Kentucky Equine Education Project | Horse Racing Free Tips

KEEP: A Legislative Fix For HHR Is About Keeping The Status Quo, Not Expanding Gaming

The Kentucky Equine Education Project (KEEP), Kentucky's equine economic advocate, released the following statement on the importance of legislation to maintain historical horse racing in Kentucky on Tuesday:

Kentucky's signature equine industry has a simple request for state legislators in 2021: maintain the status quo and protect local jobs and investment by allowing historical horse racing to continue in Kentucky. Inaction would cost us thousands of jobs, millions in tax revenue and significant economic development opportunities at a time when they are needed most. The longer-term impact to Kentucky's world-renowned horse racing industry, including the breeding, farming, training, tourism and other sectors it supports, is of even greater concern.

Historical horse racing is a popular form of entertainment that has been taking place in the commonwealth for a decade, while providing important jobs to Kentuckians, driving local investment and breathing new life into our signature equine industry. Much of this activity has been taking place in smaller communities throughout the commonwealth, where job creation and investment opportunities aren't always abundant.

Historical horse racing has allowed Kentucky's racing circuit to remain competitive with neighboring states by increasing purses and promoting higher quality racing. These benefits extend far beyond the racetrack, as a healthy racing circuit also benefits the vast network of businesses and individuals who work tirelessly in support of the horse industry, including breeders, feed and bedding suppliers, tack and equipment dealers, veterinarians, farm hands, blacksmiths, owners and trainers, among others.

A strong equine industry means a strong Kentucky and that's something we should all support.

Unfortunately, a recent ruling by the Kentucky Supreme Court has put historical horse racing—and our entire industry—in jeopardy. Now, we need the General Assembly to act quickly and address the simple fixes outlined by the court. Legislation will soon be introduced to do just that.

During the last ten years, historical racing has helped our equine industry grow and become the very best version of itself. By taking action to protect the future of historical horse racing, our legislators are protecting critical jobs, state revenue and economic development—all of which greatly benefit their constituents and their communities. Now is not the time to dismantle the vital industries that have continued to generate revenue and sustain jobs in Kentucky during the pandemic. Without historical horse racing, our industry will suffer, as will the people who call Kentucky home.

Our efforts to keep historical horse racing in Kentucky are just that. This is not about expanding gaming or allowing any new form of gaming in the state. It's about maintaining the status quo, protecting businesses that are already and have been operating for years and ensuring that one of our most impactful industries—one synonymous with Kentucky—can continue investing in our communities and moving Kentucky's economy forward.

ABOUT KEEP
The Kentucky Equine Education Project, Kentucky's equine economic advocate, is a not-for-profit grassroots organization created in 2004 to preserve, promote and protect Kentucky's signature multi-breed horse industry. KEEP is committed to ensuring Kentucky remains the horse capital of the world, including educating Kentuckians and elected officials of the importance of the horse industry to the state. KEEP was the driving force in the establishment of the Kentucky Breeders Incentive Fund, which has paid out more than $177 million to Kentucky breeders since its inception in 2006, and pari-mutuel wagering on historical horse racing, which has been responsible for more than $50 million to purses and more than $24 million to the Kentucky Thoroughbred Development Fund.

KEEP works to strengthen the horse economy in Kentucky through our statewide network of citizen advocates. To learn more about how you can become a member or support our work, please visit www.horseswork.com.

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‘A Pivotal Moment’: Industry Leaders Applaud Passage Of Horseracing Integrity And Safety Act

The following was issued by the office of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.

U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) led the Senate Monday night in passing the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act, which was included in the year-end government funding bill. The legislation now goes to President Trump's desk to become law. Senator McConnell introduced the bipartisan legislation in September, only days after the 146^thKentucky Derby, to recognize a uniform, national standard for Thoroughbred racing.

