Chelsea Fishenfeld, the recipient of the 2021 California Thoroughbred Foundation’s scholarship for a veterinary student at Western University of Health Sciences in Pomona, sent the following thank you to the Foundation: “Huge thanks to the California Thoroughbred Foundation. “I am beyond grateful for the scholarship that they have provided me, as it has helped keep the stressful costs of fourth-year travel to a minimum. “I can’t wait to continue my pursuit of equine medicine, meet wonderful people, and learn something new every day. “This career path has been busy, fun, and fulfilling from the start. Through riding, working as an ambulatory tech, shadowing my farrier, and several externships, I have learned to love all aspects of the horse. Thoroughbred horses were a large part of the foundation of my horsemanship, and I can’t wait to be able to treat them as their doctor. “I plan on doing an equine internship, followed by pursuing ambulatory practice with acute interests in both sports medicine and internal medicine. I appreciate so much the... ...

The Foundation’s keenest mission is fostering health of the horse and helping support the future veterinarians who will oversee their well-being. These students go through intense, lengthy, and expensive training that requires drive and commitment. We award scholarships and fellowships at the University of California, College of Veterinary Medicine, Davis, and Western University of Health Sciences, Veterinary Medicine in Pomona. Our trustees work with Gregory Ferraro DVM and trustee Jeff Blea DVM to meet, interview, and select scholarship recipients. The candidates leave us inspired, hopeful, and filled with admiration for these extraordinary young people who look forward to a career of service to horses. Dr. Carrie Fino, to whom we awarded the Louis R. Rowan Fellowship at UC Davis in 2009, joined the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine faculty in 2014. In 2017 she became the Gregory L. Ferraro Endowed Director of the UC Davis Center for Equine Health. Dr. Fino’s background and training include completing her DVM and an internship in large animal medicine and surgery at the... ...

The California Thoroughbred Foundation selected Chelsea Fishenfeld for its third-year veterinary student scholarship at Western University of Health Sciences in Pomona. Her undergraduate degree is in animal science and pre-veterinary at Cal Poly Pomona. “My enthusiasm for everything horse-related has provided me invaluable opportunities that served as a launching Chelsea Fishenfeld point for becoming an equine veterinarian,” Chelsea wrote in her application. “I have sought exposure to various facets of the equine industry, including Thoroughbred racetrack practice and the rehabilitation and retraining of Thoroughbred racehorses for new careers as sport horses. I am dedicated to continually expanding my network and knowledge to improve outcomes for horses and their people.” Chelsea has worked with a Thoroughbred track veterinarian and with the radiation safety officer for the equine nuclear medicine facility at Santa Anita. Among her externships, she was with Alamo Pintado Equine Medical Center, Pacific Crest Equine Hospital, and track veterinarian Dawn Bloomer, DVM. Additionally, Chelsea has experience with Foothill Equine, Shamrock Shoeing Farriery Services, House Calls For Horses, and Chino Valley Equine Hospital.... ...

The California Thoroughbred Foundation sincerely thanks the following for their generous donations supporting our programs: Lisa & Ernst Auerbach Alan F. Balch John H. Barr Lee M. Bass Randall C. Bassett Candace Bibby Kevin S. Bogart Clydene Boots William N. Brooks II Melinda Brown Michael Crowley Harold Demar Gregory L. Ferraro Tracy Gantz Vito Gioiello Golden Gate Fields Jane Goldstein Dolly Green Research Foundation Gail Gregson Ray Hilding Clement “Bo” Hirsch Daniel Hof Donald Krawiec John R. Lanza Margaret Ellen Leonard Joyce A. Liske LNJ Foxwoods Gary Margolis Bill McLean Mary J. McPherson Ronald & Lorraine Mercer Ted Merrill Martha M. Miller Bob Mitchell Deanna Mooney Moss Foundation James Murphy Odyssey Transportation Inc. of Nevada Doug O’Neill Elizabeth Ann Owings Ada Gates Patton Glenn G. Porter Jay Privman Michael Reiff Tom & Missy Robbins Kirk & Judy Robison Ben & Diane Rochelle Salvador F. Saggese Santa Anita Frank P. Santilli Melanie J. Schow Kathie Schreiber Samantha Siegel George E. Small Southern California Equine Foundation The Strugar Family Foundation Frank R.... ...

