New York Racing Association | Horse Racing Free Tips

Carmen M. Barrera Horsemen’s Lounge Completed At Saratoga

The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) has announced the completion of the Carmen M. Barrera Horsemen's Lounge at Saratoga Race Course.

Formerly known as the Saratoga Room, the horsemen's lounge has been renovated and renamed to honor the memory of Carmen M. Barrera, NYRA's longtime director of horsemen's relations who died unexpectedly on August 8, 2019.

Barrera joined NYRA in 1978, the same year that her uncle Laz Barrera campaigned Affirmed to the Triple Crown, and was a valued employee and familiar presence at all NYRA tracks since that time. Her father, Luis, was a trainer as well, campaigning Summing to victory in the 1981 Belmont Stakes. And her cousin, Juan Dominguez is NYRA's racing facilities coordinator.

“NYRA and New York's racing community at large owe Carmen a debt of gratitude for her decades of service to our sport,” said Martin Panza, NYRA Senior Vice President of Racing Operations. “That she will now have a permanent place at Saratoga Race Course is a fitting honor for someone who cared so deeply for Saratoga.”

Located just off the Porch on the first floor of the clubhouse, the convenient drop-in facility offers assorted beverages and will be open to licensed owners and trainers.

The 40-day summer meet at historic Saratoga Race Course will feature 76 stakes worth $21.5 million in total purses highlighted by the 152nd renewal of the Grade 1, $1.25 million Runhappy Travers on August 28 and the Grade 1, $1 million Whitney on August 7, as the anchors of two of the most prestigious racing days in North America.

Following the four-day Runhappy Opening Weekend from Thursday, July 15 through Sunday, July 18, racing will be conducted five days a week, Wednesdays through Sundays, with the exception of the final week, when the meet will conclude on Labor Day.

For more information about Saratoga Race Course, visit NYRA.com/Saratoga.

The post Carmen M. Barrera Horsemen’s Lounge Completed At Saratoga appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

TRF, NYRA To Unveil Memorial Marker For Quick Call On July 14

The Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation (TRF) will partner with the New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) to unveil a memorial marker for popular racehorse Quick Call at Clare Court on Wednesday, July 14 at 11:30 a.m.

The unveiling will include a photo opportunity and brief remarks from NYRA leadership, TRF Executive Director and leadership from the New York Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (NY DOCCS). In addition to the current and former TRF Second Chances Farm Manager and Instructors, the current Superintendent of Wallkill and two retired Superintendents will be in attendance with other special invited guests.

Quick Call was humanely euthanized on Tuesday, October 8, 2019 at the age of 35 due to the infirmities of old age. Foaled in 1984, Quick Call was the oldest horse in TRF's herd. In his lifetime he was a successful racehorse who earned more than $800,000 and won numerous graded stakes races. Following a remarkable career on the racetrack, he became a riding horse and finally arrived at the TRF in 2001 where he was an equine teacher in the TRF's well known Second Chances Program. He was truly an exceptional horse and served as a shining example of the versatility of the Thoroughbred breed. With 86 starts under his belt, he was a warhorse with a brave, strong heart and mind. He became a “posterhorse” for aftercare, serving as an ambassador for all retired Thoroughbred racehorses.

Immediately following the unveiling, fans and media are invited to join the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation at the Horseshoe Inn Bar and Grill, located at 9 Gridley Street, for a pop-up fan engagement station to share memories and to learn more about Quick Call and TRF's Second Chances program. From 12:00 to 2:00 p.m. ET, fans can celebrate Quick Call and for a suggested $10 donation will receive a limited-edition Quick Call wristband, a copy of his lifetime past performances and a photo at the “Horse for the Course” selfie station.

About TRF: Founded in 1983, the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation is a national organization devoted to saving Thoroughbred horses no longer able to compete at the racetrack from possible neglect, abuse, and slaughter. As the oldest Thoroughbred rescue in the country, the TRF provides lifelong sanctuary to retired Thoroughbreds throughout their lifetime.

Best known for its pioneering TRF Second Chances program, the organization provides incarcerated individuals with life-changing vocational training through its accredited equine care and stable management program. At eight correctional facilities across the US, including one juvenile justice facility, this program offers second careers to its horses and a second chance at life for program graduates upon release from prison. The TRF Second Chances Program at the Wallkill Correctional Facility provides a home for 40 retired Thoroughbred racehorses and has been changing the lives of returning citizens for nearly forty years.

For more information visit: http://www.trfinc.org/

The post TRF, NYRA To Unveil Memorial Marker For Quick Call On July 14 appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

Letter To The Editor: Let Baffert Race While Due Process Plays Out

I would respectfully disagree with Arthur Gray's assumption (in his letter to the editor concerning the New York Racing Association's right of exclusion of trainer Bob Baffert) that it is up to the racing gods to set the court on the right path.

Most racing jurisdictions have a state appointed racing commission which is authorized to issue a license to participate to all individuals, tracks and other entities that are involved with legalized racing. As long as a trainer holds a valid license in a particular jurisdiction, I find it unfair for a track to deny a racing entry of a qualified horse.

I may be mistaken, but I believe that in Louisiana (a jurisdiction in which I have been involved in racing for some 50+ years) an entry must be accepted if a trainer is licensed and a horse fits the conditions of the race. I also see this as a policy that can be easy abused by racing secretaries as they not only write the conditions of the race but could select the entries.

Until Mr. Baffert is issued a ruling (concerning Medina Spirit's positive test from the Kentucky Derby), he should be allowed to race in any jurisdiction where he holds a license that was issued by that jurisdiction. If and when he is issued a ruling, then the individual jurisdictions can decide if they will honor that ruling.

I do acknowledge a track's right to select those trainers that are granted stalls for a particular meet.

I am not an “integrity consultant” nor have I ever worked with one, but I did practice veterinary medicine on various racetracks for some 30+ years and am past Equine Medical Director for the Louisiana State Racing Commission.

I do believe in due process and until that is granted to Mr Baffert (or any other trainer), let them race.

– Tom V David, DVM

If you would like to submit a letter to the editor, please write to info at paulickreport.com and include contact information where you may be reached if editorial staff have any questions.

Additional stories about Baffert's Kentucky Derby positive and ensuing legal battles can be found here.

The post Letter To The Editor: Let Baffert Race While Due Process Plays Out appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

NYRA to Honor First Responders

The New York Racing Association will honor Capital Region frontline workers for their dedication and service to the community throughout the Covid-19 pandemic during Health Care Heroes and First Responders Day, presented by CDPHP, at Saratoga Race Course Friday.

The day will feature free grandstand admission for all health care professionals and first responders with proper identification and races will be dedicated to doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, physician assistants and vaccine site workers, as well as local police officers, firefighters, EMTs and paramedics.

NYRA also announced its Hometown Hero program, presented by CDPHP, a new initiative designed to honor local frontline and essential workers who went above and beyond during the pandemic, including health care workers, first responders, grocery associates and public service, postal and transportation workers.

Each Friday of the 2021 summer meet beginning July 23, NYRA and CDPHP will recognize one Capital Region resident for their service to the community during the Covid-19 pandemic. Each NYRA Hometown Hero, presented by CDPHP, will receive the opportunity to present the trophy in the winner's circle during a race that afternoon.

Nominations for the NYRA Hometown Hero program, presented by CDPHP, may be submitted via email at hometownhero@cdphp.com through Aug. 15.

The post NYRA to Honor First Responders appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post