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Legislative Support For Horse Racing In Washington State

Introduced on Jan. 24, Washington House Bill (HB)1529 would provide supplementary funding to support horse racing and the recreational use of horses in Washington state. Sponsored with bipartisan support from Chris Stearns (D)*, Steve Bergquist (D), Shelley Kloba (D), Strom Peterson (D), Marcus Riccelli (D), Eric Robertson (R), Joe Schmick (R), Drew Stokesbary (R), the bill has been referred to the Appropriations committee on Jan. 24.

HB 1529 would place up to $6 million annually into a new Washington Equine Industry Reinvestment account. This would be in addition to the funding that is already provided by taxes on equine products and services.

Funds in the account can only be spent to provide assistance to legalized horse racing and the recreational use of horses in Washington State. Funds could be used to cover operating costs of the State Horse Racing Commission. The Commission's budget is between $1.2 and 1.5 million dollars paid by the racing industry.

The remaining funds would be distributed as follows:

65 percent to class 1 racing associations (currently the only class 1 racing in Washington is at Emerald Downs). The track would be able to use funds to cover expenses involved with recruitment programs, equine health and safety programs, research, track surface improvements and the employment of long-term maintenance, veterinary staff, security, on-duty paramedics, EMTs, starting gate personnel and outriders
5 percent to the state's Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association to assist with low-fee medical and dental care, education and recreation programs, and assistance for labor and industries claim monitoring programs.
10 percent to support nonprofit class C race meets
10 percent to supplement Washington-bred horses and breeders
10 percent to support equine activities in the form of grants to 4-H clubs, schools with riding or equestrian programs, county fairs, rodeos or groups that build and/or maintain riding trails. Funds could also be disseminated to equine adoption programs and to therapy programs that utilize horses.

A companion bill, Senate Bill 5598, was introduced in the Washington Senate and has been referred to the Senate Business, Financial Services, Gaming and Trade Committee for review. It is identical to HB 1529. SB5598 was introduced by nine Senators: Republicans Phil Fortunato, Mark Schoesler, Jeff Wilson and Mike Padden along with Democrats Mark Mullet, Joe Nguyen, Karen Keiser, Claudia Kauffman and Sam Hunt.

As both bills are identical, supporters are hopeful it will pass. A similar bill with bipartisan support failed to be voted on in the Senate last year, but its believed that the concerns over language have been remedied.

Linda Rice’s Nephew To Oversee Stable During Trainer’s 10-Day Suspension For Bute Overage

Currently the leading trainer at Aqueduct Racetrack, Linda Rice has been issued a 10-day suspension and $1,000 fine due to an overage of phenylbutazone in Winter Pool, winner of Aqueduct's first race on Jan. 7, 2023. According to the Daily Racing Form, Rice's nephew, Adam Rice, will oversee the stable and any starters during her suspension.

The New York State Gaming Commission steward Braulio Baeza, Jr. confirmed the ruling to DRF on Thursday.

Rice's penalty will commence on Monday and and run through Feb. 28.

Winter Pool was disqualified from his victory, and owner Ronald Stewart ordered to return the purse money of $19,250. Since the horse was claimed for $12,500 out of that win, stewards have ordered the horse returned to Rice's barn.

Rice told DRF she believes the overage stems from the use of oral bute paste on Dec. 29, following the horse's win in a $16,000 claimer; the trainer said she hadn't planned to run the horse back in 9 days.

Steve Sexton Mile Headlines 2023 Stakes Schedule At Lone Star Park

After coming off of a successful Thoroughbred Racing Season in 2022, Lone Star Park is looking forward to 2023.

The Thoroughbred Racing Season will begin Thursday, April 13, 2023, with 44 live racing days and will conclude July 4. The calendar features live racing on Thursdays and Fridays at 6:35 p.m., Saturdays, Sundays and Memorial Day at 1:35 p.m. and special twilight post times of 5:00 p.m. on July 3 and July 4.

The 2023 Thoroughbred Racing Season Stakes Schedule will have a total of 21 stakes worth a combined total of $2,925,000. The highlight of the schedule is Lone Star Million Day on Memorial Day, and the marquee race is the Grade 3, $400,000 guaranteed Steve Sexton Mile, for 3-yr-olds & up at one mile. The Summer Turf Festival will be returning on Saturday, June 24.

