Like many other areas of life, 2020 is anything but normal for the sport of horse racing. Iconic Keeneland Race Course will hold its first-ever July meet this week featuring many stakes from its canceled April meet, including the Toyota Blue Grass Stakes. Saturday’s race features several 3-year-olds hoping to earn a place in the Sept.
Category: Horse Racing News
‘The Vapors’ Explores Complicated History of Illegal Gambling in Hot Springs
Race fans who’ve wagered on Oaklawn Park or traveled to Hot Springs, Ark., during the meet may be familiar with the town’s colorful history: In the early 1800s, people began coming to experience the thermal waters, which were thought to have healing properties and were later erroneously recommended by the surgeon general. In the early 1960’s, Spa City ranked fourth in the nation for visitors, including many revelers who came during racing season and for the illegal, yet wide-open gambling scene.
Racist Comment By Kentucky Horseman Tom VanMeter Condemned
The Thoroughbred industry's two largest sales companies, Keeneland and Fasig-Tipton, swiftly condemned a racist post on social media by Kentucky horseman Tom VanMeter, but both companies stopped short of saying it would affect VanMeter's ability to conduct future business at their auctions.
Three organizations, the National Thoroughbred Racing Association, Jockey Club and Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association, said they were disassociating themselves from VanMeter.
VanMeter, an owner and breeder who is a longtime consignor to both Keeneland and Fasig-Tipton, is the owner of VanMeter Sales and Stockplace Farm, birthplace of 2015 Triple Crown winner American Pharoah.
Two offensive comments on Facebook attributed to him began to circulate on Monday.
In response to a Facebook thread concerning a boycott of the National Football League, the following was posted on his account: “Defund the N– Football League.” The N-word used was the first three letters of a reprehensible term used by racists about African Americans.
Later in the thread, VanMeter added: “Put 'em back in their cage.”
In a joint statement, The Jockey Club and Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association said it was deleting VanMeter from its listing in the consignor section of OwnerView, a resource for existing and prospective Thoroughbred owners.
“OwnerView, jointed owned by The Jockey Club and the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association, has suspended the account privileges of Tom VanMeter pending further review, based upon offensive content posted on social media under the same name,” the joint statement read. “There is no place in racing or our society for racially hateful language.”
Alex Waldrop, CEO of the National Thoroughbred Racing Association, posted the following statement on Twitter: “The racist remarks and views posted on social media on an account belonging to Tom VanMeter have no place in society, let alone the horse racing industry. The NTRA no longer will accept financial contributions of any kind from him or others who share his views.”
Boyd Browning, president of Fasig-Tipton, released the following statement: “Fasig-Tipton does not generally comment on social media postings made by third parties, other than to make clear that this comment was not made by an employee or representative of Fasig-Tipton and does not reflect Fasig-Tipton's values. We do not condone or support any statements or actions that do not promote a more diverse and inclusive environment for industry participants.”
A statement from Keeneland read: “Keeneland condemns Tom VanMeter's post. There is no place for racism in our sport or our society and his words are antithetical to Keeneland's values of respect, community and equality.
“Our industry must deal honestly and directly with our lack of diversity and look hard at its underlying causes. It is not only the right thing to do, it is critical for the future of the sport we love.
“At Keeneland, we have begun the process of reviewing our internal culture, structures and practices to try and build a better, more diverse and equitable Keeneland family. We do not believe there are easy answers to these complex and systemic challenges and everything is on the table as we move forward.”
VanMeter did not respond to phone calls or messages left on his cell phone.
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Hudgins Named to Virginia Racing Commission
Marsha Hudgins, owner and CEO of Hudgins Contracting Corporation, has been appointed the newest commissioner of the five-person Virginia Racing Commission, joining Chairman D.G. Van Clief Jr., Vice-Chairman Stuart Siegel, J. Sargeant Reynolds, Jr., and Stephanie Nixon.
A longtime owner and breeder of hunters and jumpers, but not involved in horse racing, Hudgins initially declined to be considered for the commission.
“I didn’t feel I was qualified and didn’t think I could be of any benefit to the industry,” she explained. “I thought there were plenty of others who had longer and stronger backgrounds in the sport who could bring lots more to the table.”
But conversations with industry insiders changed her mind.
“I still had doubts but knew upcoming years would be pivotal for racing in Virginia with historical racing, OTBs, the return of Colonial Downs and casinos. I started thinking that someone who is behind the industry, has business experience elsewhere and understands how business can impact the state should have their voice heard.”
Hudgins was appointed by the Governor May 19 and attended her first VRC meeting as a Commissioner June 25. She said she was impressed by what she saw.
“In my business, problem solving is the biggest thing you can to do to have a view of the future,” Hudgins said. “You need to work in a collaborative way with other groups to have a common goal in which we all share. That’s what I saw at the meeting. Groups with different goals coming together to figure out a way how Virginia is going to move forward. I was amazed. It bodes well for the future of our industry.”
She continued, “I see horse racing as a driving economic force in Virginia because it is our heritage. It goes back to the very beginning here. I don’t think there’s anything more beautiful than a Thoroughbred horse. Anybody that has an interest and love for the sport can get involved. Racing is like my business. We have people in the field that work with heavy machinery and lay piping, are very good at what they do and earn a good living. It didn’t take a college degree. It’s the same in racing. You need education of a different sort. You need to love working outside and with animals. We have an entire industry that doesn’t go into office buildings.”
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