“Kentucky's cherished horseracing traditions deserve to be protected. I'm proud the Senate agreed to my legislation to preserve our signature racing industry and the 24,000 workers who support it,” said Senator McConnell. “With the leadership of Congressman Andy Barr and the partnership of sport leaders, horse advocates, and fans, we're one step closer to promoting fairness and safety across Thoroughbred racing. As Majority Leader, I made this Kentucky-focused legislation a top priority in the Senate. I look forward to this major advancement for our beloved sport becoming law.”

The House of Representatives passed the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act in September led by U.S. Congressmen Andy Barr (KY-06) and Paul Tonko (NY-20). U.S. Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) — Senators representing states with prominent racetracks — were original cosponsors in the Senate.

“With today's passage of HISA in Congress we are in the final stretch of achieving the most transformational and consequential reform of the Thoroughbred horseracing industry since enactment of the Interstate Horseracing Act of 1978,” said Congressman Barr. “For almost a decade, I have worked with industry stakeholders and my Congressional colleagues to build consensus around reforms that will protect equine athletes and strengthen confidence and international competitiveness in the sport. I am proud to champion this historic, bipartisan legislation with Congressman Paul Tonko and Leader McConnell and I look forward to President Trump signing it into law.”

In August, Senator McConnell and Congressman Barr joined horseracing leaders in Lexington, the Horse Capital of the World, to announce an agreement years in the making to create national standards for the sport. The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority will be an independent regulatory authority, similar to other professional sports, to set medication use and safety protocols.

The bipartisan legislation has earned broad support from trainers, breeders, jockeys, and other leaders of the Thoroughbred racing industry:

“Senator McConnell's leadership has been critical in bringing the Thoroughbred industry together and prioritizing the passage of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act,” said Bill Carstanjen, chief executive officer, Churchill Downs Incorporated. “This is a pivotal moment for the future of horseracing, a sport that will now be governed by world class, uniform standards across the United States.”

“The passage of HISA is a landmark moment for the Thoroughbred racing community's ongoing efforts to ensure our horses are running under the safest and most transparent conditions possible and to protect the integrity of the sport for our athletes, horsemen and fans. The independent Authority established by HISA will bring a level of consistency and accountability that will improve our sport for years to come as they work to develop and implement uniform anti-doping, medication control and operational measures. Keeneland is honored to have been involved in this ground-breaking legislation,” said Keeneland president and CEO Bill Thomason jointly with president-elect Shannon Arvin.

“This marks the single most significant safety and integrity development in the history of Thoroughbred racing. This moment also demonstrates that great progress can be accomplished when the industry works together,” said Drew Fleming, president and CEO of Breeders' Cup. “We recognize that there is more to be done and we look forward to working with our counterparts to build on this momentum and further improve the sport for generations to come.

“Breeders' Cup thanks House and Senate leadership for their support and applauds Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) for bringing the industry together to build consensus on meaningful reforms and regulations. Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Martha McSally (R-AZ), along with Representatives Andy Barr (R-KY) and Paul Tonko (D-NY) were also instrumental in this all-hands-on-deck effort to making racing safer and more transparent. HISA will increase public confidence in one of our country's oldest sports by creating uniform anti-doping and medication control and racing operations programs that will be developed and enforced by an independent Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (the Authority). Breeders' Cup is proud to have played a role in this effort.”

“I'd like to thank Senate Majority Leader McConnell for diligently focusing on getting this much-needed bill included in the must-pass Omnibus Appropriations Bill,” said Stuart S. Janney, III, chairman of The Jockey Club. “Leader McConnell has been a powerful force when it comes to promoting and supporting the Thoroughbred industry in Kentucky and throughout the nation. With the passage of this bill, we restore confidence with our fans that the competition is clean, the game is fair and the horse and rider are protected.”

“We thank Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell for his pivotal role in the passage of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA) by the U.S. Senate,” said Alex Waldrop, president and CEO of the National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA).“We look forward to President Trump signing the HISA into law and by doing so, commencing the establishment of an independent and well-informed central authority that will ensure the integrity of our sport and the safety of our human and equine athletes nationwide.”