As a major step forward in diagnostics to aid in Thoroughbred racehorse health, the first-ever standing positron emission tomography (PET) machine was installed on the Santa Anita backstretch in late 2019.  Dr. Mathieu Spriet, an associate professor at  the University of California, Davis, developed the  Longmile Positron Emission Tomography (MILE-PET) Scan machine at the university in partnership  with the Brain Biosciences and Longmile Veterinary  Imaging Division. The PET machine at Santa Anita Dr. Jeff Blea, a racetrack veterinary practitioner since 1994, noted the advantages the PET scanner brings, saying: “The PET scan at Santa Anita, in conjunction with the relationship with Dr. Spriet and his colleagues at UC Davis, has allowed veterinarians here in Southern California to advance the diagnosis and treatment of musculoskeletal issues in race-horses well beyond anyone’s expectations. This pioneering technology certainly has been, and will continue to be, a positive game changer for horse safety.” Dr. Blea, a past president of the American Association of Equine Practitioners and the Southern California Equine Foundation, serves as a... ...

The California Thoroughbred Foundation has many dedicated trustees, who work to further the organization’s mission. Dr. Greg Ferraro is one who served the Foundation for many years before he moved on to help the Thoroughbred industry on an even bigger scale. Today Ferraro is the chairman of the California Horse Racing Board, and the industry is lucky to have someone of his experience in that Ferraro capacity. A former racetrack veterinarian and an equine orthopedic surgeon, Ferraro spent years as director of the Center for Equine Health at the University of California, Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. He also served as the first president of the Southern California Equine Foundation, which runs the equine hospitals at California racetracks. With John Kimsey he developed the Kimsey Splint, which stabilizes lower-leg injuries. Ferraro has dedicated his career to equine safety in every role he has taken on. While on the Foundation board, he was instrumental in the process of determining worthy candidates for the veterinary scholarships and fellowships that the Foundation awards.... ...

Courtney Tunney Hotchkis has been elected to join the Founda-tion board of trustees. Her father, Peter Tunney, also is a trustee. Mrs. Hotchkis has extensive experience in racetrack marketing. Upon graduating from the University of Arizona, where she ma-jored in communications, she worked in the group sales depart-ment at Santa Anita Park and later served as the track’s marketing manager for almost 20 years. A lifelong resident of Pasadena, she married John Hotchkis in 1995. They have two daughters, Perry and Ellery. Perry graduated from U.C. Berkeley in May and now works as research coordinator at the New York University Transplant Institute. Ellery is a senior in high school and an English riding enthusi-ast. She competes frequently in horse shows in equitation and jumping classes. Mrs. Hotchkis’ extensive volunteer experience includes work at the Mayfield Junior and Senior Schools, where she was president of the parents’ associations. She volunteers for an organization that raises money for Children’s Hospital of Los Ange-les and works part-time at Salutations Home, a Pasadena gift... ...

When the California Thoroughbred Foundation awards scholarships to veterinary students, it looks for high-quality candidates who are likely to specialize in equine endeavors. Ferrin Peterson has gone above and beyond anyone’s expec-tations in that regard. Peterson received a scholarship from the Foundation in 2018, when she was a third-year large animal veterinary student at the University of California at Davis. That was also the year she obtained her jockey’s license. Since then, she has graduated from vet school, become a licensed veterinarian, and continued what has become a very successful jockey career. This past summer, with Hall of Fame jockey Julie Krone as her agent, 28-year-old Peterson rode at Monmouth Park in New Jersey. She did so well that she ended the meeting as the second-leading rider, with 42 wins, and was featured in a major article in BloodHorse magazine. She moved on to ride regularly at the tough Aqueduct fall meeting in New York. “I think I benefit from having multiple things going on in my life, and they complement... ...

CTBA/CTF Library Catalog     The pandemic has caused large and small changes in many aspects of the horse world. In spite of the downturns, the California Thoroughbred Foundation made some adjustments and continues to fund veterinary medicine scholarships, our primary mission. The students training to provide for the health and safety of the horse still need our support. Across the country, tracks have curtailed or canceled their meetings. Racing has continued in California, but without spectators and with limited access for owners. Sales have gone on but only with precautions such as social distancing and access by video. One thing that has not changed is the needs of horses, including their health care. Our Foundation is vitally involved in promoting this area by awarding scholarships at U. C. Davis and Western University of Health Sciences in Pomona to veterinary medicine students, carefully selected because of their interest in horses and intention of working with them upon graduation. Several of our recipients have joined the veterinary safety teams at Santa Anita... ...

