Date Posted: 6/25/2009 4:43:28 PM Last Updated: 6/25/2009 4:52:28 PM

Republican Sen. Damon Thayer, under heavy fire from some in the Kentucky horse industry for not being publicly proactive on racetrack gaming legislation, on June 25 outlined his position on the issue and claimed that a “political war” would only hinder the industry.

Thayer, considered “racing’s senator” because of his background in the industry and work on racing and breeding issues, was referred to negatively several times as “the senator from Scott” during a horse industry rally at Keeneland June 24, two days after the racetrack gaming bill died in the Senate Appropriations and Revenue Committee. Thayer isn’t a member of that committee.

Thayer acknowledged his name has been “taken in vain” and “dragged through the mud” in light of recent developments. He said his position on gaming has been well-known for years.

“My position has always been it is best handled by a constitutional amendment,” said Thayer, whose district is located north of Lexington. “There were questions about the bill’s constitutionality. I met with numerous horse industry people, constituents in my district, and (the Kentucky Equine Education Project’s) lawyer to talk about the constitutionality of the bill.

“I have concerns, as do many others.”

The bill, which called for video lottery terminals at racetracks, got the OK from Democratic Attorney General Jack Conway after a review by his staff. It was supported and pushed by two Democrats, Gov. Steve Beshear and House Speaker Greg Stumbo, who both believe a constitutional amendment isn’t needed for Kentucky Lottery Corp.-operated VLTs.

Thayer told The Blood-Horse he requested Senate leadership send the VLT measure to the Senate State and Local Government Committee, which he chairs. The decision was made to send the bill to the same committee that heard it in the House of Representatives, he said.

That committee--Appropriations and Revenue--is heavily Republican. The measure died in that committee on a largely party-line vote.

Thayer indicated he was prepared for a vote on the Senate floor. He said he planned to introduce floor amendments “to improve the bill and get it to the point where I could support it.”

His amendments called for a countywide local-option vote in counties in which racetracks are located; an increase from 14.5% to 16% in the amount of VLT revenue that would go to purses and breed development; the appointment of four legislators to the Kentucky Breed Authority and a mandate to make racehorse rescue programs a priority; $1 million for a workers’ compensation for jockeys; and $1 million for a statewide horse racing marketing fund.

Thayer said if the bill had made it to the floor and the amendments adopted, he would have voted for it, with reluctance because of the constitutional question.

“There’s a lot of anger about it not getting out of committee, but I still believe there were only 16 or 17 votes for slots (in the full Senate),” he said. “I do have allegiance to the horse industry, but I took an oath to uphold the constitution of Kentucky. I take that oath seriously, and I think that position ought to be respected.”

Beshear, some legislators, and racing industry officials believe the legislation would have gotten the 20 votes necessary for passage. Thayer’s comment indicates how close a call racetrack gaming is in the Kentucky General Assembly, but Republican Senate President David Williams already has declared the issue dead for 2010. Democrats disagree.

Thayer told The Blood-Horse breeders’ incentive funds wouldn’t have come about in Kentucky without his effort, and that he supported the horse industry by delaying action on and reworking legislation on the matter of dual agency at sales. He also noted he worked to get the Breeders’ Cup tax exemption bill included in broader economic development legislation during the recently ended special session.

“I know people are disappointed, but for me to get up and fall on my sword on a slots bill without a constitutional amendment would have marginalized me, and I couldn’t have helped the horse industry in the future,” Thayer said in explaining his position.

Thayer was asked if legislators truly believed Williams’ plan to tax out-of-state pari-mutuel wagers was viable. The House and Beshear rejected it on the grounds it could put Kentucky tracks at a disadvantage and perhaps even reduce handle.

Thayer said he “raised concerns about that,” but many legislators believed the strength of Kentucky’s racing product and the additional purse money raised through the tax would carry the day. He also said he has no problem supporting a tax on the Kentucky lottery to raise money for purses.

“There were some good ideas that deserve further review,” Thayer said.

Among those ideas are a tax on in-state advance deposit wagering bets and Instant Racing, he said. Instant racing machines resemble VLTs but are pari-mutuel in nature because they are based on recycled races that determine the outcome of video games.