“This is a monumental step forward that will help secure the future of Thoroughbred racing in the United States,” said Dave O'Rourke, president & CEO of the New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA). “For the first time, the sport will have a unified set of national safety and integrity standards to replace an outdated system that relied on patchwork regulation. The HISA will achieve the type of reforms long supported and advanced by NYRA, including a national approach to medication control and strongest anti-doping authority the sport has ever seen. This legislation will further modernize horseracing and arrives at a critical juncture in its history. NYRA looks forward to the work that lies ahead.”

“This is the day that the members of the Water Hay Oats Alliance (WHOA) have long been waiting for,” said Staci Hancock, managing member of the Water Hay Oats Alliance. “Since 2012 our grassroots movement has supported the passage of federal legislation to prohibit the use of performance-enhancing drugs in horseracing. The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA) brings much needed drug and medication reform, as well as national track safety standards, to our sport. It is with great pride and complete satisfaction that WHOA celebrates the bill's passage. We thank Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and House sponsors, Congressmen Andy Barr and Paul Tonko, for getting it across the finish line.”

Kitty Block, president and CEO of the Humane Society of the United States, and Sara Amundson, president of the Humane Society Legislative Fund jointly stated:

“This is a blue ribbon moment in the history of American horseracing, and this well-crafted measure sets the bar high and is a reminder that goodwill is indispensable in our politics. Working together with stakeholders to get it across the finish line, Senator McConnell and other leaders have helped to put the industry on a strong path to positive reforms. With their success in brokering an agreement with disparate stakeholders, and their dedicated work in the stretch run, Majority Leader McConnell, Sens. Kirsten Gillibrand, Dianne Feinstein and Martha McSally and Reps. Andy Barr and Paul Tonko have risen to the occasion, building a broad base of support for lasting and meaningful change.”

Additional comments from throughout the industry:

The Kentucky Equine Education Project (KEEP) applauds the United State Congress for including the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act in the FY 2021 omnibus spending bill that was passed by Congress tonight.

KEEP is thankful for Senator Mitch McConnell and Representative Andy Barr's longtime leadership on this issue. Additionally, KEEP is grateful for Representatives James Comer, Brett Guthrie, Hal Rogers, and John Yarmuth's cosponsorship of the House of Representatives' version of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act.

Elisabeth Jensen, KEEP's Executive Vice President who oversees the daily operations of the organization, commented, “KEEP has been at the forefront of the industry in calling for uniform safety standards. This legislation is critical for Kentucky's signature industry and we are thankful to the Commonwealth's members of Congress who championed this issue. We look forward to working with our industry partners in the implementation of these new safety standards.”

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Kentucky Equine Education Project Hires Annise Montplaisir As Education Coordinator

The Kentucky Equine Education Project (KEEP), Kentucky's equine economic advocate, has announced the hire of an equine education coordinator.

Annise Montplaisir will be the first person to hold this position and will be responsible for building awareness of the equine industry and the industry's educational and employment opportunities. This will be accomplished through creating relationships with 4-H, FFA, and breed youth councils, among other organizations. Additionally, Montplaisir will be responsible for marketing industry programs through social media, special events, and the KEEP Equine Summit Luncheon Series. Montplaisir will also serve as an ambassador of the horse industry across the Commonwealth, creating a framework for other states in the U.S. and developing international relationships.

Montplaisir will work specifically with multiple programs and entities, including:

Amplify Horse Racing: a national education and recruitment resource used to leverage current educational and occupational opportunities
Equine Apprenticeships: a program aimed at providing “earn and learn” training in horsemanship for individuals interested in working in the horse industry
K-12 School Districts: facilitating emerging relationships with schools and districts across Kentucky to implement work-based learning opportunities and participate in community and industry engagement
Emerging Populations: working with various entities to engage with, and encourage, industry involvement from various underserved populations

This new position is the result of collaboration among the KEEP Foundation, Fasig-Tipton, Glen Hill Farm, Godolphin, The Jockey Club, and Mt. Brilliant Farm.

