. We are appreciative of Churchill Downs, especially to (track representatives) Mike Ziegler and Ben Huffman who wanted this event. We are hoping for as spectacular a day as we have had at Gulfstream over the past years. The long-term plan is to stay within the Churchill Downs family, going to Louisiana (Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots) for 2023.”

 

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EVANGELINE DOWNS WELCOMES LARGE CROWD FOR LOUISIANA LEGENDS NIGHT

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TRAINER RON FAUCHEUX AND JOCKEY JARETH LOVEBERRY TEAM UP FOR TWO STAKES VICTORIES

 

OPELOUSAS, LA –Evangeline Downs hosted the annual celebration of the Louisiana-bred Thoroughbreds with an exciting Louisiana Legends Night card on Saturday.  A large crowd was on hand for the night of stakes action that included six stakes races each worth $75,000 for state-bred runners.  Pleasant weather greeted race goers and the races were contested over tracks rated fast and firm.

Maga Man takes the Louisiana Legends Turf Stakes. Coady Photography.

Maga Man displayed a new dimension by sitting off the early speed and rallying to a thrilling victory in the $75,000 Turf.  Normally a runner found battling for the lead, jockey Joe Stokes was able to get Maga Man to settle off the hot early pace being fought by Forestdungone, Mangelsen and Behemah Star through snappy fractions of 23.21, 47.28 and 1:11.63.  Maga Man was ready to launch a four-wide rally at the top of the lane and engaged the leaders as they reached the furlong marker.  While Behemah Star continued to battle on as the only survivor of the early pace, Jaci’s Royalty and City Park were closing from the back of the pack.  Trained by Norman Miller, III, Maga Man was able to dig in and prevailed in a finish that saw the first four finishers separated by less than a combined length.

Maga Man stopped the clock in 1:43.33 over the 1-1/16 mile distance with the official winning margin of ½-length over Jaci’s Royalty.  It was a head back to third place finisher Behemah Star and a nose to City Park in fourth.  Maga Man defends his title in the Legends Turf, although last year’s running was contested over a sloppy main track.

Owned by Norman Miller IV, Maga Man returned $17.20 to his backers, $9.20 to place and $5.60 to show.  Jaci’s Royalty paid $8.20 and $6, with Behemah Star paying $4.60 to show.  The winning purse pushed the career totals for Maga Man to 10 victories in 39 career starts and $369,880 in earnings.

Bred by Steven Renshaw, Maga Man is a 7-year-old gelded gray/roan son of Musket Man, out of the Pulling Punches mare Lew’s Gray.

 

Free Like A Girl adds the Louisiana Legends Soiree to her list of stakes victories. Coady Photography.

Free Like a Girl ran like a solid favorite is expected to do in her victory over 3-year-old fillies in the $75,000 Soiree.  After breaking a little awkwardly, jockey Pedro Cotto, Jr. was able to get Free Like a Girl into a comfortable position just off the early leader Beleout.  Trained by Chasey Deville Pomier, Free Like a Girl ranged up to challenge the leader moving past the quarter-mile pole and opened up a comfortable margin moving past the furlong pole.  Wholelottamo was steadily gaining ground in a runner-up effort but could not threaten the winner.  The winning margin for Free Like a Girl was 1-1/4 lengths, with another 7-3/4 lengths to the third-place finisher First I’ve Seen.  The winner covered the mile distance in a time of 1:39.41

Sired by El Deal, the bay filly is out of the Flashy Bull mare Flashy Prize and was bred by Kim Renee Stover and Lisa Osborne.  The victory was her seventh from 13 career starts and the winning purse pushed her career total to $401,473.

Owned by Gerald Bruno Jr., Carl J. Deville, Chasey Deville Pomier and Jerry Caroom, Free Like a Girl returned $3 to win, $2.20 to place and $2.10 to show.  Wholelottamo paid $3 to place, $2.20 to show and First I’ve Seen paid $2.20 to show.

