From CHRB SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Mar. 3, 2023) — The California Horse Racing Board, a steadfast supporter of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act/Authority (HISA) since its inception, has signed a new voluntary agreement with HISA and its Horseracing Integrity & Welfare Unit (HIWU) indicating the CHRB’s intention to enforce and comply with all federal rules and procedures governing horse racing. The CHRB has been enforcing and complying with safety regulations that HISA introduced July 1, 2022. Under the new agreement, the CHRB will implement rules under the Anti-Doping and Medication Control (ADMC) Program, which are scheduled to go into effect March 27, 2023. Both the CHRB and HISA are committed to the principle of promoting safety in horse racing. Under the agreement, the CHRB agrees to perform certain tasks for the Authority and HIWU, including collecting equine samples, testing those samples at the University of California, Davis, collaborating on equine-related research, and performing investigations with respect to adverse analytical findings. As the CHRB and California horse racing industry already pay for these... ...

Press Release from DMTC Publicity DEL MAR, Calif. (Feb. 9, 2023) — The 2023 season is taking shape and we are already counting down the days until racing returns to the Seaside Oval on Friday, July 21, 2023. SUMMER SEASON Friday, July 21 – Sunday, September 10 Pacific Classic – Saturday, September 2 BING CROSBY SEASON Friday, November 10 – Sunday, December 3   The summer season goes on sale to the public Friday, May 12 at 10 AM PT. Don’t miss out on the best tables & seats by signing up to receive early access to tickets this year. ...

From CHRB SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Jan. 20, 2023) — The California Horse Racing Board conducted a meeting on Thursday, January 19, 2023, at Cal Expo. Chairman Gregory Ferraro chaired the meeting, joined by Vice Chair Oscar Gonzales and Commissioners Brenda Washington Davis, Thomas Hudnut, and Wendy Mitchell. The audio of this entire Board meeting is available on the CHRB Website (www.chrb.ca.gov) under the Webcast link. In brief: Executive Director Scott Chaney (ED) reported that “in 2021, there were 71 total catastrophic injuries at California regulated facilities.  In 2022, that number was 64 for a decrease of 10 percent.  Since calendar-year 2019, total catastrophic injuries have decreased 50 percent. To put 2022 in context, of the 64, less than half, 30, were musculo-skeletal injuries, the rest being sickness, accidents, and sudden deaths.  For further context, there are approximately 30,000 runners (starts) each year in California and 70,000 workouts.  On any given day, there are approximately 4,000 horses at CHRB regulated facilities and around 8,000 to 10,000 unique horses at our facilities in any given year. ... ...

From The Jockey Club LEXINGTON, Ky. (Jan. 13, 2023) — Applications for The Jockey Club’s summer internship program for college students and recent college graduates will open Tuesday, January 17. The program will accommodate up to three interns.   “The first two years of our internship program were very successful,” said Matt Iuliano, executive vice president and executive director of The Jockey Club. “The interns have been intelligent and motivated, and they have all done a tremendous job working within The Jockey Club companies. They will be an asset to any organization within our industry, which is the goal of the program.”   Interns will gain exposure to all companies and departments within the organization, and they will have the opportunity to spend additional time in areas that they find to be of particular interest. The program will last eight weeks.   The internships will take place in The Jockey Club’s offices located in Lexington, Ky., and New York, N.Y. For more information and to view the application, interested candidates... ...

From CHRB SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Jan. 5, 2023) — Governor Gavin Newsom announced that Gregory Ferraro, 76, of San Francisco, has been reappointed to the California Horse Racing Board, where he has served since 2019. Ferraro was Director of the University of California, Davis School of Veterinary Medicine Center for Equine Health from 1997 to 2014. He was Owner and Chief Executive Officer of Gregory L. Ferraro DVM, LLC from 1972 to 1997. Ferraro earned a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the University of California, Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. He is a member of the American Association of Equine Practitioners and the American Veterinary Medical Association. This position requires Senate confirmation and the compensation is $100 per diem. Ferraro is registered without party preference. ...

From NTRA WASHINGTON, D.C. (Dec. 23, 2022) — Congress passed a $1.7 trillion spending package that will fund the federal government through September 2023. The spending package is the last major must-pass bill on the legislative docket before the start of the new divided Congress in January.  Unfortunately, Congress did not include popular pro-business tax extenders including some that are valuable to the Thoroughbred industry. Provisions such as the 3-year depreciation schedule for racehorses under age 2, which expired at the end of 2021, will remain expired and 100% bonus depreciation will phase down in 2023 to 80%. Those provisions remain a top priority for the NTRA, and we are hopeful to work with the new Congress in the first quarter of next year to address these issues.  In addition, meaningful immigration reform was also not included in the end of the year spending package. NTRA was supportive of Senator Bennet’s (D-CO) Affordable and Secure Food Act being included in the spending package. The inclusion of this bill would have... ...

From California Horse Power Coalition The California Horse Power Coalition (CHPC) is creating an opportunity for the public to learn about the significant impact that the industry has on California’s economy, jobs, tourism, agricultural sustainability, and culture. We encourage you to visit us at our upcoming events listed below! Upcoming Events: 26 December: Santa Anita Opening Day Located on the east side of the Paddock Gardens, near the gift shop. 30 December: EquestFest The coalition’s mission is to preserve and protect California’s vibrant equestrian culture by bringing together equine industry leaders, workers, families and fans of the sport to illustrate its significant benefits. Click the button below to receive their newsletter. ...

From NTRA WASHINGTON, D.C. (Dec. 18, 2022) — The National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA) is seeking highly motivated current students or recent graduates for its internship program in Washington, D.C. The NTRA’s new Washington office is located on Capitol Hill under the operation of former U.S. Congressman Tom Rooney, the President and CEO of the NTRA. “With the new Congress in January and everything in Washington reopening after COVID, we are very eager to welcome interns into our D.C. office,” Rooney said. “The dynamic work environment of Capitol Hill is great for young people, and we hope to bring students with an interest in Thoroughbred racing and government affairs onto our team. One of my favorite things about being a Congressman was helping bring young people to D.C. and showing them how it works, and it is our hope that our internship program can do just that.” Qualifications include but aren’t limited to strong written and oral communication skills, the ability to take direction, learn and work independently and proactively,... ...

From CHRB SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Dec. 16, 2022) — The California Horse Racing Board conducted a meeting on Thursday, December 15, 2022, at Cal Expo. Chairman Gregory Ferraro chaired the meeting, joined by Vice Chair Oscar Gonzales and Commissioners Dennis Alfieri, Damascus Castellanos, Brenda Washington Davis, and Thomas Hudnut. The audio of this entire Board meeting is available on the CHRB Website (www.chrb.ca.gov) under the Webcast link. In brief: The Board and presenters discussed the critical issue of federal oversight of horse racing, prompted by court and regulatory challenges to the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA), which for now are placing the authority of HISA in jeopardy. Because HISA was scheduled to supersede state oversight of medication and drug testing enforcement on January 1, racing jurisdictions are in somewhat of a legal limbo. However, the message at the Board meeting Thursday was that California is less affected by those uncertainties than most other jurisdictions because, as Josh Rubinstein of Del Mar Thoroughbred Club put it, “Rules that we’ve put in place are... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Dec. 2, 2022)—Santa Anita Park’s Classic Race Meeting, which opens on Monday, Dec. 26, will offer horsemen the largest purse structure in Santa Anita’s storied 88-year history with significant increases in both allowance and stakes race monies.                 Additionally, Santa Anita will again offer fans and horsemen the best winter turf racing in America, as its downhill Camino Real, turf chute and turf oval will provide a wide variety of options for horses sprinting and going a route of ground.                 “Our turf is in tremendous condition,” said Chris Merz, Santa Anita Director of Racing and Racing Secretary.  “With our downhill and turf chute components, we are pleased to offer the betting public and fans alike a cornucopia of turf racing options. With so much emphasis now on recruiting turf prospects from all over the world, turf racing is more popular than ever before.                 “As the meet progresses, we are also going to initiate a $25,000 starter series in March for boys and... ...

From CHRB SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Nov. 23, 2022) — The California Horse Racing Board conducted a meeting on Tuesday, November 22, 2022, at Cal Expo. Chairman Gregory Ferraro chaired the meeting, joined by Vice Chair Oscar Gonzales and Commissioners Damascus Castellanos and Brenda Washington Davis. The audio of this entire Board meeting is available on the CHRB Website (www.chrb.ca.gov) under the Webcast link. In brief: Various speakers addressed the current situation with the Horseracing Safety and Integrity Act/Authority (HISA), given a recent court decision that HISA is unconstitutional. The matter being in legal limbo has caused confusion in some racing jurisdictions, but Deputy Executive Director Cynthia Alameda, consistent with the CHRB advisory issued November 18, said that is not the case in California. “Unless and until a federal court makes a further decision on the case, the CHRB will continue to honor its agreement with HISA and enforce all federal rules,” she said. “The CHRB will continue to negotiate with HISA and its enforcement entity, Drug Free Sports International, on agreements for the... ...

From The Jockey Club LEXINGTON, Ky. (Nov. 15, 2022) — The Jockey Club announced today that applications are open for its five academic scholarships. The scholarships will apply to the 2023-2024 academic year and are as follows: The Jockey Club Scholarship ($15,000; $7,500 per semester) is for students in academic pursuit of majors for future employment in the equine industry. Open to any equine breed or discipline; preference will be given to candidates with the expressed desire to secure employment in the Thoroughbred industry. The Jockey Club Advancement of Women in Racing Scholarship ($20,000; $10,000 per semester) is open to women pursuing a career in the equine industry who are enrolled full time as an undergraduate or graduate student at a college or university. Open to any equine breed or discipline; preference will be given to candidates with the expressed desire to secure employment in the Thoroughbred industry. The Jockey Club Vision Scholarship ($20,000; $10,000 per semester) is open to students from a minority racial or ethnic group who are... ...

From Los Alamitos Publicity CYPRESS, Calif. — Four stakes for 2-year-olds – including a pair restricted to Golden State Series eligibles – highlight the upcoming Winter Thoroughbred meet at Los Alamitos. The six-day season will begin Friday, Dec. 9 and continue through Sunday, Dec. 18. Racing will be conducted Friday-Sunday both weeks (Dec. 9-11 and Dec. 16-18). Post time will be 12:30 p.m. The Cal-bred stakes races are the $100,000 Soviet Problem – for 2-year-old fillies – on Sunday, Dec. 11 and the $100,000 King Glorious — for 2-year-olds — on Sunday, Dec. 18. Both races will be run at one mile.  The $300,000-guaranteed Starlet, a Grade I for 2-year-old fillies, will be renewed for the ninth time at Los Alamitos Saturday, Dec. 10, one week before the Grade II, $200,000-guaranteed Los Alamitos Futurity.  The Starlet and the Futurity will be run at 1 1/16 miles. Grandstand admission is $3 and $2 for seniors 62 and older. Admission to Burgart’s is $10 and Vessels Club is $10. Tickets can also... ...

