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KEEP, Race For Education Announce 2023 Scholarship Recipients

Over $33,000 in scholarships were awarded to Kentucky equine students for 2023, courtesy of The Kentucky Equine Education Project (KEEP) Foundation, and The Race For Education (RFE).

The KEEP Foundation's board of directors approved scholarships for 16 students attending equine programs at universities across the Commonwealth. All of the 2023 scholarship recipients are students currently enrolled at a university or college in Kentucky in either an equine and/or agriculture related major or their parents work in the equine industry.

In addition to the aforementioned 16 Kentucky students, the Race For Education also awarded its annual Robert J. Frankel Scholarship to four students from New York: Elsa Lorieul, Carlos Lopez, Francis Marrone and Anitza Parrilla. Now in its 13th year, the Robert J. Frankel Scholarship, in honor of the late Robert (Bobby) J. Frankel, is awarded to students whose families are employed in the Thoroughbred industry and are pursuing any field of study at a college or university in California or New York state. All of the 2023 Frankel Scholarship recipients have parents that work at various racetracks in New York and will be attending universities in New York.

The 16 2023 Race For Education KEEP Foundation Scholarship Recipients are: Jaida Alee, University of Kentucky; Brant Brower, Midway University; Alysa Farrell, University of Kentucky; Leo Foo, University of Kentucky; Rebekah Garza, Morehead State University; Kara Knott, University of Louisville; Thomas Mullikin, Robert Morris University; Lauren Mullikin, University of Kentucky; Taylor Nackers, University of Kentucky; Matthew Reidy, University of Kentucky; Noah Roberson, Kentucky Horseshoeing School; Sydnee Stacy, Midway University; Maddie Stephens, University of Kentucky; Sophia Vega, University of Kentucky; Samantha Versocki, University of Louisville and Logan West, University of Kentucky.

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72-Hour Pre-Race, Pre-Work Vet Exams in Pipeline for New York

Thoroughbreds in New York would be required to pass a health check 72 hours prior to a race or workout if a new rule proposed Monday by the New York State Gaming Commission (NYSGC) gets adopted after passing a public commentary period and a final vote by the commission at a future meeting.

The proposal that got put into the pipeline by unanimous voice vote after zero discussion among commissioners on Monday would require a trainer's attending veterinarian to conduct the 72-hour fitness exams. These health checks would be in addition to, and would not replace, New York's current rule that requires an exam by the racing association's veterinarian on race day.

“Adding the requirement for an examination by the attending veterinarian provides additional safeguards by ensuring an evaluation by a veterinarian with knowledge of the particular horse, while maintaining the examination by the racing association's veterinarian as an additional level of review,” stated a brief written by NYSGC general counsel Edmund Burns that was included in the informational packet for the June 26 monthly meeting.

“Furthermore, adding the requirement for examinations prior to workouts will implement equivalent protections for training,” Burns wrote.

The proposed new language, which now will get published in the New York State Register for the public's review, takes the form of an amendment to Rule 4007.5, which deals with qualifications to start.

A horse would be prohibited from entry into a race or from performing a workout unless such evaluation results in a determination that the horse is fit.

“The proposal is intended to minimize the risks of injury to horses that are unfit to perform,” Burns wrote. “The proposed rule would require such attending-veterinarian examinations to include, without limitation, a close inspection of the eyes, examination of the legs, and observation of the horse at rest and while in motion.

“Following a determination that the horse is either fit to race or to work out, the attending veterinarian and trainer would be obligated to inform the racing association's veterinarian of any changes in the horse's fitness before race day or the workout” in a to-be-determined manner of reporting, Burns wrote.

According to the text of the proposed rule, the term “workout” would be defined as “an exercise session near full speed or close to full speed.”

Burns wrote that, “While we have no reason to believe that an attending veterinarian would permit a horse under such veterinarian's care to race or participate in a workout if the horse is unfit, staff believes it appropriate to require attending veterinarians to make such representations of fitness explicitly, as a further safeguard to promote the safety and

health of New York's racehorses.”

After the vote, NYSGC chair Brian O'Dwyer noted that NYSGC staffers and the commission's equine medical director, Scott Palmer, “are working on new approaches to minimizing bad outcomes on the track and in training. And I know that they will be coming up with further suggestions in the future if warranted.”

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Hartack Derby Trophies Top Sports Memorabilia Auction

A group of five Lemon & Son brand sterling silver engraved Kentucky Derby trophies won from 1957 to 1969 by legendary jockey Bill Hartack, was the top offering at Julien's Auctions' three-day Sports Legends auction held over the weekend online and live in the company's auction house in Beverly Hills. The trophies sold for $317,000.

Hartack's five wins (aboard Iron Liege in 1957; Venetian Way in 1960; Decidedly in 1962; Northern Dancer in 1964; and Majestic Prince in 1969) tie him with Eddie Arcaro for most Derby victories by a jockey.

The weekend's auction also featured nearly nine hundred game winning jerseys, medals, memorabilia, and collectibles from sports stars such as Michael Jordan, Pele, Kobe Bryant, Diego Maradona, Babe Ruth, and Rafael Nadal.

