Category: Remington Park

Matt Vance Named Executive VP Of Racing At Remington, Lone Star

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Matt Vance

Officials with Global Gaming Solutions recently announced Matt Vance has been named executive vice president of racing for Remington Park in Oklahoma City and Lone Star Park in Grand Prairie, Texas.

Skip Seeley, Global Gaming Solutions CEO, said Vance’s thorough knowledge of the horse industry and his passion for working collaboratively with horsemen, jockeys, racing fans and employees played an instrumental role in this decision.

“For several years, Matt has overseen racing operations at Remington Park and over the past couple years he has served in an advisory role at Lone Star Park. His leadership and commitment to horse racing helped us navigate a very trying time during the pandemic at both tracks. He led the 2020 Quarter Horse Season through uncharted territory that enabled racing to continue throughout the pandemic. He then used that experience to guide health and safety protocols and operations in Grand Prairie when its season opened.”

Seeley noted that Vance also received the 2020 Gordon Crone Special Achievement Award from the American Quarter Horse Association for his work during the pandemic.

As executive vice president for both tracks, he will oversee all mutuels/simulcasting, operations, track maintenance and racing operations.

“It is an honor to be able to live my passion for horse racing every day and to do that alongside some of the best horsemen, jockeys and fans in the sport,” said Vance. “As we build on our current successes, which include purse increases at both tracks, I look forward to working with our committed employees in both states to enhance our horsemen and patron experience.”

Vance has served as vice president of racing operations at Remington Park since 2015. He has worked in the racing industry for over 35 years, starting with Louisiana Downs in 1986 then to Remington Park from 1988-1997. He moved to other tracks for six years and eventually returned to Remington Park in 2003 for the construction of the casino, and the transition to new ownership in Global Gaming Solutions in 2010. During his tenure, Vance has played a key role on the leadership team that has helped the track soar in quality and popularity in recent years.

For more information about Remington Park, visit https://www.remingtonpark.com/. To learn more about Lone Star Park, go to https://www.lonestarpark.com/.

Remington Park Cuts Stakes Purses Due to COVID-19

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Total stakes purse money for 2020 is $2.88 million, an $820,000 reduction from 2019.

Remington Park, set to begin a 67-date Thoroughbred season Aug. 21, released a stakes schedule July 29 that features 32 races and a reduced purse structure due to COVID-19.

Total purse money for the stakes schedule is $2.88 million, a reduction of $820,000 from 2019. The lower structure is due to two months of inactivity from mid-March to late-May when Remington Park halted simulcast racing and casino gaming for health and safety measures because of the pandemic.

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HARRAH’S LOUISIANA DOWNS ANNOUNCES POLICY ON HORSES SHIPPING FROM OKLAHOMA

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Bossier City, LA – Due to the outbreak of EHV-1 in Oklahoma City, Harrah’s Louisiana Downs will not allow horses from Remington Park or Will Rogers Downs to access its grounds. This decision was made on Friday, November 21 and will be in effect until further notice.

As widely reported,  cases of  Equine Herpesvirus 1 (EHV-1)  were confirmed at Remington Park beginning on November 12.  Currently, there is no live racing at Harrah’s Louisiana Downs, but the Bossier City racetrack serves as a training center for horsemen in between race meets. This was introduced in November, 2018 following the closure of the Evangeline Training Center.

“In order to protect our current horse population, we felt it was necessary to issue this policy,” said Eric Halstrom, Harrah’s Louisiana Downs Vice President of Operations. “ Should horsemen have any question regarding this change in policy those inquiries should be directed to Louisiana Downs’ Director of Racing, David Heitzmann, or Stall Superintendent, Natalie Ardoin.”

The 2020 Harrah’s Louisiana Downs Quarter Horse meet will commence on Saturday, January 4.

Currently, the racetrack is open for training six days a week with full amenities including a clocker, outrider and ambulance service.  Security in the stable area is provided 24 hours a day, seven days each week. Located in the Bossier City-Shreveport metroplex, Harrah’s Louisiana Downs is located in convenient proximity for shipping to Delta Downs in Vinton, Louisiana; Fair Grounds in New Orleans and the upcoming live season at Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, Arkansas.

 

Space and availability for Thoroughbreds is limited and is allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Horsemen are encouraged to contact David Heitzmann, Harrah’s Louisiana Downs Director of Racing at (318) 741-2511 or (318) 741-2512 for rates and information.

 

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.

