Tag: People

The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) and Horseracing Integrity & Welfare Unit (HIWU) announced Wednesday that Alan Foreman, the chairman and chief executive officer of the Thoroughbred Horsemen's Associations, Inc. (THA), will serve as ombudsman on behalf of HISA's rules, with a primary focus on the Anti-Doping and Medication Control (ADMC) Program. The appointment is effective immediately.

As the national ombudsman, which is modeled after the World Anti-Doping Agency's Ombuds Program, Foreman's responsibilities include:

• Serving as an impartial and unbiased resource for Covered Persons and other Thoroughbred industry constituents to provide confidential advice and assistance at no cost to them in relation to the ADMC Program and the Racetrack Safety Program, including with respect to the rights and obligations of Covered Persons under both Programs.
• Accepting feedback and comments from Covered Persons and other Thoroughbred industry constituents with respect to the rules comprising both Programs and communicating such feedback and comments to HISA and/or HIWU.
• Providing advice to HISA and HIWU about the content and interpretation of the rules comprising both Programs.

In addition to Foreman's current position with the THA, which he is maintaining, Foreman is recognized as one of the leading racing law and equine attorneys in the United States, with expertise in medication, drug testing, equine safety, and welfare. His law practice encompasses all aspects of equine and horse racing law, and he is counsel to many horsemen's and racing industry organizations, including the Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association, New York Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association, Pennsylvania Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association, National Steeplechase Association, and the United States Equestrian Federation Drugs and Medications Program. He is co-vice chair of the Racing Medication & Testing Consortium. He chairs the Mid-Atlantic Strategic Plan to Reduce Equine Fatalities, co-authored the widely respected New York Task Force Report on Racehorse Health and Safety, and was recently named by Maryland Governor Wes Moore to the newly created Maryland Thoroughbred Racetrack Operating Authority.

Foreman has informed HISA and HIWU that he will donate all compensation paid to him by both groups in connection with his duties as ombudsman to the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance.

“HISA's commitment to fairness in racing includes ensuring every horseman is fully aware of our rules and processes,” said HISA Chief Executive Officer Lisa Lazarus. “I am grateful that Alan is assisting HISA and HIWU to help educate racing participants and listen and learn from them as we work together to implement HISA's regulations as evenly and effectively as possible.”

“The new ombudsman position will assist horsemen and other Covered Persons with navigating the ADMC rules, thus enhancing understanding and facilitating compliance under the ADMC Program,” said Ben Mosier, executive director of HIWU. “Alan's extensive experience in horse racing law, combined with a thorough understanding of HISA's rules, make him the ideal industry representative to take on this role.”

“I applaud HISA and HIWU for creating this important position and am honored that they have asked me to serve. It is vital for all Covered Persons and organizations to have a trusted advocate and resource for them in this new system, and I will do my best to be fair, objective, effective and meaningful. I hope this position helps to smooth the transition to our new regulatory system,” said Foreman.

Industry participants interested in utilizing the ombudsman service should reach out to Foreman via email at alan@foremanlaw.net or by phone at (410) 336-0525.

About the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority

When the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act was signed into federal law, it charged the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) with drafting and enforcing uniform safety and integrity rules in Thoroughbred racing in the U.S. Overseen by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), HISA is implementing, for the first time, a national, uniform set of rules applicable to every Thoroughbred racing participant and racetrack facility. HISA is comprised of two programs: the Racetrack Safety Program, which went into effect on July 1, 2022, and the Anti-Doping and Medication Control (ADMC) Program, which went into effect on May 22, 2023.

The Racetrack Safety Program includes operational safety rules and national racetrack accreditation standards that seek to enhance equine welfare and minimize equine and jockey injury. The Program expands veterinary oversight, imposes surface maintenance and testing requirements, enhances jockey safety, regulates riding crop use and implements voided claim rules, among other important measures.

The ADMC Program includes a centralized testing and results management process and applies uniform penalties for violations efficiently and consistently across the United States. These rules and enforcement mechanisms are administered by an independent agency, the Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit (HIWU), established by Drug Free Sport International (DFSI).

