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McAnally Trainee Disqualified Over CBD Positive; Separate Hearing To Determine Sanctions

Roses and Candy, winner of the third race at Del Mar on Nov. 22, 2020, has been disqualified by the California Horse Racing Board after testing positive for a metabolite of the Class 1 drug 7-Carboxy-Cannabidiol, reports the Thoroughbred Daily News. A separate hearing will be held to determine whether any sanctions will be handed down to the mare's trainer, Hall of Famer Ron McAnally.

Better known as CBD – and marketed widely for a variety of health benefits to humans – Cannabidiol is found in a number of equine products, including tincture oil, pellets, liniment spray and poultices. While it is believed to work as an anti-inflammatory there is limited research on the possible benefits of CBD in horses and its use remains controversial. Because it is not included in the CHRB's classification list of drugs, it becomes a Class 1/Penalty Class A by default, according to CHRB spokesman Mike Marten.

The TDN reports that under CHRB rules, first-time violations of penalty class A can lead to a minimum one-year suspension or maximum three-year suspension, with a maximum fine of $25,000, absent mitigating circumstances.

The Association of Racing Commissioners International lists Cannabidiol as a Class 2/Penalty Category B substance, and the CHRB began the process of changing CBD's classification in early 2021. On Jan. 21, the CHRB pushed back the proposed rule change to make Cannabidiol a Class 3/Penalty Category B drug to the February meeting, at which point it went out for public comment.

The complaint was not made public until May 17, 2021.

CBD is now listed as a Class 3/Penalty Category B drug, for which first-time violations can result in a fine of no more than $10,000 and a minimum 30-day suspension, absent mitigating circumstances.

According to a report in Daily Racing Form, jockey Geovanni Franco, who rode Roses and Candy to victory Nov. 22, admitted to McAnally assistant Dan Landers that he used a product containing CBD the day of the race. Roses and Candy won the day's third race. Geovanni rode another winner on the same card three hours later that did not test positive.

Read more at the Thoroughbred Daily News.

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Voting Now Open For 2021 Secretariat Vox Populi Award

Online voting is now open for the 12th annual winner of the 2021 Secretariat Vox Populi Award. Created by Secretariat's late owner Penny Chenery, the Vox Populi, or “Voice of the People,” Award recognizes the racehorse whose popularity and racing excellence best resounded with the public and gained recognition for the sport during the past year.

The six nominees were selected by a committee comprised of several distinguished personalities from within and outside the racing industry who all share a keen interest and affection for the sport. But voters also have the option to write in a racehorse of their choice. Voting will be open through Nov. 30, and the winner will be announced in December.

This year's nominees are:

Echo Zulu, the 2-year-old filly sensation whose undefeated debut season boasted impressive wins in all four of her starts, including the NetJets Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies
Essential Quality, the 3-year-old colt whose class and consistency has provided conversation throughout the racing season with five wins in seven starts, including the Belmont Stakes
Hot Rod Charlie, the gutsy 3-year-old colt who rose to be a force along the Triple Crown trail and beyond with wins in the Louisiana Derby and the Pennsylvania Derby
Knicks Go, the 5-year-old Breeders' Cup Classic and Pegasus World Cup winner whose stellar 2021 campaign resulted in earnings of $7.3 million
Letruska, the talented and tenacious 5-year-old distaffer who collected six wins in eight 2021 starts
Life is Good, the swift 3-year-old colt whose comeback from mid-season injury resulted in four wins in five starts, including the Big Ass Fans Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile

“Our nominees this year represent some of the brightest moments for the sport in 2021,” said Kate Chenery Tweedy, family historian and daughter of Penny Chenery. “We look forward to the fans celebrating their favorites by voting for the horses who thrilled them, who inspired them, and who provided them the most joy during another challenging year.”

The list of previous Vox Populi winners reads as a who's who among the sport's contemporary superstars and beloved equine heroes: Authentic (2020), Bricks and Mortar (2019), Winx (2018), Ben's Cat (2017), California Chrome (2016 and 2014), American Pharoah (2015), Mucho Macho Man (2013), Paynter (2012), Rapid Redux (2011), and 2010 inaugural winner Zenyatta.

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Indiana Grand Season Concludes With Record Handle Numbers

The 19th season of Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing ended Thursday, Nov. 11, completing 123 days of racing. The meet Both breeds brought in record numbers for the year, showing a 47 percent increase in overall handle compared to similar dates in 2019.

