“We received this gift the end of last year right before Christmas,” said Lucinda Lovitt, executive director of the non-profit founded 15 years ago to raise money for the state's fleet of retired racehorses.

“It's timely in the sense that we have this big shift coming in California,” Lovitt added, alluding to the planned closure of Golden Gate Fields in June. “It gives us some flexibility and freedom to meet the needs where they are or where they will be.”

Messineo, who died in June at the age of 74 after a long battle with cancer, left CARMA, the Wild Horse Sanctuary, Red Bucket Sanctuary, the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and the Thoroughbred Charities of America sums totaling roughly three-quarters of her estate.

Messineo's gifts came as a welcome surprise to these organizations, but didn't surprise those who knew her well. “She just loved animals,” said Bruce Sands last June, of his close friend, a long-time racehorse owner.

While CARMA is still in the process of deciding how to deploy the funds, Lovitt said that Messineo had specified in her will for the money to be used in the organization's placement program.

In short, that program acts as a bridge to funnel a retired racehorse toward the right aftercare organization–to prevent, for example, a horse with the skills for a fruitful second career from going to a lifetime retirement sanctuary.

“We're providing a service for our horsemen and we're providing a service to our aftercare partners because we're making sure that they're getting horses that fit their program,” said Lovitt.

CARMA's placement program comes with caveats. The owners must have participated in California's CARMA purse contribution program. The horse must have raced or worked at a CHRB (California Horse Racing Board)-licensed track or training center in the last six months. And the horse must be a gelding, filly or mare.

Lovitt declined to specify the amount gifted but stressed its impact on the organization. “Right now especially, it's really wonderful to have this safety net,” she said.

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Others prefer a more discreet badge.

“I only found out about this three days ago,” said Lucinda Lovitt early Tuesday morning. Lovitt is the executive director of the California Retirement Management Account (CARMA), the non-profit founded 15 years ago to raise money for the state's fleet of retired racehorses.

Lovitt's weekend discovery? That CARMA was one of a handful of racehorse rehoming and animal rescue organizations bequeathed–and bequeathed without their prior knowledge–a sizeable sum of money by Nancy Messineo, who passed away on June 8 at the age of 74 after a long battle with cancer.

Messineo was a California racehorse owner fiercely devoted to the wellbeing of the animals in her care–and quite evidently, those in others' care, too.

“This is quintessential California horseracing,” Lovitt added, still a little taken aback by the donation. “Someone who wants to make an impact that is so understated and quiet, but who just wants to do right by the horses.”

Lovitt isn't the only recipient just recently finding out about the donations.

“You assume the what now?” said Dianne Nelson, co-founder of the Wild Horse Sanctuary in Northern California, across a spotty phoneline.

“I'm assuming this is the first you're hearing of it?” this reporter responded.

“Absolutely,” Nelson replied, with the bemused air of a lottery winner not quite believing the numbers before them. “I'm a bit speechless.”

Susan Peirce is the president and founder of the Chino Hills, Los Angeles-based Red Bucket Rescue that saves slaughter-bound, starving, neglected and traumatized horses. She initially asked for a little time to absorb the news.

“What a wonderful, wonderful gift,” Peirce said, given a few hours to reflect. “There's this amazing shining light and gift that Nancy left that speaks to her character and love of horses and desire to see this work continue and that's astounding. It's humbling–it really is.”

Bruce Sands is a long-time friend of Messineo's, and a co-owner with her on many horses down the years.

He said Messineo, who made her money as a realtor, left CARMA, the Wild Horse Sanctuary, Red Bucket Sanctuary, the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and the Thoroughbred Charities of America sums totaling roughly three-quarters of her estate.

While Sands didn't publicly disclose the sum total, the contributions amount to a significant portion of the annual operating expenses for the first three charities at a minimum.

The least surprising part of this whole bittersweet affair is that Messineo has taken such pains to support these various organizations. “She just loved animals,” he said.