About the Horseracing Integrity & Welfare Unit

The Horseracing Integrity & Welfare Unit (HIWU) was established in 2022 by Drug Free Sport International to administer the rules and enforcement mechanisms of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority's (HISA) Anti-Doping and Medication Control (ADMC) Program. The ADMC Program establishes a centralized testing and results management process that applies uniform penalties for violations efficiently and consistently across all American Thoroughbred racing jurisdictions that HISA governs. As the enforcement agency of the ADMC Program, HIWU oversees all testing processes, including the selection of horses to be tested, training of sample collection personnel, and chain of custody procedures. Additionally, HIWU is charged with industry/stakeholder education, laboratory accreditation, results management and adjudication, and investigations. For more information, please visit hiwu.org.

The post ‘Trusted Advocate And Resource’: HISA, HIWU Name Alan Foreman As Ombudsman appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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When you win half the races on the card you are clearly having a very good day. On Saturday evening, Canterbury Park's leading rider, Harry Hernandez had such a day winning five of the 10 carded races including three stakes races. The panel of racing experts voted Hernandez Jockey of the Week for Sept. 5 through Sept. 10.

The award recognizes jockeys for riding accomplishments and who are members of the Jockeys' Guild, the organization which represents more than 1,050 active, retired and permanently disabled jockeys in the United States.

The Blair's Cove Minnesota Sprint Championship Stakes led the Festival of Champions Night that featured six stakes races for Minnesota-breds as part of their 10-race card. Trainer Michael Biehler gave a leg up to Hernandez on Jose Patio who led the field of six from gate to wire to post a 2 1/4-length win in 1:41:22 for the 1 1/16-mile turf test.

Riding for Canterbury Park's leading trainer, Joel Berndt, Hernandez was aboard the prohibitive favorite, Midnight Current in the Princess Elaine Minnesota Distaff Turf Championship for fillies and mares three-years-old and up. Breaking from post position three in the field of seven, Midnight Current was bumped at the start and stalked the pace before taking the lead at the top of the stretch to win by three lengths in 1:41.72 for the 1 1/16-mile turf race.

The trainer/jockey duo of Berndt and Hernandez teamed up again in the co-feature of the evening, the Northern Lights Futurity with Frosty View. Frosty View led the field of nine 2-year-olds from gate to wire to post a 4 1/4-length win in 1:12.33 for six furlongs on the main track.

In between the three stakes wins, Hernandez won two allowance races for trainer Tony Rengstorf with West Island in the fifth race and Sunshine Fever in the seventh race.

Hernandez, 27, followed in his father's footsteps, becoming a jockey in his native Puerto Rico where he attended jockey school. He moved his tack stateside in 2015 and won his first race at Parx that same year. He rode at tracks in the East including Finger Lakes, Monmouth and Aqueduct as well as Gulfstream Park and Tampa Bay in Florida before moving west to Turf Paradise where he was the leading rider the past two seasons. He won Canterbury's leading rider title last year and is currently at the top of the standings. Canterbury's season ends Sept. 16. He is also riding at Remington Park.

Hernandez outpolled apprentice rider Axel Concepcion who won 12 races for the week to lead all jockeys, Florent Geroux with two graded stakes wins at Kentucky Downs, Juan J. Hernandez with two stakes wins at Del Mar including the G2 Del Mar Juvenile Turf, and Joel Rosario with two graded stakes wins at Kentucky Downs.

The post Jockey Of The Week: Canterbury’s Leading Rider Harry Hernandez Wins Five Of 10 Saturday appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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The 50th anniversary of live racing at Louisiana Downs concluded on Tuesday, Sept. 12 with plenty of racing highlights and fan-friendly events throughout the 61-day meet.

On September 2, Louisiana Downs proudly hosted Super Derby 41, presented by Lip Chip LLC and a bright future seems certain for winner Big Data owned by Petal Power Racing Stable and trained by Michael Lerman. It was another successful edition of Louisiana Cup Day on August 12 with young trainer Jayde Gelner winning two of the six Louisiana-bred stakes.

“My thanks go out to our amazing team and the owners, trainers, jockeys and backstretch workers who deserve so much credit,” said Kevin Preston, Louisiana Downs owner and president. “It was my goal two years ago to make Louisiana Downs a quality racetrack and premier entertainment destination. We continue to set the bar higher and thank our fans for their support!”

The meet leaders, jockey Jose Guerrero, trainer Shane Wilson and owner Wayne T. Davis were honored for their accomplishments on the final afternoon of the racing season which began on Saturday, May 6.

Jose Guerrero Wins His First Leading Rider Title

A very competitive jockey colony dueled from opening day, but there was no denying Jose Guerrero who topped his fellow riders to earn his first leading rider title with 70 wins. He finished second in the standings last year, but with the support of leading conditioner Shane Wilson and many other trainers, he was able to draw clear in the final two weeks of the meet.

