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Indiana Thoroughbred Alliance Distributes Donations To Aftercare, Scholarships

A major focus of the Indiana Thoroughbred Alliance (ITA) is increased education and increased awareness for racehorse aftercare. The nonprofit group made public donations to the Friends of Ferdinand's new Broodmare Bunch program and the Indiana Horse Council Foundation's scholarship fund in the winner's circle at Indiana Grand Racing and Casino earlier this month, as part of a celebration kickoff to Indiana's stakes season.

Utilizing funds generated from the group's 2020 Stallion and Services Auction, the board of the ITA set plans as to whom should benefit from donations. The group, comprised of mostly Indiana Thoroughbred breeders, owners and horsemen, wanted to support programs within their home state.

When the Friends of Ferdinand, Indiana's only Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance-accredited program, looked to launch the revolutionary program called the Broodmare Bunch, they approached the ITA to be an initial benefactor of the program. The program kicked off in March and has already accepted some participants into the program.

“We felt that it was vital to be a part of this program because we are so passionate about every aspect of our industry, and that includes our beloved broodmares,” says Tony Wolfe, DVM, president of the ITA and owner of Indiana stallion, Charming Kitten. “The Broodmare Bunch program is a one-of-a-kind program dedicated to helping the transition of retired broodmares, who are often the forgotten ones of the industry.”

The ITA created scholarships in partnership with the Indiana Horse Council Foundation with their second donation of the day. The Foundation shares the same values as the ITA, hoping to encourage the support of, and funding for, worthwhile charitable, scientific and educations projects benefitting the horse industry in Indiana. The scholarships will be given to four deserving Indiana students with equine interests.

“The scholarships are a way to help retain the young talent we have in the Indiana horse industry. We wanted to offer financial assistance and support to the young men and women as they further their education in the equine industry,” says Steve West, treasurer of the ITA and breeder.

The ITA continues to work towards increased support and education for all connected to the Indiana horse racing industry.

To learn more about the Broodmare Bunch, visit the Friends of Ferdinand website. You can learn more about the Indiana Horse Council Foundation by visiting their website.

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First Winner for Connect in Indiana

Whatstheconnection became the first winner for freshman sire Connect (Curlin) at Indiana Grand Tuesday. Given an 8-1 chance in this debut, the chestnut broke on top from his rail draw and shot out to a clear lead, clicking off a :22.31 opening quarter. Turning for home in front, the homebred held off a pair of late challengers to win by a half-length. Mowins, a son of freshman sire Mohaymen, completed the exacta.

Connect was a four-time stakes winner, topped by a victory in the 2016 GI Cigar Mile for the late Paul Pompa. His dam Decorator is a half to MGSW & MGISP sire E Dubai (Mr. Prospector) and GISW No Matter What (Nureyev), who is the dam of European champion Rainboow View (Dynaformer), GSW & MGISP Just As Well (A.P. Indy) and GSW Utley (Smart Strike). Decorator produced a City of Light filly in 2020 and an Arrogate filly in 2021.

7th-Indiana Grand, $31,000, Msw, 5-25, 2yo, 5f, :59.78, ft, 1/2 length.

WHATSTHECONNECTION (c, 2, Connect–Decorator, by Storm Cat) Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $18,600. O/B-Knowles Farm, LLC (KY); T-John Ennis. *$27,000 RNA Ylg '20 KEESEP.

Click for the Equibase.com chart.

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Jockey Jose Riquelme Celebrates 1,000th Winner

Jose Riquelme, part of the jockey colony at Indiana Grand for the past five seasons, celebrated his 1,000th career win over the weekend. Born in Peru, Riquelme has been closing in on the milestone this spring.

“I'm very happy to get this milestone,” said Riquelme. “I want to thank all the trainers and owners along the way that have supported me and given me the opportunity to ride.”

Riquelme began his riding career in his native Peru at Hipodromo de Monterrico in Lima in 1992. He moved his tack to the United States in 2000 and has enjoyed success through several circuits including New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Louisiana. He has been riding the summer months in Indiana since 1997 and now calls Indiana home with his wife, Gregoria, and daughter, Nathalia, along with their son, Jose.

Riquelme rode the winter at Fair Grounds in New Orleans where he won 28 races and finished in the top 10 among the leading jockeys. With limited starts this season at Indiana Grand in the first month of action, he has already earned three wins in 12 starts to help push him over the milestone.

The biggest win for Riquelme came in 2015 aboard Hard Aces for trainer Larry Jones in the Louisiana Handicap at Fair Grounds. The multiple stakes winning jockey has earned in excess of $19 million during his career in the United States.

Riquelme was joined by his wife, Gregoria, and daughter, Nathalia, for the winner's circle presentation. Eric Halstrom, vice president and general manager of racing, helped honor Riquelme for his latest accomplishment.

The 19th season of Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing is now in progress and continues through Monday, Nov. 8. Live racing is conducted at 2:25 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, with first post on Thursday set at 3:25 p.m. A special Indiana Champions Day highlighting the state's top Thoroughbred and Quarter Horses will be held Saturday, Oct. 30, beginning at noon. More information about the 2021 racing season is available at www.caesars.com/indiana-grand.

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Agenda Set For Track Superintendents’ Field Day At Indiana Grand

After a one-year hiatus due to COVID-19, the 20th Annual Track Superintendents' Field Day is set to be held June 14-15 at Indiana Grand Racing and Casino and registrations are on pace for possible record attendance. Organizers have announced the agenda for the gathering that brings together track superintendents and staff to discuss best practices related to track maintenance, safety and operational issues for racing and training facilities.

“Track Supers Field Day has been growing just about every year, and we've seen even more interest this year as the industry continues to focus on the vital issues of track maintenance and safety,” said Roy Smith, founder of the event and track superintendent at Indiana Grand. “This year we've tried to expand the scope of the meeting to include more attendees from training centers and farms with training tracks, and so far we've had a very good response. We are still accepting registrations, so we encourage anyone who works with track surfaces to join us.”

An optional golf event will be held June 13, and then the meetings will begin on June 14 with workshops all day and a trackside BBQ that night with cigars and live music. Meetings will continue on the morning of June 15, followed by a keynote address at lunch and then an afternoon of racing at Indiana Grand.

There are no registration fees for track supers and staff thanks to the support of sponsors.

The speakers on the agenda include Joe Morris, senior vice president of racing for Caesars; Mike Ziegler, senior vice president and general manager of Churchill Downs; Dr. Michael DePew, an agronomist/soil scientist and industry-leading leading soil expert; trainer Michael Dickinson, president of Tapeta Footings Inc.; Dr. William Farmer, equine medical director for Churchill Downs Inc.; Eric Hamelback, CEO of the National HBPA; Ginny Smith of Advanced Turf Solutions; and Brett Davis and Mark Lowery of New Holland.

For more information, go to www.tracksupers.com.

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