August, 2023 | Horse Racing Free Tips

HISA, Jockeys’ Guild To Implement New Jockey Wellness Initiatives

The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) and the Jockeys' Guild have announced that they have created a Steering Committee to recommend and develop programming in support of the mental health and wellness of jockeys. The announcement comes on the heels of a symposium held last week in Saratoga.

The Steering Committee will be co-chaired by Ambassador Earle Mack, a businessman, philanthropist, former U.S. Ambassador to Finland and Thoroughbred owner and breeder, and Dr. Yuval Neria, a professor of Clinical Medical Psychology at Columbia University Medical Center and Director of Trauma and PTSD at the New York State Psychiatric Institute. Data recently collected by a HISA and Jockeys' Guild-commissioned survey, as well as other independent research, will be used to develop specific guidelines to better support and protect rider mental wellness.

“We salute HISA and the Jockeys' Guild for initiating this very important dialogue regarding the mental health and welfare of our beloved jockeys,” said Mack. “Despite my decades of experience in the industry, I was not fully aware of the mental health challenges our professional riders experience until today. Raising awareness is critical, but taking concrete steps to seek out and implement effective solutions for our riders' mental health concerns is imperative–not tomorrow, but today. Jockeys give their all to our horses every time they step on to the track. Let's afford them the care they deserve in return.”

“Jockeys in the exhilarating and sometimes dangerous sport of horseracing are repeatedly exposed to stress and trauma,” said Dr. Neria. “Physical injuries and concussions, coupled with hunger and lack of nutrients associated with weight management, place the rider at high risk for severe mental health problems, including depression, PTSD and addictions.”

Dr. Neria suggested that the industry work towards establishing a national evaluation and treatment center that can comprehensively address these very real and concerning issues.

Last week's symposium was hosted by retired jockey and noted TV personality Donna Brothers who led a panel discussion that included Eurico Rosa da Silva, jockey Trevor McCarthy and FOX Sports'/NYRA's Richard Migliore in addition to Dr. Neria. Attendees also heard from HISA CEO Lisa Lazarua and Jockeys' Guild President and CEO Terry Meyocks.

“The Jockeys' Guild appreciates all of the input and interest by industry participants to address jockeys' mental health and wellness,” said Meyocks. “The Guild has long advocated for the industry to recognize the stress and everyday challenges jockeys face. The Guild looks forward to partnering with HISA in the formation of the Steering Committee to develop recommendations and programs which will demonstrate that we as an industry are able to support not only the jockeys but their family members as well and eventually all others in our industry.”

Added Lazarus: “As Thoroughbred racing's national safety regulator, HISA is deeply committed to safeguarding the mental and physical wellbeing of jockeys and riders across the country. We owe it to these athletes, who dedicate so much of their time and talent to racing, to do everything we can to support them– including by mitigating mental stress factors as well as the risk of injury and chronic health issues.”

HISA will work with HEADCHECK Health, a digital concussion protocol management platform, to allow racetrack personnel to use data-driven insights to improve the care they provide riders with a suspected concussion. Through the HEADCHECK platform, riders will gain access to a new, secure system to store their medical records, which will be easily available to physicians in an emergency.

HISA also announced a partnership with NovaCare Rehabilitation, a nationwide physical therapy network with nearly 2,000 outpatient physical therapy centers and more than 7,000 licensed therapists. NovaCare will provide jockeys with routine physicals and baseline concussion examinations at a discounted price nationwide.

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HISA, Jockeys’ Guild Announce New Initiatives To Safeguard ‘Mental And Physical Wellbeing Of Jockeys’

At a symposium held last week in Saratoga Springs, the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) announced new initiatives to support the overall wellness of jockeys and riders nationwide. As part of these efforts, HISA announced a partnership with the Jockeys' Guild to create a Steering Committee which will recommend and help implement programming to support jockey mental wellness.

“As Thoroughbred racing's national safety regulator, HISA is deeply committed to safeguarding the mental and physical wellbeing of jockeys and riders across the country,” said HISA CEO Lisa Lazarus. “We owe it to these athletes, who dedicate so much of their time and talent to racing, to do everything we can to support them – including by mitigating mental stress factors as well as the risk of injury and chronic health issues.”

The newly created Steering Committee will be co-chaired by Ambassador Earle Mack and Dr. Yuval Neria. Data recently collected by a HISA and Jockeys' Guild-commissioned survey, as well as other independent research, will be used to develop specific guidelines to better support and protect rider mental wellness.

Mack, a businessman, philanthropist and former U.S. Ambassador to Finland, has six decades of experience in Thoroughbred racing as a lifelong owner and breeder and is a member of The Jockey Club. Dr. Neria is a Professor of Clinical Medical Psychology at Columbia University Medical Center and Director of Trauma and PTSD at the New York State Psychiatric Institute.

“We salute HISA and the Jockeys' Guild for initiating this very important dialogue regarding the mental health and welfare of our beloved jockeys,” said Mack. “Despite my decades of experience in the industry, I was not fully aware of the mental health challenges our professional riders experience until today. Raising awareness is critical, but taking concrete steps to seek out and implement effective solutions for our riders' mental health concerns is imperative – not tomorrow, but today. Jockeys give their all to our horses every time they step on to the track. Let's afford them the care they deserve in return.”