From The Jockey Club LEXINGTON, Ky. (Oct. 25, 2022) — The Jockey Club today released Report of Mares Bred (RMB) statistics for the 2022 breeding season. Based on RMBs received through October 18, 2022, The Jockey Club reports that 925 stallions covered 27,163 mares in North America during 2022. The Jockey Club estimates an additional 2,500 to 3,500 mares will be reported as bred during the 2022 breeding season. RMB statistics for all reported stallions in 2022 are available through the Fact Book section of The Jockey Club’s website at jockeyclub.com. ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Oct. 26, 2022)—Santa Anita Park has announced a joint venture between its Thoroughbred Aftercare Program and SRD Straightening Reins Foundation, a Santa Clarita based 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is to assist adolescents and teens improve their mental health and well-being through Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP). The pilot program, which will be run from November to February, aims to use Off-the-Track-Thoroughbreds known as OTTBs to show adolescents and teens that their lives have value and meaning in the face of challenges and transitions, just as Thoroughbreds do when they shift to another career after racing.           Two Thoroughbred mares were chosen for this program. Papa’s Lady is a nine-year-old bay daughter of Papa Clem who raced 40 times with a record of 3-1-6. The other mare is My Aunt Annie, a twelve-year-old dark bay daughter of Dixie Chatter who raced 23 times with a record of 1-2-2. Retired from the racetrack at the ages of five and four respectively, both mares entered... ...

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Oct. 22, 2022) — The California Horse Racing Board conducted a public meeting at Cal Expo on Thursday, October 20, 2022. Chairman Gregory Ferraro chaired the meeting, joined by Vice Chair Oscar Gonzales and Commissioners Dennis Alfieri, Damascus Castellanos, Brenda Washington Davis, and Thomas Hudnut. The audio of this entire Board meeting is available on the CHRB Website (www.chrb.ca.gov) under the Webcast link. In brief: The Board took another in a long series of steps to protect racehorses by unanimously voting to restrict multiple joint injections. Approved for public notice, the proposed rule will establish a limit of two intra-articular injections in the same joint within 60 days. A third such injection will put the horse on the Veterinarian’s List, unable to race for at least 30 days. Chairman Ferraro explained his proposal: “If you’ve put two injections in a joint (with any agent) and you’re thinking about doing a third, you’re not going to do it under this legislation because you know you’re going to be on the vet’s list.... ...

From NTRA WASHINGTON, D.C. (Oct. 13, 2022) — Yesterday, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Department of Labor (DOL), announced they will be issuing a regulation that will make an additional 64,716 H-2B temporary nonagricultural worker visas available to employers for fiscal year (FY) 2023, on top of the 66,000 H-2B visas that are normally available each fiscal year. By making these supplemental visas available at the outset of the fiscal year, which began on October 1, 2022, those in the horse industry, such as trainers, who rely heavily on the H-2B visa program to fill various backside positions, will be able to better address some of their labor needs this fiscal year. “While this is good news for the industry, a permanent solution must be put in place to ensure our industry has a sufficient and reliable labor pool going forward,” said NTRA President and CEO Tom Rooney. “We will continue to engage Congress and the Administration to advocate for comprehensive immigration reform that will provide long-term solutions.”... ...

From The Jockey Club LEXINGTON, Ky. (Oct. 12, 2022) — California breeders bucked the downward national trend, reporting a 4 percent increase in live foals in 2022, according to official statistics released by The Jockey Club on Wednesday. California reported 1,303 live foals in 2022, compared to 1,253 in 2021. The only other regions reporting gains in 2022 were Indiana, Ontario and Oklahoma. Overall, The Jockey Club reports that total live foals for 2022 are down 2.2 percent from 2021. The 2022 breeding statistics are available alphabetically by stallion name through the Resources – Fact Book link on The Jockey Club homepage at jockeyclub.com. ...

From CHRB SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Sept. 16, 2022) — The California Horse Racing Board conducted a public meeting at Cal Expo on Thursday, September 15, 2022. Chairman Gregory Ferraro chaired the meeting, joined by Vice Chair Oscar Gonzales and Commissioners Dennis Alfieri, Damascus Castellanos, Brenda Washington Davis, Thomas Hudnut, and Wendy Mitchell. The audio of this entire Board meeting is available on the CHRB Website (www.chrb.ca.gov) under the Webcast link. In brief: The Board took an unyielding stand on the statutory requirement for race meets to have a signed agreement with horsemen. The Board approved a motion stating that license applications for new race meets will no longer be approved without such an agreement. Executives with Del Mar Racetrack, Santa Anita Park , and Golden Gate Fields have been negotiating with the California Thoroughbred Trainers (CTT) for three years, and the CHRB has frequently stepped in to facilitate those negotiations, but despite those efforts the parties have not been able to agree on the protocol for trainer exclusion. Chairman Ferraro said the Board has... ...

By The Hanford Sentinel COALINGA, Calif. (Sept. 12, 2022) — Harris Farms and Santa Anita Race Track have announced the creation of new scholarship opportunities to promote the thoroughbred in the sporthorse disciplines. Two $1,000 scholarships will be awarded annually, one for the junior rider thoroughbred and one for the amateur rider thoroughbred partnership. The goal is to help the junior/amateur rider advance with their thoroughbred from the local unrated shows or opportunity classes to the USEF-rated competition, according to a release.   The recipient shall receive an award of $1,000, to further their training and competition opportunities. Eligible expenses include lessons or clinics, travel expenses directly related to receiving instruction, competition fees, etc. The recipient must attest that he/she will continue to pursue training and competing with their Thoroughbred for the duration of the scholarship, and will notify Harris Farms and or Santa Anita if they are unable to continue to do so.   Requirements for application: Applicants must submit an essay about themselves and their Thoroughbred partner. Applicants... ...

From CHRB THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. (Sept. 6, 2022) — Patsy Freeman “Patti” Mancini passed away peacefully August 14 in Thousand Oaks, California, at the age of 86. Ms. Mancini had a pioneering career as the first female vice president at Rockwell International. She received numerous awards from NASA. She also served on various boards unrelated to aeronautics, including the California Horse Racing Board. As a racing commissioner, she actively sought to reform medication regulations during nearly six years of service on the Board, from September 1980 to March 1986. Her colleagues on the Board elected her vice chairman, an indication of their great respect. She is survived by her son, William Mancini and his wife, grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. Memorial donations can be made to the Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Foundation and the Rocket Center Foundation. .   ...

From DMTC Publicity DEL MAR, Calif. (Aug. 26, 2022) — The stakes schedule released for Del Mar’s Bing Crosby Season includes a pair of $100,000 stakes for Golden State Series eligibles. The $100,000 Betty Grable Stakes for fillies and mares will be run on Sunday, Nov. 13. The $100,000 Cary Grant Stakes will be run on Saturday, Nov. 19. Both stakes will be run at seven furlongs. The Bing Crosby Season, which offers the premier late fall racing in America, will present the richest stakes schedule in its nine-year history featuring 13 major stakes races – nine of them Graded – and two overnight events worth a total of $2,450,000. The season kicks off on Friday, November 11 and goes through Sunday, December 4. Topping the roster for the 13-day Crosby session are a pair of Grade I offerings on closing weekend, each carrying enhanced purses of $400,000 – the Hollywood Derby for 3-year-olds at a mile and one-eighth on turf December 3 and the Matriarch Stakes for older fillies... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity DEL MAR, Calif. (Aug. 22, 2022) – Brought back for a third year, CARMA’s summer fundraiser, CARMAthon, exceeded all expectations. The nonprofit dedicated to Thoroughbred aftercare raised more than $300,000 to help fund its programs – more than DOUBLE that of last year’s event. With the help of TVG, CARMAthon shared the spotlight on Del Mar Oaks Day and shined on social media platforms. TVG’s on-air commentators promoted the event throughout the day, highlighting the importance of aftercare for the sport. The network also played videos showcasing Thoroughbreds who retired through CARMA’s Placement Program in their second careers as sport horses. The fundraiser was on pace to meet its goal of $150,000 when a mid-afternoon phone call changed everything. An anonymous donor put forth a dollar-for-dollar matching fund up to $150,000. This was met by the end of the day bringing the total raised to over $300,000, making this CARMA’s most successful event EVER! “Today has been about the horses, about the racing industry coming together, about... ...

From CHRB DEL MAR, Calif. (Aug. 18, 2022) — The California Horse Racing Board conducted a public meeting at the Del Mar Hilton on Wednesday, August 17, 2022. Chairman Gregory Ferraro chaired the meeting, joined by Vice Chair Oscar Gonzales and Commissioners Dennis Alfieri, Damascus Castellanos, and Wendy Mitchell. The audio of this entire Board meeting is available on the CHRB Website (www.chrb.ca.gov) under the Webcast link. In brief: The Board approved the license for Los Angeles Turf Club II to conduct a thoroughbred race meet at Santa Anita Park that will operate from September 30 through November 6. By a 4-1 vote (Chairman Ferraro the minority) the Board recognized Santa Anita’s 2019 agreement with the California Thoroughbred Trainers while the two parties continue to negotiate the terms of a new agreement. The Board approved the license for Los Alamitos Horse Racing Association to conduct a two-week thoroughbred race meet at Los Alamitos that will operate from September 16 to September 25. This day meet will run concurrently with the night quarter-horse meet at... ...

From Fasig-Tipton POMONA, Calif. (Aug. 18, 2022) — Fasig-Tipton has catalogued 279 entries for its California Fall Yearlings sale, to be held on Tuesday, September 27, at Fairplex in Pomona, California.  The sale will begin at 11 a.m. PDT. “We had a very strong sale last year, and as a result, breeders have supported us with increased numbers in 2022,” said Fasig-Tipton California Representative Mike Machowsky.  “The vast majority of yearlings catalogued are California-bred, and the sire power represented is an attractive blend of leading local and national sires, as well as exciting young sires.” Fasig-Tipton will also offer a supplemental catalogue of horses of racing age, to be sold immediately following the conclusion of the yearling catalogue.  The company is accepting horses of racing age nominations through September 5. “With Santa Anita offering a ship and win program for its autumn meet, we feel this is an attractive venue for horses from out of state that qualify for that program, in addition to horses that have been racing locally,”... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Aug. 17, 2022)—Santa Anita Park would like to remind horsemen that its highly successful “Ship & Win” program, which has attracted significant numbers of out of state horses to Southern California over the past two years, will again be offered at the track’s 18-day Autumn Meet, which opens on Friday, Sept. 30.             With a $5,000 bonus in place for any eligible horse making his or her first start and a 35 percent bonus, excluding stakes races also available, the Ship & Win program, in conjunction with the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club, has proven highly popular.                “Ship and Win has proven to be a very effective catalyst in attracting new equine talent and we’re very hopeful that many horsemen will opt to stay in Southern California following Del Mar and to participate in this lucrative program here at our Autumn Meet,” said Chris Merz, Santa Anita Director of Racing and Racing Secretary.  “We are getting a number of inquiries about the program and... ...