Wilson saw talent in the 28-year-old native of Mexico, since he began riding in Louisiana. He admired his ability to boot home longshots and asked Guerrero if he knew the difference between being a jockey and a skilled race rider. They sat down and watched countless videos and Guerrero impressed Wilson with his desire to learn and improve his craft.

“Now, I watch the replays on my own, and Shane and I have a brief talk in the paddock before the races,” explained Guerrero. “He has given me a lot of confidence. I thank him and all my trainers, including Patti Turner as well as Jonas Gibson, who I began riding for this year.”

Guerrero is represented by agent Steve Melancon, completed the season with a record of 70 wins from 336 starts and purses totaling $1,189,553. He will ride next at Delta Downs and Fair Grounds as the year progresses.

Joel Dominguez, who was the top-ranked rider in 2020, battled gamely with Guerrero to lock up second place this year with 53 trips to the winner's circle. Emanuel Nieves won 49 races to finish third and Angel Suarez, finished fourth with 39 victories. Suarez, who was new to the jockey colony this season, is married to fellow rider Aubrie Green. Both were very popular with trainers and horseplayers.

Threepeat for Leading Trainer Shane Wilson

It was another excellent showing for Shane Wilson who won his third leading trainer title at Louisiana Downs.

The Haughton, Louisiana resident started 210 Thoroughbreds, winning 45 races. He added 33 runner-up finishes and 25 thirds with earnings of $861,315 for the meet. In similar style to the past two seasons, he arrived with a strong group of claimers, who were ready to step up to the allowance level. Despite running less dates than 2022, Wilson was pleased with the barn's results.

“It was a very good meet in spite of the heat,” said Wilson. “We appreciate the efforts of Louisiana Downs. Moving the post time later was good so we were not competing with the East coast tracks. Our horses are sound; (track superintendent) Billy McKeever does a great job.”

Of course, Wilson is grateful to his owners, including Wayne T. Davis, Jim and Kathy Reeves, Kevin Fontenot, Phyllis Presswood and Joe Hackler, who was his first client in 1998.

“To win races for Joe Hackler means a lot as he was the first owner to give me an opportunity,” added Wilson. “Evelyn Benoit joined us this year. Wayne Davis has been so loyal and at 94 years-old, he has told me this might be his last year as an owner. We were two ahead going into the final day and were able to stay on top. So happy that Wayne could get another title!”

It's a family affair at the Wilson barn, with his wife Becky and younger son, Connor, sharing in the key duties. His oldest son, Peyton, is an honors engineering student at LSU.

Wilson already has a string at Remington Park and will run at Fair Grounds in New Orleans for their 2023-2024 live racing season.

Joey Foster, who has won the Louisiana Downs trainer title three times, finished second with 23 victories. Steve Asmussen won 21 races and Joe O. Duhon rounded out the top four conditioners with 16 wins.

Leading Owner Title Goes to Wayne T. Davis

Wayne T. Davis claimed his second leading owner title with 14 wins this season at Louisiana Downs. The 94-year-old from Plain Dealing, Louisiana, has formed a close association with Shane Wilson and was on hand for the final day of the 2023 meet.

“It's not like I am the owner and Shane is the trainer,” said Davis. “We are part of a family and that's what makes running horses so special!”

Davis, who also won the 2021 title, finished second last year. He was pleased to accept the trophy, accompanied by Shane, Becky and Connor Wilson.

“Good people and nice horses,” added Davis. “You can't ask for anything more!”

L and G Racing Stable finished second with 12 wins, followed by Jonas Gibson, who won ten races, and Danny R. Caldwell with 8 winners.

Henry B. Johnson, Jr. Finishes the Season One Shy of his 1000th Milestone

Trainer Henry B. Johnson, Jr. had been in the hunt for his 1,000th career win this summer at Louisiana Downs. He had three horses entered on the final card, with one runner-up finish and two thirds. Born in Louisiana and a strong supporter of Louisiana Downs for four decades, Johnson, 82, ran 45 horses this season with six wins, five seconds and nine third-place finishes.

“It was close,” said Johnson. “After Lone Star finished, we had some deep fields and it got very competitive. I'll go to Delta Downs next and also have some decent Texas-breds and plan on running at Sam Houston Race Park in January.”

