November, 2020 | Horse Racing Free Tips

Grants Pass Downs Announces New Gaming, Entertainment Venue

Gaming, entertainment and dining venue The Flying Lark is coming to Grants Pass in fall 2021. Founded by entrepreneur and Grants Pass native Travis Boersma as part of a larger effort to revitalize the horse racing industry in Oregon, The Flying Lark is a significant, long-term investment in the city of Grants Pass. It will create a meaningful number of jobs, bolster the local economy, and provide vital funding and stability to the equine industry throughout the region, including horse owners, trainers, veterinarians, jockeys, and a wide range of vendors and suppliers.

Located next to Grants Pass Downs at the southwest corner of the Josephine County Fairgrounds, The Flying Lark will boast a full-service family restaurant, a grab-and-go restaurant, a sports bar, a gaming bar, a state-of-the-art gaming floor, banquet facilities and art pieces by regional artists that celebrate the magic, power and beauty of horses. Its grab-and-go offering will include coffee drinks, sweets and small bites, and two of the dining areas will offer both indoor and outdoor seating to take advantage of Grants Pass' famous climate.

The establishment is named after local racing icon Don Jackson's legendary Oregon thoroughbred who led the nation in wins for two years in the 1980s. A well-respected member of the Grants Pass community, Jackson was a long-time supporter of Grants Pass Downs. His passion for horse racing and dedication to developing interest in the sport significantly bolstered the horse racing industry in the state.

The Flying Lark – along with recent upgrades to Grants Pass Downs – is part of a transformation of the Josephine County Fairgrounds into a year-round destination for Southern Oregon and Northern California.

“We're really looking forward to the impact The Flying Lark will make both economically and culturally to our local community and the state of Oregon,” said Boersma, CEO and founder of Grants Pass Downs and The Flying Lark.

Horses have played a vital role in Oregon's history and were present throughout the region before the arrival of the Lewis and Clark Expedition in the early 1800s. The Flying Lark will feature art installations, murals, sculptures and other storytelling elements that celebrate horses and their positive impact on the State of Oregon and its rich history.

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Dorrian and Crady Honored with RTCA White Horse Awards

The Race Track Chaplaincy of America (RTCA) has named this year’s White Horse Award winners, which honor heroism on behalf of human or horse. Honored this year are Victoria Don Dorrian, winner of the White Horse Award, and Erin Crady, winner of the Community Service Award.

Dorrian earned her moment of heroism in September, 2019, when a loose horse at Prairie Meadows escaped from the track and ended up on interstate 80, running toward oncoming traffic. Dorrian threw herself into harm’s way and eventually captured the horse. Click to see more on her story.

“[Dorrian] showed poise and dedication like all true horsemen in such a situation by being calm and ready to act, even in a dangerous situation,” said Jon Moss, Iowa HBPA’s executive director. “The Iowa HBPA who nominated her for the award are immensely proud of her actions and how it demonstrated that horsemen are dedicated to not only their own, but to everyone’s horses at the track.”

Crady, executive director of the Thoroughbred Charities of America (TCA), won the Community Service Award for her continued support of racetrack chaplaincies.

“TCA helps so many non-profit organizations in the Thoroughbred industry to improve the lives of horses and those who take care of them,” said RTCA Executive Director Dan Waits. “[Crady] has always been an advocate of the Chaplaincy and partners with our national office and several local chaplaincies to get backstretch and farm employees the help they need.”

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the traditional White Horse Awards ceremony will not be held. This is the 18th year RCTA has honored winners with these awards.

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On Track, Off Course Podcast Debuts

On Track, Off Course, a new weekly podcast series from Racing Welfare, features many big names from the racing industry, including Racing Broadcaster of the Year Lydia Hislop. Hislop speaks about the impact the recent death of her mother, Margaret, has had on her personal and professional life. Other speakers include George Baker, Francesca Cumani, and Ralph Beckett. The podcast will cover everything from grief and loneliness to addiction and social media. The first episode is available at www.soundcloud.com/ontrackoffcourse. The podcast can also be accessed on Spotify, Acast or on the Racing Welfare website at www.racingwelfare.co.uk/podcast.

“Grief, with its isolating and debilitating consequences, was the subject I discussed following the death of my mother earlier this year,” said Hislop. “However, it’s a feeling we all experience at some point in our lives and this conversation is perhaps more urgent than ever in the year of the COVID-19 pandemic. I urge you to tune in weekly for this timely and courageous initiative. You never know when what’s said will be of help to you or to someone whom you love.”

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TRF Elects Three New Board Members

The Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation has announced the election of Anita Motion, John B. Cannie, Esq., and Sarah Stein to the organization’s Board of Directors. The TRF Board provides leadership for carrying out the Foundation’s mission to save Thoroughbred horses no longer able to compete on the racetrack from possible neglect, abuse, and slaughter.

“On behalf of the TRF Board of Directors, I warmly welcome Anita, John and Sarah” shared Patrick H. Mackay, Chairman of the Board. “Each of them is a valuable addition to the TRF’s leadership. We appreciate the diversity and perspective they each bring to the organization. Their experience and backgrounds will most certainly strengthen our Board.”

Anita Motion was born in Colchester, England. After a career as an exercise rider in England and France where she specialized in the early training of young Thoroughbreds, she emigrated to the U.S. with her future husband Graham. Her riding career ended after a back injury, so she now concentrates on the business aspect of Herringswell Stables.

“I am thrilled to join the board of an organization that is very close to my heart and looking forward to becoming more involved.” said Motion. “I am very impressed with the direction the TRF has gone in the last few years and I am proud to add my name to the foundation that takes a lead role in Thoroughbred retirement and lifelong care.”

Sarah Stein resides in Baltimore, Md. and is an accomplished horsewoman. She grew up riding and showing horses and has long been involved with training and riding steeplechase horses and foxhunters. She managed Green Spring Valley Hunt Club Stables from 2000-2009 and earned a degree in Drug and Alcohol Counseling in 2014. She was the Program Manager for the TRF Second Chances Program in Sykesville, Md. from 2016-2020.

“I am honored to be a part of an organization that not only serves horses, but also serves people,” Stein said. “I have seen the profound impact the horses have had on the participants of the Second Chances Programs. I look forward to being a part of expanding the ways in which TRF can reach and change more people’s lives.”

John B. Cannie, Esq. is an attorney with the Law Office of Snyder, Kiley, Toohey, Corbett & Cox, LLP in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. He and his wife Brooke reside in Saratoga, are both passionate about horses and have spent many years around the Thoroughbred industry. Her family has been involved in Thoroughbred racing for generations; her father is Billy Badget and her stepfather is Mark Henning. John earned his law degree at the University of Kentucky College of Law.

“Horses and horse racing have been a lifelong source of joy for me and my family,” Cannie said. “Joining the TRF Board enables me to return some of that joy to the equine athletes who have worked so hard to support this industry and deserve a long, safe and happy retirement from the racetrack.”

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