Thayer was asked if politics killed the racetrack VLT bill. He said it was primarily about questions on constitutionality, moral opposition to expanded gambling, legislators reflecting the views of constituents, and concerns about how racetrack gaming has played out in other states.

“People are concerned horse racing would become a sideshow,” Thayer said. “We have disagreements with leadership all the time. I’ve been characterized as marching lockstep with David Williams, but I spent two weeks talking to senators about their personal issues (with the VLT bill). Most of them were against for the reasons I stated.

“Some have suggested since I made my living in horse racing, I should be automatically for the bill. But to vote on a bill because it benefits me personally is a violation of law.”

Thayer said he solicited an opinion from the Legislative Ethics Committee and was told there was no violation as of now.

Thayer wouldn’t speculate on whether racetrack gaming will come up again in January 2010, or whether something will be done to help the horse industry in the interim.

“It’s too soon to tell—tempers are pretty hot,” he said. “People need to take a step back and respectfully consider the convictions and opinions on both sides of the issue. If it turns into a political war, it will be later rather than soon that the horse industry can be helped.

Date Posted: 6/25/2009 9:58:29 AM

When he entered the Keeneland sale pavilion the evening of June 24, trainer William “Buff” Bradley was thinking about his options in the wake of the defeat of racetrack gaming legislation two days earlier.

“This is my home, and I really want to stay, but I’ve got to think about some things,” Bradley said. “It may be too late. I hear there are people planning to leave after the Churchill meet and go to Delaware Park.”

Two hours later, he hadn’t necessarily changed his mind, but his outlook had greatly improved. He was one of about 1,000 people that participated in a horse industry rally, the likes of which hadn’t been seen before in Kentucky, and perhaps anywhere.

“It gets you pumped up,” Bradley said. “I’m glad I came here tonight. They do know how much this means to us. I might just have to have a tentative plan for a year or so; I can do that if I have to. But if they’re going to stand up and fight, I want to fight, too.”

The rally, designed to tell the horse industry the fight for assistance in the form alternative gaming isn’t over, came together in about a day. Organizers said they were shocked at the standing-room-only turnout. There were farm owners and employees, racetrack executives, trainers, breeders, and even fans.

It turned into a raucous bipartisan political rally with more than 20 legislators who support the horse industry in attendance. Keeneland lobbyist Judy Taylor said she simply dropped off invitations at their offices, and they showed up in force only hours after a special session of the General Assembly had concluded.

The legislation to authorize video lottery terminals at the state’s racetracks died June 22 in a Republican-heavy Senate committee. Sen. Tom Buford, the only Republican that voted to send the measure to the Senate floor, received a standing ovation during the rally.

The bill had bipartisan support in the House, which it passed on a 52-45 vote. Legislators and racing industry officials said the measure had the votes—Republican and Democrat—in the Senate, but never had a chance to get there.

“This is not a partisan issue,” said Democratic Gov. Steve Beshear, who attended the rally with his wife, Jane. “In the Senate, it’s not a partisan issue, but it takes on a partisan twinge. We won’t know (the outcome) because they were afraid to vote. I believe it would have passed the Kentucky Senate.

“There is one of two things you can do. You can change the senators’ minds, or you can change some of the senators. Let’s get this done.”

Former Kentucky governor Brereton Jones, chairman of the Kentucky Equine Education Project and owner of Airdrie Stud, likened Republican Senate President David Williams to a “third-world dictator.” Williams is largely blamed for blocking the racetrack VLT bill from a full Senate vote, and earlier in the day told the Louisville Courier-Journal the VLT issue is already dead for the 2010 session.

Others would disagree. Laughter turned to wild cheers when Jones said: “The only way to get rid of a dictator is with a revolution, and the revolution starts tonight. We are going to make this happen. It may take a little longer than we’d like, but we’re sticking together, and we’re going to get this done.”

The General Assembly convenes in January 2010 for its next regular session. Legislative elections will be held later next year. Still, it appears the racing industry plans to wield its influence in the coming months, because it’s likely the racetrack gaming bill will resurface, despite Williams' claims, given the fact it passed the House for the first time ever during the special session.

