Month: May 2022

Letter to the Editor: C’mon, Bill

Years ago, a dear friend, Joe Spadaro, a veteran turf writer who coined the phrase “get with the program!”, and I were at a bar one evening up on Jericho Turnpike after the races at beautiful Belmont Park. We were commiserating with the Eclipse Award-winning writer Paul Moran about racing. I was always a pretty opinionated guy (still am) and Joe could hear my tone of voice elevating to rebut something that Paul said. Joe turned to me and said “Tom, never get into it with somebody who buys ink by the barrel”. I've always listened to that advice so I'm not going to get into it but: Come on, Bill.

In reference to yesterday's article about the Metropolitan Handicap not being on Memorial Day, when it was traditionally held, yes, I totally agree with you. I am very much a traditionalist also. However, you know what the trend is, right? The bean counters think that apparently big championship racing days generate the most handle. I guess that might be a trend for the future.

But that's not my issue with the article. You referred to this Memorial Day as “it will be just another day at the track”. Come on Bill!!

It's New York-bred Showcase Day, the biggest day of racing for New York-breds in the spring at beautiful Belmont Park. We showcase the best New York-breds in stake race after stake race. New York breeders spend a ton of money all over the country including Kentucky. We just passed a rule whereby you can buy a mare at any auction in Kentucky and other states, ship the mare back within 15 days and take advantage of everything the program has to offer. New York-breds race with up to a 30% advantage over non-New York-breds at New York tracks for some of the biggest purses in the country.

Times are tough. We went from an annual 50,000 foal crop nationally when I got into the business back in the 70s to around an 18,000 foal crop presently. Let's go easy on each other and try and be supportive of all the state programs, including New York's.
And go easy on me with all that ink in your barrel!

Respectfully,
Tom Gallo
President, New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc.

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Delaware Park Jockeys Onboarded Onto HeadCheck Health Management System During Jockey Health Day

The Delaware Jockeys' Health and Welfare Fund held a Jockey Health Day on Tuesday, May 17, 2022, in the Delaware Park jockeys' quarters. Premier Physical Therapy and Sports Performance (Premier PT) hosted the event for the second year in a row.

A team of four doctors and three athletic trainers offered their services free of charge for this event; Dr. Kelly Ryan, Dr. Megan McQuarrie, Dr. Sean Sussman, Dr. Sarah Robinson, and Athletic Trainers Mandy Minutola, Kennedie Ebersole, and Paige Ezell. About 20 jockeys attended the event to undergo physical examinations, baseline concussion testing, and onboarding onto the HeadCheck health management system.

Delaware Park has had a licensed athletic trainer during live racing with a treatment room in the jockeys' quarters since 2018.

Premier PT, in partnership with Laurel Park track physician Dr. Kelly Ryan of Medstar, has utilized HeadCheck, a web-based end-to-end solution to execute concussion protocols, mitigate risk, and support recovery. HeadCheck gives participating racetracks the ability to instantly remove and return jockeys to riding by sharing possible injury alerts, performing baseline tests and physical examinations, completing injury reports and medical clearances, and collecting jockey emergency contact information and other pertinent information. HeadCheck uses strict HIPAA compliance with multi-level access where private health information is only provided to medical personnel. Tracks participating in the program include Delaware Park, Laurel, Timonium, Charles Town, Finger Lakes, Parx, and Penn National.

“Myself and our Maryland colony are very fortunate for the relationship we have with Delaware in an effort to improve safety for our local jockeys. Mandy Minutola and Premier PT are excellent examples of utilizing the sports medicine model at the racetrack. Delaware Park is one of the first to successfully have an athletic trainer at the track managing jockey health,” stated Dr. Kelly Ryan. “Other tracks should model their system to provide concussion and injury management. Their efforts have been invaluable in improving and customizing the HeadCheck system, and we look forward to continuing to work with them in the future.”

The 88-day Delaware Park meet opened on Wednesday, May 25, and concludes on Saturday, November 5. Live racing occurs on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. Beginning in June, select Fridays will be added through November 4. The first race daily post time is set for 12:30 p.m. (ET) at Delaware Park.

The post Delaware Park Jockeys Onboarded Onto HeadCheck Health Management System During Jockey Health Day appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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FTHA Scholarship Program Named In Honor Of Kent Stirling

The Florida Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association will name its Scholarship Program in honor of Kent Stirling, who served as the executive director of the horsemen's organization, then the FHBPA, for 20 years.

“This is a fitting tribute to someone who devoted his life to our industry and to our people,” FTHA President Joe Orseno said. “Kent was diligent in his efforts on behalf of the owners and trainers, but the backstretch workers who most benefit from the Scholarship Program held a special place in his heart.”

The Kent Stirling Scholarship Program awards grants for tuition, books and other educational expenses to the trainers and backstretch workers at Gulfstream Park who are licensed and live year-round in Florida, and to their immediate dependents. The grants can be used at any accredited college, university, community college or trade school.

More than $110,000 in scholarships have been awarded since the program was started five years ago. Current scholarship students are pursuing careers as diverse as oceanographer, clinical psychologist, registered nurse, athletic trainer, and dialysis technician.

Stirling, who passed away in 2017, was a trainer for 20 years before taking on the role of executive director in 1995. An authority on therapeutic medications, he was an advocate for horsemen and backstretch workers on the state and national level.

“The honor of having the Scholarship Program named after him would have thrilled Kent,” said his wife, Sheri Holmes Stirling, the Vice President of Administration at Gulfstream Park. “He worked tirelessly for the betterment of backside workers, but also for the betterment of all around him. He believed that education elevated the mind and soul. Kent's entire family and I are thrilled with this recognition of his time and dedication to the FHBPA.”

Scholarship applications are now available. The deadline to submit an application is Tuesday, July 5, 2022. For more information, or to apply, click here.

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