NEWS AND NOTES FOR NOVEMBER 15, 2013

NEWS AND NOTES FOR NOVEMBER 15, 2013

TEXAS HORSE RACING HALL OF FAME
The 13th annual Texas Horse Racing Hall of Fame Gala will be held before and during the races starting at 4 p.m. Saturday, November 16. The gala includes valet parking, cocktails, a gourmet buffet dinner, induction of the honorees, silent auction and live Thoroughbred races.

All proceeds from the gala, which is open to the public, will benefit the Texas Horse Racing Hall of Fame, a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the legacy of the horse racing industry and those individuals who have influenced and contributed to its growth and development.

Serving as the emcee and auctioneer for the evening will be National Hall of Fame trainer and American horse racing legend Jack Van Berg. For more information or to purchase tickets for the gala at $125 per person, please contact Sharolyn Grammer at (210) 651-7000 or retama@flash.net.

The 2013 inductees include Arthur A. Seeligson, Jr. (deceased), Dr. Glenn Blodgett, Tami Purcell Burklund and horses Hadif, Kontiki and Dashingly. The Joann Weber Distinguished Service Award will be presented to Jeff Coady of Coady Photography.

Carded as race number 5, the $50,000-guaranteed Texas Horse Racing Hall of Fame Stakes for Accredited Texas-bred 3-year-olds and older at 1 1/16 miles on the turf boasts a field of 11, including, in post position order: Quiet Acceleration, Texas Air, Tahoka, Special U F O, Safe Range, morning line favorite Texas Bling, Wild Slew, Phil Will, Street Life Blues, Palm Road and Fly the Red Eye.

The $50,000–guaranteed Fiesta Mile, a turf race for Accredited Texas-bred 3-year-old and older fillies and mares has a full field of 12 and is carded as race 7.  In post position order, the field comprises Shesblondelikeme, Mescaleress, Patty’s Pride, My Golden Belle, Zippy Wager, morning line favorite Lasting Bubbles, Sera’s Tunnel, Smiles Golden Song, Ataka’s Special, Glorious Devon, Shezararebird, and She Has Bling.

COOLER WEATHER INCREASES RISK OF COLIC
Along with cooler weather comes an increased risk of colic, as it can cause horses to drink much less.  Be sure to monitor their water intake and, to encourage drinking, try adding a small amount of salt or electrolytes to feed. Also monitor manure output to ensure everything is working properly. If your horse is having any problems, contact your vet – it’s always better to be safe!

AHC SEEKS INDUSTRY INPUT ON EQUINE STUDY
The American Horse Council is asking its member organizations, their members, and the entire horse community to help in the drafting of the 2015 National Animal Health Monitoring System Equine Study, which is now in the preparation stages.

NAHMS is within the USDA and is working with the National Agricultural Statistics Service to prepare for its 2015 equine study.

“All organizations should pass this request on to their members so horse owners, breeders, and stakeholders can participate in the preparation of the 2015 study goals,” the AHC said Nov. 11. “This important study can go a long way in filling out information gaps in equine industry data. NAHMS is seeking input through the end of 2013.”

The AHC noted how the horse community has the opportunity to help determine the objectives of the study by identifying what information it would like to know about itself.

A five-minute survey is available at https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/NAHMS_Equine2015_I and all surveys must be completed by Dec. 31.

NAHMS will use the survey results to draft the parameters of its 2015 national study of the equine industry, which is scheduled to begin that summer. The study is conducted every 10 years; the last one was in 2005.

Results of previous NAHMS equine studies are available at http://nahms.aphis.usda.gov.

SOME CLARIFICATIONS
An NTRA press release on the subject of uniform medication rules reported that “as of November 1, nine states, including Texas, have approved the new medication reforms that are a central component of the reform effort”.

NOTE: At this time, Texas has only adopted a portion of the reforms.

The release goes on to say “at least 14 states have put into effect or are in the process of establishing third-party administration of the anti-bleeder medication furosemide, also known as Salix or Lasix. The restrictions require that furosemide be the only medication authorized for administration on race day and limit furosemide administration to no less than four hours prior to post time for the race in which the horse is entered. The furosemide restrictions also require that the administration be performed only by third-party veterinarians or veterinary technicians who are prohibited from working as private veterinarians or technicians on the racetrack or with participating licensees. The program is under way or in the process of being established in Colorado, Delaware, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Pennsylvania (at Penn National), Texas (at Lone Star Park and Sam Houston Race Park), Virginia, and West Virginia.”

NOTE: While Global Gaming and Penn National Gaming, the parent companies of Lone Star Park and Sam Houston Race Park, have signed letters along with more than 50 racetracks and industry organizations urging pari-mutuel regulators to adopt uniform national reforms, please note that implementation of the aforementioned third-party administration of furosemide is not imminent at any Texas track.

Please watch for more information on these issues in the near future.

NOTES: Los Alamitos officials will appear before the Cypress, CA city council on Dec. 9, seeking final approval of its plan to expand the racetrack to accommodate Thoroughbred racing in 2014… The Delta Downs racing office has received 14 pre-entries to this year’s Grade 3, $1 million Delta Downs Jackpot, which will be renewed for the 11th time on November 23… The Australian Racing Board will soon make it mandatory for all owners to register race horse retirements and the location of their next home…  Buoyed by a renovated dirt surface, a new concert series and a record-setting simulcast Breeders’ Cup weekend, Lone Star Park concluded its 16th Fall Meeting of Champions for American Quarter Horses Saturday with positive attendance and handle figures across the board…The Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale concluded with a 38% increase in total sales, marking the second-highest November Sale gross since 2007… The US Congress has scheduled a hearing on Thursday (Nov. 21) on H.R. 2012, a bill that would impose federal regulations on medication related issues in horse racing and install the United States Anti-Doping Agency into an oversight position on drug testing of races nationwide…Two good articles this week regarding drug issues can be found at http://www.paulickreport.com/news/ray-s-paddock/chasing-the-frog-keeping-up-with-slippery-cheaters/ and http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/81992/texas-compounder-draws-industry-scrutiny …Remember to listen to The Starting Gate radio program this Saturday morning at 8:30 on KCLW 900 AM.