From NTRA WASHINGTON, D.C. (Aug. 15, 2022) As expected, last week the House of Representatives passed the $700 billion clean energy and tax reconciliation bill, which will be signed into law by President Biden this week. With no changes from the Senate version we highlighted last week, it continues to mean good news for the Thoroughbred industry since this bill will have very little that will directly impact individual horse and farm owners. Here’s what you need to know: Corporate Minimum Tax – The bill includes a 15% minimum tax on corporations that exceed a $1 billion financial statement income threshold. However, an amendment included in the bill allows portfolio companies to be counted separately from their owner by extending the $10,000 cap on state and local tax deductions for another year. This provision will help protect small and medium-sized businesses that would have been hit by the new tax without the change. IRS Funding – High earners will face a better-funded, more aggressive IRS under the bill, because it included increased funding... ...

From TOC ARCADIA, Calif. (Aug. 13, 2022) – The Board of Directors of the Thoroughbred Owners of California (TOC) unanimously named Tim Cohen to fill the board vacancy created by the recent resignation of Mike Harrington. Per the bylaws, Cohen will be required to run in the 2023 board election. Mr. Cohen, owner of Rancho Temescal located Ventura County, Ca., runs under Rancho Temescal LLC, often in partnership with his father, Jed Cohen’s, Red Baron’s Barn LLC. Prior to managing Rancho Temescal, Cohen worked in the hospitality industry, managing luxury hotels and restaurants. “I look forward to joining the Board and further the efforts to improve California racing for all stakeholders,” said Cohen. Red Baron’s Barn LLC and Rancho Temescal LLC were leading owners at the 2021/2022 Winer-Spring Santa Anita meet. They currently own over 75 Thoroughbreds with 55 currently in training. Rancho Temescal LLC, in partnership with others, has campaigned top horses including Grade 1 winner, River Boyne (IRE) and Grade 2 winner, Sharp Samurai. ...

From CHRB DEL MAR, Calif. (Aug. 12, 2022) — The  meeting of the California Horse Racing Board that was scheduled for Thursday, August 18, at the Del Mar Hilton has been changed to Wednesday, August 17, also at the Hilton, beginning at 12:30 p.m.  This meeting will be open to the public. For those who do not attend, the webcast audio link on the CHRB website will provide a way for the public to listen. The agenda and package of materials for this meeting will be posted on the CHRB website. #   ...

DEL MAR, Calif. (Aug 6, 2022) — Just like every good movie deserves a trilogy, every successful fundraiser needs another round. California Retirement Management Account (CARMA) is revamping its summer online fundraiser which will be live on TVG on Saturday, August 20th – sharing the Del Mar Oaks Day coverage.           Heartwarming and uplifting stories of Thoroughbred aftercare will be shared on CARMA’s Facebook, Instagram and Twitter accounts throughout the month of August and all-day August 20th. The good times will continue on TVG with even more air time this year, which will include delightful and inspiring stories of retired racehorses thriving in their second careers as well as insights on Thoroughbred aftercare.           “CARMAthon has been a huge win for us, especially given the circumstances surrounding the pandemic,” said Billy Koch, CARMA President and Founder and Managing Partner of Little Red Feather Racing. “The racing industry has really stepped up to support Thoroughbred aftercare and we’re hoping to see the same... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Aug 5, 2022) — Conference tickets are now on sale for the inaugural Horse Racing Women’s Summit (HRWS), which kicks off September 28-30 at Santa Anita Park. Attendees will enjoy three days of enriching content featuring dynamic speakers and networking opportunities for women currently engaged in the Thoroughbred horse racing industry and those that wish to be. Tickets can be purchased at www.WomeninRacingSummit.com. Sales will be limited in order to maximize the high-quality experience for all participants. “Our planning committee is small but mighty and has been working intently to provide an impactful experience,” said Stephanie Hronis, HRWS chair. “We are awestruck by the outpouring of support and enthusiasm from generous sponsors, compelling speakers, and individuals ready to volunteer. The HRWS is designed for women (and men) from all facets of the industry and we look forward to engaging in a meaningful way in September and at follow up events in the future.” Attendees arriving on September 28 will enjoy an opportunity to meet and greet... ...

From NTRA LEXINGTON, Ky. (Aug. 2, 2022) – The National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA) in conjunction with the certified public accounting and professional business advisory firm, Dean Dorton, is conducting a nationwide survey focused on Thoroughbred horse farm operations. The survey includes questions related to boarding, sales, stallion ownership and more. All Thoroughbred farm owners are encouraged to complete this survey, which will allow the NTRA and Dean Dorton to compare and share state-specific results to those of the nationwide respondents. All information from specific respondents will remain completely anonymous. The deadline to complete the survey is Friday, August 19. Please complete one survey per farm. Results will be published by the beginning of October. The survey is available at the following link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/XQCYY2Y  ...

From TOC DEL MAR, Calif. (July 21, 2022) — Thoroughbred Owners of California (TOC) invites all members to the Southern California Annual Meeting on Saturday, Aug. 13, at 8:30 a.m. in the Veranda Cafe at Del Mar Race Track. The general business meeting will allow directors an opportunity to bring the membership up to date on important issues and will include a question-and-answer session. Award presentations will also be made to the winners of the annual Owner Awards, and a complimentary buffet breakfast will be served. Reservations are required and can be made by clicking the button below. Your CHRB license must be current during the time of this event. ...

From Santa Anita Publicity LEXINGTON, Ky. (July 21, 2022) — The Breeders’ Cup, one of Thoroughbred racing’s most prestigious international events, today announced that Santa Anita Park will host the 2023 Breeders’ Cup World Championships for a record 11th time. Next year will mark the 40th running of the Breeders’ Cup, where racing participants, horses, and fans from around the globe will convene at one of the world’s most picturesque racetracks for two days of championship racing. Located against the backdrop of the San Gabriel Mountains in Arcadia, California, the Breeders’ Cup World Championships, consisting of 14 Grade 1 races with purses and awards totaling more than $31 million, will be held at 1/ST RACING’s Santa Anita Park on Friday, Nov. 3 and Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023. “Santa Anita Park is an integral part of Breeders’ Cup history and is the perfect venue for our landmark 40th running,” said Drew Fleming, Breeders’ Cup President and CEO. “Since our founders conceived this season-ending championship four decades ago, the Breeders’ Cup has... ...

From TOC ARCADIA, Calif. (July 16, 2022) – Josh Rubinstein has been selected by the Thoroughbred Owners of California (TOC) as recipient of the 2021 Ed Friendly Industry Service Award. The award is presented annually to recognize outstanding contributions and service in the Thoroughbred racing industry. Originally known as the TOC Chairman’s Award, it was renamed for the legendary television producer, thoroughbred owner, and TOC founding member following his death in 2007. Among former awardees are some of the most prominent names in Southern California racing, including Mace Siegel, John Harris, Bob and Beverly Lewis, Jerry and Ann Moss, and Clement Hirsch. Rubinstein is President and Chief Operating Officer of Del Mar Thoroughbred Club (DMTC), a position he has held since 2018. He has been with DMTC for 35 years and has held positions in communications, sales and marketing before being named Executive Vice President in 2013. He is currently on the board of directors of the National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA), the Thoroughbred Racing Association (TRA), the California Thoroughbred Horsemen’s... ...

From CHRB DEL MAR, Calif. (July 15, 2022) — The California Horse Racing Board conducted a public meeting in Del Mar at the Del Mar Hilton on Thursday, July 14, 2022. Chairman Gregory Ferraro chaired the meeting, joined by Vice Chair Oscar Gonzales and Commissioners Brenda Washington Davis and Thomas Hudnut. The audio of this entire Board meeting is available on the CHRB Website (www.chrb.ca.gov) under the Webcast link. In brief: Chairman Ferraro reported on the meeting the previous day of the Medication, Safety, and Welfare Committee convened by himself and Commissioner Hudnut. The agenda focused on efforts to protect horses and riders, including proposed regulatory amendments focusing on horses with particular profiles that research indicates are at a greater risk of injury, particularly horses returning from layoffs. To that end, the Board approved for public notice three amendments detailing extensive procedures and requirements pertaining to racing and training soundness examinations and the reporting of same. Horses that have not raced or worked for extended periods, including 2-year-olds that have never raced or... ...

By DRF.com SACRAMENTO, Calif. (July 12, 2022) — Since the coronavirus outbreak in March 2020, the Cal-Expo State Fair property in Sacramento, Calif., has been used for a variety of purposes – COVID testing, COVID vaccinations, and housing National Guard troops, among many things. While nighttime harness racing seasons have been held, there was no Thoroughbred racing in the summers of 2020 and 2021. Beginning Friday, the property resumes its traditional July role, hosting State Fair events on a daily basis through July 31, including a nine-day race meeting on a Friday-through-Sunday schedule. The resumption of racing at Cal Expo marks a return to a normal calendar for the Northern California fair circuit, which began last month at Pleasanton. Later this summer, fair racing will be held in Santa Rosa and Ferndale and in the fall at Fresno. In the past two years, the Cal-Expo racing dates were transferred to Pleasanton in 2020 and to Golden Gate Fields and Pleasanton in 2021. This year, the stable area at Sacramento has... ...

From Los Alamitos Publicity CYPRESS, Calif. (July 5, 2022) –Three stakes worth a guaranteed $225,000 will be run during the upcoming Autumn Festival at Los Alamitos, including the $75,000 E.B. Johnston at one mile for Cal-breds on Saturday, Sept. 17. The seven-day meet is scheduled to begin Friday, Sept. 16 and continue through Sunday, Sept. 25. Racing will be conducted Friday-Sunday (Sept. 16-18) the first week and Thursday-Sunday (Sept. 22-25) the final week. Post time will be 1 p.m. The remaining pair of stakes will be offered the final weekend of the meet. Older horses will compete in the $75,000 Los Alamitos Special at 1 1/16 miles Saturday, Sept. 24 and the closing day program Sunday, Sept. 25 will be headlined by the $75,000-guaranteed Capote for 2-year-olds at 6 ½ furlongs.   ...

From TOC        ARCADIA, Calif. (June 30, 2022) — Thoroughbred Owners of California’s longest running board member, Jack Owens, and its executive director, Mary Forney, are set to retire on July 1, 2022.        Owens, elected in this organization’s very first board of directors election in 1996, served six years as its Chairman. He also served as Vice Chairman representing Northern California, was Chairman of the Legislative and Government Affairs Committee, and was an active member of the Racing Affairs, Wagering, Bylaws Review, and Purse committees.        An owner and breeder of Thoroughbreds for more than 30 years, Owens races predominately in Northern California. A graduate of Stanford, he has practiced law for more than 30 years, including as general counsel for Gallo Winery. His legal acumen has been invaluable to the TOC Board over the years, and he has worked tirelessly to advance and protect the interests of owners at the legislative and regulatory levels and in negotiations with other members of the... ...

