At its core, our sport showcases the Thoroughbred, one of the greatest creatures on this earth, and the dedicated group of people who love and work with those animals. Millions enjoy our sport on all levels, including casual fans, horseplayers, industry workers, breeders, trainers and owners.

I groomed horses prior to my senior year of college, and I learned many things that have stuck with me my entire professional career. Of course, I loved working with the majestic Thoroughbred. I also gained an appreciation for the dedication of the many individuals who are involved in the care of our horses.

There are literally hundreds of thousands of people who make up our industry. Most have demanding, non-traditional work schedules, and many have to travel on a racing circuit. It is difficult for them to develop a relationship with a church and attend traditional services. Also, the work can be physical and demanding. Especially in the past, there was nowhere to turn when life's challenges caused a “bump in the road.”

In a traditional setting, many people can access their church or family and friends to help them through tough times.

In the 1970's, RTCA founder Salty Roberts recognized this situation, and the need for a ministry within the racing industry.  The RTCA was formed as an evangelical, interdenominational, 501(c)(3) non-profit Christian organization whose purpose is to minister to the spiritual, emotional, physical, social and educational needs of workers within the horse racing industry.

In its simplest terms, the primary mission of any Christian is to “Love God, love others.” The Chaplains, council members and volunteers of the RTCA carry out this mission every day. As the Vice President of the RTCA Board, it is a pleasure and honor to spend time with this group of humble servants who make such a difference in our industry.

The most visible part of a chaplain's duties may be worship services and Bible studies. Those important efforts just scratch the surface of the chaplain's job. It is a ministry of presence with Biblically based counsel, as well as offering resources like food and clothing banks, recreational activities and educational workshops. Chaplains perform weddings, handle funerals, do baptisms and make numerous trips to the hospital. When workers need a ride to the grocery store or a doctor's appointment, many times it is the chaplain or a volunteer ready to provide transportation. Like many other jobs in the horse racing, industry it is seven days a week.

At the national conference there was an exchange of experiences and ideas. The chaplains described it as a ministry of presence. It is important to get to know the people. Ask questions. One chaplain called it loitering with intent. If someone is going through a tough time, pray with them. In 2023, every RTCA chaplain went through QPR training (Question, Persuade and Refer) to help educate them about the mental health issues facing many of our workers.

As you might guess, there is not one chaplain that does their job for the financial reward. As a matter of fact, I heard about a chaplain that was ministering on a small circuit which raced only on weekends. This person was dedicated to filling a need each weekend at the track, and then would drive home and get up early Monday morning to drive a garbage truck to pay the bills. There are many stories of volunteers who provide important assistance to serve the workers at the track.

Mindy Coleman, representing the Jockeys' Guild, was in attendance. That organization has worked with the RTCA for many years to make a difference in the very difficult lives of jockeys. A track chaplain brings together the jockeys and leads a prayer prior to the races at virtually every racetrack served by the RTCA. The chaplain is there to counsel and pray with the riders in times of need. And, when a rider is injured, the chaplain is always one of the first ones at the hospital. During my career in track management, I have witnessed the difference in the environment in the jockeys' room before the RTCA, and after. In a very competitive and demanding profession, the presence of the chaplain has made a major positive impact which is summed up by the RTCA theme of “Bringing God's Grace to the Race.”

The conference was about God's Love, and unity and focus for the RTCA. It was obvious that every chaplain present felt blessed to be in the role of serving others. There was not one complaint. However, chaplains can be under a great deal of pressure with the many duties they are tasked with. Let's reach out to support and encourage them. If you are part of a horse organization, ask what you can do to support the RTCA at your track or training center. If you are in track management, make the chaplain part of your team.

To learn more about the RTCA, visit www.rtcanational.org.

The post Letter to the Editor: The Importance of the Race Track Chaplaincy appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

The post Extra Race Date Added To Remington Park Season appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

The case is one of five anti-HISA constitutionality lawsuits currently active in the federal court system. Led by the states of Oklahoma, West Virginia and Louisiana, the plaintiffs collectively petitioned Apr. 17 for a rarely granted “en banc” procedure that asked for a rehearing before all 28 of the Sixth Circuit's judges instead of just the panel of three who had ruled that a change of language in the HISA law was sufficient to alleviate the plaintiffs' concerns over constitutionality.

