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Louisiana Downs Announces Changes To 2022 Quarter Horse Schedule

The 2022 Quarter Horse racing season at Louisiana Downs began on January 10 and attracted strong interest from horsemen in the Mardi Gras Futurity (RG3).

Nominations for the first “official” futurity of the year topped previous numbers with Bruce Salard, executive director of the Louisiana Quarter Horse Breeders Association (LQHBA) sharing that a record 223 payments had been received. Based on that level of interest, it was clear that trials for the 300-yard championship could not be completed in one day.

On Friday, January 28, the Louisiana State Racing Commission (LSRC) approved a request from David Heitzmann, director of racing for the Bossier City racetrack, to amend its schedule. Approval was granted for the following changes:

Trials for the Mardi Gras Futurity will now take place on Saturday, March 5 and Sunday, March 6. The draw will take place on Saturday, February 26
Closing day of the 2022 live racing season will be on Wednesday, April 6, instead of Thursday, April 8

“We appreciate the efficiency of the LSRC in approving the change in our schedule so that we can safely run all the trials for the Mardi Gras Futurity,” said Heitzmann. “Last year's purse was $349,946, but with such strong interest by horsemen, the ten finalists will run for a record purse on March 27.”

Louisiana Downs will also present the 15^th running of the $50,000-added Mardi Gras Derby on Sunday, March 27 with trials set for Monday, March 7. Trials for the $75,000-added Louisiana Downs Futurity (G3) will be run on Sunday, March 13 with the top ten qualifiers advancing to the final on Sunday, April 3. Schooling races will be offered On February 12 and 19 for 2-year-olds paid into the Mardi Gras Futurity as well as the Louisiana Downs Futurity.

Live Quarter Horse racing will be conducted Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday through March 2. Beginning Sunday, March 6, the schedule changes to Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. One Thursday race card will be added on March 31. Post time will be 1:00 p.m. (Central), except for Mardi Gras trial dates, which will begin at 11:00 am.

Dates have also been approved for the 2022 Louisiana Downs Thoroughbred live racing season. The 84-day meet will begin on Saturday, May 7 and conclude on Tuesday, September 27.

Louisiana Downs 2022 Quarter Horse Stakes Schedule

Revised as of January 28

March 27 $100,000-added Mardi Gras Futurity(RG2) 2 YO LA-Bred 300 yards

$50,000-added Mardi Gras Derby 3 YO LA-Bred 400 yards

April 3 $75,000-added Louisiana Downs Futurity(G3) 2 YO 300 yards

2022 Quarter Horse Trial Dates

March 5 and March 6 Mardi Gras Futurity

March 7 Mardi Gras Derby

March 13 Louisiana Downs Futurity

2022 Schooling Race Dates

February 12 Mardi Gras Futurity

February 19 Louisiana Downs Futurity

The post Louisiana Downs Announces Changes To 2022 Quarter Horse Schedule appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Ruidoso To Implement New Enhanced Identification System For Microchipped Thoroughbreds And Quarter Horses

Lip Chip LLC announces new pilot program being launched later in 2022 to bring integrity and transparency back to horse racing. The program starts at Ruidoso Downs during the summer meet and possibly progresses to other supportive tracks.

Lip Chip offers advanced equine microchipping technology and was built by horsemen, for horsemen. The program will offer access to the Chip Link System, which will be available to horsemen everywhere in 2023.

The Chip Link System includes the following:

Each horse is microchipped with a low frequency microchip, either in the superior lip placement, or the nuchal ligament.
Each horse has their owner information, breed, age, sex, color, markings, and emergency contact information uploaded into the secure
Each horse has four current photos as well as copies of their current Coggins, piroplasmosis, health certificates, and registration papers uploaded into the secure

o Only a certified track identifier or an approved veterinarian may upload information into the database.

Once a horse has been implanted with their unique microchip, a simple scan with the Chip Link Reader will unlock this data and send it to a mobile app housed on a smartphone, tablet, or laptop.

American Quarter Horses and Thoroughbreds alike will be included in the program. Each time a horse enters or exits the backside gates, they will be scanned to secure identification and documentation. When a horse arrives at the holding barn, paddock, clocks for a morning work, or test barn, they will be scanned to verify identity.

Lip Chip has been partnering with Ruidoso Downs for the last year to beta test the Chip Link System. With the help of the tracks, Lip Chip hopes to lessen issues such as cheating and gain transparency.

“We are excited to team up with Lip Chip to protect our horses and better serve our racing fans,” said Rick Baugh of Ruidoso Downs. “Our track is continually working to improve security on the backside and keep our equine population safe. We want to produce a product that assures the fans a level playing field.”

Julie Farr, horsemen's Liaison with Lip Chip LLC, also expressed her excitement for the upcoming program.

“Lip Chip would like to thank AARD Managing Partner Johnny Trotter and Ruidoso Downs for their continued support,” said Farr.