Jeanne Lapeyre Canty, who died Sept. 13 at age 83, was a fierce supporter of the California Thoroughbred Foundation and a huge loss to the organization. She believed strongly in the Foundation’s missions of sponsoring research and educational projects, awarding scholarships to veterinary students, and maintaining the Carleton F. Burke Memorial Library. Mrs. Canty served as the Foundation’s president for more than a decade and continued to be active up until her death. When the Foundation trustees met via teleconference this past August, she was a vigorous contributor, concerned for every facet of the organization. She was especially proud of the scholarships, which have helped many students who have gone on to specialize in caring for Thoroughbred racehorses. “Jeanne Canty consistently gave me caring advice about all facets of the management and mission of the Foundation when I stepped in as president,” said Mrs. Ada Gates Patton, who succeeded Mrs. Canty in that role. “Her vast knowledge of the organization and its history has been crucial to me, as has... ...

The late Sherwood Chillingworth, who long served the Thoroughbred industry, primarily as the executive vice president of the Oak Tree Racing Association, is receiving two honors this fall. The California Thoroughbred Foundation will add Chillingworth’s silks to those already displayed on the walls of the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association. Also, Santa Anita has renamed the grade 3 L.A. Woman Stakes as the Chillingworth Stakes. Oak Tree has generously donated to many equine charities throughout its history, including the Foundation, which has helped fund scholarships and fellowships for veterinary students. Thus, the Foundation is pleased to include the Chillingworth silks in its collection. Chilling-worth was a partner in numerous top runners, including Swing Till Dawn, Yashgan, Forzando, and Valley Victory. The $100,000 Chillingworth Stakes is scheduled for Sept. 19 for fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up, at 61⁄2 furlongs. Before the race was known as the L.A. Woman, it was called the Louis R. Rowan, in honor of one of the founders of both the Foundation and Oak Tree, a past... ...

The California Thoroughbred Foundation awarded its 2020 Western University scholarship to Julissa Hoogeveen. (See the May 2020 issue of California Thoroughbred, page 19.) Hoogeveen kindly took the time to write the following letter of thanks to the Foundation: Dear California Thoroughbred Foundation, I want to express my gratitude for your generosity in regards to the California Thoroughbred Foundation scholarship. I grew up in Chino Hills, Calif., in an equestrian community and knew from a young age my career would combine my love for horses and desire to give back to the community. When I was accepted into the DVM program at Western University of Health Sciences, these dreams were realized. I look forward to graduating in 2021 as an equine veterinarian with a focus in rehabilitation and integrative medicine. This scholarship will help offset some of the financial burden obtained while I earn my doctorate. I look forward to giving back to the equestrian community, WesternU, and the California Thoroughbred Foundation. Thank you for your generosity, Julissa Hoogeveen DVM Class... ...

The California Thoroughbred Foundation loaned Noor’s 1950 Hollywood Gold Cup trophy from the Charles S. Howard collection to Santa Anita for the June 6 edition of the Hollywood Gold Cup. The historic race reverted to its original name for this year’s running, won by Improbable. The name change grew out of a conversation between Alan F. Balch, a trustee of the Foundation and the executive director of California Thoroughbred Trainers, and Aidan Butler, executive director of California Racing Operations for The Stronach Group. For six years after Santa Anita absorbed many of the stakes from now-closed Hollywood Park, the race was known as the Gold Cup at Santa Anita. “The Hollywood Gold Cup is one of the most storied races in all of American racing, and we are right to remember it,” said Butler. “Beginning when Seabiscuit won the inaugural in 1938, it has attracted some of the fnest older horses in the world. Even though Hollywood Park doesn’t exist anymore, this race does, and it deserves to be linked to its grand past.” Noor’s beautiful trophy made a ftting display in the winner’s circle presentation following Improbable’s victory. Crafted by Shreve... ...

In its continuing mission to advance equine education, the California Thoroughbred Foundation awarded scholarships to Kimberley Sannajust and Nicholas Edelman. The two well-qualifed candidates study at the University of California at Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. Kimberley Sannajust’s interest in Thoroughbred racing and racetrack medicine began when she was in high school and got a job working as a groom and hotwalker for trainer Jef Bonde at Pleasanton. “I developed a passion for their incredible athleticism and immediately knew I wanted to become an advocate for ensuring the health of these animals,” she wrote in her scholarship application. Her work on a PET (positron emission tomography) equine distal limb project introduced her “to the value of this novel imaging modality for early detection of subtle injuries.” Scheduled to receive her DVM degree in June 2021, Kimberly earned a BS neurobiology, physiology, and behavior degree from Davis. Her plans after graduation include an internship at an equine hospital and application for an equine-specific imaging fellowship/residency or work as part of a... ...

