June, 2021 | Horse Racing Free Tips

Fox Hill Farm’s Rick Porter Dies At Age 80

It is with tremendous sadness that Fox Hill Farm informs the Thoroughbred industry of the passing of owner Rick Porter at the age of 80.

Rick had battled cancer in various forms for over two decades. The past six years had been particularly taxing, beating one supposed terminal cancer only to eventually succumb to the toll the fight took on him.

Horse racing was one of Rick's passions, and he was very proud of his stable's accomplishments. His Fox Hill Farm campaigned 20 graded stakes horses and multiple champions led by Havre de Grace, Songbird, Hard Spun, Omaha Beach, and Kodiak Kowboy.

Equally noteworthy as his list of outstanding horses, however, was his outstanding stewardship over his stable. His horses' well-being was always his top priority over any trophy. He believed in transparency, sharing vet reports publicly and being open with injuries and considerations regarding stable management. He encouraged fan interaction, making them feel part of the team. He welcomed the challenge of the best meeting the best on the track, resulting in some of the most memorable match-ups of the past decades. His empathy for horses in need led to the founding of the National Thoroughbred Welfare Organization which has rehomed over 250 at-risk horses in the past few years. His Fox Hill Farm became synonymous with excellence and ethical ownership.

As wonderful as Rick's journey was in racing, it was his journey through life with his beloved Betsy that was all-important to him. Married 59 years, they raised two sons Cory and Scott and a daughter Tracey, all as beautiful in spirit as the examples they had in their parents.

Racing has lost an important owner, but for all of us who knew Rick – his kindness, ethics, loyalty, wisdom, generosity, humility, and humor – we have lost an exceptional human being and a part of our hearts.

Funeral arrangements are pending.

Victoria Keith

Fox Hill Farm

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Sal Sinatra Named President Of Equibase

Sal Sinatra has been named president of Equibase Company LLC by the Equibase Management Committee, effective June 21, 2021. He succeeds Jason G. Wilson, who left Equibase in April to join The Stronach Group.

“Sal is a longtime participant in the Thoroughbred industry, and the Equibase Management Committee knows he will be a valuable asset to the Equibase team,” said Ian D. Highet, chairman of Equibase. “His analytical background, management experience, and firsthand knowledge of every aspect of racing will guide Equibase in developing a strategic path forward for its products and services.”

Sinatra double majored in Mathematics and Statistics from Rutgers University, during which time he was an assistant clerk at the Daily Racing Form. In 1985 he became a racing official at Monmouth Park and Meadowlands in New Jersey and was also an assistant racing secretary at Beulah Park in Columbus, Ohio.

From 1990 until 1999, he was president and ownership partner of TSNS, which was acquired by The Jockey Club as part of InCompass Solutions. He then spent 15 years as vice president of Racing and racing secretary at Parx Racetrack and Casino in Bensalem, Pennsylvania, before becoming president and general manager of Maryland Jockey Club in 2014.

“I have spent my entire career in Thoroughbred racing and have worked with Equibase since its inception. I have tried to be an innovative leader and that will be reflected in my leadership of Equibase,” Sinatra said. “My experience as a technician and working at racetracks puts me in a unique position to maximize what Equibase has to offer the industry.”

Equibase Company is a partnership between subsidiaries of The Jockey Club and the Thoroughbred Racing Associations of North America and serves as the Thoroughbred industry's official database. Through its website and mobile applications, Equibase offers a comprehensive array of free statistical information as well as premium handicapping products and reports in support of the North American Thoroughbred racing industry. Additional information is available at equibase.com.

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Oaklawn Adds December Race Dates To Live Racing Season

In yet another historic move for the 117-year-old track, Oaklawn will now add December race dates to its calendar and host a 66-day season from Friday, Dec. 3, 2021 – Sunday, May 8, 2022.

“For many years, horsemen have wanted to race here in December to fill a gap in their racing schedule,” said Oaklawn President Louis A. Cella, who has guided Oaklawn through the most dramatic changes in its history over the past four years. “We have completed our resort expansion, including the opening of our luxury hotel, spa and event center. Therefore, the timing is right for another expansion – to our live racing season.”

The 66-day season will be conducted largely on a Friday-Sunday basis, with some exceptions. There will be no racing Dec. 24 through Dec. 26 during the Christmas holiday and also no racing on Easter Sunday, April 17. Racing will continue to be offered on Presidents' Day Monday, Feb. 21, 2022.