The two met in 2007. “We had a dog in common as well as the horses. I gave her a Golden Retriever, Sierra, as a birthday present about 14 years ago. In fact, she's here with me right now,” Sands said, the sound of a rubbed ear making its way down the telephone line.

Their first horse was called Practical, who they had in training with Mike Pender. When it came time to name the son of Notional, they hit a bit of writers' block.

“Nancy said to herself, 'well I just need to be practical about this.' And that's where the name came from,” said Sands.

After a fashion and inspired by the lightning-bolt successes of Marley's Freedom–campaigned by her good friends, Barb and Ron Perry–Messineo's dreams started to take on new dimensions. “All she wanted was a horse in a stakes race,” said Sands.

Messineo got more than that in Oscar Dominguez, who won the GII Hollywood Turf Club S. at Del Mar in 2019 with a gladiator's challenge down the homestretch.

“That was probably our biggest victory because he was such a longshot,” said Sands, of the horse's unexpected victory that day over the Richard Mandella-trained hotpot, United.

The way Sands describes Messineo's relationship with horse racing is as someone who took sustenance from the sport the way a rock climber draws air at altitude. “All of it–she loved all of it,” he said, of a woman whose living room wall is emblazoned with win pictures. Twenty-five of them, if you count.

“There was a time we were going to the morning workouts a lot,” he said. The backstretch, too, was home from home for her. “She loved to visit her horses.”

When at the track, “she was always making new friends.” And when she wasn't racing, “she watched the races all the time at home on TV.”

Throughout Messineo's long illness, she credited the horses for being her most potent medicine.

“She always used to tell me, 'It's the horses that keep me going, it's the horses that keep me going'” said trainer Richard Baltas, who conditioned Oscar Dominguez, adding how the horse is now in happy retirement in Southern California, roaming the trails of Trifecta Farms.

“Even when she was really sick, she still wanted to come to the track,” Baltas remembered. “She was just deeply passionate about the horse business.”

“I'm pretty sure the horses did keep her alive,” agreed Barb Perry, who struck up a firm friendship with Messineo. “One of the reasons we became friends was because she loved her horses so much.”

Just take Beyond Pleasure, a filly that Messineo, Sands, Ron and Barb Perry were partners in.

When Beyond Pleasure was claimed from the barn, Messineo and Barb Perry both tracked her progress. And when the filly retired, they reached out to the trainer to have her back. But the trainer had already found the filly a home–she's a jumper now for a girl in Arizona.

“We just wanted to make sure that when the horse retired she was looked after,” said Perry. “That's what Nancy did. She put her horses first.”

The charities approached for this story all stressed the different and often difficult circumstances that make Messineo's largesse either so desperately needed, desperately appreciated or both.

“It's incredible actually because we do struggle–I don't know a non-profit, especially in the horse world, that doesn't struggle,” said Nelson.

Nancy Messineo | Courtesy of Bruce Sands

She talked about sleepless nights worrying about where the next load of hay will come from, and about the costs from old fences rotting away. This at a ranch with 14 miles of perimeter fence needing to be maintained.

“It ensures that we're going to be here for a number of years to come,” said Nelson. “And also that we're going to be able to rescue more horses.”

For CARMA, Lovitt said that while they haven't even begun to think about how the organization might use the additional funds, she discussed the need to create something for Messineo that honors her legacy on the California racing industry.

“As a recipient of a gift like this, we should be quietly grateful and furiously getting to work on fulfilling what Nancy would have wanted, which is that the horses she was so passionate about and cared so much about have the best opportunity in their next career,” said Lovitt, who said these kind of posthumous gifts are pretty rare for CARMA.

“The impact for a small charity like this is long-lasting,” Lovitt added. “We have the opportunity to create programs or services that can thrive beyond the initial bequest.”

For Peirce, she described a farm struggling to stay afloat, both literally and figuratively.

“We had a really hard winter,” said Peirce, pointing to the harsh winter storms that have drenched California.

“We're at the very bottom of the valley. And so, everything we had washed into the creek. We lost a barn–every barn flooded. We've lost all of our ground cover. And we have so much deferred maintenance–we need about a quarter of a million dollars to replace just our fences,” she said.