Early every year part of the California Thoroughbred Foundation’s mission to support veterinary students focused on the Thoroughbreds manifests itself in the choice of a third-year student at Western University of Health Sciences in Pomona. It is an honor to interview these extraordinary nominees, and the vote is always very close. Our choice this year is Julissa Hoogeveen. The first Thoroughbred that Hoogeveen owned as a young girl suffered from navicular disease. She vowed then and there to dedicate her career to unraveling this lameness. Her stellar undergraduate and veterinary studies have put her on the Dean’s List year after year and garnered many additional scholastic awards. Work with her research mentor at Western University includes the histologic study of the distal limb, most extensively, the distal sesamoidean impar ligament. Tis study is the first step in determining the significance of the impar ligament in relation to navicular syndrome. Hoogeveen has become a certified veterinary acupuncturist to help manage chronic and acute pain in horses. Her studies at the Chi... ...

A phone call to the Carleton F. Burke Memorial Library started with “I’m the step-great-grandson of Carleton F. Burke. I have some of his artifacts. Would you like to have them?” When librarian Vivian Montoya relayed this to Foundation president Ada Gates Patton, Patton’s reply was, “ABSOLUTELY!” Recently, Patton went to Palm Springs, where Theodore (Theo) D. Robinson Jr. resides, to pick up the donation of a silver platter and silver coffee pot with carved wooden handle, won by Burke; an oil painting of Burke’s favorite polo pony, Scotty, by the noted artist Franklin Voss; and an ink-well hoof with engraved silver. There she learned some family history. Carleton F. Burke married late and had no children. But his wife, Myrtle Wood Hook, had lots of illustrious family. Her grandson, Theodore Douglas Robinson, is a descendant of the Astors, a governor of New York, and three U. S. Presidents: James Monroe, Theodore Roosevelt, and Franklin D. Roosevelt. Theo Jr. is her great-grandson and is a noted photographer and artist who... ...

2020 OFFICERS AND TRUSTEES PRESIDENT – Mrs. Ada Gates Patton VICE-PRESIDENT – Gail Gregson TREASURER – Alan F. Balch SECRETARY – Jane Goldstein Ex Offcio President – Mrs. Jeanne L. Canty Jeff Blea, DVM, Tracy Gantz, Thomas S. Robbins, John W. Sadler, Noreen Sullivan, Peter W. Tunney, Amy J. Zimmerman The California Thoroughbred Foundation sincerely thanks the following for their generous donations supporting our programs.   ...

Located 46 miles east of Washington, D.C., in the heart of Virginia’s hunt country, the National Sporting Library and Museum is a world-class research library and fine art museum, with impressive collections highlighting such country pursuits as the equestrian sports of polo, foxhunting, steeplechasing, and Thoroughbred racing. It was my pleasure to meet with their curators and librarians to introduce the California Thoroughbred Foundation and the Carleton F. Burke Memorial Library. Claudia P. Pfeifer, the George L. Ohrstrom Jr. head curator, went step-by-step through “Leading the Field,” stunning oil portraits of famous masters of foxhounds up and down the East Coast. The backstories between the artist, Ellen Emmet Rand, and her subjects in the 1930s was riveting. Michelle Guzman, the George L. Ohrstrom Jr. head librarian, opened up the environmentally controlled stacks for us to see books of equestrian knowledge dating back to 1523. The 400-year-old images of teeth, hooves, musculature, and lungs reveal the forward-thinking scientific research of the horse centuries before modern imaging. I instantly recognized a rare... ...

The late Clement Hirsch’s silks are being added to the collection at the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association headquarters in Arcadia. Throughout the hallways of the CTBA offices, the California Thoroughbred Foundation displays the silks of people who have made notable breeding and racing contributions to the industry. A founder of the Oak Tree Racing Association, Hirsch was a prominent owner and breeder for more than 50 years prior to his death in 2000. He also was instrumental in the establishment of the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club and sat on that board as well as the CTBA board. Hirsh’s son, Bo, has continued to race horses and donated the silks to honor his father. The late Warren Stute was Hirsch’s longtime trainer, taking over for R. H. McDaniel, who moved to Las Vegas, in 1952. Hirsch won the 1969 Hollywood Gold Cup with Figonero and the 1970 Charles H. Strub Stakes with Snow Sporting, both Argentine imports. He also owned California-bred June Darling, winner of the 1970 Del Mar Futurity, Oak... ...