Oaklawn plans to present the new proposed racing schedule to the Arkansas Racing Commission at their next meeting for approval.

“We are looking forward to the new format,” Cella said. “The additional days will provide a huge economic impact for horsemen, Arkansas Thoroughbred breeders and tourism in Central Arkansas.”

“Oaklawn's decision to add racing days in December is wonderful news for Hot Springs and Garland County,” said Steve Arrison, CEO of Visit Hot Springs. The expansion of its casino and its addition of a world-class hotel this year already provided Hot Springs with an exciting new feature in its attractions menu. The additional live racing dates will further cement Oaklawn's status as a premier economic engine for our city. We all look forward to this great new reason for everyone to visit Hot Springs.”

Purses for the season are projected to be $45 million – $50 million; the highest in America at that time of year, with all allowance races starting at $100,000.

“To be able to offer six-figure allowance races for five consecutive months is a very strong statement,” Oaklawn Racing Secretary Pat Pope said. “Between the purses and all of our new amenities, we should be part of every horseman's annual calendar.”

The extended season and projected purse increases make it necessary for Oaklawn to restructure its stakes program, highlighted, by realigning Oaklawn's strong 3-year-old prep races.

“We will offer 2-year-old racing in December,” Cella said, “and we anticipate additional exciting changes in our racing program, including an aggressive 2021-2022 stakes schedule. We are working on that now and will announce those changes soon. Suffice it to say that our stakes program will continue to be designed to attract the nation's best horses and best horsemen to Hot Springs.”

Trainers are also excited about the additional race dates.

“I love it,” Hall of Famer and 11-time Oaklawn leading trainer Steve Asmussen said. “The more Oaklawn, the better.”

“I've been an advocate for this for years,” Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas said. “I think it's a great addition and will keep our stables competitive. It's also going to be a popular time. People are already in a festive mood around the holidays and the weather in December is usually pretty good. I think there is going to be a strong fan base. I'm 100% for it.”

“Oaklawn's new dates allow us horsemen to participate in the most lucrative purse circuit in America without any interruptions,” trainer Ron Moquett said. “It's now a smooth transition between Oaklawn, Churchill, and Saratoga.”

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Amplify Horse Racing Launches Mentorship Program

Amplify Horse Racing, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit to amplify education and careers in the Thoroughbred industry, has launched a mentorship program aimed at pairing young adults with Thoroughbred industry professionals.

The objectives of the program are to improve accessibility into the Thoroughbred industry, and develop understanding of what it is like to work in the sport by leveraging the passion, knowledge and experience of current industry professionals.

The initial pilot program will facilitate 10 mentor-mentee pairings through two mentorship approaches:

In-Person: Five mentees based in Kentucky will be selected and paired with mentors who work in the state. This pilot will focus on in-person meetings and engagement.
Virtual: Five mentees will be selected from anywhere in the U.S. and paired with suitable mentors. These pairs will meet virtually, removing geographic or transportation barriers that could limit interested young adults from connecting with the Thoroughbred industry.

The Amplify Horse Racing Mentorship Program is open to individuals aged 18-22, who demonstrate a desire to learn and a strong interest in working in the Thoroughbred industry. There are no restrictions based on academic achievement or Thoroughbred industry experience.

The initial mentorship program, which Amplify Horse Racing is using as a pilot, will take place from August through October 2021. Upon completion of the program, feedback will be gathered from participants to assess the viability of offering the program multiple times annually and including youth mentees.

“Ever since Amplify Horse Racing started in 2019, the goal of its founders and early supporters has been to offer a mentorship program,” says Annise Montplaisir, president of Amplify Horse Racing and equine education coordinator for the Kentucky Equine Education Project (KEEP). “Getting involved in the Thoroughbred industry can feel like a winding path without a clear first step. Throughout Amplify's growth and assessment of how best to recruit newcomers, it has become evident that mentorship has had an important role in getting many young professionals and industry leaders involved in the sport. We hope that through the creation of a formal program, we can make that process easier for others.”

Mentorship program applications are available at amplifyhorseracing.org/mentorship. For more information or to learn how you can become a mentor, contact Annise Montplaisir at info@amplifyhorseracing.org.

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