“Times are really tough right now, so there's the business piece to it,” said Peirce. She also mentioned a growing movement to euthanize horses deemed difficult or impossible to rehome, and to lower adoption standards–a movement that runs counter to the governing ethos of her charity.

“Those are things that we hold so important. We stand firmly on the side of protecting and preserving life,” said Peirce. “It's getting harder to do that, and this is a wonderful boost for us.”

“I am beyond grateful,” she added, her voice thickening over the telephone line. “And I wish I could tell Nancy that myself.”

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Johannes began his racing career on the main track, but immediately found success on the turf where he broke his maiden by nine lengths at Santa Anita Dec. 31. He overcame a world of trouble to win the Mar. 5 Baffle S. before making his two-turn debut in the Pasadena.

“It was our very first stakes win,” Joe McCloskey, a retired businessman, said of the Baffle. “Obviously, it was fantastic and to be able to back it up with another stakes win, you talk about firsts. Cuyathy was our first horse, and this is her first foal, and now two stakes races back-to-back. There are a lot of firsts with that horse.”

Recalling his first foray into racing, McCloskey said, “We have a condo that is right across the street from Del Mar, so it was convenient to go over and watch the horses. Eventually we got hooked up with a couple of trainers and said, 'Let's give it a shot.'”

The California couple headed to Kentucky with a plan–sort of– and a dream.

“We were pretty naive back then,” McCloskey said with a chuckle. “We put a budget together of $100,000, with $50,000 for a horse. And we thought we would get one out at Keeneland and start there. We thought that was going to be plenty of money.

“So we went out to Keeneland and my wife Debby and I were wondering how we would know if it was the right horse, when will we know? So Debby put it out there and dreamt about and said, 'I know if there is a heart on the horse somehow, a heart comes into my mind, that will be our horse.' We get to our book–when you can get a horse for $50,000–and the first one comes up and the hair on the cowlick kind of looked like a heart, maybe this is it? So we bid on it, but we got outbid. Maybe there needs to be a better heart? Surprisingly when Cuyathy came by, our trainer said what do you think? And lo and behold, we look down at the chestnut and it was in the shape of the heart. And the hammer dropped at exactly $50,000. Our trainer thinks we are nuts at this point, but anyway that's how we got Cuyathy.”

The McCloskeys ended up taking another filly home from Keeneland that year, going to $8,000 to acquire a daughter of Curlin they named Reiki Baby.

Cuyathy went on to win three times in 20 starts, including a third-place effort in the 2018 Kalookan Queen S., and earn $107,923. Reiki Baby, who didn't make it to the races until she was four, was a first-out winner at Santa Anita in 2017 and twice second before being retired after four starts. Both mares, now 10, ultimately became the McCloskeys' broodmare band.

“People told us, if you think racing is tough, breeding is even worse, it's tougher,” McCloskey said. “So we looked at each other and said, 'Let's give it a shot.' We are a micro-breeders, those are the only two mares that we have. But they were our first two horses. Literally, Cuyathy was the first horse we bought and Reiki Baby was the second one.”

The breeding operation got off to a slow start when Reiki Baby's first foal, Lightheart (Blame) failed to make it to the races. But it has picked up steam thanks to Johannes, whose dam was producing her first foal by Nyquist at about the same time Reiki Baby was producing another colt by the GI Kentucky Derby winner.

“We bred both Reiki Baby and Cayathy to Nyquist,” McCloskey said. “People said we were nuts. I said, this whole game is nuts, let's just go all in, let's breed both to Nyquist and maybe one will catch.”

Johannes, along with Reiki Baby's second foal Reiquist, began his racing career back east with trainer Bill Morey, but both suffered some bad luck.