By DRF.com ARCADIA, Calif. – Former Southern California trainer Thomas Bell Jr. died Friday from complications of a recent fall, according to his son, trainer Ray Bell. Thomas Bell was 93. Born in Brooklyn, Thomas Bell hailed from a racing family. His father, Thomas Bell Sr., trained and was later a bloodstock agent. Thomas Bell Jr. began training in 1951 and trained such prominent runners as Barberstown, Rumbo, and Silver Eagle. “He dedicated his life to the business,” Ray Bell said Sunday. Rumbo won a division of the Santa Catalina Stakes at Santa Anita in February 1980 and was later second in the Santa Anita Derby and Hollywood Derby in early spring before finishing second to the famous filly Genuine Risk in the Kentucky Derby. Later that year, Rumbo won the Golden State Breeders Sires Stakes at Hollywood Park and the Lawrence Realization Stakes at Belmont Park. Silver Eagle won the 1979 Carleton Burke Handicap at Santa Anita, beating John Henry. The following year, Silver Eagle won the San Luis Obispo Handicap at Santa Anita. Barberstown... ...

From CHRB PLEASANTON, Calif. (June 17, 2022) — The California Horse Racing Board conducted a public meeting in Pleasanton at the Alameda County Fairgrounds on Thursday, June 16, 2022. The public participated in person and also listened to the meeting through an audio link on the CHRB website. Chairman Gregory Ferraro chaired the meeting, joined by Vice Chair Oscar Gonzales and Commissioners Dennis Alfieri, Damascus Castellanos, Brenda Washington Davis, and Thomas Hudnut. The audio of this entire Board meeting is available on the CHRB Website (www.chrb.ca.gov) under the Webcast link. In brief: The Board continued setting the stage for the July 1 arrival of federal oversight of horse racing, first by authorizing staff to institute a concussion protocol to comply with the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA) and the voluntary implementation agreement. Executive Director Scott Chaney reported that baseline concussion assessments of all jockeys in California are in the process of being conducted by Dr. David Seftel, the track physician at Golden Gate Fields, who is a concussion expert. The Board... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (June 17, 2022) — Condolences to the family of retired trainer Tim Arterburn, who passed away recently at age 62. The son of former jockey and trainer Jack Arterburn, Tim was primarily based in Northern California, as was his father and brother, trainer Lonnie Arterburn, who bred Hall of Fame gelding Lava Man along with Kim Kuhlman.  Tim Arterburn’s sister Tami, is married to retired HOF jockey Russell Baze. ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (June 6, 2022)—Santa Anita’s 18-day Autumn Meet, which opens Friday, Sept. 30, will be highlighted by a total of 26 stakes, 15 of them graded.  Overnight purses remain the same as last year.  Most all stakes purses are the same as in 2021, with the following exceptions.  Both the Golden State Juvenile and the Golden State Juvenile Fillies have had their purses increased from $150,000 to $175,000, while the Unzip Me and the Anoakia now have purses of $85,000—up from $75,000 last year.  Additionally, two restricted stakes, the Swingtime and the Lure, now offer purse money of $80,000, up $10,000 each. A total of four California-bred Stakes, the California Distaff ($125,000) on Oct. 15; the California Flag ($125,000) on Oct. 16; the Golden State Juvenile ($175,000) on Oct. 29 and the Golden State Juvenile Fillies ($175,000) on Oct. 29, will again provide local owners and breeders’ ample added money opportunities through closing day, Nov. 6. The 2022 Autumn Meet Stakes Schedule will include five... ...

From TOC ARCADIA, Calif. (June 4, 2022) — The inaugural Horse Racing Women’s Summit (HRWS) has been confirmed for September 28-30 at Santa Anita Park. The multi-day event aims to bring together people from all facets of the horse racing industry with the mission of connecting and empowering women in horse racing. To that tune, Susan Packard, an entrepreneur and co-founder of popular TV channels like CNBC, HGTV and Food Network, has been announced as the keynote speaker for this exciting new event. Originally a vision of Stephanie Hronis, the Committee Chair for the Horse Racing Women’s Summit, the event started out as an idea to connect women in California, but when it quickly gathered national attention, the decision to expand was obvious. The HRWS planning committee now has bi-coastal representation and is being designed to embrace a national group of participants. “On behalf of our Horse Racing Women’s Summit planning team, we are excited to offer this summit and honored to have Susan Packard as our keynote speaker for this... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (May 25, 2022)—In a continuing effort to attract out of state horses, Santa Anita Park has announced details of its 2022 Autumn Meet “Ship & Win” program.  The upcoming Autumn Meet will offer fans and horsemen at total of 26 stakes, 15 of them graded, beginning opening weekend, Oct. 1 & 2, through closing day Nov. 6.  With the 39th Breeders’ Cup World Championships scheduled to be run at Keeneland Race Course Nov. 4 & 5, Santa Anita will present five Breeders’ Cup “Win & You’re In” Challenge Race qualifiers over the first two weekends. 2022 AUTUMN MEET SHIP & WIN REQUIREMENTS                 –In order for a specific horse to be eligible for program bonuses, they must have made their most recent start outside of California and not have started in the Golden State within the past 12 months.                 –Horses that qualify for eligibility via Del Mar’s Summer Ship & Win program retain eligibility for one start at Santa Anita providing they not start... ...

From NTRA WASHINGON, D.C. (May 25, 2022) — The NTRA’s 2021 Legislative Annual Report is now available online. Click here to view the report. Features of the 2021 Legislative Annual Report include: A federal legislative review and update of issues that are important to the Thoroughbred industry  A list of 2021 contributors to the NTRA’s Legislative Action Campaign through the ¼% Check-off Program and other related NTRA fundraising programs  Sale company calendars  Member discount information from NTRA partners like John Deere, Big Ass Fans, Sherwin-Williams, ODP Business Solutions and Farmers Insurance Thank you to all who supported the NTRA’s federal legislative effort in Washington, DC, by giving to the ¼% Check-off Program, the Foal Program, the National Horseplayers Championship (NHC) Tour or through a direct contribution. Please share this report with others who have an interest in Thoroughbred racing and breeding and share your enthusiasm for our industry. With Appreciation, Joe Bacigalupo Vice President of Membership Development ...

From CHRB SACRAMENTO, Calif. (May 20, 2022) — The California Horse Racing Board conducted a public meeting Thursday, May 19, 2022, at Cal Expo in Sacramento, which could be heard through the audio webcast link on the CHRB website. Chairman Gregory Ferraro chaired the meeting, joined by Vice Chair Oscar Gonzales and Commissioners Dennis Alfieri, Damascus Castellanos, Brenda Washington Davis, Thomas Hudnut, and Wendy Mitchell. The audio of this entire Board meeting is available on the CHRB Website (www.chrb.ca.gov) under the Webcast link. In brief: The Board addressed several issues pertaining to horse and jockey welfare, including the establishment of a concussion protocol for jockeys, as will be required under HISA (Horseracing Safety and Integrity Act/Authority) effective July 1, 2022. The CHRB will provide HISA officials with its suggested protocol. Once accepted, HISA will be responsible for enforcement (e.g. dictating if and when a jockey can resume riding). The Board accepted recommendations from the Jockeys’ Guild pertaining to minimum and maximum weights. CHRB staff will develop proposed rules for Board consideration. Vice Chair... ...

From NTRA LEXINGTON, KY. (May 17, 2022) – The National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA) commends the decision announced by the Departments of Homeland Security (DHS) and Labor (DOL) to make an additional 35,000 H-2B visas available for the second half of FY-2022. “We thank DHS, DOL, and the Administration for recognizing the critical need for additional H-2B visas to fill positions not being filled by US workers,” said NTRA President & CEO Tom Rooney. “This announcement will help provide immediate relief for tracks and horse trainers going into the summer racing season. While the release of additional H-2B visas is good news for the industry, the NTRA will continue to advocate for more comprehensive immigration reform in the future.” The supplemental H-2B visa allocation is for U.S. employers seeking to employ additional workers on or after April 1, 2022 through September 30, 2022. This announcement makes 23,500 visas available to returning workers who received an H-2B visa or were otherwise granted H-2B status during one of the last three fiscal years.... ...

From CHRB SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Apr. 22, 2022) — The California Horse Racing Board conducted a public meeting in Sacramento at Cal Expo on Thursday, April 21, 2022. This was the first in-person meeting of the Board since February 20, 2020. All Board meetings for the last two years were conducted via teleconference due to the pandemic. Chairman Gregory Ferraro chaired the meeting, joined by Vice Chair Oscar Gonzales and Commissioners Dennis Alfieri, Damascus Castellanos, Brenda Washington Davis, Thomas Hudnut, and Wendy Mitchell. The audio of this entire Board meeting is available on the CHRB Website (www.chrb.ca.gov) under the Webcast link. In brief: • Executive Director Scott Chaney gave a comprehensive report on the status of HISA (Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act), which is shifting much safety and medication control oversight from states to the federal government. The first shift involving racing safety will occur July 1. Procedurally, each state regulatory body must either opt in or opt out of collecting and remitting fees for the program. If a state racing... ...

ARCADIA, Calif. (Apr. 21, 2022) — The California Thoroughbred Foundation is donating the contents of the Carleton F. Burke Library in Arcadia— one of the most extensive collections of equine literature found anywhere—to California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. “This is such a rare and specialized collection that it is a great match with an academic library,” said Foundation President Ada Gates Patton. “Officials from Cal Poly Pomona approached us about acquiring the library, with proposed expert management of books and increased public access.  “The Foundation does not have resources like those at Cal Poly. In addition, with more and more material available on the Internet, in-person use of the library decreased in recent years, followed by a two-year closure because of the pandemic. So after studying the proposal carefully, our board voted for the donation. This will benefit anyone interested in publications about horses, whether for serious study or just pleasure reading.” The university intends to digitize research books for worldwide access, exposing the Burke Library to a far wider... ...

From Los Alamitos Publicity CYPRESS, Calif. (Apr. 18, 2022) — The $100,000 Bertrando Stakes for California-breds is one of three stakes races scheduled for the Los Angeles County Fair meet at Los Alamitos. The Bertrando is for 3-year-olds & up bred or sired in California. The one-mile race – which honors the multiple graded stakes winner, champion older male of 1993 and champion California stallion – will be run Saturday, June 25. The 10-day season is scheduled to begin Friday, June 24 and continue through Sunday, July 10. Racing will be conducted Friday-Sunday opening weekend (June 24-26) and the final week (July 8-10) and Friday-Monday (July 1-4) the middle week. The Monday July 4 program is a special holiday card and will include a handicapping contest with two berths in the 2023 NTRA National Handicapping Championship in Las Vegas on the line. Post time will be 1 p.m. each day. The richest event on the calendar is the Grade II, $200,000-guaranteed  Great Lady M. Stakes for fillies & mares at... ...

