News and Notes for September 15, 2017

URGENT — ACTION ALERT
Horsemen and women – we need you to act NOW! You are likely aware of recurring budget deficits for the Texas Racing Commission, and the agency has failed to make meaningful budget reductions. As a result, there is now a real possibility of DRASTIC cuts to race days at Texas tracks. This is a matter with direct negative effects on everyone involved in the industry.

In order to meet TRC’s budget requirements, there is a proposal to increase the annual license fees for Class 1 tracks to $700,000 while only providing regulation for 20 days of racing at each. Additional days carry a daily fee of $6313. That means Lone Star Park would pay a fee of $1,053,528 to run 50 TB days and 26 QH days.

The time for action is short, with the next meeting of the Texas Racing Commission scheduled for Wednesday, September 20th.

Please call Governor Abbott’s chief of staff, Daniel Hodge, at 512.463.1762 to urge the Governor to take immediate personal action to cut agency expenses by 15% and preserve the number of race days to keep our horse industry alive. If calling after hours or on the weekend, please call 512.463.2000.

Your efforts are vital to preserving Texas breeding and racing, and your prompt participation is most appreciated.

ATB’S IN WEEKEND STAKES
Witt’sdollarnight (Mr. Nightlinger – Doublethetrouble) is the 2/1 favorite in a field of 9 for tonight’s $50,000 Oklahoma Stallion Stakes for 3-year-olds going 7-furlongs at Remington Park.  Bred by Jerry Chapman, the stakes winner runs for Henry Witt Jr. and is trained by Terry Eoff.

On Saturday, Bret Calhoun will saddle Craig Upham’s homebred Patrona Margarita (Special Rate – Margarita Mistress) for the $200,000 (Grade II) Pocahontas Stakes for 2-year-old fillies going 1 1/16 miles at Churchill Downs. The stakes-placed filly placed 3rd in the $97,525 Texas Thoroughbred Futurity at Lone Star Park on July 22nd. She has odds of 20/1.

TRC ESTABLISHES NEW PENALTIES FOR CLENBUTEROL OVERAGES
Effective September 1, the Texas Racing Commission has established new penalty guidelines for Clenbuterol overages as follows: 

Clenbuterol Overages (lifetime) 1st offense $1,000 fine, 30-day suspension, and loss of purse; horse must pass a Commission-approved exam before becoming eligible to start.

2nd offense $2,500 fine, 60-day suspension, and loss of purse; declare horse ineligible to race for 45 days, place horse on veterinarian’s list, and refer to the veterinary medical director; horse must complete period of ineligibility and must pass a Commission-approved exam before becoming eligible to be entered.

Subsequent offenses $5,000 fine, 120-day suspension, and loss of purse; declare horse ineligible to race for 90 days, place horse on veterinarian’s list, and refer to the veterinary medical director; horse must complete period of ineligibility and must pass a Commission-approved exam before becoming eligible to be entered.

TEXAS HORSE OWNERS ENCOURAGED TO VACCINATED AGAINST MOSQUITO-BORNE ILLNESSES
The Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) is encouraging owners to take precautions and vaccinate their equine to protect against the West Nile Virus (WNV) and Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE). 

As of September 1, 2017 the Texas Department of State Health Services has reported five cases of WNV and one case of EEE in 2017.

Vaccines are available for neurologic diseases such as EEE and WNV. As part of routine equine health care, the TAHC strongly recommends that equine owners consult with their local veterinarians to discuss an appropriate vaccination program to protect their horses against mosquito-borne diseases.