“Billy had both our horses at Churchill and in one day, I get a phone call he goes, 'Joe, Reiquist has a fracture, we have to ship him back to Rood and Riddle in Lexington. And Johannes has some chips. I said, 'You've got to be kidding–this is one phone call and my first two horses. Long story short, we brought Johannes over to Rood and Riddle, took out a few small chips and Dr. Bramlage saw a little issue on the other leg, so they took it out and we gave him time off to come back. And then Rood and Riddle repaired Reiquist's fracture and he's at Santa Anita. He just breezed three furlongs twice already and he's looking really good.”

Both horses are now in the Southern California barn of trainer Tim Yakteen, who McCloskey credits with a slow and steady approach to the races.

“Tim Yakteen is probably one of the best, most conservative trainers there are when it comes to getting your horse back in good shape,” McCloskey said. “People say you have to have patience in this business. In this business with Tim, you have to have glacial  patience. But he knows his business.”

In his first start for Yakteen, Johannes was a solid third behind Fort Warren (Curlin), subsequently third in the GII San Vicente S., and Spun Intended (Hard Spun).

“He was just coming back off a layoff and he came in third, but he really challenged Fort Warren,” McCloskey said of that effort last October. “I was sitting in a box next to Bob Baffert and Bob came down and said you've got a nice horse there. So the dirt looked really good then.”

Johannes took a step back next time out, however, finishing a well-beaten fifth at Del Mar in November.

“We brought him over to Del Mar, but we shipped him in the day before the race and he got very nervous and he was washed out and he didn't perform well there,” McCloskey said. “At that point, we decided to see what would happen if we put him on the turf because his mother had success sprinting over both Tapeta and turf.”

Of that first try on the lawn that resulted in an emphatic maiden score, McCloskey said, “Boom. We put him on the turf and it was like, I guess he likes the turf. He won by nine lengths and he wasn't even asked.”

Making his next start in the 6 1/2-furlong Baffle S., Johannes was mired in traffic down the hill and had nowhere to go turning for home, where things only got worse for the dark bay colt as he was jostled about before ultimately slicing between foes and bounding away once in the clear in the final strides (video).

“I've never seen a horse get into that much traffic, have to steady that much, and then he sliced and diced picking his path,” McCloskey recalled. “I tell you, I would have taken all my money off the table halfway through the race. I thought there was no way this horse could do anything, but he popped out and still won by 1 1/2 lengths. I went up to Umberto [Rispoli] after the race and his head was still shaking. I said, 'You got in a little trouble?' and he said, 'This horse is a freak to be able to come through there.'”

After the drama of the Baffle, Johannes's win when stretched to one mile in the Pasadena S. was somewhat ho-hum. Settled at the back of the pack, the heavy favorite powered to the lead at midstretch and sauntered clear to an easy 3 1/2-length victory (video).

The pair of stakes victories have likely earned Johannes a spot in graded-stakes company, but connections are still weighing their options.

“Right now, we are pointed towards the [GII] American S. [at Churchill Downs] on Derby Day,” McCloskey said. “We know we want to keep him with 3-year-olds at this point. So that's the race that is on screen. But because it's Derby day and because of the way he got a little nervous just shipping in to Del Mar, we might look for some other options, so maybe instead of 75,000 people, we have 10,000. We will get a couple 3-year-old races in him and from there, if he continues to do what we think he can do, we will look at the 3-and-up races. Then, in the best of all worlds, of course, you look at the Breeders' Cup in November. Do we even have a shot at that? We hope so. It's one step at a time in this business for sure.”

The McCloskeys also have plenty to look forward to from their two-horse broodmare band. Reiki Baby has a 2-year-old colt by Mendelssohn and a yearling filly by Practical Joke. Cayathy has a 2-year-old filly named Sea Dancer (Mastery) who is in training with Morey at Keeneland, as well as a yearling filly by Gun Runner. She produced a filly by Knicks Go this year and will be bred back to Mandaloun.

“We are smart enough to know that you can't make a lot of money in this business unless you are super lucky,” McCloskey said. “But with that Gun Runner filly out of Cuyathy, it's giving us cause for pause to think maybe we sell that filly–because you can't keep them all–or do you maybe say, if Reiki Baby isn't doing what we want, do we keep that filly and still have two [broodmares]. But it's not like we are going to have five or six more. We are happy with two, we get to see them, and maybe we would have one more.”