“The court received a petition for rehearing en banc. The original panel has reviewed the petition for rehearing and concludes that the issues raised in the petition were fully considered upon the original submission and decision of the case. The petition then was circulated to the full court. No judge has requested a vote on the suggestion for rehearing en banc. Therefore, the petition is denied,” the May 18 order stated in its entirety.

A United States Court of Appeals explanatory page about how en banc requests work stated that the granting of that type of rehearing was “rare” at the federal level. The Sixth Circuit took on only seven en banc hearings between January 2018 and September 2021, according to the University of Cincinnati Law Review.

Beyond the above-mentioned states, the plaintiffs include the racing commissions from Oklahoma and West Virginia, plus three Oklahoma tracks (Remington Park, Will Rogers Downs and Fair Meadows), the Oklahoma Quarter Horse Association, the U.S. Trotting Association, and Hanover Shoe Farms, a Pennsylvania Standardbred breeding entity.

The defendants are the United States of America, the HISA Authority, and six individuals acting in their official capacities for the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).

The underlying lawsuit dates to Apr. 26, 2021, when the plaintiffs sued, alleging that “HISA gives a private corporation broad regulatory authority.”

On June 2, 2022, that claim was dismissed by a judge in U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Kentucky (Lexington) for failure to state a claim of action. The plaintiffs then appealed to the U.S. Sixth Circuit.

In between the filing of that appeal and the Sixth Circuit's decision on it, an updated version of HISA was passed into law Dec. 29, 2022, with the aim of fixing constitutional flaws that a separate Fifth Circuit appeal had identified.

The Mar. 3 order by the Sixth Circuit affirmed the constitutionality of the amended HISA law. On remand from the Fifth Circuit, a United States District Court judge in Texas did the same thing May 4.

In its Apr. 17 rehearing petition, the plaintiffs had stated that parts of the panel's decision were “erroneous, and this Court should rehear the case en banc in order to resolve those questions of exceptional importance.”

Thursday's ruling by the Sixth Circuit disagreed.

The post Sixth Circuit: No Rehearing On HISA Constitutionality Decision appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

“The TRAO takes great pride in giving out the Industry Service Award,” said Danielle Barber, executive director of the TRAO. “In the nine years we have been hosting the Champion Awards banquet, the TRAO has only given out this award three times.”

Vance introduced precautions at Remington Park that helped curtail outbreaks at the Oklahoma City track. He introduced protocols, on behalf of track owner Global Gaming Solutions, that included daily temperature-taking for all employees, mask mandates and social distancing. Remington Park continued racing throughout the past two years with the only missed dates due to severe weather, not health issues.

“Everyone knows what a tough 2020 we all went through with COVID-19, and the challenges racing faced,” said Barber. “Yet, the exceptional guidance Matt Vance demonstrated during the most difficult hardship was undeniable. Remington Park and Thoroughbred horsemen couldn't have asked for better leadership during this time.”

Vance is the executive vice president of both Remington Park and Lone Star Park in Grand Prairie, Texas. He oversees all live racing, pari-mutuel, simulcasting, operations and track maintenance for both venues.

“Matt's leadership and commitment to horse racing helped us navigate a very trying time during the pandemic at both tracks,” said Skip Seeley, Global Gaming's chief executive officer.

Remington Park's Thoroughbred Season continues Friday and Saturday, Oct. 1-2, with the first race nightly at 7:07pm-Central.

Tracked by more than 167,000 fans on Facebook and 10,400 Twitter followers, Remington Park has provided more than $272 Million to the State of Oklahoma general education fund since the opening of the casino in 2005. Located at the junction of Interstates 35 & 44, in the heart of the Oklahoma City Adventure District, Remington Park is home for the $1,000,000 Oklahoma Classics Night, an evening of stakes racing to celebrate Oklahoma-breds, on Friday, Oct. 15. Simulcast horse racing featured daily, the casino is always open! Visit remingtonpark.com for more information.

The post Remington Executive Matt Vance Earns Industry Service Award appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

The Kentucky lawsuit was filed by a trio of states and their respective racing commissions: Louisiana, Oklahoma, and West Virginia. FTC attorneys argued that the creation of the HISA regulatory body does not violate constitutional doctrines regarding Congress' delegation of powers to a private entity.

“Adjudicating the merits of plaintiffs' legal claims now would require the court to evaluate HISA's framework in the abstract, unaided by any concrete facts or interpretative rules from the agency that Congress charged with the statute's implementation,” the motion states. “There is no justification for the court treading this path under any circumstances, and it is doubly improper in a constitutional
challenge.”