“We thank our horsemen for their support throughout the meet,” said Matt Crawford, Louisiana Downs Racing Secretary. “It was one of the hottest summers ever, which was certainly taxing for both horses and humans. We applaud the efforts of each and every trainer and wish them continued success for the remainder of the year.”

About Louisiana Downs

Located near Shreveport in Bossier City, Louisiana, Louisiana Downs opened in 1974 and is now owned by Rubico Acquisition Corporation. With annual Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing seasons, the track is committed to presenting the highest quality racing programs paired with its 150,000 square foot entertainment complex offering casino gambling, dining and plasma screen televisions for sports and simulcast racing.

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The Kentucky Thoroughbred Farm Managers' Club (KTFMC) has selected Frank Taylor of Taylor Made Farm as their 2023 Ted Bates Farm Manager of the Year. Taylor is a second-generation Farm Manager of the Year; his father, Joe Taylor, was honored with the award in 1976.

Taylor was raised on Gainesway Farm under the ownership of Clarence and John Gaines. After years of work as a groom and general farm hand, Taylor began his career as a farm manager under the tutelage of his father when he was named Yearling Manager in 1978 at the age of sixteen. Taylor balanced his time between his role at Gainesway, his enrollment at Lexington Catholic High School, and his duties to the fledgling Taylor Made Farm until he graduated from Lexington Catholic in 1982. 

In his career at Taylor Made Farm, Taylor has served in many roles including General Farm Manager, Vice President of Boarding, and Vice President of Sales since its inception in 1976. Taylor became a partner in the organization in 1982.  During his career, Taylor Made has gone on to raise and sell 133 G1 winners including Speightstown, Ashado, Serengeti Empress, Not This Time, American Pharoah, Liam's Map, and most recently Geaux Rocket Ride.  Taylor Made Sales Agency has sold 58 sales toppers and has been the leading consignor 28 times including 27 out of the last 29 years.  Taylor and his brothers have always ascribed to the motto that they can do more together than they ever could apart, and that true success lies in one's ability to serve.  The Taylors are and have always been committed to honesty, customer success, innovation, and living out their Christian values. 

“I am so grateful that the KTFMC has honored my father with such a prestigious award,” said Katie Taylor Whalen, daughter, and partner in Taylor Made Sales Agency. “I am so blessed to have grown up with such a strong and driven mentor.  My Dad has taught me and countless others to dream big, work hard, and trust in God.  I have seen him work tirelessly with my uncles to grow the Taylor Made brand and witnessed his dedication to his family, friends, clients, mentees, and the horses under his care. My Dad has a servant's heart and is willing to accept and help people from all walks of life.  Whether you are a billionaire or have lost it all in the grips of addiction, his willingness to accept and help is unwavering.  I would not be the person I am today without my father.”

Louis and Charlotte Brooks, second-generation customers of Taylor Made Farm, praised Taylor saying, “We've been with Taylor Made since the late seventies. The principles of the farm, the team, and the management of our horses have always been superb. They treat clients like family. Frank is a friend and mentor to any person who wants a chance to succeed in the horse business. Frank is innovative and resourceful. He has been instrumental in our success and in bringing countless others into the industry. He bends over backward to help everyone, usually from behind the scenes.  Simply put, he is the best!”

Taylor married his wife Kim in 1984 and has five children (Katie, Joe, Frankie, Gracie, and Chris) His eldest two children, Katie and Joe, have joined him as partners at Taylor Made Sales Agency. In recent years, Taylor has combined his love of horses with his passion for helping others to develop the Taylor Made School of Horsemanship.  The program works in partnership with Stable Recovery with the goal of achieving ambitious sobriety through purposeful work to provide second chances for those who struggle with substance abuse.  Taylor's dedication to the cause led to the establishment of Ready-Made Racing in 2021.  With his wife Kim and several like-minded partners, Taylor purchased a roster of yearlings and placed them in training with Will Walden and his team of horsemen in recovery.  Ready Made Racing has enjoyed success on the track while changing the lives of others.

The Kentucky Thoroughbred Farm Managers Club will be hosting its annual Dinner Dance to honor Frank Taylor at the Carrick House in Lexington on Friday, Dec. 1, 2023. A silent auction will be held with all proceeds benefitting Stable Recovery, LLC. Tickets and sponsorships for the event will be available for purchase through KTFMC's website www.ktfmc.org later this month. 

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