From Hinton Turner Funeral Home PARIS, Ky. (Apr. 9, 2022) — Ellen Parker, a former contributor to California Thoroughbred and a 17-year resident of Paris, Kentucky, passed peacefully on the evening of Tuesday, April 5, 2022 at Baptist Health Lexington.  Born in Saint Marys, Ohio, to loving parents Bill and Carol Koenig, Ellen developed her early love for horses into a lifelong obsession after seeing Round Table race at Arlington Park in Chicago in 1956. Ellen’s career started at Golden Gate Fields in Northern California as an assistant publicist, and she went on to become a turf writer and racing editor. Ellen is well-known for her pedigree analyst work on thoroughbred bloodlines, and with her husband she began the monthly newsletter Pedlines, which she considered one of her greatest achievements. Ellen also wrote a non-fiction book on the famed Round Table as well as consulted on a documentary regarding thoroughbred racing. A longtime member of the National Turf Writers & Broadcasters, Ellen wrote for or served as an editor for... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Mar. 11, 2022) — Turf Paradise-based trainer Clay Brinson reports former trainer R.M. Penton, a former longtime assistant to legendary “King Richard” Hazelton, passed away in Phoenix this past Saturday at age 80.  Penton was best known locally for his work in association with Cal-bred male 2-year-old champion Individual Style. ...

From The Jockey Club The Jockey Club announced today that the 2022 edition of the Fact Book is available in the Resources section of its website at jockeyclub.com.   The online Fact Book is a statistical and informational guide to Thoroughbred breeding, racing, and auction sales in North America and is updated quarterly. It also features a directory of Canadian, international, national, and state organizations. Links to the Breeding Statistics report that is released by The Jockey Club each September and the Report of Mares Bred information that is published by The Jockey Club each October can be found in the Breeding section of the Fact Book.   The 2022 editions of State Fact Books, which feature detailed breeding, racing, and auction sales information specific to numerous states, Canadian provinces, and Puerto Rico, are also available on The Jockey Club website. The State Fact Books are updated monthly.   In 2021, The Jockey Club took over the production of The American Racing Manual from the Daily Racing Form, and the latest edition will... ...

From CHRB SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Mar. 1, 2022) — Damascus Castellanos, 55, of Pico Rivera, has been reappointed to the California Horse Racing Board, where he has served since 2020. Castellanos has been Secretary-Treasurer for Teamsters Local 495 since 2012. He was a Business Representative for Teamsters Local 630 from 2001 to 2012. Castellanos is a member of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. This position requires Senate confirmation and the compensation is $100 per diem. Castellanos is a Democrat. Thomas C. Hudnut, 74, of Beverly Hills, has been appointed to the California Horse Racing Board. Hudnut has been an Educational Consultant with Resource Group 175 since 2013. He was President and Chief Executive Officer of Harvard-Westlake School from 1987 to 2013. Hudnut was Headmaster at the Branson School from 1982 to 1987. This position requires Senate confirmation and the compensation is $100 per diem. Hudnut is a Democrat. ...

From TOC ARCADIA, Calif. (Feb. 28, 2022) – The Thoroughbred Owners of California (TOC) has announced the winners of its 2021 statistical awards for leading California owners. Reddam Racing was leading owner in total purse earnings; Tommy Town Thoroughbreds LLC led all owners by number of California wins as well as most California starts; and Baoma Corporation was leading owner for most California stakes wins.   Reddam Racing runners earned a total of $2,479,544 in California last year, with 36 wins from 246 starts. Their top runners included Team Merchants, winner of the Let It Ride S. at Del Mar, Los Alamitos Futurity winner Slow Down Andy, Tonito’s, Awake at Midnyte, Eddie’s New Dream, Homehome, Go On, and Hockey Dad.   Tommy Town Thoroughbreds had 52 wins from 253 California starts, for total earnings of $1,461,335. Their top runners included Stalking Shadow, winner of the California Derby at Golden Gate Fields, Keeper Ofthe Stars, Stanford Bay, Dynasty of Her Own, I Am Yours, and Uncorked.   Baoma Corporation had an impressive eight stakes wins in 2021.... ...

By Bloodhorse.com LEXINGTON, Ky. (Feb. 10, 2022) — Stakes-winning California-bred mare Lakerball  entered the ring with a special announcement Feb. 9 at the Fasig-Tipton Kentucky Winter Mixed Sale—100% of the proceeds of her sale would go to Shepherd’s House, a recovery program in Lexington.  Lakerball, consigned as Hip 354 by James Keogh’s Grovendale consignment, hammered at $35,000. The broodmare prospect was purchased by Randwick Bloodstock Agency. “Just very, very pleased with her. Shepherd’s House is doing great work in downtown Lexington and they’re a yearlong treatment program and they’re having amazing success,” Keogh said, “so I think it behooves all of us to support them a little bit. I’ve had several friends that have gone through the program and done really, really well because of it. It’s just something that I really have a heart for. “I’m thrilled and delighted that she sold that well.” Shepherd’s House focuses on creating an atmosphere conducive to recovery and establishing fellowship that will lead to a successful reentry into the community, the program’s website notes.... ...

From NTRA WASHINGTON, D.C. (Jan. 28, 2022) — The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) have agreed to offer 20,000 additional H-2B visas to employers for positions starting on or before March 31, 2022. These visas are used by employers, such as racehorse trainers, who seek seasonal guest workers. “This addition of H-2B visas is helpful for the horse racing industry, as we continue to see high demand for workers by employers,” said NTRA President and CEO Tom Rooney. “At the same time, the NTRA supports relief from the burdensome annual H-2B visa cap to enable affected employers to stabilize their businesses through a permanent returning worker exemption. We urge both departments to permanently reform the program.”   DHS is also providing additional flexibilities to H-2B petitioners under its general programmatic authority by allowing nonimmigrant workers in the United States in valid H-2B status and who are beneficiaries of non-frivolous H-2B, to begin work with a new employer after an H-2B petition is filed... ...

By DRF.com ALBANY, Calif. (Dec. 23, 2021) — Coming off a resounding fall meet closing weekend with more than $8 million in wagers, Golden Gate Fields kicks off its 2021-2022 season with an 11-race card Sunday. The first thing horsemen will notice is an across-the-board increase of $3,000 to purses in all claiming races, with the increases ranging from 12 to 30 percent. “This is good for the trainers, and we need to keep horses here,” said racing secretary Patrick Mackey, who noted tracks such as Turf Paradise had increased purses and attracted some locally based horses there. Coming off a meeting where the average field size was 7.1 runners, Mackey hopes that the purse increase will lead to bigger fields. The opening-day races average 7.5 runners per race. Mackey is also pleased with the quality of racing, which seems to be improving, with local runners more than holding their own with Southern California runners at all levels, including stakes. Once again, the Grade 3 El Camino Real Derby will... ...

From NTRA WASHINGTON, D.C. (Dec. 20, 2021) — The National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA) is pleased to report that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Department of Labor (DOL) today announced the forthcoming publication of a joint temporary final rule to make available an additional 20,000 H-2B visas for the first half of fiscal year 2022 that ends on March 31, 2022. This is the first time the DHS has provided supplemental H-2B visas in the first half of a fiscal year.   “Tremendously high demand for H-2B visas has led to this unprecedented move by the DHS and DOL,” said NTRA President and CEO Alex Waldrop. “Competition for these visas has been fierce for many years but is particularly so in today’s strong job market. We encourage affected trainers to act quickly.”   The supplemental H-2B visa allocation consists of 13,500 visas available to returning workers who received an H-2B visa, or were otherwise granted H-2B status, during one of the last three fiscal years. The remaining... ...

From The Jockey Club LEXINGTON, Ky. (Dec. 17, 2021) — The Jockey Club announced today that it will be increasing each category of registration application fees by $20 starting in 2022. The last fee increase for registration applications was introduced with the 2013 foal crop. The updated fee schedule is as follows: If all requirements are met within one calendar year from foaling date, foals of 2021 — $225. If all requirements are met within one calendar year from foaling date, foals of 2022 — $245. If all requirements are met by Dec. 31 of yearling year — $570. If all requirements are met by Dec. 31 of 2-year-old year — $820. If all requirements are met after Dec. 31 of 2-year-old year — $2,045. No other registry-related fees have been changed. ...

From CHRB SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Dec. 16, 2021) — The California Horse Racing Board conducted a meeting by teleconference on Wednesday, December 15. The public participated by dialing into the teleconference and/or listening through the audio webcast link on the CHRB website. Chairman Gregory Ferraro chaired the meeting, joined by Vice Chair Oscar Gonzales and Commissioners Dennis Alfieri, Damascus Castellanos, Brenda Washington Davis, Wendy Mitchell, and Alex Solis. The audio of this entire Board meeting is available on the CHRB Website (www.chrb.ca.gov) under the Webcast link. In brief: The Board narrowly approved the requested six-month license for the Pacific Racing Association to operate a thoroughbred race meet at Golden Gate Fields (GGF) with racing beginning December 26, 2021, and concluding June 12, 2022. Equine fatalities have remained relatively the same as the last calendar year at GGF. However, four fatalities have occurred since November 14. Consequently, three members of the Board – Vice Chair Gonzales and Commissioners Washington Davis and Mitchell – preferred a shorter three-month license, during which time the CHRB could... ...

From Glen Ellen Vocational Academy GLEN ELLEN, Calif. (Dec. 1, 2021) — The Glen Ellen Vocational Academy, Northern California’s oldest horse retirement and rehabilitation facility, has overcome so many daunting challenges — from severe drought to threatening wildfires and a global pandemic — since its founding 26 years ago. The non-profit foundation has survived despite rounds of increases in the cost of veterinarian care, feed, hay and other farm supplies. But the picturesque 8 1/2-acre ranch, nestled in the rural Sonoma Valley hills near Jack London State Park in the heart of the Sonoma County wine region, could be facing its biggest obstacle yet. The farm’s 77-year-old founder and proprietor Pamela Berg is struggling to regain her strength following recent hospitalization with a bout of sepsis, which developed from an infection. Berg, who has faithfully maintained the facility and handled the daily care for GEVA’s equine residents — mostly retired Thoroughbreds — with minimal volunteer assistance, is slowly recovering. But she is too weakened by her illness to perform the... ...