McCloskey said he and his wife have no specific goals for their racing and breeding operation, but are content to enjoy the ride.

“I've seen a lot of smart people lose a lot of money in this business,” he said. “So we will just try to keep it balanced, to have fun and, as long as we are having fun and the horses are helping pay for some of the bills, we are happy. This is a crazy business. It's just a matter of making sure that you're enjoying it every day. And we are right now.”

While they are enjoying the business, they are also very focused on paying it forward.

“We balance everything we do back on the other side,” McCloskey stressed. “We are big supporters of a place here in California called Laughing Pony Rescue, which is in Rancho Santa Fe, and we save a lot of horses there. We donate to CARMA and New Vocations, some of those people have taken our horses. We think it's important that anybody who is in this business balances it out by helping the other side of the equation, the ones that are retired.”

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“We are thrilled to welcome Amy and Jay to the CARMA Board of Directors,” Billy Koch, President of CARMA, said. “Their vast knowledge and experience in the horse racing industry will be invaluable to our organization as we continue to provide funding for the dignified retirement of our equine athletes.”

Lucinda Lovitt, CARMA Executive Director, agreed. “With the addition of Amy and Jay to the CARMA Board of Directors, our organization is well-positioned to continue its mission and be a leader in the horse racing industry when it comes to aftercare. I know they will bring their expertise and unique perspectives to the table, helping to guide our efforts to provide a better future for retired racehorses in California.”

California Retirement Management Account (CARMA) is a 501c3 non-profit organization founded in 2007 to raise money for retired racehorses. For more information or to donate, visit the CARMA website.

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The list of Coalition members reads like a who's who of California racing industry mainstays, including Del Mar, Santa Anita, the Thoroughbred Owners of California (TOC), the California Retirement Management Account (CARMA), the California Thoroughbred Breeders' Association (CTBA) and others.

To discuss this new venture–along with a suite of other timely industry talking points–the TDN spoke with newly minted TOC president and CEO, Bill Nader.

Before joining the TOC, Nader's decades-long career in industry management included long stints in senior positions with both the Hong Kong Jockey Club and the New York Racing Association.

The following is from a longer interview, heavily edited for brevity and clarity.

TDN: What was the genesis for the California Horse Power Coalition?

Nader: Well, it was really to speak up for California horse racing and the equine industry [in general] to provide simple and clear communication that shows the enormous contribution we make to jobs, agriculture and tourism across the state. We've all come together.

TDN: Is this because you think the industry's economic clout hasn't really been relayed to the public in a very effective manner so far?

Nader: When I say to speak up for California horse racing, it's really to make sure that the correct messaging is going out. The mission here is to preserve, protect equine culture and the industry, and bring awareness to the significant benefits that we bring to the state.

Horse racing is one of the oldest and most celebrated sports in the world. Through the coalition, we highlight not only the economic impact but also widespread employment and the part we play to help drive tourism.

When I would come over here for the Breeders' Cup with the international community–people coming from Europe and Asia–they were positively blown away at how beautiful these racetracks are. Then, when you add in the history and the tradition with the value that it creates for the state–in terms of the creation of jobs, agriculture, tourism–it's a pretty powerful position to be in.

We want to draw that out and make sure it's communicated in a way that people easily understand.

TDN: What specific events or actions are planned through the coalition? 

Nader: We'll work together as a unit to deliver unified messaging to get the maximum impact. I think horse shows and expositions will be a good opportunity, but also, each of the partners using their own platforms to get the message out and provide opportunities to like-minded people who love horses and love horse racing to be able to join in.

TDN: How do you plan to get this message out to the people that need to hear it the most? Targeting politicians, for example?

Nader: We want to get it to the widest possible audience within the state to really understand who we are and what we represent and what we bring. So yes, that would be part and parcel of the segment that we're trying to reach. But back to the original point, I think it's about speaking up for California.