 

 

Big Chopper holds off Vodka Gimlet to win the Louisiana Legends Coeval Stakes. Coady Photography.

Kendel Standlee’s Big Chopper was hustled to the front and never looked back in his victory in the $75,000 Cheval.  Jockey C.J. McMahon had his mount away alertly from the gate and settled into stride setting fractions of 24.01, 47.83 and 1:11.93 before stopping the clock in 1:37.71 for the mile distance.  Vodka Gimlet was in range throughout but could not get past the determined winner.  Favored Touchuponastar, off a very impressive maiden victory, was chasing the eventual victor from the outset and faded to third.  Trained by Scott Gelner, Big Chopper’s winning margin was ½-length, with another length separating the second and third finishers.

Bred by the owner, the 3-year-old is by Shackleford and is out of the Unusual Heat mare Miss Well Molded.  The winning purse pushed his career total to $130,480 with his third victory from eight career starts.

Big Chopper returned $13.80 to his backers for a win ticket, $6.20 to place and $3.80 to show.  Vodka Gimlet returned $4.60 to place and $2.60 to show, with Touchuponastar paying $2.80 to show.

 

 

Net A Bear moves into the lead to take the Louisiana Legends Turf Distaff. Coady Photography.

Maximo Lamarche and Federico Deltoro’s Net a Bear returned to her winning ways on the grass with an impressive victory in the $75,000 Turf Distaff.  Jockey Tim Thornton and Net a Bear were unhurried early sitting in fifth position early as longshot Sumitup raced away to an open lengths lead.  World War and Great in Red were the first to collar the leader moving into the far turn as the leader gave way after fractions of 23.63 and 48.15.  Through six furlongs in 1:12.26, Net a Bear was shuffled back in some traffic and had to wait for some running room.  As the field straightened away in the lane, the Allen Landry trainee found clear running room and rushed past the leaders to win by 1-1/4 lengths.  World War fought on to finish second a head in front of Great in Red.  The winner stopped the timer in 1:36.91.

Bred by Lora Pitre and Elaine Carroll, Net a Bear was sired by Awesome Bet and is out of the Eddington mare Edacious Reality.  Winning for the twelfth time in 33 career starts, the $45,000 winning purse pushed her career earnings to $615,970.

The favorite in the wagering, Net a Bear paid $3.40 to win, $2.10 to place and $2.10 to show.  World War paid $2.80 to place and $2.40 to show.  Great in Red returned $2.80 to show.

 

 

Trainer Ron Faucheux and jockey Jareth Loveberry teamed up for their first of two stakes victories as Fame Feather won the $75,000 Mademoiselle.  Winning for the first time over the main track, Fame Feather rallied from off the pace to win the 5-1/2 furlong sprint.  Settling off swift early fractions of 21.90 and 45.58 seconds set by Lady Hopper, the Picard Thoroughbreds Racing Stable LLC (Dawn and Jeffrey Picard) runner commenced a rally two wide on the turn and rallied to pull away for a one length victory over Spirited Beauty, a half-length ahead of Snowball who rallied late for a third-place finish.  The winner stopped the timer in 1:04.49.

Bred by Ramona Pierce, Fame Feather is a 7-year-old chestnut mare sired by Lion Tamer, out of the Indian Charlie mare Pretty Indian.  Winning for the seventh time in 25 career starts, the winner’s share increased her career bankroll to $274,330.

Fame Feather returned a welcome $21.20 to win for her backers, $7.80 to place and $5 to show.  Spirited Beauty paid $4.80 to place and $2.80 to show.  Snowball returned $3 to show.

 

Bertie’s Galaxy wins the Louisiana Legends Sprint Stakes. Coady Photography.

