Month: June 2023

Jockeys at Mountaineer Park in New Cumberland, W.Va., refused to ride Monday's eight-race card over concerns with the track ambulance and a delayed response time to a spill in the previous night's sixth race.

Apprentice German Terraza sustained a fractured collarbone Sunday night in a fall when his mount, Another Flirt, was squeezed at the top of the stretch and clipped heels after relinquishing the lead in a one mile conditioned claiming race for fillies and mares carrying a $4,000 tag. Esta Caliente, ridden by Jose Leon, was disqualified from her third-place finish and placed last for drifting out and causing interference.

Another Flirt did not suffer any apparent injuries.

Terraza was not attended to by medical personnel for several minutes, according to witnesses. The next race was delayed about 12 minutes while the ambulance took Terraza to a local hospital.

The ambulance at Mountaineer Park does not routinely follow the horses and jockeys as is standard at most North American tracks, receiving permission from the West Virginia Racing Commission to stay on a paved road that circles the track (see below).

Tracks in West Virginia currently are not subject to rules and regulations of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority, having won a favorable ruling in a lawsuit to which they are a party. HISA has specific regulations regarding both the human  and equine ambulances, requiring the human ambulance to either follow the fields at a safe distance or be parked at an opening to the track.

According to James Colvin, Mountaineer's director of racing, there was a “miscommunication” on Sunday that is now under investigation by the racing commission.

“We were following the protocols the jockeys agreed to,” Colvin said. “We did not break any rules.”

Colvin said the ambulance is not a four-wheel drive vehicle and has difficulty navigating the racetrack if it has moisture in it. The track condition on Sunday night was “good” for the race in which Terraza was injured.

As horses were approaching the starting gate for Monday night's first race, a five-furlong sprint, jockeys noticed the ambulance was positioned in the chute on the opposite side of the track near the quarter pole. They were told the ambulance would not follow the field.

As a result, they returned to the jockeys room and opted not to ride.

Agent Bobby Quinones said Terraza would miss six to eight weeks while his collarbone heals. The apprentice had only returned on May 6 from another collarbone fracture sustained at Turfway Park last Nov. 30.

Terraza, who began riding in July 2022, has recorded 21 career wins from 235 mounts.

The post Mountaineer Park Jockeys Refuse To Ride Because Of Slow Ambulance Response After Spill appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Recently proposed changes to the Kentucky Quarter Horse, Paint Horse, Appaloosa and Arabian (KQHPAA) Development Fund expects to attract additional Quarter Horses to the Commonwealth for breeding and racing. Last month, the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission approved the proposed changes to allow Kentucky-bred Quarter Horses to race for additional purse money as early as next year.

The proposed regulation (810 KAR 7:060) changes would require a mare to conceive in Kentucky, reside in the state no less than 120 days from conception until foaling and foal in Kentucky. These proposed changes would also include horses born prior to 2024 and have met the same requirements.

Like other breed development programs in the state, the KQHPAA fund has been earning additional purse money for future races containing Kentucky breds from tax collected on parimutuel wagering on live, simulcast and historical horse racing.

“Our goal is to grow another great racing product in the Commonwealth and to increase the overall value of Kentucky Bred Quarter Horses, that have such a rich history within our state,” said Catherine Parke, chair of the KQHPAA Development Fund Advisory Committee and member of the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission.

Ralph Kinder, owner of Alliance Bloodstock Agency, says he's already signed up to participate in the Quarter Horse incentive program. “It's crazy not to do it. I grew  up in the Quarter Horse industry and east of the Mississippi, there's not a lot of Quarter Horses. I breed 35-40 Thoroughbreds a year and I have a few Quarter Horses and this helps buy the hay. When you have this kind of investment, it's insane not to be a part of the incentive funds as it supplements your business.”

The proposed changes are pending before the Legislative Research Commission.

Sandy's Racing & Gaming wrapped up their inaugural quarter horse race meet held the first week in April at the Red Mile in Lexington. During the six-day event, more than $1 million in purses were awarded, averaging $168,000 per day and included a pair of $45,000 Stakes races.

Revolutionary Racing Kentucky, in partnership with the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, is investing $55 million to build Sandy's Racing & Gaming, a world-class Quarter Horse racetrack, equestrian center and gaming facility in eastern Kentucky's Boyd County. Racing will continue at the Red Mile for 2024 and then move to the new facility in 2025.

The Sandy Ridge Racing and Gaming facility, once fully operational, is expected to create an estimated 200 well-paying, full-time jobs, along with potentially generating an additional $1 million dollars in tax revenue for the Commonwealth.

Registration is open

To be eligible, Quarter Horse breeders need to answer yes to the following questions: 1. Did your mare conceive in Kentucky? 2. Did your mare reside in Kentucky for at least 120 days from conception until foaling? 3. Did you mare foal in Kentucky?

To register a Kentucky-bred Quarter Horse or find more information, visit the KHRC website or call (859) 246-2040. Mare registration fees have been waived regarding eligible foals of 2023 and 2024. The registration deadline has also been extended to Dec. 31 for both breeding years if these proposed changes are accepted.

The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission (KHRC) is an independent agency of state government charged with regulating the conduct of horse racing and pari-mutuel wagering on horse racing and related activities within the Commonwealth of Kentucky. The KHRC is a leader in the welfare of horse and rider and the safety and integrity of horse racing.

The post KHRC: Proposed Development Fund Changes Could Allow Quarter Horses To Race For Additional Purse Money Next Year appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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