Democratic Sen. Ed Worley, who supported the bill, blasted the Senate as it wrapped up business during the special session. In a video shown during the rally, Worley said the Senate used a “smokescreen”—an alternative plan to generate purse money by taxing the lottery and pari-mutuel wagers—to blame failure of the bill on the governor.

The VLT bill, Worley said, was “killed and declared dead before it arrived. The majority of the members in the Senate would have liked to vote.”

During the rally, Worley said the sale of Thoroughbred horses in Kentucky’s number one cash crop, and the industry deserves legislative attention. “If they vote against the horse industry, you need to remember them on Election Day,” he said.

KEEP executive director Patrick Neely said each member of the Senate received about 5,000 e-mails over the weekend urging them to vote on the VLT bill. KEEP also collected about 12,000 signatures on a petition.

Neely said in the next few months, town hall meetings will be held around the state to lobby support for the gaming plan and the horse industry. Overall, he said the special session was a major success even though the bill failed to get a full Senate vote.

“They have heard our voice in Frankfort,” Neely said.

Many of the legislators on hand for the rally are Democrats.

Members of the House recognized from the floor were Rocky Adkins, Linda Belcher, Leslie Combs, Bob Damron, Kelly Flood, Reginald Meeks, David Osborne, Sannie Overly, Ruth Ann Palumbo, Carl Rollins, John Will Stacy, John Tilley, Robin Webb, and Susan Westrom.

Members of the Senate recognized from the floor were Walter Blevins, Tom Buford, Perry Clark, Denise Harper Angel, Gerald Neal, Joey Pendleton, Kathy Stine, Johnny Ray Turner, and Ed Worley.

Democratic House Speaker Greg Stumbo, who sponsored the gaming bill, was unable to attend, officials said.

Posted 6/24/2009, 6:01 pm

MIAMI - Steve Standridge has been training horses for 23 years, the majority of them in south Florida. During that period, Standridge recorded 573 victories, 25 in stakes races, and won purses totaling more than $10.6 million.

But now Standridge is, at least temporarily, out of business, not of his own volition but as a result of a problem that continues to trouble horsemen throughout the country: workers' compensation.

"I had three accidents over the last two years, my insurance company canceled my policy, and nobody else will touch me," Standridge said. "The ironic part is I've probably had four claims over the last 20 years, but because I've had three in such close order nobody will insure me, which is typical of insurance companies anyway. They want you to pay and pay and then you have a claim and suddenly they don't want to play any more."

Standridge has transferred all his horses to Peter Guylas, a former assistant, who recently returned to the area after spending time working for trainers Ian Wilkes and Carl Nafzger in Kentucky. Among the group Standridge gave to Guylas is Grade 2 winner Mach Ride, who recently returned to training after being sidelined more than a year recuperating from foot injuries.

"I can't tell you how many companies I've tried to get to cover me since my original policy was canceled," Standridge said. "I even tried the leasing companies, but once they look up your record they won't have anything to do with you either. I'm sticking around here at the moment in an advisory capacity to Peter. Especially with Mach Ride back in training."

Standridge's best hope of getting workers' compensation now lies with the Florida Horseman's Benevolent and Protective Association. The local horseman's group is presently trying to work out a blanket workers' compensation plan that would cover the entire backside in one policy. Similar policies are in place in California and Delaware.

Worker's comp has been a major issue and stumbling block for local horsemen for more than a decade. The difficulty in getting coverage increased after a catastrophic claim by an exercise rider here last fall, the result of a near-fatal training-hours accident.

"The problem right now is that underwriters just don't want to take on individual policies," said Kent Stirling, executive director of the Florida horsemen's association. "Many of our people have been getting canceled and are forced to take state-funded insurance. The state has to take them, but the costs are prohibitive."

Stirling said he has been working for some time with representatives from the California-based firm of Marovich, O'Shea and Coglan - the same company that helped put together the current workers' compensation programs in California and Delaware - with the hope of being able ultimately to institute a similar arrangement in south Florida.