Faucheux and Loveberry found the winner’s circle again as Bertie’s Galaxy defended his title in the $75,000 Sprint.  Sharp away from the gate, Bertie’s Galaxy was quickly in charge leading by a length through an opening quarter in 21.86 seconds with Black Sword and Yankee Seven chasing their familiar rival.  Turning for home in a half-mile in 44.63 seconds, the Allen Cassedy runner extended the lead to two lengths and was clear at the wire.  The winning margin was 2-1/4 lengths over a late closing Creole Charlie and it was another 1-1/2 lengths back to Takes Two to Tango in third.  Bertie’s Galaxy stopped the clock in 1:03.52 for the 5-1/2 furlong distance.

Bertie’s Galaxy was bred by Margie Averett and the 6-year-old chestnut gelding is by Greeley’s Galaxy out of the Wild Rush mare Wild Bertie.

Off as the favorite, Bertie’s Galaxy returned $6.60 as a popular victor, $4.60 to place and $4 to show.  Creole Charlie was worth $12.60 to place and $8 to show.  Takes Two to Tango returned $5.60 to show.  The winning share pushed the career bankroll of Bertie’s Galaxy to $442,850.  The victory was the eleventh from 25 career starts.

For more information on racing at Evangeline Downs, visit the track’s website at www.evdracing.comand on Twitter @evdracing.  Live racing resumes Wednesday with a 5:30pm Central first post.  The racing calendar for 2022 is a Wednesday through Saturday schedule until the end of the meet on August 27.

LAHBPA Asks Louisiana Horsemen to Request Their US Representatives and Senators to Repeal HISA

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NOTICE TO ALL MEMBERS

The Horse Racing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA) was enacted in 2020 and is current Federal Law. As a result, it can be fully enforced by the Federal Authorities, including but not limited to, US Marshalls, US Attorney’s and even the US National Guard, if necessary. The initial implementation of HISA commences on July 1, 2022, with the HISA “Safety Program”. The Federal Government has appointed a board for all aspects of HISA to be applied to United States horse racing, without exception.

The funding for this initial implementation is by way of an assessment placed on each race track based upon a combination of race days and purses available. The 1 st responsible party for the payment of this assessment is each state’s racing commission. If the commission declines this assessment, then the obligation is the responsibility of the race tracks. In addition to this assessment, other numerous mandates, which include, track surface safety, jockey physicals, complete identification of all participating personnel, concussion protocols, jockey whip rule and penalties, and an array of other federal regulations, will be enforceable. As time progresses, even more regulations will be imposed by HISA associated with medication.

Shortly after HISA became law, under President Trump’s signature, the Louisiana HBPA conducted strategy meetings with the National HBPA and its other affiliates to combat the effects of HISA. After no success administratively, Louisiana HBPA joined in a federal lawsuit that was filed in Texas seeking to have HISA declared unconstitutional. Simultaneously, the Louisiana HBPA worked closely with the Louisiana Attorney General, such that, the state of Louisiana joined other States in an action filed in Federal Court in Kentucky, challenging the legality of HISA. The Texas cause of action was unsuccessful at the district court level and was appealed to the United States fifth circuit in New Orleans. The fifth circuit recently issued a ruling questioning HISA’s authority in connection with the Federal Trade Commission. Unfortunately, this ruling, does not prevent HISA from becoming effective on July 1, 2022. It does, however, provide a glimmer of hope that with additional appellate practice, relief may be granted to combat the effects of HISA. As of this date, no decision has been rendered from the Kentucky district court.

The LAHBPA again requests that its members and all participants in Louisiana Horse Racing contact and ask their United States Representatives and Senators to repeal HISA.

 

Notice – HISA 5_25_2022

The Delta Downs Infield Is Marty’s World

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by Joe Nevills

 

If you’re a horse racing type with a Facebook account, you’ve probably seen the video.

An alligator is seen ambling across the dirt path that goes through the infield at Delta Downs in Vinton, La. A nearby horse is understandably unsure what to make of the reptile, ultimately deciding to spin around as the handler tries to maintain control and get the horse to the paddock for an upcoming race.

The caption for the video, posted on Facebook by Joe Allen, an assistant trainer for Richard Lane, reads, “It’s Marty’s world. We just live in it.”

 

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