Maryland Horse Breeders Association | Horse Racing Free Tips

Sara Gordon Joins TDN

Sara Gordon has joined TDN as Social Media Manager, and will be based in Lexington, Kentucky.

Gordon, a native of Woodbine, Maryland, is a lifelong equestrian, but her passion for the Thoroughbred industry blossomed while working for Jane Allen's Warwick Equine Services LLC at Hickory Ridge Farms. Combining her passion for writing and horses, she attended Virginia Tech and received a Bachelor of Arts in multimedia journalism with a minor in equine science. Following her graduation in May of 2019, she was hired by the Maryland Horse Breeders Association as their Communications Manager, where she has spent the past three years overseeing the association's various social media accounts and websites, along with writing and photographing for the association's publication, Mid-Atlantic Thoroughbred magazine. A highlight of her time with the MHBA was covering Maryland-bred Knicks Go's outstanding career, which earned him the title of Horse of the Year and older dirt male at the 2021 Eclipse Awards.

Gary King, TDN's Senior Vice President, said, “Sara's enthusiasm and passion for the industry are self-evident, and she will be a huge asset to our team. Social media is an integral part of our business now, and we are looking to further enhance our channels under Sara's guidance.”

Gordon will work alongside Diana Pikulski in TDN's social media department, with TDN's Marketing Manager Alayna Cullen contributing from Europe.

“I am absolutely honored to join the TDN team as its Social Media Manager,” said Gordon. “There's nothing I love more than sharing the stories of and promoting the remarkable people and horses that make up this industry. I can't wait to take all that I've learned working in Maryland and apply it on a global platform.”

“We are delighted to welcome Sara to the TDN team,” said TDN's Publisher Sue Finley. “She comes highly recommended from the MHBA and we have no doubt she will hit the ground running.”

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Beyond the Wire Earns MJC Award of Merit

Beyond the Wire, a Maryland-based Thoroughbred aftercare program, will be honored with the Maryland Jockey Club's Special Award of Merit during the Alibi Breakfast at Pimlico Thursday.

The Special Award of Merit is presented to those who have made a positive impact on the racing industry. Past winners include Hall of Fame horsemen D. Wayne Lukas, Jerry Bailey, Ramon Dominguez and King Leatherbury; late Hall of Fame broadcaster Jim McKay, founder of the Maryland Million; and MJC track photographer Jim McCue.

“We are honored and really appreciate the recognition, as the program has been a big effort on the part of the Maryland racing industry,” Beyond the Wire's program administrator Jessica Hammond said. “Hopefully, the award will also provide an additional spotlight on the importance of aftercare.”

Launched in 2017, Beyond the Wire reached a milestone in mid-March when 5-year-old gelding Bundi Bundi trained by Pedro Nasario became the 500th horse to move through the program. Hammond said they have since added another 20 horses.

“It's a busy, busy program,” Hammond said. “The good news is that it shows that trainers are prioritizing a good aftercare program for their horses. People are even foregoing getting money for their horses so that they know that they are going to have a safe and secure retirement. Instead of risking having a horse end up in a bad spot, trainers are saying let me just retire them through Beyond the Wire.”

Beyond the Wire is an industry-wide initiative between the Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association, Maryland Jockey Club, 1/ST Racing, Northview Stallion Station, Maryland Horse Breeders Association and Maryland jockeys. The organization is a first exit from racing program designed to facilitate safe and enriching placements for retiring Maryland-based racehorses.

Annual pledges and donations, and owners' contributions of $11 per start, enables Beyond the Wire to place retired Thoroughbreds exclusively with Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance-accredited farms. Horses that go through the program receive retraining and rehabilitation as needed.

Partner farms are MidAtlantic Horse Rescue, Foxie G Foundation, New Vocations, Akindale Thoroughbred Rescue, After the Races, Equine Rescue of Aiken and Life Horse.

Beyond the Wire will have an information table set up during the Sunrise at Old Hilltop tours which run from 6-9 a.m. Tuesday through Friday. For more information on the program, visit: www.beyondthewire.org.

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MHBA Creates Aftercare Account for Maryland-Breds

The Maryland Horse Breeders Association (MHBA) has announced the creation of an aftercare account that will direct funds to support Maryland-bred racehorses as they are retired and preparing for their second career.

The account, called BackStop, will be funded by extracting a $25 fee from each Maryland-bred registration submitted. BackStop funds will not replace or relieve the responsibility of the owner, breeder or trainer to arrange for aftercare for their retirees. Funds will be disperses on an as-available basis up to $2,000 and are to be used as adjunct support for a specific use or aid to an individual or a group that takes in, retrains or rehomes registered Maryland-bred Thoroughbreds.

“We are committed to working with people who are dedicated to giving these Maryland-breds a new start and a safe landing,” said Cricket Goodall, executive director of the MHBA. “We know that breeders and owners want the best for their horses. This fund will be available for a specific use that benefits the Maryland-bred horse that needs the help.”

Added Alice Peirce, manager of Mantua Farm in Reisterstown and a member of the MHBA Aftercare Committee: “It makes it possible for people to get into this or take a horse that maybe they wouldn't have been able to take, so I think it's great. I usually take a loss on horses I have to rehab, and it's fine because this is what I like to do, but I understand that not all people can do that. I know a lot of other people in my shoes would be able to consider more horses this way.”

BackStop funds are not to be used for capital improvements or expenses that do not apply specifically to the horse named in the application. BackStop, the MHBA aftercare account, will not take the place of other funds or assistance received from TAA, TRF, TCA, Beyond the Wire or any other aftercare programs already in place.

For additional information, visit MarylandThoroughbred.com.

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Knicks Go Honored as Top Maryland-Bred of 2021

GI Breeders' Cup Classic winner Knicks Go (Paynter) was honored as 2021 Maryland-bred Horse of the Year during the fifth annual Renaissance Awards held virtually throughout the week of Feb. 28. The awards, which are a collaborative effort between the Maryland Horse Breeders Association, Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association and Maryland Jockey Club, were presented through the MHBA's social media accounts.

Also honored were champion 2-year-old male Joe (Declaration of War), champion 2-year-old filly Luna Belle (Great Notion), champion 3-year-old male Jaxon Traveler (Munnings), champion 3-year-old filly Street Lute (Street Magician), champion older female Hello Beautiful (Golden Lad), champion turf runner Field Pass (Lemon Drop Kid), and champion sprinter Aloha West (Hard Spun).

The late Robert T. Manfuso and Katharine M. Voss, breeders of 2021 Maryland-bred champion sprinter Aloha West, were crowned the Maryland Breeders of the Year, while their mare Island Bound, dam of Aloha West, was named Maryland Broodmare of the Year, and Northview Stallion Station's Great Notion took home the title of Maryland Stallion of the Year for the sixth consecutive year.

Other award winners for 2021 include Hillwood Stable LLC, Maryland Owner of the Year; Brittany Russell, Maryland Trainer of the Year; Jevian Toledo, Maryland Jockey of the Year. Julio Garcia was honored as the Pimlico Backstretch Worker of the Year, while Antoinette Charles Orellana earned the title of Laurel Backstretch Employee of the Year.

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