"We've provided them with a lot of data going back 10 years regarding number of starts, average payrolls, etc., not only for Calder but all south Florida Thoroughbred tracks," Stirling said. "Our goal is to have one workman's compensation policy that would be administered on the basis of stalls allotted. If a trainer doesn't pay their share of the policy, they lose their stalls. Unfortunately with the state of the economy the way it is, this could take quite a while to come to fruition. We're at least hopeful of being able to put together something in the short term to at least relieve some of the pressure. But even that may take until the end of the year."

Whether help will come soon enough for Standridge remains to be seen.

"After 23 years, this certainly wasn't the way I wanted to get out of the business," Standridge said. "When the time finally comes, you'd like to be getting out on your own terms."

Mach Ride looking good

Standridge said Mach Ride, winner of Calder's Grade 2 Smile Handicap in 2007, is progressing nicely towards his return.

"His feet look awesome, he had his first work last week, and if all goes well he could be ready to run by the end of July," Standridge said. "I don't see why he cannot come back as good as he was before getting the time off. Right now he's the main reason I'm still trying to keep my foot in the door."

Posted: Thursday, June 25, 2009 10:30 AM

Lane’s End Farm owner William S. Farish has committed $1-million to the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund, which supports about 60 former riders who were permanently disabled following on-track catastrophic injuries.

The gift will be annualized in four equal contributions beginning this year.

“Advanced medical technologies, better training, and improved racetrack safety measures have made horse racing much safer for riders, but no sport is ever risk-free,” said Farish, president of the Houston, Texas-based William Stamps Farish Fund. “It is my hope that members of the racing community will join me in supporting the [fund], not only to help meet the day-to-day needs of our disabled athletes but to build an endowment that will provide a permanent funding source for their long-term care.”

Racetracks, corporate sponsors, horse owners, jockeys, horsemen’s groups, and industry businesses and organizations have contributed to the fund since its inception, and more than $2-million has been disbursed to disabled jockeys since 2006.

“We are deeply grateful to Mr. Farish for his commitment to the [fund] and the disabled athletes it supports,” said Nancy LaSala, executive director of the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund. “It is wonderful that Mr. Farish understands the value of this. This funding will help to ensure that we will be able to build an endowment so financial assistance for our disabled riders will always be available.

“The lives of these disabled jockeys and the lives of their families have been forever changed, and the financial circumstances that some of these riders now face are frightening to me. I’m hoping people will see what Mr. Farish has done, understand the need for it, and do what they can to help ensure that funding is always there for those who need it the most.”

Terry Meyocks, national manager of the Jockey’s Guild, said the pledge will bring much-needed publicity to a cause that is of the utmost importance to jockeys throughout the country.

“I think it’s outstanding,” Meyocks said. “One of the things we’ve tried to do with the Guild is to raise a lot of money for the fund because that is the number one cause and concern among our riders.

”It’s really fantastic that someone like Mr. Farish’s realizes how important this is and has done something that will benefit our riders and the industry for years to come.”

Posted: Thursday, June 25, 2009 11:52 AM

Construction soon will begin for a $50-million racetrack and casino in Raton, New Mexico, following a groundbreaking ceremony on Wednesday.

The full project for La Mesa Racetrack and Casino will take 12 to 18 months, although a temporary casino could open by the end of the year.

Live racing is scheduled to begin in the spring of 2010. The site is near the Colorado border and close to the former La Mesa Park, which operated in Raton from 1946 to 1992.

Last year, the New Mexico Racing Commission awarded the state’s sixth and final racino license to Racing at Raton, a partnership headed by Michael Moldenhauer of Toronto. Paul Micucci, former president of Gulfstream Park, and Eric Culver, the owner of La Mesa Park from 1965 to 1975, have also been involved in the project.

Plans for the facility call for 600 slot machines, a one-mile racetrack with a seven-furlong chute, and a 550-yard Quarter Horse track. New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson attended the groundbreaking ceremony, which included a proclamation honoring Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1) winner Mine That Bird.

The commission conducted its June meeting in Raton after the ceremony.

Chip Woolley, the trainer of Mine That Bird, is a Raton native, and he started his training career at La Mesa Park. Mark Allen, co-owner of Mine That Bird, also trained at La Mesa and met Woolley there.