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Countdown to the Real Rider Cup in Lexington

When the Real Rider Cup launched a second leg of its charity show jumping fundraiser last year in Lexington at New Vocations' Mereworth Farm, the event's creator Anita Motion said that her team was not sure what to expect. But the breeding and racing community showed up in force to support the cause and the evening was a smashing success. The place was packed as spectators enjoyed lighthearted competition and helped double the event's previous record by bringing in over $90,000.

“We didn't even think that it would go beyond the first year,” Motion admitted. “The turnout we had was pretty incredible. I think everybody thoroughly enjoyed it. It's something very different. At a lot of fundraisers, you give the money but you don't get much in return. Whereas with this, people are putting on a big show.”

The Real Rider Cup was launched in 2017 with the goal of raising funds–and awareness–toward Thoroughbred aftercare. Racing personalities team up with an off-track Thoroughbred to complete a timed course of jumps. Each participant is required to raise a minimum of $1,000.

Between its Mid-Atlantic home base at Fair Hill and now its Lexington location, the Real Rider Cup has raised over $410,000 to support its three beneficiaries: the Retired Racehorse Project, New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program and the Fair Hill Thoroughbred Show.

“Every single penny goes towards promoting and helping with all the future fundraising for each of the recipients,” Motion explained. “The reach that these organizations have is huge and the more we can get this out about what we do with our retired racehorses, the better. It just goes to show what these horses can do after their racing career.”

The Real Rider Cup will return to Lexington this year on Saturday, July 8 at New Vocations ahead of the Fasig-Tipton July Sale. Motion is hoping for another big turnout.

“We had no idea what to expect last year and if we get half of what we got last year, we'll be doing very well,” she said.

Thatcher Street and Brian Hernandez Jr. claim the 2016 GIII River City H. | Coady

One of the horse-and-rider pairs that is sure to garner recognition from their time on the racetrack is Kara Lee and her mount Thatcher Street (Street Sense).

The duo first met when Lee began exercise riding for Ian Wilkes at Churchill Downs in 2014. While it took 13 tries over the course of two years for Thatcher Street to break his maiden, as an older horse he developed into a stakes-level turfer for owners Randy Bloch, Phil Milner, John Seiler and Fred Merritt. A stalwart of the Wilkes barn for several years, the gelding earned over $450,00 from 40 lifetime starts and took home stakes wins in the 2016 Opening Verse S. and the 2016 GIII River City H., also placing second in the 2015 River City and running third in the 2016 GII Wise Dan S.

Lee said that Thatcher Street was always a pleasure to work with and was a barn favorite.

“He was usually very good, but then a few days before race day he would get very tough,” she explained. “But at the same time, we used to pony on him at the track with horses that just needed a little bit of help. He was always very good with other horses, but he knew what his job was and he always showed up for race day.”

When it came time for the big bay to retire at the age of seven, he had a forever home with his exercise rider.

“He was the first stakes horse that I rode on the track, so he always had a special place in my heart,” Lee said. “When it came time for him to look for a new home, I just knew that I wasn't going to be able to give him up so he came home with me. He's earned it. He's been really good to me and I always have fun any time I'm on his back.”

Lee and 'Thatcher' completed the Retired Racehorse Project in 2019, coming in the top five of the Field Hunter division and earning top amateur honors. The following year, Thatcher Street made his Real Rider Cup debut when he teamed up with jockey Brian Hernandez Jr., who was one of his regular riders on the Kentucky circuit, for a virtual edition of the annual event (watch it here).

Private Island and his rider JayCee | Katie Petrunyak

After enjoying some 'R and R' for the past year, Lee and Thatcher Street are ready to get back into showing. Lee decided that the Real Rider Cup would be a fun way to dip their toes back into the water.

Since she first started in the industry a decade ago, Lee has steadily become more involved in the industry and has found a passion for developing and placing horses once their time on the track has ended. One of the many horses that Lee has secured a home for is Thatcher Street's half-brother Private Island (Bodemeister).

The 2018-foaled gelding also raced with Ian Wilkes, breaking his maiden at Kentucky Downs in 2020 and earning just under $100,000. Lee took on the gray when it was time for him to retire and soon found a home for him with 19-year-old JayCee Vanesky.

Private Island and Thatcher Street actually met during their racing years in the Wilkes barn. In fact, Thatcher Street helped pony Private Island when he was first learning the ropes of the racetrack. Now, the brothers often reunite for eventing lessons.

Thatcher Street ponied Private Island when he first arrived at the Ian Wilkes barn | courtesy Kara Lee

Lee said that the sibling pair and their personalities reflect most of the off-track Thoroughbreds that she works with.

“There aren't many other breeds of horses that are exposed to people cheering and yelling and umbrellas and strollers and just all the little stuff, so when they come off the track, they probably have one of the soundest brains that I've ever seen in a horse,” she said.

The Real Rider Cup is one opportunity to showcase the versatility, temperament and ability of retired racehorses like Thatcher Street.

Many racing celebrities, both human and equine, have participated over the years, from this year's Belmont Stakes-winning trainer Jena Antonucci to retired jockey Aaron Gryder and Zenyatta's son Cozmic One (Bernardini). The later two will both be making repeat appearances on July 8 in Lexington.

The event is free to attend and the first rider will take to the course at 7 p.m. Food trucks, a cash bar and live music will all be on-site. Attendees can RSVP here. Supporters can also donate to their favorite horse-and-rider teams to help them meet and exceed their $1,000 goal here.

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