TEXAS RACETRACK CHAPLAINCY SAMARITAN EMERGENCY FUND
The COVID-19 crisis has stopped Texas racing in its tracks – yet caretakers in the stable areas across Texas are still hard at work making sure the animal athletes of our sport are under the best care and ready for racing upon its return.

Racetrack chaplains at Retama Park and Sam Houston Race Park are also hard at work arranging for food, prayer and counseling for these critical employees in our sport.

There is an urgent need for food at this time and contributions are needed now.  Every contribution helps, large or small.

You can donate online at https://keeptexasrunning.com or mail checks made payable to RTCA-STC and mail to Office of the Chaplain, Retama Park, 1 Retama Parkway, Selma, TX 78154.  In the memo portion of your check please note: Samaritan Emergency Fund.

As horsemen, we are all in this together.  Take a moment to help others in great need.

LONE STAR PARK
Lone Star Park has submitted an application to the Governor’s Strike Force to Open Texas seeking authorization to open the stable area, begin initial racing with no spectators, and proceed as restrictions are lifted. A decision is expected soon.

KEENELAND SALES COMPANY TO PUBLISH “ACCREDITED TEXAS-BRED” ON CATALOG PAGES
If you have weanlings or yearlings to Texas accredit that you plan to offer in upcoming sales, please do so ASAP in order to meet their catalog deadline of  June 22.  The regular deadline to accredit foals of 2018 is May 31, 2020.

HORSES AVAILABLE FROM TEXAS 2-YEAR-OLD SALE
With the cancellation of the Texas 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale, we are working to connect consignors with potential sellers to negotiate private purchases. Photos of available horses are posted on the Texas Thoroughbred Association FaceBook page. For more info, including sale catalog pages and consignor contact info, go to www.ttasales.com.

TTA SUMMER YEARLING SALE TO INCLUDE HORSES OF RACING AGE SESSION
The Texas Thoroughbred Association and Lone Star Park have announced that the upcoming Texas Summer Yearling Sale on August 24 will now include a horses of racing age session in lieu of having broodmares and weanlings. For this year only, the mixed session will only be open to 2-year-olds and older horses of racing age.


RACING DEADLINES:
All horses currently nominated to the Texas Thoroughbred Futurity at Lone Star Park will remain eligible provided the final payment of $350 is made. All horses entered in the now-cancelled 2-year-old sale will be considered to have passed through the sales ring for the purposes of eligibility for the race. Additionally, the April 15 due date for the final payment has been pushed back to May 15.

The Texas Thoroughbred Futurity, with a fillies and colts/geldings division for a $100,000-estimated purse apiece, is scheduled for July 12 at Lone Star. The TTA and Lone Star will make a future announcement should a date change be needed.

ACCREDITATION DEADLINES:
The deadline for accrediting Texas-foaled yearlings (foals of 2019) for $75 is a postmark, fax or email date of May 31, 2020. The non-member fee to accredit foals of 2019 is $125. Membership packages begin at $60 for a full year. If you are not a TTA member or your membership has expired, you may pay the $60 to become a current member and then pay the $75 accreditation fee. If you are not sure of your membership status, call the TTA office.

Please submit a completed application along with the appropriate fee. TTA will apply a virtual Accredited Texas-Bred stamp to your digital Jockey Club certificate once the foal’s registration is complete. 

Applications after the May 31 deadline will require an accreditation fee of $200 (members) or $250 (non-members).

Forms are available at https://texasthoroughbred.com/texas-bred/forms/.

Be aware: A yearling nominated to the Texas Stallion Stakes Series has not necessarily been accredited. To verify accreditation status, contact the TTA office.

TEXAS CONNECTIONS IN UPCOMING STAKES
In the $125,000 Carousel Stakes at Oaklawn on Saturday, Carl R Moore Management LLC owns 5/1 Midnight Fantasy (LA) and 15/1 Classy Act (KY). Michael Stinson owns 6/1 Sunny Dale (PA).

In the $55,000 Miranda Diane Stakes on Monday, April 27 at Will Rogers Downs, Michael Grossman owns Spring Steen (OK).

In the $55,000 TRAO Classic Sprint on Tuesday, James Helzer owns and trains Fly to the Bank (OK).

Best of luck to all!