Look at it over history, from Seabiscuit to Flightline, all the great horses in between, the high-profile people–whether they're owners, trainers, or jockeys that have played an important role during that time–but also the people who do the work on the backstretch each and every day. This is a voice for all of us, right?

It's a voice for all of us to be able to say, 'we've been here a long time, we've been a big part of California, we've got great history and tradition, we've great people, we've a great story to tell, and now we're going to tell it.' This coalition is a vehicle to deliver that message that we should all be very proud of.

TDN: If anyone is interested in getting involved, what should they do? 

Nader: Right now, we're asking people to join in. We'll get a list together, and then with that, we can then determine next steps, how best to leverage what we have. There will be the rollout over the different platforms at the different shows and expositions. Hopefully people will have ideas for us, too. It's going to be a two-way communication.

TDN: You've landed at the TOC in the midst of various swirling developments for the state's industry, none more so than the shifting sands beneath the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA). Last week, the California Horse Racing Board (CHRB) reaffirmed its intent to enforce HISA's rules in the state. Given the question marks over HISA's constitutionality–and therefore, about its enforcement authority moving forward–do you think that was the right move?

Nader: The right move? How do you mean?

TDN: The CHRB supporting enforcement of HISA right now.

 Nader: We have a TOC member, Rick Gold, who's been at the forefront from day one representing us with HISA. He's now on the [HISA] Horsemen's Advisory Group. He's been there every step of the way.

California is also in a unique position that our rules are closely aligned with the HISA rules. [Despite] the recent uncertainty in the appeals courts and the cloud of uncertainty going forward, we are committed and have been committed to safety and integrity. Over the last three years in California, we've come a long way and put extraordinary emphasis on making these improvements.

From where we stand, we remain committed to safety, integrity, and we also believe in uniformity. Our interest in that is steadfast.

TDN: Are you concerned that moving forward, HISA-related rulings that come down in California will be subsequently appealed or challenged on the grounds that they're unconstitutional? 

Nader: We have to take a step back now and wait to see how the HISA situation plays out. Fortunately, we're coming at it from a position of strength. But it's too speculative for me to really say with any clarity as to what may or may not be in a situation like that.

TDN: Another key industry issue has been sports betting, with both sports betting-related ballot measures failing in the recent elections. What are the next steps for sports betting in the state?

Nader: We need to regroup and find a way to work collaboratively with industry partners to determine the next steps. I think it's too soon after the election to have a firm plan in place, but California is a major market and sports betting is available in about 28 states.

We hope to see some immediate upside early next year through 'merged wallet,' which makes horse racing available on sports betting platforms across the country. That could bring some upside to handle on our races that are conducted here in California, and hopefully that results in some real upside for purses.

TDN: Looking forward to any future sports betting efforts here in California, is it too soon to speculate how the racing industry might fit into that? 

Nader: The one thing I would like to say to that, betting on horse racing has been a big part of California for about a hundred years at highly regulated, well-established racetracks.

So, expanding the menu for legal wagering to other sports–with wagering conducted at racetracks–might be the only entry point to help channel gaming demand responsibly and also create a new stream of income for the state. We're in a strong position to fit the racing industry into whatever is considered possible in the next cycle.

TDN: Outside of Del Mar–which once again produced impressive numbers this summer–field size is an ongoing industry concern in the state. How do you see your role at the TOC in helping to bolster field sizes here in California?

Nader: I think our role is to really do anything within our means to improve the value proposition for horse owners, which translates into trickle down benefit to other stakeholders, such as trainers, jockeys, everybody. I think the one thing about field sizes, the betting public should never be overlooked. This is where the relationship between the racing product and the betting public are connected.

Look, it's a growing concern, not just across the country but globally. In my last days in Hong Kong, we were concerned that field sizes were averaging just under 12 horses per race, which sounds like a lot to anybody here, but it was a bit troubling in Hong Kong because the aim was to average 12 and a half horses a race. But there was a real concern there that it was dropping to 11.98.