Racing at Raton plans to operate a 60-day meet for Thoroughbreds and Quarter Horses from May to Labor Day

Date Posted: 6/25/2009 11:53:50 AM Last Updated: 6/25/2009 11:56:45 AM

The New York Racing Association has concluded its enhanced version of the Barn Area Violations Panel investigation of trainer Jeff Mullins’ actions in the Aqueduct detention barn April 4.

The panel held one hearing in the Mullins matter on May 14, and another at Belmont Park June 24.

NYRA officials did not comment on the latest proceedings, other than to indicate, any sanctions against Mullins, if any, would not be made for several weeks.

Mullins has paid a $2,500 fine and served a seven-day suspension meted out by the New York State Racing and Wagering Board. The penalties were served after Mullins admitted he unknowingly breached detention barn rules by giving Bay Shore (gr. III) entrant Gato Go Win an over-the-counter equine cough product. Gato Go Win was scratched after Mullins was observed by NYRA security personnel orally administrating Air Power in the detention barn prior to the Bay Shore.

Karen Murphy, Mullins’ attorney, faxed a letter on June 22 to trainer Richard Violette Jr., the president of the New York Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association, asking that the NYTHA send a representative to the June 24th hearing.

Dionne Johnson, the NYTHA’s office manager, attended both the May 14 and June 24 hearings.

In response to Murphy’s missive, Violette sent a letter to the attorney on June 24, clarifying several issues raised by Murphy.

Violette wrote: “I received your letter of June 22, 2009, which you admittedly faxed to an office you knew was closed because it was a dark day. You chose instead to share it with the media before I had a chance to review it and respond. It’s interesting that you elected not to use the e-mail address or the phone number that Dionne Johnson, our office manager, had provided to you on May 15th, the day after the first hearing date.

“All that being said, I must correct a couple of significant errors that were in your letter. First of all, the hearing is not costing the horsemen one dime. It is being conducted at the total expense of NYRA. Secondly, NYTHA did have a representative at the first hearing and will have one there on June 24th as well.

“NYTHA is keenly interested in the process and the fairness of these hearings. Bear in mind that we not only represent some 350 trainers, but 5,000 owners as well. Our membership is of two minds. On the one hand, there are those who totally support NYRA’s aggressive efforts to ensure an honest and level playing field, and there are those who feel that it is a very slippery slope when racetracks and their management impose additional penalties in matters where the state’s regulatory body has already taken action and meted out its own sanctions.

“With this is mind, and absent independent knowledge of all the facts surrounding the Mullins’ incident, the Board of Directors of NYTHA have decided to carefully monitor these hearings, respond if and when appropriate, and, do whatever we can to protect members from the wrongful deprivation of their rights and privileges.”

Mullins attended the first but not second hearing, which he participated in by phone from his Southern California home base. NYRA’s legal counsel denied two members of the media entrance to the June 24 hearing to “maintain the integrity of the proceeding."

Posted: Thursday, June 25, 2009 10:25 AM

A legal conference between Greene County, New York, prosecutors and horseman Ernie Paragallo has been postponed again until July 27.

Paragallo, free on bail, faces 22 misdemeanor counts of animal cruelty following the highly publicized April 8 raid of his Center Brook Farm in upstate New York. Authorities seized 177 starving, neglected Thoroughbreds. Three horses were in such bad shape they had to be euthanized.

Greene County District Attorney Terry Wilhelm is seeking a plea bargain rather than taking the case directly to trial, but terms have not been disclosed.

"We are in the middle of negotiating," Assistant District Attorney Sara Leggio said. "We’re waiting to hear back from him [Paragallo] and his attorney about what they’re willing to do and not do."

Paragallo made a personal appearance in Coxsackie Town Court on Monday. Proceedings were postponed by mutual consent between prosecutors and Paragallo’s attorney, Michael Howard of Hudson, New York.

Paragallo already has surrendered 76 horses that have been placed in new homes from Kentucky to Canada. Scores of other horses are still at the farm as they are nursed back to health.

"I’d like to see those animals moved off the farm to reputable places," said Ron Perez, president of Columbia-Greene Humane Society, which is monitoring the farm.