From CHRB SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Nov. 18, 2021) — The California Horse Racing Board conducted a meeting by teleconference on Wednesday, November 17. The public participated by dialing into the teleconference and/or listening through the audio webcast link on the CHRB website. Chairman Gregory Ferraro chaired the meeting, joined by Commissioners Dennis Alfieri, Brenda Washington Davis, Wendy Mitchell, and Alex Solis. The full audio of this entire Board meeting is available on the CHRB Website (www.chrb.ca.gov) under the Webcast link. In brief: ·        Alan Balch, the executive with California Thoroughbred Trainers who is spearheading the formation of a broadly based industry committee designed to develop regulations and procedures to further decrease equine injuries, reported there is widespread interest among all elements of California horse racing. He said the full committee and the smaller steering committee are in the process of being formed. Balch promised to give the Board reports every one or two months. “I hope to have something very concrete by February,” he added. ·        The Board approved two license applications for racing at Los... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Nov. 16, 2021)–Santa Anita Park has announced that beginning Jan. 17, it will offer a lucrative series of eight starter allowance races for fillies and mares on turf.  The Santa Anita Turf Starter Series will be comprised of four sprints and four routes at distances of five furlongs on up to a marathon turf event at a mile and one half. Patterned after last season’s successful Tin Man Starter Allowance Series, fillies and mares which have started for a claiming tag of $25,000 or less beginning in 2020 through entry time, are eligible.  In addition to regular purse money, points will be awarded on a graduated scale to the first four finishers in each race, with 10 to the winner, six for second, three for third and one point to the fourth place runner. At the end of the eight-race series, separate monetary awards will be given to owners of horses in both the sprint and route components of the series.  Owners with the most points... ...

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Oct. 29 2021) — The Jockey Club announced today that applications are open for its five academic scholarships. The scholarships will apply to the 2022-2023 academic year and are as follows: –       The Jockey Club Scholarship ($15,000; $7,500 per semester) is for students in academic pursuit of majors for future employment in the equine industry. Open to any equine breed or discipline; preference will be given to candidates with the expressed desire to secure employment in the Thoroughbred industry. –       The Jockey Club Advancement of Women in Racing Scholarship ($20,000; $10,000 per semester) is open to women pursuing a career in the equine industry who are enrolled full time as an undergraduate or graduate student at a college or university. Open to any equine breed or discipline; preference will be given to candidates with the expressed desire to secure employment in the Thoroughbred industry. –       The Jockey Club Vision Scholarship ($20,000; $10,000 per semester) is open to students from a minority racial or ethnic group who are pursuing a career in... ...

By Bloodhorse.com DANVILLE, Calif. (Oct. 24, 2021) — Bay Area media legend Sam Spear passed away Oct. 23 at age 72 following a lengthy illness. Spear, born Nov. 3, 1948, in Oakland and raised in Alameda, was a lifelong horse racing fan. After graduating from St. Joseph’s Alameda and San Francisco State, he quickly became a major fixture at Thoroughbred racetracks throughout Northern California. Spear was employed in the racing industry for over four decades. He served as media relations director at Golden Gate Fields and Bay Meadows, assisting media personnel, horsemen, front side staff, owners, breeders, horseplayers, and fans. Spear thoroughly enjoyed helping others and was devoted to creating the best possible experience for those he encountered on and off the track. His affable personality quickly made him a “fan favorite” among fans and horsemen, and he was often seen chatting it up with turf club patrons and railbirds alike. A close friend and confidant of legendary San Francisco native Joe DiMaggio, Spear often drove “Joe D.” to and from both Bay Meadows... ...

From CHRB SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Oct. 21, 2021) — The California Horse Racing Board conducted a meeting by teleconference on Wednesday, October 20. The public participated by dialing into the teleconference and/or listening through the audio webcast link on the CHRB website. Chairman Gregory Ferraro chaired the meeting, joined by Vice Chair Oscar Gonzales and Commissioners Dennis Alfieri, Damascus Castellanos, Brenda Washington Davis, Wendy Mitchell, and Alex Solis. First, the CHRB apologizes for the interruptions in the audio through the webcast link. These were caused by technical difficulties that have since been corrected. The full audio of this entire Board meeting is available on the CHRB Website (www.chrb.ca.gov) under the Webcast link. In brief: The Medication, Safety, and Welfare Committee met Tuesday to discuss the advisability of penalizing trainers for injuries and fatalities for horses in their care. Alan Balch, executive director of the California Thoroughbred Trainers, gave a lengthy report based on extensive conversations he and CTT board members had with trainers across the state. Chairman Ferraro, who also chairs the committee, provided... ...

From NTRA LEXINGTON, Ky. (Oct. 21, 2021) – Former US Congressman Thomas J. (Tom) Rooney has been named the successor to Alex Waldrop as the president and chief executive officer of the National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA), it was announced today by the NTRA Board of Directors. As announced earlier this year, Waldrop will retire at the end of 2021.   A Thoroughbred owner and breeder who hails from one of America’s great sporting families, Rooney has taken an active role for several years in his family’s Shamrock Farm, a Thoroughbred breeding and lay-up operation in Woodbine, Maryland, founded by his grandfather, including serving on the board of the Maryland Horse Breeders Association since 2020.   “It is a great privilege for me to join the NTRA and serve as the organization’s next leader,” said Rooney. “Having been immersed in horse racing my entire life, I know the issues and have a solid understanding of the needs of the industry. Coupled with my ten years serving as a Member of... ...

From Los Alamitos Publicity CYPRESS, Calif. (Sept. 27, 2021) — Two stakes restricted to Golden State Series-eligible 2-year-olds are included in the schedule for the upcoming Winter Thoroughbred meet at Los Alamitos. The season is scheduled to begin Friday, Dec. 3 and continue through Sunday, Dec. 12. The $100,000 Soviet Problem – for fillies – will be offered Saturday, Dec. 11 while the $100,000 King Glorious will be run Sunday, Dec. 12. Both are for 2-year-olds bred or sired in California and will be run at one mile. Also for 2-year-olds, the schedule includes the $300,000-guaranteed Starlet, a Grade I for 2-year-old fillies, renewed for the eighth time at Los Alamitos Saturday, Dec. 4, one week before the $200,000 Grade II Los Alamitos Futurity. Won a year ago by the Bob Baffert-trained Varda, the Starlet – like the Futurity – will be contested at 1 1/16 miles. Among the nominees to the Starlet are impressive Del Mar Debutante winner Grace Adler, Dance to the Music, Elm Drive and Eda. Nominees... ...

By DRF.com PIEDMONT, Calif. (Sept. 26, 2021) — Peter Tunney, the longtime racing executive at Golden Gate Fields in Northern California, died Wednesday after a lengthy illness, his family and friends said Thursday. Tunney, 83, died at his home in Piedmont, Calif., not far from Golden Gate Fields. The son of a racing official and steward, Tunney began his involvement in racing in the 1960s, working as a racing official at Southern California tracks, including Del Mar where he was the racing secretary for three years from 1972-74. Tunney was best known for a lengthy involvement in the day-to-day operations at Golden Gate Fields, joining as general manager in 1980 and later serving as an executive vice president before his retirement in 2017. :: Bet the races with confidence on DRF Bets. You’re one click away from the only top-rated betting platform fully integrated with exclusive data, analytics, and expert picks. A graduate of Alhambra High School in Southern California, Tunney had a sporting background, running track and playing halfback... ...

DEL MAR, Calif. (Sept. 26, 2021) – Four stakes restricted to Golden State Series eligibles will be held at Del Mar’s Bing Crosby Fall Season. On Friday, Nov. 5 – the first day of the Breeders’ Cup Championships – the $175,000 Golden State Juvenile Stakes for 2-year-olds and the $175,000 Golden State Juvenile Fillies Stakes for 2-year-old filles will be held, both races at seven furlongs. On Sunday, Nov. 7, the $100,000 Betty Grable Stakes for fillies and mares 3 years and up will be run at seven furlongs. On Sunday, Nov. 21, the $100,000 Cary Grant Stakes for 3 years and up will be run at seven furlongs. ...

From CHRB The California Horse Racing Board conducted a meeting by teleconference on Wednesday, September 15. The public participated by dialing into the teleconference and/or listening through the audio webcast link on the CHRB website. Chairman Gregory Ferraro chaired the meeting, joined by Vice Chair Oscar Gonzales and Commissioners Dennis Alfieri, Damascus Castellanos, Brenda Washington Davis, and Wendy Mitchell. The audio of this entire Board meeting is available on the CHRB Website (www.chrb.ca.gov) under the Webcast link. In brief: The Board allocated dates for all of California racing in 2022. The allocations reflect the recent and historical dates run by racing associations and fairs with two notable exceptions. Santa Anita will close for as many as two weeks in the middle of its winter-spring meet. Del Mar will shift its traditional schedule by one week with later opening and closing dates. Date allocations permit the tracks to operate on the dates they choose within their timeframes. The actual dates of planned operation will be announced and considered by the Board when each... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Sept. 8, 2021)–Santa Anita Park’s 16-day Autumn Meet will get off to a fast start on Friday, Oct. 1, as a total of four stakes will be offered on a tremendous nine-race card.  The Grade I, $300,000 American Pharoah Stakes, one of three Breeders’ Cup “Win & You’re In” Challenge Race qualifiers, will headline the day’s racing.  Named for the 2015 Triple Crown Champion, the American Pharoah is a Breeders’ Cup Win & You’re In qualifier to the Grade I Breeders’ Cup Juvenile at Del Mar on Nov. 5. With first post time at 1 p.m., walk-up admission is welcomed, with free admission and General Parking on opening day.  In addition to the American Pharoah, the Grade II, $200,000 Eddie D Stakes, for 3-year-olds and up, will be contested at 6 ½ furlongs down Santa Anita’s hillside turf course.  Named for the legendary retired Hall of Fame jockey Eddie Delahoussaye, the Eddie D provides a platform for those horses considering the Breeders’ Cup Turf... ...

From TOC ALBANY, Calif. (Sept. 6, 2021) — Golden Gate Fields will be hosting a luncheon for owners in the Turf Club on Saturday, September 25, to thank owners for their patience and support during the pandemic. The event is being headed up by Amanda Howard, Golden Gate Fields’ venue/events director who recently joined the track with a fantastic reputation from the esteemed Richmond Golf Club.  To prioritize the safety of the owners and staff the following protocols will be in place: All owners must enter through the Turf Club entrance. Per Alameda County, masks are required at all times unless eating or drinking. Owners are allowed to bring one guest.  Golden Gate understands the value of the trainers, veterinarians, and other GGF teams and will be conducting a separate appreciation event for them. Unfortunately, they will not be eligible to attend this lunch due to the guidelines set by Alameda County. RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED To make a reservation for this event, please contact Wayne Atwell, TOC’s Northern California Director of... ...

From the Office of the Governor SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Aug. 31, 2021) — Dennis Alfieri, 62, of Pasadena, has been reappointed to the California Horse Racing Board of Directors, where he has served since 2018. Alfieri has been Managing Member of Mission Real Estate Group since 2005. He was Chief Executive Officer of the Sheriff’s Youth Foundation from 2017 to 2020. He was Principal and a Founding Partner at Bantry Property Services LLC from 2005 to 2010 and General Partner and Founder of Twin Palms Restaurants from 1991 to 2005. Alfieri is a 40-year member of the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Association and a member of the Pasadena Optimist Club. This position requires Senate confirmation and the compensation is $100 per diem. Alfieri is a Republican. ...