Read more at the Daily Racing Form. 

The post FTC Calls For Dismissal Of Challenge To Horseracing Integrity And Safety Act appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

Landeros sits sixth on the all-time Remington Park wins list with 691 in 8,701 mounts in Oklahoma City. That's the third-most horses ridden all time here, behind only Cliff Berry (12,936 mounts) and Luis Quinonez (9,704). Berry (2,125 wins) and Quinonez (1,416) are first and third on the all-time wins list with Don Pettinger (1,419) sandwiched between them in second, followed by Tim Doocy (796) and the late, great Pat Steinberg in fifth (727). Those top five riders are all Oklahoma Horse Racing Hall of Famers.

Landeros needs 36 more wins at Remington Park to tie Steinberg, whose career was cut short when he was killed in a car wreck on his way to Omaha, Neb., following the Remington Park meet in May 1993. Steinberg had won nine riding titles at the Oklahoma City track in his career.

Landeros has no delusions of grandeur in passing one of his favorite riders ever, Steinberg.

“Wow, I'm in sixth behind him?” Landeros said. “At Remington Park? I had no idea. I knew I was up there somewhere. That's pretty good. Me and Pat were great together. He's one guy that I never had words with. He was a real professional, along with Don Pettinger and R.D. Williams.”

At 52 years old, Landeros, despite finishing third in the most recent Fair Meadows jockey standings this summer with 22 wins, admits his career at Remington Park is winding down. He finished tied for 21st in the 2020 thoroughbred standings in Oklahoma City with five wins from 90 mounts.

“Sometimes I feel like I'm 20 and sometimes I feel like I'm 60,” he said. “I'm very healthy. I'm not going to ride many horses at Remington this year. I'm over here helping (trainer) Mindy Willis (who has 40 stalls this meet). I really don't care to ride many horses now. I always say my prayers in the morning and if the good Lord lets me keep being healthy and gives me another three to five years of riding…whatever he gives me, whenever he tells me it's time to let go, I'll let go.”

Born in Querrdaro, Mexico, Landeros became a naturalized American citizen in 2008. He passed the 2,000 wins mark this year and now sits at 2,014 overall, riding Thoroughbreds, American Quarter Horses, Paints, Appaloosas and Arabians. He has come a long way from when he experienced a bit of a fiasco on the first horse he galloped in California when he was in his teens.

“An ex-rider named R.J. Garcia took me to Pomona and found me an Appaloosa to gallop,” said Landeros. “That rascal, he ran off with me about three times. That was a no-no and the outrider didn't like it.”

Soon thereafter, he gained some riding knowledge from one of the top riders to ever come out of California, seven-time Breeders' Cup race winner and Kentucky Derby winner aboard Sunday Silence, Patrick Valenzuela.

“I used to just study him when he rode and do all the things he would do with the reins and one day he told me, 'if you get your license to ride, you let the horse tell you what to do. You'll start to feel the horse and start to read the horse's mind.' All through the years, he's been right. The horses will tell you. I've been on some that have loved their job and I've been on some that have hated their job.”

Garcia took Landeros to Blue Ribbon Downs in Sallisaw, Okla., when he was 19 and he started his official riding career there in 1989. His first year, Landeros went 0-for-22.

“I still didn't have any doubts,” he said. “I liked my job so much. I still do. I love my horses.”

On April 15, 1990, he made it to the winner's circle for the first time aboard Sea Bird Sonny at BRD. He gives a lot of the credit to the comradery of fellow jockey Troy Crissup.

“Troy came up to me and said, 'Look, this ol' boy is going to put you on this horse. Don't fall off the horse because he's very fast.' I said, 'Really? Then why aren't you riding him?' He said, 'because I like you.'”

His first win at Remington Park came on Dec. 7, 1991, with Ultimate Problem. One of his favorite horses of all time was Strategic Leader, who he won with in the $137,800 Oklahoma Classics Turf on Oct. 22, 2010.

“He was so fun to ride,” said Landeros. “But he would worry you a lot, too. You never knew when he was going to fire or not. That was one of those nights when I didn't know if he was going to pick up the bit. But he finally did and it was really exciting.”

Strategic Leader won by 2-1/2 lengths after breaking 11th from the gate and running ninth down the backstretch.

“I had some of the owners say, 'Man, you had us sweating.'” Landeros said. “I said, 'Yeah, I know. I was sweating, too.'”