Caring for the horses already has cost at least $100,000, and the Humane Society alone has spent about $50,000, he said. Some money might be returned, however, if Paragallo is required to make restitution.

While details have not been released, Perez said he is pleased with terms of the proposed plea bargain.

"The district attorney’s doing a good job," he said. "It’s a fair plea bargain."

The New York State Racing and Wagering Board and New York Racing Association already have stripped Paragallo of racing privileges in the state.

Posted 6/24/2009, 7:12 pm

This Sunday has been designated Mike Luark Day at the Lincoln State Fair with a fundraiser and silent auction to help the 20-year-old rider injured in a spill here May 24.

Luark suffered six broken vertebrae in the accident and underwent a 4 1/2-hour surgery the following day to place two rods and several screws to stabilize the injury. He is likely to miss a year of racing. The fundraiser will go to aid the rider and his young family - his wife, Jess, and 6-month-old daughter, Holly.

Director of racing Mike Newlin, the Nebraska Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Agency, the jockey colony, and others have been at work gathering items for a silent auction to be held during the day. Among the items to be auctioned will be old jockey silks, saddlecloths, and other memorabilia.

* Post time for the July 3 card has been moved to an afternoon start of 2 p.m. to avoid racing during the nearby fireworks display at Oak Lake Park that evening.

* The races for leading jockey and trainer have been head and head for some time now, and both are separated by a single win as Lincoln enters its final three weekends of racing.

Chris Fackler and Luis Ranilla have been alternating on the lead in the rider standings, with Fackler holding a 37-36 edge through last Sunday's racing. Jesus Ponce is third with 31 wins after sharing the title at Fonner Park with Fackler.

In the trainer standings, Marv Johnson holds a 21-20 edge over David Anderson as they have put some distance on the rest of the field. Four other trainers are tied at 10 wins each, including Herb Riecken, who saddled three winners on Sunday's card.

Posted 6/24/2009, 7:10 pm

Friends and family of the late Amelia "Milly" Otsea gathered in the Canterbury Park winner's circle after the third race on Saturday to celebrate the memory of the Mankato, Minn., native who had worked in the concessions department since the earliest days of Canterbury Downs.

Otsea was known to horseplayers and horsemen alike for her sunny countenance and her avid interest in the daily goings-on at the track. When her workday duties were completed, she could often be found at her station near the stairwell to the horsemen's section on the track apron, where she would watch the day's races. The track will place a plaque at that spot in her honor.

Posted 6/24/2009, 7:18 pm

Jockey Ricky Faul, a longtime regular on the Louisiana circuit and a crowd favorite, announced this week that he is hanging up his tack after a career that has seen him win 3,352 races. Faul will be honored in a ceremony Saturday night at Evangeline Downs that not only will mark his final race as a rider but also his 28th wedding anniversary with his wife, Donna.

"I'm in good health and thank the Lord I've never been seriously injured," Faul said. "I've had a long and productive career, and even though I still love race riding and enjoy the game, there comes a time in every professional athlete's life when you have to step aside and now is the right time for me. I give all the credit to my wife, Donna, my family, and my many friends and supporters."

Faul rode his first winner in 1978 at Delta Downs. In addition to winning a riding title at that oval, the 48-year-old native of Sunset, La., has been leading rider at the old Evangeline Downs, Birmingham Race Course, Hoosier Park, and the now-defunct Jefferson Downs in suburban New Orleans, where he accounted for no less than 10 titles.

Faul is one of three brothers to ride races. Jeff has been leading rider in Michigan and Louisiana, and Dee Dee became a jockey agent after a brief career in the saddle. Their mother, Betty, is a longtime mutuel employee at Evangeline.

"I'm still going to be involved in racing," Faul said. "Starting next week I'll become a jockey's agent for Joe Stokes. My long-term goal is to help teach the new guys not only how to succeed in this demanding game but in life as well.

Posted 6/24/2009, 7:13 pm

Trainer Robert Gorham continued his domination of the trainers' race when he saddled three winners on Tuesday's eight-race card. The Kalamazoo veterinarian now has 11 wins, including one stakes, from 48 starts in nine days of racing. Mary Anne Barron and Richard Rettele stand tied at second with five wins each.

