March, 2022 | Horse Racing Free Tips

Joint Care in Horses: Benefits of Hyaluronic Acid

In healthy joints, lubricin and hyaluronic acid serve as lubricating molecules that promote smooth, frictionless motion. Both molecules also mitigate the action of inflammatory mediators within the joint and protect articular cartilage from degeneration.

“Many athletic horses develop inflammation in their joints secondary to joint injury, repeated microtraumas from weight-bearing, or following injury to the soft tissues that support the joints,” explained Catherine Whitehouse, M.S., an advisor for Kentucky Equine Research.

While veterinarians often focus on the layers of cartilage that cap the ends of long bones, orthopedists from the College of Veterinary Medicine at Cornell University attest that lubricin and hyaluronic acid should also be addressed when considering the overall health of a horse's joints.^*

To this end, the researchers used three separate models of joint trauma to measure lubricin and hyaluronic acid levels in various joints. They found that a sustained loss of hyaluronic acid occurred in all models following injury. In contrast, lubricin increased, potentially to compensate for hyaluronic acid loss and to protect articular cartilage following injury.

Loss of hyaluronic acid in synovial fluid results in elevated friction, which is believed to contribute to increased cartilage wear and joint degeneration, according to the researchers.

“With this study in mind, the importance of maintaining appropriate hyaluronic acid levels within joints, particularly those suffering traumatic or inflammatory events, cannot be undervalued. This is why Kentucky Equine Research developed Synovate HA,” explained Whitehouse.

Synovate HA, a high molecular weight product available as an easy-to-administer liquid, helps prevent the loss of hyaluronic acid within joints.

^*Peal, B.T., R. Gagliardi, J. Su, et al. 2020. Synovial fluid lubricin and hyaluronan are altered in equine osteochondral fragmentation, cartilage impact injury and full-thickness cartilage defect models. Journal of Orthopedic Research, doi: 10.1002/jor.24597.

Reprinted courtesy of Kentucky Equine Research. Visit ker.com for the latest in equine nutrition and management, and subscribe to Equinews to receive these articles directly.

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Colonial Downs Announces $3.5-Million Stakes Schedule

Colonial Downs Racing presented by Woodford Reserve, which kicks off its 27-day “More Racing, More Money and More Fun” Thoroughbred racing season July 11, has unveiled a $3.5-million stakes schedule highlighted by the 19th running of the GIII Virginia Derby.

In all, 24 stakes will be contested over the nine-week campaign, 20 of which are scheduled for the Secretariat Turf Course, the widest grass racing surface in the country. Purses for the 2022 stakes program will increase by $850,000 over 2021 totaling over $3.5 million in stakes dollars up for grabs. Racing will take place every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday at 1:30 p.m. (EDT) through Sep. 7.

Daily average purse monies will rise to $600,000 for the summer from $522,000 in 2021. Maiden special weight races will carry a $60,000 purse. The highly successful 2021 meet awarded a total of $10.4 million in purse monies and average field size was a healthy 8.36 starters per race.

“With increased purses, an expanded stakes schedule and more race days, we are looking forward to hosting horsemen and women, players and patrons from across the country again this season,” said Jill Byrne, Vice President Racing Operations. “Colonial Downs offers a fantastic facility for horses and staff and two of the best surfaces known for safety and sound returns to the barn.”

The $300,000 Virginia Derby headlines a showcase day on Tuesday, Sept. 6 which also includes four undercard turf stakes. The Mid Atlantic Thoroughbred Championship (MATCH) Series returns for a second straight year Aug. 16 with a quartet of stakes worth a combined $600,000.

“Our horsemen are chomping at the bit for more summer racing with great purses at Colonial,” said Frank Petramalo, Virginia HBPA Executive Director. “To help horsemen get good stable help, the VHBPA is sponsoring formal training programs for hot walkers and grooms. The VHBPA will also offer its usual benevolence programs, including medical/dental benefits, recreational programs, and our chaplaincy.”

The complete stakes schedule, along with stall applications for the upcoming meet, can be found at www.colonialdowns.com/horsemen.

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Colonial Downs Announces $3.5 Million Stakes Schedule For Expanded 2022 Summer Meet

Colonial Downs Racing presented by Woodford Reserve, which kicks off its 27-day “More Racing, More Money and More Fun” Thoroughbred racing season July 11, unveiled a $3.5 million stakes schedule highlighted by the 19th running of the Grade 3 Virginia Derby.

In all, 24 stakes will be contested over the 9-week campaign, 20 of which are scheduled for the Secretariat Turf Course, the widest grass racing surface in the country. Purses for the 2022 stakes program will increase by $850,000 over 2021 totaling over $3.5 million in stakes dollars up for grabs. Racing will take place every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday at 1:30 PM (EDT) through Sept. 7.

The $300,000 G3 Virginia Derby headlines a showcase day on Tuesday, Sept. 6 which also includes four undercard turf stakes. The Commonwealth's richest annual race is open to 3-year-olds at 1 1/8 miles on grass. Purse for $200,000 Virginia Oaks increases by $50,000 over last year while the Da Hoss purse also rises by $50,000 to $150,000. The two remaining undercard events, the Rosie's and Kitten's Joy, each enjoy a $25,000 bump to $125,000.

The Mid Atlantic Thoroughbred Championship (MATCH) Series returns for a second straight year Aug. 16 with a quartet of stakes worth a combined $600,000. A pair of dirt sprints, the Chesapeake and Seeking The Pearl, complement a pair of longer turf stakes, the Buckland and Old Nelson. Each will carry a $150,000 purse.

Opening and closing day programs at the expanded meet will feature a healthy slate of $125,000 stakes with Virginia tie-ins. The July 11 kickoff card includes four Virginia-bred/sired turf events. The Punch Line and Camptown are both 5½-furlong sprints, the latter for fillies & mares, while the Edward P. Evans and Brookmeade are at 1 1/16 miles, the latter again for females.

A four-pack of $150,000 Virginia-restricted stakes will help close out the meet on Sept. 7. Open to Virginia-bred, -sired and -certified horses, offerings include the Meadow Stable, Tyson Gilpin, Bert Allen and Nellie Mae Cox Stakes. The $125,000 Jamestown Stakes for Virginia-bred/sired 2-year-olds is also on the season's final program.

New to the lineup this year is the Colonial Cup Stakes for 3-year-olds & up, which will be contested over 1 ½ miles on the turf July 25.

Colonial's meet-long steeplechase program will be highlighted by the $100,000 Randolph Rouse Stakes at 2 miles on August 22.

The stable area opens June 27 and horsemen will see continued backstretch improvements including free washing machines at each of the 14 barns, plus large tents, picnic tables and grills at each of the dorm building locations.

The complete stakes schedule, along with stall applications for the upcoming meet, can be found at www.colonialdowns.com/horsemen. The 2022 condition book will be available later this month with stall applications due by May 2.

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2022 Haras de Bouquetot – Arqana Criterium Entries Are Now Open

Entries for the 2022 €200,000 Haras de Bouquetot-Arqana Criterium, open to all 2-year-olds that were offered at the 2021 Arqana yearling sales, are now open. The online entry form is now available on Arqana's website, and the entries close on June 1. Conducted over 1600 metres at ParisLongchamp on Saturday, Oct. 1, the race is open to juvenile colts, fillies and geldings. Haras de Bouquetot will award a nomination to one of its stallions to the breeders of the horses that fill the first three places. The entry fee is €650. For more information, please click here.

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