So, it's relative, whether it be Asia, Europe, America, the decline in the foal crop and the number of races and supply and demand–how it all really works together–but in the end, we want to put forward competitive, entertaining content for the betting public which will then drive handle.

We are taking a serious look at all the resources that are available to us to then target those resources to achieve the best outcome over the full calendar year.

TDN: What are we doing right and what are we doing wrong about field sizes? 

Nader: Look, having worked in New York and in now coming to California, I think the brand image of a Saratoga or Del Mar, they have a built-in advantage. But there are things here like Ship & Win and other things that we have in California.

This is where I think we need to take a little bit more time and really evaluate what works, what doesn't work, how we can target our resources more effectively, more efficiently, and come up with a plan that really works not only for the TOC, but also for the tracks and for the horseman and for the public. When you look at something like this, you have to take the 360 view, think of how it impacts everybody.

When it comes to this topic, the betting public is a big part of the audience. It's not just the owners, trainers and tracks. This is what we're putting forward. On one side, we're looking for quality. But we also want quantity. So, it's a matter of how we put those pieces together.

We don't have that secondary income stream that other states have through an alternative form of gambling, that's why we need to be very, very sure we're being effective and efficient in our use of resources.

TDN: Field sizes, of course, are closely tied to handle which is tied to purses. Can current levels in the purse account be maintained if field sizes and handle continue to take a knock?

Nader: I think it can. We'll make an announcement soon enough for Santa Anita. The first condition book for Santa Anita's [winter/spring] meet will be coming out soon.

With 'merged wallet' coming on the scene in January, we're cautiously optimistic. In the beginning, there will be about five states which will [use] 'merged wallet.' We can then monitor what the benefits or what the positive impact is from that. And then we'll have a better idea in terms of purse structure as we move forward into the new year where we stand.

This is a new source of an untapped income where we don't have a way to really quantify how much that might be.

TDN: Are you able to speculate? 

Nader: Well, different people have different opinions on it. I really don't. It could be something in the neighborhood of $5 million for California.

TDN: Annually?

Nader: Yes.

TDN: By the time your tenure ends at the TOC, what do you hope to have achieved? 

Nader: I think from the standpoint of horse ownership, the single most important thing is to make purse money more attractive, to increase the quality of racing, to present racing in a way that it is–from the standpoint of the integrity of racing and the integrity of the wagering–to make it as good as it can be for the racing fan. I think those are the fundamental things that help drive results.

I always thought there were four pillars for success in Hong Kong and I don't think it differs here: Quality of racing, integrity of the racing and wagering, field sizes to make the racing attractive, and liquidity. Liquidity, that comes with greater handle. I think all those things are connected, and if you can get those four pillars correct, then you can walk away thinking, 'job well done.'

It's not easy. I get that. But those are the things that we really have to work on together because the TOC can't do that on its own, and the racetracks can't do that on their own.

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The auction, which will run from 5 p.m. Nov. 25 through 5 p.m. Dec. 9, offers a wide array of items and experiences to suit every age and personal interest including signed memorabilia, signed photos, and a handicapping lesson from handicapping analyst and on-air personality, Anthony Stabile. Other items on offer include vacation and experience packages such as attending the Country Music Awards or partaking in a Sonoma Wine Tour or, for thrill-seekers, a ride on the Highway to the Danger Zone with a ride in an authentic extra 300L Aerobatic Aircraft. 100% of the proceeds will benefit CARMA.

To view the items, register and bid, click here.

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Based in New York prior to coming to Southern California in 1980, Zucker trained for a brief time for NBA Lakers owner Jerry Buss. Born May 20, 1948, Zucker saddled his last winner July 24, as his 3-year-old filly Gracelund Gray (Goldencents) won at Del Mar.

Affable and a dedicated Yankees fan, Zucker was also a staunch advocate for the horse, evidenced by his multiple leadership roles with the California Retirement Management Account (CARMA). Zucker joined the board of directors of CARMA in May 2009 and served in many leadership positions including as CARMA President from 2016-2019.