From DMTC Publicity DEL MAR, Calif. (Aug. 29, 2021) — Del Mar Thoroughbred Club’s eighth fall race meeting – officially titled the Bing Crosby Season in a salute to the seaside track’s founder – includes four stakes restricted to Golden State Series eligibles during  a 15-day session starting on Wednesday, November 3. Del Mar also will host the 38th edition of the Breeders’ Cup Championships during its fall stand with 14 major races worth more than $31 million slated on Friday, November 5 and Saturday, November 6. The track had previously been home to the Breeders’ Cup in 2017. The Cal-bred races are: The Golden State Juvenile Fillies and Golden State Juvenile Stakes, each to be run at seven furlongs and worth $175,000, on Friday, Nov. 5; the $100,000 Betty Grable Stakes for fillies and mares 3 years & up at seven furlongs on Sunday, Nov. 7; and the $100,000 Cary Grant Stakes for 3 years & up at seven furlongs on Sunday, Nov. 21. A highlight of the session... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Aug. 26, 2021) — With tickets set to go on sale at 10 a.m. PT, Wednesday, Sept. 1, Santa Anita’s 16-day Autumn Meet, which opens on Friday, Oct. 1, will mark the return of “Walk-Up” admission and a new inclusive pricing structure that combines admission, general parking, and a racing program.  Additionally, fans will now be able to access Santa Anita’s Club House and General Admission areas for the same $10 admission price, with open seating offered in the Grandstand, Sirona’s Bar, Paddock Room, and Seabiscuit Court.  Santa Anita Thoroughbreds Club and XB Rewards members will get a discounted price of five dollars, which also includes General Parking and a Racing Program. Santa Anita’s spacious Infield Area will be open each weekend, with $5 Admission, which also includes General Parking and Racing Program. SANTA ANITA’S NEW AUTUMN MEET PRICING SCHEDULE $10 Admission includes Program & General Parking – Open Seating in Grandstand, Sirona’s Bar, Paddock Room, Paddock Side Tables, and Seabiscuit Court. – Children 17... ...

From CHRB SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Aug. 23, 2021) – Dr. Timothy Grande is helping the California Horse Racing Board meet its obligation to protect horses and riders. While Dr. Grande has long been involved in safety efforts as Official Veterinarian (OV) on Southern California’s thoroughbred circuit, he recently increased his commitment by stepping into the newly created position of Chief Official Veterinarian (COV) for all of California racing. Dr. Grande has been working in tandem since July 1 with Dr. Jeffrey Blea, the CHRB’s equine medical director (EMD). Exactly how that teamwork will play out has yet to be fully determined, but both have some thoughts on the matter, as does CHRB Executive Director Scott Chaney. “We have been fortunate to benefit from the expertise of Dr. Grande for a number of years in California,” said Chaney. “He pioneered the concept of the entry review panel.  With this new, expanded role, California further enhances its commitment to animal welfare.” Dr. Blea added, “I worked with Dr. Grande for many years on... ...

From NTRA WASHINGTON, D.C. (Aug. 21, 2021) — United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) recently announced that it had received enough petitions for returning workers to reach the additional 22,000 H-2B visas made available through the FY 2021 H-2B supplemental visa temporary final rule and would reject and return any cap-subject petitions for H-2B returning workers received after August 13. USCIS also announced that it would return any accompanying fees with these petitions.    The FY 2021 H-2B supplemental visa temporary final rule published in May offered employers 22,000 supplemental H-2B visas for FY 2021. Of these, 6,000 were reserved for nationals of the Northern Triangle countries of Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala and 16.000 for returning workers. Although the USCIS announced that they had received enough petitions for the 16,000 visas initially made available for returning workers, it did not receive enough to reach the 6,000 allocated for workers from the Northern Triangle countries. In late July, USCIS began accepting petitions for those remaining H-2B visas.   “As... ...

From CHRB DEL MAR, Calif. (Aug. 19, 2021) — Dr. Gregory Ferraro, the current chairman of the California Horse Racing Board and a veterinarian for over half a century who has made an enduring impact on California racing as a practicing veterinarian, an equine surgeon and a medical executive, has been named the 17th recipient of the Laffit Pincay, Jr. Award. He’ll be honored in that role at Del Mar with ceremonies during this Saturday’s TVG Pacific Classic Day program. The Pincay Award, named for and presented by the Hall of Fame rider, goes to those who have served the sport “with integrity, extraordinary dedication, determination and distinction.” “I can think of few people who fit the requirements for this award better than Dr. Ferraro,” stated Pincay. “He has been a champion for horses and horse people throughout his life and his mark on our game will go on and on. He most certainly deserves this award and it will be my honor to salute him with it.” Dr. Ferraro,... ...

From CHRB SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Aug. 19, 2021) — The California Horse Racing Board conducted a meeting by teleconference on Wednesday, August 18. The public participated by dialing into the teleconference and/or listening through the audio webcast link on the CHRB website. Chairman Gregory Ferraro chaired the meeting, joined by Vice Chair Oscar Gonzales and Commissioners Dennis Alfieri, Damascus Castellanos, Brenda Washington Davis, Wendy Mitchell, and Alex Solis. The audio of this entire Board meeting is available on the CHRB Website (www.chrb.ca.gov) under the Webcast link. In brief: The Board conditionally approved the license application for the Los Angeles Turf Club (II) to conduct a race meet at Santa Anita Park with racing programs beginning October 1 and concluding October 31. If Santa Anita does not finalize an agreement with the California Thoroughbred Trainers before then, this application will be reconsidered at the September 15 meeting of the Board. The Board approved the license application for a meeting of the Los Angeles County Fair at Los Alamitos Race Course with racing programs beginning September... ...

From CHRB SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Aug. 2, 2021) – California horse racing experienced a 50-percent decline in equine fatalities over the last two fiscal years, largely due to steps taken by the California Horse Racing Board and a team effort with the entire California horse racing industry. After 144 horses died in FY 2018-19 from racing or training injuries or other causes while stabled at facilities under the CHRB’s jurisdiction, the number dropped to 72 in FY 2020-21, down by half. This progress did not come about suddenly. The list of safety initiatives on the CHRB website dates back decades. Previous racing commissioners demonstrated a strong commitment to racing safety. Racetrack owners and management have provided leadership and resources. Horsemen’s groups have provided encouragement and support with the cooperation of owners, trainers, jockeys, veterinarians, and other stakeholders in the industry. While the numbers of equine fatalities have been trending downward since 2005, the last fiscal year marked the most significant improvement in a single year with a 40-percent decline. Continuing the actions of... ...

From CHRB The California Horse Racing Board conducted a meeting by teleconference on Wednesday, July 21. The public participated by dialing into the teleconference and/or listening through the audio webcast link on the CHRB website. Chairman Gregory Ferraro chaired the meeting, joined by Vice Chair Oscar Gonzales and Commissioners Dennis Alfieri, Damascus Castellanos, Brenda Washington Davis, Wendy Mitchell, and Alex Solis. The audio of this entire Board meeting is available on the CHRB Website (www.chrb.ca.gov) under the Webcast link. In brief: The Board approved three license applications for race meets, beginning with the Sonoma County Fair (SCF) meet, which will be run at Golden Gate Fields (GGF) on August 6, 7, 8, 13, 14, and 15. SCF will be required to run Arabian races during the meet in compliance with statutes. In a related matter, the Board approved an agreement between SCF and the Thoroughbred Owners of California authorizing the racing secretary to establish conditions on races limiting the administrations of certain medications. The Board approved the license application for the Pacific... ...

From DMTC Publicity DEL MAR, Calif. (July 21, 2021) — Del Mar is delighted to begin allowing limited general admission sales at the track when racing resumes this Friday, July 23.  We began the season cautiously, as our reopening plan was limited to seated capacity. Operations went so well opening weekend that we are now making limited general admission and walk-up sales available for our fans, including Diamond Club discounts at the gate.  On behalf of Del Mar, thank you for your continued support and patience as we all have adapted to the changing circumstances and continue to return to normal. We look forward to welcoming you back to the track. Click here for details on general admission.  ...

From Los Alamitos Publicity CYPRESS, Calif. (July 17, 2021) — Five stakes worth a guaranteed $400,000 will be offered during the upcoming Los Angeles County Fair at Los Alamitos meet, including the $75,000 E.B. Johnston for California-breds. The 10-day LACF season is scheduled to begin Friday, Sept. 10 and continue through Sunday, Sept. 26. Racing will be conducted on a Friday-Sunday basis the first two weeks (Sept. 10-12 and Sept. 17-19) and Thursday-Sunday (Sept. 23-26) the final week. The first of the stakes races will be contested Saturday, Sept. 11. Three-year-old fillies will run six furlongs in the $75,000-guaranteed Beverly J. Lewis. One day later, 3-year-olds & up bred or sired in California will compete in the $75,000-guaranteed E.B. Johnston at one mile. The final two Saturdays of the season will feature the $75,000-guaranteed Capote for 2-year-olds colts & geldings Sept. 18 and the $75,000-guaranteed Phone Chatter for fillies Sept. 25. Both races will be run at 6 ½ furlongs. Completing the stakes schedule is the $100,000-guaranteed Los Alamitos Special... ...

From CHRB SACRAMENTO, Calif. (June 25, 2021) — Dr. Jeff Blea will assume the responsibilities of Equine Medical Director for the California Horse Racing Board (CHRB) on July 1, replacing Dr. Rick Arthur, who retires June 30 after serving 15 years as EMD. In addition to advising the Board on matters pertaining to equine health and welfare, Dr. Blea will help oversee the CHRB’s drug testing program, work with investigators on medication violations, liaise with those peers directing programs at the University of California, Davis, including the Postmortem Program, and work with Official Veterinarians in their oversight of practicing veterinarians. Dr. Blea is perfectly positioned to assume this vital role. He was a practicing veterinarian on the Southern California thoroughbred circuit for 28 years, and during that time he demonstrated an interest in improving horse racing, focusing primarily on equine health and welfare, as evidenced by his leadership nationally with the American Association of Equine Practitioners and regionally with the Southern California Equine Foundation. He served as a director of the... ...

From TOC ARCADIA, Calif. (June 21, 2021) – TOC’s membership elected Ryan Hanson and Lindsay LaRoche and re-elected incumbents Ed Moger, Stephanie Hronis, and Rick Gold to its Board of Directors. All five were elected to three-year terms. The new board officially takes office on July 1st.        Hanson is a fourth-generation horseman who worked as an exercise rider and assistant trainer before moving to Santa Anita in 2017 as a trainer. Since then his stable has grown to over 20 head, and he has campaigned world champion distance runner Honoroso as well as several graded stakes winners.        LaRoche joins the board as a Northern California representative. A resident of Lafayette, CA for 20 years, he and his wife, Deborah, run Highland Yard stable, with several horses in training at Golden Gate Fields and in Southern California.        Gold has served on the board for four years. He is chair of TOC’s Medication and Integrity committee, a member of the Executive, Finance, and Wagering... ...