With the shortened season in 2020 due to COVID-19, handle figures are compared to 2019 when a full schedule was conducted at Indiana Grand. Total handle for 2021 came in at $223,204,265 compared to handle in 2019 at $151,791,334. The highlight of the meet was another record setting day for Indiana Derby with total handle reaching $6,292,388. The 2021 running of the Indiana Derby marked the third straight year for an all-sources handle track record for a single program.

“Coming off a strong, but abbreviated 2020 season, we entered the 2021 meet with high expectations in terms of handle,” said Eric Halstrom, Vice President and General Manager of Racing. “We are very pleased that we were able to exceed all of our goals. We have so much to celebrate on the business end of our racing program, but more importantly, we were able to offer a strong racing program thanks to the support of both our Quarter Horse and Thoroughbred horsemen. Our partnership with both breeds allows us to provide promotions and events to complement our racing program. We are really looking forward to the 2022 racing season to continue the momentum.”

On Thursday, as the 2021 racing season came to a close, the Indiana Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association (HBPA) made a surprise presentation to Halstrom with the “HBPA Excellence of Service Award.”

Brian Elmore, Executive Director of Indiana HBPA, was joined by several board members for the presentation in the winner's circle to Halstrom, who is in his second year at the helm of the racing operations at Indiana Grand. Elmore noted the gratitude from the horsemen's organization for Halstrom's leadership and guidance during the 19th season of racing that has brought in a record-setting year in handle.

Elmore noted the best way to honor Halstrom was to read the plaque, which said, “In recognition of your outstanding commitment and leadership toward the advancement of Thoroughbred horse racing in Indiana. Given on this day, Nov. 11, 2021.”

In addition to working closely with the horsemen this season, Halstrom has implemented several positive changes to the racing program, from lower takeout rates to unique wagering incentives, including a seeded $50,000 Pick 5 on closing day as a way to say “thank you” to all racing fans who watched and wagered on Indiana racing in 2021.

“We've had a tremendous year in racing and it's thanks in part to the cooperation and support of the horsemen,” said Halstrom “I am very honored to receive this award, and it has special meaning since it comes from the horsemen's organization. We work very hard to put on a great show for them and are constantly looking for ways to create a fun and exciting backdrop to showcase our racing product.”

Four days during the season topped $3 million in handle, including the closing day program on Veteran's Day Nov. 11 featuring a seeded $50,000 Pick 5 and Charity Challenge with 20 handicappers submitting $250 tickets into the wager to raise funding for Homeless Veterans and Families of Indiana. Total handle for the day was $3,150,488, the highest handle ever recorded on a Thursday program in the history of Indiana Grand.

Quarter Horse racing also showed major increases in 2021. Handle for the sprinters topped $1 million twice with the Saturday, July 3 program setting a new Quarter Horse handle record of $1,201,604. A total of six all Quarter Horse racing days were offered in 2021.

Purse money also set new records. Both breeds combined included purses of $36,439,755 over the 123-day meet. A new record for daily purse distribution was also set offering an average of $298,686 per day.

The 20th season of Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing is set to resume Tuesday, April 19 and run through Wednesday, Nov. 23. Racing will be held Monday through Wednesday at 2:30 p.m. with Thursday racing beginning at 3:30 p.m. A total of 12 Saturday racing programs will be held in 2022. For more information on events and racing, go to www.indianagrand.com.

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Maryland Horsemen, Veterinarians Urged To Use Online Injury Reporting Form

Horsemen and private veterinarians are reminded that the Maryland Racing Commission has an online Injury Reporting Form that should be used to report injuries during track at all Thoroughbred tracks in the state.

“This is important in our effort to track training injuries,” MRC Executive Director Mike Hopkins said. “It's also important to see if there is a pattern of a type of injury and where it occurred on the racetrack.”

The form asks for basic information as well the location on the track where the injury occurred, the type of injury, whether radiographs were taken, and the veterinary diagnosis for the injury.

The reporting of injuries during training was part of a Nov. 10 discussion among horsemen and Maryland Jockey Club officials in relation to keeping the track maintenance abreast of any issues.

The form is available online at this link: https://forms.gle/uZo7bp1Xa23zJYqW6

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