On Tuesday, Gorham won the opener with Little Diddy No ($7.80) with Jeffrey Skerrett aboard. Little Diddy No is owned by Dr. Marion Gorham, Gorham's sister and partner at the West Main Animal Hospital.

Freddie Mata urged Western Jane ($10.60) to get up late and win the fourth race by a half-length for Gorham. Gorham owns Western Jane, whom he bred in partnership with longtime friends Ron Bieke and Henry Mast, the meet's leading owner.

The Mast-owned Supercell ($8.60) completed the triple for Gorham when he survived a stretch duel in the seventh race for a head victory. Leading rider Ricardo Barrios rode Supercell.

Barrios had a riding double to keep his lead in the jockey standings. After winning on Supercell, he completed the daily double aboard Clancey ($14.60) in the eighth and final race for trainer Frank Prainito and owners Robert Huth Jr. and Matthew Richey.

Barrios has won 13 races at the meet. Skerrett has 10 wins, and Jose Delgado checks in third with nine. Delgado had a double on the card, winning the second with Great Facts ($3.20) for owner/trainer Karl Waters and the fifth with Its Binalong Time ($36.40). Rettele trains Its Binalong Time for Thomas Barnes.

Posted 6/24/2009, 5:43 pm

The star of the four stakes races that will be run Wednesday is Spaghetti Mouse, who will join Teide in the Lieutenant Governors. The all-time leading money-winning B.C.-bred, with $868,911, Spaghetti Mouse has won the last three Lieutenant Governors.

Trainer Lenore Daponte is happy with the way he is coming up to the race. She was especially pleased with Spaghetti Mouse's five-furlong work in 59.60 seconds on June 21. Regular rider Pedro Alvarado was aboard for the move.

"He seems to be right on top of his game," Daponte said. "Pedro just breezed him, and he couldn't have done it any easier."

Spaghetti Mouse is coming off of a neck loss to Bank Emblem in the $51,000 John Longden on June 6. It was a big improvement over his initial start, where he set the pace before tiring to finish seventh in the George Royal Stakes.

"He really got a lot out of the Longden and he seems to have improved since then," Daponte said.

Spaghetti Mouse won four stakes races in 2008. In his loss to Bank Emblem, he earned a 92 Beyer Speed Figure, which was his best figure since he finished second in the Grade 3 Premiers in 2006. It appears that Spaghetti Mouse, who turned 7 this year, hasn't lost a step and will once again be the horse to beat in the Lieutenant Governors.

Posted 6/25/2009, 2:29 pm

ETOBICOKE, Ontario--The Jordan Express just keeps on rolling.

Beginning with Tigerheat's win in the first race here June 17, trainer Terry Jordan has won with seven of his last eight starters, the latest being Makani in Thursday's first race. Drunken Love, his only loser during that span, was claimed for $62,500 from a third-place finish to contribute his share to the Jordan coffers.

Jordan, however, is not about to get carried away with his current tear.

"I remember a few years ago in Vancouver, when I had a winning percentage of 52," said Jordan, 67. "The next year, it was 13 percent."

At one point during his 2002 campaign, when Jordan achieved his highest career percentage, the trainer went on a 10-for-12 winning binge and he saddled four consecutive winners on three occasions.

"One thing about this business is that you have to enjoy the highs and deal with the lows," said Jordan.

There haven't been too many of the latter for Jordan here at Woodbine, as he now is 16-for-34 this year after going 30 for 80 and 16 for 64 in his first two campaigns here.

Jordan has stated before and says again that there is no exotic secret to his success.

"An old trainer told me a long time ago that 80 percent of winning races was being able to read a condition book," said Jordan.

Jordan, who divides his time between Woodbine and Vancouver's Hastings, also gives plenty of credit to his assistant Anita Bolton and her staff here.

"Anita's probably the key to the whole thing," said Jordan. "We have people who are enjoying working for us, and good help is so important."

Jim McAleney, Jordan's go-to rider, and McAleney's agent, Danny Williams, also are on the receiving end of the trainer's praise.

"I can't say enough about Jimmy," said Jordan. "And, Danny helps me pick out the races."

