Month: August 2022

Oaklawn Will Offer ‘Stay Until May’ Trainer’s Bonus Money

Trainers who race at Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, Ark., during the 2022-2023 season will be eligible to receive thousands of dollars in incentive bonuses, thanks to a new program sponsored by Oaklawn and the Arkansas H.B.P.A. The meet begins Friday, Dec. 9, and continues through Saturday, May 6.

The new Stay Until May bonus will pay trainers $200 – $250 for every non-stakes starter that fails to hit the board. The only eligibility requirement is trainers will have to run at least two horses during the final 14 days of the season including one during the final nine days. The total bonus payout could reach as high as $750,000.

“We've always taken great pride in the fact that Oaklawn has among the largest fields in American racing,” Oaklawn Racing Secretary Pat Pope said. “And, while the trainers of the top finishers are richly rewarded, this enables us to also show appreciation to trainers who help make our races go even if their starters finish fourth or further back.”

Pope said the concept surfaced last May in meetings between Oaklawn management and the Arkansas H.B.PA. Once finalized, it was unanimously endorsed by the full board of the Arkansas H.B.P.A. and President Bill Walmsley. The exact bonus will be $200 for every non-stakes starter that finishes fourth through last from opening day through Sunday, April 2. The bonus will then increase to $250 starting April 7.

“The Arkansas H.B.P.A. felt there were several reasons to endorse this bonus program, but mainly we wanted to try to help the trainers with the small to mid-sized operations,” Walmsley said. “The racing industry is a lot healthier with these trainers in business. We're fortunate at Oaklawn to have a healthy purse account, so it seemed like a good time to implement this program and hopefully it will encourage horsemen to stay until the end.”

Purses are projected to be a record $50 million during the 2022-2023 season. This would put average purses at more than $735,000 per day. All allowance races will be more than $100,000 and maiden special weights will start at $90,000.

The first condition book and stall applications can be found at https://www.oaklawn.com/racing/horsemen/. Stall applications are due Thursday, Oct. 13. The stable area opens Tuesday, Nov. 1, and the track opens for training on Saturday, Nov. 5.

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TERF Awards Educational Grants

The Thoroughbred Education and Research Foundation has awarded $65,000 in grants to nine organizations. In 2022, to fund scholarships and education, $10,000 was awarded to the Belmont Child Care Association, Inc., $5,000 to Amplify Horse Racing, $12,000 to Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, $10,000 to the Maryland Horse Foundation, $4,000 to the MidAtlantic Horse Rescue, $5,000 to the Retired Race Horse Project, $4,000 to the TAKE2 Second Career Thoroughbred Program, $10,000 to the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation, and $5,000 to Wilson College.

TERF primarily aims to support students in pursuit of education in Equine Medicine and to fund research efforts which better the life of the Thoroughbred horse. Its grants reflect the values set forth by founders Herb and Ellen Moelis. TERF's current Board includes Co-Chairs Kathleen Anderson DVM and James Orsini DVM, Margaret H. Duprey, Gretchen and Roy Jackson, Ellen and Herb Moelis, Wendy Moon, Anita Motion, Scott Palmer VMD, Josh Pons, Lucy Zungailia, Katelyn Jackson, and Lynn Cassimeris Ph.D.

“We continue to support Thoroughbred health and welfare grants by combining education and research with our vision in making racing safer,” said Orsini.

The post TERF Awards Educational Grants appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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TAA Announces 2023 Calendar Photo Contest Winners

The Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA) hosted its Second Annual Calendar Photo Contest from April 5 until June 11, 2022. Twelve winning photos were chosen to be featured in the 2023 TAA calendar.

Contestants had the opportunity to win the top prize of a Tipperary 9800 Devon with MIPS helmet, sponsored by Tipperary. The top 12 winners received a TAA swag bag and copy of the 2023 calendar.

The first-place submission, which is also featured on the cover of the 2023 TAA Calendar, was won by Erin Degnan and her adopted off-track Thoroughbred Cackle the Cuda, courtesy of John Miller, Spectrum Photography. Cackle the Cuda made 43 starts before retiring from racing with a record of 8-11-6 and earnings of $118,790. Now this Kentucky-bred warhorse is enjoying a life of competitive trail and endurance riding. TAA-accredited After the Races began retraining Cackle the Cuda for a second career after racing, before placing him for adoption which ultimately led the son of Candy Ride (ARG) to Degnan.

The 12 photographs chosen for the 2023 calendar photo contest are as follows:

  • “Caribbean Meets Cowboy” by Chelsey Burris – TAA-accredited Organization: Friends of Ferdinand
  • “Cackle the Cuda” by Erin Degnan (Photo by: John Miller of Spectrum Photography) – TAA-accredited Organization: After the Races
  • “Hard Work Working Hard” by Natalie DePinto (Photo by: AK Dragoo Photography) – TAA-accredited Organization: Thoroughbred Placement Resources
  • “Cyrus Looks to The Future” by Robin Doniger – TAA-accredited Organization: Equine Rescue and Adoption Foundation
  • “Just A Girl and Her Heart Horse” by Lyndsy McLendon – TAA-accredited Organization: Equine Rescue of Aiken
  • “Three Bears” by Anita Motion – TAA-accredited Organization: Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation
  • “Peekaboo, I see you!” by Sarah Mowat – TAA-accredited Organization: Illinois Equine Humane Center
  • “Learning Something New” by Natasha Roberson – TAA-accredited Organization: Caribbean Thoroughbred Aftercare
  • “Let's Rumble” by Courtney VanErstvelde (Photo by: Jessika Lester Photography) – TAA-accredited Organization: After the Races
  • “Winter Walks” by Justine Watson (Photo by: Glenn Watson) – TAA-accredited Organization: After the Races
  • “Playing in the Pond” by CJ Wilson (Photo by: Philip Martin) – TAA-accredited Organization: Win Place Home
  • “Splish Splash” by Wendy Wooley – TAA-accredited Organization: Secretariat Center

For the second consecutive year, the TAA calendar is sponsored by Repole Stable.

“The TAA is an awesome organization that we are always thrilled to support,” said Mike Repole.  “Their calendar is a great way to show off what our amazing Thoroughbreds can do off the track.”

“Congratulations to all our Photo Contest winners, and thank you to everyone who entered,” said TAA Office Manager, Catherine Flowers. “We received many wonderful photos of Thoroughbreds excelling in their second careers, and we look forward to sharing these photos and stories with TAA supporters and donors. Thank you also to our generous sponsors Tipperary and Repole Stable for enabling us to put on this fun contest and produce this beautiful calendar for the second year.”

The 2023 TAA Calendar is now available for pre-order. Every $20 donation to the TAA is eligible to receive a calendar upon request. Calendars will begin shipping in November. To preorder the 2023 TAA Calendar, visit thoroughbredaftercare.org/donation_now

The post TAA Announces 2023 Calendar Photo Contest Winners appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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