From CHRB The California Horse Racing Board conducted a meeting by teleconference on Wednesday, June 16. The public participated by dialing into the teleconference and/or listening through the audio webcast link on the CHRB website. Chairman Gregory Ferraro chaired the meeting, joined by Vice Chair Oscar Gonzales and Commissioners Dennis Alfieri, Damascus Castellanos, Brenda Washington Davis, Wendy Mitchell, and Alex Solis. The audio of this entire Board meeting is available on the CHRB Website (www.chrb.ca.gov) under the Webcast link. In brief: The Board conditionally approved the license application for the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club to operate a race meet that will open on Friday, July 16, and run through Monday (Labor Day), September 6. Unlike last year when the pandemic prevented the public from attending the races, Del Mar will welcome as many as 15,000 patrons to its racing programs, provided they have reserved seats. Racing is scheduled for three days – Friday, Saturday, and Sunday – for the first two weeks, and then Thursday racing will be added for the following... ...

From NTRA LEXINGTON, Ky. (June 16, 2021)—National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA) President and Chief Executive Officer Alex Waldrop today announced that he will retire at the end of 2021 after 15 years at the helm of the organization.   Waldrop has had a distinguished career in the horse racing industry, serving as President of Churchill Downs and later as Chair of the equine, gaming, and entertainment practice group at the Kentucky-based law firm Wyatt, Tarrant & Combs, where he served as the NTRA’s general counsel before joining the organization full-time in his current role.   During Waldrop’s tenure at the NTRA, the association transitioned from a member dues-driven organization into a self-sustaining, program-driven operation with more than 90 percent of the entity’s revenues now derived from programs that support the industry.   Under Waldrop’s leadership, the NTRA grew its footprint in Washington, D.C., solidifying its position as the industry’s leading voice and the entity that represents all segments of the Thoroughbred industry on Capitol Hill. As the trade association for... ...

By Bloodhorse.com DEL MAR, Calif. (June 4, 2021) — Trevor’s back. Del Mar announced June 3 that Trevor Denman, the iconic racing commentator who called every race at the seaside oval from 1984-2019, will return to the track’s roof for the 2021 season after sheltering in place throughout 2020 at his rural Minnesota farm as he and his wife Robin rode out the COVID-19 pandemic.  “We are very keen to get back to Del Mar,” Denman recently wrote in an e-mail to a track official.  And Del Mar fans will get to hear the 68-year-old South African expatriate again when racing begins anew at the seaside oval on Friday, July 16.  Del Mar notes that when Denman first brought his unique style to Southern California in the 1980s, he quickly went about reshaping racetrack calls nationwide. With his understanding of the scene unfolding in front of him (he’d tried a stint as a rider early on), he was capable of “describing” the race lyrically instead of simply using the staccato style of position... ...

From NTRA WASHINGTON, D.C. (May 25, 2021) — The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) issued a joint temporary final rule that was published today in the Federal Register and offers 22,000 additional H-2B visas to employers for the second half of the federal fiscal year that ends on September 30, 2021. These visas are used by employers, such as racehorse trainers, who seek seasonal guest workers. They are capped at 66,000 annually, with an even split of 33,000 available for each half of the federal government’s fiscal year. Six thousand of these supplemental visas will be reserved for nationals of the Northern Triangle countries of Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala. “The 22,000 H-2B visas offered through this rule issued by the DHS and DOL will be helpful to employers who rely on the H-2B visa program, including trainers, but many more of these visas are ultimately required to satisfy the need,” said NTRA President and CEO Alex Waldrop. “For that reason, the NTRA, through its... ...

From CHRB SACRAMENTO, Calif. (May 20, 2021) — The California Horse Racing Board conducted a meeting by teleconference on Wednesday, May 19. The public participated by dialing into the teleconference and/or listening through the audio webcast link on the CHRB website. Chairman Gregory Ferraro chaired the meeting, joined by Vice Chair Oscar Gonzales and Commissioners Dennis Alfieri, Damascus Castellanos, Brenda Washington Davis, Wendy Mitchell, and Alex Solis. The audio of this entire Board meeting is available on the CHRB Website (www.chrb.ca.gov) under the Webcast link. In brief: ·     The Board approved the license application for the Alameda County Fair to operate a fair meet in Pleasanton commencing June 18 through July 11 with 13 racing programs, including Monday, July 5. The race meet will not run concurrently with the Alameda County Fair, which has been moved to the fall. Through an agreement with Golden Gate Fields (GGF), the California Authority of Racing Fairs (CARF), and the Thoroughbred Owners of California (TOC), a majority of the horses racing in Pleasanton will be stabled at... ...

From TOC ARCADIA, Calif. (May 8, 2021) — CARF (California Authority of Racing Fairs) has informed the CHRB that it is seeking to run a seven-week 2021 fair race meet from June 18 through August 1 at the Alameda County Fairgrounds. We understand this meet will comprise the race weeks awarded to both Pleasanton and Sacramento by the CHRB. As part of its race meet application to the CHRB, CARF has instructed Golden Gate Fields that CARF will be providing stabling for this combined meet with 680 stalls at Pleasanton and 600 stalls at Sacramento. Consistent with CARF’s plans, Golden Gate will use this period to address track accommodations and various backstretch maintenance. Upgrades to the sanitary conditions of the restrooms have already begun. Golden Gate will remain open for stabling for five additional days after the last day of its current meet, through June 18. Golden Gate will reopen the backside on July 26, 10 days before the start of the Santa Rosa Meet, which will be run at Golden Gate Fields in the same manner... ...

From NTRA The NTRA’s 2020 Legislative Annual Report is now available online. Click here to view the report.   Features of the 2020 Legislative Annual Report include:   A federal legislative summary of issues that are important to horse racing and breeding, including the latest on the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act, Sports Betting, Three-year Racehorse Depreciation, Immigration and other legislation  A list of 2020 contributors to the NTRA’s Legislative Action Campaign through the ¼% Check-off Program and other related NTRA fundraising programs  Sale company calendars  Member discount information from NTRA partners like John Deere, Sherwin-Williams, Office Depot and Big Ass Fans   Thank you to all who supported the NTRA’s federal legislative effort in Washington, DC, by giving to the ¼% Check-off Program, the Foal Program, the National Horseplayers Championship (NHC) Tour or through a direct contribution.   Please share this report with others who have an interest in Thoroughbred racing and breeding and share your enthusiasm for our industry.   With Appreciation,   Joe Bacigalupo Sr. Director of Government Relations... ...

From CHRB SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Apr. 22, 2021) — The California Horse Racing Board conducted a meeting by teleconference on Wednesday, April 21. The public participated by dialing into the teleconference and/or listening through the audio webcast link on the CHRB website. Chairman Gregory Ferraro chaired the meeting, joined by Vice Chair Oscar Gonzales and Commissioners Dennis Alfieri, Damascus Castellanos, Brenda Washington Davis, and Wendy Mitchell. The audio of this entire Board meeting is available on the CHRB Website (www.chrb.ca.gov) under the Webcast link. In brief: ·     The Board approved for 45-day public notice and comment a proposed regulatory amendment to toughen and standardize penalties for violation of rules governing use of the riding crop. Key changes are the elimination of maximum penalties and addition of minimum penalties that the stewards may impose. The rule specifically states that stewards may issue greater penalties where the violation is “egregious or intentional.” Commissioners expressed the hope that the regulatory process could be completed in time for the Breeders’ Cup at Del Mar on November 5 and... ...

From NTRA WASHINGTON, D.C. (Apr. 20, 2021) — The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the U.S. Department of Labor have agreed to offer 22,000 additional H-2B visas to employers for the second half of the federal fiscal year that ends on September 30, 2021. These visas are used by employers, such as racehorse trainers, who seek seasonal guest workers. They are capped at 66,000 annually, with an even split of 33,000 available for each half of the federal government’s fiscal year. The additional visas will be made available later this spring or early summer via a temporary final rule in the Federal Register.  Six thousand of these visas will be reserved for nationals of the Northern Triangle countries of Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala.   “We are pleased to learn that additional H-2B visas will be available for trainers soon and applaud Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and Labor Secretary Marty Walsh for this action,” said NTRA President and CEO Alex Waldrop. “At the same time, the NTRA supports... ...

By DRF.com PLEASANTON, Calif. (Apr. 16, 2021) — The Alameda County Fair in Pleasanton, Calif., confirmed Wednesday it will run its meet this summer as scheduled. In a letter to horsemen, Jerome Hoban, the fair’s CEO, said the fair “fully intends” to conduct its meet beginning on June 18. The meet is scheduled to run through July 11. Hoban said in the letter he is hopeful the track will be able to admit fans. Golden Gate Fields began allowing a limited number of fans on April 16. The fairgrounds is the site of COVID vaccinations and food distribution, and the actual fair is tentatively being scheduled to run in October, Hoban said. ...

From CHRB SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Mar. 24, 2021) — The California Horse Racing Board conducted a meeting by teleconference on Tuesday, March 23. The public participated by dialing into the teleconference and/or listening through the audio webcast link on the CHRB website. Chairman Gregory Ferraro chaired the meeting, joined by Vice Chair Oscar Gonzales and Commissioners Dennis Alfieri, Damascus Castellanos, Brenda Washington Davis, Wendy Mitchell, and Alex Solis. The audio of this entire Board meeting is available on the CHRB Website (www.chrb.ca.gov) under the Webcast link. In brief: By a 4-3 vote, the Board temporarily tabled the agenda item calling for tougher penalties for jockeys misusing the riding crop. By that slim majority, the Board approved a motion by Chairman Ferraro to delay consideration of proposed changes to CHRB Rule 1688 in order to provide more time to review all aspects of the rule, particularly the proposed requirement for stewards to impose a fine equivalent to 50 percent of the jockey’s earnings in a graded stakes race. Commissioner Solis, the Thoroughbred Owners of... ...

From DMTC Publicity DEL MAR, Calif. (Mar. 16, 2021) — With improving trends in public health data, growth in vaccination rates and the gradual relaxation of limits on attendance at sporting and performance venues in the state, Del Mar Thoroughbred Club officials are looking forward to a return of fans to the seaside track when it opens for its 82nd summer season on Friday, July 16, track officials said today. Track personnel are planning for spectators on site when the racetrack kicks off a 31-day season that will feature 34 major stakes, a substantial increase in purses and a return to the sun and fun vibe that has been part of its culture since it first opened its gates in 1937. “We will continue to follow the guidance of local health officials and our medical advisors, but based on what has been announced for other local attractions such as the San Diego Padres and SeaWorld, we are optimistic we will have fans in the stands this summer at some level,” said... ...