“Jockeys in the exhilarating and sometimes dangerous sport of horse racing are repeatedly exposed to stress and trauma,” said Dr. Neria. “Physical injuries and concussions, coupled with hunger and lack of nutrients associated with weight management, place the rider at high risk for severe mental health problems, including depression, PTSD and addictions.”

Dr. Neria suggested that the industry work towards establishing a national evaluation and treatment center that can comprehensively address these very real and concerning issues.

Last week's symposium was the second gathering of industry leaders hosted by HISA and the Jockeys' Guild to address jockey wellness. During the first meeting, held at Keeneland Race Course in May, the results of the jockey survey were reviewed. In addition to Lazarus, symposium attendees in Saratoga heard from Jockeys' Guild President and CEO Terry Meyocks, HISA National Medical Director Dr. Peter Hester, Racetrack Chaplaincy Executive Director Dan Waits and keynote speaker, retired NFL player Randy Grimes.

Donna Brothers, NBC Sports reporter and retired jockey, hosted the event and masterfully guided the powerful conversations. An important and sometimes raw panel discussion included retired Hall of Fame jockey Eurico Rosa Da Silva, jockey Trevor McCarthy, FOX Sports analyst and retired jockey Richard Migliore, FOX Sports analyst and champion horseplayer Jonathon Kinchen and Dr. Neria.

At the symposium, HISA also announced two important new partnerships that will allow HISA, racetracks and physicians to more effectively keep riders safe and healthy.

“We're very excited to be working with an innovative group like HISA,” said Harrison Brown, Co-Founder and CEO of HEADCHECK Health. “Our technology and reporting will ensure racetracks are able to consistently advance their jockey health standards and prevent mismanaged concussions.”

“We are excited to provide convenient and affordable nationwide access for jockey's to receive annual physical and concussion screenings,” said Matt Ries, an Occupational Therapist and Certified Hand Therapist with NovaCare in Philadelphia.

The post HISA, Jockeys’ Guild Announce New Initiatives To Safeguard ‘Mental And Physical Wellbeing Of Jockeys’ appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Jockey Perry Ouzts Just Five Wins Away From Becoming Fifth All-Time Leading Rider

Jockey Perry Ouzts is quickly closing in on history and is only five wins away from becoming the fifth all-time leading rider in North American Thoroughbred history. This year he already has 55 wins, and just a few more at Belterra Park Cincinnati will add another line to his storybook career.

Perry Wayne Ouzts was born July 7, 1954, in Lepanto, Arkansas. His family is deeply entrenched in the sport of kings. Ouzts' family of Hall of Fame rider Earlie Fires and cousin Jackie Fires, the latter paralyzed in a racing-related accident, played a pinnacle role in his early career.

After taking his tack to Beulah Park in Grove City, Ohio, Ouzts won his first career race in 1973 aboard Rablu. His mount was trained by W. J. Danner, who remains a friend to this day.

Ouzts has found his love for winning races has only grown over time. With over 52,980 mounts, 7,390 wins, and an in the money rate of over 39 percent for his career, it's easy to see that Ouzts' love continues to this day.

“I'm gonna ride this train 'til they throw me off,” Ouzts said in the Hennegan Brothers documentary “Ironman.”

Ouzts is at the back end of his career but watch as he wins a race and jogs back slowly enjoying it like a vintage wine or a fine cigar; it is hard to picture the Ohio racing scene without the “Ironman.”

A man of few words, Ouzts lets his riding do the talking. His enthusiasm to get up every morning and give his all is not a common effort found in racing anymore. He's healthy, he's happy, and he can be a real motivation for the younger riders in the room. Ouzts chose to stay close to the people who were loyal to him, and he remains loyal to them. That has been a recipe for success he won't regret.

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Off The Turf Wednesday At Saratoga

Wednesday's four flat races carded for the grass at Saratoga will be contested on the main track, according to a tweet from the New York Racing Association.

The third race for state-bred 2-year-old filly maidens will retain its original distance and be run over 5 1/2 on the dirt. Originally scheduled for a mile and three furlongs an optional claimer/second-level allowance will now be run at a mile and a quarter on the main track as race four. Race six for open 2-year-old filly maidens will go at 5 1/2 furlongs on the dirt and race 10, a maiden special weight for older New York-breds will be run out of the Wilson Chute at a mile.

According to a tweet from NYRA's Patrick McKenna, a total of 2.33″ of rain has fallen over the last week in Saratoga and 5.17″ of rainfall has been recorded since the beginning of the meet July 13.

On Aug. 6, NYRA officials transferred the final three turf races on the program to the dirt after consultation with jockeys. The decision came after one horse was pulled up during the running of race four, an 11-furlong allowance, while another–Ever Summer (Summer Front)–suffered a catastophic injury at the quarter pole, the third turf fatality of the meet following the passing earlier in the meet of Sopran Basilea (Ire) (Night of Thunder {Ire}) and Blame It On Mary (Blame).

With the previous announcement that Wednesday's steeplechase race had been canceled, first post will be 1:46 p.m. ET. No information has been disclosed yet regarding the five races carded for Thursday's program.

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