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Indiana Grand’s Leading Quarter Horse Jockey Faces 20-Year Ban For Alleged Use Of Electrical Device

Sammy Mendez, the leading Quarter Horse jockey at Indiana Grand in 2020 and '21, is facing a 20-year suspension and $10,000 fine after admitting he both possessed and used a prohibited electrical device during training and racing at the Shelbyville, Ind., track.

The penalty was recommended by Indiana Horse Racing Commission executive director Deena Pitman in a Nov. 17 administrative complaint into what officials said remains an “ongoing” matter.

The complaint states that Dr. Katie Naughton, a track veterinarian employed by Caesars Entertainment, recovered the device – also referred to as a machine, battery or buzzer – from the track surface following the seventh race on Sept. 4, 2021. Michael Morris, director of security for the racing commission, was notified of the discovery and immediately began an investigation into who may have carried it.

Morris interviewed Mendez on three separate occasions, according to the complaint, with Mendez admitting during the interviews that he “possessed and used the machine on three separate occasions to train horses” at Indiana Grand and that he “possessed and used the machine during race 1 … on Sept. 4, 2021.”

According to Equibase, Mendez rode Rock Candy Almighty to victory in the first race Sept. 4 for owner-breeders Lance and Tammy Finlinson and trainer Randy Smith. The ruling recommends the $11,275 purse won by Rock Candy Almighty be redistributed. Any disqualification would not affect pari-mutuel payouts.

Mendez, who last rode on Sept. 13, was summarily suspended on Sept. 15.

Mendez rode first call for Smith the last two years, setting Indiana Grand Quarter Horse records for most wins by a jockey in both 2020 (36) and 2021 (38). Mendez won with 27% of his mounts in 2020 and 28% in 2021.

Smith is the all-time leading Quarter Horse conditioner at Indiana Grand and has been the track's leading trainer every year since 2015.

During one of his tape recorded interviews with Morris, Mendez is said to have turned over a photograph “purportedly showing the Facebook page of Felipe Becerra.” The complaint states that “Mr. Becerra is the individual that Mr. Mendez alleges manufactured and sold him the machine…”

Mendez has 20 days after the administrative complaint was filed to ask for a hearing. Additionally, Mendez had 10 days after the report's issuance on Nov. 17 to provide materials to the commission that could be considered in mitigation of the recommended penalty. In that case, Pittman may at her discretion withdraw, amend or modify the complaint and penalty.

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Louisiana Downs Begins 46-Day Quarter Horse Meet Jan. 10

The 2022 Quarter Horse racing season will get underway at Louisiana Downs on Monday, Jan. 10. The 46-day meet will conclude on Thursday, April 7.

Louisiana Downs is now under new ownership. Rubico Acquisition Corporation purchased the Bossier City racetrack for $22 million with approval from both the Louisiana Gaming Control Board and Louisiana State Racing Commission. The new ownership became official effective November 1, 2021.

“This is a big win for everyone involved,” said Kevin Preston, president of Rubico Acquisition Corporation. “Louisiana Downs is such an iconic institution of the Bossier City and Northwest Louisiana landscape. At one time it was one of the premier horseracing tracks in the state and our plan is to restore it as a place of entertainment for the entire family.”

Three Quarter Horse stakes will be contested in 2022 highlighted by the $100,000-added Mardi Gras Futurity (RG2), which is the first official futurity of the year, on Sunday, March 27. The 15^th running of the $50,000 Mardi Gras Derby will also be run that day. Both are restricted to Louisiana-bred Quarter Horses. The $75,000-added Louisiana Downs Futurity (G3) will be run on Sunday, April 3.

Stall applications are due by Monday, December 6 and the barn area will open on Sunday, Dec. 26. Louisiana Downs will also offer schooling races for 2-year-olds paid into the Mardi Gras Futurity as well as the Louisiana Downs Futurity.

Live Quarter Horse racing will be conducted Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday through March 2. Beginning Sunday, March 6, the schedule changes to Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Two Thursday race cards will be added for the final two weeks of the season. Post time will be 1:00 p.m. (Central).

Dates have also been approved for the 2022 Louisiana Downs Thoroughbred live racing season. The 84-day meet will begin on Saturday, May 7 and conclude on Tuesday, Sept. 27.

Louisiana Downs 2022 Quarter Horse Stakes Schedule

March 27: $100,000-added Mardi Gras Futurity(RG2) 2 YO LA-Bred 300 yards

$50,000-added Mardi Gras Derby 3 YO LA-Bred 400 yards

April 3 : $75,000-added Louisiana Downs Futurity(G3) 2 YO 300 yards

2022 Quarter Horse Trial Dates

March 6 Mardi Gras Futurity

March 7 Mardi Gras Derby

March 13 Louisiana Downs Futurity

2022 Schooling Race Dates

February 12 Mardi Gras Futurity

February 19 Louisiana Downs Futurity

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