Montplaisir grew up near Fargo, North Dakota. She received a Bachelor of Science in management communication and international studies and a minor in Spanish from North Dakota State University. She developed a passion for horse racing and gained experience with the industry through multiple internships. She is a recent graduate of the Godolphin Flying Start program and has worked as the project manager for Together for Racing International, as well as co-hosting a bilingual horse racing show called La Trifecta.

Commenting on the new position, Montplaisir said: “Horses have always been a guiding light through my own educational journey. They've inspired me to dream bigger and explore adventures that once would have been unimaginable. I am thrilled to begin my role as the equine education coordinator, and to teach people that educational programs and careers in the equine industry are accessible to anyone. Through this position, I hope to promote existing programs, encourage collaboration between initiatives, and facilitate connections that will help newcomers get involved. Ultimately, I believe that education can positively impact the sustainability of the Thoroughbred industry – and the equine industry as a whole.”

Katie LaMonica, director of charitable initiatives for Godolphin USA, added: “Following a global forum on education hosted by Godolphin in Newmarket last November, a team of invested U.S. industry professionals came together to explore ways to address the current workforce problem the equine business faces. This position is the result of that collaboration and is an exciting opportunity for Kentucky's signature industry to engage with the youth of the state. For the first time, there will be a dedicated representative marketing the industry to young people and educators across the state, connecting them to the many opportunities our industry offers and streamlining existing equine educational programs in Kentucky. Godolphin is proud to be a partner in this collective effort vested in the future of our industry.”

This hire speaks to KEEP's investment in education and workforce development that began with the creation of the KEEP Foundation in 2014. The KEEP Foundation is supported by donors and the sale of the KEEP Foundation's Seattle Slew specialty license plate.

In 2018, KEEP and the KEEP Foundation partnered with the Kentucky Chamber Workforce Center to launch the Equine Workforce Initiative. The equine education coordinator is an outgrowth of that program and will work closely with the KEEP Foundation and the Equine Workforce Initiative to help modernize the recruitment, training, and placement of qualified employees into the pipelines of the ever-growing equine industry.

The mission of the KEEP Foundation, a nonprofit 501(c)(3), is to support the economic success of Kentucky's signature industry by ensuring its continued economic viability, making the industry accessible for all who want to participate, introducing more young people to the industry and its opportunities, and educating the people of the Commonwealth about the importance of horses to the state, its economy, its heritage, and its people.

The KEEP Foundation seeks to fulfill this mission through:

Generating wider interest from the general public and creating new fans and participants for Kentucky's horse industry.
Raising public awareness on the importance of all horse breeds and disciplines in all 120 counties of the “Horse Capitol of the World” through educational events and community engagement that explores the breadth and depth of Kentucky's horse industry.
Attracting new people and populations to careers in the industry and reducing the barriers of entry to career paths in the industry.

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Montplaisir Named KEEP Equine Education Coordinator

Annise Montplaisir has been named the Kentucky Equine Education Project’s first-ever equine education coordinator. Montplaisir will be responsible for building awareness of the equine industry and the industry’s educational and employment opportunities by building relationships with 4-H, FFA, and breed youth councils, among other organizations. Additionally, Montplaisir will be responsible for marketing industry programs through social media, special events, and the KEEP Equine Summit Luncheon Series.

The new position is the result of collaboration among the KEEP Foundation, Fasig-Tipton, Glen Hill Farm, Godolphin, The Jockey Club, and Mt. Brilliant Farm.

A native of Fargo, North Dakota, Montplaisir is a recent graduate of the Godolphin Flying Start Program and has worked as the project manager for Together for Racing International, as well as co-hosting a bilingual horse racing show called La Trifecta.

“I am thrilled to begin my role as the equine education coordinator, and to teach people that educational programs and careers in the equine industry are accessible to anyone,” Montplaisir said. “Through this position, I hope to promote existing programs, encourage collaboration between initiatives, and facilitate connections that will help newcomers get involved. Ultimately, I believe that education can positively impact the sustainability of the Thoroughbred industry–and the equine industry as a whole.”

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