His check for the ride was more than $8,000 for that win. Did he do anything extravagant with his small pot of gold?

“Nah, just paid the bills,” he said. “Maybe took my wife out to dinner.”

That's all he really cares about these days. Not the wins. Not the ladder of success. He loves his wife, Lisa, his grown daughter Leiha with her two kids and his 11-year-old boy Levi.

“They make me happy,” he said.

Everything else is just icing on the cake.

The post Jockey Benny Landeros Continues To Climb Longevity Lists At Remington Park appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

This marks the second consecutive year the Springboard Mile, and its supporting undercard of stakes races, will be contested on a Friday evening. The first race for the Dec. 17 card will take place at 5pm. The Springboard program was initially set for Sunday, Dec. 19.

The Springboard has served as a solid final 2-year-old stakes on the calendar in recent years for many who have competed in the 3-year-old classics the next spring. Long Range Toddy, Combatant, Suddenbreakingnews and Will Take Charge all utilized the Springboard Mile prior to their starts in the Kentucky Derby. Will Take Charge, the Eclipse Champion 3-year-old in 2013, ran in all three Triple Crown races before winning the Grade 1 Travers Stakes at Saratoga, the Grade 2 Pennsylvania Derby at Parx and the Grade 1 Clark Handicap at Churchill Downs. Prior to his Clark victory, he was second to Mucho Macho Man, beaten only a nose, in the Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Classic at Santa Anita.

In addition to the Springboard Mile, these stakes races are also featured for the evening of racing on Dec. 17:

$100,000 Trapeze Stakes, 2-year-old fillies, one mile
$100,000 She's All In Stakes, fillies & mares, 3 and older, 1 mile-70 yards
$70,000 Jim Thorpe Stakes, 3-year-olds, one mile (Oklahoma-breds)
$70,000 Useeit Stakes, 3-year-old fillies, one mile (Oklahoma-breds)

The $100,000 Jeffrey A. Hawk Memorial, originally scheduled as part of the undercard of Springboard Mile night, has been moved to Friday, Nov. 19.

Remington Park was first scheduled to race on Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 18 & 19, but those dates have been moved to Wednesday, Sept. 29 and Thursday, Nov. 11. The season will still total 67 racing dates.

Post times have also been set for other major programs this season at Remington Park. Oklahoma Derby Day on Sunday, Sept. 26 will begin at 3pm. The live racing on Breeders' Cup Saturday, simulcast from Del Mar on Nov. 6, will start at 7:07pm. Race cards set for a Monday or Tuesday will begin at 2:30pm. All times are Central.

Entries for the Opening Night of the season, Aug. 20, will be assembled this Friday morning, Aug. 13.

Tracked by more than 167,000 fans on Facebook and 10,400 Twitter followers, Remington Park has provided more than $269 Million to the State of Oklahoma general education fund since the opening of the casino in 2005. Located at the junction of Interstates 35 & 44, in the heart of the Oklahoma City Adventure District, Remington Park features live and simulcast horse racing, and the casino is always open! The 2021 Thoroughbred Season begins Aug. 20. Visit remingtonpark.com for more information.

The post Remington Park Moves Springboard Mile To Dec. 17 Card appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

Horses and riders, who were welcomed to jog and gallop over the surface beginning Wednesday morning, were met with a completely reconstructed Oklahoma track featuring a limestone base, renovated surface layer and modernized drainage systems. The training track has been widened by 10-to-14 feet in most areas to address the increasing population of horses training over the Oklahoma annually from April to October.

Additionally, to enhance safety for exercise riders and jockeys, the inner rail at the Oklahoma has been replaced with a rider protection system designed by Horsemen's Track and Equipment.

The work at the Oklahoma mirrors the work performed on the Saratoga main track in 2020, which was universally supported by horsemen and riders. As at the Oklahoma, the main track renovation involved general improvements to the base and surface of the track, as well as a complete overhaul of the drainage system and installation of a new rider safety rail.

“The renovation of the Oklahoma Training Track is an investment in the future of Saratoga Race Course that reflects NYRA's ongoing commitment to safety,” said Glen Kozak, NYRA Senior Vice President for Operations and Capital Projects. “Just like the work done to the main track last year, the Oklahoma will now recover quickly from summer storms resulting in a consistent and high-quality training surface for horses and riders.”