DELTA DOWNS ISSUES BAN ON HORSES FROM REMINGTON PARK FOLLOWING EHV-1 TEST POSITIVES

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– TEMPORARY ACTION TAKEN TO PROTECT LOCAL HORSE COLONY –

VINTON, LA. – Due to recent positive tests for Equine Herpesvirus 1 (EHV-1) at Remington Park in Oklahoma, Delta Downs has issued a temporary ban on horses stabled at that racetrack from entering its stable area. This action is being taken to ensure the health and safety of Delta Downs horse population and will serve the best interest of local horsemen. The ban will be in effect until further notice.

 

For more information about racing at Delta Downs visit the track’s website at www.deltadownsracing.com. Fans can also get information through Facebook by visiting the page ‘Delta Downs Racing’. The track’s Twitter handle is @deltaracing.

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.

Horse Tests Positive for EHV-1 at Remington Park

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The barn’s quarantine is currently set for 14 days.

A horse stabled at Remington Park has been confirmed by the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry as testing positive for Equine Herpesvirus-1. As of Nov. 15, the affected barn has been placed under quarantine.

“ODAFF was informed last night of a positive EHV-1 test sample from a horse at Remington Park,” said Dr. Michael Herrin, ODAFF assistant state veterinarian. “This horse was euthanized Tuesday evening, and the barn it was housed in is currently under quarantine.”

Clinical signs for EHV-1 in horses vary to include fever, incoordination, and weakness or paralysis of the hind limbs. Additionally, this disease can cause rhinopneumonitis, a respiratory disease usually found in young horses, and abortion in broodmares. A small percentage of horses infected with the non-neuropathogenic strain of EHV-1 can develop neurological signs consistent with Equine Herpesvirus Myeloencephalopathy.

 

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Trainers’ Exam Prep Class at Remington Park still has Openings for Aug. 16-18 Course

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Subject: Trainers’ Exam Prep class at Remington Park

When: August 16-18

Tuition: Early Registration by Aug 11, $299; After August 11th, $349.

Class size: Limited to 12

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

 

Trainers’ Exam Prep Class at Remington Park in Oklahoma City August 16-18 has 4 remaining spots as of August 6th. Class size is limited so each participant has a chance to participate and get his or her questions answered. This class focuses on the Rules of Racing with emphasis on rules from states represented. Discussion of rule variances from state to state is included.

 

Lenford Clarke, 2016 graduate of a Florida Trainers’ Exam Prep class recently visited Gulfstream Park’s winner’s circle with his first winner in July. Elizabeth Dobles, another recent Florida TExP graduate has multiple winners at Gulfstream Park in 2017.

 

A class may be scheduled in Kentucky later this fall, but no definite date has been announced. Those interested in taking a Trainers’ Licensing exam are encouraged to go to www.groomelite.com or www.purplepowerracing.com for more information and to register. Anyone without internet access may call 859-252-8648 (Race for Education) or Dr. “Mac” 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.

Trainers’ Exam Prep Class at Remington Park

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Contact: C. Reid McLellan, PhD 859-321-4377
When: August 16-18
Tuition: Early Registration by Aug4 $299; After August 4th, $349.
Class size: Limited to 12

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

With the 2017 summer Trainers’ Exam Prep Class in Lexington, Kentucky June 28-30 selling out, seven participants have already signed up for one of 12 available spots in the August 16-18 Trainers’ Exam Prep class at Remington Park in Oklahoma City. Registration is open and interested participants are encouraged to sign up early to guarantee a spotin this class at http://www.groomelite.com or http://www.purplepowerracing.com.

Presented by Dr. C. Reid “Mac” McLellan, well known national instructor of Groom Elite classes around the country, the Trainers’ Exam Prep class is three days of concentrated study of the Rules of Racing with specific emphasis on day to day rules of which trainers must be aware. Day one is devoted to horse care and management plus other information included in the barn test portion of the National Trainers’ Exam. Days two and three focus on administrative rules that govern horse racing including Trainer Responsibility, Duties of Racing Officials, Responsibilities of Licensees, Jockeys & Jockey Agents, Medication, Claiming, Racetrack Protocol, Entering with Correct Weight and more.

Lenford Clarke, 2016 graduate of a Florida Trainers’ Exam Prep class recently visited Gulfstream Park’s winner’s circle with his first winner.

Those interested are encouraged to go to  http://www.groomelite.com or http://www.purplepowerracing.com for more information and to register. Anyone without internet access may call 859-252-8648 (Race for Education) or Dr. “Mac”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.