Category: Texas

Texas Racing Commission Defies Governor, Keeps Historical Racing

louisianathoroughbred
TEXAS RACING COMMISSION DEFIES GOVERNOR, KEEPS HISTORICAL RACING
by  | 12.15.2015 

Historical wagering has become the hot-button issue in Texas since the machines were approved there last year, and Tuesday marked the third time that the Texas Racing Commission has take an official vote on the matter. This time, the nine-member commission voted 4-4 on an order to repeal historical racing, with one member abstaining, according to the Star-Telegram.

With the motion failed, new Chairman Rolando Pablos, recently appointed by the expressly anti-gambling Gov. Greg Abbott, told the staff to begin the process of shutting down the agency. The end of February marks the termination of the three-month funding extension granted to the commission last month by the Legislative Budget Board.

Some believe the Commission, and thus the entire Texas racing industry, will not actually shut down at that time, despite claims from some in the legislature that funding will not be extended again. Others are clinging to the hope that the millions of dollarsthe industry has spent on legal fees to defend historical racing in court will come to fruition. But supporters are convinced that these machines are their last hope: There is no Plan B, according to Texas Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association president Jan Haynes. We are at the point where it will take some sort of gaming revenue.

Hours after the racing commission vote, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, co-chair of the Legislative Budget Board andrecipient of sizable campaign contributions from the Kickapoo tribe that operates a casino in Texas, issued the following statement:

I am extremely disappointed that the Texas Racing Commission failed to repeal historical racing. Previously, a state district court judge ruled historical racing rules adopted by the commission exceeded the commission’s authority granted to them by the Texas Legislature. Members of the legislature also expressed their opposition in a letter to the commission stating they did not have the authority to enact this rule.

It was my hope that today would be the beginning to finding a solution to resolving this issue for the long term benefit of the equine industry in Texas. Instead, irresponsible members of the industry have politicized this issue and resorted to false, personal attacks.

Recently, the governor appointed three members to the commission. Two of those members voted to repeal historical racing and one did not. In addition, the previous commission chair resigned his chairmanship after he said he could not serve at the pleasure of the governor, staying on the commission but also voting not to repeal. As recently as August, this same member voted to repeal, but today defied the governor.

It is disturbing that a few members of the Texas Racing Commission who refuse to follow the ruling of the judiciary, the clear guidance of the Texas Legislature or directive from the governor have chosen to jeopardize this industry. I look forward to working with responsible members of the equine industry moving forward.

As recently reported by the Fort Worth Star Telegram, if horse racing comes to an end in Texas it will be the fault of a few members of the commission and their supporters in the horse industry not the fault of the governor, the lieutenant governor or the legislature.

Read more at the Star-Telegram.

All-Time Leading Texas Stallion Valid Expectations Dies at 22

louisianathoroughbred

Valid Expectations, a Florida-bred son of Valid Appeal who was leading freshman sire in North America by money won and winners and went on to become the all-time leading sire in Texas, has died at the age of 22, according to a report in AmericanRacehorse.com.

Bred by the late Harry T. Mangurian Jr., Valid Expectations (produced from the Iron Constitution mare Mepache) was campaigned by Ackerley Brothers Farm, which purchased Valid Expectations for $225,000 at the OBS February Sale of 2-year-olds in training. He was trained by Steve Asmussen.

Winner of 12-of-27 races, including two Grade 3 events, the Derby Trial Stakes and Sport Page Handicap, Valid Expectations stood his first two years in Florida, then moved to William S. Farish�s Huisache Farm (later Lane�s End Texas). He was owned by a partnership consisting of Lane�s End, Leland and Robert Ackerley, Joe Archer, Greg Goodman, and Robert and Janice McNair.

After leading the Texas sire list nearly every year throughout his career, Valid Expectations was pensioned in 2013. His progeny earned in excess of $33.1 million and included Group 1 Golden Shaheen winner Saratoga County and Ivan Fallunovalot, a possible starter in this year�s G1 Breeders� Cup Sprint

First Case of Vesicular Stomatitis Detected in Three Horses in Pecos County

louisianathoroughbred

Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC)

Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 19, 2015

First Case of Vesicular Stomatitis Detected in Three Horses in Pecos County

AUSTIN- Vesicular stomatitis (VS) has been detected in three horses at a Pecos County premises located approximately 30 miles north of Fort Stockton, Texas. The animals were tested after the owner observed blistering and swelling on the animals’ tongues and lips, and contacted their veterinary practitioner. Testing at the USDA National Veterinary Services lab in Ames, Iowa confirmed the New Jersey serotype of virus in the affected horses.

 

Vesicular stomatitis primarily affects horses and cattle causing blisters or sores on the tongue, lips, muzzle, nose, hooves and/or teats. Because of the contagious nature of VS and its resemblance to other diseases such as foot and mouth disease (FMD), the Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) urges livestock owners and caretakers to report these symptoms to their veterinarian or the TAHC immediately. Although the lesions may be painful, most animals recover well with supportive care.

 

VS can be transmitted by direct contact with infected animals, contaminated objects (fomites), or by insect vectors such as sand flies and black flies. The disease usually occurs in warm months of the year when insect vectors are active. VS may also affect people causing a mild flu-like illness with symptoms of fever, weakness, and muscle aches.

 

The newly identified infected horses are currently under quarantine by the TAHC. Affected and exposed horses will be monitored by TAHC or USDA personnel until all lesions have healed and a decision is made to release the quarantine (a minimum of 14 days).

 

“If you suspect your animal(s) have VS, you should notify your veterinarian immediately,” said Dr. Dee Ellis, Texas’ State Veterinarian and TAHC Executive Director. “Texas had its largest VS outbreak in history last year, and we must remain vigilant in protecting our livestock industry in 2015.”

 

The first case of VS this year was found in New Mexico on April 29, 2015. Since then, VS cases have also been confirmed in Arizona and Utah.

 

Some states and other countries may restrict movement of, or impose additional requirements for susceptible species moving from states with active cases of VS. It is important for shippers or haulers of livestock to contact states of destination well in advance of scheduled movements to determine their entry requirements. For international export information, the USDA Veterinary Services office in Austin, Texas should be contacted.

 

For more information about VS visit http://www.tahc.texas.gov/news/brochures/TAHCBrochure_VS.pdf

 

The USDA APHIS-VS fact sheet about VS is available as well athttp://www.aphis.usda.gov/publications/animal_health/content/printable_version/fs_vesicular_stomatitis_2012.pdf