Serving as consultants on the Oklahoma renovation were Dr. Mick Peterson and the Racing Surfaces Testing Laboratory (RSTL), which performed regular testing of the quality and composition of the new surface. As a final step before reopening, Dr. Peterson and the RSTL team inspected the surface and base utilizing ground penetrating radar and the Biomechanical Surface Tester, which replicates loads and speed of a thoroughbred's leading forelimb at gallop.

The team assembled by NYRA to contribute expertise to the renovation
included GRW, the architectural and engineering firm based in Lexington, Kentucky, with deep experience in racetrack design. Michael Depew, a soil scientist and agronomist, provided additional consulting services.

Beginning Monday, May 17, a limited number of owners licensed by the New York State Gaming Commission (NYSGC) will be permitted in the barn area and to observe morning training at Saratoga. In order to secure access to the Saratoga property, owners must provide NYRA with proof of completed vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test result taken within 3 days of the request. Licensed owners who satisfy the vaccination or testing requirement must have a horse stabled at Saratoga in order to access the property.

According to current Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidance, individuals are considered fully vaccinated 14 days or more after receiving the second dose in a two-dose series (Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna), or 14 days or more after they have received a single-dose vaccine (Johnson & Johnson / Janssen). NYRA will adhere to the current CDC guidance regarding COVID-19 vaccination standards. Testing and vaccination requirements are subject to change, and will be adjusted accordingly as New York State and CDC guidance evolve.

To secure barn area access, owners can obtain updated credentials by reporting to Gate 21 at Saratoga Race Course with their NYSGC license to provide NYRA security with proof of vaccination or negative COVID-19 test. Gate 21 will receive owners seeking barn area access Tuesday-Friday between 8 a.m. and noon.

Owners approved to enter the Oklahoma barn area will be required to practice social distancing and to wear a facial covering at all times.

The 40-day summer meet at historic Saratoga Race Course, which will feature 76 stakes worth $21.5 million in total purses, will open on Thursday, July 15, and conclude on Monday, September 6. For additional information, visit NYRA.com.

The post Saratoga’s Renovation Of Oklahoma Training Track Now Complete appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

A five-time winner at the races and placed in the GIII River City H. and GIII Arlington H., the Phipps-bred Revved Up, a $350,000 purchase out of the 2018 Fasig-Tipton July Horse of Racing Age Sale, is a son of the Eclipse Award-winning 2-year-old filly of 2002, whose dam My Flag (Easy Goer) was–like Storm Flag Flying–won the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies. Revved Up's third dam is the legendary undefeated Personal Ensign (Private Account). This is also the female family of such worldwide stallions as Traditionally (Mr. Prospector), Miner's Mark (Mr. Prospector), Mr Speaker (Pulpit) and Fire Away.

Revved Up is bred on the extremely productive cross of Candy Ride over Storm Cat responsible for the likes of Horse of the Year Gun Runner and champion Shared Belief, among others.

“We are very excited about having him,” said Francisco Bravo. “He's a really well-bred horse. Candy Ride is a tremendous stallion and so are many of his sons, and the race record and pedigree of Storm Flag Flying speaks for itself. Revved Up had most of his success going long on the turf, but when you look at his bloodlines he should be a versatile stallion and we think he's going to generate a lot of interest among Oklahoma breeders.”

River Oaks also stands Atreides (Medaglia d'Oro), Caleb's Posse (Posse), Excaper (Exchange Rate) and Wilburn (Bernardini).

The post Revved Up To Stud in Oklahoma appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Bred by the renowned Phipps Stable, Revved Up is by one of North America's top stallions and sire of sires in Candy Ride and out of Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies winner and champion Storm Flag Flying. A five-time winner with earnings of more than $370,000, Revved Up finished second in the Grade 3 Arlington Handicap and third in the G3 River City Handicap.

Revved Up ran for the Phipps Stable and trainer Shug McGaughey for much of his career, and then was sold for $350,000 at the Fasig-Tipton Kentucky July Horses of Racing Age in 2018 and finished his racing in the barn of trainer Mark Casse.

“We are very excited about having him,” said Francisco Bravo. “He's a really well-bred horse. Candy Ride is a tremendous stallion and so are many of his sons, and the race record and pedigree of Storm Flag Flying speaks for itself. Revved Up had most of his success going long on the turf, but when you look at his bloodlines he should be a versatile stallion and we think he's going to generate a lot of interest among Oklahoma breeders.”

River Oaks also stands Atreides, Caleb's Posse, Excaper and Wilburn.

The post Revved Up Retired To River Oaks Farms In Oklahoma appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post