Jordan will have a chance to continue his roll on Saturday when Oistins faces six other Ontario-sired 2-year-old fillies in a 4 1/2-furlong maiden race.

Oistins, owned by James Redekop, finished a troubled third as the favorite in her 4 1/2-furlong debut here on May 30.

"I think she probably should have won that day," said Jordan, who watched the race from Vancouver. "The horse is going good. As long as she gets out of the gate and overcomes the 1 hole she should be okay on Saturday."

Lexington, KY, Monday, June 8, 2009 – Final preparations have been put in place for the 2009 National HBPA Summer Convention scheduled for June 30 – July 3 at the Clarion Hotel & Conference Center in Shepherdstown, West Virginia.

The busy schedule of committee and business meetings will be highlighted by the election of National HBPA President and Chairman and the four Regional Vice Presidents, to be held immediately after the Board meeting on July 3rd.

As always, the National HBPA summer gathering will focus on key issues affecting horsemen. The National HBPA has gathered expert speakers from across the country for a series of three forums as well as a medication update featuring Drs. Steven Barker & Thomas Tobin covering new research in the area of environmental contaminants.

National HBPA 2009 Summer Speaker Forums
June 30 – July 3, 2009
Clarion Hotel & Conference Center; Shepherdstown, WV

Wednesday, July 1 / 9:00 – 11:00 am
“It Takes a Village – A Ground Level Look at Backstretch Support Systems”
“Every day, thousands of professionals and volunteers assist backstretch workers to cope with their daily lives. This forum gives a perspective from both the provider and recipient points of view.

Co-Moderators:
“Richard Riedel, Executive Director, Kentucky Racing Health & Welfare Fund
“MaryAnn O’Connell, Executive Director, Washington HBPA
“Panelists:
“Chaplain David Dow, Chaplain, Penn National Race Course, Race Track Chaplaincy of America
“Jennifer Hoert, Executive Director, Backside Learning Center, Churchill Downs
“G. Wesley Jones, LCSW, Delaware Park Backstretch Employee Assistance Program
“Chris McCarron, Executive Director-Instructor, North American Racing Academy
“Steve Stults, Executive Director, Indiana HBPA
“Dr. Fred Willis, Medical Advisor, Louisiana HBPA

Thursday, July 2 / 9:00 – 10:30 am
““Life After Slots – A Cautionary Tale”
“When new forms of gaming, such as table games, are introduced to racinos, how do horsemen ensure that they continue to receive their fair share?

Moderator - Presenter:
“Dr. Richard Thalheimer, President, Thalheimer Research Associates, Inc.
“Panelists:
“Bessie Gruwell, Executive Director, Delaware Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association
“Joe Santanna, President and Chairman, National HBPA / President Pennsylvania HBPA
“Melinda Tucker, Director of Racetrack Gaming, Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board

Thursday, July 2 / 10:30 am – 12 Noon
““Legal Forum: The Growing Trend Toward Exclusionary Practices”
“As some tracks move farther away from their racing roots, management teams with non-racing backgrounds have applied punitive exclusionary actions on horsemen. Is this a growing trend? And how can tracks’ private property rights be properly balanced with horsemen’s due process rights.

Moderator – Presenter:
“Douglas McSwain, General Counsel, National HBPA
“Panelists:
“Randy Funkhouser President, Charles Town HBPA (Exclusions)
“Rick Hiles, President, Kentucky HBPA
“Robert Jeffries, President, Tampa Bay HBPA

Joe Santanna, President and Chairman, National HBPA:
““Given all that is happening in our industry, it is vitally important for our member horsemen to remain engaged and informed about issues that affect them each day. We all look forward to hearing from the great collection of expert speakers we’ll have on board. Our thanks also go out to our West Virginia horsemen – and in particular Charles Town HBPA President Randy Funkhouser - for agreeing to host this convention and for all their hard work.”

The National HBPA is the largest horsemen’s representative association with over 30,000 affiliated horsemen across North America. AFLAC, Big Dee’s Tack & Vet Supplies, Equineline.com, and Horseman Labor Solutions proudly sponsor the National HBPA.