“I am devastated by the news of Howard's passing yesterday,” Lucinda Lovitt, CARMA Executive Director. “He was a tireless champion for the horses and believed so strongly in CARMA's mission, I just can't imagine our board without him. I know I speak for the entire CARMA Board of Directors when I say he will be greatly, greatly missed.”

Zucker's top horse was Crafty C.T. (Crafty Prospector), who won the 2001 GII San Rafael S. with Eddie Delahoussaye aboard and was subsequently second to Point Given in the GI Santa Anita Derby. Zucker had 2,223 career starts as a trainer and 246 wins. He is survived by his wife Lorraine. Memorial services are undetermined at this time.

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The fundraiser was on pace to meet its goal of $150,000 when an anonymous donor put forth a dollar-for-dollar matching fund up to $150,000. This was met by the end of the day, bringing the total raised to over $300,000, making it CARMA's most successful event.

“Today has been about the horses, about the racing industry coming together, about supporting our equine athletes, and about all the non-profit organizations dedicated to Thoroughbred Aftercare,” said Billy Koch, CARMA's President and Little Red Feather Racing Founder and Managing Partner. “I know I speak for the entire CARMA Board of Directors when I say we are overwhelmed by the generosity and support the racing industry has shown today. Aftercare is not an afterthought–and that was proven today.”

CARMA Executive Director Lucinda Lovitt added, “We can't thank everyone enough for all their support today. CARMA only has one major fundraiser a year, so having the racing community come together in such a big way means so much. And of course, all our success was magnified by the generosity of an anonymous donor whose matching fund of $150,000 knocked this year's goal out of the park. We cannot even begin to express how big of an impact these additional funds will have on our programs and for our aftercare charity partners this year.”

For more information and to donate to CARMA, visit CARMA4horses.org or contact Lucinda Lovitt at (626) 574-6622 or lucinda@carma4horses.org.

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“CARMAthon has been a huge win for us, especially given the circumstances surrounding the pandemic,” said Billy Koch, CARMA President and Founder and Managing Partner of Little Red Feather Racing. “The racing industry has really stepped up to support Thoroughbred aftercare and we're hoping to see the same enthusiasm this year as well.”

The fundraiser hopes to generate around $150,000 in online donations from the racing industry and equine enthusiasts through CARMA's website. The donations will help fund its grant program, which assists more than 20 Thoroughbred aftercare charities, as well as support other initiatives serving the organization's mission.

“The last two years of CARMAthon marked an outpouring of unprecedented support from the racing community for aftercare. We couldn't be more pleased with how this event has evolved and we're proud to bring it back for round three,” said CARMA Executive Director, Lucinda Lovitt. “We expect another successful year as we continue to rally awareness and support to assist our big-hearted athletes onto their second careers.”

Retired racehorse lovers are encouraged to help by making a donation to the campaign, and to share pictures of their off-track-Thoroughbred on social media using #CARMAthon.

Donations for CARMAthon can be made on the CARMA website starting Thursday, Aug. 4 and can continue through Saturday, August 20th. For more information visit CARMA4horses.org or contact Lucinda Lovitt at (626) 574-6622 or lucinda@carma4horses.org.

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“Retirement of our horses is an absolute priority,” said Koch. “These amazing animals are the sole reason any of us are in this game and they deserve every ounce of our support once their racing careers are over. This responsibility falls on owners, trainers, jockeys, players, ADW providers, and our racetrack partners. Organizations like CARMA and our very own LRF Cares continue to step up, but we need more assistance from all areas of the horse racing world to make sure our horses are continually cared for. I am honored to serve as the next President of CARMA and look forward to working with the dedicated and passionate industry professionals that make up CARMA's board of directors as we continue to fulfill our mission of funding racehorse retirement.”

In his previous role as Treasurer, Koch was instrumental in developing and implementing the CARMAthon virtual fundraisers in 2020 and 2021. These events raised more than $300,000 for retired racehorses.

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