Other than the $75,000 Bluebonnet Stakes which kicks off the season on Opening Night all other stakes will be held on one of four dates. They are:

Lone Star Million Day, Monday, May 29 – six stakes worth a total of $1,200,000
Lone Star Showcase Day, Saturday, June 3 – five stakes worth a total of $375,000
Summer Turf Festival, Saturday, June 24 – four stakes worth a total of $750,000
Stars of Texas Day, Saturday, July 1 – five stakes worth a total of $525,000.

The 2023 Thoroughbred Racing Season Stakes Schedule can be found at: https://www.lonestarpark.com/stakes-schedule/

Total purses will average an estimated $260,000 per day for the 44-day meet.

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Mental Health, Equine Welfare Key Topics Thursday At Asian Racing Conference

Mental health was a key focus topic during the 39th Asian Racing Conference (ARC) in Melbourne on Thursday (Feb. 16) with Andrew Harding, Hong Kong Jockey Club Executive Director, Racing calling for greater attention on the issue in the face of the significant demands placed on racing participants.

Chairing a session titled 'The Mind,' Harding said athletes from all disciplines had played a crucial role in building awareness around mental health wellbeing but more needs to be done.

“Athletes bring a unique perspective to the issue (mental health), living with constant pressure to perform at the highest level, regardless of what else might be happening in their lives. They are simply expected to put it all aside and go out there and win. Because that's their job,” Harding said.

“But with depression or anxiety affecting over five percent of the population worldwide at some point in their lives, and suicide being the fourth leading cause of death among 15 to 29-year-olds globally, it is critical that we all bring greater attention to these issues.

“This is highly relevant for racing, a sport that places significant demands on its participants in what are often high-intensity, seven days a week jobs, year-round.

“Jockeys, for one, face not just the unrelenting pressure of winning every time they saddle up a favorite, they do so knowing the potentially life-altering consequences of getting boxed in too tight or shifting out a second too late.”

Harding was joined in the session by former Victorian Premier Jeff Kennett; Lisa Hancock, Chief Executive, Injured Jockeys Fund (UK); Matti Clements, Acting Director, Australian Institute of Sport; and three-time Melbourne Cup-winning jockey Glen Boss, who spoke of the mental health challenges he experienced during his career.

“I have a PHD in what not to do as a professional athlete,” Boss said. “I never showed any sign of weakness, or put my hand up looking for help. (But) I was crumbling, I was falling apart, I would keep putting up more walls to make myself look stronger.”

Earlier, Chris Riggs, Hong Kong Jockey Club Equine Welfare Research Foundation Director and Chief Advisor, Mainland Veterinary Engagement told the conference racing has “a moral responsibility to provide for the needs of animals in our care.”

“There is a definition of welfare which simply connects the needs of the animal and whether they are being met and that is totally quantifiable,” Dr. Riggs said during a session titled 'The Horse'.

“We need to highlight the benefits and acknowledge the issues associated with racing and face up to them truthfully, honestly and openly and be very proud of racing but equally say 'It's got its problems, just about everything in life has.'

“We need to face up to our detractors with that insistence that we are doing something.”

Greg Nichols, Director of Racing Australia, chaired the session and said the industry must have “an irrevocable commitment to the welfare of the horses from cradle to grave.”

Champion trainer Chris Waller said transparency and open communication was vital in retaining and increasing racehorse ownership during an interview with moderator David Eades in a session titled 'The Owner,' which focused on horse ownership.

“It's the same as any business, if you are not looking after your investor, they won't reinvest and I am not blessed with having great communication skills or being any outgoing person,” Waller said.

“If you close the door, it's hard to reopen it. Always leave the door open and the customer is always right. It's just the same philosophy that works in any business.”

Leading Australian scientist Professor Tim Flannery delivered a keynote address on 'The Sustainable,' saying racing faced a challenge relating to climate change and sustainability in the eyes of younger generations.

Professor Flannery shared a panel discussion with General Manger, International Department of the Japan Racing Association, Hiroshi Ito and the Managing Director of Accenture, Julie Romanet-Perroux.

Andrew Harding, Secretary General, Asian Racing Federation and Hong Kong Jockey Club Executive Director, Racing; Doug Robinson, Hong Kong Jockey Club Executive Manager, Due Diligence and Research; and Tom Chignell, Hong Kong Jockey Club Executive Manager, Racing Integrity and Betting Analysis, will feature on Friday (Feb. 17) in a session called 'The Defense' which focuses on threats to racing's integrity.

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