News and Notes for April 22, 2016

BOLTON EXPRESS IS THE 2015 TEXAS CHAMPION CLAIMER
Bolton Express (Too Much Bling – Julie Mon, by Maria’s Mon) has been chosen as the 2015 Texas Champion Claimer.  Bred by Fletcher Properties, Inc., the now 4-year-old gelding is owned by Jose Luis Espinoza.  Bolton Express and his connections will be recognized alongside the other 2015 Texas Champions at the TTA Annual Conference and Awards Banquet at Lone Star Park on June 18th.  Congratulations!

SHRP TO HOST FUNDRAISING EFFORTS FOR HOUSTON FLOOD VICTIMS
Sam Houston Race Park will organize a fundraising effort today and tomorrow during live racing to assist Houstonians affected by the recent devastating flooding in the area.

The racetrack is located in northwest Houston, just minutes away from two of the areas hit hardest by the recent storms: Greenspoint and Cypress Creek. Numerous fatalities were reported and thousands of Houstonians have lost their homes, cars and belongings.

“The destructive storm and unprecedented rainfall earlier this week has taken its toll on so many Houstonians,” said Andrea Young, President of Sam Houston Race Park. “We were very fortunate that our facility and stable area was not badly damaged. However, within a ten mile radius, extreme flooding occurred and many area residents and our employees have suffered tremendous losses.”

Sam Houston Race Park will reach out to its staff, horsemen and racing fans this weekend for donations. All funds will be collected on behalf of the American Red Cross, who have already opened 13 shelters in Houston and need additional funds to assist with the operation of shelters, as well as food and relief supplies.

LSP OFFERS FREE PAST PERFORMANCES TO OWNERS AND TRAINERS
Owners and trainers at Lone Star Park can now sign up to receive free past performances each time their horse is drawn into a race.  Please visit the horsemen’s information section of the track web site (lonestarpark.com) for further information.

EHV1 VACCINE REQUIREMENT AT LONE STAR PARK
Lone Star Park now only requires EHV1 vaccines within 90 days and has gone back to all other normal stable area entrance policies. Health certificates will now be good for 45 days again for horses traveling within Texas and 30 days for horses traveling from another state, but health certificates still must include evidence of vaccination information.

WORLDVENTURER EMBARKS ON NEW CAREER
Former 2013 Texas Horse of the Year Worldventurer is entered in a 2 1/8 mile hurdle race in Middleburg, Virginia on Saturday.  Bred by the Estate of Clarence ScharbauerJr., the now 6-year-old gelding finished his racing career with a record 21-5-2-4 and $270,508 in earnings.  He now runs for Mrs. George L. Ohrstrom Jr. in his new career.

AMERICAN HORSE COUNCIL PLANS NATIONAL ISSUE FORUM
The American Horse Council has announced that its theme for this year’s National Issues Forum is “Putting More Horsepower in Congress.”

The forum will feature several Congressional speakers. In addition, a primary focus of AHC committee meetings this year will be on how the horse community can better deal with legislation affecting the industry.

This year’s AHC annual meeting will be June 12-15 at the Washington Court Hotel in Washington, D.C.  AHC committee meetings will be held  June 12, and the National Issues Forum will be June 13. This year the annual Congressional Ride-In will begin June 14 and extend through June 15.

NOTES:  Consignment forms for the Texas Thoroughbred Summer Yearling Sale at Lone Star Park on August 29 will be mailing next week…Invitations for the June 18 TTA Annual Meeting and Awards Dinner will also be on the way…If you have not already done so, please participate in the Texas Horse Industry Economic Impact Study at this link:

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