The glaring spotlight that has been shining on racing this year has prompted track owners and managers to institute laudable new safety measures to protect the sport’s most treasured asset—the Thoroughbred. The California Thoroughbred Foundation has had—and continues to have—the health and welfare of Thoroughbreds and other horses on and of the racetrack as its focus for many decades. Evolving from origins in the 1940s with Carleton F. Burke among the founders, the Foundation has promoted this through the education of veterinarians and support of crucial research. Veterinarians today are being drawn in greater numbers to practicing in equine areas other than Thoroughbreds. This fact alone underscores the importance of our main educational efforts: Two scholarships annually for undergraduates at the University of California, Davis, School of Veterinary Medicine; candidates must demonstrate an interest in working with horses, preferably Thoroughbreds. The Southern California Equine Foundation (the veterinary organization) and Dolly Green Foundation help support these scholarships. The Louis R. Rowan Fellowship in Equine Studies at Davis for a graduate student... ...

At first glance it seems odd that the California Thoroughbred Foundation is awarding this year’s Louis R. Rowan Fellowship in Equine Studies to a mechanical engineering Ph. D. candidate at U. C. Davis. But Sarah Shafer earned this honor by her work with horses. She graduated with a B.S. from The Ohio State University with research honors, minoring in equine science and writing a horse study for her thesis. Her current research at the J. D. Wheat Veterinary Orthopedic Research Laboratory at Davis involves studying the effects of race surface and exercise history on skeletal adaptation and risk for skeletal injury in racehorses. Dr. Susan M. Stover, Distinguished Professor at that laboratory, writes about Ms. Shafer: “I have been remarkably impressed with her enthusiasm, drive, diverse skills, optimism, and ‘get in and do it’ attitude. She is a remarkable fit for our research program, designed to elucidate training programs that have the potential to prevent fetlock breakdowns in Thoroughbred racehorses.” Shafer chose to move to Davis for graduate school so... ...

Dr. Laurie Bohannon, the recipient of the California Thoroughbred Foundation’s Louis R. Rowan Fellowship at U. C. Davis in 2012, was hired by The Stronach Group as Senior Veterinarian, a newly created position, prior to the start of Santa Anita Park’s autumn meeting. She works with association veterinarians in aspects of safety protocols. Dr. Bohannon’s role is to cover on-track training and assist The Stronach primary track veterinarian to provide coverage during live racing. She assists with morning examinations of horses for both training and racing. Her experience includes private and regulatory veterinary medicine at California racetracks. She and Dr. Alina Vale, who was awarded a scholarship at Davis by the Foundation in 2008, were the two monitoring vets at Del Mar, part of a seven-vet team overseeing the safety of horses training and racing this summer. The Foundation gives the Louis R. Rowan Fellowship in Equine Studies to a graduate student at Davis working on research to enhance the health and lives of horses. Dr. Bohannon was selected for... ...

Dr. Alina Vale, who received a scholarship from the California Thoroughbred Foundation in 2008, and Dr. Laurie Bohannon, the CTF Louis R. Rowan Fellowship recipient of 2012, are putting their veterinary experiences to good use at Del Mar. Drs. Vale and Bohannon were named as the two monitoring veterinarians during the summer meeting. They are part of a seven-vet team that oversees the safety of the horses stabled and competing at the racetrack. In the mornings, Drs. Vale and Bohannon pay close attention to the horses on the track from perches on towers just past the finish line and on the backstretch near the five-eighths pole. “We’re trying to identify horses that aren’t traveling well,” said Dr. Vale. “Horses constantly adapt their skeletons to the pressures put on them in training, and if we can detect minor injuries before they become major ones, then that will make things much safer for the horses and riders.” Dr. Vale rode retired racehorses as a youngster and is a former Ride and Tie... ...

August 2019 Now that Del Mar’s summer meeting is in full swing, the California Thoroughbred Foundation would like to recognize the contributions to its board from Tomas S. Robbins, Del Mar’s executive vice president of racing and industry relations. A valued and longtime Foundation trustee, Robbins benefits the board through his vast racing industry experience. He also regularly volunteers his time to interview candidates for the Foundation’s scholarships. “I’m proud to serve on the California Thoroughbred Foundation,” said Robbins, “especially since one of its key purposes is to financially assist veterinary students in California. We look for students who have an interest in the Thoroughbred and in pursuing a future in our California equine industry. Te Foundation’s efforts have helped many worthy candidates.” Robbins has served in an official capacity, usually as racing secretary, for just about every major track in California. Many international racing organizations also call upon his expertise. He chairs the North American Ratings Committee and the Racing Secretaries/Directors Breeders’ Cup Selection Panel, and he serves on... ...

March 2019 The California Thoroughbred Foundation sincerely thanks the following for their generous donations supporting our programs. ...